The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Face-to-face with the big cat

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Tuesday, Oct 07, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Face-to-face with the big cat

An encounter with a big cat will leave one trembling and shaken. But with the wild animal trapped in the cage one wouldn’t mind taking a pot shot at the beast and even cracking a joke. That’s what happened the other day when a panther was released in a special enclosure at the Nehru Zoological Park.

Ministers Mohd Ali Shabbir, Mukesh Goud and MLA Syed Ahmed Pasha Qadri were present on the occasion. And so were a handful of presspersons and camera men to capture the event. Before the formal inauguration there was light banter among the dignitaries. Moving towards the enclosure, Mr. Shabbir asked Mr. Qadri to come close as ‘they want to meet you’. Mr. Mukesh arrived a bit late and somebody remarked he did so lest the panthers get scared. Now it was time for the big event – release of the panther.

Mr. Mukesh pulled a rope releasing the animal. But there was no sign of it. After lot cajoling by the keeper, the elegant predator, Shankar, emerged reluctantly into the enclosure. As a hush fell the cat opened its mouth ferociously as if for the photographers and then quickly slinked inside.

This festive season is turning out to be a movie-goer’s delight! With a spate of movies being released during the holiday season, movie buff’s have a platter of choice spread out for them.

From the much-awaited Abhishek Bachchan-starrer, ‘Drona’ to the action adventure Hollywood flick, ‘Journey to the Centre of the Earth’, not to forget two major releases from Telugu tinsel town - ‘Chintakayala Ravi’ and ‘Rainbow’, the choice is endless. Needless to say, the cash registers are ringing!

With all the festivities and celebrations in the air, movie makers have ensured that there is something for everyone this holiday season. But there is a flip side too. Movie makers, especially those of ‘Chintakayala Ravi’ are disappointed because of government not allowing them to hike ticket prices for the first three weeks after release, by issuing a fresh order, withdrawing an incentive given earlier.

Does the yellow taxi launched in the capital a couple of days ago represent the Telugu Desam Party? Not necessarily! At the taxi launch function, the service promoters took pains to explain that they did not take a cue form the Telugu Desam Party, but globally taxis have yellow colour since it represents a taxi service. The yellow cars are also easy to spot day and night too.

Tata Motors Vice-President Nitin Seth had the best quip. He did not mind buying a yellow shirt if the promoters ordered another 100 cars from his company.

Planning to take up social service? Then be prepared to face some uncomfortable questions from People. Blue Cross secretary, Amala Akkineni had t undergo this ‘strange’ experience during a medical camp in twin cities recently. When they were conducting a health camp for camels, one of the residents came up to her with a query. “ Which political party do you belong to?” An amused Amala had to convince the resident that she was not into politics. The resident can not be blamed after all. Isn’t it?

The glitzy events at the youth festival in CBIT might have thrilled many. But some students of the college expressed their discontentment with the way things were organised this year.

They are cut up with the organisers for making the concerts a ‘ticketed event’ restricting entry of even the college students.

Even parking a vehicle on the campus too cost money. The media which was invited to cover the event also had a tough time keeping up with the “we-don’t-care-a-damn, we-want-our-money” attitude of the parking contractor’s employees.

On the brighter side, the organisers indeed did a good job in putting in place good security precautions at the venue.

Visitors were frisked at three points before one could get near the main venue.

Terror phobia seems to have caught up with engineering students too! Commercial establishments that don’t give two hoots for security measures could do with a lesson or two from them!

J.S. IFTHEKHAR, ABHIJIT DEV KUMAR, M. SRINIVAS, S.SANDEEP KUMAR, YOGENDRA KALAVALAPALLI

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