No 9830, Friday 30 Apr 10, Sankalak

ACROSS
1   - Means of communication to help clone perhaps (9) - CELLPHONE* I initially put TELEPATHY and went totally off track
5   - Good man with deposit, a hidden store (5) - {ST}{ASH}
8   - Soften by soaking in money? A make-believe (8) - P{RET}ENCE
9   - Where might beer be kept – in a pub? Right, by the Spanish (6) - {BAR}{R}{EL}
11 - Objects of worship (5) - IDOLS [E]
12 - Eliminate water-like stuff, blended tea (9) - {LIQUID}{ATE*}
13 - Fighter, military man sporting French name (3-3) - NO{N-CO}M
14 - For ready money, nothing more than soft cloth (8) - {CASH}{MERE}
16 - Cheerful race treated gratis (8) - {CARE*}{FREE}
18 - Symbol that may resemble money to an extent (6) - EMBLEM [T]
22 - See prudes running to take the place of another (9) - SUPERSEDE*
23 - Tree with a large bend beginning to hang (5) - {L}{ARC}{H}

24 - Encryption creates an outcry in business gathering initially (6) - {CO}{DIN}{G}
25 - With oriental taste, he develops into a lover of art (8) - {AEST{HE}T*}{E}
26 - Putting carbon in drink makes you shrink back in distaste (5) - WIN{C}E
27 - Bruhaspati to the gods (9) - PRECEPTOR [E]
DOWN
1   - It describes a picture of a chicken swallowing a note (7) - {CAP{TI}ON}
2   - Get ready to sleep? (3,4)  - LIE DOWN [E]
3   - Emphasise meeting as a way of feeding newspapers (5,10) - {PRESS} {CONFERENCE}
4   - Mysterious part of Medoc culture (6) - OCCULT [T]
5   - In emptiness, a hotel conjures up something to eat (7,8) - SPANISH OMELETTE*
6   - Price that a flier has to pay (7) - AIRFARE [E]
7   - A Greek in Hades is ahead of a point (7) - {HELL}{ENE}
10 - Indian wife in America (5) - SQUAW [E]
15 - Sheep in empty jail, a precious thing (5) - J(ai){EWE}L
16 - Source of wealth – for the dairyman? (4,3) - CASH COW [CD]
17 - Persuaded one to take part in new period play (5,2) - {ROPED I*}{N}
19 - Big way, second to none in size (7) - {LARGE}{ST}
20 - Here's ma, worried about fish (7) - MAHSEER* This photo has been taken at the Cauvery fishing village near Bangalore, one of the resorts established by 'Papa' Wakefield who passed away recently and Richard wrote about him.

21 - Go back on decree formulation (6) - RECEDE*

GRID

No 9829, Thursday 29 Apr 10, Sankalak

ACROSS
1   - The born artist turns detestable and … (9) - {A}BHO{R}RENT*
5   - …. ponders about the goddesses of the arts (5) - MUSES [DD]
8   - Doctor, English, in motor, finds curvature on the road (6) - CA{MB}{E}R
9   - Old Poet Laureate sent on New York trip (8) - TEN{NY}SON*
11 - An opening to check trapped Nationalist (4) - VE{N}T
12 - Dedication shown by Tim reflected in observation (10) - COM{MIT<-}MENT
14 - Cast off for value returned (5) - THROW*
15 - Is Satan about to play a game? (7) - {C}{ANAST*}{A}
16 - The plant to put a motor out (7) - {CAR}{AWAY}

17 - Bit of flesh at the back of the mouth (5) - UVULA [E]

19 - First man's fruit, it is in the throat (5,5) - {ADAMS} {APPLE}

20 - The highest point reached by State leader in extremes of abstinence (4) - A{CM}E
22 - Um, lust is possibly an incentive for activity (8) - STIMULUS*
23 - Money back (6) - REFUND [E]
24 - A stiff drink? My, unusual!! (5) - {RUM}{MY}
25 - A meeting that could be deadly for a fleeing criminal (9) - ENCOUNTER [CD]
DOWN
1   - A recess in a surreal cover (6) - ALCOVE [T]
2   - Benevolence — minus it, Maharani crumbles (15) - HUMANITARIANISM*
3   - Flightless bird? We hear otherwise (4) - RHEA*

4   - Mother upset over duo finding device for measuring temperature (12) - {THERMO*}{COUPLE}
5   - Tediously uniform like a single note being played (10) - MONOTONOUS [E] Anyone recall the Ajit joke on this?
6   - A tale of excitement and tension apparently pending decision on permanent posting? (8,7) - {SUSPENSE} {ACCOUNT}
7   - Candid old singer (7) - (frank) SINATRA [E]
10 - The tree to make a Nordic state neat and smart, perhaps (6,6) - {NORWAY} {SPRUCE}

13 - Tan male with yen for deep thought (5,5) - {BROWN} {STUD}{Y}
16 - Less refined way to go, you say? Right (7) - (~course){COARSE}{R}
18 - Metal worker beginning to work on tree (6) - {W}{ELDER}
21 - It provides a choice to the consumer (4) - MENU [E]

GRID

No 9828, Wednesday 28 Apr 10, Sankalak

Driving back to Bangalore today
ACROSS
1   - One struggling for independence may deem right offer wrong (7,7) - FREEDOM FIGHTER*
8   - Remove or reduce about a pound (6) - AB{L}ATE
9   - Defector from a job brewing tea (8) - {A}{POST}{ATE*}
11 - What a trader finally earns — gain from the Infobahn? (3,6) - {NET} {PROFIT}
12 - Admonition to a child dawdling with dinner (3,2) - EAT UP [CD]
13 - On which to drive uphill (3,4) - LOW GEAR [CD]
15 - What does Omerta involve? One can't tell! (7) - SECRECY [CD]
17 - Territorial Army, say, violates limit with excellent backing (7) - {MILIT*}{IA}
19 - Bachelor with girl, not heartless but without shame (7) - {B}{LATA}{N(o)T}
21 - Artist, leader in sculpting, elderly, in retreat (5) - {DEGA<-}{S}
23 - Revenue official who had trials re-organised (9) - TAHSILDAR*
25 - The edge of the road must be followed by every road-hog initially (8) - {SHOULD}{E}{R}
26 - Tom and Jerry, e.g., losing a round in a box (6) - CART(o)ON
27 - What an alpinist needs if he would move towards peaks (4,3,7) - HEAD FOR HEIGHTS
DOWN
1   - Sweet talk gets woollen material (7) - FLANNEL [DD]
2   - Story written up about beginning of creation, a splendid success (5) - E{C}LAT<- )
3   - What punishment is meant to be can discourage ten right off (9) - {DETER}{R}{ENT*}
4   - The driving force for one member, alien-American (7) - {I}{MP}{ET}{US}
5   - It makes for waste, they say (5) - HASTE [E]
6   - Skin eruption puts a former worker on edge with a trace of allergy (9) - {EX}{ANT}{HEM}{A}
7   - How may great sorrow affect one? Profoundly! (6) - DEEPLY [CD]
10 - At a distance, a British force repulsed (4) - {A}FAR <- )
14 - Bird figuring in a fruitless search (4-5) - WILD-GOOSE [E]
16 - Mock serenade by Ravi, a rich composition (9) - CHARIVARI*
17 - Gorgon mother who accepted settlement of dues (6) - M{EDUS*}A

18 - Small company rated bad in interior design (3,4) - {ART DE*}{CO}
19 - It is money in Bangkok (4) - BAHT [E]
20 - The endless misdeeds, one hears, of crowds (7) - {TH(-e)}{RONGS}(~wrongs)
22 - Big star with identity difficult to undermine (5) - {SOL}{ID}
24 - The beginning of deadly, strong desire to abandon someone (5) - {D}{ITCH}

No 9827, Tuesday 27 Apr 10, Neyartha

Try as I might I am unable to think up a word for 8 & 23 D. Have to publish this now as we have no power from 6 to 12 today, all in the name of World Classical Tamil Conference.
ACROSS
1   - Expect open crevice to be fixed up (11) - PRECONCEIVE*
9   - Announced hair gel for the American mammal (5) - MOOSE (~mousse)

10 - Nice little number on cake (5,4) - {PETIT} {FOUR}
11 - Clean entertainment veils something concerning (5) - ANENT [T]
12 - Rowdy behaviour is on us! Saucers damaged (11) - RAUCOUSNESS*
13 - Ghostly pale alien leaves latchkey deformed (6) - CHALKY(et)*
14 - Play with lid shaped like floating leaves (4,3) - LILY PAD*

18 - One may be driven to this when frustrated (7) - DESPAIR [CD]
20 - Party in back street of Paris with a Greek nymph (6) - EU{DO}RA<- )
24 - Distributes once more to find the old Spanish coins outside (11) - REAL{LOCATE}S

26 - Not quite right when one gets dismissed by a bank (5) - AMISS ?(Addendum - AM(-i+a)ASS - All addendums with thanks to Neyartha- See comments)
27 - Rodeo unit disaster is cleared up (6,3) - IRONED OUT*
28 - Planes? They are not odd (5) - EVENS [DD]
29 - Bill (owner) following booming sound finds a mythical creature (11) - {THUNDER}BIRD Anno for BIRD pending (Addendum - Bill owner = Bird)
DOWN
1   - Charge Greek character in retreat in Pakistan for a smoker's stand (4,4) - P{IP<-}{E RAC<-}K )

2   - Urge Tesla to get rid of Charlie's attendants (9) - ENTOURAGE Anno pending (Addendum - EN(-c+t)TOURAGE)
3   - View forecast (7) - OUTLOOK [DD]
4   - Upset at missing the first clue type in this puzzle (5) - (a)CROSS Nice clue
5   - Goddess sheltering old king sent back by some countrymen (8) - IS{RAEL<-}IS )
6   - Mission student missing assembly in trouble (7) - EMBASSY(l)*
7   - Page in gloom, upset by queen (5) - {GOF<-}{ER} )
8   - Property of Bill that one may shell out a lot of money for (5) - ?E?T?(Addendum - HEFTY [CD])
15 - Unusual ratio for one with a stronger reason (1,8) - {A FORTIOR}{I} Never heard this earlier
16 - Dessert Sumitra cooked contains iodine (8) - TIRAM{I}SU*
17 - Broken bedsteads Democrat dropped revealed in the open (8) - BASSETED(d)*
19 - Sits uncomfortably after salesman turns up for the stay (7) - {PER<-}{SIST*} )
21 - Dim and corrupt national leader replaced by Republican (7) - UNCLEA(-n+r)R
22 - Nut in Arizona surrounded by endless misery (5) - H{AZ}EL(l)
23 - Reportedly understood direction to remain silent (5) - ????T(Addendum - (~tacit)TACET )
25 - Alloy (duralumin) smuggled for the old U.S. comedian (5) - LLOYD [T]

GRID

No 9826, Monday 26 Apr 10, Neyartha

Didn't realise there is a power cut here from 6 to 9, got in late last night and forgot to charge the battery. Woke up at 6 and there was no power, so I could not do anything till the paper came in at 7. Sorry for the dealy, not adding many links and photo's to save time. I'm stuck on 9D
Note: P means the same wherever it appears in this puzzle
ACROSS
1   - Revolutionary's right to imprison the awful grouch (a devotee) (10) - {CH{URCHGO*}E}{R}
6   - Flower king plucked out for sun goddess (4) - I(-r+s)SIS
10 - Give water to the late revolutionary getting admitted here somehow (9) - {REH{YDRAT<-}E*} )
11  - Native American language spoken by party in church recital (5) - (~cree){CRE}{DO}
12 - Stuck-up in harbour covered by knotted filaments (4-9) - {SELF-IM{PORT}ANT*}
14 - Letter on ethical problem the Spanish censored (5) - AITCH(el)*
15 - Mean to train in unpopular time (3,6) - {LOW} {SEASON}
17 - Briefcase left for incompletely returned bribe (9) - {PORT}{FO(r)}{LIO<-} )
21 - Lead wire (5) - CABLE [DD]
22 - Flag holder on the platform? (13) - STATIONMASTER [CD]
24 - Saying that yielded a surprise exclamation in retrospective (5) - {A}{DAGE<-} )
25 - Lab nuance at fault for lack of equilibrium (9) - UNBALANCE*
26 - Red blossom extract (4) - LOSS [T]
27 - Fired IOC receptionists adapted, being determined (10) - PERSISTENT(ioc)*
DOWN
1   - Jokers embracing astute professional cheaters (4,6) - CARD {SHARP}S
2   - Hurt Poles working to build a sofa, say (9) - UPHOLSTER*
3   - North Atlantic trawler catch component (7) - CODFISH [E]
4   - Earplug adjusted for P (7) - GRAUPEL* New word for me
5   - Scrutinize the tip of a kind of pencil (7)  - {EYE}{BROW}
7   - P to hassle Ethiopian in hiding (5) - SLEET [T]
8   - Fictional investigative reporter's pet, not unknown to P (4) - SNOW(-y)
9   - Fix the Mexican shawl and cape for the Oriental (6) - ?C?A?E (Addendum - S(-e+c)CRAPE - Thanks to Suresh - see comments)

13 - Affection shown by close blokes in hospital department (10) - EN{DEAR}{MEN}T
16 - Opinion about failing USB kernel (9) - S{UBS*}TANCE
18 - Chips and some breakfast cereals for P (6) - FLAKES [CD]
19 - General besieging island to the Spanish south in free time (7) - LE{ISUR}E
20 - Passenger vehicle collection (7) - OMNIBUS [DD]
21 - Tea on counter window frame fabric (7) - {CHA}{LLIS<-} )
22 - Crushing blows delivered by nerds in audition (5) - SWATS(~swots)
23 - American leaves Time for P (4) - HAIL Anno pending (Addendum - FALL [CD] - See Suresh's comments)

GRID

Indefinite delay

There may be an indefinite delay today, as the power has gone off and my laptop battery is in the red. No idea when power will be back.

No 2582, Sunday 25 Apr 10

I am off to Guruvayur for a  temple darshan today, will be back only in the evening, shall pop in from Trichur when I break for lunch at a friends place.
ACROSS
1   - Widely admired tree round university (7) – POP{U}LAR
5   - Wear out short military overalls (7) – FATIGUES [DD]
9   - Bird in farmhouse larder (5) – OUSEL [T]

10 - George, with trendy friend, meeting one in gaudy bar (3,6) – {G}{IN} {PAL}{ACE}
11 - What's bound to put an end to children's game? (9) – {HOP}{SCOTCH}

12 - Military decoration, we hear, for a compere (5) – EMCEE (~MC)
13 - Low, perhaps, a US art critic abroad (12) – CARICATURIST*
17, 20 - Elephant seal, twice floundering, has to make a fresh start (4,3,5,5) – WIPE THE SLATE CLEAN
21 - Take choir out for a kind of tea that may be served in Hanoi (9) – ARTICHOKE*
23 - Widdicombe Fair chap pointing to fruit in book (3,6) – {TOM {PEARS}E}
24 - Brush stroke (5) – SWEEP [CD]
25 - Reveal former printing machine (7) – {EX}{PRESS}
26 - Senator solved crime (7) – TREASON*
DOWN
1   - Prediction of support by ambassador on Cyprus (8) – {PROP}{HE}{CY}
2   - Free ticket left with travel document (8) – {PASS}{PORT}
3   - Ring up about one flowering shrub (5) – L{I}LAC <- )

4   - Reference book - author gets users confused (6,9) – ROGETS THESAURUS My favourite when tackling crosswords
5   - The current chefs working in a London station (9,6) – FENCHURCH STREET*
6   - Goes across with dramatist touring south-east (9) – TRAVER{SE}S
7   - Mineral used to make good long weapon (6) – {G}{LANCE} Hearing this for the first time
8   - Small opening I, reportedly, must have allowed (6) – (~i){EYE}{LET}
14 - All the customers tell niece off (9) – CLIENTELE*
15 - Titled lady one's seen in pubs (8) – {BAR{ONES}S}
16 - Play safe and bowl (5,3) – {PETER} {PAN}
18 - Bushwhacker injured chest round end of July (6) – SC{Y}THE*

19 - Come together in side at college (4,2) – {TEAM} {UP}
22 - Class actors close to home (5) – {CAST}{E}

GRID

No 9825, Saturday 24 Apr 10, M Manna

Since I was leaving only at 6 decided to get up early and do the CW
ACROSS
1   - Many in South Africa made a bond to organise escape (7) - {A}B{S}{C}OND Not happy with the annotation
5   - The man next in line for a major promotion? (7) - CAPTAIN [E]
9   - Within the home are the most intimate (7) - NE{ARE}ST
10 - Time ran out for one of Islam's high achievements (7) - MINARET*
11 - Works till one appears lost (5) - TO{I}LS*
12 - Catch up with, produce a gun and point it (4,5) - {DRAW} {LEVEL}
13 - That's nothing to the gardens I designed and arranged (9) - {O}{RGAN{I}SED*}
15 - He is very liberal with his perverted lies (5) - EL{L}IS*
16 - Ted developed art in buying and selling goods (5) - {TRA*}{DE}
18 - Those who advance another business man? (9) - PROMOTERS [CD]
21 - Arthur and I have difficulty swallowing a vegetable (9) - {ART}{I}{CHOKE}

24 - Bird in headgear (5) - {CAP}{ON}
25 - Pledge to get the wage estimate reduced? (7) - {EARN}{EST(imate)}
26 - Small boy not able to discourse at length (7) - {DE}{S}{CANT}
27 - New reel about a negative Plantagenet queen (7) - ELE{ANO}R*
28 - Ned used wire as tool to expand a packing case (7) - WI{DEN*}ER* Never heard of such a tool
DOWN
1   - Girl, one on the wagon comes round for some dye (7) - {ANN}{A}{TT}{O}
2   - Second only to dining it is a problem for restaurateurs (7) - {S}{EATING}
3   - Sort of respect afforded Bacon, I see (9) - OBEISANCE*
4   - Old fashioned (5) - DATED [E]
5   - Antonyms that are here today and gone tomorrow (4,3,2) - COME AND GO [CD]
6   - Arrange plane compartment (5) - PANEL*
7   - A rebel leader to be a match for the newcomer (7) - {A}{R}{RIVAL}
8   - Bugs are things the gardener tries to get ride of (7) - NETTLES [DD]

14 - Who cheers when the boxer gets a very good left in? (9) - SUPPORTER [CD]
15 - Didn't leave in bad spirits (9) - EXORCISED [CD]
16 - Gin and leisure, we hear, produce entertaining activity (7) - {TRAP}{EZE} (~ease)
17 - A note about the leading goddess (7) - {A}{STAR}{TE}
19 - Make intelligible notes about nine Nepal constituents (7) - E{X}PLA{I}N*
20 - Some have chosen a Tory politician (7) - SENATOR [T]
22 - Honest and uncorrupted (5) - CLEAN [E]
23 - Ted now arranges to settle a permanent provision (5) - ENDOW*

GRID

No 9824, Friday 23 Apr 10, M Manna

I Seem to be in an inspired mood today cause I Zipped through Manna's offering in precisely 10 minutes!! It appears the Master's apprentice has been given the boot today.
Tomorrows post will be delayed as I am driving down to Coimbatore, will be leaving Bangalore at 5 AM.
ACROSS
1   - Again cast's in a ferment about one of the performers (7) - ACT{RE}SS*
5   - Are called in to make the preparations (7) - AR{RANG}E
9   - Gone very pale like a timber tree! (5) - ASHEN [DD]
10 - For recording music? (9) - NOTEBOOKS [CD]
11 - Has rig dressed up to look quite showy (6) - GARISH*
12 - Hit hard on US ring roads (8) - {BELT}{WAYS} How I wish all the NH's in India were like these.

14 - Mount where Moses apparently received The Commandments (5) - SINAI [E]
15 - A top man's pride sent crashing (9) - PRESIDENT*
18 - Company taking great number of men for December assembly, began work (9) - {CO}{M}{MEN}{CED*}
20 - Start home in pleasant corner (5) - NIC{H}E
22 - Put an arm through the broken panes to get the cheese (8) - P{ARM}ESAN*

24 - Get away to the sun in peace, for a change (6) - E{S}CAPE*
26 - Noisy class with a loving disposition (9) - {CL}{AMOROUS}
27 - In short, go over again, the main points (5) - RECAP [E]
28 - Yells to me to take shelter inside — they're on the prowl (7) - ROA{ME}RS
29 - Exceeded the limit (7) - OVERRAN [E]
DOWN
1   - A single fluctuation in electric supply has a numbing effect (9) - A{N{A}LGESI*}C
2   - May get tawny brown here, in this capital (7) - T{EHER*}AN
3   - Girl might resent change in the east (9) - {ERNEST*}{IN}{E}
4   - Direction to cease dispatch (4) - {S}{END}
5   - Waiting by the new theatre, as arranged, the day after (2,3,5) - {AT THE RE*}{ADY*}
6   - Android needs mainspring with bolt head in the middle (5) - RO{B}OT
7   - Newly born child (7) - NEONATE [E]
8   - Moves gently to be free from pain (5) - EASES [DD]
13 - People who watch a trot take place through glasses (10) - SPEC{T{A}TOR*}S
16 - Island where people are accommodated without charge (9) - {INN}{IS}{FREE}
17 - Immediately put one on patrol to guard her (9) - T{HER}EUPON*
19 - Spoils a not for Sicilian wine (7) - {MARS}{A}{LA}
21 - Tale teller who had tea cure brewed (7) - {CHA}{UCER*}
22 - Horse trained to run at a rate of speed (5) - PACER [CD]

23 - Peel off circuit to bolt (5) - EL{O}PE*
25 - Look after outsize capital (4) - {OS}{LO}

GRID

No 9823, Thursday 22 Apr 10, M Manna

ACROSS
1   - With apprehension stop (6) - ARREST [DD]
4   - In brief the book's content is immaterial (8) - ABSTRACT [DD]
10 - Give Liza a thrashing in London (7) - {LAM}BETH}
11 - Arousing feelings one concludes must have reason (7) - {E}{MOTIVE}
12 - Rule out to become a decoy (4) - LURE*
13 - Cold and penniless (2,3,5) - ON THE ROCKS [CD]
16 - Stumps out illegal activities (6) - CLEANS [CD]
17 - Close link to retirement cover (7) - {NIGH}{TIE}
20 - Let river take new course that blots out bases (7) - {DE{LET}E}{S}
21 - Arranged for my old course on music to be pleasant (6) - M{E}{LOD*}Y
24 - In getting the case packed, isn't a fantastic help (10) - ASSISTANCE with an extra S!
25 - Piece of programming inserted into software to sabotage computer system (4) -  WORM [E](Addendum - BOMB [E] - See comments of Anokha)
27 - The French placed ban on this mid-eastern country (7) - {LE}{BAN}{ON}

29 - Father returning to the spot to make an assignation! (7) - {AP}{POINT}
30 - Red rides out distressed with their mocks and laughs (8) - DERIDERS*
31 - Free to sit up and start chewing the rag (6) - {GRA*}{TIS*}
DOWN
1   - Hopeless outlook for an international rugger player (3,5) - ALL BLACK

2   - Concerning code, fewer are without compassion (11) - {RE}{MORSE}{LESS}
3   - Wild west food (4) - STEW*
5   - Being nimble he danced round the place (8) - BLENHEIM*
6   - Not many in the early afternoon (3,2,5) - TWO OR THREE [DD]
7   - Title held by one realised (3) - ALI [T]
8   - Lawrence hits out at the believer in God (6) - {T}H{E}IST*
9   - Could be a 1-horn animal (5) - RH{I}NO*

14 - Foot man? (11) - CHIROPODIST [E]
15 - Raw and without flavouring (10) - UNSEASONED [E]
18 - He will always be a servant (8) - RETAINER [CD]
19 - They're all for viewers' clean-up endeavours (3,5) - EYE MITES ?(Addendum - EYE BATHS [CD] - See Anokha's comments)
22 - Song and dance advertisement (6) - {BALL}{AD}
23 - Fight over a newspaper cutting (5) - SCRAP [DD]
26 - A dispute at a bar (4) - SPAR [DD]
28 - An addition to a medal (3) - BAR [E]

GRID

No 9822, Wednesday 21 Apr 10, M Manna

14D has me stumped
ACROSS
1   - Feel badly about accepting still water, defending one's case (10) - RES{POND}ENT
6   - Union of parties for a common purpose (4) - BLOC [E]
9   - Is he gallant with the lady fish and well-bred? (7) - {GENT}{EEL}
10 - A queen who was anti-Italian to start off with (7) - {TI<-}{TANI*}{A} )
12 - Many years later, they're captured (8) - {HOST}{AGES}
13 - Ledge that is for yours truly, hard to install (5) - S{H}ELF
15 - Feeling of elation boosts one's spirits (5) - LIFTS [CD]
17 - Sort of curl Anton developed during the night (9) - NOCTURNAL*
19 - Statement prepared by one who is willing (9) - TESTAMENT*
21 - The sorrowful one — that's her (5) - {SAD}{IE}
23 - Navigation system with greater range (5) - LORAN [E]
24 - Drove mad, temporarily (8) - STAMPEDE [CD]
27 - Allowed to bring in some cooked food (7) - OME{LET}S*
28 - Foolishly end up with dollars to keep them from falling (7) - {S}U{S}PEND*
29 - A nymph's sound reflection (4) - ECHO [DD]
30 - Underworld team bearing with church feud (10) - {DIS}{SIDE}{N}{CE}
DOWN
1   - Not right age to be violent (4) - {R}{AGE}
2   - Post party? (4,3) - SEND-OFF [DD] Nice clue
3   - Have right to vote without concealment (5) - OVE{R}T*
4   - Coach building application (9) - DILIGENCE [DD]

5   - Short informal letters (5) - NOTES [E]
7   - Learnt on direction, new way to carry light in case (7) - LANTER*{N}
8   - Disappointed to see the fellow's down (10) - {CHAP}{FALLEN} New word for me
11 - Disposable soft absorbent papers (7) - TISSUES [E]
14 - Suggesting the head of the house is slightly deranged? (5,5) - ?L?T? LOOSE (Addendum - SLATE LOOSE [CD]- Thanks to Chaturvasi - See comments)
16 - When at sea, turn for answers to an Indian tribe (7) - SHAWNEE* What answers?
18 - Albigensians go to Isaiah for purification (9) - {CATHARS}{IS}
20 - Many cheers ring out and there's loud yell (7) - SCREE{C}H*
22 - Resentment at clothes gone off dud (7) - {DUD}{GEON*} What are clothes doing here? Can anyone explain how this clue works?
24 - In US, his fondness is for Japanese dish of fish (5) - S{US}HI*
25 - Having sat quietly, does get fidgety (5) - {P}OSED*
26 - Have an advantage over opponent (4) - EDGE [CD]

HERE are a couple of photographs taken in Jun last year, when I had the pleasure of inviting Chaturvasi and Shuchi to my house for dinner.

GRID

No 9821, Tuesday 20 Apr 10, M Manna

ACROSS
1   - Having time on your side means more (6,7) - {SECOND} {HELPING}
8   - His house-mole, the cat was keeping an eye on! (7) - SPOONER [CD] Nice clue
9   - Pat, takes part in the riot but is devoted to his country (7) - {PAT}{RIOT} What a terrible clue
11 - Ring the resident — a man (6) - {O}{LIVER}
13 - Plane prepared to see off the foreigner (8) - {NEPAL*}{ESE*}
15 - After Los Angeles, Kevin in New York becomes limp and thin (5) - {LA}{N{K}Y}
16 - So be exercising the dog in the dark (7) - {OBS{CUR}E*}
18 - The mop has been shaken round by the cleaner (7) - {SHAMPO*}{O}
19 - She may have keen resentment with quarter (5) - {IRE}{NE}
21 - Assert it's quite different for entertainers (8) - AR{TI*}STES*
23 - I have eleven to take care of in this country (6) - {ME}{XI}{CO}

25 - Regret that a blow caused teeth replaced with an artificial set (7) - {DENT}{URE*}
26 - They relate to atmospheric disturbances affecting radio reception (7) - STATICS [CD]
28 - Be ruthless and go through all the red lights? (4,2,7) - STOP AT NOTHING [DD]
DOWN
2   - Observe return with male member of the privileged classes (7) - {ETON<-}{IAN} Why privileged class ?
3   - Confess to have won follishly (3) - OWN*
4   - Rat makes daughter move out rapidly (4) - {D}{ART*}
5   - Clearly brings one out with feeling in music performance (10) - EXPRESSION
6   - A capital of a north Indian state (5) - PATNA [E] Can Bihar be considered as part of North India?
7   - Speaking French is simplicity itself (7) - NAIVETE [CD]
8   - The Himalayan ounce (4,7) - SNOW LEOPARD [CD]

10 - Use the car or turn to double dealing (11) - TREACHEROUS*
12 - Young team assembled to learn origin of words (5) - ET{Y}MA*
14 - There's no time like now to be missing (3,7) - {NO}{T} {PRESENT}
17 - Join one at half term (5) - {UNI}{TE(rm)}
18 - It's a woven mesh fabric (7) - {SATI*}{NET}
20 - Ed got into an arrangement to publish book in number of copies (7) - {ED}{I}{TION*} Where does I come from
22 - A wooden leg puts Frenchman in a disturbed state (5) - {STU{M}P*}
24 - Amos lost himself in some part of a European capital (4) - OSLO [T]
27 - A known timber tree (3) - ASH ? Why ASH why not OAK ?

GRID

No 9820, Monday 19 Apr 10, M Manna

ACROSS
1   - An eccentric person gets a bill for heart problem (7) - {CARD}{I}{AC}
5   - I camp out going into a resort in Mexico (7) - T{AMPIC*}O
10 - Motor-machine carrying road surface material (6) - TARMAC How did O become A ?
11 - Says, as before, on balance it's a setback (8) - {REST}{A}{TES<-} )
12 - Stains spoil holy men's appearance (6) - SAINTS*
13 - Keeps up with us in marks (8) - S{US}TAINS
14 - Suffer from extreme hunger (6) - STARVE [CD]
15 - Get hold of and make it fast (6) - SECURE [DD]
18 - Feels for the marbles (6) - SENSES [DD]
20 - Move softly to take it up with a poet (6) - {TI<-}{PTOE*}) No anagram indicator
23 - Tow behind when there's something wrong (8) - {DRAW}{BACK}
25 - Rogue artists find invitation endless (6) - {RAS}{CAL(l)}
26 - Only later is prepared to come out with disproof (8) - RE{BUT}TAL*
27 - Make a point of being provocative (6) - NEEDLE [DD]
28 - They take the front position in a team (7) - LEADERS [E]
29 - Tie an apt assembly round a mineral (7) - AP{A}TITE*

DOWN
2   - Jack, a painter, mounting a mount (6) - {A}{RA}{RAT} (Addendum - {A}{RA}{RAT<-} - Thanks to Sandhya)
3   - Contributes about a thousand and one according to rules (9) - DO{M}{I}NATES Is the definition correct? (See comments)
4   - He charges an account customer (7) - {ACC}{USER}
6   - Surprisingly a fool sits around to help (7) - AS{SIST*}S
7   - Found friend in Zambia public square (5) - {PLA*}{ZA} No anagram indicator again
8   - Back again among the free-lancers in the dailies (8) - CL{E}ANERS* Anno for E not clear
9   - Wearing a coat of arms? (7,2,4) - DRESSED TO KILL [CD]
16 - Eye-liners (5,4) - CROWS FEET [CD] I liked this one

17 - Get back to find the dog has had its tail docked (10) - RETRIEVE(r)
19 - Splash the rower (7) - SPATTER [DD]
21 - Standard cut of vegetable (7) - {PAR}{SNIP}

22 - Friend allowed on platform (6) - {PAL}{LET}
24 - Hurt a person's feelings (5) - WOUND [CD]

GRID

No 2581, Sunday 18 Apr 10

ACROSS
1 - Please CO, surprisingly, serving up a thin slice of meat (8) – ESCALOPE*
5 - Cartoonist, first to satirise my article (6) - {S}{MY}{THE}
9 - Bond girl, a gem (9) – SOLITAIRE [DD]

11 - Leaves female dropped in stews (5) – (f)OLIOS
12 - Complete dive, reportedly (5) – WHOLE(~hole)
13 - What a horse may have on coat so rain disperses (9) – {CAP}{ARISON*}

14 - Ephemeral insect - it may seen on the ground in summer (3-3,7) – {ONE-DAY} {CRICKET} Nice clue
18 - Tornado destroyed British livestock farm completely(4,3,6) – {ROOT AND*} {B}{RANCH}
19 - Reformed rascal met wise guy (5,4) – SMART ALEC*
20 - Right old racket made by French sculptor (5) – {R}{O}{DIN}
22 - Indian leader Ben-Hur beheaded cruelly (5) – (b)NEHRU*
23 - Tough line taken by hospital department (9) – {STRING}{ENT}
24 - Out-and-out tirade by a leader in Reichstag (6) – {A}{R}{RANT}
25 - A nob meeting a head of state too (2,4,2) – {A} {S WELL} {A}{S}
DOWN
1 - John's leaving a London location after eastern film star (8) – {E}{ASTWOOD} Anno not clear
2 - Lloyd Webber's instrument found in small room by orchestra's leader (5) – {CELL}{O}

3 - Loose-limbed Latin male gets under it (5) – {L}{IT}{HE}
4 - American musician caught heading for historical French city with a royal(6,7) – {PRINCE} {C}{H}{ARLES}
6 - Book a sail (9) – MOONRAKER [DD]

7 - Attempts to outwit Italian in NI store, foolishly (5,2,2) – TRIES {IT} ON*
8 - Sense changes in a city in the Ruhr valley (5) – ESSEN*
10 - Coppers stride out displaying camaraderie (6,2,5) – ESPRIT DE CORPS*
15 - One who talks incessantly, here with Arabs, possibly (9) – EARBASHER*
16 - A complete change of policy concerning revolution (5-4) – {ABOUT}-{TURN}
17 - Medical complaint? Hint - iris affected (8) – RHINITIS*
19 - A children's favourite may be followed by Barbara and Monica et al (5) – SANTA I wonder if he is related to our infamous Santa Singh of the sardar jokes ;-)
20 - Fume about name of line (5) – RA{N}GE
21 - Live with wife in valley (5) – D{W}ELL

HERE are some snaps of tpa (TP Anantheswaran) and his family

GRID

No 9819, Saturday 17 Apr 10, M Manna

Too many CD's and E's with the usual Master-student conflict
ACROSS
1   - An advisory word or two concerning a preliminary course (9) - {AN}{TIP}{ASTO}
6   - Funny business with mouse dropping the opener (5) - {CO}{MIC(key)}
9   - Track made on time for race (5) - {T}{RACE}
10 - Critical point in the action of a play (9) - SITUATION [DD]
11 - Lawful extent of authority necessitates proficiency (10) - COMPETENCE [CD]
12 - Youth set out to climb (4) - ST{Y}E* To climb ???
14 - Bears pain calmly and without complaint (7) - PATIENT [CD]
15 - Lingers around to make Leo stir (7) - LOITERS*
17 - Fixes position by sighting from three stations (7) - RESECTS [CD] Incorrect definition. As per definition this should have been triangulation.
19 - Cuts off the top (7) - BEHEADS [E]
20 - Healthy drink taken at hospital (4) - {H}{ALE}
22 - Person of the type that gets into print (10) - COMPOSITOR [CD]
25 - Past eight! Prepare some food (9) - SPAGHETTI*
26 - Notice people inside get better (5) - A{MEN}D
27 - Not a willing worker (5) - SLAVE [CD]
28 - The chef's whisker (3,6) - EGG BEATER [CD]
DOWN
1   - A sober man in charge of ancient Athens (5) - {A}{TT}{IC}
2   - Friends to play with (4,5) - TEAM MATES [E]
3   - Choice share? (10) - PREFERENCE [CD]
4   - Think maybe American page should be in school (7) - S{US}{P}ECT
5   - Topic for Al related to sight problems (7) - {OPTIC*}{AL}
6   - Talk easily at tea time (4) - {CHA}{T}
7   - Omits to change, though somewhat damp (5) - MOIST*
8   - Even cross out the word “talks” (9) - CONVERSES*
13 - Deadly screen used after dark? (10) - {NIGHT}{SHADE}

14 - Buys tea having lots of money around (9) - PUR{CHA}SES
16 - Lawrence can manoeuvre men into passing of a bill into law (9) - ENAC{T}M{E}NT*
18 - He does not measure to height expectation (7) - SHORTIE [CD]
19 - Striking a blow (7) - BOPPING [E]
21 - Apprentice priest can be a beast (5) - {L}{LAMA}

23 - A corollary added to a contract (5) - RIDER [E]
24 - Short bent part at the bottom of a down pipe (4) - SHOE [E]

HERE' a picture of Dr Sadasivan Jagdish (Jaggu)

GRID