This ton is for my dad: Tendulkar

CENTURION: The mind went back to the 1999 World Cup in England. Sachin Tendulkar had to rush back to India after losing his father midway through the event. Tendulkar stayed in Mumbai for two days, then returned to England to do duty for the country and promptly score a century, against Kenya. Upon reaching three figures, Tendulkar looked heavenwards, stood still for a moment before acknowledging the cheers from the fans. He later said that he was looking upwards, hoping his father would have seen him do well and would be proud of his son.

On Sunday, as India celebrated his 50th Test century, Tendulkar again remembered his father. "Yesterday (Saturday) was my father's birthday. I dedicate this century to him. The first thing I thought of after reaching the hundred was my father."

Tendulkar, who thanked his fans for their 'fabulous' support over the years, said he was happy that the landmark is done with. Was he under any pressure because of the huge expectation? "You guys only created it," Tendulkar said pointing at the media, at the post-match PC. "You built the foundation on which I constructed my innings today."

Tendulkar was not sure how he should react when asked about his feelings. "Can't say how I'm feeling. I'm happy... Can't really express how I'm feeling."

But when a local journalist asked him if records meant a lot to him, Tendulkar reacted sharply. "I play for the love of the game. I have often requested for time out from cricket so that I can come back refreshed and fit. The Board has given me the rest. If I was after records, I won't ask for rest."

While reiterating that the toss played a crucial role in the Test, Tendulkar said that it could not be an excuse for the team. "The conditions were different on different days but we've to take that." He stressed that a good showing in the second innings was essential for India. "We needed to send a strong message that we're here to fight and I think we've done that."

What about his prolific batting in 2010 in which he has seven centuries in 13 Tests? Tendulkar's simple explanation was, "I've been playing well, been enjoying my batting. And in the last couple of years, I've been moving well." Read more on TOI

Tendulkar adds to legend and defies South Africa Read more: 1st Test: Tendulkar adds to legend and defies South Africa - The Times of India http://ti

CENTURION: The legend of Sachin Tendulkar continued to grow on Sunday as the Indian batting maestro hit his 50th Test century and shared a remarkable partnership with captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni on the fourth day of the first Test against South Africa at SuperSport Park.

It was almost certainly not enough to save his team from defeat, with India finishing the day on 454 for eight in their second innings, still 30 runs short of making South Africa bat again.

But it was an heroic effort which salvaged the reputation of an Indian side which took a battering in the first innings.

Tendulkar (107 not out) and Dhoni (90) put on 172 for the seventh wicket and defied the South African bowlers for a minute short of three hours.

"It was extremely important for us to come back strong and to send out a strong message," said Tendulkar, adding that the world's top-ranked Test team needed to recover from the first innings in which they were bowled out for 136 before conceding 620 for four declared when South Africa batted.

"I think we have been able to do that," said Tendulkar.

"Many positives have come out of this match. We just need to continue with this in the remaining part of the series."

It took a special delivery from fast bowler Dale Steyn to end the Tendulkar-Dhoni stand shortly before bad light and an approaching thunderstorm ended play for the day.

Steyn produced a vicious bouncer which Dhoni could only fend to wicketkeeper Mark Boucher. In the next over Harbhajan Singh edged left-arm spinner Paul Harris to slip, almost certainly ending any hopes of a miracle reprieve for India, although more storms are forecast for the final day on Monday.

South Africa seemed set for an early win when they took four wickets before lunch, with a new ball available 13 balls after the break. At that stage India were 277 for six, still trailing by 207 runs.

But Dhoni counter-attacked in thrilling fashion and South Africa's new ball pair, Steyn and Morne Morkel, were on the receiving end of some cracking drives and cuts as Dhoni raced to a half-century off 40 balls with nine fours.

South African captain Graeme Smith was forced into making bowling changes with the ball still relatively new and Harris was brought on after 56 runs had been scored in nine overs against the new ball.

Having seen off the immediate threat of the pace pair, Dhoni settled down to play a more conventionally watchful innings and he made his 90 off 106 balls with 14 fours.

After the interval, the focus switched to Tendulkar, the highest-scoring batsman in international cricket history. Resuming at 80 he continued a calm innings during which he was seldom troubled.

He went to 95 with a straight six off Harris. On 97 he was beaten by a ball from Morkel which cut back and missed the inside edge of his bat. He pushed Steyn to midwicket for two, then drove the fast bowler to deep cover to reach his century after 258 minutes of watchful batting, during which he faced 197 balls and hit 12 fours and a six.

As he ran to complete the single he jumped in the air and lifted his bat to the heavens. No other batsman has scored more than 39 centuries in Tests.

"He's a great player," said South African spinner Harris. "It's just good for a player like me to be able to bowl to him."

Harris said he thought South Africa bowled well on what he described as a day of "proper" Test cricket.

"Dhoni and Tendulkar showed the fight we expected from them," he said. Read more on TOI

Govt gets ready for T-rouble

HYDERABAD: As the deadline nears for the Srikrishna Committee to submit its report on the contentious issue of division of the state, authorities have gone into an overdrive to handle any unrest.

While the state government has sought from the Centre 50 companies of paramilitary forces specifically for Hyderabad and its surroundings, the APSRTC management has begun installing iron grills on 500 of its buses to protect its drivers and passengers from stone pelters. The government has also initiated surveillance on key student leaders by Special Branch and Intelligence sleuths.

The state's request for 50 companies (each company has 100 personnel) is based on its assessment of the number of hot spots. These include Osmania University, Nizam and Saifabad Colleges, Secretariat, Assembly, DGP's office and premises of prominent advocates of united AP. In the preliminary security review meet held a few days ago, it was decided that about 17 companies of paramilitary forces would be deployed at the main troublespot - OU; seven in the central zone which includes Nizam and Saifabad colleges, Secretariat, Assembly and DGP's office; 2 in west zone; 5 in Cyberabad and the rest to be utilised as per the requirement.

"We have made request with the centre for 50 companies. They may not give us what we asked for but at least 35 companies at the minimum would be required," said an official.

Meanwhile, APSRTC, which suffered losses worth crores of rupees in the agitations, is also planning to give it's buses an armour against stones. Headed by former city police commissioner B Prasada Rao, APSRTC officials have adopted a police method and armed the buses' windshields and side windows with iron grills.

OU students under surveillance

According to APSRTC ED (Greater Hyderabad) G Jaya Rao, they have already made 500 iron grills and distributed them to 24 bus depots. "The grills will be fixed on buses operating in vulnerable areas," the ED said.

Osmania University, the usual trouble spot, is also facing the heat from an alert government. Special Branch and Intelligence sleuths are keeping an eye on student leaders of the OU-TSJAC. Following protests, the university authorities had put off most of the exams scheduled for Saturday.

However, the remaining exams are scheduled to be held under unprecedented security. While the authorities are apprehensive that the students would agitate and get the other exams too postponed, cops were wary that insistence on the part of the OU might precipitate violence expected after December 31. The exams are being held at 20 centres. Read More on TOI

Jagan flexi board kicks up a row in Anaparthi

ANAPARTHI (EAST GODAVARI): A controversial flexi board put up by Jagan fans created a furore in the town on Tuesday with dalits taking strong objection to the portrayal of minister P Shankar Rao.

Sources said dalit leaders are planning to stage a dharna during Jagan's tour of Anaparthi on Wednesday. They said Shankar Rao, a dalit, was insulted by showing him as a dog along with two other senior leaders -- K Keshava Rao and V Hanumantha Rao -- guarding Sonia Gandhi in the board, which had sprouted in Kutukuluru village in Anaparthi constituency in East Godavari.

The flexi board seeks to present the contrast between `banisatvam' (slavery) and `atma gouravam (self-respect).' While three dogs are shown under the title of `slavery' carrying the pictures of Shankar Rao, Keshava Rao and Rajya Sabha member VHR kneeling in front of Sonia, the caption `self-respect' shows the pictures of Y S Rajasekhara Reddy and his son Jagan greeting the public.

Read more on TOI

Guntur boy wins silver in science olympiad

MUMBAI: Indian students have bagged three gold and an equal number of silver medals at the International Junior Science Olympiad (Ijso) held at Abuja in Nigeria.

Ijso, an annual individual and team competition in natural sciences for students in the age group of 14-15 years was held between December 2 and 11.

Aayush Sharma from Jaipur, Yash Gupta from Udaipur and Ashwin Sreenivas from Kochi, Kerala won the gold, while Harine Ravichandiran, N Bharath Sivaram from Chennai and Sai Akhil Suggu from Guntur notched the silver medals, P K Joshi from Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education who led the team said on Tuesday.

Read more on TOI

ISB student's rotting body found in hostel

HYDERABAD: A highly decomposed body of an Indian School of Business (ISB) student was discovered by cops from the hostel room on Tuesday. Cops suspect that the man, Lakshminarayan Iyer (31), a Post-Graduate Programme (PGP) student from Chennai, had committed suicide a few days ago, probably due to depression brought on by health problems.

While his parents are settled in Mumbai, ISB sources said that Iyer, a bachelor, had worked in Bangalore for eight years in IT-enabled Services before joining the one-year PG programme. His body remained undiscovered as housekeeping staff had kept off the room since he had put a 'do not disturb' board. It was opened after the staff found a foul odour emanating from the room. He had last attended classed on Dec. 8. Read more on TOI

Hurdles ahead for Bill to check MFIs

HYDERABAD: The steps taken by the previous Rosaiah regime in reining in the micro financing institutions (MFIs) may not be followed up soon by the Kiran Kumar Reddy government. As a result, the Bill on MFIs, which is said to be opposed by some Congress legislators as well as the main opposition TDP, is unlikely to be passed easily. It is slated to come up for discussion in the Assembly on Tuesday.

According to sources, while the TDP has already written to deputy speaker Nadendla Manohar urging him to refer the Bill to a select committee, several ruling party members including chief whip M Bhatti Vikramarka and whip Kondru Murali have raised objections over the proposed legislation on the grounds that it would leave rural women more dependent on private money lenders.

Some Congress MLAs also expressed their reservations on the Bill stating that it would lead to chaos in villages as poor people would end up with no funds. Concerned over the impending financial crisis in rural areas, these MLAs have represented the matter to rural development minister Manikya Vara Prasad, who in turn asked them to convince self-help groups minister Sunitha Laxma Reddy to make appropriate changes in the proposed Bill.

"We are facing the wrath of SHGs who are hit by the MFIs' decision to stop fresh lending. I have asked my district minister to oppose this in the cabinet meeting," said an MLA from Guntur which has the highest number of MFIs. But another MLA who is in favour of the legislation said that opposition to the Bill is being drummed by the MFIs themselves. "They have lobbied with the MLAs," he said.

Read More

CBI set to file chargesheet in Mecca Masjid terror attack Read more: CBI set to file chargesheet in Mecca Masjid terror attack - The Times of India h

HYDERABAD: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is all set to file the chargesheet in the Mecca Masjid blast case. The blast during Friday prayers at the historic mosque on May 18, 2007, had claimed nine lives.

According to sources, CBI's Special Crime Branch Team 3 will file the chargesheet in crime number RC 5, pertaining to Mecca blasts case in the court of XIVth Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate at Nampally criminal courts complex.

The arrested accused in the case - Devender Gupta, Lokesh Sharma, Nabakumar Sarkar alias Swami Aseemanand and two absconding accused, Sandeep Dange and Ramchandra Kalsangra - all belonging to right-wing fundamentalist outfits, are likely to be charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and Explosive Substances Act. The other accused Sunil Joshi was shot dead by three persons in December 2007 near his house in Dewas, Madhya Pradesh. Indresh Kumar, an RSS activist, might be named as an accused.

The chargesheet would be filed by additional SP (CBI) Tyagaraja Balaji, who is also the chief investigating officer of the case. The mandatory period for filing the chargesheet expired in September and the CBI sought and secured 90 more days to finish investigation from the local court. The time given by the court ends on December 14. Read more:

Maoists make a comeback in Nallamala

MAHBUBNAGAR/NIZAMABAD: As if the apprehensions over the entry of Maoists into north Telangana districts aren't enough, there are some reports that the rebels have made incursions into the thick Nallamala forests also, giving sleepless night to the cops.

If sources are to be believed, special dalams led by Maoist commander Bontha Parvathamma entered the Nallamala zone as part of the PLGA week celebrations. Sources said Parvathamma had sneaked into the Nallamala from Chhattisgarh where she has been operating for some years. "The Maoist leadership is going all out to make its presence felt in the areas where its leaders and cadres were driven out six years ago," sources said.

Parvathamma, who belongs to Lakshmapur village in Amrabad mandal of Mahbubnagar district, went underground after her husband Lingaiah was shot dead in an encounter 12 years ago in Yendabhatla forests in Nagarkurnool mandal. She shifted her base to Chhattisgarh and took part in famine raids and attacks on police stations.

Sources said she was sent back by the Maoist leadership to establish the cadre base in Nallamala region. Atchampet CI Kishan said they have noticed the movements of some dalams deep inside the jungles and interior villages. "We have intensified combing to flush out the rebels," he said. Senior police officials however ruled out the presence of a large number of armed dalams in Nallamala.

Meanwhile, after a gap of 5-6 years, Maoist movement was seen in Nizamabad and Karimnagar border areas. Sources said some armed Maoists paid tributes to the martyrs' pylons in the deep forest two days ago at Uppulur village in Kammarpalli mandal in Nizamabad and Varshakonda and Dabba villages in Karimnagar district. Read More

Jagan camp calls KVP 'a broker

HYDERABAD/WARANGAL: After attacking Sonia Gandhi, the Jagan camp has turned its guns on Y S Rajasekhara Reddy's closest aide K V P Ramchandra Rao. In a letter to the Rajya Sabha MP on Friday, Jagan loyalist and Parkal MLA Konda Surekha lashed out at KVP terming him as a 'broker' who turned Jalayaganam into 'dhanayagnam.' She also questioned KVP's silence on the death of his friend YSR in a chopper crash. KVP was not available for comments.

"YSR's death is not accidental. There are apprehensions that he was murdered. As political and security advisor, you did not even bother to clarify the doubts of the people and resign from the post," she said in her four-page letter. She held KVP responsible for YSR's death as he didn't discharge his duties as government's security advisor. "If you are claiming to be the closest friend of YSR, why didn't you resign immediately after his death," she asked.

Konda Surekha stated that it was KVP who got the signatures of 153 MLAs supporting Jagan as CM after YSR's untimely death. "But you conveniently kept quiet when accusations started flying thick and fast that Jagan was behind the signature campaign to anoint himself as CM to succeed his father. You have deliberately allowed Jagan's name to be tarnished among the people," she pointed out.

She wondered what was that compelled KVP to desert YSR's son and indulge in political games. "Jagan does not need KVP as people of the state are with Jagan," she emphasised.

She also blamed KVP for the massive corruption in Jalayagnam scheme. She demanded a CBI probe into KVP's assets after he was made the government advisor. "Before your advisory role, what was your economic status?" she questioned and alleged that KVP had amassed wealth in crores in the past six years. Read More

Onion prices reached high, touch Rs 43/kg in city

HYDERABAD: Onion prices in the city have reached a new high, especially at upscale supermarkets with prices reaching as high as Rs 43 per kg, while it continues to sell between Rs 28 and Rs 36 at regular kirana/ general stores.

Though none of the supermarket managers were willing to go on record, all of them said that the price escalation has occurred in the past 72 hours, especially after the recent unseasonal rainfall across the country. The state gets its supply of onion from Maharashtra and Karnataka. Sources said the stocks from Nasik in Maharashtra is continuing to come in but the flow from the other neighbouring state has dwindled. "Hence, anticipating a shortfall in the next few days, upmarket outlets have indiscriminately jacked up the price of onion," said sources. Read More

Jagan camp hits back at Hanumanth Rao

HYDERABAD: The war of words between Congress and Jagan camp has begun. While senior leader V Hanumantha Rao alleged that Jagan pursued `sava rajakeeyalu' (politics over dead bodies) in his pursuit to grab power, Jagan's close follower Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy said Congress owes an explanation to the people when Rajiv Gandhi was made PM hours after Indira Gandhi was assassinated.

"Hectic efforts were made to anoint Rajiv as PM even when the entire nation was mourning Indira Gandhi's death. Was it not politics over dead bodies?" Chevireddy questioned.

He ridiculed VHR's claims that Jagan had forced the signatures of 153 MLAs to make him as CM even before his father YSR's body was cremated. "The MLAs voluntarily signed for Jagan who, as per high command's orders, proposed Rosaiah as CM later," he recalled. Read More

Blast at Varanasi's Dashashwamedh Ghat, 20 injured

NEW DELHI: At least 20 people including four foreigners were injured in a blast at the Dashashwamedh Ghat here during the Ganga arati around 6.30pm on Tuesday. Many others were injured in the ensuing stampede. According to official sources, an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) has been recovered from a dustbin at the Varanasi blast site.
The Ganga arati, which stretches across the Shitala, Dashashwamedh and Prayag ghats, is a daily ritual attended by 2,000 to 3,000 people, many of whom are foreigners. The ghats are near the famous Vishwanath temple.
A statewide alert has been sounded, ADG Brij Lal said.
The blast on Tuesday occurred on the stairs of Dashashwamedh ghat and was so powerful that big boulders on the stairs were thrown many metres away, eyewitnesses said.
The DIG of Varanasi range, Prem Prakash, said that the crowd was targeted. The injured have been taken to various hospitals in the city, including the district hospital Read More

England crush Australia in second Test

ADELAIDE (Australia): England crushed Australia by an innings and 71 runs after a spectacular collapse of wickets early on the final day in the second Ashes Test at the Adelaide Oval on Tuesday

The tourists ran through the Australians after snaring the important wicket of Mike Hussey and spinner Graeme Swann finished with five wickets for 91.

It was England's first Test victory in Adelaide since 1995 and their 100th overall against Australia.

Australia now have the difficult task of having to win two of the remaining three Tests to overhaul England and win back the Ashes they lost last year.

England are now well on track to winning an Ashes series in Australia for the first time since 1986-1987.

England thoroughly deserved their comprehensive victory after skittling Australia for 245 on Friday's first day and replying with a massive 620 for five declared, to hold a 375-run innings lead.

The tourists broke through with the big wicket of Hussey, and claimed three wickets in four balls with James Anderson removing Brad Haddin and Ryan Harris with successive balls and Marcus North following two balls later to Swann Read more

India crush New Zealand

VADODARA: Gautam Gambhir hit a second successive century as India crushed New Zealand by nine wickets in the third one-day international on Saturday to take an unassailable 3-0 lead in the series.

The stand-in skipper hammered 16 fours in his unbeaten 126 off 117 balls to help his side overhaul New Zealand's 224/9 with 10.3 overs to spare in the one-sided encounter at the Reliance Stadium.

Gambhir, leading the side in place of rested regular captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, had also starred in India's eight-wicket win in the second one-day international in Jaipur, making an unbeaten 138 off 116 balls.

The fourth game of the five-match series will be played in Bangalore on Tuesday.

Gambhir carried his form in to the third game in Vadodara, adding 115 runs for the opening wicket with Murali Vijay (30) and another 114 for the next with Virat Kohli (63 not out). Read more

YSR fan dies of shock

VISAKHAPATNAM: An ardent fan of late CM YSR allegedly died of shock in Bayyavaram of Makavarapalem mandal in Visakhapatnam district on Monday afternoon.

Lingampalli Nookaraju, 55, a farmer, collapsed suddenly in his agriculture field when one of his friends informed him about the resignations of Jagan and his mother Vijayalakshmi from the Congress. By the time other ryots and farm workers rushed to his help, he breathed his last.

Doctors later confirmed that Nookaraju had died of cardiac arrest and sudden bout of anxiety.

Read more

Maoist terror resurfaces in Telangana

WARANGAL/HYDERABAD: Police chief Aravinda Rao's apprehensions about regrouping of Maoists in north Telangana came true on Thursday when the ultras killed two persons, including a small-time TDP leader, and set ablaze a road transport corporation (RTC) bus. The rebels also took away three villagers from Eturunagaram Agency and another from Karimnagar district, branding them as 'police informers.' Till last reports came in, there was no word on their whereabouts.

That the Maoists, who have spread a terror network in the Andhra-Orissa border (AOB), struck in the Karimnagar-Khammam-Warangal region after several years has left the cops in a state of shock. Though top police brass claimed that the incident was an isolated one carried out by Maoists taking advantage of political chaos in the state capital that kept police personnel busy, experts said the Thursday incidents were an ominous indication of more violence.

"The Maoists have infiltrated from Chhattisgarh by crossing the Godavari river at Eturunagaram border. Police cannot remain silent as the chances of more such strikes cannot be ruled out," a Naxal expert said. The Maoists have returned to this area after four years, the last recorded incident being in 2006. Read more

Gambhir leads India to easy win over New Zealand

JAIPUR: Gautam Gambhir's bowlers responded well to his call of bowling first, restricting New Zealand with smart, accurate bowling, and the captain reciprocated with a fluent 138 off 116 balls to make the chase look easy.

Gambhir, capping off a return to form that began with a struggling Test fifty in Hyderabad last month, never let his strike-rate come under 100 once he crossed the mark in the sixth over. He had for company an equally hungry Virat Kohli, who now has two centuries and a fifty in his last three international outings.

Dew, expected later in the evening, was the reason why India put New Zealand in on a cracking surface, but the towels were conspicuous by absence in the second half of the game. Which is what made the bowling effort special.

The pitch played slow and low, and India cut out the pace and the room. There was nothing spectacular done with the ball, just accurate, wicket to wicket bowling for most of the part. Martin Guptill and Scott Styris tried to take New Zealand towards a fighting total with important fifties, but India pulled the visitors back every time they threatened to break free.

New Zealand began with three boundaries in the first two overs, but Sreesanth's late swing removed Jamie How. Guptill and Kane Williamson looked solid but subdued in a 50-run stand for the second wicket. Those runs took 12.5 overs coming - all but seven of those deliveries in the Powerplay.

The duo did little to upset the bowlers' rhythm. Munaf Patel was allowed to hit the same spot again and again, with slight seam movement either way. One of those moved a bit more than expected, and found a way through Williamson's bat and pad, taking the top of off. The pressure showed when Ross Taylor went to hit Yusuf Pathan's first delivery for a six, but found deep midwicket. Read more

Ramalinga Raju & Family had 111 accounts in HDFC

HYDERABAD: HDFC Bank's Begumpet branch manager Ch Srinivas on Wednesday told the trial court trying Satyam scam case that the prime accused B Ramalinga Raju and his family members maintained 111 accounts pertaining to several real estate companies run by them.

Srinivas also gave details of transactions, money held at various points of time in these companies. He also gave details of three Maytas company accounts with their bank.

In his deposition before the trial court here, Srinivas gave details on the banking transactions carried out by SCSL which maintained five accounts with their bank. Read more

104 services hit by HMRI staff stir

HYDERABAD: Around 5,000 employees of the Health Management Research Institute (HMRI) '104' service took out a 'Chalo Hyderabad' rally from Sundaraiah Vignana Kendrum to Indira Park on Wednesday demanding that the state government take over the rural health scheme. The staffers from all over the state have been boycotting their duties for the last 22 days and are firm in their demand that the government take complete control over the scheme. They even want that the name of the organisation 'HMRI' be knocked out and the health scheme be known as a state-run '104' service.

Apart from ante-natal check-ups for pregnant women, free medicines for people suffering from blood pressure, hypertension, diabetes, epilepsy and pulmonary disorders are being supplied through the 475 mobile health vans operated through this scheme on a monthly basis. Advice for HIV patients is also being dispensed and each van provides service on a fixed day covering 20 villages in a month. But due to this strike, healthcare services have been paralysed in the rural areas for a month. more

Allu Arjun's engagement

Tollywood heartthrob Allu Arjun got engaged to Sneha Reddy on November 26, 2010 at bride’s residence Jubilee Hills in Hyderabad, India. Chiranjeevi the superstar, his wife Surekha and son Ram Charan Teja were the major attractions except the bride and groom themselves.
According to the reports, Arjun’s family members, close friends and several politicians and several star from Tollywood Mohan Babu, Nagarujna, Shriya Saran, Ravi Teja, Rana Daggubati ,Raghavendra Rao Kodandarami Reddy, Kaikala Sathyanarayana Venu Madhav, Srikanth, Producer C.Kalyanand other celebs were present at Allu Arjun's engagement.

Reddy is the daughter of Sankar Reddy who is a Gen Sec of Science College of Engineering in Hyderabad. Sneha completed her MS in Computer Sciences in US. Sneha wore conventional pink nine-yard sari and Allu Arjun was in Silky pearl white traditional dress. Marriage ceremony will be held in February 2011.

India Eye win in jaipur

Young Virat Kohli will be the cynosure of all eyes as a new-look India seek to continue the team's dominating run at home in the current calendar when they take on New Zealand in the second one-dayer here on Wednesday.

In the absence of the creme de la creme of Indian cricket, the dashing right-hander from Delhi gave enough indication of why he is the one to look for in future with a match-winning century in the opening match in Guwahati.

With regular stars such as skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh being rested for the first two one-dayers, Kohli stole the limelight with a fine hundred that paved the way for India's 40-run win in the series opener

The young Kohli, going through a dream run having scored two back-to-back tons in Ranji Trophy apart from his second successive ODI century, would be keen to bat the way he has been doing of late at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium on Wednesday.

India have a good record at this venue winning six out of 10 matches, the last being a humdinger against South Africa in February when the hosts won by one run.

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800 vehicles seized and 2 Held

HYDERABAD: Police have arrested two persons and recovered 80 vehicles from their possession.

In the first case, 38-year-old Hari Koti Lenin Babu was arrested on Monday for stealing vehicles. They recovered 75 two wheelers from his possession.

Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, Hyderabad police commissioner A K Khan said Hari Koti Lenin Babu used to steal two-wheelers and park them at parking places in the city. Lenin Babu, a native of Vijayawada, came to the city in search of livelihood. Based on his confession, the CCS police have recovered 20 stolen two wheelers. During the investigation, 55 abandoned two-wheelers were also recovered from the parking lot at MGBS.

Khan said Lenin Babu used to carry a bunch of duplicate keys and steal two-wheelers, particularly Hero Honda motorcycles as it was easy to open their lock with a duplicate key, from parking lots in the city. After committing the offence, he used to keep the stolen vehicles at parking lots at MGBS, JBS & railway stations. Later, he would sell them at throw-away prices, the CP added. more

Spurt in applications seeking Occupancy Certificate

HYDERABAD: There is a spurt in applications seeking occupancy certificate (OC). As many as 183 building owners/builders have obtained OC from the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) so far this year. On the contrary, only 10 OCs were issued last year. Prior to that only two builders had taken OC from the GHMC.

Four years after the mortgage rule came into force for building permissions and occupancy certificate made mandatory for release of mortgaged portion with the GHMC, builders/owners are queuing up before the corporation for getting their mortgaged portion released.

In 2010, 322 builders have applied for OC after completing buildings, while 183 buildings were inspected and issued certificates. Another 107 applications were rejected and 12 builders were asked to provide some information. Interestingly, 86 buildings got OC in West Zone, which comprises areas like Kukatpally, Serilingampally 1 & 2 and Qutubullapur.

"Most buildings which were permitted after 2007 are getting completed now and applying for OC for release of the mortgaged portion. The other reason is any building permitted has to be completed within three years," as told by GHMC additional commissioner (Planning) K Rajendra Prasad.more

Jagan Mohan Reddy resigns from Congress

It's official. YSR's son, Jagan Mohan Reddy, has announced his resignation from the Congress in the first step towards launching his own party. Jagan was the MP from Kadapa. His mother, Vijayalaxmi, has also resigned as MLA from Pulivendula Assembly seat. Jagan has sent a five-page resignation letter to Sonia Gandhi in which he reportedly expresses his "hurt" over the party trying to divide his family - his father's younger brother, Y S Vivekananda Reddy, has been offered the position of Home Minister. In doing so, the Congress wants to force YSR loyalists to choose between the party and Jagan Mohan. The new cabinet headed by Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy will be sworn in later this week on Wednesday. Jagan has been at war with the Congress over the last few weeks. He has used his TV channel, Sakshi, to attack senior Congress leaders including the PM, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. In turn, the Congress has made it clear that it will not tolerate his habitual dissidence.more

India beat New Zealand by 40 Runs in 1st ODI

Virat Kohli's first century batting first, his fourth overall and second in a row, set up an eventually comfortable win for India, who are yet to lose an international in the current home season. India did lose their way in the last 10 overs of both innings. They lost their last six wickets for 26, and were given anxious moments by a 67-run stand ninth-wicket stand between Kyle Mills and Nathan McCullum.

Gautam Gambhir, leading India for the first time, soothed the nerves when 41 runs were needed in five overs with a lovely catch running backwards to remove McCullum. R Ashwin provided reasons why he can replace Ravindra Jadeja in the Indian line-up in the longer run with the big wickets of Martin Guptill and Ross Taylor. Ashwin showed he could be an attacking option, operating inside the Powerplays, bowling big offbreaks, and slipping in the carrom balls. With the asking rate climbing, he got his wickets regularly.

The pitch had little of the early-morning demons it is famous for, and all the Indian batsmen got starts. Kohli wasn't as flashy as the others, but only he converted the start. Not flashy didn't equate to not quick in his case. Just that he hit only 10 boundaries in his 104, as opposed to Yuvraj Singh's seven in 42, Gambhir's six in 38, and Murali Vijay's five in 29. And Kohli ran hard. And he placed the ball well, creating opportunities to run hard.

It took Vijay and Gambhir a couple of overs of caution to realise this was an easier pitch than the one that had them at 27 for 5 in the last ODI here. Vijay started off by cover-driving what was called a no-ball for four, and then pulling the resultant free-hit for another. Gambhir matched him in aggression, charging at the bowlers, creating his own driving length, and getting two fours off Daryl Tuffey in the sixth over.

Inexplicably, though, Vijay switched from classical shots to a slog that ended his knock in the eighth over, with the score at 44. Eight overs later Gambhir flirted with what would have been called a wide, and perished with India 92 for 2.

Yuvraj took time getting started. India's run-rate dipped below six as he scored seven off his first 28 balls. Then he started timing well, hitting boundaries at will. By the time he fell to Tuffey's remarkable knack of picking up wickets in the first overs of new spells, India were 179 in the 35th over. Unnoticed, Kohli had reached 63 off 73.

Unlike the others, Kohli didn't need periods of dramatic acceleration, nor did he need time to settle in. The only hiccup was the big shout for an inside edge from Kyle Mills. There was a sound, but no deviation. If we were not sure after watching replays, it is fair to assume the umpire couldn't have been either.

Soon Kohli started finding gaps, using his wrists to play into the on side. The pull to cow corner off deliveries not really short remained his favourite shot, getting four of his boundaries. Upon Yuvraj's dismissal, he did take charge, but didn't seem to make any drastic change, getting 42 off the last 31 balls he faced.

Kohli hit two boundaries in the 90s. The Powerplay had been taken, and it had to be made use of. The celebration upon reaching the century was representative of the growth of Kohli the batsman. There was no anger in his reaction on making the landmark, unlike in the past. He just had the smile on, enjoying the moment, more sure of his place. That the century would come seemed just as sure.

Andy McKay and Mills, though, were fantastic in the Powerplay, bowling the slower bouncers - and the quicker ones - well. McKay, in particular, got the ball to leave the right-hand batsmen from round the stumps. When Martin Guptill beginning the chase with five boundaries in the first six overs, it seemed New Zealand had shifted the momentum.

Ashish Nehra responded by shortening his length, getting Jamie How's wicket with one that got a bit big. Gambhir introduced Ashwin early, and the bowler delivered. He beat Guptill in the flight, getting him to hit straight to the deep fielder, signalling a start of a period where India choked the run flow.

The accurate Munaf Patel, and the spinners - Ashwin and Yuvraj - hardly bowled a bad ball for the next hour or so, and Taylor had to take his chances against Yusuf Pathan, hitting back-to-back sixes in the 23rd over - a pull and a slog-sweep.

However, the asking rate read 6.4 even after that over. Gambhir immediately brought back Ashwin, and New Zealand had to now attack Yuvraj, who was bowling well. A middle-overs collapse ensued, and when Taylor fell to another carrom ball in the 32nd over, he had left the tail too much to do for too long. more

Congress in no mood to act against Jagan

With his television channel showing no signs of relenting on sniping at Congress leadership, criticism mounted against rebel Andhra Pradesh MP Y S Jaganmohan Reddy but the party appears to be in no hurry to take any action.

The new Andhra chief minister Kiran Kumar Reddy was in the capital today for discussions with the high command on constituting his new cabinet and the issue of Jagan's revolt came up in the meetings.

Senior party leader from Andhra Pradesh and union minister S Jaipal Reddy today said Jagan was violating party discipline but added it was for the high command to decide any action against him. more

High Court allows Mass chanting of Hanuman Chalisa today

Justice R Subhash Reddy of the A P High Court on Friday directed police to permit mass chanting of Hanuman chalisa under the supervision of Tridandi Swamy China Jeeyar Swamiji on Saturday at NTR Stadium in Hyderabad.

The judge was dealing with a writ petition filed by B Ramaraju on behalf of the organisers. The petitioner complained that the police, citing incidents of riots in March 2010, the recent Ayodhya judgment by the Allahabad HC and anniversary of Babri masjid demolition on December 6, expressed fear that so many persons chanting Hanuman chalisa and speeches on Ram, Ayodhya and Hanuman may create communal tension.

The judge brushed aside these objections and asked the police to suggest restrictions. The proposed restrictions were submitted by the police.

Permitting the event to be held, the judge made it clear that the function would have to end by 7 pm. Speeches should not be provocative and hurt sentiments of other religion or region. Lathis or weapons would not be allowed in the stadium, the judge said.

30,000 Indian students have left Australia

A spate of attacks, tough visa norms and denial of permanent residency have caused around 30,000 Indian students, mostly based in Melbourne, to leave Australia in the past year, claims the Federation of Indian Students in Australia (FISA).

The figure is quoted in the latest issue of Indian Student, published from Melbourne, a copy of which is available with IANS. The magazine in its editorial says it appears Australia is no more a favourite destination for Indian students with this huge exodus in a year's time.

The magazine quoting Gautam Gupta, spokesperson of FISA, said race attacks is one of the major reasons behind the exoduse more

Kiran Kumar sworn in as Andhra New CM

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Kiran Kumar Reddy - New CM for AP

Kiran Kumar Reddy will be sworn in as the new Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh today after K Rosaiah resigned on Wednesday citing health reasons.

The two big challenges for the Congress in Andhra Pradesh, a rebellious Jagan Mohan Reddy and the Telangana issue, will now be tackled by the new Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy whose name was announced late on Wednesday night as K Rosaiah's replacement.

The change of guard took most by surprise including the new Chief Minister himself. A four-time MLA from Rayalseema region and a YSR loyalist, Kiran Kumar Reddy will be sworn in today. The swearing in ceremony will take place at 12:15 pm. After this, Kiran Kumar Reddy is likely to go to Delhi this evening or tomorrow morning.

K Rosaiah stepped down on Wednesday afternoon citing personal reasons. Senior Congress leaders from Delhi, including Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Law Minister Veerappa Moily, who is also the General Secretary in-charge of Andhra Pradesh, met with Congress MLAs in Hyderabad. A resolution was passed asking Sonia Gandhi to select the new leader.

"There are a lot of challenges ahead of me. I think with the cooperation of all the legislators and my party and the officers of the state I think, we can overcome all the problems," said Kiran Kumar Reddy.

Reddy is the speaker of the current assembly, and was the chief whip of the Congress in the previous government of YS Rajashekhar Reddy.

Rosaiah Resign

As senior Congress leaders headed to Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister K Rosaiah has announced his resignation.

The party in Andhra Pradesh has faced a public and massive attack from one of its own against the Prime Minister and Sonia Gandhi.

On Friday, Sakshi TV, owned by Jagan Mohan Reddy, broadcast a program that was scathing in its assessment of both leaders. The channel's management said Jagan Mohan was not aware of the show's contents. Re-runs of the same show did not carry the controversial parts.

Rosaiah has seen massive resistance within his party from supporters of Jagan, whose father, the immensely-popular YSR, died in a helicopter crash last September. Rosaiah was picked to replace him as chief minister - Jagan and his camp have challenged this decision through campaigns like the Odarpu Yatra which saw Jagan touring the state in a show of strength, in open defiance of the party which had ordered him to cut short the road show.

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