Akash Deep Is 'lambi Race Ka Ghoda': Ex-Bengal Keeper Who Saw Pacer's Bowling From Close Quarters
Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: With 80 overs of play possible after rain delayed the start of day fives play at Edgbaston by an hour and 40 minutes, anticipation about the end result was at its high amongst fans. Despite Englands win being far-fetched, the hosts still held onto a glimmer of hope in an otherwise bleak situation an unlikely draw. However, their resolve for a drawn result was shattered by a quiet yet persistent force named Akash Deep, who stood up to be the unlikely hero of an overseas Test win for India. Akash, stepping into the playing eleven at Edgbaston for a rested Jasprit Bumrah, bowled a spell that not only decimated Englands batting order but also lit up Indian cricket. With figures of 10-187 - his maiden ten-wicket haul in just his eighth Test, including a fiery 6-99 in the fourth innings, Akash helped India seal a thumping series-levelling 336-run win - the first-ever Test match victory by an Asian side at Edgbaston. But for those who have witnessed Akashs cricketing journey, particularly with Bengal, his brilliant display at Edgbaston was not entirely unexpected - it fulfilled the promise they saw in the fast bowler when he played in Bengals cricketing ecosystem. All of us who have seen him bowl are not surprised by his performance at Edgbaston. I mean, Im happy, but Im not surprised really. Im not saying that he has done something which hes never done before because weve seen him do well on a good batting wicket, and get good Test batters out often. In fact Im happy that hes done it at a higher level, but Im not surprised if thats the case as I would expect him to bowl like this. Ive seen him and Mukesh (Kumar, India pacer) do this to other teams when our fabulous fast bowling attack of him, Mukesh and Ishan Porel played together and (Ashoke) Dinda was present before, Joydeep Mukherjee, who spotted Akash as director of cricket operations at the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), told IANS in an exclusive conversation. Akashs performance also did not come as a surprise to Shreevats Goswami, the former Bengal wicketkeeper, who saw the fast bowlers exceptional talent during a 2019 CAB indoor net session. I immediately understood that this guy is a great find by Gods grace and a lambi race ka ghoda (one for the long haul). Then he got picked up for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy games in Indore and played there really well by bowling quick. I am very happy because I expected this, to be honest. It was about time this would happen because I have seen him from very close quarters. Having kept up against his bowling, I am not surprised at all with his Edgbaston performances. When the chips are down, he is somebody who will be relentless with his line and length even when there is no assist from the pitch, Goswami said in an exclusive conversation with IANS. One of the deliveries from Akash which still has the cricketing world talking is him totally bamboozling Joe Root with a nip-backer coming from wide of the crease which nipped away late to go past his outside edge and hit top of off-stump. Mukherjee stated the way Akash dismissed Root was one of the crucial learnings he got from being mentored by Waqar Younis and Ranadeb Bose, the current national junior selector, under CABs Vision 2020 initiative where his training, nutrition and residential needs were taken care of after being picked from second division cricket circuit. His biggest plus point is that he does bowl a lot from the middle of the stumps, which is why he creates that angle and from that angle, it either goes away or goes in. He and Mukesh have been taught how to use the depth of the crease. As a batter, you have to play for the ball thats coming in. But he has that ability of going wide and then seaming it away, which is the one that got Root. The pace at which he bowled at Edgbaston, along with his physical condition, relentlessness, and accuracy, were top notch, said Mukherjee. Goswami also expressed a similar sentiment. He uses his crease really well, as very rarely these days bowlers use their crease. Imagine a great batter like Joe Root, who was expecting the ball to come in, but the ball held the line slightly and got him out. Sometimes people think hes not as quick, but when the batters are facing him, hes hard to face as hes a bit deceptive and got a quick bouncer as well. He picks up big wickets, doesnt get tail-enders out and thats the big thing, he said. Akashs success at Edgbaston, marked by pinpoint accuracy, masterful crease usage, late swing, and relentless attack, is a testament to years spent honing his skills on lifeless Indian pitches. Akashs bowling in England is slightly fuller than what it was in Australia, something impressed Mukherjee, who also spoke with the fast bowler in post-match hours. For me, what stood out was the length he bowled, as even the commentators were praising about it. He was always attacking the stumps and not letting batters leave too many balls. So, that was heartening to see. But this is years of work that has gone into this happening. Dismissing the aggressive Jamie Smith with a slow bouncer after being hit for two sixes demonstrated Akashs cricketing smarts, while getting the better of Ben Duckett in the first innings highlighted the rewards of a classic set-up executed well. Against the left-handed Duckett, Akash bowled three balls to him on the same spot angling in from round the wicket. But on the fourth delivery, Akash bowled at the same spot, but this time, got the ball to move away and it took Ducketts edge behind. Its exactly how Stuart Broad used to get in the mind of David Warner. I have a feeling Akash getting the wood over Duckett will be similar to that - come around the wicket, get a batter out via an edge, and then in very next innings, get him clean bowled. That means Duckett is not able to pick up his deliveries. The Bengal team had a lot of left-handers, and bowling in the nets to very good left-handers meant Akash worked on bowling to those type of batters and result is there to see for all, added Goswami. Following the win, Akashs voice became heavy with emotion as he dedicated his ten-wicket match haul to his elder sister, Akhand Jyoti, who has stage three colon cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy. During his time of playing for the Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2025, Akash made sure to be at his sisters side in the hospital whenever he was there in the city. I knew about it, but good that its come from him. This has happened two months back, but hes handling it well. The sport stays with you for a while, but the person in you stays for the rest of your life. Hes had mishaps father and an elder brother passing away in six months. Hes very family-oriented, God-fearing, quiet boy who does all the right things. is. If you speak to anybody in the Indian team, theyll say the same thing about him - very good and lovely human being, said Mukherjee. Akashs mental fortitude, forged through personal hardships, means he puts in 100 per cent effort while bowling every ball, believes Goswami. The difficulties hes faced in life have also meant whenever he bowls, he really bowls his heart out on the field. I mean, you can see it - the attitude and aggression is there. I also have a feeling if he keeps on playing Test cricket consistently, he might get a century with the bat as well. I wont be surprised and trust me he will do it. Having enjoyed seeing Akashs talent and potential in a small club game, on the recommendation of Dattatreya Mukherjee, a former fast bowler who won Ranji Trophy in 1989-90, Mukherjee played a key role in bringing him into the CABs Vision 2020 initiative. He still raves about Akash, 28, being a very hardworking boy with great work ethics. Whatever you ask of him, itll be done. For example, head coach Arun Lal told the fast bowlers to eat dinner between 7.30 and 8 pm. So, every day, he and Mukesh came and by eight oclock, they had their dinner. Now, this is just his honesty to the game that our coach had said, so it has to be followed. That is why the success is also there. Its just that, its taken a bit of time. Hes very serious about his fitness, bowling, and diet. Like, if the trainer tells him, no junk food, means it will be followed. So, when everything is put together, you see somebody doing all the right things, then success is bound to come, right? Its just a question of time. You wait for your opportunities and hope you get it. Once that opportunity comes, then thats it, he said. Years of hard work and self-discipline have paid off for Akash, who has become the first Indian fast bowler since Umesh Yadav (2018) to achieve a ten-wicket haul in a Test match. Its this blend of relentlessly working hard on his skills and being disciplined towards his craft that makes Akashs rise remarkable. He tries to get lbws and bowled dismissals more - always attacking the stumps and thats what you want, especially when you play against England, right? Because they are always trying to attack you, so if they miss, Akash will hit. He can use angles from both around and over the wicket and thats very rare. With the angle he bowls, he can target cracks on pitches during days three, four and five, and thats what exactly he did at Edgbaston. Because hes gone through the grind of Ranji Trophy, theres this feeling of being there, and done that. Its just that this came just against a different opponent and with more confidence due to the India logo, added Goswami. He tries to get lbws and bowled dismissals more - always attacking the stumps and thats what you want, especially when you play against England, right? Because they are always trying to attack you, so if they miss, Akash will hit. He can use angles from both around and over the wicket and thats very rare. Also Read: LIVE Cricket Score I want Akash to come in, open, straightaway get into a round of wicket angle and get into Ducketts head. I will not be surprised if this happens at Lords. If its a green wicket there, it will be even better as sometimes Ive seen he tries to release the ball instead of hitting it. If its flat, I dont think there will be any problem. If Akash gets a little green and healthy track, then he will be more confident to do well at Lords, he concluded. Article Source: IANS
Mayawati urges EC to take cognisance of violent incidents in Bihar
Lucknow: BSP chief Mayawati on Monday said the Election Commission should take cognisance of incidents of violence in Bihar, including the murder of Patna-based businessman Gopal Khemka, for the conduct of peaceful elections in the state. In a post on X, she spoke about the deteriorating law and order situation in Bihar ahead of the Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Maya urges EC for fair Bihar polls
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Railway Minister announces key projects for poll-bound Bihar; says Rs 10,000 crore budget allotted
NEW DELHI: Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, during his visit to Patna on Monday ahead of the Bihar assembly elections, announced the introduction of four new Amrit Bharat trains and that a budget of Rs 10,000 crore has been sanctioned to strengthen railway infrastructure in the state. Speaking at the 'bhoomi pujan' ceremony for a new level crossing gate near Karpoori Gram railway station in Samastipur district, the minister also inaugurated several upgraded passenger amenities at the station. The NDA government at the Centre, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has sanctioned Rs 10,000 crore in this year's budget for rail infrastructure in Bihar, Vaishnaw told reporters. In the past 11 years, over 34,000 km of new railway tracks have been laid, and 1,300 stations are being redeveloped as modern Amrit Bharat stations, he added. The four new trains will include a daily train from Patna to Delhi, weekly services from Darbhanga and Malda to Gomti Nagar in Lucknow, services from Saharsa to Amritsar in Punjab, and a daily service from Jogbani to Erode in Tamil Nadu. The minister also announced that the Karpoori Gram railway station would now come under the Samastipur railway division. Earlier, it was under the jurisdiction of Sonpur railway division. Speaking about upcoming railway infrastructure projects, the minister announced that a third rail line between Bhagalpur and Jamalpur, covering a distance of 53 kilometres, will be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 1,156 crore. He further added that the doubling of the BakhtiyarpurRajgirTilaiya rail route, spanning 104 kilometres, will be carried out at a cost of Rs 2,017 crore. Another major project the doubling of the RampurhatBhagalpur route is also being planned, with an estimated budget of Rs 3,000 crore and a total distance of 177 kilometres. The minister also spoke about developments in the technology sector. He announced that two new Software Technology Parks of India (STPIs) for Bihar are ready and will be inaugurated soon. One is the new STPI building in Patliputra, Patna, which has been built at a cost of around Rs 53 crore, and the other is an upcoming STPI in Darbhanga, with an estimated cost of Rs 10 crore. Union Minister Ram Nath Thakur, son of Karpoori Thakur, was also present on the occasion. Earlier in the day in Patna, the railway minister inspected passenger facilities at Digha Bridge halt station and gave necessary instructions to officials.
Phoenix Mills Q1 Update: Retailer Sales Rise 12%
Consumption growth during the quarter was led by Phoenix Palassio (Lucknow), Phoenix Citadel (Indore), Phoenix Palladium (Mumbai) and Palladium Ahmedabad.
Allahabad HC dismisses petitions against UP governments plan to merge primary, upper primary schools
LUCKNOW: In a respite to the Uttar Pradesh government, the Allahabad High Court dismissed two petitions challenging the UP Basic Education Department's plan to merge government primary and upper primary schools that have less than 50 students enrolled therein. The single judge Bench, comprising Justice Pankaj Bhatia, thereby upheld the State government's decision for pairing of eligible schools with nearby educational facilities to make the education system more functional and viable. Notably, the teachers' association and the opposition parties, including the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party, opposed the school merger plan of the State government, which remained firm on its decision. According to an official, the decision was taken in the best interest of students. As per the official figures, there are 1.40 lakh government primary and upper primary schools in the State, of which 29,000 have 50 or fewer students. Around 89,000 teachers are posted in these schools. The broader plan is to shift students from low-enrollment schools to nearby institutions with larger campuses and better facilities. However, challenging the June 16 order of the State government, a total of 51 students from Sitapur district had approached the Allahabad High Court through their guardians. The petitioners contended that the State government order was violative of Art 21A of the Constitution of India. The petitioners, represented by advocate LP Mishra and Gaurav Mehrotra, contended that the decision to mere the schools would undermine the interest of the children as they would have to travel longer distances to reach the school. Meanwhile, the State justified the decision by submitting that the move would be in larger interest of the students and it would pave way for better utilisation of the resources. The State government apprised the Bench that the objective of the education department was to make better use of resources, reduce dropout rate while ensuring quality education.
Gorakhpur girl goes back to school after CM Yogi Adityanath helps with fees
Pankhuri Tripathi, a student from Gorakhpur, faced difficulty continuing her studies. Her family had financial problems. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath intervened after Pankhuri appealed to him. The administration arranged a fee waiver at Saraswati Shishu Mandir. Pankhuri has now returned to school. She and her family expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister for his help.
EC should take cognisance of violent incidents in Bihar: Mayawati
Lucknow, Jul 7: BSP chief Mayawati on Monday said the Election Commission should take cognisance of incidents of violence in Bihar, including the murder of Patna-based businessman Gopal Khemka, for the conduct of peaceful elections in the state. In a post on X, she spoke about the deteriorating law and order situation in Bihar ahead of the assembly polls laster this year. The recent sensational murder of Gopal Khemka, a prominent industrialist and leader of the ruling party BJP, in [] The post EC should take cognisance of violent incidents in Bihar: Mayawati appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
From Lucknow To Low Earth Orbit: Shuklas Giant Leap For India
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shuklas journey from a modest Lucknow neighbourhood to becoming the face of Indias first human spaceflight is a story of quiet determination, national pride, and a view of Earth that transcends borders The post From Lucknow To Low Earth Orbit: Shuklas Giant Leap For India appeared first on India Legal .
Milkman Accused of 'Spitting' Before Delivery Held in Lucknow
A resident of Gomti Nagar lodged a complaint to the police after he allegedly saw the milkman spit into the milk before handing it over at his house
We must protect & respect the human behind a doctor
Bengaluru and Mumbai are facing traffic issues. Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu suggests smaller cities. He believes cities with 1 to 2 lakh people are optimal. This makes public transport effective. He mentions Nagpur, Kanpur, and Lucknow as examples. Indian cities like Kolkata and Bengaluru have slow traffic. Vembu argues large cities need huge infrastructure investment.
Milkman caught spitting in milk before delivery, detained in Lucknow
A milkman was detained in the Lucknow on Sunday after a resident alleged he saw the man spitting into the milk before delivering it. The incident was reportedly captured on a CCTV camera installed at the customer's residence. According to police, Mohammad Sharif, also known as Pappu, was delivering milk in the Gomti Nagar area when the act was recorded. Lav Shukla, a resident of Vinay Khand in Gomti Nagar, viewed the footage on Saturday morning and promptly lodged a complaint at the local police station. The accused has been taken into custody and is currently being questioned, Station House Officer (SHO) Brijesh Tiwari told PTI. Further legal action is being initiated. A video purportedly showing the incident has since surfaced on social media, adding to growing public concern over food safety practices. This case follows a troubling pattern of similar incidents reported across Uttar Pradesh in recent months. In September last year, a video from Saharanpur went viral showing a teenager allegedly spitting on rotis at an eatery. The establishments owner was subsequently arrested. Other incidents have included a juice vendor in Ghaziabad accused of mixing urine into beverages, and two men in Noida caught selling juice tainted with saliva. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had previously issued strict directives aimed at curbing food adulteration. These include mandatory CCTV installation at all food outlets, visible display of proprietor details, and compulsory use of gloves and masks by food handlers. The Chief Minister also called for thorough verification of food establishment staff and recommended amendments to the Food Safety and Standards Act to ensure greater accountability and hygiene. (With inputs from PTI)
Caught on camera: Lucknow milkman seen spitting in milk before delivery, detained
In Lucknow, Mohammad Sharif was arrested for allegedly spitting in milk. Lav Shukla discovered the act via CCTV footage and filed a complaint. This incident follows similar food adulteration cases in Uttar Pradesh. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has ordered stricter measures. These measures include CCTV installation and hygiene standards. Authorities are investigating the matter further.
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Army doctor delivers baby using pocket knife, hair clips at Jhansi Railway Station
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Uttar Pradesh intensifies security as Muharram processions and the Kanwar Yatra coincide in districts like Lucknow, Sambhal, and Moradabad. Authorities have deployed police, drones, and CCTV cameras to monitor sensitive areas. Peace committee meetings were conducted, and magistrates were appointed to oversee processions, ensuring harmony and preventing disruptions through real-time surveillance and preventive measures.
Uttar Pradesh is under heightened security as Muharram processions and the Kanwar Yatra coincide across several districts. Authorities in Sambhal, Lucknow, and Moradabad have implemented extensive measures, including increased police presence, drone surveillance, and CCTV monitoring. Peace committee meetings have been conducted, and instructions have been issued to maintain order and prevent any disturbances during these events.
In a remarkable conservation effort, Etawah Lion Safari successfully hand-reared five abandoned Asiatic lion cubs, a first for this endangered species. Caretakers provided round-the-clock care, including bottle feeding and medical monitoring, stepping in as surrogate parents after the cubs were rejected by their mothers.
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Turn to ancient roots for wellness, mitochondrial health
A medical scientist discovered the impact of mitochondrial health. Fatigue, brain fog, and digestive issues can be addressed. Ancient Indian foods like Amla, Moringa, and Neem can help. These foods support mitochondrial biogenesis. Simple steps like diet, exercise, and sleep can restore health. Focus on cellular health for overall well-being.
Express Dialogues| 'Governement media should inform citizens, not glorify leaders': K Kunhikrishnan
He is the pioneer of TV journalism in Kerala. As the first director of the Thiruvananthapuram Doordarshan Kendra, K Kunhikrishnan was instrumental in ushering in a culture of visual media into the state in 1985. An accomplished journalist and writer, his experience of varied interactions with stalwart leaders, persons of eminence and changing governments, alongside landmark socio-politico-cultural instances in the countrys history make an interesting anecdotal affair. Recently, the state government bestowed on him the Lifetime Achievement Award for TV journalism. TNIE caught up with the veteran for a nostalgic, freewheeling chat. Excerpts Having had a long innings, you are credited with being instrumental in bringing TV journalism to Kerala. Could you share the story? Its been 40 years since Doordarshan set up a station in Kerala. I was working in Chennai when the then deputy director general asked me to proceed to Thiruvananthapuram. I was told there was a lot of pressure from Mr Karunakaran (the then Chief Minister K Karunakaran) to start a station here. On October 31, 1984, I landed here. As soon as I reached the under-construction station, the engineers told me that I had two lightning calls from Delhi. When I called back, I was told that Madam Prime Minister had been shot dead, but I was not to mention it officially. I was told to do the work from here, including collating condolence messages. Indira Gandhi was the first tele-visionary in India. It was when she was I&B minister that a broad development plan was made and it was under that plan that the Thiruvananthapuram TV station was to come up. Kudapanakunnu was a totally remote area; there were no proper roads, not many vehicles plied there. T here were just seven producers, a few cameramen, staff transferred from various places, and a few engineers. Of the 150 required to start a station, we had only 30-40. Except for a few cameramen and engineers, everyone was new, with some of them having not even seen a TV. How were the initial preparations? I told Mr Karunakaran that it would take at least six months. He told me the entire government was at my disposal and asked me to speed it up. He wanted it to be a gift to Kerala by the Union government on New Years Day. I was willing to take the risk. I had to organise a lot, meet several Kerala ministers for infrastructure. The engineers worked in a ramshackle studio. We got an OB van from Jalandhar and four low-band, picture producing cameras. The key lay in attracting talent... television faces... announcers, news-readers, comperes, etc, with almost all of them garnering popularity with the viewers. Have heard that E K Nayanar cried inconsolably in the DD studio while saying the condolence message after Indira Gandhis assassination Oh, yes. Many leaders were called to render condolence messages. The first to be called was Nayanar. He was the Leader of Opposition then. I knew him from my Madras days. While recording his condolence message, Nayanar began to cry inconsolably. We were all stunned, but we kept recording it. Later, he told us about his last meeting with her where he was angry and spoke agitatedly. When he was about to leave, she stopped him and said: Mr Nayanar, please stay on for a minute. I have come to know that you have some health issues, and are under medication. Is there any way I can be of any use to you? Nayanar was stunned because it was for the very first time that a political leader had asked about his health. When he began crying, there were about 10 people in the studio. All were moved That was one of the most touching moments of my television career in Kerala. Other challenges? Television is known by its onscreen faces. Telegenic faces with broadcast-worthy voices, correct pronunciation, poise, effective delivery styles, etc had to be selected. I initially received around 4,500 applications, but not even 400 came close to fitting the bill. The inauguration was telecast live from Tagore theatre. We needed a microwave link from Tagore to the TV tower. That came from Madras. Equipment came from Mumbai. Everyone was willing to help. The challenges were something we cannot even imagine. With the advent of mobiles, all of us stay connected now. Back then, there was nothing of the sort. Your experience of working with television faces of those days We didnt have a news editor at first. Delhi told me not to start news telecasts before the news editor and assistant news editors were posted. I asked: If theres no news telecast in Kerala, then whats the point in having television? News culture is ingrained in Malayalis. Back then, we needed teleprinters because PTI and UNI were our only news sources. Delhi used a pool copy of AIR, which had so many bulletins. Here, there was no such facility. I was against it because for people who had migrated from radio, TV was picture on sound. TV is a combination of theatre, film, and radio. Teleprinters were installed on January 1, 1985, DDs inauguration day. The first announcer was Susheela Devi who began transmission with a Malayalam announcement. The first person to read the news was Kannan. We had good presenters. Did they know how to go about it? It was unlike radio news... The bulletin was at 7.30 pm. They were supposed to come and start rehearsing at 3.30 pm. Any earth-shaking event at the last minute too got added. It would be given to the floor manager, even as the news was being read. There were some complaints that their reading style was akin to cows drinking water, raising their heads occasionally to look around (laughs). Another complaint was that they were not as well-dressed as the television stars of Delhi (smiles). How was the reading done? They used to look at the text and then at the camera lens, to give viewers the feel of facing them. Thats why we insisted they come at 3.30 pm and practise for the 7.30 pm bulletin. Some did it extremely well. There was Santosh, an earth scientist. Kannan also did very well. Hemalatha was another, and Maya. Then there was Rajeshwari Mohan from AIR, and later Krishnakumar and Alakananda. What was the initial feedback like? Karunakaran, if in station, would call to convey his opinion. Probably the best monitor we had was the chief minister (smiles). He would express his views about the news. He was not concerned with the visuals, but with the content. A couple of years after we started, my wife who was a stringer with a womens magazine did a cover story with television stars. Certain remarks made by the stars irked the engineers and led to a protest. I was however able to sort it out. How was the public response after the launch? Except for Kerala Kaumudi, the vernacular newspapers were against us. They thought the onset of television would affect newspapers. Nowadays, what appears in newspapers are views, not news. Initially, there was a lot of criticism. I ensured the staff had full freedom to function. Once a minister in the Karunakaran government told me that a discussion had come up in the cabinet that there were a lot of communists in Doordarshan (laughs). Was there any cause for such a discussion? No. I was monitoring every frame. Such complaints came up because they felt most of the guests being invited for discussions were Marxists or right-wing communists. They felt Congress was not getting enough representation. But I believe we were quite balanced. Was it a local relay? Yes. Back then, it was available only within an 80km radius of Thiruvananthapuram How was news selected? Mostly national and international news. PTI and UNI were the sources. Visual stories were based on events in and around Thiruvananthapuram. There was a major complaint about a lack of coverage in other parts of the state. Later on, we somehow managed to get a stringer from Ernakulam. Then came another stringer, Pothujanam Mohan, who covered the Perumon tragedy. There were technical and financial challenges. It was a long journey. You brought many politicians before the camera, many of them hardly camera-savvy There was one education minister who couldnt even pronounce the Malayalam word for education (vidyabhyasam) properly. I dont think the situation has changed much now (smiles). Also, they dont look at the camera while speaking. But all of them want to be shown on television. Ministers used to check with me about camera availability and reschedule their programmes accordingly (chuckles). When you were handling Thiruvananthapuram, there was a lot of creative work going on. People like Shyamaprasad, Baiju Chandran were part of the team Baiju Chandran was a producer. Shyam was a production assistant. It so happened that there were seven production assistants. Independent charge of programmes were assigned to people like Shyamaprasad and two others. Shyam had initiative and produced good telefilms. Thats how he started. How did regional stations like the one you led come up? Was it driven by local demand? Mostly because of political pressure. The Government of India had a plan to establish TV centres in every state capital. Initially, there were only eight in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, and a few more like Srinagar and Lucknow. This changed post-1982, after the Asian Games (in Delhi) which introduced colour telecast and prompted a national network. How were things during the ISRO espionage case? By that time, I had gone to Delhi. In 1989, I was shunted out as I had some problems with the then I&B Union minister of state. He used to keep breathing down my neck. I was posted in Delhi when the general elections were held that year. The election coverage was done under my charge. The coverage garnered praise from media across the world. It was at that time that people like Prannoy Roy and Vinod Dubey came onto the scene. After your shift to Delhi, Keralas media landscape underwent changes. As an industry pioneer, how did you view that? I maintained a keen interest in Kerala media. It was under my initiative that Kerala got its first 8-camera OB van in Thiruvananthapuram through N J Nair, the chief engineer. The construction of an additional floor in the current Doordarshan building had my strong backing. Later, Doordarshan became part of the satellite network, first via half-way satellites and then via the INSAT-series. Kerala managed to get one transponder for Malayalam in 1999. By the time 24-hour transmission set in, I was in charge of marketing and stuff in Delhi. My contributions were substantial and I have been an integral part of the growth story of Indian television. Your thoughts on the changes when private players arrived in the 90s... In 1993, Asianet was launched. Then came Surya TV. Both were primarily entertainment channels. Asianet did have some news content. One of the reasons for that is Sasikumar, who started the channel on behalf of his uncle. Asianet, Surya, and Zee TV were the three channels that were launched at the time, leading to competition. Later, with the onset of cable TV, Doordarshan faced competition, and revenue dropped as cable TV distributors preferred availability round the clock. Private channels had an eight-hour cycle. All had to shift to 24-hour programmes. Content quality deteriorated considerably. And there was no corresponding increase in staff. The situation has only worsened in todays Doordarshan. Working conditions are pathetic now. How do you recall the days of the Emergency? I joined after that period. I have heard that during the first Janata Dal ministry, when L K Advani was the I&B minister, Doordarshan was taken to task, saying it was we who projected Indira Gandhi. The Films Division had made thousands of films on the 20-point programme promoting Indira Gandhi propaganda. As soon as I joined, one of the tasks was to screen all such films so as to remove all the shots of Indira Gandhi and throw them into the bin. It so happened that in one of the shots Indira Gandhi was shown. Soon, Advani visited Madras Doordarshan and spent around 2-3 hours with us. Unfortunately, that preview was done by a programme executive. He got transferred in a weeks time to some godforsaken place. You once had an issue with MGR... Yes... (smiles). MGR had announced a television boycott. The South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce organised a golden jubilee function, which was beautifully covered by Doordarshan. The then President Sanjeev Reddy was given a kuthuvilakku by Jayalalithaa, MGRs heroine at the time and also the AIADMK propaganda secretary. It was brought to MGRs notice that she was not shown in the TV programme. When our television crew went to cover a government function, he told his people to boycott television. Our camera team was beaten up by the Tamil Nadu police. There were rumours that water supply and electricity to the TV station would be cut. I was quite upset. How was it solved? One of my friends arranged a meeting with MGR. When I met him, he said Doordarshan was full of DMK activists who had edited out Ammus (Jayalalithaa) shots. We spoke for around 45 minutes. He asked me to resolve the matter and invited me to have breakfast with him. Later, he told the information minister that the issue with Doordarshan had been resolved and directed him to provide me with all assistance. He even gave me both his and Veerappans direct numbers. Later, we announced a repeat telecast on a Sunday morning, with the Jayalalithaa shot added to it. After that, MGR was very nice to me. I travelled with him a couple of times in a helicopter. He was a wonderful human. Whenever we interacted personally, he spoke to me in Malayalam. Even while whispering in my ears, he spoke in Malayalam (chuckles). In Doordarshan, there was a code of conduct for journalism and news reading. But does the current generation of broadcast journalists follow such codes? Many anchors n ow use kadha prasangam style. Malayalam is spoken in a crude manner. They speak like an express train. Broadcast journalists are so biased. They try and instigate reporters to report in a vested manner. Media trials are the worst. They decide who is the culprit without getting the facts right. Further compounding the issue, Kerala has the highest number of social media practitioners. News has become totally opinionated, polarised towards either left or right. There is no middle path. Earlier, news was truth presented objectively. Now, news is interpretation. Perspectives should be reserved for analysis. In any channel, there is a set of five people who come and speak on any subject under the sun. The anchor is all powerful and seems to be a know-it-all. Isnt this what the audience wants? There was a time in the Malayalam film industry, in the 80s, when semi-pornography was quite common. We thought these were box-office hits and people wanted them. In reality, you are feeding them stuff the same way opium is fed. And they get addicted. TV serials do the same. There is no element of reality involved. Why did public broadcasting in India lose its edge? We were once in the same league as BBC There are structural and systemic reasons. BBC functions under a BBC Charter approved by Parliament. But beyond that, the Parliament has no say in its day-to-day affairs. BBC enjoys editorial and financial autonomy. Funding is not a budgetary allocation. Cess on every television set sold in the UK directly funds the BBC. But Prasar Bharati is entirely dependent on budgetary allocations. That makes a big difference. Do you feel Doordarshan is increasingly becoming a propaganda organ? Is this a recent phenomenon or has it been happening for long? It has worsened in recent years. After the Emergency, there were serious debates on how government-owned media should function. The consensus was that it must not promote individuals or political personalities. But today, that principle is being violated routinely even in Kerala. Criticise the government or even its policies on social media, and youre in trouble. Ideally, what should the concept of government media be? Government media should not be party media. Its duty is to serve democracy. Its about informing citizens, not glorifying leaders. Theres a perception that Doordarshan news is bland and mechanical... DD has failed to evolve editorially. Whether during my time or now, the media should grow alongside technology. When satellite broadcasting emerged, I moved away from terrestrial transmission to stay relevant. But that kind of strategic thinking isnt happening today. What should be done to revive Doordarshan as a strong public broadcaster? It needs massive investment in finance, talent, training, and distribution. Look at Al Jazeera. When it was launched from Doha, it started with an investment of $700 million. Today, its globally visible. We need similar ambitions. Even parliamentary committees have raised concerns. The Standing Committee on Information Technology noted a growing number of vacancies. Out of a sanctioned 30,000 posts, over 15,000 lie vacant. Most of the centres are headed by engineers, not content professionals. Earlier, the station head was the director, someone who had editorial command. Now, the head of programme is a low-ranking officer. Despite technological advancement, why doesnt Doordarshans programming reflect corresponding quality? Quality all over is deplorable. News channels are no longer news channels, but views channels. A single source will not give you all the news. Truth is split into various ways and channels. Most people are biased. There is heavy polarisation in television, especially in Kerala. Whats the way forward for public broadcasting in India? It must be sanitised, freed from political interference, funded adequately, managed professionally... We need broadcasters who understand television, not just administration. Without these, Prasar Bharati will not be relevant. TNIE team: Cithara Paul, Anil S, Aparna Nair, Aswin Asok Kumar Vincent Pulickal (photos) Pranav V P (video)
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UP court rejects Abbas Ansaris appeal against hate speech conviction; keeps sentence review pending
LUCKNOW: The court of Additional District and Sessions Judge (Gangster/MP-MLA Court) in Mau district on Saturday dismissed the appeal of gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansaris son and former MLA Abbas Ansari against his conviction in a 2022 hate speech case. However, the court allowed further hearings on the plea challenging the quantum of the two-year sentence awarded to Ansari. The CJM (MP-MLA) court will hear the plea on July 25. Meanwhile, Abbas Ansari and his co-accused Mansoor were granted bail by the court. The courts decision to hear the plea challenging the quantum of punishment has kept the hopes of the Ansari camp alive regarding the possible restoration of his assembly membership, which was terminated after the CJM courts order awarding two years' imprisonment to him on May 31. Abbas was convicted in connection with a hate speech he delivered at a public meeting in Paharpur during the 2022 Assembly election campaign while contesting as a Samajwadi Party-Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party alliance candidate from the Mau Sadar assembly seat. Abbas had won the seat. After the court delivered its order on Saturday afternoon, Ansaris advocate Daroga Singh said that Additional District and Sessions Judge (Gangster/MP-MLA Court) Rajeev Kumar Vats dismissed the appeal challenging the conviction in the case. However, the court continued the stay against the quantum of punishment sentenced by the CJM (MP-MLA) court. The court fixed July 25 as the next date of hearing. The court also granted bail to Ansari and the co-accused on furnishing bonds of Rs 50,000 each, Singh said. Notably, while contesting the assembly election from the Mau Sadar seat, Ansari, in his Paharpur public meeting speech on March 3, 2022, targeted government officers. The video of the speech went viral on social media, leading to the registration of the case the next day. The co-accused Mansoor, who was the proposer of Ansari in the 2022 assembly election, also received similar punishment from the court. Ansari emerged victorious in the 2022 assembly polls from the Mau Sadar seat as a Samajwadi Party-Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party alliance candidate. However, he was arrested by the Prayagraj unit of the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case in February 2023 and was behind bars until March this year.
Like other BJP allies, RLD may also chart independent course in Panchayat polls next year
LUCKNOW: The Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), led by Jayant Chaudhury, a minister in the Modi cabinet, has joined the league of BJP allies in Uttar Pradesh who have decided to contest next years rural local body polls independently. Prior to RLD, Apna Dal (S), SBSP, and NISHAD Party, another had decided to go their own way in the Panchayat elections due next year. The decision of the BJP allies to contest independently is seen as a politically significant development ahead of the 2027 assembly polls. As per the RLD sources, the party plans to contest a good number of seats independently, especially, in western UP, to consolidate its position in the politically crucial western UP. Around a month back, Union Minister and Apna Dal (S) Chief Anupriya Patel asserted that her party would contest the panchayat polls independently while claiming that there had been no discussions with the BJP or any other allies over the upcoming polls. The party sources claimed that the exercise of appointing in-charges in every assembly seat was already on. On the other hand, SBSP chief Om Prakash Rajbhar, a cabinet minister in the Yogi government, also confirmed that his party would contest alone and that Varanasi will be the centre of their election strategy. The party plans to focus on district-level candidate selection and assigning responsibilities, said an SBSP leader. The party sources claimed that the decision to contest independently was driven by the fact that a number of party workers were unable to contest assembly or parliamentary elections and that they needed to be compensated by the party. Similarly, NISHAD Party Chief and UP Minister Dr Sanjay Nishad has also declared his partys independent approach but said that the NISHAD Party would support the BJP for positions like District Panchayat President and Block Pramukh. BJPs key allies' positioning to explore an independent electoral path in the 2025 rural local bodies elections underscores both their political assertion and a tactical recalibration ahead of the 2027 UP assembly polls. Political experts believe that the BJP allies may not break away from the BJP-led NDA at the national level, but they seem to be reasserting regional autonomy to expand their vote share in their core territories, particularly among OBCs and farmers. Significantly, the panchayat election is an opportunity for parties to mobilise cadres, test local leadership, and build narratives in the run-up to future battles.
Royal kitchen upholds 186-yr-old tradition of Tabarruk in Lucknow
LUCKNOW: The Chhota Imambara in City of Nawabs is buzzing with hectic activity for the last nine days during the ongoing sacred month of Muharram as the royal kitchen (Bawarchikhana) comes alive with traditional preparation of 20,000 servings of royal offering (tabarruk- blessed food) daily till the day of Muharram which falls on Sunday. Operated by the Hussainabad Trust, the Chhota Imambara Bawarchikhana prepares these offerings which are sent to various imambaras, mausoleums, and karbalas across the City of Nawabs to be distributed among those attending the majlis. Muharram, the first and one of the most sacred months of the Islamic calendar, marks the beginning of the Hijri New Year. As per tradition, the exact date of Muharram is determined based on the sighting of the moon. Moreover, tabarruk is also delivered to 325 Nawabi-e-Awadh (royal) families, while upholding a tradition of 186 years. Interestingly, the offerings are cooked in desi ghee over a wood fire and served in earthen vessels. A budget of Rs 47 lakh has been allocated for the entire arrangement. According to Nawab Masood Abdullah, a descendant of Nawab-e-Awadh Tajdar Mohammad Ali Shah, his ancestors started this royal kitchen in 1839. Their tradition has been continuing for 186 years. As per the menu of tabarruk, for five days, fried potato curry (gravy dish), bakharkhani (sweet red bread) and khamiri roti are distributed among the devotees attending majlis to mourn the martyrdom of Imam Hussain. For the remaining four days, chana dal, khamiri roti and bakharkhani are distributed. The menu of the traditional Tabarruk happens to be completely vegetarian. According to kitchen in-charge Murtaza, the royal kitchen remains active round the clock for nine days ahead of Muharram. In all, 60 persons, including cooks are engaged in this work. Tabarruk is cooked on slow wood fire. Pure ghee is used in this. Special care is taken of quality, that's why the craftsmen are closely monitored while cooking. As per Murtaza, the work is divided among cooks as per their expertise. Some people make rotis, some prepare dal and vegetables. However, many deputed in the kitchen are assigned the duty of delivering tabarruk (blessed food). Elaborating further, 14 quintals of flour is used for rotis and 11 quintals of potatoes are used to cook vegetable and two quintals of chickpea dal is cooked on a daily basis. It is packed properly. After that, it is sent for distribution to Imambaras, mausoleums, and Karbala. Significantly, Muharram holds deep religious importance for both Sunni and Shia Muslims. While Sunnis mark the day by fasting, offering prayers, and reciting the Holy Quran, Shia Muslims take out mourning processions and the symbolic creation and burial of Taziyas.
New India Coop Bank fraud: Wanted building material supplier held in Lucknow
Mumbai police arrested Pawan Amarsingh Jaiswal, a building material supplier, from Lucknow in connection with the Rs 122-crore New India Co-Operative Bank embezzlement case. Jaiswal, accused of receiving Rs 3.5 crore from the embezzled amount, was apprehended by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW).
BJP handed JP Centre to LDA, they build fish markets not institutions, says Akhilesh Yadav
Akhilesh Yadav, Samajwadi Party chief, has criticised the decision to transfer the Jayaprakash Narayan International Centre to the Lucknow Development Authority. He called it an insult to Jayaprakash Narayan's legacy. Yadav recalled his association with the centre. He also attacked the BJP, questioning their credibility in Bihar.
The central bureau of investigation (CBI) has apprehended two Northern Railways officials, an assistant divisional engineer and a trackman, in Chandausi, Uttar Pradesh. They were caught accepting a bribe of Rs 34,000 from a railway contractor. The officials allegedly demanded the commission for clearing pending bills related to a railway track fitting tender awarded earlier this year.
ED charges totally strange & unprecedented, Sonia tells court in National Herald case
NEW DELHI: Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, called the Enforcement Directorates money laundering case against Congress leaders Sonia and Rahul Gandh i unprecedented. Singhvi began his rebuttal after additional solicitor general S V Raju for ED on July 3 concluded his arguments on the point of cognisance of the chargesheet filed in the case. This is truly a strange case. More than strange. Unprecedented. This is an alleged case of money laundering, without any property, without use or projection of property. There was not an inch of property moved from Associated Journals Limited (AJL) to Young Indian. No Congress leader gets any property or money. Yet this is called money laundering, Singhvi argued. The ED has alleged that top Congress leaders conspired to fraudulently acquire assets worth over Rs 2,000 crore belonging to Associated Journals Limited (AJL), the publisher of the National Herald, through a not-for-profit entity, Young Indian. Congress leaders slam ED charge sheet in National Herald case as 'political vendetta' The probe agencys chargesheet claims Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, alongside the late Motilal Vora and Oscar Fernandes, and others including Sam Pitroda and Suman Dubey, orchestrated the takeover using a Rs 90 crore loan from the Congress to AJL. On July 3, ASG Raju had argued that the Gandhis were the beneficial owners of Young Indian, holding 76% of its shares, and that they gained complete control of the company after the demise of other shareholders. Singhvi told the court that the restructuring was carried out purely to make AJL debt-free. The proceedings would continue on July 5 with rebuttal on behalf of Rahul Gandhi. ED serves eviction notice to National Herald building in Lucknow
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