No 2574, Sunday 28 Feb 10

Off early for a Golf Tournament. Will not be back till evening.
ACROSS
1 - No hope with cards dealt in game (6-5) – SANCHO-PEDRO*
7 - The sort of wedding the bride must be expecting to have (7) - SHOTGUN [CD] Lovely clue
8 - An indefinite number on street work around the clock (7) - {N}{ON}{ST}{OP}
10 - Have a leisurely conversation with that chef we trained (4,3,3) - CHEW THE FAT*
11 - English TV channel (4) - FIVE [E]
13 - Nick, bridge player, disheartened holding clubs (5) – NO(-r)T{C}H
14 - Cheers up, in a way, absorbing Latin in vault (9) - SEPU{L}CHRE*
15 - The thumbs up for demolition (9) – CLEARANCE [DD]
17 - A myth? Awful nonsense! (2,3) - MY HAT*
19 - A continuous pain? One must ring hospital (4) - AC{H}E
20 - Shooting star and new moon observed by extremely eager scientist (10) - {ASTR*}{ONOM*}{ER}
23 - A helping hand given by gullible type, we hear (7) – SUCCOUR(~sucker)
24 - Boat people perhaps see grim changes (7) - EMIGRES*
25 - Reprieved, second eleven released pent-up emotions (3,3,5) – {LET OFF} {S}{TEAM}
DOWN
1 - Habitual drinker holding nose in need of treatment urgently (7) – SO{ONES*}T
2 - A garment for a man, horrible thing Trish put out (10) – NIGHTSHIRT*
3 - For this reason, strengthen ceiling, in part (5) – HENCE [T]
4 - A fruit pie - pen pal, out of shape, tucked in (9) - PI{NEAPPL*}E

5 - Accomplished daughter, single (4) - {D}{ONE}
6 - Bird, variegated sort, one on top of church (7) - {OSTR*}{I}{CH}

7 - Inferior type of stamp (6-5) - SECOND-CLASS [CD]
9 - Salute current members (7,4) - {PRESENT} {ARMS}

12 - Citrus fruit, kind that is found around the North (10) – {CLEMENT}{I{N}E}

14 - Secretary’s initial answer’s to get rid of raised typeface (4,5) – {S}{ANS} {SERIF<-} )
16 - Decent chalet, I suspect (7) – ETHICAL*
18 - To be busily active on house is commonplace (7) – {HUM}{DRUM}
21 - Reportedly studies marsh plants (5) – REEDS(~reads)
22 - Money from an Orton play (4) – LOOT [DD]


GRID

No 9777, Saturday 27 Feb 10, Nita Jaggi

ACROSS
1 - Fighter plane has a low grade tool (5) - {SPAD}{E} [DD]

4 - Something one pays for to be in the sky! (7) - AIRFARE [E]
10 - Ignore the sanction cancelled (3,3) - {LET} {OFF}
11 - Warn the Danish character about the way of working (8) - AD{MO}NISH* Way of working appears again
13 - He is around this year, now at the mouth of an Indian river (8) - {MAHAN}{AD}{I} Mahan is the he? (Addendum - {MA{HA}N}{AD}{I} - Thanks to Sandhya see comments below)
14 - Finally the head teacher follows the book (2,4) - {AT LAS}{T}
16 - Establishment within the parish open campus (4) - SHOP [T]
17 - Twice speak in an evasive manner (6,4) - {DOUBLE} {TALK}
20 - Badly affected volunteers in Kenya leave New York in a shock (4,1,5) - {TA}{KE(-ny) A} {KNOCK}
21 - Keen singer will come back (4) - AVID <- )
24 - Overthrow Gore in the country (6) - REGION*
26 - Make a statement about the girl in front of the cheetah (8) - {ANN}{OUNCE}
28 - Head scarf for an old woman (8) - BABUSHKA [DD]

29 - Nine in the Chinese dynasty are recording music (6) - M{IX}ING
30 - Answers from peers upset 51 imprisoned (7) - REP{LI}ES*
31 - Part of body language, overheard (5) - THIGH (~thai)
DOWN
2 - Jumble in the scrap factory (9) - {PATCH}{WORK}
3 - Strongly resist the defined treatment regardless of an individual (6) - DEFEND(-i)*
5 - India is ready at last for the race (4) - {IND}{Y}
6 - Boundary of the developed fort in both sides of the racecourse (8) - F{R}ONTI{E}R*
7 - Girl covers a dish (5) - R{A}ITA
8 - Fasteners left in tents (6) - C{L}AMPS
9 - Revolutionary soldiers initially keep the horse (6) - {CHE}{TA}{K}
12 - Connects a disc jockey to pianos regularly (7) - {A}{DJ}{O}{I}{N}{S}
15 - Run away with the sailor in a jiffy out in the East (7) - {AB}{S(-e)COND}
18 - Can diva somehow sing without a note going forward? (9) - ADVANCI*{(-si)NG}
19 - Accountant spent the euros in Luxembourg on the spinning ride (8) - {CA}{ROUSE*}{L}

20 - Bee in short is irritated by the vibrations (6) - THRO{B}S
22 - Net on the machine (6) - DREDGE What is Net doing here?
23 - Refinement of officers, not engineers in the borders of Sharjah (6) - {POLI(-ce)}{SH} Poor clue Engineers would be CE's
25 - Chit-chat with the French actor (5) - {GAB}{LE}
27 - Something overhead on an eastern island (4) - {SKY}{E}


GRID

No 9776, Friday 26 Feb 10, Nita Jaggi

NJ seems to be improving, some good clues today
ACROSS
1 - False trading practice one may get involved in! (5,8) - FUNNY BUSINESS [CD]
8 - Take advantage of an expert on hand (9) - {AVAIL}{ABLE} Nice one
9 - Finals are late in the morning in primary schools (5) - {EX}{AM}{S}
10 - Character is crazy going around the University in London (7) - G{U}IGNO*{L}
12 - Director will tackle an event to the point (4-2) - DEAD-ON [CD] (Addendum - {DEA{D-O}N} - Thanks to Maddy see his comment below)
14 - Note that the ship finally may not be clean (5) - {ME}{SS}{Y}
16 - Mother is behind them for the girl (4) - {EM}{MA}
19 - Reported the light colour on the bucket (4) - (~pale)PAIL
20 - State exactly the wrong list put over a notice at the far end (9) - {STIPUL{A}T*}{E}
21 - Nothing is the matter with the work (4) - {O}{PUS}
22 - Girl is with the man in the borders of Russia (4) - R{HE}A
25 - Incapable female is in the squad (5) - UN{F}IT
27 - God! The woman’s suffocating me (6) - HER{ME}S I liked this one the best!
29 - Well, well anyhow rest of the story finally is a secret (7) - {MY}{STER*}{Y} Good one
32 - Hard to pass the sanctuary in London Area (5) - {DEN}{SE}
33 - Texture on the tip-off the white door in Georgia is ruined (9) - {W}{OODGRAIN*}

34 - This one may predict future happenings! (7,6) - FORTUNE TELLER [E]
DOWN
2 - Old city is the main user of the hidden universal actinide (7) - {UR}{ANI{U}M*}
3 - Type of material only manufactured for nets initially (5) - {NYLO*}{N}
4 - An idea for a dome (6) - BUBBLE [DD]
5 - Strive to visualise Khmer Republic (4) - {SEE}{K}
6 - Relative is a bit eager to be in the city (5) - NI{E}CE
7 - Mason digs inside the piece of land for the mineral (9) - S{AMSON*}ITE
8 - A gal destroys the last stipe of the seaweeds (5) - {A}{LGA*}{E}
11 - Collection of an award for the writer in America (7) - {OM}{NIB}{US}
12 - Authority in the borders of Dahomey is dangerous (7) - {DY}{NASTY}
13 - Has perhaps found in the silver coin (5) - ASPER [T]
15 - Articles are on the street for the fighters (5) - {ST}{UFF} Anno for UFF? (Addendum - UFF for Ulster Freedom Fighters)
17 - Female pal designs the symbols (5,4) - MAPLE LEAF*

18 - Driver turns up in the state (5) - ASSAM <- )
23 - Ok, each extraordinary last piece of the bread (7) - HOECAK*{E}
24 - Race is held by ordinary Anglo-Indians (5) - ARYAN [T]
26 - One man will transfer the money collected (6) - {I}{M}{POST}
28 - Consequence of a game (5) - EVENT [DD]
30 - Carver is in the house gallivanting (5) - SEGAL [T]
31 - Waterfowl is on the tip-off the city on the Nile (4) - (-a)SWAN




GRID

No 9775, Thursday 25 Feb 10, Nita Jaggi

ACROSS
1 - It may be dropped at the time of war! (6,4) - ATOMIC BOMB [CD]
9 - Dutch uncle and father are first to hear the band tune (6) - {OOM}{PAH}
10 - A form of non-violent resistance (10) - SATYAGRAHA [E]
11 - A local ruler (6) - SATRAP [E]
12 - Plunge into the surface of the Pacific to allow you and the French men to be taken in (7) - {P}{L{U}{MM}ET}
16 - Handcuff the guard (5) - CHAIN [DD]
17 - Goddess I finally prayed to in United Nations (4) - {I}{D}{UN}
18 - Object to link the corners of the globe (5) - {WED}{G(-lob)E}
19 - Watery discharge from a wound (5) - ICHOR [E} Never heard of this , had to Google search for it
20 - Dismiss the woman in anger (4) - {F}{IRE}
21 - Push one’s way into the boat (5) - BARGE [DD]
22 - Character of a boy in the commotion (7) - {A}{LAD}{DIN}
27 - Operation by an American in the North is discussed out on time (6) - ONR{US}H(-t)*
29 - Portrayal of reputed leaders in a strong limitless position (10) - {RE}{F}LECTION Anno pending
30 - Business is at a prime position in Spain (6) - {EMPIR*}{E}
31 - Task for the lady is to exchange the set of papers (10) - {WORK}{SHE}ETS*
DOWN
2 - Animal in a dry region (4) - T{E}AL Another guess. Tal's are dry lakes in Rajasthan. E is maybe from East. (Correction - THAR [DD] See comments below)

3 - Can he initially manage the lawlessness? (6) - {MAY}{HE}{M}
4 - Small fishing boat (6) - COGGLE [E] Good guess!
5 - Speak about the baronet leaving the borders of Berlin (5) - ORATE(-b-n)*
6 - Show-off the snake on the road (5) - {BOA}{ST}
7 - Came nearer to a chopper stranded around a dam initially (10) - A{PPROACHE*}D
8 - Same as ’bump and run’ (4,3,3) - CHIP AND RUN [E]
12 - Financier regularly may win the second rook in the game (4,6) - P{A}{W}{N} {B}{R}OKER
13 - Not disclosed if mummified (5,5) - UNDER WRAPS [CD}
14 - Shy boy, I first dislike (5) - {TIM}{I}{D}
15 - Man will not assess a region (5) - {JUDE}{A}
23 - Pulls down the French coverings out of line (6) - {LE}{VE(-i}LS} I is supposed to look like a line I presume!
24 - Leftover the same, dry regular glue (6) - {DO}{TT}{L}{E}
25 - Katherina perhaps is the lady holding a royal woman (5) - {SH{R}E}{W}
26 - Put off an editor going up when one is not in doubt (5) - {DE<-}F{ER} ) F from ?
28 - Told to steal an instrument (4) - LOOT(~lute) This clue should have been 'Told an instrument to steal' of course using NJ's grammar.



GRID

No 9774, Wednesday 24 Feb 10, Nita Jaggi

In a bit of a h urry so not adding many lmages
ACROSS
4 - One who sees a hole initially below the utensil (8) - {O}{B}{SERVER}
8 - If going overland you’ll need a cab (6) - {FI<-}{ACRE} )
9 - Solid fuel for the worker to cook hot rice, eater ignores invariably (10) - {ANT}{H}{RACITE(-eer)*}
10 - Have supper back in town (4) - ENID <- )
11 - Confuse the saint and the peacekeepers (4) - {ST}{UN}
13 - Small poisonous snakes (6) - VIPERS [CD]

15 - An early form of cannon that fired stone balls (7) - BOMBARD [CD]
17 - Grandfather’s art movement (4) - DADA [DD] Dada means grandfather is some parts of North India
18 - River state (4) - OHIO [DD]
19 - A stronghold (7) - BASTION [E]
21 - Democratic leader has four popular foremost episodes of Dante’s comedy (6) - {D}{IV}{IN}{E}
22 - Green leaf vegetables (4) - SAAG [E]
25 - Worker has a disease (4) - SCAB [DD]
26 - He may be the brain behind a terror outfit! (10) - MASTERMIND [CD]
27 - Be involved with the first exciting game console (6) - {E}{NGAGE}
28 - Game played in the time left out in cathedrals (8) - CHARADES (-t-l)
Down
1 - A proposal is not on forever (5) - {OFF}{ER}
2 - Bone segment (6) - LAMINA [E]
3 - Gathering around a large meal (5) - FE{A}ST
4 - Repeatedly playing on feet without energy (5) - OFTEN(-e)
5 - Competed with the crazy driver outside following the way (7) - {ST}{RIVED(-r)
6 - It may be held following the wedding day! (9) - RECEPTION [E]
7 - Think about to treat nine separately (9) - ENTERTAIN*
12 - Shadow length disappears in the shade (5) - UMBRA(-l) (Correction - UMBR(-ell)A - Thanks to Sures)
14 - A bird hasn’t flown without an initial support in the holy town (9) - BADRINATH(-s)
15 - Representative will check the angry rioters ignoring the head ombudsman (9) - {BAR}{RISTER(-o)}
16 - Chariot story has a king in place of the knight (5) - (-k+r)RATHA
19 - Same as befogged (7) - BLEARED [E]
20 - Vital fluid of the Gods (6) - NECTAR [E]
22 - Peels off the fruit coverings (5) - SKINS [DD]
23 - First chip is out of the cradle made of wood (5) - ALDER(-c)
24 - Subsided a bit early, in the soft mattress (5) - EB{B}{E}D*




GRID

No 9773, Tuesday 23 Feb 10, Nita Jaggi

The HINDU has goofed as usual by printing the down clues from a previous CW. So the down clues had to be typed out.
18A has me stumped for the moment.
ACROSS
1 - Group communion (4) - MASS [DD]
9 - Consider the revised auction note about the casket abandoned in London Area (4,4,7) - TAKE INTO ACCOUNT(-se)*
10 - River god (4) - RAVI [DD]
11 - Red-dye in the kitchen napkin (5) - HENNA [T]

12 - Pulls the gangsters out (4) - TUGS(-h)* Something missing in the clue about how H is to be taken out
13 - Loose stitches covering the far end of the quilt (5) - BAS{T}E
14 - It may not be specific in nature! (7) - GENERAL [CD]
16 - Can Dave somehow be ahead of time? (7) - ADVANCE*
18 - Artist has a way of working on the latticework (5) - ?O?E? (Addendum - {MO}{NET} - Thanks to bhavan)
22 - Diana perhaps is a doctor on the outskirts of Oman (4) - {MO}{O(-ma)N}
23 - Uneven device finally is on shore, fixed out of the house (5) - {E}{POD}E Googled result. Anno pending. (Correction - {E}{ROSE(-h)*} - Thanks to Bhavan again)
24 - Sign up the leading hero in rage (4) - {H}{IRE}
25 - He may be one of the intellectual four in to construct a house in possession of a gypsy (8,7) - {CREAT{IV}E} {T{H}INKER}
26 - Plant again in front of the regular bend (4) - {RE}{E}{D}
DOWN
2 - Country has a money plant (7) - {A}{M}{ERICA}

3 - Initially some Chinese try tin explosives used in plastics (9,5) - {S}YNTHETIC RESIN*
4 - Dish in South Africa is steamy every second (5) - {SA}{T}{A}{Y}
5 - Invents money for us (5) - COINS [DD]
6 - Collect in small amounts the leftover final piece in unison (6,8) - {SCRAP}{E} {TOGETHER}
7 - Hate to see most of them (6) - {LO}A{THE(-m)} Where did A come from?
8 - A kind of word for a manager to translate out in English (7) - {A}NAGRAM(-e)*
15 - Suspend the promotion of an editor regardless of the good record (7) - {AD}{JOURN{- a list)}
17 - Girl has an odd usable calendar (6) - {ANN}{U}{A}{L}
19 - Headless men, he can try to improve (7) - {(-m)EN}HANCE*
20 - Pull the Spanish cloth (5) - {TOW}{EL}
21 - King has a fish in the basket (5) - {CR}{EEL}




GRID

No 9772, Monday 22 Feb 10, Nita Jaggi

ACROSS
2 - You ultimately will be in an enclosure exercising power (6) - R{U}{L}ING
7 - Animal spot (4) - COTE [E] (Correction after a second look - MOLE [DD])
9 - Glove needed in the tandoor (4) - OVEN [T]
10 - Pictures I shall use briefly for an artist on the rampage (13) - {ILL}{US(-e)}{TRATI{ON}S*}
12 - Not used up, you remain tidy with the headless men (7) - {U}{NEAT}{(-m)EN}
13 - Monk has developed his hub in Kolkata initially (7) - BHI{K}SHU*
15 - Alternate way, clear for the bush (4) - {A}{C}{E}{R}

17 - Father reading in the church may be thirsty (5) - {PA}{R}{CH}
18 - Reduce the colour in the best odd parts of the nerve centres (4) - {HU(-e)}{B}{S}
19 - It is mandatory to secure a job! (7) - BIODATA [CD]
21 - An abdominal hernia (7) - RUPTURE [E]
23 - Slightly annoyed by the fabric in front of the photograph of the ruler (6,7) - {COTTON} {PIC}{KING}
27 - Somehow stops dropping the loop to throw the rider off (4) - TOSS(-p)*
28 - Soon getting a point ahead (4) - {A}{N}{ON}
29 - Looks to be mostly happy over us (6) - {GLA(-d){RE}{S}
DOWN
1 - Animal is around to turn up the liquid (6) - LI{OT<-}ON ) ((Fixing a typo {L{OT<-}ION} )
2 - Peculiar red alarm is the same in the club (4,6) - REAL MADR*{ID}
3 - Topless, chic girl (4) - (-c)LASS
4 - Opponents arrive at a place not far away (4) - {N}{E}{AR}
5 - Princes’ sport (4) - POLO [E]

6 - Woman will note the handwriting on a vaccine (8) - {ME}{MS}{A}{HIB}
8 - Level the sports field (5) - PITCH [DD]
11 - Head teacher has a new notice put up in Virginia for an art form (7) - {T}{A}{N}{DA<-}{VA}

13 - Poet goes around with a bit of caution with one drink (7) - {B{A}{C}ARD}{I}
14 - Knight captures a quiet amateur in Syria scared by the members of the warrior class (10) - {K{SH}{AT}{RIYAS*} KT for Knight ?
16 - It may be the sound of angry heels! (4,4) - CLIP CLOP [E]
20 - Group of soldiers initially take Roman leaders to work (5) - {T}{RO}{OP}
22 - Convertible for a prince coming up holding designer toga (6) - R{AGTO*}P <- )

24 - Sat over with the king on an assignment (4) - {TAS<-}{K} )
25 - Draw load on the bridge (4) - PULL [DD] I suppose by Bridge NJ means PUSH-PULL Bridge and not the word PULL in Hindi which means Bridge!!
26 - Rope in the music ensemble of singers out in an hour (4) - C(-h)OIR


GRID

No 2573, Sunday 21 Feb 10

Looks like this CW appeared in the Guardian just before New Year.

ACROSS
1 - Petty quarrel with some New York jeweller (7) – {TIFF}{A}{NY}
5 - Son, of course, shows pluck (6) – {S}{NATCH}
9 - Faux pas made by enfant terrible losing face (5) – (-t)ERROR
10 - College one attended with girl friend, right? (4,5) – {ALMA} {MATE}{R}
12 - Writer's payments from splendid connections (9) – {ROYAL}{TIES}
13 - Get the answers to only about five (5) – SOL{V}E
14 - Willing groups flushing out game (5,8) – {HAPPY} {FAMILIES}
17 - Newspaper backer shows spirit (8,5) – {GUARDIAN} {ANGEL}
19 - Deactivate part of lunar module (5) – UNARM [T]
21 - Send a delivery too far along line (9) – OVERPITCH [CD]
23 - Shrubby plant that may be taken down shortly (9) - MISTLETOE [CD]

24 - Spring in a European country (5) – {SPA}{IN}
25 - A rent payer in shelter penning a note (6) – TEN{A}{N}T
26 - Hear evidence about old disaster (7) – TR{AGED}Y
DOWN
1 - Ambassador taken in by right-wing supposition (6) – T{HE}ORY
2 - Garden plant, soft and hairy, spread (9) – FORSYTHIA*

3 - Woman, a prude, almost 50 (5) – {A}{PRI(-g)}{L}
4 - What happens a few days from now, all the time? (4,2,4,3) – YEAR IN YEAR OUT [CD]
6 - Small number interfering? Without a shadow of a doubt (2,7) – {NO} {MESSING}
7 - Small drink? A litre in all! (5) – {TOT}{A}{L}
8 - Short durable cape - that's the gear (7) – {HAR(-d)}{NESS}
11 - Poor stewardship - mates naming me, unfortunately (13) – MISMANAGEMENT*
15 - Wallaby in lane - moped crashed (9) – PADEMELON*

16 - Awkward guy - one everyone sent up at first (3,2,4) – {I}{LL A<-}T EASE )
17 - Leader of group of us met a connoisser of good food (7) – {G}{OUR}{MET}
18 - Drink that's useful after last of exercises (6) – {S}{HANDY}
20 - Runs after a boy responsible for fire-raising (5) – {A}{R}{SON}
22 - Food served up by Dad's Army (5) – {PAS}{TA}

GRID

No 9771, Saturday 20 Feb 10, Sankalak

Gear up for NJ from Monday

ACROSS
 1  - Frenchman returning after a time without food gets a clasp (8) - {FAST}{ENER<-} )
 5  - Get the body ready for burial (6) - EMBALM [E]
10 - Gesture of indifference from a brash rugged man (5) - SHRUG [T]
11 - The girl next door (9) - NEIGHBOUR [CD]
12 - Such twins could have no differences (9) - IDENTICAL [E]
13 - Note team escorting knight for some healing (5) - {RE}{I{K}I} I have heard of people boasting that they repaired electrical switches with Reiki!!
14 - Ill-natured, heartless Dory expelled from old American soap opera (5) - (-dy)NASTY
16 - Nature’s packing for breakfast food (8) - EGGSHELL [CD]
18 - What Adonis was made son hard, unsteady (8) - {H}ANDSOME*
20 - Icy home for one, endless darkness (5) - {I}GLOO(-m)
24 - Elevation popular with salaried workers (5) - RAISE [DD]
25 - A dress, one tailored is what a good driver needs (4,5) - ROAD SENSE*
27 - In the gym it is dreary routine (9) - TREADMILL [CD]
28 - Precious stones, very big, worn by friend (5) - O{PAL}S

29 - Chemical expert getting firsts in the yearly exams (6) - {ACE}{T}{YL} From the clue wording this should have been ACETYE couldn't find that anywhere so settled for ACETYL
30 - Remove the burden, after getting off the mount perhaps (8) - UNSADDLE [CD]
DOWN
 1  - The latest thing in an initially fixed deposit with first rate return (7) - {F}{ASH}{ION<-} )
 2  - Ways for good men to circumvent growth (7) - S{TREE}TS
 3  - Source of alkaloid that the queen obtained (5) - {ER}{GOT}
 4  - A worm that can make you reportedly pleasant (6) - (~you){EU}{NICE} Nice one

 6  - Valmiki for one (9) - MAHARISHI [E]
 7  - Give metal a treatment, said one mischievously (7) - ANODISE*
 8  - The kind of music to make one militant? (7) - MARTIAL [CD]
 9  - Plunder that made an attendant sick inside (7) - P{ILL}AGE
15 - Beatles’ song of a time gone by (9) - YESTERDAY [CD]
17 - Implicate Rob and Emil somehow in controversy (7) - EMBROIL*
18 - Drink brewed from camomile, say (4,3) - HERB TEA [CD]

19 - Venal tie without a hint of love exposed by artlessness (7) - NAIVETE(-l)*
21 - French article, new three-foot cord (7) - {LA}{N}{YARD}
22 - Supervise a bit of cricket with a heartless observer (7) - {OVERS}{E(-y)E}
23 - Fish with both sides in deep water (6) - MA{R}{L}IN

26 - Tiny pore on a leaf, as Tom made out (5) - STOMA*

GRID

No 9770, Friday 19 Feb 10, Sankalak

ACROSS
 1  - Platinum, perhaps, found in a place, moisture-controlled (8,5) - PRECIOUS METAL*
10 - Daily girl (Indian), new, one posing as an expert (9) - {CHAR}{LATA}{N}
11 - Carrying a gun, maybe (5) - ARMED [CD]
12 - Flower, one with a bit of lustre, amidst a hundred thousand (5) - L{I}{L}AC






13 - Sacred, religious song (9) - SPIRITUAL [CD]
14 - “For ye __ fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise” (II Corinthians) (6) - SUFFER [E]Googled answer
16 - But this officer is surely not unimportant (5) - PETTY [DD]
19 - Measure by a U.S. state in the south-east (5) - S{CAL}E
20 - Become familiar with present times, almost (6) - {AD}{JUST}
25 - Prolongs professional essays on religion (9) - {PRO}{TRACTS}
26 - Wide open cooker with potential energy (5) - {AGA}{PE}
27 - Material of a uniform colour? (5) - KHAKI [CD]
28 - Sort of military action to raise a protective group (9) - {REAR}{GUARD}
29 - Satan in the press? (8,5) - PRINTERS DEVIL [E]
DOWN
 2  - Everyday existence in a practical world (4,4) - REAL LIFE [CD]
 3  - A complaint for an officer in charge (5) - {COL}{IC}
 4  - Mentally slow but so English, however (6) - OBTUS*{E}
 5  - Watchman dispatched home by the Spanish (8) - {SENT}{IN}{EL}
 6  - A medic ate foolishly, became extremely thin (9) - EMACIATED*
 7  - It gave protection to a dueller (6) - ARMOUR [E]
 8  - Racing boats, small, trailed by rejected creatures (6) - {S}{CULLS}




9  - No more a child (5) - ADULT [E]
15 - Pleasure trip for an ex? Right, travelling with cousin (9) - {EX}{CU{R}SION*}
17 - The way to order, picking and choosing from the menu (1,2,5) - A LA CARTE [E]
18 - Gandhiji was one (8) - GUJARATI [E]
21 - Fashionable attempt to accept objective (6) - {TR{END}Y}
22 - In the wheel it could be hindrance (5) - SPOKE [DD]
23 - Fabric designed by Hiram with love (6) - M{O}HAIR*
24 - Writings, like those of Elia (6) - ESSAYS [CD]
26 - It could be 4 or acute or just right (5) - ANGLE [CD]


GRID

No 9769, Thursday 18 Feb 10, Sankalak

ACROSS
 1  - Poison made by steeping elm extract in white wine (7) - H{EML*}OCK
 5  - Warship, one in a deceptive manoeuvre covered by leaders in Central Russia (7) - C{RU{I}SE}R
 9  - Cancer, for one (4,2,3,6) - SIGN OF THE ZODIAC [CD]

10 - Performance proverbially considered better than words (6) - ACTION [CD]
11 - Showing supreme happiness in upsetting FBI, CIA etc., endlessly (8) - BEATIFIC(-c)*
13 - He can give you a testing time (8) - EXAMINER [CD]
15 - A candlestick among various concealed articles (6) - SCONCE [T] Link available with last Sunday's CW
18 - Shrewd student drops study, enters the outskirts of Albertville (6) - A{STU(-den)T}E
19 - Compel the inclusion of French gentlemen in business (8) - CO{MM}ERCE
22 - Spare the spelling out of prior offences (3,5) - RAP SHEET* Nice clue
24 - Refueller worse off after end of job (6) - {B}OWSER* Nice one
27 - Money for the investor with a hint of more to come (7,8) - INTERIM DIVIDEND [CD]
28 - Gland that produces hormones including one for growth (7) - THYROID [E]
29 - Bout of bad temper shown by a militant ruminant (7) - TANTRUM [T]
DOWN
 1  - One held captive, he carries a very big label (7) - H{OS}{TAG}E
 2  - Strength, that is said to be right (5) - MIGHT [CD]
 3  - Medical specialist with nothing to record first (9) - {O}{TO}{LOG}{IST}
 4  - Flying it might be to test the waters (4) - KITE [CD]
 5  - Intelligent class leader, a learner always (6) - {C}{L}{EVER}
 6  - Craft that got nought in university club (1-4) - {U}-{B{O}AT}

 7  - The starch in the shirt (9) - STIFFENER [CD]
 8  - What to do with used paper, say, if one is eco-friendly (7) - RECYCLE [CD]
12 - Note on a drink that cheers (3) - {TE}A
14 - Lack of interest about processing tin produces intense aversion (9) - A{NTI*}PATHY
16 - Disturbance caused by business proposal involving a hint of merger (9) - {CO}{M{M}OTION}
17 - A drug to upset a spinner (3) - POT <- )
18 - Transport by the aerial route, a famous operation in Berlin once (7) - AIRLIFT [CD]
20 - Me a lord? Funny state for a British nobleman (7) - EARLDOM*
21 - Kind of universities considered as such (6) - DEEMED [DD]
23 - One of the Marx brothers (5) - HARPO [E]
25 - Damaging criticism as may be used in a campaign (5) - SMEAR [CD]
26 - Spiteful gossip that made a board member start tirade (4) - {DIR}{T}

GRID

No 9768, Wednesday 17 Feb 10, Sankalak

ACROSS
 1  - Given up as a group, one dead (9) - {A}{BAND}{ONE}{D}
 5  - A step on the way up — or down (5) - STAIR [CD]
 8  - Accountant’s entry spells out lineage (8) - {A}N{C}E{S}TRY*
 9  - Soldiers grab deserter without charge (6) - G{RAT}IS
11 - Egg-like in shape (5) - OVOID [E]
12 - Thinking alike (2,3,4) - OF ONE MIND [CD]
13 - U.S. space station, a place for high level research? (6) - {SKY}{LAB} [CD]

14 - Bachelor, calm, beginning to elude prison (8) - {BA}{STILL}{E}
16 - Substitutes with tasks keep record (8) - D{EP}UTIES
18 - Agitate a purist perhaps (4,2) - STIR UP*
22 - Boxer carries note in a cargo vessel (9) - F{RE}IGHTER
23 - A group of nations in America is a refuge (5) - {OAS}{IS}

24,25 - Constituents of a policy of incentive and deterrent (6,3,5) - CARROT AND STICK [CD]
26 - Oates of the Popish Plot (5) - TITUS [E]
27 - Being a face in the crowd — surely not what a politician would want! (9) - ANONYMITY [CD]
DOWN
 1  - Uncertain how to proceed when business fails to generate income (2,1,4) - AT A LOSS [DD}
 2  - Food fish gets navy confused about actor-politician (7) - AN{CHO}VY*
 3  - An asset, love, in endless disuse becomes burdensome (15) - {DIS{ADVANTAGE}{O}US(-e)}
 4  - Such a mind is not liberal (6) - NARROW [CD]
 5  - For a lusty superior it is adapted in a clandestine manner (15) - SURREPTITIOUSLY*
 6  - Debris thrown up by a worker on a small mountain (7) - {ANT}{HILL}
 7  - Live around university with what is left (7) - RESID{U}E
10 - A resin beginning to putrefy in fossil fuel (5) - CO{P}AL
15 - Preliminary races which raise the temperature? Yes, they say (5) - HEATS [DD] (Correction -{HEAT}{S}(~yes) - See Chaturvasi's comments)
16 - The kind of financing for a shortfall (7) - DEFICIT [DD]
17 - Pantomime character of a porter, I suspect (7) - PIERROT*
19 - Shapiro’s sin is in shielding a composer (7) - ROSSINI [T]
20 - It could open many doors (7) - PASSKEY [E]
21 - The bird that Gordon released (6) - DRONGO* Plenty of them seen in the Andamans





GRID

No 9767, Tuesday 16 Feb 10, Sankalak

ACROSS
 1  - Summaries made on PC, I suspect (9) - COMPENDIA*
 5  - Insoles make big hits (5) - SOCKS [DD]
 8  - 37 degrees C, say (6) - NORMAL [E]
 9  - An agreement not to start wasting time (8) - (-d)ALLIANCE
11 - Cause of eclipse in India, somewhat suprahuman (4) - RAHU [T]
12 - The Great Charter of England (5,5) - MAGNA CARTA [E]
14 - Body parts with a large, snug arrangement (5) - {L}UNGS*
15 - He has a bequest coming to him (7) - LEGATEE [E]
16 - Atmosphere created by return of Indian language in church (7) - C{LIMAT<-}E )
17 - Pole in a boating trip, not one noted for speed (5) - S{N}AIL
19 - Quarrelsome AG grieves pitiably about son (10) - AGGRE{S}SIVE*
20 - Good man with the old swelling in the eye (4) - {ST}{YE}
22 - Drug that can zap me, aid in treatment (8) - DIAZEPAM*
23 - Put an end to a popular means of publicity (6) - {CUT}{OUT}
24 - Viewpoints beginning to surface by 15th March, say (5) - {S}{IDES}
25 - Such an occurrence cannot be pandemic (9) - LOCALISED [CD]
DOWN
 1  - Preserve a track for a singing bird (6) - {CAN}{A}{RY}

 2  - Reportedly high-ranking officer in good place where wagons get formed into trains (11-4) - (~marshal){MARSHALL}{IN}{G}-{YARD}
 3  - Dutch cheese that upsets crazy English (4) - {E}{DAM}<- )
 4  - When it is thus, nothing is excluded (3-9) - ALL-INCLUSIVE [CD]
 5  - Would a southern sorceress rage about circuit-breaking equipment? (10) - {S}{WITCH}GEAR*
 6  - They are in order when you want to applaud one’s success (15) - CONGRATULATIONS [CD]
 7  - Observe attendant causing a leak (7) - {SEE}{PAGE}
10 - Shapely lass docked, one with a structured cover for the shoulders (7,5) - PA{I}SLEY SHA{W}L(-s)*
13 - Person in Delhi with twisted sense shows mental disorder (10) - {INSAN}ENESS* Insan means a person in Hindi language
16 - Hungarian dance that made Russian leader gloomy in retrospect (7) - {CZAR}{DAS<-} )
18 - Could a rise in temperature result in such an argument? (6) - HEATED [CD]
21 - Aggressive man not likely to be welcome in a china shop (4) - BULL [DD]



GRID

No 9766, Monday 15 Feb 10,Sankalak

No pictures today have to rush to the station to catch the morning train back to Bangalore.
ACROSS
 1 - Notice a nominal change in an important indicator of how the economy is doing (8,6) - NATIONAL INCOME*
 8 - Very sweet but cloying in sentimentality (6) - SYRUPY [DD]
 9 - Deadly stuff in a bomb (8) - SHRAPNEL [E]
11 - Here’s Lara, prepared for practice (9) - REHEARSAL*
12 - Half of a ton (5) - FIFTY [CD]
13 - To produce milk is a performance in a dead milieu (7) - L{ACT}ATE
15 - Communist, reportedly lovable creature (3,4) - RED DEER(~dear)
17 - Death-dealing fliers … (7) - BOMBERS [CD]
19 - … as well as second-grade English teams (7) - {B}{E}{SIDES}
21 - Entertainers drop a thousand for drug-takers (5) - (-am)USERS
23 - A good beer (ale), fizzy, is pleasant (9) - {A}{G}REEABLE*
25 - Top and tip of cucumber fit to eat? Easy to believe (8) - {C}{R}{EDIBLE}
26 - Leading actor, with leaders in vegetarian establishment, may go without food (6) - {STAR}{V}{E}
27 - While decorating set, I stumbled upon playwright’s instruction to actor (5,9) - STAGE DIRECTION*
DOWN
 1  - Gateway for pulmonary activity (7) - NOSTRIL [CD]
 2  - Set fire to a portable light source (5) - TORCH [DD]
 3  - Refuge for unfortunate children in Agra, new hope for change (9) - ORPHA{N}AGE*
 4  - It administers medicine to one knight in good health? Right (7) - {I}{N}{HALE}{R}
 5  - Tea, doubly strong, from husks of grain (5) - {CHA}{FF}
 6  - Dangerous situation where soldiers may fear to tread (9) - MINEFIELD [CD]
 7  - One with a role on stage (6) - PLAYER [E]
10 - Insular area that may mislead in part (4) - ISLE [T]
14 - Efficient business representative beginning to equip camp accommodation (9) - {CO}{MP}{E}{TENT}
16 - Depict spy wrongly as bad-tempered (9) - DYSPEPTIC*
17 - Combination meal for a group: that’s about right (6) - B{R}UNCH
18 - The way everyone, educated, caused an obstruction (7) - {ST}{ALL}{ED}
19 - Inter-city (4) - BURY [DD]
20 - Illicit liquor-shop sees engineer steeped in radiance (7) - SHE{BE}EN
22 - Croon about western rhythm (5) - S{W}ING
24 - Indian sweet served in a Malabar fishmonger’s (5) - BARFI [T]



GRID