Cricket News: Deccan, Royals losses hurt most: Hodge

Johannesburg: With 359 runs in 11 matches, Brad Hodge is not only the top-scorer for Kolkata, but also among the top six run scorers in the IPL. As his team prepares for the last game of this year's dismal campaign, he spoke to CNN-IBN and reflected on his team's show in the second season.

Brad Hodge: A win took a long time coming, but I'm just delighted that the guys can celebrate a win. We have been trying hard, and it just hasn't worked our way, but when I was batting I was confident we can keep getting the runs, and it turned out that way in the end, which is good.

CNN-IBN: What did you tell your partner Wriddhiman Saha at the crease?

Brad Hodge: I just said, "Back yourself, mate" and just to have fun, and "we'll get it done." I thought so half-way beautifully. I thought Brendon played well and everyone. It was a really good effort.

CNN-IBN: Do you feel in some way it was ironical that Kolkata didn't bowl that well but you managed to bat and chase down that total?

Brad Hodge: Probably it was a fear of performance. But yes. The irony was that we went out and batted well. I suppose we had nothing to lose and we played like that. When you're chasing a high total you have to go out there and back your ability and do the best you can.

CNN-IBN: How hard was it to come back after the loss againstDeccan Chargers and do well?

Brad Hodge: Extremely hard, actually. The two losses which have hurt the most have been the ones against Deccan and the one to Rajasthan early on in the tournament. They were really tough games to lose because we were in positions to win. Unfortunately we didn't in either one of them.

Cricket News: IPL beauty wants to learn cooking from SRK

Johannesburg: Stunning South African model Gabriella Demetriades wants to learn from Bollywood superstar and Kolkata Knight Riders boss Shah Rukh Khan how to cook a korma, though she will represent opposition team Deccan Chargers in the next round of the Miss Bollywood IPL at the Wanderers here on Saturday. And Chennai Super Kings finalist Dune Kossatz fancies Kings XI Punjab as the favourites, while her top cricketer is Graeme Smith of the Rajasthan Royals. The two women are among the top three of 16 finalists from 48 contestants decided by Internet voters for a package of prizes that includes a Bollywood tour, including a possible movie role. The winner will be decided at the Indian Premiere League II finals this weekend. As a model, Demetriades, 22, who garnered nearly 14,000 votes to clinch the third position, has travelled to several international destinations, including India. "I'm fascinated with the country, there are extremes in terms of wealth and poverty, but the country is diverse, and has great shopping," she said. When not working, Demetriades loves to cook and shop and would love to meet Shah Rukh Khan: "I want him to teach me how to make a really great lamb korma." Model and actress Kossatz of East London has been to Hollywood and now she hopes her good looks, talent and personality will take her to Bollywood. The 35-year-old won the top spot with 15,888 votes. "I've travelled to many countries because of my modelling work but not to India. It would be great to visit such a magnificent country," Kossatz said. She added that she has done some acting while in the US and would relish the chance to feature in a Bollywood production, should she win the crown. Johannesburg business marketing graduate Genna Cloud, 24, came second with 14,352 votes, beating many other models and actresses. Although she admits she's no cricket fanatic, Cloud has found the IPL Twenty20 format very appealing.

Movie News: Ajay and Madhurima’s Aa Okkadu On 29

Tolly to Holly Film’s Ajay and Madhurima starrer Aa Okkadu is releasing on 29th of this month. The producer says the film revolves around seven characters and Suresh Gopi, Malayalam actor plays a criminal lawyer. Director NS Murthy says there is a problem and the effort of the characters is to find a solution, it’s a completely commercial film and Mani Sarma has scored good music for it. Sunil plays a pivitol role.

Movie News: Kamalini Gopi Gopika Godhavari on May 28

Directed by Vamsee and produced by Valluripalli Ramesh on the banner of Maharshi Cinema ‘Gopi… Gopika…Godavari…’ with Venu and Kamalini Mukherjee in the lead, is all set for release on May 28. The producer says, ‘When we just think of a film from director Vamsee, the audiences would immediately say that ‘Godavari’ would be a part of it.

In our film, the hero and heroine are Gopi and Gopika , the River Godavari would also be another character in this film. It is a beautiful and delicate love story with a mix of entertainment. We recently released the audio into the market and we got a very good response to the music.

All the audiences who listened the songs are complimenting that Chakri gave fantastic tunes. Moreover, the lyrics penned by Ramajogaiah Sastry are very appropriate.’ Dialogues are by Padala Siva Subrahmanyam, camera is by Loki B Goud, editing is by Baswa Paidi Reddy, while Anandi Arts is presenting the movie.

Movie News: Vishal’s ’Pista’ Coming on May 29

Vishal and Shriya starrer Pista has been postponed to May 29th. The movie was supposed to hit the screens on May 22nd but producer Vikram Krishna pushed the release date to May 29th. "IPL season will end next week. So we changed our release date, he said. The film will hit the screens with about 200 prints in Andhra Pradesh. The film is directed by newcomer S.Ayyappa.

Movie News: Surya in Ram Gopal Varma movie

Tamil actor Surya is making his Hindi debut. Maverick director Ram Gopal Varma is introducing him to the Hindi audiences. Varma has roped in Surya for his ambitious project – Rakta Charitra that stars Vivek Oberai in the lead role. Surya plays a key role that is almost equal to the film’s protagonist. While Vivek Oberai does the role of Paritala Ravi on whose life the movie is based on, Surya portrays the character of Maddalcheruvu Suri, Paritala Ravi’s opponent. Surya and Ramu share a great rapport and in fact, Surya was to act in a Tamil production for RGV but it didn’t work out. Finally, Varma is introducing Surya to Hindi audiences.

Movie News: Junior NTR celebrating 25th Birthday

Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao, better known as Junior NTR, is one of the most promising heroes of present-day Tollywood. He was born on May 20, 1983. Named after his grandfather, the late Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao, a giant among actors and former CM of Andhra Pradesh, the young star is called Tarak by his family and friends. Born and bought up in Hyderabad, Junior NTR displayed his latent talent at an early age and essayed the role of Lord Rama in the movie Bala Ramayanam (1996), when he was just 13. His second venture, Ninnu Choodalani, in 2002, was not a great box-office hit. But his later ventures such as Student No.1, Subbu, and Aadi brought him to the Telugu audience’s attention. Naaga didn’t do well in 2003 but Simhadri saved him in the same year. The rest of his movies were more or less average hits, some more than others. It was in 2007 that Yamadonga took Junior NTR to new heights and he grew from a teenage attraction to a mature actor. Even the late Shoban Babu commented that now he had done everything to please all sections of audiences, much like Shoban’s other favourite actor, Mohanbabu. Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao has quite a way to go before he comes on par with his grandfather, but if he continues playing his cards right, then Junior NTR will surely go places even his grandfather may have only dreamt of.

News: India Agni-II missile test-fires nuke-capable Sucess

Bhubaneswar,: India on Tuesday successfully tested the nuclear capable Agni-II missile at Wheelers Island near Balasore in Orissa. According to a senior Defence Ministry official, Agni-II missile is the surface-to-surface missile with a range of over 2,000 km."It was a user trial. The aim of the test is to give the Army confidence to fire the missile on its own," the official said. The Agni II missile, which is 20 metres long and 16 tones heavy, can carry a payload of around 1,000 kg and its range can also be increased to 3,000 km by reducing the pay load. "It can be fired from both rail and road mobile launchers. It takes only 15 minutes for the missile to be readied for firing," the official added. The missile has been developed with technical assistance from the Indian Defense Research and Development Organization for the Indian Army.

Politics News : TRS to take grand decision soon

Blaming the Telugu Desam Party for the drubbing the TRS had received in the recent election, chief of the separatist party K Chandrasekhara Rao has said that a decision whether to continue in the Grand Alliance or not would be taken at the party’s general body meeting to be convened shortly. Speaking to reporters after attending the TRS Legislature Party meeting today, where Eetala Rajender was elected its leader, Rao said if the performance of the TRS was poor it was because vote transfer from the TDP to the TRS did not take place. In some places, it was a clear case of sabotage by the TDP. He said if one looked at the results of the elections it would become clear that the Grand Alliance had polled more votes than the Congress in the 119 Assembly seats in the Telangana region. The alliance had secured 38 per cent while the Congress had garnered only 33 per cent vote. In the Lok Saba seats which the TRS had contested, it got 31 per cent votes while the MLAs secured 27 per cent vote share in each of the seven Assembly segments of the Lok Sabha constituency. In the nine Lok Sabha seats the party had contested, of the total 83.31 lakh votes polled, the TRS candidates secured 26.01 lakh votes. In the Assembly seats where the TRS had contested, of the 60 lakh votes polled, the party secured 16 lakh accounting for 27 per cent share. If the TRS did not do well in the election, it was because of the split of the anti-Congress vote since the PRP and Lok Satta candidates too were in the fray. “We had clear chances of winning at least two more Lok Sabha and seven assembly seats but for the division of anti-Congerss vote and the TDP’s lack of cooperation,” he said. He dismissed the criticism that the TRS’s foundations had shaken after the elections. “Our vote bank is in tact. No damage has been done,” he said and added that the TRS would continue to be active in pursuing the cause of Telangana statehood. “There is no question of any slowing down of the movement. We will keep fighting battles and we will not rest,” he said.To a question on how long it would take to secure separate State, Chandrasekhara Rao said as he had said that they would continue fighting for the cause, the question was irrelevant. Rajendar elected TRSLP leader, Harish deputy HYDERABAD: E Rajendar was unanimouslly elected TRS Legislative Party leader here today.Party MPs and MLAs met under the chairmanship of party president K Chandrasekhara Rao at Telangana Bhavan, the party’s headquarters. Party secretary-general Vijayasanti, who was elected to the Lok Sabha from Medak, also attended the meeting. T Harish Rao was elected deputy leader and K Eshwar the party whip. E Ravinder Reddy was elected secretary. Rajendar told reporters that his party would continue the Telangana movement and fight for the cause inside and outside the Assembly.

Politics News: Lagadapati may miss the cabinet bus

HYDERABAD/Vijayawada: In spite of declaring his loyalty to the state Congress satraps headed by Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, Vijayawada MP-elect Lagadapati Rajagopal’s candidature for a berth in the Union cabinet is not a certainty. Though technically YS Rajasekhara Reddy has nothing to do with cabinet formation at the Centre, it is believed that he would prefer Guntur MP-elect Rayapati Sambasiva Rao ahead of Rajagopal and Eluru MP-elect Kavuri Sambasiva Rao. The CM’s camp reportedly views the networking capabilities and wealth of Rajagopal and Kavuri as serious threats to the interests of YSR, sources suggested. Sources said though it’s prime minister Manmohan Singh’s prerogative to choose his council of ministers, YSR could recommend some names from AP for the ministerial posts. "It’s in this scheme of things that YSR could press more strongly the names of others for Union ministerships," a source said. Though he began his journey as a strong supporter of YSR, Rajagopal started working independently. "One cannot stop Rajagopal from steamrolling others if he becomes a Union minister," a senior Krishna district Congress leader said. Training guns on the MP-elect’s ambitions, a party MLA said Rajagopal started tom-toming YSR as a real political hero only after he realised the futility of rubbing YSR on the wrong side. But YSR is not the one who would forget and forgive his detractors easily. Sources said he was particularly upset at the way Rajagopal twisted the arms of his staunch followers in Krishna district in the last five years. "Rajagopal has always been a matter of concern for the CM as the former steals the thunder. This has not gone down well with the CM," claimed another Congress legislator. On the other hand, Rayapati, who too had a strained relationship with the CM in the past, mended fences with YSR. "Hence, he is ahead of others in the race," said a Guntur district Congress leader. Insofar as Kavuri is concerned, Rajasekhara Reddy wouldn’t like to see another wealthy leader trying to dictate terms in state politics, a source added.

Politics News: Sonia Gandhi greets Asaduddin Owaisi

HYDERABAD: A telephonic call from UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi to Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen president Asaduddin Owaisi on Monday triggered speculation that the MIM chief might have been invited to join Manmohan Singh’s cabinet. "It was nice of her (Sonia Gandhi) to call me personally. She congratulated me for retaining the Hyderabad LS seat and also on the spectacular performance of MIM," Owaisi told TOI on Tuesday. However, he declined to comment on the buzz that the UPA chairperson wanted him to join the Union cabinet. It was learnt, that Owaisi would be flying to New Delhi on Wednesday morning at the invitation of Gandhi to attend the UPA meeting. "I have sought time from her to discuss issues related to the Muslim community after she is finished with the formalities of cabinet formation and her response was positive," Owaisi said.

Politics News: YSR’s second consecutive term as Chief Minister begins today

HYDERABAD: Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy will begin his second consecutive term as Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh when Governor N. D. Tiwari administers him the oath of office and secrecy at a gala ceremony at the Lal Bahadur stadium here on Wednesday.

He was nominated as Leader of the Congress Legislature Party after the CLP went through the usual motions of adopting a resolution authorising the party high command to nominate the leader. A meeting of the CLP held on the Assembly premises late on Tuesday evening was adjourned for a brief while to enable Congress Working Committee member M. Veerappa Moily, who was present as AICC observer, to consult the leadership.

A little while later Mr. Moily announced that Dr. Reddy would be the CLP leader.

Earlier, on arrival from New Delhi where he attended the Congress Parliamentary Party meeting, the Chief Minister presided over the last meeting of his Council of Ministers.

After a brief discussion, the Council resolved to submit its resignation to the Governor, recommended dissolution of the 13th Assembly as laid down in Article 174 of the Constitution and take up further proceedings for formation of the new government.

Accompanied by Finance Minister K. Rosaiah, Dr. Reddy drove to the Raj Bhavan where he submitted to the Governor the resignation of his Council of Ministers. In his letter, he thanked Mr. Tiwari for his guidance and advice in the discharge of the responsibilities by the Cabinet. While accepting the resignation with effect from Tuesday afternoon, the Governor requested Dr. Reddy to continue in office till the formation of the new government.

The Cabinet earlier complimented the Chief Minister for the support and freedom extended for their effective functioning. It also adopted a resolution thanking the people as well as the administrative machinery that ensured translation of the programmes contemplated by the government into action. These developments followed the submission of the list of 294 newly elected MLAs to the Governor by Chief Electoral Officer I. V. Subba Rao. They included 156 of the ruling Congress.

Dr. Reddy, who addressed the emergency executive meeting of the AP Congress Committee, later averred that he would continue the development and welfare programme plugging the loopholes and see that there was no scope for criticism from any quarter.

Circumstances

Mr. Moily explained to the participants about the circumstances under which the Congress won the election despite the “communal campaign” launched by the BJP and other parties. Andhra Pradesh, he said, played a historic role in the retention of the UPA government by sending 33 MPs.

Source: hindu

Politics News: Allu Aravind reacts to Parakala’s charges

The Prajarajyam party on Tuesday responded to the cash-for-seat allegations made by Parakala Prabhakar, former aide of PRP  president K Chiranjeevi. Addressing a media conference 48 hours after the allegations were made, party general secretary Allu Aravind rubbished the allegations and challenged him to prove them. "I will resign and walk out of the party if Parakala can prove his allegations. I am a man of honour. My integrity is my strength and I will not be cowed down by the statements of a person whose credibility is questionable," he said. Parakala had launched a scathing attack on Prajarajyam president K Chiranjeevi on Sunday accusing him of forcing candidates to part with their movable and immovable assets like finances, plots, houses, land parcels and cinema halls in return for a ticket of the party. Allu Aravind alleged that Parakala has been making these allegations at the behest of some vested interests. He said the party was committed to its ideals and reiterated the party president’s statement that they were committed to the cause of people with total sincerity. "Our agenda will continue to be social justice and fight against corruption," he said. Allu said nearly 70 lakh people had voted for PRP and the party wanted to send a message to its cadre that they need not get disappointed. "If I do not react, Parakala’s Goebbels propaganda will start gaining strength," he said.