All to play for at Old Trafford

MADRID (Reuters) - Cristiano Ronaldo showed he was equal to the biggest of occasions with a superb header for Real Madrid against former club Manchester United as their Champions League last-16 first-leg showdown ended 1-1 on Wednesday.

Watched by millions around the world, the hotly-anticipated clash at the Bernabeu was Portuguese Ronaldo's first game against the club where he made his name before joining Real for a world-record fee in 2009.

It also renewed the rivalry between Real coach Jose Mourinho and his United counterpart Alex Ferguson as the La Liga champions seek the 10th European title that has eluded them since 2002 and the Premier League leaders chase a fourth triumph in Europe's elite club competition.

United withstood an early Real onslaught and drew first blood against the run of play in the 20th minute when Danny Welbeck nodded past Diego Lopez from a Wayne Rooney corner.

Ronaldo levelled 10 minutes later when he towered above Patrice Evra to send an Angel Di Maria centre arrowing into the corner.
The result gave United a slight advantage for the return leg in Manchester on March 5, although both sides will regret squandering chances in the second half that could have eased their passage to the last eight.
Mourinho said he was confident his side could score more than one goal at Old Trafford next month.
"It's true they had two big chances in the second half but it was out of context because we were chasing the game and they were defending and waiting," the former Chelsea and Inter Milan manager told a news conference.
"Basically, what I thought, everything's open, very open for the second leg. I think this will go to the last minute."
FRAGILE TEENAGER
Ronaldo, top scorer in this season's Champions League with seven goals in seven appearances, barely celebrated his goal and spoke of the debt he owes United, where he was transformed from an inexperienced and fragile teenager into one of the world's most formidable forwards.
"It's a place where I played for six years and I have a lot of affection for the club as everyone knows," Ronaldo told Spanish television broadcaster Canal Plus.
"United are very strong in defence and they created some problems for us. But with the chances we had, we could have scored more goals," the 28-year-old added.
"Everything's open for the game at Old Trafford and I think we have the ability to score goals there and get through."
The two clubs were paired in Europe for the first time in almost a decade and as well as 2008 world player of the year Ronaldo the match showcased some of the game's top performers like United forwards Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney and Real playmaker Mesut Ozil.
Real attacked the visitors' goal from the start, United goalkeeper David De Gea tipping a Fabio Coentrao effort on to a post in the sixth minute as a ragged United struggled to retain possession.
They had yet to have an attempt on goal when Welbeck spun away from Sergio Ramos and nodded inside the post for only his second goal in 28 matches.
Ronaldo, given a rousing ovation from both sets of fans before kickoff, went close following up on his own free kick before his equaliser sent the home fans into raptures.
The Real faithful are hungry for Champions League success as the team's bid for a second straight La Liga title has floundered and they are stuck down in third 16 points behind leaders and arch-rivals Barcelona.
Real were far more threatening going forward but nearly conceded a second in the 34th minute when Welbeck came close to poking a Van Persie centre past Diego Lopez.
BACK FOOT
United started the second half brightly but were soon on the back foot again as Real surged forward in search of a second.
De Gea, who joined United from Real's city rivals Atletico Madrid, again denied Coentrao on the hour when he flung himself to hook the fullback's goal-bound shot away with his right boot.
Although they were seeing little of the ball, United managed to create a number of dangerous openings.
Lopez tipped a searing Van Persie drive on to the bar in the 72nd minute moments before the Netherlands striker squandered a golden chance for United's second.
He controlled the ball in the area but miscued his volley and Xabi Alonso raced back to clear with Lopez stranded.
In the frenetic dying minutes, the United defence scrambled the ball away from Ronaldo close to goal and Lopez palmed a Van Persie drive around the post.
"The disappointing thing for me was in the first half we sat back off them and they had a lot of play around the edge of our box and that's unlike us," Ferguson told Sky Sports.
"We changed it in the second half and put Danny Welbeck on top of Xabi Alonso and it made a big difference in terms of the ebb of the game and made us better in the second half," he added.
"We didn't have the possession we would have liked but I've got to be pleased. The players have dug in and we go back to Old Trafford with a great chance."

Bhajji's academy proposal draws ire

A day after off- spinner Harbhajan Singh met officials of the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (BMC) to submit his proposal regarding a cricket academy that he wants to open at the Andheri Sports Complex in Mumbai, a political war seems to have broken out in the city.

The BJP and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) have come out in strong opposition to the idea of the Shiv Sena- run BMC giving land to the cricketer in the city.

They argue that it would be unfair to many Mumbai cricketers who have been denied land for cricket academies previously.

On Monday, Harbhajan met BMC commissioner Sitaram Kunte to discuss the possibility of a cricket academy at the existing Shahaji Raje Sports Complex in Andheri, where he intends to train students from BMC municipal schools free of cost.

The BMC has said that it would make a decision after the cricketer submits a formal proposal containing all the details. However, political parties have already made clear their displeasure.

A BJP leader in the city said: “There is no dearth of cricketers who have played for the Indian team from Mumbai. We have nothing against Harbhajan Singh, but we feel that there are many local cricket heroes who have also wished to start cricket academies but have not been granted land. Mumbai city is totally choked and there is no place for another cricket academy.

Harbhajan should start one in his hometown and let the land in Mumbai remain for Mumbai cricketers who have been wishing to start their academies.” Harbhajan said he submitted a proposal to Kunte and would be happy to get land anywhere in the city.

Guide to aphrodisiacs

Giving aphrodisiacs a try

Most people will be aware of or even have tried some form of aphrodisiac in an attempt to improve their sex life — and no, we’re not talking about Viagra here, which only affects your sexual ability rather than desire. There are lots of products — both natural and artificial — that supposedly enhance sexual desire; however, if you wish to give aphrodisiacs a try, then our advice is to use one of the natural aphrodisiacs which can often be found around the house, rather than forking out on products which may cost you a packet and fail to deliver.

Some common aphrodisiacs

Common aphrodisiacs include peaches, bananas, pine nuts, mussels, eels, horseradish, asparagus, cucumbers, and onions — although we’re not too sure your partner would be in the mood for much loving after a raw onion or two! For a little self-indulgence you could also throw into this list truffles, caviar, strawberries, oysters and chocolate — but not necessarily all at the same time! Some people choose to quite literally spice things up with a little chili, curry, or any other form of sweat-inducing spice, since they produce results much like sex would, including increasing your heart rate and causing us to perspire. Other potential aphrodisiacs include ginseng — which literally means ‘man root’ — and scents such as vanilla, patchouli or musk, which are believed to awaken and provoke sexual energy.

Why did people use aphrodisiacs originally?

Aphrodisiacs have been used for many centuries and there is much debate about their effectiveness. Yet if it was all nonsense, why do people still turn to them to give them an increase in sexual desire?
Some aphrodisiacs were chosen in the first place due to their shape and resemblance to male or female genitalia. For example, rhino horn has widely thought to have been a useful aphrodisiac and in some quarters this is where the word ‘horny’ is thought to have come from! The Chinese have also traditionally used other animal-based aphrodisiacs, which gained their reputation from the apparent virility or aggressiveness of the animal source — such as tiger penis or even turtle eggs. However, many of us would be so appalled at the thought of an endangered species such as a tiger or rhino being threatened just to enhance out sexual pleasure, that it would hardly put us in the mood for love.

The evidence that aphrodisiacs work

Aphrodisiacs are based more on cultural myths than any fact, but people still continue to experiment with them to pep up their sex lives. However, there is no scientific evidence which proves that aphrodisiacs can directly stimulate sexual desire.
On the other hand, the power of suggestion can work wonders — so, if you believe something is an aphrodisiac, then it may well have the desired effect. And of course, the brain can certainly be stimulated by food, scents and drinks to such a degree that it puts the body in a state where it is more ready or prepared for sexual activity — even though they won’t necessarily create desire.

One of the most commonly-held views is that chocolate is an aphrodisiac. There is some debate as to whether a chemical called phenylethylamine present in chocolate is an aphrodisiac, but this compound is thought to be quickly degraded by enzymes so that significant concentrations do not reach the brain. Also, other substances such as alcohol only really help in that they reduce inhibition.

So, do aphrodisiacs work?

Strictly speaking, no. None of the substances that are considered to be aphrodisiacs work the way they are said to, and they don’t directly affect your sexual organs or sexual desires to make you more aroused or desiring. However, the power of suggestion can be a powerful thing, and so using ‘aphrodisiac’ food, drinks or scents as part of your seduction technique can spice up things up in your relationship.
Some substances obviously have an immediate effect on our moods. For example, a small amount of alcohol relaxes you emotionally and physically and increases your confidence, as well as opening small blood vessels, making you feel flushed and warm. Caffeine and sugar will give you a quick boost, too, making you feel energetic and ready for action.
On the whole, however, what you eat and drink long-term will have a greater effect on your general health and well-being — and thereby possibly help to increase your sexual desire. However, you might want to draw the line at suggestions in the Kama Sutra which state that a ram’s or goat’s testicle boiled in sweetened milk could be the way to stimulate your sexual desire! Instead, sticking to a healthy diet should do the trick ...

SEBI orders freezing of two Sahara firms' assets

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REUTERS - The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) ordered a freeze on the assets and bank accounts of two Sahara Group companies, saying they failed to heed a Supreme Court order to repay billions of dollars collected from investors in outlawed bonds.

The orders posted late on Wednesday by the SEBI escalated a battle between the regulator and unlisted Sahara, one of India's biggest business groups and a household name in the country through its sponsorship of the national cricket team.
SEBI also ordered a freeze on all bank accounts and properties in the name of the Sahara Group founder, Subrata Roy, and three other directors of the two firms, according to two separate orders posted on the regulator's website.
Sahara said in a statement that its total liability was unlikely to exceed the 51.2 billion rupees it had deposited with the regulator.
It also said it had appealed the Supreme Court's December order to deposit additional money with the regulator and that a hearing is likely next week.
Sahara owns the Grosvenor House hotel in London, and last year struck a deal to buy the Plaza Hotel in New York.
The group was ordered in August to repay sums raised by what the court called "dubious" means from nearly 30 million small investors, with 15 percent interest a year.
The two Sahara firms raised a total of 257.8 billion rupees in the outlawed bonds as of April 2011, according to Sahara court affidavits cited by SEBI.
In December the court ordered Sahara to pay an initial deposit of 51.2 billion rupees with SEBI, pay another 100 billion rupees in the first week of January and the remainder in the first week of February.
The companies have said that only 26.2 billion rupees remains to be refunded as they have repaid the remainder, SEBI said, an assertion the regulator disputes.
Sahara said in its statement that the SEBI order did not take into account redemptions it has made since January 2012.
Sahara India Real Estate order: http://link.reuters.com/sex85t
Sahara Housing order: http://link.reuters.com/rex85t
The SEBI statement said its order would be implemented with immediate effect and that India's central bank and the finance ministry's Enforcement Directorate would be informed about the development.
The two Sahara group companies were asked to give details of any investment other than those mentioned in the order within 21 days, according to the order on the regulator's website.

Fall in love with Khajuraho’s legends

It is not just the erotic sculptures that lend sensuality to magical Khajuraho. Interwoven within their amorous expressions are countless legends and stories

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I, for one, love legends and I instantly fell for this one. There is always something romantic about the moon and it is little wonder that the descendants of the celestial Moon God would build monuments that stand for love.

I am in Khajuraho, lost in the passions of the erotic art that graces the walls of the temples. A beautiful woman, Hemavathy, was bathing in the dark under moonlight when she unwittingly attracted the Moon God himself. Seduced, she ran into the forests for refuge and raised her son, Chandravarman, alone. The moon, however, promised her that their son would one day rule over a kingdom. True to his word, Chandravarman grew up to establish the Chandela dynasty. It is believed that he was influenced by his mother’s story and so he built temples with sculptures depicting human passions and, probably, their futility.

It is not just erotic art that lends sensuality to Khajuraho. Besides, they constitute barely a tenth of the lot of sculptures adorning the temple walls. Walking around Khajuraho, I feel as if I am entering a medieval world of apsaras and deities, mortals and devils.

Located on the banks of a tributary of the Ken river, these medieval monuments are today part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built between the 10th and 12th centuries by the Chandela Rajputs, these temples hidden amidst the forests were not fully explored until the 19th century. 

The Western Group of temples is the largest. There are then the Eastern and Southern groups and a few Jain monuments as well. There were once more than 85 temples here. Today, about 22 remain. One wonders why this town, named after the khajur or date-palm, would be chosen by the Chandelas as their cultural capital.

The Kandariya Mahadeva temple towers above the rest in the Western Group with almost 900 sculptures jostling for space on its interior and exterior walls. Representing Mount Kailash, the temple gives the illusion of a mountain range. The main tower, almost 30 metres tall, is surrounded by several miniature towers resembling smaller peaks. There are sculptures depicting gods and goddesses, animals and birds, artists and soldiers, and you cannot miss some of the most passionate erotic carvings here. Dedicated to Shiva, the temple is believed to have built by King Vidhyadhara after a successful military campaign.

The Lakshmana temple dedicated to Vishnu, built by Yashovarman, is one of my personal favourites. The Vaikunta image of Vishnu is portrayed as a composite of three faces – those of a lion, boar and a man. Sculptures fill the walls and you can lose yourself in the everyday life of the medieval Chandelas. Facing this temple is a Lakshmi temple that once housed a Garuda and next to it is an intricately carved monolith of Varaha, the third incarnation of Vishnu, built of sandstone. More monuments surround the complex. Along the same platform of the Kandariya Mahadeva temple is a Mahadev temple, another shrine dedicated to Jagadhambi, a Chitragupt temple for the sun god Surya, a shrine for Parvati, and the massive Vishwanath temple.

I head to the oldest temple in this town – the Chausath Yogini Temple -- built in 900 AD. In an open sanctuary located on a mount are 67 cells silhouetted against the setting sun. The shrines, made of granite are however empty. None of the 64 Yogini along with Goddess Durga are around , but I can feel a mystical aura around the mount. My guide believes that the essence of Khajuraho lies in the tantric cult and the erotic sculptures are a manifestation of the same. The local people, however, say that the underlying thought is to leave your lust behind before entering the temple, which is probably why these sculptures do not show the gods and goddesses in intimate moments.

It is in the soft crimson light of the setting sun that I grasp the true meaning of sensuality. Lost in a world of caresses with passions running high are millions of exquisite sculptures carved on the walls. They may be cast in stone but their emotions bring them alive. Love alternates with lust as these amorous men and women are etched in a montage of erotic art. And even in those private moments made public, they seem to have eyes only for their beloveds.