TSR Frightened Children and Infants With Shouts!

T Subba Rami Reddy is known for his spiritual bent and Shiva bhakthi. He has shown that in the presence of ANR shouting 'Sivoham' for three times very loudly and chanting the benedictory manthrams for ANR on the occasion of his birthday. TSR utters 'om' for such a long time which speaks volumes about his daily practice with praanaayama.

While TSR was shouting 'Sivoham' in mike with such loud voice, the kids sitting in the hall were turned afraid and hugged their parents. Infants cried for a moment for this sudden change. Although it's a chant to call the divine, the children didn't understand what he was doing. Elders and youngsters sat in utter silence when he was shouting 'Sivoham'.

After this, TSR said, "ANR and I are good friends. But in one aspect we differ. I believe in Lord Shiva but he believes only in humanity. As 'Eeshawara' is there in his name 'Nageshwara', I feel Lord Shiva is within him".

That way TSR has given dramatized speech in Ravindra Bharathi last evening.

Buzz: Lokesh getting lessons in politics?

Former chief minister and Telugu Desam president N Chandrababu Naidu does not want someone from outside to lead the Telugu Desam after he retires from active politics. Though Chandrababu Naidu has at least 20 years of active political life left, he wants to groom his son Lokesh right from now, so that Lokesh gets well-versed in political strategies and planning by the time he (Babu) retires from politics.

The recent exposure of Lokesh to some of the meetings attended and addressed by Chandrababu Naidu in the US is just the beginning. According to TD sources, Lokesh is showing much interest in politics, but Chandrababu Naidu has asked him to stay away for the time being. The idea is to train Lokesh as a successful business magnate become formally launching him into the politics. However, Lokesh has been taking a lesson or two from Chandrababu Naidu from time to time. It's just a matter of time before Lokesh takes a plunge into politics. Chandrababu Naidu has time and again made it clear that the career decision is left to Lokesh. It means indirectly that Lokesh may join politics, if he wishes to. And Lokesh is said to be interested in politics.

ACB becomes active, thanks to Samal dhamal

The Anti-Corruption Bureau, which had been in deep slumber all these days, has suddenly woken up and started conducting raids at will on the government officials in high places, thanks to the "dhamaka" created by former Vigilance Commissioner R C Samal.

In the last one week, the ACB sleuths conducted surprise raids on several officials and caught them redhanded. Perhaps, they might have that that the government would turn its ire on the ACB for turning a Nelson's eye on the corrupt officials that prompted Samal to expose several bureaucrats. So, they stepped up their activity all of a sudden and trapped the corrupt officials, so that the government would give an impression that it is not shielding the corrupt.

This sudden action of the ACB has also created a scare among the middlemen. For instance, the brokers at the RTA department, who collect huge amounts from the people for obtaining driving licences and vehicle registrations, disappeared from the scene the moment the ACB started its operations. The Samal effect might have created an embarrassment to the YSR government, but it has also provided the much-needed relief to the consumers!

Babu once again longs for Third Front

Though former Tamil Nadu chief minister and AIADMK leader J Jayalalitaa has been making contradictory statements against the so-called Third Front, Telugu Desam president N Chandrababu Naidu is pressing for the alternative to the BJP and the Congress at the national level. Strangely enough, Chandrababu Naidu wants a Third Front at the Centre but does not want it at the State level. While the TD will be a part of the Third Front at the national level, the Third Front will the part of the TD in Andhra Pradesh. This is Chandrababu Naidu's strategy.

Already out of power for three years, Chandrababu Naidu has become quite restless and is itching for power. The recent events in the TD and his statements on developments in the State clearly show that Chandrababu Naidu cannot sustain himself without the backing of power. He wants to come to power by hook or by crook, those close to him admit in private.

Jayalalitaa has differed with the third front moves through her recent actions, decisions and statements. Yet Chandrababu Naidu is rushing to Delhi on September 25 to hold discussions with like-minded parties. Chandrababu Naidu has lost his key role in national politics and he wants to come on the centrestage throught the Third Front moves. This explains the longing of Chandrababu Naidu for the Third Front at the national level and a strong TD at the AP level.

Ganguly: India favourite in Twenty20 semi-final

Kolkata (IANS): Former India skipper Sourav Ganguly Friday said the men in blue will have an advantage over Australia in the semi-final of the Twenty20 World championships, as they have won all their matches in Durban.

Praising the captaincy of M.S. Dhoni, Ganguly after a strenuous practice session said: "Australia and India are both quality teams. But India has an advantage as they have won all three matches in Durban. Though it was a bowl out against Pakistan, but a win is a win. They have the advantage."

"I think toss will be crucial. At Durban anybody should bat after winning toss, especially if it is day-night match."

Asked to comment on India's performance, he said, "Obviously, India is playing well. England and South Africa are two good teams and additionally both were pressure games. Dhoni and the team have done really well."

"But a semi-final is a different game. It is a small game in which three-four overs can make a big difference. Australia without their regular captain (Ricky) Ponting will be weak in batting and India is playing good," he added.

Commenting on Dhoni as skipper, he said, "He is a cool customer. He looked outstanding. He was relaxed in the three-four matches he led the team. He made all the right decisions under pressure, which is important."

Sourav was all praise for Yuvraj Singh, who he thought played good cricketing shots en route his six sixes against England.

"He was brilliant. Six sixes in six balls is unbelievable," he said.

About his not playing in the Twenty20 championships, he said, "This was a personal decision. I am not missing it in that way. Besides, this is almost the same Indian team. Only we three are left out."

Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly had opted out of the Twenty20 World Cup on personal grounds.

Asked about his future position in the team, Ganguly said, "It will be Dhoni's plan. He is captain. My objective will be playing good cricket and helping the youngsters and standing by the skipper."