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Chennai’s No 1 English evening daily since 1982
www.newstodaynet.com
NATIONAL DAILY
VOL. XXXIII NO. 83
FOUNDER EDITOR: T.R.R
H CHENNAI H SATURDY 28.2.2015 (EVENING) H OTHER STATIONS SUNDAY 1.3.2015 (MORNING) H 8 PAGES Rs. 4.00 H
Regd. No., TN/CC(S) DN/223/15-17, RNI No: 33810 / 82
Aiming high
inance Minister Arun Jaitley today announced a
budget aimed at high growth, saying the pace of
cutting the fiscal deficit would slow as he seeks to boost
investment and ensure that ordinary people benefit.
Jaitley, delivering his first full-year budget since Prime
Minister Narendra Modi’s landslide election victory last
May, said growth would accelerate to between 8 and
8.5 per cent in the fiscal year starting in April. A pace of
7.4 per cent is expected for the current year.
‘India is about to take off,’ Jaitley, said early in his speech.
‘The world is predicting that this is India’s chance to fly.’ He
forecast inflation at 5 per cent by the end of the fiscal year
ending March 2016, undershooting the Reserve Bank of
India’s 6 per cent target and creating room to cut interest
rates. Annual inflation was 5.1 per cent in January.
Jaitley said he would stand by the fiscal deficit target
for the 2014/15 fiscal year, which ends 31 March, of 4.1
per cent of gross domestic product.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said,
‘Budget is progressive, positive, practical, pragmatic &
prudent.’ In a thriller in the World Cup, New Zealand beat
Australia in Auckland to become the first team to enter
the quarterfinals. In a low-scoring match that went right
down to the wire, the nervous Kiwis huffed and puffed
to victory after man of the match pacer Trent Boult’s
career-best five-wicket haul had helped bowl out the
Aussies for 151 in 32.2 overs at a packed Eden Park.
Budget: ReForM is the route
q IT slab remain untouched q Wealth tax abolished q Corporate tax to come down q To act tough on black money
New Delhi, Feb 28:
Presenting Union Budget 2015-16 in
the Parliament, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today announced
that the rate of corporate tax would
be reduced to 25 percent from 30
percent over the next four years.
The Finance Minister further said
there would be no change in income
tax slabs for individual tax-payers.
Reading out the Budget speech,
Jaitley said that the State of the country’s economy is better placed today
with its credibility re-established by a
series of measures taken by the Narendra Modi government. He stressed that
India is growing when economies the
world over are struggling.
The income-tax exemption limit
remains as before at Rs 2.5 lakh,
but deductions for medical spends,
pension savings and travel have
been increased to provide relief to the
aam aadmi and the rural poor. Jaitley
proposed to abolish wealth tax and
replace it with an additional 2 per cent
surcharge on the country’s super rich.
Meanwhile, Jaitley announced
increasing the service tax rate and
education cess to 14 per cent from the
current 12.36 per cent. He said the
D-DAY
Union Finance Minister Arun
Jaitley arrives to present the
Budget today.
government plans to introduce direct
tax regime that is internationally competitive on rates without exemptions.
Battle against black money
The Finance Minister announced a
host of measures to curb black money
as it hastened to show its seriousness on curbing the generation
of unaccounted wealth. The government will bring in a new law to
curb black money in the budget
than Rs.20,000 in transfer of immovable
property will not be allowed. Quoting the
Permanent Account Number or PAN has
Prime Minister
been made mandatory for real estate
Narendra today said
transactions of more than Rs.1 lakh.
that the Union BudgDefence allocation hiked
et has a clear vision.
raised the defence budget for 2015He tweeted that the
16 by 7.5%, saying he intended to
budget is more profocus on the ‘Make in India’ initiative
gressive, positive,
to boost local manufacturing of depractical, pragmatic
fence equipment and exports in the
and prudent.
coming year. Jaitley increased the
defence budget to Rs.2.46
session of Parliament.
trillion from Rs.2.29 trillion in
Key features of the bill include
the current fiscal year. ‘We
imprisonment of up to 10 years
are pursuing policy of Make
for concealment of foreign
In India in defence not only
assets and confiscation of as2015-16
to cater our needs but also
sets. In addition, evaders will
not have the option to approach the for export,’ Jaitley said
Bonanza for farmers
income tax settlement commission
for relief. Banks and financial instituIn a bonanza for farmers, the govtions that abet concealment will also ernment today raised agriculture
be liable for punishment. In addition, credit target by Rs 50,000 crore to
Indians will have to disclose the date Rs 8.5 lakh crore for 2015-16 fiscal
of opening up of foreign bank ac- and also announced financial supcounts. Even beneficial owners will port to enhance irrigation and soil
have to file returns irrespective of health to achieve higher agriculture
the tax liability. The government will productivity. ‘I propose to allocate Rs
also bring in a stricter Benami prohibi- 25,000 crore in 2015-16 to the corpus
tion bill for checking domestic black of Rural Infrastructure Development
money. Cash transactions of more Fund set up NABARD.’
Modi likes it
MONEY MATTERS
l No change in personal Income Tax
l Health Insurance Premium
deduction hiked from
Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000; for
senior citizens to Rs 30,000
l Transport allowance exemption
hiked to Rs 1,600, from Rs 800
per month
l Additional 2 % surcharge on
people earning over Rs one cr
l Wealth Tax abolished
l To lower Corporate Tax to 25 %
l Service Tax rate hiked
l 100% deduction for contribution
to Swachh Bharat, Clean Ganga
projects
l GST to be put in place by
1 April, 2016
GAINERS
TO COST MORE
l Cigarettes, radio taxis,
aerated drinks, imported
electronic products and
foreign garments
TO COST LESS
l Mobile phones,
computers, soaps and
oil, small LCD TVs,
diamond, footwear
l Yoga to be included in charitable organisations. It means a tax exemption
for contribution to yoga organisations.
l A service tax exemption announcd
for cold storage sector. It is seen as
a boost for organised retail
2 SATURDAY
28 FEBRUARY 2015
City
Green belt in
Tambaram
Renovated park becomes an eye-catcher
Gandhi Park in Tambaram has got a facelift.
I
n a rapidly developing suburb M Chinnaya and the Municipality
wherein empty spaces are to beautify the park. Also, the
hard to find, leave alone green Minister took keen interest to
belts, Tambaram has a number ensure that the park becomes
of parks, thankfully. A few have one of the landmarks of the area.’
This is one of the few parks
been renovated and thrown open
to public in recent times.
which have all the facilities that
Now, Gandhi Park
any park would need.
There is a musical
in East Tambaram
fountain
at
the
has
got
a
makeover, which
RAM centre of the park,
A
B
has
delighted
footpath, steel bars
TAM
and several bins have been
residents.
The park, located
placed, LED lamps have been
in a residential hub,
w h i c h installed and figurines of animals
too houses several schools, is have been kept at different points.
expected to be an attraction for Also, the lush green atmosphere
children in the vicinity.
cannot be missed. The presence
Municipal Councillor K Manohar of several trees adds to the
says, ‘An amount of Rs 1 crore beauty.
Residents said that a visit to the
was spent to renovate the
park. Funds were allocated by park would be a good break from
Tambaram MLA and Minister T K the mundane lives and to get a
whiff of fresh air too.
That is not all, there is
an exclusive play area for
children. Huge number of play
equipment, ground covered
with mud and garden would
probably be perfect summer
gifts for children of the locality.
Says Sangeetha, a mother
of two, ‘Now my children are
all the more excited to play
as there are many additional
apparatus. They find abundant
space here to spend their free
time. As they play, I walk
around here which gives me
some time for fitness which
was never happened earlier.’
The library which has been here
for decades also attracts a large
number of visitors.
According
to
Harini,
an
environmentalist, this is a
great initiative taken up by the
authorities. She says, ‘In an age
where people don’t find time
for gardening, the park with the
mantra to support greenery sets
an example that we can follow.
It sets the perfect environment
for recreational activities and it is
bound to help everyone belonging
to the area.’
Mohan, a mechanic from a
nearby shop said, ‘More number
of people started coming after
these renovation work. It is a good
sign and weans youngsters away
from television and computer
games.’
- NT Bureau
Centre
Back to square one
CHENNAI
Overgrown vegetation at Ambattur Railway station
A
mbattur railway station received
a facelift recently. It was a
great relief to both commuters and
railway staff. However, many feel, the
overgrown shrubs in and around the
station is the latest threat to security.
A railway official said tipplers throw
bottles into bushes and glass pieces
are scattered all over the place,
making it unsafe
to
venture
into the
area.
TTUR
AMBA
At times
the tracks
need to
be switched
manually
to
change
the direction of the
train, for which a railway staff walks
till the point along the track. Some
commuters too walk by the railway
line. ‘Men sit near these bushes and
drink. These tipplers can do frightful
things from the dark,’ he added.
The railway property behind the
station is encroached by vendors,
said a railway staff. ‘Due to poor
upkeep the land has wild grass and
trees and is a haven for reptiles. Few
days ago, a snake crawled into one
of the staff’s room in the wee hours
of the day. It came again the very
The overgrown shrubs at Ambattur station.
next day and was caught later. There
were not many commuters, otherwise
it would have been a scare.’
A station master said that the
Engineer division has acquired a
grass cutting equipment for the
station but it had not been put to good
used. Fencing, he said, would be an
ideal solution.
A commuter and resident of
Pattaravakkam said that the rail lines
pass through various residential
areas and shrubs and bushes are a
cover for illegal activities.
‘Couples come and spend time in
Due to poor upkeep
the land has wild
grass and trees
and is a haven for
reptiles
shady areas and drunk men too
gather at these places’, said the
commuter.
- NT Bureau
BATTERED BINS
PHOTO: M SRINIVASAN
T
Trash
h cans att Thi
Thiruvengada
d N
Nagar are iin an unusable
bl condition
diti
d
giving Corporation workers a hard time while collecting garbage.
IN HOME
SONY PIX
06:35 PM The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn: Part 1
09:00 PM Men in Black II
10:55 PM The Thieves
HBO
06:45 PM Parker
09:00 PM Sabotage
11:03 PM Jack the Giant Slayer
MOVIES NOW
06:35 PM The A-Team
09:00 PM Ice Age: Continental Drift
10:50 PM Tekken: Kazuya’s Revenge
STAR MOVIES
07:00 PM Rise of the Planet of the
Apes
09:00 PM Spider Man 2
11:30 PM Spider-Man
IN THEATRES
KAKKI SATTAI
Kamala Theatre, Udhayam Theatre, PVR Cinemas,
AGS Cinemas, INOX National, Abirami Mega Mall,
Woodlands Multiplex, Mayajaal Cinema, Sangam
Multiplex, Sri Ganga Cinema, Raj Theatre, Maharani
Theatre
VAJRAM
Mayajaal, Escape Cinema, Devi Cineplex, Kamala Theatre,
PVR Cinemas, Sangam, AGS, INOX National, Hall, Rakki
Multiplex, Abirami Theatres,
ANEGAN
Mayajaal, Escape Cinema, Devi Cineplex, Kamala Theatre,
PVR Cinemas, Sangam, AGS, INOX National, Abirami
Theatres,
STAR SPORTS 1
TV TODAY
JAYA TV
04:30 PM Yamuna
07:30 PM News
08:00 PM Jaya Super Singer South
India
07:30 PM Cricket Extra : Post Show
08:30 PM ICC Cricket World Cup
2015 H/ls : India vs. UAE
09:30 PM Match Point : Australia vs.
New Zealand
10:30 PM Match Point : India vs.
UAE
11:30 PM Match Point : Australia vs.
New Zealand
09:00 PM Nadandhadhu Enna
05:30 PM Pathukku Pathu 10/10
09:30 PM Kavidhaiyae Theriyuma
06:00 PM Raj News
10:30 PM English News
06:30 PM Thirai Vaanil
10:45 PM Tamil News
07:00 PM Sindhu Bhairavi
11:00 PM Hits
07:30 PM Mann Vasanai
SUN TV
08:00 PM Karuthamma
03:00 PM Valli
08:30 PM Alaipayuthey
03:30 PM Movie
09:00 PM Chill Out
06:00 PM Mundhanai Mudichu
10:00 PM Appadi Podu
05:00 PM WWE NXT
06:00 PM Inside the PGTI : PGTI
Players Championship
06:30 PM WTA 2015 : Qatar Total
Open SF 2
08:30 PM WTA 2015 : Qatar Total
Open Finals
10:30 PM WWE NXT
11:30 PM The Mindgame
06:30 PM Pasamalar
10:30 PM Ilamai Oonjal Aadukirathu
TEN CRICKET
07:00 PM News
POLIMER TV
03:00 PM Cricket Classics : Australia
vs. India: April `98
07:30 PM Nadhaswaram
05:10 PM Comedy Express
08:00 PM Deiva Magal
05:35 PM Nenjam Pesuthey
08:30 PM Vamsam
06:05 PM Saami Potta Mudichu
09:00 PM Priyamanaval
06:30 PM Madhubala
09:30 PM Vani Rani
07:00 PM Ullam Kollai Pogudhada
10:00 PM Chinna Papa Periya Papa
07:30 PM Sakthi Pole Yaarumillae
10:30 PM Sivasankari
08:00 PM Madhubala
11:00 PM Movie
08:30 PM Saami Potta Mudichu
KALAIGNAR TV
09:00 PM Nenjam Pesuthey
04:00 PM Movie Special
09:30 PM Moondru Muduchi
04:30 PM Sirithale Inikkum
10:00 PM Ullam Kollai Pogudhada
05:00 PM Paruthi Veeran
10:30 PM Polimer News
08:30 PM Chinnathirai Cinema
11:00 PM Comedy Express
10:30 PM Nenju Porukkudhillayae
11:30 PM Thirai Kadhambam
11:30 PM Eye of the Beast
MEGA TV
VIJAY TV
03:30 PM New Trailor
07:30 PM Cricket Extra : Post Show
04:30 PM Thirai Ula
08:30 PM Siricha Pochu
05:05 PM Jai Hanuman
09:00 PM Jodi No.1
06:00 PM Movie
11:00 PM Yuddham Sei
08:00 PM Movie
RAJ TV
10:00 PM Amutha Ganam
05:00 PM S K Shoppe
11:00 PM Sirippu Siripputhan
TEN SPORTS
S
U
D
O
K
U
04:00 PM South Africa Tour of Pakistan 2013 (UAE) H/ls : 3rd
ODI
06:00 PM West Indies Tour of South
Africa 2014/15 H/ls : 2nd
T20
07:00 PM Cricket Classics : Australia
vs. Pakistan: May `90
08:00 PM South Africa Tour of Sri
Lanka 2014 H/ls : 2nd ODI
09:00 PM Tri-Nation 2014
(Zim,SA,Aus) H/ls : 6th
ODI: Zimbabwe vs. South
Africa
10:00 PM Best of the Tests : 1st Test:
South Africa vs. Australia
2011
11:00 PM England Tour of Sri
Lanka 2014 H/ls : 6th
ODILanka 2014 H/ls : 1st
ODI09:00PM
Tri-Nation 2014
(Zim,SA,Aus) H/ls : 1st
ODI: Zimbabwe vs. Australia
4
5
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1
9
6
3003
The object is to
insert the numbers
in the boxes to
satisfy only one
condition: each
row, column and
3x3 box must
contain the digits
1 through 9 exactly
once: Easy nah?
ANSWER TO
SUDOKU 3002
(27.2.2015)
4
3
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1
Around Town
CHENNAI
Take steps to
release fishermen,
says CM to Centre
NT Bureau
Chennai, Feb 28:
Tamilnadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam on Friday asked the Centre to take urgent steps for release
of 29 fishermen arrested by the Sri
Lankan Navy, besides releasing a financial package of Rs 1,520 crore for
improving the socio-economic status of the State’s fishermen.
In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Chief Minister said
besides arresting the fishermen on
Thursday, the island navy had also
seized their three boats.
‘It is unfortunate that this incident
has taken place even after the
change in regime in Sri Lanka. Nearly
10 lakh fisherfolk in Tamilnadu depend on marine fishing as their only
source of livelihood,’ Panneerselvam
said in his letter.
Stating that a two-pronged approach was necessary to allay apprehensions of the fishermen, he
said, ‘One is the sanction of financial
package of Rs 1,520 crore and a
recurring grant of Rs 10 crore per annum for maintenance dredging would
go a long way in improving the socioeconomic status of the fishermen.’
‘The second is the abrogation of
the 1974 and 1976 agreements and
retrieval of Katchatheevu as well as
restoration of the traditional and historical fishing grounds the Palk Bay
to the Tamilnadu fishermen,’ he said.
Panneerselvam requested Modi to
instruct the External Affairs Ministry
to take up the matter immediately
and ensure prompt release of the 29
fishermen and their three boats.
q City residents turn to organic foods
SANGEETHA R
Chennai, Feb 28:
Fruits and vegetables that you
carefully pick may appear to be
healthy, but may have a lot of harmful pesticides to worry about. But
there is nothing to fear for, the good
old food products with its nutritional
value can be retained in the form
of ‘organic’ foods. While a number
of organic stores have already
mushroomed across the city, the
question is will ‘organic’ always
be the best?
As demand for organic products
are on rise and consumers are willing to pay that extra penny for good
quality food, News Today caught
up with a few who specialise in
organic farming.
Chandrasekaran and Jayachandran run and manage Jaycee
Greens, an organic store at Thiruvanmiyur. The duo who also organically grow plants say, ‘We are
from an agricultural family and we
started growing it in our farmlands
to make people have better health
through nutritious food’.
‘Notably one of the prime reasons
food doesn’t taste as good as it used
to, is related to the deterioration of
mineral content. Organic vegetables
and fruits are grown naturally. The
way they are produced is healthier,
retains the nutritional value and are
free of pesticides. Organic farming
uses natural compounds to enrich
the soil like cow dung and natural
manure’, he adds.
One need not stock up overpriced
vegetables from market any more,
he says, cultivating a garden for
pesticide-free vegetables and fruits
may seem like a far-fetched idea.
But growing and owning an organic
garden is actually achievable. One
can take up terrace gardening
as government provides manure,
seeds and grow bags.
To create more awareness on
organic farming, he says, ‘we
have taken several families on
tour to our farmland and have
also discussed benefits of organic
foods. We are also planning to
take school children to our farm’,
he adds.
‘Mangoes that are free of pesticides and fertilisers are harvested
in my farm at Punnamia village.
They are washed in warm water
to destroy eggs of flies that might
be present on the skin of the fruit.
They are dried, packed and sent
to various retail customers, restaurants and organic food stores’
says another organic entrepreneur
at Mylapore.
‘Each year I harvest about 40 to
50 tonnes of organic Alphonso and
Banganapalle mangoes’, he adds.
Dharini Krishnan, a city-based consultant and dietician says, ‘Our way
of life was made of bio-degradable
and eco-friendly products until pesticides and mechanised farming were
introduced. The nutrient content of
foods dramatically declined as we
started moving towards a westernised living’.
‘Organic farming prohibits chemical
pesticides that are widely used in
conventional farming, she explains,
on one hand, you have a conventionally grown mango. On the
other, you have one that’s organic.
Both are firm and
shiny, provide vitamins and fibre.
What would you
chose? An organically grown
plant will produce more of
its own compounds, called
antioxidants and
their nutrient content are more
b i o -
available, to fight damage. And
when consumed by humans,
these antioxidants also protect
our bodies’, she states.
Once found only in health food
stores,
organic foods
have
now become a
regular feature
at most supermarkets. But government should initiate by labelling organic
foods, so that consumers
are aware about other
‘Growing
genetically modified
and owning
or naturally grown
foods.
organic garden
an
is actually achievable.
One can take up terrace
gardening as government
provides manure, seeds
and grow bags’
Apollo launches centre
for hip arthroscopy
q Two-day conference on orthopaedics gets underway
Dr Jyotirmaya Dash with the
patient Md Shafiqul Islam at
SIMS, Vadapalani in Chennai.
which is a platinum chromium stent
where the drug elutes in three months
and the polymer gets absorbed so that
the polymer related complications are
reduced, chances of stent thrombosis
is minimised and need for DAPT (dual
antiplatelets) can
be minimised, plus
HEALTH
it is the thinnest
struts stent giving
a good side branch protection.
Dr Jyotirmaya Dash said, ‘Our Cardiac team converged together to
provide a unique and deeper level of
care and leverage the experience to
deliver more personalised and integrated treatment. The ‘Synergy Stent’
was first time used in Tamilnadu and
we are happy that the patient is doing
well and responded to the treatment.’
NT Bureau
Chennai, Feb 28:
Apollo Hospitals has launched a
centre of excellence in hip arthroscopy during the inauguration of a
conference on orthopaedics - COSMIC (Congress on Orthopaedics
and Sports Medicine International
Chapter) here on Friday.
Speaking at the launch, Apollo
Hospitals chairman Dr Pratap C
Reddy said, ‘Hip arMATTERS throscopy is a very difficult procedure, and only
a few health care units
in the world provide it. We hope
Apollo will emerge as a leader in it’.
Hip arthroscopy is a procedure
that involves viewing the interior of
the hip joint through a pencil like
tool called arthroscope, and using
some invasive techniques to treat
the condition.
‘In every family at least one person is suffering from some joint
Unsung heroes of sea
q Besant Nagar resident forms
forum to recognise fishermen’s act
LAASYA SHEKHAR
Chennai, Feb 28:
Accidents on the sea shore are not
strange to Chennaiites as they strike
headlines almost every day. Only
in certain cases, the lucky ones get
saved from getting drowned. What go
unrecognised is the role the fishermen
play in saving these lives.
Residing at the sea bed, these fishermen often save many from sweeping
away to giant waves. They do not confine
their duty to that, but also take further
step in admitting them in the hospitals
and informing the family and police.
Mentioning about his recent experience, Sameul Raj, a fisherman at
Besant Nagar said, ‘Barring our advise,
two college students from a reputed
college ventured deep into the sea
saying that they are professionals in
swimming. The waters were rough
and they failed to manage to get to
the shore.’
He then took his boat, plunged into
the rough sea and rescued the youth
who were almost drowned. ‘He did not
go for fishing as it was a rough day. So
when he went into the sea to save the
youth, I was worried about his safety,’
said Maria, his wife.
The fact that their humanitarian acts go
unrecognised made a retired resident
of Besant Nagar, V Chandrasekhar to
initiate a forum called Senior Citizens
Group of Besant Nagar (SCGOBN)
which recognises the bravery acts of
3
HEALTHY
route to LIVING
Bangladeshi gets new
lease of life at SIMS
NT Bureau
Chennai, Feb 28:
Doctors at SIMS Hospital, Vadapalani
performed an angioplasty by using a
synergy stent on a Bangladeshi patient
recently.
According to a press release, fifty-yearold Md Shafiqul Islam was referred to
SIMS Hospitals with history of chest
discomfort and shortness of breath for
the past one month.
He had undergone coronary angiogram
in Bangladesh on 1 January 2015 which
showed critical lesion in right coronary
artery. The doctors after evaluating the
patient suggested for angioplasty. The
patient came to SIMS for the same and
got admitted on 22 February with severe
body pain. On diagnostic examination,
his condition was progressing from bad
to worse. The patient was immediately
shifted to the Cardiac Care Unit and was
started on heparin and antianginals
(lifesaving medications). On 23 February coronary angiogram showed 100
per cent stenosis (Blockage) of Right
Coronary Artery (RCA) which was 90
per cent stenosed one month back.
Dr Jyotirmaya Dash, Interventional Cardiologist from the Institute of
Cardiac Sciences at SIMS Hospital
performed an angioplasty with a specialised stent called ‘Synergy Stent’,
SATURDAY
28 FEBRUARY 2015
Senior Citizens Group of Besant Nagar president V Chandrasekhar
being felicitated by the then IOB Chairman Narendra for rendering his
services to the fishermen.
fishermen and helps in their upliftment.
excited person to have witnessed the
Travelling down the memory lane, courageous act. Moved by the fishermen folks adventurous act, he was so
Chandrasekhar said, ‘Two-and-half
determined to initiate the forum.
years ago, a ship at Besant Nagar
beach got tilted and 20 sailors were
Talking about it, the septuagenardrowning. The Neelam cyclone was
ian said, ‘With the help of the then
at its peek and no one would dare to
managing director of Indian Overseas
venture into the sea. It was then that
Bank, Dr Narendra, we collected sigthe five fishermen from the beach took
natories from 200 employees of the
their boats and sailed in.’
bank and sent it to then Chief Minister
He still remembers the nail biting
J Jayalalaithaa seeking financial help
tension of the people who were on the
for fishermen. The Chief Minister then
shore. Officials from the Coast Guard
sanctioned Rs one lakh to each fisherand the local police were too tensed
men who helped the sailors.’
and everyone consistently prayed for
The forum is working with an unditheir safe return. Then, the courageous
vided objective of improving the living
men of the sea came to the shore with
standards of fishermen like proper sani10 sailors they have saved. It may be
tation, well built houses and adequate
recalled that five others were already
educational facilities to their children.
drowned.
Chandrasekhar can be contacted at
Chandrasekhar was one among the
98842 24480.
Apollo Hospitals chairman Dr Prathap C Reddy with Dr J D Ramanathan,
Dr N Sathyabama, Dr Jonathan Saluta, Dr Henko Graichen, Dr Jaw Haw
Kim and hospitals chief executive officer (Southern Region) Anne Marie
Moncure at the inauguration of centre of excellence in hip arthroscopy
in Chennai yesterday.
or spine problem, and restoration
would be the best option rather than
replacement’, said senior consult-
Stonehill school
invites students
NT Bureau
Chennai, Feb 28:
Stonehill International School, Bangalore’s leading IB school, held
an interactive presentation on the
advantages of International Baccalaureate (IB) learning which involved
the presence of faculty members
and programme coordinators of the
school in city recently.
According to a press release, the
programme was held as part of
Stonehill and Embassy Group’s overall outreach to students in Chennai, to
pursue international education at the
institution that serves a multicultural
community of school children across
the globe.
The school is accredited by the New
England Association of Schools and
Colleges (NEASC) and the Council
of International Schools (CIS).
For more information, visit www.
stonehill.in
ant orthopedic surgeon at Apollo
Hospitals, Dr Madan Mohan Reddy.
‘Youngsters are irresponsible about
their bone health, and its very important for them to understand the
importance of orthopaedics’, said
Apollo Hospitals executive vicechairperson Dr Preetha Reddy. She
further said that this new technology
will eventually reduce the need
of replacement by as much as 50
per cent.
Dr J D Ramanathan, who got
both his knees replaced at Apollo
recently, said, ‘People are afraid
when they hear the name of these
treatments, but this will give a huge
relief to patients like me’.
The two-day conference COSMIC
will be a platform for knowledge
sharing in new areas and launch of
new initiatives in orthopaedics.
Many eminent medical experts
in world like Dr Jonathan Saluta,
orthopaedic surgeon from California
and Dr Henko Graichen, orthopaedic surgeon from German were
present at the inaugural session.
Glaucoma awareness
week from 8 March
NT Bureau
Chennai, Feb 28:
Glaucoma Society of India is oberserving ‘World Glaucoma Awareness
Week’ (WGW) from 8 March, to
increase public awareness on the
‘Silent thief of sight.’
In Chennai, WGW events will be
organised by glaucoma specialists
at Chennai Glaucoma Foundation
(a unit of Swamy Eye Clinic), MN
Eye Hospitals and Sankara Nethralaya, a release said.
The awareness week will highlight
the glaucoma problem in India
through lectures and media interviews besides screening of those
individuals at risk of developing
glaucoma.
Glaucoma is a disease affecting the optic nerve and in early to
moderate stages of the disease
the patient has no symptoms. In
advanced stage there is visual loss
which is irreversible. Glaucoma is
the second most common cause for
blindness worldwide (cataract being
the commonest).
For details contact: 91 44 2617
3742/ 43.
Course in music
NT Bureau
Chennai, Feb 28:
Sri Thyaga Brahma Gana Sabha,
Vani Mahal, T Nagar, will conduct a
course on advanced music at Vani
Sangeetha Gurukulam situated in the
sabha premises.
A press release said, the gurukulam
is functioning since 2010 and the
faculty includes seasoned musicologists Nirmala Sundararajan and Dr B
M Sundaram as its director.
Students with knowledge of a few
varnams can get the application form
from the sabha office and the last
date of submission is 7 March.
For details, contact 2815 2166.
Tamilnadu Telugu Yuva Sakthi president K Jagadiswara Reddy
distributing sarees to women at Pullainthope in Chennai yesterday,
as part of the 10-day celebrations to mark the birthday of AIADMK
general secretary J Jayalalithaa.
Blend
4 SATURDAY
28 FEBRUARY 2015
WHAT
WH
AT N
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NEWS
EWS
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TODA
TODAY
DAY
DA
Y PR
PRIN
PRINTS
INTS
IN
TS IS
IS NE
NEWS
WS TTHA
THAT
HATT CO
HA
COUN
COUNTS
UNTS
UN
TS
Talking the talk
T
he Prime Minister’s reply to the motion of thanks on the
President’s address to the joint session of Parliament was a
masterly display of aggression and wit, coupled with an appeal to
the Opposition to cooperate in the larger national interest. However,
Modi made it clear that the government intended to stick by its
decision to go ahead with the changes in the land acquisition law. Far
from feeling defensive about these changes which the government
first carried out through ordinances, and for which it now requires
Parliament to give its nod, Modi frontally defended them. He rejected
the charge that the changes were anti-farmer. On the contrary, those
opposing the changes are no friends of the farmers, since without
these, there would be no land for irrigation projects and for necessary
infrastructure in the rural hinterland. Even urgent security-related
development could be in jeopardy for want of requisite land if the
proposed changes failed to materialise.
Combining sweet reasonableness with his wonted combativeness,
Modi tore into the Opposition narrative against the land acquisition
law changes. He asserted that a number of chief ministers, including
those from the Congress Party, had expressed grave concern that the
UPA law would make it impossible for any land to be acquired even
for urgent development works. A number of CMs had personally
spoken to him. Others had written to the government. All were,
however, agreed that in the form the law was originally passed by the
UPA Government in 2013, it was anti-development, anti-farmer. In
all humility, he said, he sought the cooperation of the Opposition to
amend the law in order to make it workable for the sake of national
security and larger developmental interests. Coupled with the robust
defence put up by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in the Rajya Sabha
on Thursday, it is likely that the government will persist with all the
major changes made in the original law.
However, Modi, in his reply on the debate on the Presidential
address on Friday, did promise to consider any suggestions that the
Opposition might have if these did not hamper development. Without
doubt, the original law was conceived in a hurry and passed without
being mindful of the trouble it would cause in acquiring land even for
urgent defence-related projects. As Modi said, the UPA Government
believed that just as it had won the 2009 general election following
the passage of the employment guarantee law, it believed the land law
could win it the 2014 Lok Sabha poll. But because it was essentially
anti-farmer, UPA failed in its objective.
The Constitution accords all Indians, irrespective of their
differences of religion, caste, etc., equal status and the PM was
determined to uphold that commandment of the founding fathers.
It was a forceful assertion of Modi’s faith in equality and justice to
all Indians. The Modi intervention was so overpowering that the
Opposition could be seen squirming in its seats. It dispelled the
impression, if any, that the belated attempt by the Opposition to
gang up using the land law, and following the BJP defeat in Delhi,
the Government would be on the back foot. The PM did not show
it, though he was conciliatory enough to seek the cooperation of
all sections of the House for the sake of the larger national interest.
The next few days in Parliament will reveal whether the Opposition
heeds the PM’s appeal. Or is bent on a confrontation which can do
no good to anyone.
A budget ‘Made in
India’ will ‘Make India’,
strengthening all sections
of society. All inclusive,
policy driven, measurable,
accountable..
Kiran Bedi @
thekiranbedi
Never assume you’ve
already been tested in life.
It doesn’t just happen and
then go away. It happens
all the time. In some form
or other...
Siddharth @Actor_
Siddharth
Shopping vouchers can help
pregnant women quit smoking
LONDON: an area of high deprivation and 239
Financial incentives, such as shop- pregnant women enrolled into the
ping vouchers, could help one in five financial incentives scheme. At each
women quit smoking during
visit to the antenatal clinic, the women
pregnancy, according to a
were asked if they had smoked
new UK research.
since the last visit and were given
The study, led by researcha carbon monoxide breath test
HEALTH
ers at the University of Cam(which showed positive if
bridge and King’s College
the individual had smoked
London, found that only a small
in the preceding few hours).
number of women ‘gamed’ the sysIf they had not smoked, they were
tem to receive the incentives while given a shopping voucher - the first
continuing to smoke.
voucher was worth 8 pounds and
Researchers carried out a study of the value increased by 1 pound for
women attending antenatal clinics at each visit up, providing a potential
a hospital in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, maximum of 752 pounds in vouchers.
Today
VOICE MAIL
When will it be cleared?
Sir,
A post box situated on Jubilee Road at Mambalam does not display the
time of clearance.
While the facility is situated in a busy area like this, it is surprising how
the clearance timings are not displayed. This also results in doubts as to
whether the letters will be delivered or not. I request the postal authorities
to take necessary action.
RAMAMURTHY,
Mambalam
ADDRESS YOUR LETTERS TO :
The Editor, News Today, 85, Mount Road, Guindy, Chennai - 600 032.
or e-mail to : [email protected] / [email protected]
I
CHENNAI
Mauka with Mayanti
need not be writing this at all.
For, one of the first lessons that
they teach at the journalism school
is: Nothing other than cricket ever
gets read during a World Cup, especially in the aftermath of India’s
victory over Pakistan. For the record,
the Indian Constitution was published
the day after India’s triumph against
its archrivals in a Test match. So till
date, none has an honest clue as to
what it contains. I suspect it features
pictures of Mayanti Langer.
No, I am just kidding. The other
important lesson tutored at advanced
journalism and mass communication
institutes is: Columnists must use
Mayanti Langer’s reference from time
to time. Readers enjoy that.
The point is after every nerve-wracking, high-octane win over Pakistan,
the lay Indian cricket fan has little or
no time to relax, as he/she generally
gets down to focussing his/her energies on watching the nerve-wracking,
high-octane highlights of the same
match. This is actually more thrilling
and more satisfying than seeing the
match live. It becomes a surrogate
Rajnikanth movie: You know what will
happen in the end. But that’s not the
point of the movie.
On an average, a typical fan watches the highlights of India’s romp (over
Pakistan) no fewer than 6,3678,0098
times in his life. If ever some kind of
census is computed based on the
statistics of the viewings of India- lip-reading what swear words Sohail
Pakistan encounters, the world will used on Prasad and what was he
be in for a shock: It will realise that an (Sohail) retaliated with.
Indian fan watches 26 hours of cricket
The true Indian fan not only has
in a 24-hour day.
the wonderful talent for remembering
If you are looking for a sure-fire each and every minute movement on
business strategy, this is it: Start a the field in an Indian success over Pasports channel. Appoint a program- kistan, but he also has the phenomming head. No wait, sack him imme- enal skill to become near amnesic to
diately. Get the rights for India vs. the details of India’s loss at the hands
Pakistan contests
of Pakistan.
in the Cricket World
For instance, I can
Cups. Start playing
only recollect Javed
all the matches on
Miandad hitting the
‘repeat loop’. You
last ball from Chetan
K BALAKUMAR
are guaranteed a
Sharma for six in a
viewership in crores
match in Sharjah.
everyday for eternity. The only prob- Over time, I have brilliantly acquired
lem is you have competition already: the ability to forget every other aspect
Star Sports has been running on this of that match. Of course, true-blue
precise formula for the last 15 years. Indian cricket fans have already
Another important rite of passage evolved to the exalted level of askafter India’s success over Pakistan ing: ‘Sharjah? What Sharjah? Is it the
is for a group of friends to discuss capital city of Angola?’ If ever Sharjah
and dissect the entire match. This goes missing from the face of the
usually takes about roughly three earth, don’t blame the rising seas and
years time. But sometimes this may global warming. Your prime suspect
not be enough. Case in point being: has to be that bigger, sinister force:
Aamir Sohail getting clean bowled The Indian cricket fan.
by Venkatesh Prasad in the 1996
By the way, what of Saeed AnWorld Cup.
war’s innings of 194 at the M A
It’s 15 years since that memorable Chidambaram stadium? As far as I
game. The intervening time has obvi- am concerned, my abiding memoously not been adequate for the fans ries as an even-eyed, non-partisan
to resolve to their full satisfaction scribe who offi cially covered that
that 2-minute incident in that match match in Chennai, is the wonderof 7-hour duration. We fans are still ful array of aggressive cutlets and
handsome samosas that I consumed to create an imposing, alltime one-day record, which is sure
to stand the test of time.
Yes, for a true Indian cricket aficionado, the unique intrigue, the
sublime poetry, the fantastic glory
that the game is richly famous for is
never more truly revealed than when
Pakistan is humbled on the field. At
other times, cricket becomes what it
otherwise truly is: A ho-hum exercise
in utter pointlessness.
At Adelaide, some days back, luckily the poetic side of cricket came to
life, and we were also at our romantic
best, by which I mean we cussed
the Pakistan players whenever they
made the cardinal cricketing mistake
of taking a wicket or hitting a four.
Of course, the Pakistani fans did not
exhibit even the elementary sporting
spirit of rooting for India.
The rest of our World Cup opponents will be different in that our
innate cricket understanding makes it
clear to us that they are not Pakistanis. But what the heck, we the loyal
connoisseurs of the game are looking
forward to great games and an even
more interesting highlights package
featuring the biggest attraction known
to knowledgeable cricket fans like us
--- Mayanti Langer.
e-mail the writer at
[email protected]
(Courtesy: Talk Media)
Essar Essar, how
many bags full?
A story of scam, scandal & secrets
ing strong steps against persons
stealing information. We have
already filed an appropriate complaint with the concerned authorities. We would take appropriate
legal steps to ensure that the
protection of law available against
theft in all its forms is extended to
our property, ie our servers and
data on these servers.’
Company communications,
A
‘whistleblower’ has decided to go public with
internal company communications of the Essar Group
that, he says, show how it cultivated individuals in positions of
power and influence, showered
them with gifts and favours to
push its business interests.
The correspondence which
includes purported emails and
memos refers to meetings with
government officials and alleged
favours to ministers, bureaucrats
and journalists, is the subject matter of a public interest litigation
which will be filed in the Supreme
Court by the Centre for Public
Interest Litigation.
A spokesperson for the company said: ‘It is apparent that
some of the material is fabricated
and some of the allegations are
conclusions and inferences being drawn from email stolen from
our computers. Stealing emails
constitutes theft and as you would
be aware that Delhi Police is tak-
What the group says
Essar says that this is part of an attempt to blackmail the
company for money and took to twitter to express its stand.
Essar reiterates that neither it has directly nor has it
authorized anybody to conduct any acts not in compliance
with law.
Essar is a law abiding corporate,we follow a strict policy
based on highest standards of governance & ethics.
which form part of the PIL, show
that BJP leader Nitin Gadkari, his
wife, two sons and daughter spent
Emails reveal a
little too much!
much!
MUMBAI:
The Essar group has filed a complaint with the Delhi police over the
leak of confidential emails by an
employee that suggest the company extended favours to BJP leader
and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari,
certain journalists and ministry employees at various levels.
The emails will form the backbone
a proposed case to be filed in the
Supreme Court by the Centre for
Public Interest Litigation (CPIL).
Earlier, a newspaper published
details from the leaked emails that
show that the Essar Group, which
is promoted by the Mumbai-based
Ruia family, funded part of a trip to
France and use of its luxury yacht
there for former BJP president
Gadkari and his family in July 2013.
In his response to the newspaper,
Gadkari has admitted to the trip, but
said that it was at the invitation of
the Ruia family - who he claimed
were personal friends, too - and
that there was no conflict of interest
since he was not in government at
the time. The Gadkari family was
flown by helicopter from Nice airport
to the yatch by Essar. Gadkari is
currently the transport minister in
the BJP-led NDA government.
Essar group shares did not react
to the allegations and traded flat on
the BSE today.
The content of emails also show
that the Essar group tried to influence
journalists and coverage of news
The emails show how the group was
engaged in sourcing vital policy-related
developments and documents low- and
mid-level officials in various ministries,
particularly the petroleum one, which
pertains to the group’s core business
related to the company and
its business interests.
The company allegedly provided
cars for in-city
transportation
to journalists,
besides hosting
a luncheon for a
journalist and his
guests at the company’s guest house.
More seriously, the emails reveal in detail how the group was
engaged in sourcing vital policyrelated developments and documents low- and mid-level officials
in various ministries, particularly
the petroleum one, which pertains
to the group’s core business.
In at least one instance, the article
shows, Essar executives managed
to get a 11-page document from
the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO)
with details of an inter-ministerial
meeting.
The emails also document Essar group’s practice of ‘reserving’
two nights on an Essar luxury
yacht stationed in the waters of
the French Riviera between 7 July
and 9 July, 2013.
They were fl own to the yacht
Sunrays in a helicopter from Nice
airport and returned the same
way. Gadkari was not an Union
Minister then and had stepped
down as BJP president. But an
Essar executive, in an email to
at least 200 jobs for persons recommended
by various political
leaders, including Congess’s
Sriprakash
Jaiswal, Digvijay Singh, former
party treasurer
Motilal Vora, and
Yashbant Narayan
Singh Languri, Member of Parliament from Keonjhar in Odisha
where Essar has coal mines, as
well as BJP’s Varun Gandhi.
The revelations are likely to hurt
the Narendra Modi government,
which came to power on the slogan of a clean government. An
Essar official said it had received
anonymous phone calls over the
past few weeks from persons who
had access to the emails and tried
to extort the company with threat
of publication. ‘We have filed an
appropriate complaint with the
concerned authorities on the theft
of data,’ a Essar statement said.
the yacht captain, made it very
clear: ‘are very important people
see they are comfortable.’
Top journos’
names pop up
Two senior journalists have
resigned from their publications
after they were named in a public interest litigation related to the
Essar Group allegedly cultivating people in positions of power
by showering them with favours
to forward its business interests.
Sandeep Bamzai has stepped
down as Editor of Mail Today
because of the allegations, as
has the Hindustan Times’ s
Energy Editor Anupama Airy.
Nicholas Dawes, Chief
Editorial and Content Officer of
the Hindustan Times, told ‘We
came to know in the afternoon
that she [Anupama Airy] was
the journalist named in the
PIL. We confronted her with
the allegation. She confirmed
it. Since there was prima
facie evidence of a violation
of our ethical standards, we
decided to suspend her until a
full disciplinary enquiry could
take place. She chose to put
in her papers following the
conversation. We decided to act
firmly and openly.’
Bamzai said: ‘Propriety demands that I resign and I did so.’
The resignations came hours
after a publication reported that
a whistleblower had leaked
internal communications of the
Essar Group, showing how the
company had plied politicians
and journalists with favours
and gifts in the hope of quid pro
quo. The leaked documents
are now part of a public interest
litigation that is to be filed in the
Supreme Court.
Enterprise
CHENNAI
Ericsson sues Apple
over patent violations
Swedish telecom group Ericsson announced on Friday a lawsuit against
Apple claiming that the US tech giant continued to use its technology in
iPhones and other wireless devices after refusing to renew a licencing
agreement.
‘Apple currently uses our technology without a license and therefore we
are seeking help from the court and the ITC (International Trade Commission)’, Ericsson’s head of intellectual property, Kasim Alfalahi, said in
a statement.
‘Features that consumers now take for granted like
being able to livestream television shows or access their favourite apps
from their phone rely on the technology we have developed’, he added.
Ericsson said it has filed two complaints to the ITC and seven more to
a court in Texas after Apple rejected an offer from Ericsson to ‘have a
court determine fair licensing terms’.
Tata Motors announces
VRS for workers
Struggling with mounting losses in its domestic operations, Tata Motors
on Friday announced voluntary retirement scheme for workers as it tries
to overcome the impact of depressed growth in commercial vehicle and
passenger car businesses.
The company said it is undertaking a slew of new initiatives, including
productivity benchmarking, cost optimisation and job enrichment, for a
more effective and efficient organisational structure aligned to market
demand, Tata Motors said in a statement.
‘As a part of these initiatives, the company has announced a Voluntary
Retirement Scheme (VRS), presently intended for the workmen,’, it said.
When contacted, a company spokesperson said currently there were
about 16,000 workers on the company’s rolls.
The company, however, did not share how much fund it has earmarked
for the VRS.
q Urges govt to stay on reform course
New Delhi, Feb 28 (PTI):
While taking positive cues from
the growth outlook of over eight
per cent for next fiscal pegged in
the Economic Survey, Corporate
India on Friday said the government must take steps to boost
capital formation and stay on the
reforms course to sustain high
growth.
‘The Economic Survey has highlighted that India is at the cusp of a
higher growth trajectory. While the
process of recovery has started, we
need to continue with the reforms
process to ensure that we are firmly
rooted on a sustainable growth
path’, FICCI president Jyotsna
Suri said.
‘With the government remaining
committed to fi scal consolidation
and with inflation remaining benign,
there is room for easing of monetary
conditions leading to a lower lending rate framework in the country
that would aid both consumption
and investment demand’, she added. ‘At the present moment, there
q ‘To create Rs 10 lakh cr biz in 5 years’
The country’s
National Solar
Mission is being
scaled up five-fold
to 1,00,000
MW by 2022
India launched its National Action
Plan on Climate Change in 2008
and is currently revisiting National
Missions in the light of new scientific information and technological
advances.
Coal cess has been doubled to Rs
100 per tonne in 2014.
The total collection so far under the
National Clean Energy Fund NCEF
has crossed Rs 17,000 crores and
till September, 2014, 46 clean energy projects worth Rs 16,511.43
crores have been recommended for
funding out of this fund.
The survey said, the global agreement on climate change expected
by December, 2015 under the
UNFCCC applicable to all countries
must be ambitious, comprehensive,
equitable and balanced taking into
account the huge development
needs of developing countries.
It should address the genuine requirements of developing countries
like India by providing them equitable carbon and development space
to achieve sustainable development
and eradicate poverty.
The survey said that the challenges for India in addressing
sustainable development goals
are manifold.
With more than a billion population, India has to address the problems associated with increasing
urbanization, tackle the problem
of eradicating poverty, providing
energy access to all and address
other developmental priorities.
It added that these challenges
provide great hidden opportunities.
‘A conscious policy framework
which takes into account both
developmental needs and environmental considerations could
help turn the challenges into opportunities’, the Economic Survey
suggested.
‘It rightly highlights
the need for big
bang reforms and
focus on investment
cycle to revive the
economy’
is need for the government to
step in for capital creation, which
would help ‘crowd in’ private sector investment. Especially in the
areas of infrastructure, a reverse
Build Operate Transfer (BOT)
model would be an effective mode
of getting investments going’, CII
director general Chandrajit Banerjee said.
‘Economic Survey rightly highlights
the need for big bang reforms
and focus on investment cycle to
revive the economy. With inflation
below target levels and space for
monetary easing, the Budget can
well lay out clear roadmap to ac-
TRAI proposes
up to 80% cut in
roaming rates
New Delhi, Feb 28 (PTI):
Mobile subscribers can look forward to lower charges as telecom
regulator TRAI has proposed a
sharp cut of about 35 per cent
for making calls and up to 80 per
cent for sending messages while
roaming.
‘Through the Amendment Order,
the Authority intends to reduce the
ceiling tariffs for national roaming
services’, the Telecom Regulatory
Authority of India said in a statement.
Under the latest draft amendment
of Telecommunication Tariff Order,
TRAI has proposed to cut down maximum charges that can be imposed on
outgoing local calls during roaming to
65 paise per minute, from ceiling rate
of Re one per minute.
It has proposed to cut STD call
rates during roaming to Re one per
minute, from maximum charge of Rs
1.5 per minute.
For incoming calls, the regulator
wants telecom companies to charge
a maximum of 45 paise per minute,
instead of 75 paise permitted at
present.
Besides, it has proposed a maximum of 25 paise per STD SMS sent
by customers when they are roaming,
compared to the prevailing ceiling
tariff of 1.5 paise per SMS.
Trai has also said that local SMS
should be charged a maximum of
only 20 paise compared Re 1 that
can be levied at present.
The regulator has sought comments
from stakeholders by 13 March, after
which it will issue the final order.
Amarprakash
targets kids
CEA pitches for RBI rate cut
NT Bureau
Chennai, Feb 28:
Amarprakash Developers recently launched
Temple Waves, Phase 2
near Chrompet in the city.
Speaking to the media
here Thursday, managing
director Aadarsh Surana
said, ‘The Temple Waves
project is designed and
targetted to suit the needs
of children. Seeing the
reports of increase in
obesity among children
made me focus on health,
academics, fun and entertainment aspects’.
He added, ‘Statistics
reveal that around 40 per
cent of school children
lack a healthy BMI, due
to the lack of physical
activities. We at Temple
Waves have developed
amenities like cycling
track, swimming pool,
badminton court, shuttle
court, cricket practice
nets and volley ball court,
for the benefit of the children’.
The company will give
a special offer of 2BHK
homes at the cost of Rs
19 lakh, it is learnt.
New Delhi, Feb 28 (PTI):
The RBI should consider
cutting lending rates on
the back of lower inflation,
Chief Economic Advisor
Arvind Subramanian said
on Friday.
His comments come in
the backdrop of RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan earlier saying that the central
bank will wait for Budget
cues before taking a decision on further easing of
monetary policy.
‘Monetary policy condition
should ease on back of
lower inflation’, Subramanian said.
The CEA said that India is
‘New GDP methodology puzzling’
Government’s new GDP methodology is ‘puzzling’ for Arvind Subramanian, who on
Friday said the new numbers show growth to have accelerated during 2013-14 despite
that being a ‘kind of bad year’.
‘I am puzzled as I said because the fact that...especially what happened in 2013-14,
that number is puzzling because that is a kind of bad year, yet growth accelerated’,
Subramanian said.
He was replying to a query on if he thinks there is a case to revisit the new methodology
for measuring Gross Domestic Product( GDP). ‘The balance of evidence shows that India
is still a recovering economy not a surging economy’, the Chief Economic Adviser added.
poised for rapid growth and
investors want macroeconomic stability and higher
growth.
He stressed that subsidies should be effectively
and well targeted as stud-
ies show only 25 per cent
of PDS kerosene allocated
for poor reaches to them.
Subramanian said India
is capable of achieving
double-digit growth in the
medium term.
Indo-US trade rises
in Apr-Dec quarter
New Delhi, Feb 28 (PTI):
Reflecting an improvement
in economic ties with the
US, the bilateral trade has
increased to $48.71 billion
during April-December of
this fiscal, Parliament was
informed on Friday.
The two-way commerce is
estimated at about $46.83
billion in April-December
2013.
5
India Inc ‘happy’ with
Economic Survey
Green energy,
golden opportunity
New Delhi, Feb 28 (PTI):
India’s renewable energy sector will
generate business opportunities of a
whopping Rs 10 lakh crore in the next
five years, says the Economic Survey
2014-15.
India’s total renewable power installed capacity as on 31 December,
2014 has reached 33,800 MW, wind
energy continues to dominate this
share accounting for 66 per cent of installed capacity followed by biomass,
small hydro power and solar power.
The country’s National Solar Mission is being scaled up five-fold to
1,00,000 MW by 2022.
‘In the next five years proposals
are likely to generate business
opportunities of the order of $160
billion (approximately Rs 9,92,000
crore) in the renewable energy
sector’, the survey said adding,
the sector offers very good opportunity for businesses to set and
scale up industry, leapfrog technologies and create volumes.
Some of the country’s major immediate plans on renewable energy
include scaling up cumulative installed capacity to 1,70,000 MW and
establishing a National University
for Renewable Energy, it said.
During the year, the country is
going to witness new agreements
on climate change and sustainable
development.
SATURDAY
28 FEBRUARY 2015
During the first nine months
of the current fiscal, exports
to the US aggregated at
$32.48 billion and imports
$16.22 billion, Commerce
and Industry Minister Nirmala
Sitharaman said in a written
reply in the Lok Sabha. Further, the country’s exports of
top 10 commodities including
petroleum products, drug
formulation, cotton fabrics
and marine products to the
US have increased to $19.95
billion during April-December
2014 from $18.18 billion in
the same period last year.
Imports of top 10 commodities including gold, aircraft,
electric machinery, medical
and telecom instruments
rose to $8 billion during the
period from $6.43 billion in
April-December 2013.
‘India has reached a
sweet spot, rare in the history of nations- in which it
could finally be launched
on a double-digit mediumterm growth trajectory’, he
said.
Forex reserves
continue
to jump
Mumbai, Feb 28 (PTI):
The foreign exchange reserves have touched a new
life-time high at $334.193
billion, up $1.023 billion, in
the week to 20 February,
on account of higher foreign currency assets, the
Reserve Bank said Friday.
In the previous week,
the reserves had risen by
$2.956 billion to $333.169
billion.
celerate the growth momentum for
India’, said Rajat Rajgarhia, managing director-Institutional Equities at
Motilal Oswal Securities.
However, PHD Chamber president
Alok B Shriram said although private investments would remain the
primary engine of long term growth,
increase in public investments in
crucial areas of importance such
as agriculture infrastructure and
railways are needed to attract more
and more private sector and publicprivate partnership investments in
these areas.
The medium-term strategy to reduce fiscal deficit to the established
target of three per cent of GDP is
inspiring as it will attract the foreign
investors to invest in India, going
forward, he added.
‘The assertion that there is a scope
for Big Bang reforms is rather reassuring for the industry’, Assocham
president Rana Kapoor said.
BMR Advisors chairman, Mukesh
Butani said, ‘The survey underlines a powerful economic philosophy of eliminating revenue deficit’.
KPMG partner, Infrastructure &
Government services, Jaijit Bhattacharya said, ‘It is welcome to
see that the Economic Survey is
targeting elimination of revenue
deficit and laying out a fiscal discipline wherein borrowings will be
done for only capital investments’.
Terming the government’s target
of arresting fiscal deficit at 4.1 per
cent as ‘welcoming’, Bhattacharya
said, ‘The goal of eight per cent
growth in the coming year appears audacious but achievable,
especially with the new statistical
basis for measuring GDP’.
IRCTC joins with Amazon
for online shopping
New Delhi, Feb 28 (PTI):
In order to provide convenient
online shopping experience to
customers, IRCTC has tied up with
Amazon.In to sell various products.
Customers who access the IRCTC
portal can now buy products ranging
from consumer electronics, books, shoes,
apparel, bags to toys,
exotic food products, personal hygiene products, pet
supplies, musical instruments and
many more, at the click of a button
and benefit from Amazon.In’s wide
distribution network.
A link will be provided on the IRCTC
site to Amazon.In for customers interested in buying such products.
‘The tie-up will give crores of our
travellers and customers the joy of
an easy and convenient shopping
experience on www.Amazon.In as we have made
the online shopping site
as our preferred partner
for a period of two years’,
a senior IRCTC official
said.
With this tie-up, IRCTC, a railway
PSU, can now offer to its customers
seamless online shopping opportunities in addition to booking travel
tickets and hotel accommodations.
Insurance industry
to go on stir?
Chennai, Feb 28 (PTI):
Opposing the proposed bill allowing foreign direct investments
in insurance sector, the General
Insurance Employees’ All India Association has threatened to stage a
nation-wide stir if the Centre goes
ahead with its proposal.
The General Insurance Employees’ All India Association comprises
four public sector general insurance
companies -- National Insurance
Company, New India Assurance
Company, Oriental Insurance Company and United India Insurance.
The government has proposed to
bring the new Insurance Bill in Lok
Sabha next week to replace the
ordinance it had promulgated in
December to hike the FDI limit in
the insurance sector to 49 per cent
from the existing 26 per cent and
has been caught in a logjam with
the Congress-led opposition insisting that it be referred to a select
committee.
‘The government has brought the
ordinance in a hurry. This will only
curb the insurance industry. We
have given crores of dividend to the
government’, General Insurance
Employees’ All India Association
general secretary G Satyanarayana
said.
CORRIGENDUM
I, E.SATHESH, Son of
Thiru S. Enico, born on 5th
June 1991 (native district:
Chennai), residing at
No.12/18, 2nd Street,
Mariyapuram, St. Thomas
Mount, Chennai-600 016,
shall henceforth be known as
E.SATHISH SAVARIRAYAN.
E.SATHESH.
Chennai, 29th January 2015.
In the Advertisement Published
in the News Paper 'News Today'
dated on19.09.2014, Advocate
R.Mangai Mannan stated that
sale deed No. 430/2010 had
been misplaced. In fact, correct
sale deed Number is 8022/10.
Hence the public should read
that the correct sale deed
No.8022/10 has been misplaced
instead of No.430/2010.
R.MANGAI MANNAN,
Advocate,
Plot No.226, Door No.17A,
6th Street, Janaki Nagar,
Valasaravakkam,
Chennai - 600 087.
Phone: 2486 8703, 98841 35063
PUBLIC NOTICE
This is to inform that I
have obtained the proposed
environmental clearance before
the state level Environment
impact Assessment Authority
Tamil Nadu for the purposed of
at S.F.No.316/ 1, 2, 3, 4, 313/2,
315/1A, 1B, Devariyampakkam
Village, Kancheepuram Taluk,
Kancheepuram District with a lese
extend 0.41.5 ha.
The same approved by the
Lr.No.SEIAA-TN/F.No.2864/
EC/1(a)/1660/ 2014 date:
25.02.2015 and copy of the
clearance available in the State
Pollution Control Board and also
website of the SEIAA TN at http://
seIaa.tn/gov/in and a copy same
is being sent to the Regional
at Bangalore.
S. KARUNANIDHI,
Thonankulam Village
Kanchipuram Taluk
Kanchipuram-631 606
PUBLIC NOTICE
This is to inform that I
have obtained the proposed
environmental clearance before
the state level Environment
impact Assessment Authority
Tamil Nadu for the purposed of
at S.F.No.694/3I, 3N, 3H, 3O,
!
"#$
Taluk, Kancheepuram District
with a lese extend 0.36.7 ha.
The same approved by the
Lr.No.SEIAA-TN/F.No.2865/
EC/1(a)/1661/ 2014 date:
25.02.2015 and copy of the
clearance available in the State
Pollution Control Board and also
website of the SEIAA TN at http://
seIaa.tn/gov/in and a copy same
is being sent to the Regional
at Bangalore.
R. ELUMALAI,
Sankarapuram Village
%
Puliyampakkam Post
Kanchipuram Taluk
Kanchipuram-631 605
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE
AT MADRAS
(Testamentary and Intestate Jurisdiction)
O.P.No. 704 of 2014
In the matter of Indian
Succession Act 1925 (Act 39 of
1925) And
In the matter of Last
Will and Testament of
V.V.Sankaranarayanan(Deceased).
V.Vaideeswaran,
Son of Late V.V.Viswanathan,
J.Block, No.61/1, Ground Floor,
Varasiddhi Apartments,
2nd Main Road,
Anna Nagar East,
Chennai-600 102.
...Petitioner
All persons claiming to have
any interest in the Estate of above
named V.V.Sankaranarayanan
(deceased) who was residing at
J.Block, No.61/1, 2nd Main Road,
Anna Nagar East, Chennai-600 102
and died on 6.5.1997 at Sundaram
Medical Foundation, Chennai are
hereby cited to come and see
the proceedings before the
Learned Master Court, sitting
in the original side of the High
Court of Judicature at Madras
on 17.3.2015 at 10.30 A.M. and
file their objections, if they think
fit before the grant of Letters of
Administration with will annexed.
Dated at Chennai on this the 27th
day of February, 2015.
sd/- (S.Gurumurthy)
Assistant Registrar,
Original Side-1,
High Court, Madras.
R.MOHAN
Advocate for Petitioner,
24 Law Chambers,
High Court Buildings,
Chennai-600 104.
6 SATURDAY
28 FEBRUARY 2015
Sports
CHENNAI
CSK plea to
IPL GC
AB is ‘best of the century’: Tahir
Chennai, Feb 28 (PTI):
Troubled IPL franchises Chennai
Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan
Royals (RR) co-owner Raj Kundra
have made their respective appeals
to the Governing Council ahead of the
eighth edition of the cash rich league.
‘The IPL Governing Council today
received a letter from CSK which
states that
they would
cease to
exist under
India Cements banner
and would
now go under
a trust,’ an
IPL governing
council
memb e r
t o l d
P T I Cricket
yesterday.
‘The entire modalities of these
change of ownership has been intimated. The Governing Council will
certainly okay the proposal in due
course of time,’ the source added.
The Governing Council also got
a proposal from controversial RR
co-owner Raj Kundra who has appealed to the council to allow him
transfer his shares in the franchise
and completely dissociate himself
from the league.
‘The committee will study Kundra’s
proposal and take a decision,’ the
member said.
SA leggie braces up for bigger challenges ahead
Sydney, Feb 28:
South Africa leg-spinner Imran Tahir
described captain AB de Villiers as
‘the best player of the century’ after
the skipper smashed a whirlwind,
undefeated 162 against the West
Indies at the World Cup.
de Villiers made his runs off
just 66 balls as South Africa
raced to the second-highest
World Cup total of 408 for five
on Friday.
South Africa won by 257
runs with de Villiers making
the second fastest World Cup
century off just 52 balls.
‘I’m sure the whole world knows
about him. He’s just an unbelievable
player; for me the best player in the
century,’ said Tahir of a man who
also holds the record for the fastest
one-day century off 31 balls, against
the West Indies in Johannesburg in
January.
‘I’m just really happy that I’m playing
with AB de Villiers and not against
him,’ added Tahir, who admitted
he’d struggle to know the best way
to bowl to de Villiers if he was on the
opposing team.
‘I’d probably bowl him a beamer or
two, two beamers, and I’m out.
‘It’s
just a great honour to
watch him every day in
the nets.’
Tahir was overshadowed by
de Villiers’ one-man demolition job at the Sydney
Cricket Ground on Friday. But he played a
major role with the ball,
bamboozling the West Indians with his leg-spin which
gave him a career best 5 for 45.
It took his one-day haul to 64 wickets at a miserly average of just 19.40.
The performance also illustrated
35-year-old Tahir’s love of the big
occasion.
The Lahore-born slow bowler only
made his South Africa ODI debut in
2011 at the last World Cup where he
finished as the
team’s second
Pet pooch’s role in
rise of other O’Brien
Canberra, Feb 28: getting in trouble with the police,’ the
Niall O’Brien, the sturdy batting now 33-year-old told ESPN Cricinfo
backbone during Irish cricket’s mete- last year.
‘Kev was good at school, very well
oric rise, owes much of his World Cup
success to the timely arrival of a pet behaved. I was the black sheep of the
dog during his troublesome teenage family, shall we say. ‘It took me getyears. Growing up in Dublin, O’Brien, ting a dog to get me back on the
son of former Ireland captain Brendan straight and narrow. I asked
my parents
and older brother to team mate
every day
Kevin, would frequently find himself
in schoolyard scraps and have runins with the police because of his
spiky temperament.
The issues were threatening
to corrupt the talent that had
been honed in the family
garden against bowlerturned-all-rounder Kevin.
‘When I was about
14 or 15 I wasn’t
really enjoying
school and I
was making
a nuisance
Niall O’Brien
of myself
in the village,
for
two
years
if we could get a
dog, and every day
they said no. Eventually they got me a golden
retriever and it changed
my life.
‘It gave me some responsibility: I
fed it, walked it, cared for it. It was
the best thing I’ve ever been given
in my life. I didn’t do brilliantly but
I finished my studies, got my head
down with the cricket, and got myself
back on track.’While there was
also an offer from Scottish
soccer club Rangers for
a trial, O`Brien opted for
cricket, which he kept
secret from his school
pals for fear of ridicule.
‘The schools I went to
were very Irish schools -hurling, rugby, Gaelic football -- and cricket was seen
as an English sport,’ he said. ‘At
school you had to keep it on the
down low.’ He moved to
England and played
county cricket with
Kent, making his
first class debut
in 2004 before joining
Northamptonshire and then Leicestershire where he still is.
The spiky nature remained, though,
and his chirps from behind the
stumps upset some, notably former
West Indian great Brian Lara who
O’Brien felt should have walked in
a 2004 tour match and wasn’t shy in
telling him so.
Ruthless Nadal
routs Delbonis
Agassi tips Serena
Rafael Nadal
Buenos Aires, Feb 28:
Rafael Nadal, working his way back
to top form after wrist problems
last year, screamed with delight
on reaching the Argentine Open
semi-finals with a 6-1 6-1
rout of Federico Delbonis on
Friday.
Nadal, who went down to a
first defeat in 53 consecutive
semi-finals on clay at the Rio
Open last weekend, pumped
his fist after winning a superb
rally in the fifth game of the second
set and again when the Argentine hit
the ball wide on second match point.
‘It was very important for me to
reach the semi-finals here in Argentina,’ said Nadal, who overwhelmed
Delbonis in an impressive battering
lasting one hour and four minutes.
‘Now the next step is to reach the
final to improve on ... Rio de
Janeiro last week and I hope to
do it,’ he added in a courtside
interview after the quarter-final
at the Buenos Aires Lawn Tennis Club.
The Spaniard, who dropped to
world number four with his loss
to Italian Fabio Fognini in Rio de
Janeiro, meets Argentine Carlos
Berlocq in Saturday’s second
semi-final with a 65th title and
Guillermo Vilas’s record of 46 claycourt crowns in his sights.
Juan Monaco, tournament winner in
2007, faces 2011 champion Nicolas
Almagro in the other ArgentineSpanish semi-final.
to go past Steffi
London, Feb 28:
Andre Agassi says it would be a
‘beautiful thing to watch’ if fellow
American Serena Williams goes on to
surpass his wife Steffi Graf’s professional era record of 22 grand slam
singles titles.
Serena reached 19 with her Aust r a l i a n O p e n triumph last
month and despite being 33 years
old, there
is little sign
that her
powers are
waning.
Agassi, who
won eight majors before
retiring and settling down
with Germany’s
Graf to raise a family, said his
wife does not fret over the breakfast
table about losing her record.
‘She was thrilled with her career, she
had no regrets, she did everything she
could do and that’s all she ever cared
about,’ Agassi told Reuters TV at the
launch of the BILT by Agassi & Reyes
range of gym machines near London.
‘But what Serena is doing is remarkable. ‘She’s arguably the greatest
ever, it would be easy to argue that
regardless of 22 or not.
‘Records are meant to be broken
and if Serena does it would be a
beautiful thing to watch.’
Serena is currently third on the all
time list, behind Australian Margaret
Court’s total of 24 and Graf’s professional era haul of 22. Agassi knows
what it feels like to watch some of
his benchmarks being scrubbed out.
‘I just found out my four Australian
Opens was broken by (Novak) Djokovic,’ he laughed. ‘But I was just thrilled
to watch a good match. It’s great for
the game.’
highest wicket taker. He also made South Africa. Just to be part of this green and gold, I don’t know what
his Test debut in the same year after team is just a special feeling, and to say, I just want to take probably
satisfying residency requirements when you walk into the middle with 10 wickets every game.’
while his skills have been in demand
worldwide, playing for a
host of clubs
in PaAB de Villiers was laid low by illness which gave him a sleepless
kistan and
South
night before he found the perfect cure by hitting a breathtaking 162
Africa, the
not out in the 257-run rout of the West Indies.
Indian PreDe Villiers made his runs off just 66 balls as South Africa raced
mier League
to the second-highest World Cup total of 408 for five, behind
as well as three
only the 413 for five made by India against makeweights
English counties
Bermuda in Trinidad in 2007.
-- Middlesex,
It was the fastest 150 in one-day internationals and
Hampshire and
de Villiers now has the fastest fifty, hundred and
Yorkshire.
150 in ODI cricket -- all coming against
‘I just like chalWest Indies.
lenges. I have
‘I had some stomach problems last night, I
had a lot of in
didn’t eat much and had a very rough night. But
my life, and then
the doctor gave me an injection and I was on my
when it comes to
way,’ said de Villiers as his team recovered in
that, I think I can be
emphatic style
from their 130ready for anything,’
run loss to India
said Tahir.
AB de Villiers
in Melbourne
‘I’m just really
last time out.
honoured
to play for
de Villiers’ stomach for records
Akmal, Shehzad don’t have
Kohli’s class: Mudassar
Perth, Feb 28:
Pakistan cricket fraternity might
rate Umar Akmal very highly but
none among country’s current batsmen can be ‘even distantly compared’ with India’s premier batsman
Virat Kohli, feels former Pakistan
all-rounder Mudassar Nazar.
‘Look there is a vast difference in
pedigree of Virat and Akmal. Both
Akmal and Ahmed Shahzad played
in that Under-19 World Cup in Kuala
Lumpur where Virat led India. Even
then you knew that Virat’s class was
altogether different.
‘Even though he is talented but
sorry to say that Umar never belonged to that league as the gulf in
standard was so huge,’ Mudassar,
one of Pakistan’s finest all-rounders
in the 1980s, told PTI in an interview
at the WACA here yesterday.
In fact, Mudassar, who is here
as batting consultant of the UAE
national team, had no hesitation in
stating that ‘Virat along with AB de
Villiers and David Warner are the
three best batsmen in world cricket
today.’
Talking about Pakistan cricket, the
veteran of 76 Tests and 122 ODIs
seemed completely disillusioned.
‘Well, what you see now is all that
Pakistan cricket possess. After this
batch of players exit, I shudder to
think from where the next batch of
players will come,’ he said while
genuinely sounding worried.
Virat Kohli
‘But I would still look at one of the
positive aspects like Pakistan’s fast
bowling strength which is still better than some of the other nations.
Unfortunately, whatever fast bowlers
Pakistan produced in last few years
have all been prone to injury. Our
best talent, Junaid Khan also got
injured.’
Lanka ‘unhappy’
with tiring travel
Melbourne, Feb 28:
Sri Lanka flew back to New Zealand
on Friday grumbling about their World
Cup travel following a hectic dash
across the Tasman sea for just one
game even as some other teams
enjoyed a relaxed schedule.
Angelo Mathews’ men played their
first two matches in New Zealand
and then flew across to Australia to
complete a 92-run
drubbing of Bangladesh
at the Melbourne
Cricket Ground
yesterday.
A few hours
later they were
back on the
plane heading
for
W e l l i n g ton
where England await them for a crucial Pool A at the Westpac stadium
on Sunday.
Sri Lanka will then return to Australia for their last two league matches
against Australia in Sydney on 8
March and against Scotland in Hobart
three days later.
‘It would have been nice to have
finished New Zealand before coming
to Australia,’ team manager Michael
de Zoysa said. ‘It certainly is inconvenient and tiring for the boys.
Zoysa said with Friday spent in
travelling, the team is likely to rest
on Saturday which leaves them little
time for serious training ahead of the
England game.
Djokovic ready for
another Federer ‘epic’
Dubai, Feb 28:
Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer
renew their great rivalry when they
meet in the final of the Dubai Championships later today with both players
fighting fit and ready for battle.
A few months ago they were had
been supposed to bring the curtain
down on the ATP Tour with a blockbuster at London’s O2 Arena, only for
Federer to withdraw injured.
This time, the world’s top-ranked
players have arrived in the final in
great form and their 37th career
meeting has organisers of the $2.5
million hard court event grinning.
They have 10 Dubai titles between them and while Federer leads
19-17 in head-to-heads, Djokovic
prevailed in
the one that really
mattered
last year
to win the
WimbleTennis
don title.
‘When
you play
Roger,
it’s always
a great challenge,’ Djokovic, 27, told
reporters after beating fourth seed
Czech Tomas Berdych 6-0, 5-7, 6-4
in Friday’s semi-final. ‘If you want to
win you have to play your best ten-
Masters countdown
ticks away for Tiger
Los Angeles, Feb 28:
As the clock counts down for the
April 9-12 Masters, fans, players
and medical experts continue to
speculate on whether a shockingly
out-of-sorts Tiger Woods will be
able to compete at the year's
opening major.
Woods missed the Masters
last year for the first time in his career
after being advised by doctors to have
back surgery and his participation in
the 2015 edition is in serious doubt
given his struggle for form and fitness
this season.
The former world number one,
whose ranking has stunningly slipped
to 70th, has competed only twice
on the 2014-15 PGA Tour and said
he would not return to the circuit until he felt his game was
'tournament-ready.'
Time, however, is not on his
side should the 39-year-old
be contemplating a comeback
ahead of the Masters at Augusta
National where he is a four-times
champion.
Not only is his game in complete
disarray, with some pundits believing
that he is suffering from the chipping
'yips', but his troublesome back is still
posing problems.
A winner of 14 major titles, Woods
struggled dismally in his first two
tournaments this year.
nis against Roger in the finals of any
event, but here particularly because
I feel this is the kind of surface and
conditions that suit his game best.’
Three of their matches have been
in Dubai, Federer winning last year’s
semi-final and a quarter-final against
a teenage Djokovic in 2007, while the
Serb won their 2011 final clash.
‘I look forward to it,’ added Djokovic,
who has reasserted his hold over the
men’s game by winning Wimbledon
and the Australian Open in the past
seven months and should be favourite to prevail on Saturday.
Illness forces
Sharapova out
Acapulco, Feb 28:
Top-seeded Maria Sharapova of
Russia withdrew Friday before her
Mexico Open semifinal against
Caroline Garcia of France because
of a stomach virus.
The third-seeded Garcia will face
fifth-seeded Timea Bacsinszky of
Switzerland in the hard-court final
at The Fairmont Acapulco Princess. Bacsinszky beat Bulgaria’s
Sesil Karatantcheva 6-2, 6-4.
In the men’s semifinals, topseeded Kei Nishikori of Japan beat
fourth-seeded Kevin Anderson
of South Africa 6-2, 3-6, 6-3, and
second-seeded David Ferrer of
Spain faced Ryan Harrison of the
United States.
Mixed Bag
CHENNAI
Union Ministers
hail budget
PRAKASH JAVADEKAR
Lauded the Union Budget by calling it a ‘historical’ one. ‘It
has given social security to all. It is of the poor, for the poor,’
he added.
NITIN GADKARI
‘This is the first time in the Indian history that the Finance
Minister has given highest priority to the infrastructure,’ said
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari as he appreciated Arun Jaitley’s
Budget speech. ‘Investment in infrastructure will boost employment opportunities, given priority to rural development
and agriculture,’ added Gadkari.
SMRITI IRANI
HRD Minister Smriti Irani called Jaitley’s Budget a ‘pragmatic’ one. ‘It gives lot of thrust on infrastructure, skill India,
innovation, girl’s education,’ she said. ‘Nayi manzil’ sounds
very interesting. ‘Atal yojana programme needs to be celebrated across country,’ she added.
CONGRESS REACTS
KAMAL NATH
Former Union Minister and senior Congress leader Kamal Nath criticised
the Union Budget saying it has only been a budget of commissions, committees and promises.
ASHWANI KUMAR
Former Law Minister Ashwani Kumar trashed the Union Budget saying it
was nothing more than ‘jugglery of words’.
Scientists are
India’s pride,
says Modi
New Delhi, Feb 28:
Referring to them as India’s pride,
Prime Minister Narendra Modi used
the National Science Day today to
praise their dedication and determination.
‘National Science Day is an occasion to remember the dedication,
determination and untiring efforts of
our scientists. They are India`s pride,’
the Prime Minister said on Twitter.
Modi said the government was fully
committed to encouraging research,
innovation and excellence in science,
particularly among young minds.
2 militants killed
in encounter
Srinagar, Feb 28 (PTI):
Two Hizbul Mujhaideen militants
were killed in an overnight encounter with security forces in Tral area
of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district.
‘Based on specific intelligence
about presence of terrorists in Ratsuna area of Tral, a joint operation
was launched by Rashtriya Rifles
units of Army and the Special Operations Group (of Police) resulting
in the killing of two hardcore terrorists,’ a Defence Spokesman said
here today.
The operation was launched last
night and ended in wee hours today.
q Jaitley announces more AIIMs, IITs and IIMs in budget
New Delhi, Feb 28:
Presenting the government’s first
full-year Budget, Finance Minister
Arun Jaitley today spelt out good
news for the education sector.
Jaitley proposed the establishment
of premium institutions like AIIMS,
IITs and IIMs across States like
Tamilnadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Jammu and Kashmir, Assam,
Punjab and many more.
Bihar will also have a second institute modelled on AIIMS, Jaitley said
in his budget.
‘Keeping in view the need to augment medical services in Bihar, I
propose to set up another AIIMS
like institution in the State,’ he said.
Bihar will go to polls later this year.
After its sterling performance in
the May national election, the BJP
hopes to win big in the State that is
currently ruled by its ally turned rival
Janata Dal United.
Polls will also be held in the next
two years in States like Assam,
Punjab and Himachal Pradesh
Jaitley also proposed to set-up
an IT based student financial aid
system under the Prime Minister’s
‘Vidya Laxmi’ scheme to ensure
that no student misses out on
higher education due to lack of
funds.
A fully IT based student financial
aid scheme for higher education is
also on the cards.
A total of Rs. 68,968 crore has
been allotted to the education
sector in the Union Budget 2015.
The Finance Minister also announced that educational cess
and higher educational cess will
be subsumed as a part of GST.
WHATS IN
STORE
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AIIMS in Tamilnadu, Jammu
and Kashmir, Punjab, Assam.
Another AIIMS-like institution
in Bihar.
IIT in Karnataka and ISM
Dhanbad upgraded to IIT
IIMs in Andhra Pradesh and
Jammu and Kashmir
Centre for Film Production
and Animation in Arunachal
Pradesh.
PG institute of Horticulture in
Armtisar.
Kerala to have University of
Disability Studies
Pharma centres in Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh.
q National Science Day celebrations held at VIT
NT Bureau
Vellore, Feb 28:
Nearly 71 per cent of earth was
surrounded by ocean and the
entire climate was controlled by
ocean alone, hence the human
lives were solely depending upon
it, said former Deputy Director and
Professor Emeritus, IIT Madras V
G Idichandy.
Delivering a lecture at the National
Science Day (SciGather-2015) to
pay homage to Noble Laureate C V
Raman here recently, he said ocean
and humans are inter-connected
and it was for humans to keep the
ocean clean without affecting its
environment.
Changes in ocean occurs due
to human atrocities which in turn
would affect survival of some organisms and impact bio-diversity,
he said.
Pointing out that the cost of the
laboratory equipment sold in our
country were thrice the cost of the
amount what the Americans were
paying, he said students should use
Earlier on Friday, Tamilnadu’s
innings finally folded one hour
and 15 minutes after lunch in
an ironical way when Prasanth
Paramaswaran (0) was run out
by Anupam Sanklecha while
responding to Malolan Rangarajan’s call for a second.
Malolan Rangarajan was left
stranded at the other end with
67 not out (147 balls) as Tamilnadu batted 226.4 overs spanning 16 hours and 40 minutes
at a run-rate of 2.42.
In the other semifinal, Karnataka took the four wickets
needed to make sure of a berth
in the summit clash.
Abhimanyu Mithun was the
star for Karnataka in the second
innings with a four-wicket haul
while Siddhesh Lad (74) fought
a lonely battle for Mumbai.
VIT University vice-president G V Selvam, Professor Emeritus, IITMadras Idichandy, Pro-Vice-Chancellor S Naryanan, SBST Dean
Ramalingam and SAS Dean V M Chandrasekaran paying floral tributes
to the portrait of Noble Laureate Sir C V Raman at VIT University in
Vellore recently.
their skill in finding out new labora- laboratories. Idichandy advised the
tory equipment to do research in
students not to stop their studies
with B Tech or at the MSc level, but
asked them to take up researches
to get PhD. He also requested
them to consider teaching as their
profession.
On C V Raman, he said one could
gather more information from the
researches he made.
VIT University vice-president G V
Selvam in his presidential address
asked the Bio-Technology students
to find out ways to improve the
agriculture in the country as it has
been declining and situtation has
made the country to import rice from
other countries.
He asked the students to target
for higher goals as our country
was blessed with 60 per cent of
population being youths, who could
create history for the prosperity of
the country.
Earlier, School of Advanced Sciences, Vijayakrishna Kari, welcomed the gatherings and SAS’
P Sangeetha proposed a vote of
thanks.
Two advocates
held for land
grabbing
NT Bureau
Chennai, Feb 28:
Two advocates were taken into
custody for allegedly occupying land
in an illegal manner at Thiruverkadu
yesterday.
According to police sources, the
owner of the property, Saravanan
(40) filed a complaint that advocates
Saravana Prabhu (35) and Nikhil Raj
had occupied his land without his
consent. Following this, police summoned the duo to the station.
Saravana Prabhu and Nikhil Raj
were said to have arrived drunk and
began quarrelling with the police.
The two were later remanded in
police custody this morning.
Woman held with
gold at airport
NT Bureau
Chennai, Feb 28:
A woman passenger was held this
morning for carrying a huge haul of
gold at the airport.
According to police sources, Ameena Begum arrived here from Kuala
Lumpur. During the baggage screening process, she was found to be
carrying 1.29 kilograms of gold worth
Rs 37 lakh.
Kane has final say
in Boult-Starc show
q New Zealand wins battle of co-hosts to seal quarterfinal berth
Auckland, Feb 28 (PTI):
New Zealand today became the
first team to enter the Cricket World
Cup quarterfinals, clinching a nervewrecking one-wicket triumph over
four-time champions Australia after
dismissing them for their second lowest tournament total in a pool A thriller
here today. Kane Williams kept his
cool as wickets tumbled around him
and smacked a six to seal the victory.
In a low-scoring match that went
right down to the wire, the nervous
Kiwis huffed and puffed to victory after
man of the match pacer Trent Boult’s
career-best five-wicket haul had
helped bowl out the Aussies for 151
in 32.2 overs at a packed Eden Park.
Chasing the modest target, New
Zealand skipper Brendon McCul-
New Zealand’s one-wicket win
today is Australia’s biggest in
terms of balls remaining (161).
lum, playing through a swollen arm
after being hit by a Mitchell Johnson
bouncer, whacked a 24-ball 50 to lay
the foundation of the victory.
However, what seemed like an easy
chase was almost turned on its head
by Aussie pacer Mitchell Starc, who
scalped the second best bowling fig-
ures in the World Cup with a haul of 6
for 28 in nine overs. But that was not
enough as New Zealand eventually
crossed the finishing line in 23.1 overs.
The Black Caps made things difficult
for themselves owing to a mid-innings
collapse but Kane Williamson (45 not
out; 42b, 5X4, 1X6) kept his cool amid
chaos to complete the win with a six
off Pat Cummins.
This was New Zealand’s fourth successive win in the event and ensured
them a place in the last-eight by consolidating their position at the top of
the points table. The team is chasing
its first World Cup title.
Zimbabwe meets Pak in do-or-die clash
Brisbane, Feb 28:
Zimbabwe are pinning their hopes
on coach Dav Whatmore’s inside
knowledge of Pakistan’s talent and
well-known frailties when the teams
meet in the World Cup on Sunday.
Whatmore was at the helm of
Pakistan for two years from 2012.
But the much-travelled coach
was signed up by Zimbabwe for
the 2015 World Cup and has so
far overseen a win over the United
Arab Emirates and two losses to
South Africa and West Indies.
Defeat for either side at Brisbane’s Gabba ground on Sunday
is likely to be fatal to their hopes
of reaching the quarter-finals from
Pool B. Zimbabwe captain Elton
Chigumbura believes the 60-yearold Whatmore, who coached Sri
Lanka to the 1996 world title, knows
where Pakistan are at their most
vulnerable.
‘He knows almost everyone on
the team, so when it comes to
strategies and stuff, it’s much better to have someone who has been
working with Pakistan guys,’ said
Chigumbura.
‘So we’ve got more information.
We just have to go and execute our
plans tomorrow,’ he added.
‘He’s brought a lot of positives
into the team, and everyone is
comfortable in the way he’s shar-
7
Good news for
education sector
Ocean & humans are
interlinked: Professor
Gugale, Khurana keep
Maharashtra in hunt
Kolkata, Feb 28:
Tons by opener Swapnil Gugale and Chirag Khurana kept
Maharashtra in the hunt with
stodgy knocks in pursuit of
Tamilnadu’s massive first innings total of 549 on day four
of the Ranji Trophy semifinal at
the Eden Gardens here today.
In Bangalore, holders Karnataka
completed the formalities to beat
Mumbai by 112 runs to enter the
final, scheduled to begin from
8 March.
Resuming from the overnight
score of 110 for 1, Gugale,
who was 56 not out moved on
to 139 while Khurana reached
a well-deserved ton as the
pair continued to frustrate the
Tamilnadu bowlers. Maharashtra was 271 for 1 a little after
lunch.
SATURDAY
28 FEBRUARY 2015
ing his experience, it`s been good,’
Chigumbura said of Whatmore.
‘Everyone just wants to express
themselves and play the best
cricket that they’re capable of.’
Zimbabwe have serious concerns
over their own bowling attack,
having been punished in all three
matches so far.
West Indies, on the back of Chris
Gayle’s World Cup record double
century, piled up 372, South Africa
helped themselves to 339 while
even the amateurs of the UAE managed a respectable 285.
‘Yeah, these couple of days we`re
working hard on finishing off with the
ball,’ said Chigumbura, concerned
by the runs his bowlers have been
giving away in the closing stages.
‘Hopefully, tomorrow we can execute our plans. Obviously it was a
big concern looking at the games
that we’ve played and where we
didn`t bowl well.’
In Wellington, a floundering England will be looking to get their act
together against 1996 champions
Sri Lanka in a Pool A match of the
cricket World Cup tomorrow.
After being outplayed by co-hosts
Australia and New Zealand in their
first two encounters of the 50-over
showpiece event, the Eoin Morganled side revived its campaign by
humbling Scotland in their last match.
Pakistan players at the practice session.
8SATURDAY
28 FEBRUARY 2015
, CHENNAI
Licensed to post without prepayment under WPP. No. TN / PMG / (CCR) / WPP-470 / 15-17
From Vasai to World Cup
L
ike every other Mumbaikar, growing up in a
city obsessed with cricket,
Swapnil Patil had only one
passion and that was to
play cricket. Patil dreamt
big ever since he held a bat
in his hand but he knew he
had to be patient and take
small steps towards success. Runs in inter-school
cricket and club cricket
became a regular feature
during his budding days
and soon he was a part of
the probables in the Mumbai Ranji Trophy team.
After three years of being in the probables list
without a game under his
belt, Patil’s patience finally
gave in and he decided
to make a move to UAE
courtesy a phone call from
Shiva Pagarani, the owner
of Yogi Group - a construction company in Dubai.
The move meant he had
to leave his family back
and pursue his childhood
dream away from home-
Swapnil Patil
land, in a country that welcomed him with open arms
and kept his dream alive.
Cut to 2015, UAE’s wicketkeeper batsman, Swapnil
Patil, is living a dream that
he claims to have never
pictured ‘in the wildest of his
dreams’. From the narrow
lanes of Vasai, a far-fetched
suburb in Mumbai - to the
World Cup, this has been
one fairytale that Patil and
his UAE club owner Pagarani relive with a lot of pride.
Excerpts from the chat.
Q: How would you describe your cricketing
Hogg predicts
India-NZ finale
PERTH:
Former Australia Chinaman bowler Brad Hogg is
extremely impressed with
the manner in which the
Indian cricket team has
made a comeback after
an indifferent ‘Australian
Summer’, making them
firm contenders for the ICC
World Cup title.
‘What India did brilliantly
was to change the plan
after knowing what didn’t
work for them during the
two months in Australia. They really did turn it
around during the South
Africa game and I believe
they can retain the World
Cup. For me, along with
Australia, South Africa and
New Zealand, India will be
in the semi-finals. I have a
feeling that India and
New Zealand will play
the final. My heart wants
Australia but head says
something is going to give
in somewhere,’ Hogg said
during an exclusive interaction arranged by the
Western Australia Cricket
Association (WACA).
‘In fact, when they
played in Perth the last
time, I was commentating
on the match. I found their
pace battery didn’t utilise
conditions well. Either
they bowled too full or
too short.
journey?
Swapnil Patil: In one
word - brilliant. I never
thought that someday I
would play international cricket, leave alone a
World Cup. Never in my
wildest dreams did I imagine that this day would
come in my life. This is a
once in a lifetime opportunity for me and I want
to leave a mark at this big
stage. When I started playing cricket as a kid, I only
thought of representing
Mumbai and India some
day. However, things didn’t
go the way I would have
loved to in India but I am
glad I am here representing UAE in the World Cup.
This is an opportunity that I
have got after working hard
and I value this moment.
Q: When did you think
you needed to find a different place to pursue
your dream?
A: I played a lot of inter-school cricket and
even played in the Kanga
League for a club called
Patil Brothers in Vasai. I
then began playing cricket
for the U-14 & U-19 Mumbai team and got selected
in the list of probables for
the Ranji team. But it was
an outstanding Mumbai
team eleven years back
with some big names and
it was getting tough to get
games. Three years with
the team without a game
tested my patience. That is
when I thought that it was
time to move out and play
cricket. At that time Shiva
TOMORROW’S MATCH
England vs Sri Lanka at Wellington (at 3.30 a.m)
Pakistan vs Zimbabwe at Brisbane (at 9 a.m)
Shikhar Dhawan
POINTS TABLE
POOL A
Indians have the attitude
to win the cup: Lara
PERTH:
Insisting that India are
currently playing the ‘best
cricket of the World Cup’,
West Indies batting legend
Brian Lara feels that the
defending champions must
test their bench strength
against minnows UAE.
Lara said by testing a few
reserve players against
weaker opposition, India will best prepared to
tackle any eventuality in
the crucial stages later in
the tournament.
‘India for me are play-
ing the best cricket of the
World Cup and they just
need to make sure that
they have the latitude
necessary to continue
winning right through to
the final,’ the former West
Indies skipper told a news
channel.
‘I think you would expect the reserves of the
Indian team to dominate
the opposition (UAE). The
likes of Shikhar Dhawan
and (Virat) Kohli might be
scoring runs now but what
is important is that later on
INA audio
launch in
March
The audio of STR starrer Idhu
Namma Aalu will be out this March.
The movie stars STR, Nayanthara
and Soori in key roles. Andrea and
Jai are also in the cast. Music is by
Kuralarasan.
STR tweeted yesterday that he
is eagerly waiting for the audio
launch that will happen this March.
Already the teaser and bloopers of
the movie released has caught the
admiration of all.
Idhu Namma Aalu is produced
by Simbhu Cine Arts and Pasanga
Produtions. Santhanam reportedly
plays a cameo.
— NT Bureau
Pagarani called my father
and spoke to him about
the prospect of playing in
Dubai.
Q: Is not representing
Mumbai/India something
that you regret?
A: I was disappointed that
I didn’t get a chance back
home but not anymore. I do
love Mumbai and it is close
to my heart but playing for
UAE is what features at the
top of the list for me at the
moment. I am proud of the
fact that I am playing for a
country that has allowed
me to showcase my talent.
Being an Indian there is
obviously a bundle of emotions but I am representing
UAE and I would want to
give my best for the country I am playing for. More
than anything this will be a
huge learning curve for me
to notice outstanding cricketers from close quarters.
This will help me nurture
my game and become a
better cricketer.
in the tournament in the
critical games if India is
forced to call upon somebody from the reserves
then they have the time
out in the middle to do so.
‘I want to see the
likes of Rohit Sharma,
(Suresh) Raina get in
and get some runs. You
never know what can
happen later on in the
tournament, so it’s a perfect opportunity for India
to try out a few new players, get them in form, get
their confidence up. It is
important that you have
an entire squad ready to
fire and I think Dhoni and
Co should be thinking
about that. There should
not be any reservation
about winning or losing
because they are playing against one of the
minnows,’ Lara said.
K
W
L NR
Pts
4
3
3
3
3
3
3
4
2
1
1
1
1
0
0
1
1
1
2
2
3
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
8
4
3
3
2
2
0
2
2
0
0
3
2
1
0
4
2
2
0
2
2
0
0
3
1
2
0
2
0
2
0
2
0
2
0
(Updated upto 28 February)
4
4
4
4
2
0
0
‘Calm’ Dhawan happy
hard work is paying off
PERTH:
Attributing his brilliant
World Cup form to a calm
mind and hard work, Indian
batsman Shikhar Dhawan
said he managed to come
out of a lean patch by sticking to his strong work ethic.
Dhawan scored 77 and 137
against Pakistan and South
Africa respectively, after poor
run of form in the Test and
ODI tri-series Down Under.
Asked about what’s that
Kaaki Sattai
ing spree. He uses his brain more
than his fist.
Sivakarthikeyan and Durai
Senthilkumar come together after a huge hit in Ethir
Neechal. There was a huge
expectation on their shoulders
and they seemed to have lived
up to all hype.
Mathimaran (Sivakarthikeyan)
is a constable in Chennai. He
fumes at the inability of police to
check crime. He wants to wage
a battle against corrupt and antisocials, but understands that men
in khakhi are toothless and have
no real power. He crosses sword
with his superior (Prabhu).
The latter now throws a challenge to Mathimaran to come up
with a big expose and apprehend
the criminals. Mathimaran and
his lover Divya (Sridivya), who is
P
NZ
SL
AUS
BAN
AFG
ENG
SCOT
POOL B
INDIA
SA
WI
IRE
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UAE
PAK
COP
ON
TOP
aaki Sattai is an oftrepeated commercial cinema set around policemen. But what makes it count
is Sivakarthikeyan’s humour,
decent pace at which the movie
proceeds and Anirudh’s catchy
music.
Produced by Dhanush’s Wunderbar Films, the movie has
Sridivya to give company to
Sivakarthikeyan. There is Prabhu, Imman Annachi, Manobala,
Kalpana and Vijay Raz among
others in the cast.
This ‘masala’ fare by Durai Senthilkumar works to a great extent
for it is not a mindless overdose
of action or crass comedy. Rather
it has romance, action and humour at right mix. Interestingly
Sivakarthikeyan is not shown as
one-man army who go on a bash-
Team
a nurse by profession, stumble
upon illegal organ trafficking by
an influential man in the society Durai (Vijay Raaz). It is now
Mathimaran versus Durai.
Sivakarthikeyan pulls it off well.
He blends action and humour
and his amazing screen presence adds value to the script.
Sridivya is bubbly and beautiful.
Prabhu does a good cameo,
while Imman’s one-liners with
Sivakarthikeyan evoke laughter.Vijay Raaz reminds one of
veteran Raghuvaran. Anirudh’s
high-octane background score
for action sequences goes well
with the script.
On the flip side, Kaaki Sattai has
a predictable storyline, lengthy
second half and many scenes
lack an emotional connect.
— M BHARAT KUMAR
changed for him at the start
of World Cup, the affable
opener replied with a smile,
‘Just staying calm and
working hard and keeping
my work ethic strong.’
‘Of course, in international cricket, it’s always
a learning curve. I enjoy
the journey rather than
the destination, I think. So
I was enjoying that phase
of my life too and I learnt
a lot,’ Dhawan said on the
eve of the match against UAE
at the WACA. The flashy lefthander said he only made
a few minor changes to his
technique, something which
might not even be noticeable
to the naked eye.
‘I changed a few things,
but not anything major. Just
a few little things here and
there. Maybe, you won’t be
able to see it. It’s that little
something. The main thing
is to enjoy the batting.’
Suriya to begin
Vishal
on 3 soon
Singam
A the move
ctor Suriya and filmmaker Hari will join hands
for the third time to make the third part of
Singam. The project is expected to roll from the
end of this year.
Suriya and Hari have been in talks for Singam
3 since the success of the second part. They will
start shooting soon after Suriya completes Vikram
Kumar’s 24,’ a source close to the actor said.
While the rest of the cast is yet to be finalised,
it has been decided that young music sensation
Anirudh Ravichander will compose the tunes.
Suriya is likely to bankroll the project under his
home banner 2D Entertainments, which successfully distributed Singam 2.
Suriya is currently busy wrapping up horrorcomedy Masss. He will start shooting for Pandiraj’s Tamil children’s film Haiku.
— NT Bureau
Promises plenty of action
A
ctor-producer Udhayanidhi Stalin, who has so
far been seen only in romantic roles, will feature
in an action avatar for the first time in his career in
upcoming yet-untitled Tamil romantic-thriller. He is
paired with Amy Jackson in the film.
Contrary to his romantic roles, Udhay will be seen
doing some serious action in this film. He felt it was
the right time to branch out and do some different
roles when he expressed his interest to be part of
this project,’ the film’s director Thirukumaran said.
The action will be realistic and will be shot in a
way to suit Udhay’s onscreen image. He was very
particular about not going overboard, he said.
Amy, who was last seen in Vikram-starrer I, will
be essaying the role of a Tamil Brahmin girl in the
film. Actor Vikranth and Karunakaran will be seen
in important roles. Udhay is currently awaiting the
release of Tamil romantic-comedy Nanbenda.
— NT Bureau
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