70-year-old ex-BJP councillor enters JMC polls as oldest candidate
Jaipur tiger attack: Protest erupts as victim
Jaipur, Sep 2 (IANS) Following the fatal tiger attack on a 42-year-old woman labourer at Nahargarh Biological Park in Jaipur, her family members and villagers staged a protest outside the park on Wednesday, demanding Rs 1 crore compensation, government jobs for her two children and legal action against those responsible for the alleged safety lapse. []
Three injured after speeding SUV of former Minister's wife hits e-rickshaw in Jaipur
The Endeavour car registered in the name of former Minister Ashok Chandna's wife has about two dozen traffic challans, whereas the Thar has six over-speeding challans, the SHO said
Tiger mauls woman to death in Jaipur as guard opens gate
A woman sanitation worker, Sugna Devi, was mauled to death by a tiger named Shivaji in Nahargarh Biological Park, Jaipur, after a forest guard allegedly opened the enclosure gate while workers were inside. The forest department has suspended the guard and ordered an inquiry. The victim's family protested, leading to an agreement for Rs 10 lakh compensation, a dairy booth, and contractual jobs for two family members.
Tiger mauls Jaipur park worker to death after enclosure gate allegedly opened
Tiger mauls Jaipur park worker to death after enclosure gate allegedly opened
Jaipur witnesses a record 953 Independents file nomination
Raj accounts for 5% of Indias EV charging stns
Rajasthan's unsafe school building flagged by CJP razed
A government primary school building in Rampura, Jaipur, declared unsafe, has been demolished following a campaign by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP). The Rajasthan government has allocated Rs 18 lakh for a new building, with funds from DMFT and MLA grants. The CJP's visit to highlight the school's condition had previously led to confrontations and FIRs.
Students Triumph as Rajasthan Government Initiates School Repairs
Jaipur, September 2: The Rajasthan government has launched a campaign to strengthen and repair dilapidated schools across the state. Ashutosh Ranka, co-convener of the Cockroach Public Party (CJP), welcomed this initiative on Wednesday, calling it a victory for students. This response came after repair work commenced at a government school in Bagru, near Jaipur, where ... Read more Students Triumph as Rajasthan Government Initiates School Repairs
When cinema lovers watch a movie in a language they dont understand, they rely on sub-titles. But there is a large section of the audience that relies on dubbed versions of films that are in an alien language for them. The task is carried out by dubbing artistes who are today more known as voice artistes or voice actors. Ketan Kavva is one such artiste who has been in the dubbing field for over 15 years. He has dubbed for various movies and shows. His noteworthy assignment this year involves voicing Jaafar Jacksons character in Michael in Hindi. In other words, he gave voice to the character of the legendary Michael Jackson in the film. Interestingly, he started his journey by dubbing one dialogue in the Shahid Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor Khan starrer Chup Chup Ke, for which he earned Rs. 300. In an exclusive chat with Bollywood Hungama, Ketan Kavva opened up about his work and journey so far. What did you keep in mind or what kind of preparations did you do while giving the Hindi voice for the character of Michael Jackson in Michael? Voicing Michael was a very special responsibility for me because he is such an iconic personality. My first priority was to make sure that the Hindi voice felt authentic to the character and, at the same time, remained natural for the Indian audience. I paid a lot of attention to his mannerisms, his pauses, his emotional expressions and the way he delivered his lines. Since I was voicing Jaafar Jackson portraying Michael, I also had to make sure that my performance complemented his performance rather than becoming an imitation of Michael Jackson. After 15 years in dubbing, Ive learned that you cannot just translate the words - you have to understand the character and the emotion behind every line. That was my biggest focus while dubbing Michael. Did you also carry out any research on the real Michael Jackson? Yes, definitely. I went back to Michael Jacksons interviews, performances and videos to understand his personality, his mannerisms and especially the way he spoke. The film is a performance by an actor portraying Michael, so my job was to support that performance in Hindi. The research helped me understand the person behind the character, which ultimately helped me make my dubbing more convincing. How was the experience of carrying out the Gujarati dubbing for Tom Holland in Spider-Man? It has been a very special experience because Tom Hollands Spider-Man has been a character that Ive had the opportunity to voice in Gujarati, including Spider-Man: Homecoming and Spider-Man: Far From Home. Gujarati dubbing also comes with its own challenge because you want the language to sound completely natural while retaining the energy, humour and personality of the original performance. For me, it was particularly satisfying because Spider-Man is such a globally loved character, and being able to bring that character to Gujarati-speaking audiences in their own language is something Im very proud of. Apart from voicing human characters, Im also known for specialised voice work involving animal sounds, reactions and character voices. For instance, in Netflixs animated series Sharkdog, I have voiced Sharkdog in Hindi, including his barking sounds, reactions and expressions. In Superpupz, I have also dubbed the parrot character in Hindi. I have also dubbed for Luke in Kalki 2898 AD in Hindi. In gaming, I voiced the character Maxim in Free Fire, and my Hindi voice can be heard in-game itself. I have been the Hindi voice of Robin, the lead character in Teen Titans Go! on Cartoon Network for over 10+ years. Being associated with the character for such a long period has been one of the most memorable parts of my dubbing journey. What is the biggest challenge for a dubbing artiste? I think the biggest challenge is to make people forget that they are watching a dubbed performance. The audience should feel that the character is actually speaking in their language. For that, you have to match the actors emotion, timing, expressions and lip movements, while also making the dialogue sound natural. Sometimes you may have only a few seconds to deliver a line with exactly the right emotion and timing. So, dubbing is not just about having a good voice - it requires acting, observation, timing and a lot of discipline. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ketan Kavva (@ketankavva) Are there more opportunities for dubbing artistes because of the emergence of OTT? Absolutely. OTT has changed the dubbing industry tremendously. Today, audiences are consuming content from different countries and in different languages, so the demand for quality dubbing has increased significantly. Earlier, dubbing was often looked at as something secondary. Today, there is much more awareness about the importance of a good dubbed performance. With films, web series, animation, anime and even games being localised into multiple Indian languages, there are definitely more opportunities for voice artistes. At the same time, the competition has also increased, so artistes need to constantly improve their acting and language skills. You were paid Rs. 300 for your services as a dubbing artiste for Chup Chup Ke, which was your first proper assignment. Can you recall that experience? I remember it very clearly because Rs. 300 may sound like a very small amount today, but at that time it meant something completely different to me. It was my first proper professional dubbing assignment, and honestly, I was just extremely excited to be inside a studio and getting paid to do something I genuinely loved. I dont think I was thinking about how much I was earning. I was thinking, this is what I want to do. Looking back after 15 years, those Rs. 300 feel more valuable than many bigger cheques because it was the beginning of my professional journey. It gave me the confidence that I could actually build a career out of dubbing. You gained an interest in dubbing from your uncle (kaka). He has dubbed for popular shows like Ramayan and Mahabharat in Gujarati. Did you ever hear any interesting stories from him while he was dubbing for these two epic shows? Yes. My uncle was one of the inspirations behind me getting into dubbing. As a child, I used to hear about his work and that naturally created an interest in me. One thing that stayed with me was how different dubbing was in those days. There was no technology or convenience like we have today. The process was much more manual, and artistes had to be extremely precise with their dialogue and timing. Hearing about his experiences on shows like Ramayan and Mahabharat made me realise that voice acting could actually be a profession. In a way, I feel I inherited my interest in dubbing from him, and then over the years I developed my own style and identity as a voice artiste. Also Read: Michael becomes FIRST non-dubbed Hollywood film to screen at Raj Mandir, Jaipur
BSF HCM ASI Exam Date 2026 - Check Rescheduled Exam Date at rectt.bsf.gov.in
BSF has rescheduled the CBT written exam for ASI (Steno/Combatant Steno) and HC (Min/Combatant Min) Exam-2024 for candidates at Jaipur's iON Digital Zone Sitapura centres. New exam date is 18 September 2026. Check revised centre details, unchanged 3 September 2nd shift venue, and official notice link here.
Jaipur School Demolished Days After CJP Flagged Issues, New Building Soon
The school hit the headlines after a CJP team visited it as as part of its 'School Thik Karo' campaign to highlight the condition of government schools.
Tiger Kills Woman Worker In Jaipur's Nahargarh Biological Park, Sparks Panic
Villagers demanded CCTV footage review and pointed out that the woamn was the family's main earner.
HYBE India expands talent hunt initiative to eight more cities
The South Korean entertainment giant, which recently opened its India branch, will extend its on-ground search to Lucknow, Dimapur, Kohima, Shillong, Jaipur, Indore, Goa and Kochi following a strong response to the first round of auditions.
22, 24 carat Gold prices down across other cities on September 2
Thar Collides With Congress Leader's SUV In Jaipur, Then Rams E-Rickshaw
A crane was used to remove the damaged vehicles from the road and restore traffic movement
Economic Reality Beyond GDP: Congress Leader Critiques Government Policies
Jaipur, September 2: Political activity is intensifying in Rajasthan ahead of the upcoming municipal elections. In this context, Congress state president Govind Singh Dotasra launched a verbal attack on the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) regarding the FIR filed against Rahul Gandhi. He accused them of taking action against Gandhi for raising issues ... Read more Economic Reality Beyond GDP: Congress Leader Critiques Government Policies
Key accused in Somangalam ATM burglary nabbed in Jaipur
Cong launches GenZ for Change campaign ahead of civic body polls
RLP moves HC over Nagaur SP vacancy ahead of local body polls
Pilot alleges BJP symbols accepted after deadline, questions ECs role
BJP fields eight Muslim candidates in Jaipur civic poll push
BJPs Ward 98 battle turns dramatic as former councillor moves against party nominee
Congress faces internal dissent over urban poll tickets in Jaipur, Kota, Ajmer
Cong fields 30 candidates under 30 for Jaipur civic polls
BJP creates strong pool of mayoral candidates in Jaipur civic polls
Former Congress MLA Ends Protest After Assurance of Fair Elections in Mathania
Jaipur, September 1: Former Congress MLA Divya Maderna concluded her night-long protest outside the Returning Officers office in Mathania on Tuesday. This decision followed a written assurance from the Jodhpur district administration regarding the conduct of fair, transparent, and impartial elections for the Mathania Municipality in 2026. Maderna had initiated the protest, alleging bias from ... Read more Former Congress MLA Ends Protest After Assurance of Fair Elections in Mathania
Rajasthan Opposition Leader Criticizes BJPs Democratic Erosion Efforts
Jaipur, September 1: The leader of the opposition in the Rajasthan Assembly, Tikaram Julie, has launched a scathing attack on the BJP. He addressed various issues, including the FIR in the purification case, GDP growth, rising LPG prices, and the rebellion over municipal election tickets. In an interview, Tikaram Julie stated, There is a conspiracy ... Read more Rajasthan Opposition Leader Criticizes BJPs Democratic Erosion Efforts
Former Kishangarh Councillor Passes Away Just After Filing Nomination
Jaipur, September 1: Rikhab Chand Reel, a former councillor of the Kishangarh Municipal Council, passed away on Tuesday due to a heart attack, just one day after filing his nomination for the 2026 Rajasthan municipal elections. His sudden demise has left his family, supporters, and political colleagues in shock. Rikhab Chand Reel previously represented Ward ... Read more Former Kishangarh Councillor Passes Away Just After Filing Nomination
Cash Shortage Unlocks 17 Crore Fake Note Mystery At PNBs Saharanpur Currency Chest
A 4.30 lakh cash shortfall has led to the discovery of counterfeit currency worth around 17 crore at a Punjab National Bank currency chest in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh. The case surfaced after 11.50 crore was sent from the chest to the RBIs Jaipur office, where a shortage was detected. A subsequent inspection by bank officials uncovered fake notes worth 7.40 crore initially, with the tally later rising to around 17 crore as the audit continued. Investigators are examining how the counterfeit notes entered the currency chest and whether a larger network was involved. Police have registered an FIR and formed an SIT. Three bank officials have been suspended, while a part-time housekeeper has been removed. The audit and counting process remain underway.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has made a significant political move in the Jaipur Municipal Corporation elections by fielding eight Muslim candidates across the city's 150 wards, particularly in Muslim-majority and Congress-influenced areas. The move is...
22, 24 carat Gold prices up across other cities on September 1
Recurring exam lapses eroding youth's faith in system: Sachin Pilot
Sachin Pilot said recurring exam disruptions, paper leaks and marking discrepancies are hurting young aspirants and eroding trust in the examination system. Referring to recent NEET-PG server outages in Jaipur, the Congress leader called for reforms to better support youth talent. Pilot later met students at Veerendra Dham in Barmer.
AIIMS CRE 2026 re-test on September 7 for candidates affected at Jaipur centres
AIIMS CRE retest on September for candidates affected at Jaipur centres
Same city, third exam cancelled: Power cuts expose Jaipur's weak grid
AIIMS cancels recruitment re-exam at Jaipur centre after technical glitches
Technical glitches disrupted an AIIMS recruitment re-examination in Jaipur on Monday, prompting a protest by candidates and cancellation of the test
Amid row, Chhattisgarh judge named as Rajasthan HC Chief Justice
Power failure hits Jaipur centres again, AIIMS CRE exam cancelled
Power Outages Disrupt NEET-PG 2026 and AIIMS CRE Exams in Jaipur
New Delhi, September 1: The National Board of Examination in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) conducted the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test Postgraduate (NEET-PG) 2026 on Sunday across various centers nationwide. On Monday, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences Common Recruitment Exam (AIIMS CRE) 2026 was held. However, candidates at the IDZ Sitapura center ... Read more Power Outages Disrupt NEET-PG 2026 and AIIMS CRE Exams in Jaipur
Rajasthan Plans to Boost Crude Oil Production to 80,000 Barrels Daily
Jaipur, September 1: The Rajasthan government is preparing to increase crude oil production to 80,000 barrels per day through a phased approach. Modern extraction techniques will be employed for this initiative, as announced by Additional Chief Secretary (Mines and Petroleum) Aparna Arora on Monday. Currently, Rajasthan produces approximately 51,000 to 52,000 barrels of crude oil ... Read more Rajasthan Plans to Boost Crude Oil Production to 80,000 Barrels Daily
Triumphs, tears and tickets: A nailbiter that was the last day of filing nominations for ULP polls
Boy falls down Alwar borewell, rescue efforts on
Power outage leads to another cancelled test at Jaipur centre, 2nd day in a row
Hanumangarh police arrest six in Lakhuvali firing case, firearms seized
Clash between 2 groups during nomination filing in Fatehpur
Congress, BJP release lists for Jaisalmers 45 wards
BJP worker shaves head in protest
Congress criticised for delayed candidate list in Ajmer
BJP, Congress rebels file nominations in Alwar
BJP fields couple, Congress father-son duo in Khandela polls
BJP fields 5 Muslims among 100 candidates in Kota
High Drama on Nomination Final Day for Municipal Poll
BJP, Congress declare candidates for 100 Jodhpur civic body wards
Bharatpurs Most Wanted: Candidate gets tickets from both BJP, Cong; picks ruling party
Chaos in Congress as delayed candidate lists trigger confusion, missed nominations
Power cuts disrupt exams, expose Jaipurs weak grid
High-stakes battle in Jaipur: Karnawat secures nomination amid party tensions
Rajasthan Polo Club to hold Annual September Polo Season 2026 from Sept 1 to Oct 25
Three injured in late-night Jaipur crash
BAP Announces Candidates for First Time in Banswara Municipal Elections
Jaipur, August 31: The Bharat Adivasi Party (BAP) has announced candidates for 20 out of 60 wards in the Banswara Municipal Council. This marks the partys inaugural participation in the municipal elections in this tribal-dominated area. Political parties in Rajasthan are ramping up preparations for the upcoming municipal elections. On the last day for filing ... Read more BAP Announces Candidates for First Time in Banswara Municipal Elections
After NEET-PG, power failure disrupts AIIMS CRE at same Jaipur centre; re-test on Sept 7
The exam was conducted to fill 1,484 Group B and Group C non-faculty posts
Rajasthan Constable Arrested for Accepting Bribe of
Jaipur, August 31: In a significant operation, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) of Rajasthan has arrested a constable, Mohammad Nadeem Qureshi, for allegedly accepting a bribe of 70,000. The arrest took place on Monday at the Lakheri Railway Police Station, following directives from the ACB headquarters. According to ACB Director General Govind Gupta, the unit received ... Read more Rajasthan Constable Arrested for Accepting Bribe of 70,000
AIIMS to conduct CRE-5 exam on September 7 after power failure at Jaipur Centre
AIIMS will re-conduct an examination disrupted by a power failure. Candidates affected at the Jaipur centre will take the exam again. This re-examination is scheduled for September 7, 2026. Revised admit cards will be issued shortly through the examination portal. All original terms and conditions remain applicable for the re-examination.
Tragic Road Accident Claims Lives of Six from Rajasthan in Kasganj
Jaipur, August 31: A tragic road accident in Kasganj district of Uttar Pradesh early Monday morning resulted in the deaths of six individuals from Rajasthan, with nearly 20 others injured. The victims, hailing from Karauli district, were traveling in a pickup truck for the immersion of ashes when their vehicle collided with an oncoming truck ... Read more Tragic Road Accident Claims Lives of Six from Rajasthan in Kasganj
TCS iON flags unknown electrical issues behind Jaipur NEET-PG exam outage
Internal power failures at a Jaipur TCS iON exam centre disrupted NEET-PG and AIIMS CRE tests. Unknown local electrical issues caused these significant disruptions for many candidates. Authorities and TCS iON are working to resolve the problems and prevent future occurrences. The NEET-PG exam was rescheduled for all affected candidates at the centre. Candidates reported repeated system crashes during the examination process.
Jindal Mobilitric to expand its retail network to 100 showrooms by FY28
Opens its first showrooms at Srinagar and Jaipur
Power failures disrupt NEET-PG 2026 exam in Jaipur; re-exam scheduled for 2,445 candidates
The News Mill
AIIMS CRE-5 Re-Exam Cancelled at Same Jaipur Centre After NEET PG Glitch
The AIIMS CRE-5 re-examination in Jaipur was disrupted by technical problems on August 31, 2026, just a day after similar issues were reported during the NEET PG 2026 examination at the same examination centre. The incident took place at the
No Roofs, No Toilets, No Teachers: What Toi Found In Rajasthan Govt Schools | Ground Report
The Times of India travels across five districts of RajasthanKota, Jaipur, Barmer, Jaisalmer, and Jhalawar to expose the shocking state of government schooling. While cities like Kota are famous for elite coaching hubs, thousands of local children are forced to study under tin sheds, inside huts, or under trees. With over 600 schools lacking buildings, 1.5 lakh teacher posts lying vacant, and tragic infrastructure failures costing lives, students are asking a fundamental question: without a classroom, water, or a teacher, what exactly is a school? Watch the ground reality of Rajasthan's education crisis.
AIIMS recruitment re-test cancelled in Jaipur over technical glitches a day after NEET-PG chaos
Technical glitches disrupted an All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) recruitment re-examination at a centre in Jaipur on Monday (August 31), triggering a protest by candidates, police said. Sanganer Sadar SHO Kamlesh Kumar said that the AIIMS cancelled the examination at the affected centre and announced that the test would be conducted again after a few days.
AIIMS CRE-5 re-exam hit by technical glitches in Jaipur, candidates protest; fresh test promised
The Tree House Resort in Jaipur offers diverse dining options, from authentic Rajasthani dishes to fresh Asian and fusion cuisines.
Congress Adjusts Candidate Selection Strategy for Local Elections in Rajasthan
Jaipur, August 31: The Congress Party has revised its candidate selection strategy for the upcoming local body elections in Rajasthan. To mitigate internal conflicts, the party has decided to directly award its official election symbol to the chosen candidates. This decision comes at a time when Congress leaders, workers, and ticket aspirants are eagerly awaiting ... Read more Congress Adjusts Candidate Selection Strategy for Local Elections in Rajasthan
Technical Glitches Disrupt AIIMS Recruitment Re-Exam In Jaipur, Candidates Protest
Exam starts late, server crashes and power outages disrupt Group B, C recruitment test
BJP Faces Rebellion in Alwar Ahead of Municipal Elections
Jaipur, August 31: In a significant political upheaval, two out of four division presidents of the BJP in Alwar have resigned along with their executive committees. This move comes ahead of the municipal council elections in Rajasthan, with the resignations submitted to district president Ashok Gupta. Of the 65 wards in Alwar, 33 fall under ... Read more BJP Faces Rebellion in Alwar Ahead of Municipal Elections
Advocates at the Jodhpur and Jaipur benches of the Rajasthan High Court have gone on strike in protest against Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma. Police were called in Jaipur to disperse protesting lawyers. Visuals from the protest showed advocates raising slogans against Justice Sharma, including allegations directed at the Acting Chief Justice. The protests [] The post Rajasthan High Court lawyers strike over allegations against Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma appeared first on India Legal .
BJP Announces Candidates for Jaipur Municipal Corporation Elections, Former Mayor Receives Ticket
Jaipur, August 31: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) announced its candidates for the 2026 Jaipur Municipal Corporation elections on the final day for nominations. The party faced a significant challenge in distributing tickets across more than 150 wards, as there were concerns about dissatisfied candidates potentially contesting as independents. Meetings continued late into the night ... Read more BJP Announces Candidates for Jaipur Municipal Corporation Elections, Former Mayor Receives Ticket
Joanna Uranga from Cuba Crowned Miss Teen International 2026 in Jaipur
Jaipur, August 31: Joanna Uranga from Cuba has won the prestigious title of Miss Teen International 2026, held in Jaipur. She represented Cubas culture, values, and leadership on this international stage, impressing the judges with her outstanding performance. After her victory, Joanna spoke to the media, sharing that she had been preparing for this competition ... Read more Joanna Uranga from Cuba Crowned Miss Teen International 2026 in Jaipur
After NEET-PG chaos, AIIMS CRE-5 Re-exam faces server failure in Jaipur
After NEETPG chaos AIIMS CRE Reexam faces server failure in Jaipur
NEET PG 2026: PIB calls Jaipur paper leak reports misleading, re-exam set for 2,445 candidates
Power Outage Disrupts NEET-PG 2026 Exam in Jaipur
The NEET-PG 2026 examination faced significant disruption at the Sitapura center in Jaipur due to a sudden power outage, affecting 311 candidates. The incident led to unrest among students, prompting a re-examination scheduled for September 5, 2026. With approximately 8,370 candidates participating across 15 centers in Jaipur, concerns about exam arrangements were raised. Candidates described the paper's difficulty as easy to moderate, while some faced biometric verification issues. Further details regarding the new admit card and venue will be provided soon.
From Bali To Dubai, How Womens Asia Cup Debutants Indonesia Built A Team From Scratch
Ni Putu Ayu Nanda Sakarini: Twelve years ago, Indonesia had no Women's T20I status, no turf ground, and, the federation admits, barely a cricket structure outside expatriate clubs. On Monday, at Dubai International Stadium, the Indonesia senior women's team will walk out for their first-ever Women's Asia Cup match against Bangladesh. They will also take on defending champions Sri Lanka and hosts UAE. For Indonesia, the fourth most populous country in the world with over 17,000 islands, it's a milestone twelve years in the making, one that almost nobody outside the country saw coming. Leading them out will be Ni Putu Ayu Nanda Sakarini, a wicketkeeper-batter who discovered the sport at high school in 2013. Badminton, not cricket, was the sport she grew up with. Her parents dabbled in it too, and badminton remains Indonesia's standout Olympic sport, with eight golds, six silvers and eight bronzes. Because of that, I loved the sport. But badminton has so many players, and it was difficult to be involved in the national team. So, I thought cricket was good for me, and now it's my career, Nanda told IANS. After an early development tour to Jaipur in 2015, after a national womens championship was set up in 2014 to provide a more formal competitive competition, Nanda made her Indonesia T20I debut in 2019. Now she captains a side making its maiden appearance in Asian cricket's flagship senior event. It's really an exciting and incredible feeling and a big honour for me to lead Indonesia on such a big stage. I feel very proud to be part of this journey. It's taken a long time for me to get into this position. Moreover, I am feeling very nervous because this is the first time we are in the Asia Cup, she added. Head coach Nitish Salekar, previously with Thailand's women's set-up, described a similar sense of pride. I feel really proud, to be honest. The way we played in the qualifiers and to come so far till now, I feel really happy, and I'm excited to play the Asia Cup with this bunch of players, he said to IANS. Indonesia is neither a Test-playing nation nor part of the Commonwealth bandwagon. It has no rock-solid domestic first-class structure, but what it has built over the last twelve years, as per current Persatuan Cricket Indonesia chairman Abhiram Singh Yadav, is building and executing a vision to develop women's cricket at the same pace as the men's game in the country. We have about 200,000 cricketers in Indonesia, and about 100,000 women are playing cricket. So, this Asia Cup, we hope it becomes an amazing moment to inspire the other girls throughout the archipelago of Indonesia. Also, we hope to make some unique surprises in the competition, he said to IANS. Salekar, who played cricket in India for 16 years and represented Maharashtra, feels the talent pool has grown considerably since he arrived in Indonesia. When you compare to Thailand, there are some similarities - the passion with which they play cricket. But when I came, the depth of women cricketers was more in Indonesia. We probably had 30-35 girls playing in the national camp at one point. So, there's definitely more participation over here. Thailand was a much more experienced side, and now when I see this group, I hope they play for a long time. The longer this team plays, the more successful they'll get. It also helps that a few members of the senior squad came through the country's debut at the inaugural U19 Women's T20 World Cup in South Africa in 2023, after cricket was included in Indonesias National Sports Games in 2016. We started cricket from zero, began by introducing it to schools, and we now have cricket on 21 different islands. But the fruit from the seeds sown in the last 12 years is seen now - the women's team are ranked 21 in the world and are now set to play in this Asia Cup. The lucky part is that the women are performing at a much, much higher stage, says Yadav, who became the associations chairman in 2023, after being a part of various youth movements to businesses, including the Indonesian Chambers of Commerce and being a special staff member in the Indonesian Parliament. The federation used Kasti, a traditional bat-and-ball game, to explain cricket in schools, and wrote its cricket coaching curriculum in Bahasa Indonesia from the outset. The International Cricket Council (ICC) also has its own push to make its documents and commentary in Bahasa Indonesia too, apart from commentary of its major events in the language spoken by 90 percent of its residents. The ICC's Cricket Criiio initiative, a global programme to celebrate playing cricket in a fun way, has helped too. Under this, the sport has been introduced via plastic bats and balls in elementary schools, points out Yadav, who himself moved to Indonesia as a four-year-old, with his family roots in Uttar Pradesh, India's most populous state. The quest to play cricket has come at a personal cost for Indonesias players. Nanda gave up teaching physical education to commit to cricket full-time. Most of the players are full-time cricketers. But it was difficult for me to maintain the time for cricket and teaching. So, I quit the teaching job. Also, some of the girls are still studying at the university. But now, because we practice six times a week. The squad draws players from as far as Papua, East Nusa Tenggara and Jakarta, beyond the Bali base most call home - a distance from family, friends and normal life that Nanda calls part of the sacrifice of representing the country at this level. Indonesia's fortunes turned when they joined the Asian Cricket Council in 2024 through its AGM in Bali, with membership approved by then chairman Jay Shah, now head of the ICC. Having missed that year's Women's Asia Cup, Indonesia were determined to make the cut this time. With a camp in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh in November 2025 and a partnership with Western Australia, leading to Ni Made Putri Suwandewi, known as Tori, being an associate rookie for Perth Scorchers in the 2024 WBBL, Indonesia responded with five successive wins over Singapore, Kuwait, Malaysia, Oman and Hong Kong at this years ACC Women's Premier Cup in Malaysia in June. A 113-run victory over Oman confirmed their first-ever Womens Asia Cup berth. I was obviously happy and excited for the girls. This will be my second Asia Cup, so I know the stage. I was quietly confident about the team qualifying due to knowing how we are playing our cricket. But it was actually a good feeling when they qualified. The one thing I have told them is to enjoy this stage, and make the most out of it... It's a great opportunity to showcase your talent on a big stage, said Salekar. The country has never had a turf pitch - all 21 provinces currently use AstroTurf. The federation has just completed contracting two international-standard turf grounds, which Yadav hopes will be ready by November or December this year. Actually, it will be a massive game-changer, especially considering the fact that this team has come so far practising on synthetic wickets till now - it's not easy. So, this team getting access to turf grounds will make them much better in terms of skills. Batters will be able to bat on different wicket conditions every day... The overall cricket will dramatically change when you shift from astro to turf, added Salekar. Drawing from his coaching time with Thailand in the Womens T20 World Cup qualifiers in Dubai, Salekar thinks the stadium with a proper outfield will allow batters to play shots properly, something which matters for a player like Nanda, whose game is built on timing rather than power. No need to hit hard, just get timing with the bat effortlessly, she said, describing what she admires in MS Dhoni, South Africa's Laura Wolvaardt and India's Smriti Mandhana - the last of whom Salekar compared her to independently. Nanda is a good timer of the ball herself and she also kind of plays in the same mould like Smriti, where she relies more on timing than strength, he said. Off the field, the Indonesian dressing room has a very diverse look. Bali, home to most of the squad, has many Hindus, while parts of Sulawesi are dominated by Christians. The current squad includes players who wear the hijab and players who do not, alongside Christian, Catholic, Buddhist and Hindu players. Our difference in religion does not really matter because we share the same goals - to represent Indonesia... Everyone has different beliefs, and we respect each other's beliefs, support each other, and I will always make sure everyone feels included in the team, said Nanda. Yadav described a dressing room where faith is openly shared rather than set aside. When it comes to cricket, our team is very diverse... we are blessed that Indonesian anthropology is very plural. The environment is very supportive, and the uniqueness is that, apart from whatever religion, they support each other. In fact, before every match, all the players stand and pray together by taking turns, despite whatever their religion is. Another beautiful thing about our Indonesian team is they are 100 percent local. For our men's team, yes, we do have expat players. But for our women's team, we have 100 percent local players. Nobody in the camp is treating Monday as a ceiling. Yadav believes Indonesia can overtake long-time regional rival Thailand within one to two years, with the federation scheduled to host the Women's East Asia World Cup qualifier on the new Bali ground next May. Our target is definitely reaching the top 12 in the next five years, and hopefully, afterwards, we can be in the top 10. Our philosophy is always very simple: we are ready to learn, and we are ready to win. The government has been supporting us very well, including the National Olympic Committee and the Ministry - that's why cricket is part of the national games. The result is not only about qualifying for the Asia Cup, but how their skills and mentality are developing. While Salekar's estimate is three to five years before Indonesia is competitive at senior World Cups, Nanda's framing is tied to what the next generation might take from watching the team play in Dubai. Apart from more finances coming in, more game time is in store via the Asian Games and Southeast Asian Games, where Indonesia have been medallists. I'm very grateful to have the opportunity to wear the Indonesian jersey on such a big stage. I hope we can show the world that we also can compete against big teams. I also want to inspire the young girls in Indonesia to get more involved in cricket. She was careful not to look too far ahead, especially with cricket now back in the Olympics. It's very nice to see cricket back in the Olympics. Obviously, one has to take it step by step... We'll start with the Asia Cup, and hopefully, sometime in the future, we'll play in the Olympics as well. I'm very grateful to have the opportunity to wear the Indonesian jersey on such a big stage. I hope we can show the world that we also can compete against big teams. I also want to inspire the young girls in Indonesia to get more involved in cricket. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories No one knows what will happen when Indonesia take the field in their first-ever Womens Asia Cup game on Monday night. They have no blueprint to experience this feeling for a mammoth moment like this. But thirteen years after Nanda first started hitting a ball around in a country with nowhere to play the sport, just being out there and playing in Dubai will be a victory in itself. Article Source: IANS
NEET-PG 2026: NBEMS forms 3-member panel to probe power failure at Jaipur centres
NEETPG NBEMS forms member panel to probe power failure at Jaipur centres
NEET PG 2026: PIB debunks Jaipur paper leak claims after exam disruption
NEET PG PIB debunks Jaipur paper leak claims after exam disruption
PIB Flags Misleading Claims Over NEET PG Paper Leak In Jaipur
NEET PG Jaipur Centre: According to official information, the NEET PG 2026 re-exam for the affected students will be conducted on September 5.
NBEMS has announced the NEET PG 2026 re-exam date for candidates affected by power failures in Jaipur. Get the latest updates on the new schedule, revised admit cards, and how this impacts the upcoming counselling process.
NEET-PG 2026 conducted smoothly; retest on Sept 5 for Jaipur candidates hit by glitch
The NEET-PG 2026 examination faced disruption due to a power failure at two Jaipur centres. A retest is scheduled for September 5 for 2,445 affected candidates. A three-member committee will investigate the internal power supply problem. The nationwide examination was conducted with extensive security measures and real-time monitoring. NBEMS expressed regret for the inconvenience caused to the candidates.
