Hrithik Roshan Undergoes Martial Arts Training And Learns To Fight With A Japanese Katana
Actor Hrithik Roshan is all geared up to reprise his character of Agent Kabir in the Blockbuster YRF franchise film War 2. In order to deliver a stylized action scene, Hrithik Roshan has been undergoing martial arts training to
Sardar Of Commentary Box, Navjot Singh Sidhu To Return To Action In IPL 2024
Navjot Singh Sidhu: After an absence of many years, Sidhuisms will be echoing in the Commentary Box to regale the fans during the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season as Former India opener Navjot Singh Sidhu is returning to commentary duties for the franchise-based T20 league. Renowned for his witty one-liners and insightful commentary, Sidhu will be part of the Incredible Star Cast, dedicated to enhancing the IPL 2024 experience by driving key narratives across, hyping rivalries, showcasing heroes, and amplifying memorable moments. Star Sports, the official broadcaster of the highly anticipated IPL 2024 on Tuesday announced the return of former India cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu to the commentary box. The IPL 2024 on Star Sports will be presented in 9 language feeds, including English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Gujarati, Marathi, Malayalam, and Bangla with a host of reputed legends and experts. Speaking about his return to commentary, Sidhu said, Commentary is not like a sleeping pill that you will make people sleep. You need to make it understandable to the common man with an addition to what is happening. If you are an expert, whatever is happening on the screen is in front of everyone else as they are seeing it too. How you will add the component in the picture of what is not shown on the screen, is the strength of the commentator. I believe commentary is an art. In radio commentary, you paint a picture for fans, and they do believe in it. But here, we have visuals, and we need to slow down a bit while adding context to the picture, Sidhu said. Sidhu, who had taken up commentary soon after quitting active cricket, has gone into politics and television reality shows. He was a member of the Lok Sabha from 2004 to 2014 representing Amritsar and a minister in the Congress government in Punjab.
Tiger Shroff reveals he found his first girlfriend when he was 25
Mumbai, March 19 (IANS) Action star Tiger Shroff, who will be soon seen in the 4th instalment of his action film franchise Baaghi, shared that he first got romantically involved at the age of 25. The actor attended Prime Videos slate announcement event, Prime Video Presents on Tuesday at a 5-star property in the Santa []
Title Doesn't Define...: Mandhana On Comparison With Kohli After WPL Win
Smriti Mandhana feels it's not right for people to undermine Virat Kohli's achievements for the Bengaluru franchise in the wake of her side's Women's Premier League title triumph recently.
Smriti Mandhanas recent triumphs & pan-India appeal to attract more brand endorsements
The popularity of any sport relies to a large extent on the kind of stars it producesthe proverbial heroes of that sport. These icons are what inspire people, draw them out of their homes to the stadiums, and influence the commerce around that sport. The Michael Jordans, the Serena Williams, the Ronda Rouseys, and the Tiger Woods' of their respective fields, these mavericks have become synonymous with the sport. So much so it becomes difficult to make out whether playing the sport helped them achieve this success or if they helped the sport grow in an unprecedented manner. For womens cricket in India, there have been a few who have achieved such heroic statusesthe likes of Mithali Raj, Jhulan Goswami, and Harmanpreet Kaur. In the present generation, one cricketer in particular who has forged her unique path to popularity and success is Smriti Mandhana. Mandhanas swift rise in International cricket is a unique exampleone that has no parallelpartly because it came at a time when women's cricket was booming vis-a-vis its increased distribution through multiple mediums and the introduction of new cricketing properties. Add to that the consistently record-breaking performances by her, and you have a phenom of Mandhanas stature. Riding WPLs tide With WPL (Womens Premier League) making waves with its initial season, Mandhanas brand value soared. Being the most sought-after player in the league, she was brought in the auction by RCB for INR 3.40 CR, which made her the most expensive buy, not only at WPL but also among all other womens cricket leagues in the world. WPLs counterpart, IPL, has always been known for driving brand endorsements and capital in general. The two-month event witnesses a massive surge in brand collaborations, endorsements, and campaigns, with some brands even launching their flagship properties during this time. When the news of WPL initially broke out, it seemed like a lucrative opportunity for brands to reach a diverse set of audiences. Being one of the biggest draws of the tournament, Smriti Mandhanas brand equity was poised to explode, and it did. By the end of 2023, Smriti Mandhana had secured deals with more than 15 brands which consisted of the likes of Wrangler, Red Bull, Gulf Oil, and Mastercard. In 2023, Smriti Mandhana was ranked among the top 10 female athletes in the world by sponsorship value on social media, according to a study released by Sportico and KORE. She was the only Indian female athlete to make the cut among the global top 10. Additionally, she was featured among the list of 50 most marketable athletes of 2023. While WPL has added to the popularity of women cricketers, Smriti Mandhana has been a popular face in Indian cricket. So, has the WPL added to her brand value, or is it the other way around? Lloyd Mathias , Marketing Expert & Independent Director, believes its both ways. He says, It's a mutually beneficial relationship; she aids WPL's growth while also benefiting from the exposure and experience gained by playing alongside numerous international players. Looking ahead, one can anticipate a proliferation of female cricket stars. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Smriti Mandhana (@smriti_mandhana) Mazhar Gadiwala , VP of Togglehead Sports, says, Since the turn of the year, Smriti Mandhana has bagged some massive endorsements. In 2023, she became the face of Wrangler, SG, and PNB Metlife all in a span of 6 months. She also signed with Herbalife Nutrition and MadRabbit in January 2023. The endorsements for Mandhana have just been increasing year-on-year. Starting with Bata in 2018 to Nike in 2021, there seems to be no stopping Indian womens crickets superstar opening batter. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Smriti Mandhana (@smriti_mandhana) Gadiwala believes that Mandhanas brand will keep growing as the year progresses. I believe that her endorsements will only increase as we wrap up the first quarter of 2024. With her recent success on the international stage through stellar performances and leading the orange cap race in the WPL 2024, there is no reason for Mandhana not to be a preferred pick for brands. She is one of the worlds best batters with a charm and elegant personality that makes her a fan favorite, he adds. Whats the charm? The number of brand endorsements Smriti Mandhana appears to have garnered is unprecedented when it comes to an Indian woman cricketer. Besides her cricketing prowess, what other elements are there that make her a sought-after face by brands? Amit Gheji , Head of Marketing, Gulf Oil Lubricants India, highlights the main qualities that led to Gulf Oil associating with the cricketing prodigy, saying, Key qualities that have played a pivotal role in effectively conveying our brand messaging through our association with Smriti Mandhana include authenticity, relatability, and a commitment to addressing real-life consumer needs. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Gulf Oil (@gulfoil.india) Gadiwala offers an analytical approach to assessing the qualities that the brand Smriti Mandhana brings to the table. He expounds, By studying Smritis Instagram profile through our data tools, we have come to understand that she has a very high average engagement of 920.3K, which accounts for almost 10% of her total Instagram following. Her reels are highly successful, with an average of 2.6M plays. Over 1.5M people who do not follow her profile still consume her content, and sponsored posts see a decent success rate of 23%. These numbers are attractive for brands and reflect the power of Mandhana as a brand. Mandhanas social media presence is warm and candid and seems to be a mix of casual and professional demeanor. She stays fairly active and shares pictures that offer viewers a slice of her life. Her profile does not merely contain a barrage of cricket-related content as she puts on display other lesser-known parts of her personality, making her appear relatable and authentic. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Smriti Mandhana (@smriti_mandhana) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Smriti Mandhana (@smriti_mandhana) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Smriti Mandhana (@smriti_mandhana) The VP of Togglehead adds that marketability is one of the key drivers that brands look for when associating with an ambassador. He says that athletes who have a strong influence in their sports and conduct themselves professionally on and off the pitch are much more likely to find brand associations. Other key qualities that brands look for while associating with ambassadors are authenticity, the ambassador's ability to engage with the audience, alignment with the brands values, and media appeal. As for Smriti, she is pretty much the poster girl when it comes to being a marketable ambassador. She has a vibrant personality, exceptional cricketing skills, and conducts herself beautifully. Her widespread appeal coupled with her engagement makes for a strong brand affinity, and that has been showcased especially over the past year, Gadiwala remarks. Lloyd Mathias shares that brands typically seek several qualities in a sports personality, most of which Smriti embodies quite well. He says, Firstly, they look for a successful and consistent performer, which Smriti undeniably is. Secondly, they prefer individuals who steer clear of controversy, making Smriti a favorable choice in this regard. Thirdly, brands seek someone who can bring substantial value to their image, and Smriti's presentability and positive attributes fulfill this criterion admirably. Smriti's appeal lies in her success, youthfulness, and versatility. She effortlessly transitions between various domains, be it lifestyle, sports, or other areas, making her an asset for brands seeking broad representation. Moreover, her pan-India appeal adds further value, as she isn't confined to a specific region. These factors collectively enhance her suitability as a brand ambassador, Mathias shares. Mandhanas association with Gulf Oil has been fruitful for the brand. Amit Gheji shares that her endorsement has not only enhanced the brand visibility but has also allowed Gulf Oil to connect with a broader audience, including the growing demographic of women involved in automotive decision-making. In terms of ROI metrics, we have observed a positive impact on brand affinity and engagement. Smritis popularity, combined with her authenticity and influence, has contributed to the success of our campaigns, creating a deeper emotional connection with our consumers, he adds. Foreseeing future associations With Royal Challengers Bangalore winning the WPL title, Smriti Mandhanas brand equity is poised to skyrocket as brands will look to onboard the captain who brought in the much-awaited trophy for the franchise. While Mandhana seems like a tempting option to onboard and collaborate with as a brand, it is imperative to focus on the brand-ambassador alignment before latching on to this lucrative opportunity. Experts share the kind of brands that would best align with Mandhana. Gadiwala opines that one unexplored category that Mandhana would suit aptly with is luxury retail (fashion). Her timid and charming personality makes her a good fit. She is also stylish, and it is definitely surprising that she does not already have an association with this category, he adds. He further advises, Food brands and food delivery apps can also consider tying up with Smriti. Brands can market healthy food through her whereas food delivery apps can consider leveraging the fact that she has a busy schedule and is always traveling so does not find the time to cook for herself. Additionally, he says that other brand categories that Mandhana could associate with are travel and tourism - one of the most congruent fits for her since she plays cricket internationally, and a smartwatch brand. He adds that her influence can also be leveraged for partnerships with NGOs. Lloyd Mathias opines that traditional lifestyle brands, such as fast-moving consumer goods, are an obvious fit, encompassing consumer durables like personal care items (such as toilet soaps and cosmetics). This opens a myriad of opportunities, extending beyond to over-the-counter and healthcare products tailored to the active lifestyle of sporting personalities. Think of products like Gatorade or various food supplements catering to their specific needs. Her captivating athleticism renders them appealing to a wide audience, thus attracting brands across various sectors, including consumer goods, food and beverages, and lifestyle products.
Delhi Capitals' Newcomers Raring To Go In IPL 2024
The Delhi Capitals: Delhi Capitals picked up three exciting talents in all-rounder Sumit Kumar, wicketkeeper-batter Kumar Kushagra and batter Ricky Bhui in the IPL 2024 mini-auction and the trio are expressed their excitement about playing for the Delhi-based franchise in the 17th edition of the league. These players are currently putting in the hard yards in the pre-season camp in Visakhapatnam under the watchful eyes of head coach Ricky Ponting and DC director of cricket Sourav Ganguly. Kushagra, who has scored 1245 runs in 19 first-class matches, spoke about being part of an IPL team for the first time and said: I am very excited to be a part of the IPL for the first time. I will get a chance to play with so many big international players, whom I have grown up watching. However, my main aim would be to win games for Delhi Capitals. He also experienced batting with star wicketkeeper batter Rishabh Pant during the training sessions, I batted with Rishabh Pant for the first time and he gave me a lot of input on my game. He was playing single-handed shots and hitting sixes. He's hitting the ball well and hopefully, we'll win matches for Delhi Capitals together. Meanwhile, all-rounder Sumit, who has scored 574 runs and 43 wickets in T20s, spoke about his journey before bagging an IPL contract, It's been a long journey for me since I started playing cricket at the age of seven. I've been playing well in domestic cricket in the last three years and I was hoping for an IPL contract. It's great to join the Delhi Capitals this year. The local lad Ricky, who has scored 1497 runs in 62 T20s, feels that he's peaking at the right time, I am going into the tournament with a lot of runs under my belt and I feel I am peaking at the right time as well. I never imagined I would get to play the IPL at home. I'm very much familiar with the conditions here and it will be great to play in front of my family and friends. I'm looking to win as many matches as possible for Delhi Capitals. The Delhi Capitals will take on Punjab Kings in their tournament opener in Chandigarh on March 23.
Chennai Super Kings: MS Dhoni-led franchise holds ground in unlisted market ahead of IPL
Chennai Super Kings reported a consolidated net profit of Rs 13.79 crore for the year ended on March 31, 2023, agains the net profit of Rs 31.54 crore for the fiscal year 2021-22.
Alan Walker Crafts Team Song For RCB Ahead Of IPL 2024
Renowned Norwegian DJ and music producer Alan Walker has teamed up with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) to create a first-of-its-kind team song ahead of the upcoming season in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Titled Team Side ft RCB and featuring pop artist Sofiloud, the sensational track will be premiered live by the EDM prodigy for the very first time at his thirty-minute set at #RCBUnbox on March 19 at Bengalurus M Chinnaswamy Stadium. The multi-platinum global artist will also be joined by several players from RCB, including Faf Du Plessis, Virat Kohli, Mohammed Siraj, Glenn Maxwell, Ashwini Puneeth Rajkumar, Rishabh Shetty and Dinesh Karthik among others at the event. His performance will be supported by local acts such as Raghu Dixit, Neeti Mohan, Brodha V, Jordindian and Barfi Katcheri This marks the second time that the Bangalore-based franchise has roped in a global superstar to headline the #RCBUnbox, a platform where team jerseys and anthems are launched and key players and personnels are felicitated. Launched in 2022, RCB announced Faf Du Plessis as skipper while in 2023, AB De Villiers and Chris Gayle were inducted as hall of farmers with a guest appearance by Jason Derulo at #RCBUnbox. The 17th edition of IPL will kick off with a thrilling match between the defending champions, Chennai Super Kings, and Royal Challengers Bangalore on March 22 which will be marked by the return of the batting maestro Virat Kohli after a break of two months. Team Side ft RCB reflects Alan Walker's longstanding success within the Indian music landscape and his ambitions for the future. With its catchy electro-house vibe, the 3 -minute multi-lingual anthem that imbibes English, Kannada and Hindi, aspires to create excitement and engagement for Alan's upcoming music releases, arena tour, and future collaborations. Expressing his excitement about the collaboration, Alan Walker states, I am thrilled to be working with Royal Challengers Bangalore on this anthem. I love cricket and Im looking forward to meeting all the Indian cricket legends on the field. Team Side ft RCB is not just a track, but it is also a celebration of my incredibly exciting year in India. The song is a celebration of hope, joy, community and unity, and above all, an ambition that this will be the biggest year in my career in this market. I can't wait for fans to experience the track live! Elaborating further Rajesh Menon, Vice President & Head, Royal Challengers Bangalore, adds on, Team Side ft RCB is more than just a team anthem for us. It's a symbol of our ambition for the upcoming season and a tribute to Alan Walker's incredible talent. We are confident that this partnership will bring excitement and engagement for both Alan and the team. With Alans flagship tour WalkerWorld set to make its mark in India this year, Team Side ft RCB is just the beginning of what promises to be a monumental year for Alan Walker in the Indian market.
IPL 2024: Rohit Sharma joins Mumbai Indians ahead of the tournament
A few months back, Rohit Sharma being replaced with Hardik Pandya as MI captain was the talk of the town. Rohit has led the franchise to five winning years. Pandya who captained Gujarat Titans in the previous two editions of the cash-rich league was bought by the Mumbai-based franchise for Rs. 15 crores ahead of the IPL 2024
Jharkhand JMM MLA Sita Soren resigns
Ranchi, March 19 (PTI) In a blow to the JMM (Jharkhand Mukti Morcha), Jama MLA Sita Soren tendered her resignation from the party on Tuesday, citing allegations of being sidelined along with her family. In her resignation letter addressed to the partys supremo and her father-in-law, Shibu Soren, Sita expressed her grievances, stating that following the demise of her husband, Durga Soren, the party failed to provide adequate support to her and her family. Sita lamented and said she was feeling neglected and reluctantly decided to tender her resignation from the primary membership of the party. Sita voiced her disappointment,
'Feeling neglected': Shibu Soren's daughter-in-law and JMM MLA Sita quits party to join BJP
RANCHI: In yet another disappointment for the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Shibu Sorens elder daughter-in-law and MLA from the Jama Assembly seat resigned from the primary membership of the party on Tuesday, alleging it of isolating her and hatching a conspiracy against her and her family members. Hours later, she joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the presence of its national general secretary Vinod Tawde and Jharkhand poll in-charge Laxmikant Bajpai at the party's headquarters in the national capital. Sita Soren had been disappointed with the party after the name of former Chief Minister Hemant Sorens wife, Kalpana Soren, surfaced as the new CM face, which she had strongly opposed. It further escalated after her name did not appear on the list of cabinet ministers after the formation of the Champai Soren government. Sita, holding the post of Central General Secretary in the party, is the elder daughter-in-law of JMM supremo Shibu Soren and wife of late JMM leader Durga Soren. I have come to know that a deep conspiracy is being hatched against me and my family members as well. Saddened by recent developments in the party that isolated me and my children, I am resigning from my primary membership in the party, stated Sita Soren in her resignation letter addressed to JMM Chief Shibu Soren. Sita Soren letter Kalpana Soren enters electoral fray with tears and defiance, vows 'Jharkhand will never bow down' Sita further stated, Since the demise of my late husband, Durga Soren, who was a leading warrior in the Jharkhand movement and a great revolutionary, my family and I are being ignored regularly. We have also been isolated by the party and family members, which has been extremely painful for me. According to Sita Soren, she was quite hopeful that the situation would improve with time, but unfortunately, it did not happen. Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, which my late husband made a great party at the cost of his sacrifice, dedication and leadership abilities, did not remain the same. I am saddened to see the current situation of the party, which has now fallen into the hands of those whose vision and objectives do not match our values and ideals, she added. I have decided to leave the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha and this family. Therefore, I am resigning from my primary membership of the party and request that you accept my resignation, Sita stated in her resignation letter written to Shibu Soren.
'Feeling neglected': Shibu Soren's daughter-in-law and JMM MLA Sita resigns
RANCHI: In yet another disappointment for the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Shibu Sorens elder daughter in law and MLA from Jama Assembly seat, resigned from the primary membership of the party alleging it of isolating her and hatching a conspiracy against her and her family members. Sita Soren was disappointed with the party after the name of former Chief Minister Hemant Sorens wife, Kalpana Soren, surfaced as the new CM face which she had strongly opposed. It further escalated after her name did not appear in the list of the cabinet ministers after the formation of the Champai Soren Government. Sita Soren, holding the post of Central General Secretary in the party, is the elder daughter-in-law of JMM supremo Shibu Soren and wife of late JMM leader Durga Soren. I have come to know that a deep conspiracy is being hatched against me and my family members also. Saddened by recent developments in the party which isolated me my children, I am resigning from my primary membership of the party, stated Sita Soren in her resignation letter addressed to JMM Chief Shibu Soren. Sita Soren letter Kalpana Soren enters electoral fray with tears and defiance, vows 'Jharkhand will never bow down' Sita further stated, Since the demise of my late husband, Durga Soren, who was a leading warrior in the Jharkhand movement and a great revolutionary, my family and I are being ignored regularly. We have also been isolated by the party and family members, which has been extremely painful for me. According to Sita Soren, she was quite hopeful that the situation would improve with time, but unfortunately it did not happen. Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, which my late husband made a great party at the cost of his sacrifice, dedication and leadership abilities, did not remain the same. I am saddened to see the current situation of the party, which has now fallen into the hands of those whose vision and objectives does not match our values and ideals, stated Sita Soren. I have decided to leave Jharkhand Mukti Morcha and this family. Therefore, I am resigning from my primary membership of the party and request you to accept my resignation, stated Sita Soren in her resignation letter written to Shibu Soren. Though, she has not disclosed her next move so far, it is being expected that she will soon join BJP. Sita Soren is presently in Delhi and is expected to return in a day or two.
Indian Sports Industry surpasses INR 15,000 Cr: report
GroupM ESP has launched the 11th edition of the Sporting Nation Report titled Sporting Nation - Building a Legacy , offering an analysis of the sports sponsorship landscape in India. This year the report's title shifted to Sporting Nation Building a Legacy from Sporting Nation in the Making to reflect the elevated status India now has as a sporting nation. Indian sports industry, soaring from INR 2400 Crores in 2008 to over INR 15,000 Crores in 16 years . The report recounts the Indian sports industry's sixteen years long journey. From the 2008 IPL's spark to its current 15,000 Crore powerhouse status, the report highlights the expansion and commercialisation as well as the industry's growing influence on the global stage. While cricket remains a dominant force, emerging sports are gaining traction both in terms of sponsorship reaching 1528 Crore (21% of the total) and performance with victories in Thomas Cup, 100+ medals at Asian Games and so on. This positive trend paints a vibrant picture of a multi-sporting future for India. Prasanth Kumar , CEO, GroupM South Asia said, Predominantly propelled by cricket and bolstered by emerging sports alongside the rise of OTT platforms, we've observed a transformative shift in the consumption and celebration of sports in our country. With a packed calendar of both local and international events, another year unfolds, offering ample opportunities to leverage technological advancements. As marketers, we have to seize this chance once more to champion inclusivity, innovation, and the enduring spirit of sport in our country. Commenting on the launch, Vinit Karnik , Head Sports, e-sports and entertainment , said , In the dynamic landscape of sports commercialization, the synergy between ground, team, and franchise fees, athlete endorsements, and media spends by brands has propelled revenue figures to soar past, marking a significant double-digit growth. This report not only delves into the commercial intricacies but also offers insights into the driving forces and impediments to growth, leveraging digital data and emerging trends to maximize value for all stakeholders. Key Highlights from the report: 1. 2023 further accelerated the growth curve of the sports industry: The sports industry in India witnessed a remarkable surge in 2023, recording a total revenue of INR 15,766 Crores (approx. $1.9 billion USD), marking an 11% incremental value over the previous year. In 2023, 87% of the sports industry spending came from cricket, amounting to INR 13,701 Cr for the year. This marks a 13% growth from 2022 figures. Sponsorship spending experienced a notable 24% growth compared to 2022, primarily fueled by a significant increase in Franchise Fee, which contributed nearly INR 1,000 Cr within a year. Combining cricket and emerging sports, sports celebrities earned INR 927 Cr (equivalent to $112 Mn) in 2023. 2. Emergence of OTT Platforms: Over-the-Top (OTT) platforms played a pivotal role in transforming the sports consumption landscape in India, with significant growth observed in digital spends for events like the IPL and ICC Cricket World Cup. 3. Rise of Participative Sports: Participative sports have gained prominence, transcended traditional boundaries and fostering community engagement. From golf and cricket to marathon running, these sports have become integral to India's vibrant sports culture, with an organized market exceeding INR 1000 Crores. 4. Women in Sports: The report continues to celebrate the success of Indian women athletes and cricketers, highlighting their growth and achievements on the global stage. Platforms like the Womens Premier League have provided avenues for women cricketers to showcase their talents, paving the way for greater inclusivity and recognition. 5. Future Outlook: Looking ahead, the report anticipates the Paris Olympic Games in 2024 to be a significant event for Indian athletes, while also forecasting advancements in technology-driven training programs and the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance athlete performance and fan engagement. Access the full report here .
J'khand Guv given additional charge as Telangana Governor
Ranchi: Jharkhand Governor C P Radhakrishnan on Tuesday thanked President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for giving him additional responsibility to serve as the Governor of Telangana and Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry. The President of India on Tuesday appointed Radhakrishnan to discharge the functions of the Governor of Telangana and Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry in addition to his own duties, after the resignation Tamilisai Soundararajan. I am humbled and blessed to be given the additional responsibility to serve as the Governor of Telangana and Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry, Radhakrishnan wrote on X. I thank from the bottom of my heart to our beloved most respected Honourable President Smt Droupadi Murmu Ji, Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi Ji and Honourable Home Minister Shri @AmitShah Ji for giving me this great additional responsibility to serve our motherland, he said.
Odisha: Campuses turn campaign ground as elections near
BHUBANESWAR: Ahead of the elections, campuses of higher educational institutions are abuzz with campaigns focusing on youths who would cast their franchise for the first time this year. Aware of the fact that first-time voters could be a significant factor influencing the outcome of elections, political parties have started reaching out to this population that is primarily in colleges and universities. While some parties are discussing issues that have affected the youths since 2019 as far as education and employment are concerned, others want to ensure the new voters take part in shaping the democratic fabric of the state and nation. The BJD, BJP and the Congress have deputed their student wings for the job. As per the current electoral profile of the state announced by the chief electoral officer (CEO) recently, there are 7.99 lakh first-time voters (in the 18 to 19 age group), comprising around 2.39 per cent of the total 3.34 crore voters. This percentage, as per the CEO, is even more than the national average. Also, this marks a significant rise in the registration of first-time voters as their number was 5.45 lakh during 2019 elections. BJDs Biju Chhatra Janata Dal (BCJD) has initiated a panchayat-level drive to ensure all eligible youths are registered in the electoral roll and they exercise their voting right in the elections. We are creating awareness among the first-time voters about the various schemes, scholarships launched by the party for their educational benefit through our student committees that have been formed at panchayat level, said BCJD head Debi Tripathy. Similarly, the BJPs student wing Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) has launched a Campus Chalo Abhiyan which student leaders of the party said, is aimed at ensuring there is 100 pc voting from the first-time voters, and the new voters say no to NOTA (none of the above). ABVP Odisha president Arajeet Pattnayak said from March 25 till the elections, the students wing will also organise flash mobs, signature campaigns and street corner meetings at all colleges with focus on the two aforementioned points. On the other hand, Congress National Students Union of India (NSUI) is raising issues of lack of teachers in higher educational institutions, absence of student unions and ragging among the first-time voters in various campuses through its campaign Students Can Bring Change. Stating that the new voters are equally important in determining the election results, state president of NSUI Yashir Nawaz said their campaign has been formulated based on the three issues after a careful study of all factors that are affecting higher education in the state. Our campaign is not a mere criticism of BJD or BJP as far as education and employment of youths are concerned, he added. FOR NEW AGE VOTERS First-time voters in state comprise 7.99 lakh of the total 3.34 cr voters, which is 2.39 pc As per the CEO, this is even more than national average Campus chalo abhiyan launched by ABVP to ensure 100 pc voting from first-time voters BJDs Biju Chhatra Janata Dal to ensure eligible voters are registered in the electoral roll Congress NSUI highlighting issues of teacher shortage, ragging through Students can bring change campaign
KKR unveil jersey ahead of IPL 2024
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have unveiled their jersey in anticipation of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season, set to commence on March 22. During the ceremony, KKR's mentor Gautam Gambhir said that he did not make KKR a successful franchise with two title wins in 2012-14 during his stint as a player from 2011-17 for the team.
RCB Unbox 2024 Date, Ticket Price, Celebrities and Performers
The Royal Challengers Bangalore will host the Unbox event at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium Bengaluru at 4 PM today. The women's squad, who have won the first title in the franchise's history, will be one of the main draws at the event, even though the men's team will play ahead of the Indian Premier League. Smriti Mandhanas team have won the Womens Premier League title in the second season by defeating Meg Lannings Delhi Capitals. A number of the world's most renowned artists and entertainers will be present at the event, including vocalist Alan Walker, Raghu Dixit, Brodha V, Jordindian and Neeti Mohan. There are reports that Virat Kohli would also be attending the event. The unbox event was introduced by RCB to engage with their 12th man army - the fans and the event has also been used to launch jersey, introduce players, key personnels and also induction of hall of famers. The Unbox event tickets range from Rs. 800 to Rs. 4000. The tickets can be purchased from the RCB website and the RCB App. The event will be livestreamed through RCB website and app.
Court summons Rahul in 2018 Shah defamation case
RANCHI: Days after the Jharkhand High Court dismissed the petition filed by former Congress President Rahul Gandhi for quashing the proceedings in the trial court in connection with a criminal defamation suit filed against him for calling the then BJP President Amit Shah a murder accused, the MP-MLA Court in Chaibasa has ordered him to appear before it physically on March 27. Earlier, Gandhi had filed a petition seeking exemption from physical appearance against the February 27 order passed by the MP-MLA Court in Chaibasa which was turned down by the court on March 14. The court upholding its earlier order, asked him to appear physically on March 27. Rahul Gandhi had made a statement on March 18, 2018 in the AICC Plenary Sessions in New Delhi stating that, The people will accept a lying BJP leadership drunk with power because they know that, what the Bhartiya Janata Party is designed for. Further, he went on saying that, They will accept a man accused of murder as the President of BJP, but the people will never accept the same in the Congress Party.
Heavy rain lashes Ranchi, more in store today: Met
EC orders removal of home secy from post
EVMs to have photos of candidates in fray
DGP chairs meet on joint ops against extremists
Not yet clear which poll Ill contest, says Kalpana
JPSC denies question paper leak in civil service prelims
Hot Assam recipe to keep marauding jumbos at bay in Palamu villages
Refrain from rumours, hate speeches, parties told in JSR
BJPs Palamu candidate V D Ram rejects outsider jibe
PLFI cadre shot dead in West Singhbhum
Student killed in Dhanbad school gate shade fall, police case filed
Parents protest as JSR school fails students
Seven hurt in Chatra clash, two shops looted
ED officials skip Jkhand police summons
4 youths killed in S-K district
JMM states only regional party to get EB donations
Handling pressure situations better key to WPL title: Smriti
New Delhi, March 18: Smriti Mandhanas self-belief wavered in pressure situations last year but this season she was able to conquer the demons in her mind when pushed against the wall, helping RCB land their first major title in franchise cricket. Speaking to media after RCB beat Delhi Capitals in a low-scoring WPL final, Mandhana [] The post Handling pressure situations better key to WPL title: Smriti appeared first on The Shillong Times .
Star Wars actor would reprise role of Lando Calrissian for the right price: Ill sell my soul
Billy Dee Williams played the original role of Lando Calrissian in the Star Wars franchise and believes he created that character.
Watch IPL 2024 live from South Sudan: Here's how to live stream the tournament
The IPL fever is unfolding this March and cricket lovers across the globe are rooting for their favorite teams in this cash-rich franchise league, organised by the BCCI each year, majorly during the summers.
IPL 2024: When to watch Indian Premier League in Mauritania?
The Gujarat Titans-Mumbai Indians clash in the IPL 2024 will be extremely interesting and important because after playing for two seasons, star all-rounder Hardik Pandya has moved to his former franchise Mumbai Indians. While Pandya will be leading MI replacing Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill has taken over the captaincy of GT.
RBGs son fights decision to give Musk and Murdoch mothers namesake award
Elon Musk and Rupert Murdoch receive Ruth Bader Ginsburg Woman of Leadership award, prompting backlash The son of the late US supreme court justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg called a decision to give Elon Musk and Rupert Murdoch an award named for his mother a desecration of her memory. Discussing protests made to the Dwight D Opperman Foundation, which gives the Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Woman of Leadership award , James Ginsburg told CNN: I dont want to speak to what our other plans might be if the foundation doesnt see the wisdom of desisting and ending this desecration of my mothers memory. But I will say that we will continue to fight this. Musk , 52, the billionaire owner of SpaceX, Tesla and X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, through which he has taken increasingly rightwing political stances; Murdoch , 93 and the rightwing media baron owner of Fox News; Michael Milken, 77, a financier jailed on securities charges, pardoned by Trump and now a philanthropist; And Sylvester Stallone, 77, the star of films including the Rocky saga and the violent Rambo franchise. This article was amended on 18 March 2024 to correct a misspelling of Ginsburg. Continue reading...
Over 25 lakh voters to exercise franchise in Ernakulam
Why KL Rahul won't keep wickets initially in IPL
Lucknow Super Giants skipper KL Rahul is all set to play for his franchise from the opening IPL game after getting all clear from the National Cricket Academy but he has been advised against wicket-keeping in the first few games.
KL Rahul Cleared For IPL 2024 But NCA Issues Injury Warning: Report
Lucknow Super Giants skipper KL Rahul is all set to play for his franchise from the opening IPL game after getting all clear from the National Cricket Academy.
KL Rahul gets 'all clear' from NCA but told to avoid keeping initially in IPL
Lucknow Super Giants skipper KL Rahul is all set to play for his franchise from the opening IPL game after getting all clear from the National Cricket Academy but he has been advised against wicket-keeping in the first few games.
Jharkhand: Heavy rains lashes parts of state; alert issued for Tuesday
Heavy rains lashed parts of Jharkhand including Ranchi on Monday afternoon and the inclement weather is likely to continue till March 21
'Garden me ghoomne nahi deta': MI' unique welcome for former skipper Rohit
Mumbai Indians on Monday announced Rohit Sharma's return for the IPL season, referencing his playful 'garden' comment. After a lengthy home schedule, Rohit joins the MI camp as the franchise gears up for the upcoming season.
Security beefed up in J-K's Baramulla ahead of LS polls
Security beefed up in J-K's Baramulla ahead of LS polls Extra security measures have been put in place in Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla constituency for incident-free elections during the Lok Sabha polls, officials said on Monday. Addressing a joint press conference with Baramulla Deputy Commissioner Minga Sherpa here, Baramulla SSP Amod Ashok Nagpure said stringent security measures are in place here as the Baramulla parliamentary constituency is surrounded by the Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) border. ''Keeping in view the past experience, extra security measures will be taken so that people could exercise their right to franchise in a free and secure atmosphere,'' the SSP said. The constituency -- spread over the districts of Baramulla, Kupwara, Bandipora and some assembly segments of Budgam district -- would go to polls in the fifth and last phase in Jammu and Kashmir on May 20. Out of the four districts, three -- Baramulla, Bandipora and Kupwara -- share the borders with PoK. The SSP said requisition for providing additional forces has been sent and the administration would ensure incident-free elections. DC Sherpa said all the arrangements for the smooth conduct of the polls have been put in place. He said 905 polling stations have been designated in the Baramulla district.
Rohit Sharma has been in fantastic touch, says Hardik Pandya
Rohit Sharma has been in fantastic touch, says Hardik Pandya Mumbai Indians (MI) skipper Hardik Pandya on Monday showered praise on India captain Rohit Sharma and said that the 36-year-old has been in fantastic touch. Ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season, Hardik said that if Rohit continues to perform, then MI can reach the last phase of the tournament. Rohit has been in a fantastic touch. The way he was hitting the ball against England was fantastic. I am looking forward to see him go out and express himself. If he has a fantastic season, we will be there in the dying stages of the tournament, Hardik said in the Mumbai Indians' pre-season press conference. The MI skipper hailed pacer Jasprit Bumrah and called him a champion cricketer. Jassi has been our no. 1 bowler and he has been a champion cricketer. Last year, they did miss him and yes he is definitely a leader in the group, he added. Asked about his role for MI in the upcoming season, Hardik said that he will play as an all-rounder. This IPL, I will play as an all-rounder and finish as many games as possible and enjoy the position I have always loved, he further added. In November last year, Pandya moved back from Gujarat Titans (GT) to his former franchise as part of a trade between the two franchises. The star all-rounder spent two momentous years with GT, spearheading their campaign in the cash-rich league with confidence. In GT's debut season in 2022, Hardik got them off to a fairytale start, with the team lifting the coveted trophy. Pandya also played 92 matches for MI from 2015-2021, scoring 1,476 runs at an average of 27.33 at a strike rate of over 153, with four half-centuries and best score of 91. He also took 42 wickets for the team, with the best bowling figures of 3/20. Pandya has won five IPL trophies, four with MI (2015, 2017, 2019, 2020) and GT (2022). The Mumbai-based franchise will kick off their campaign against Gujarat Titans on Sunday at the Narendra Modi Stadium. MI IPL 2024 squad: Rohit Sharma, Dewald Brevis, Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, N. Tilak Varma, Tim David, Vishnu Vinod, Arjun Tendulkar, Shams Mulani, Nehal Wadhera, Jasprit Bumrah, Kumar Kartikeya, Piyush Chawla, Akash Madhwal, Jason Behrendorff, Romario Shepherd, Hardik Pandya (C), Gerald Coetzee, Dilshan Madushanka, Shreyas Gopal, Nuwan Thushara, Naman Dhir, Anshul Kamboj, Mohammad Nabi, Shivalik Sharma. (ANI)
Pushpa 2 Epic Box Office Clash With Blockbuster Bollywood Franchise
In the ever-evolving landscape of Indian cinema, clashes at the box office have become a norm, showcasing the intense competition among film giants. Last year, audiences witnessed a riveting showdown between Shah Rukh Khan's Dunki and Prabhas' Salaar, setting the stage for an electrifying clash. However, this year promises an even grander spectacle as Allu Arjun's Pushpa 2 and Ajay Devgn's Singham Again gear up to lock horns on the same day, unleashing a battle of epic proportions. The Power of Franchise The legacy of Singham traces back to 2011 when the first installment stormed into theaters, captivating audiences with its gripping narrative and iconic protagonist portrayed by Ajay Devgn. The film not only emerged as a commercial juggernaut but also etched itself as a cultural phenomenon, laying the foundation for a formidable franchise. Singham Returns followed suit in 2014, leveraging the goodwill of its predecessor to reignite the box office with its exhilarating action and compelling storyline. With Singham Again, the franchise factor is poised to amplify its box office potential, promising audiences another exhilarating cinematic experience. On the flip side, Allu Arjun's Pushpa 2 rides on the wave of its predecessor's success, leveraging the cult status attained by its titular character. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the first Pushpa film struck a chord with audiences, setting the stage for an eagerly anticipated sequel. A Battle for Box Office Supremacy As anticipation mounts for the clash between Pushpa 2 and Singham Again, industry pundits predict a historic opening day at the Indian box office. SS Rajamouli's RRR currently holds the record for the highest opening day collection, with a staggering net figure of 134 crores. Pushpa 2 and Singham Again are primed to challenge this record, with projections suggesting massive box office hauls on day one. The Pushpa sequel, buoyed by its widespread appeal in Hindi and Telugu markets, is poised to rake in around 100 crores net, while Singham Again aims to soar past the 40 crores net mark. Combining the cumulative potential of both films, the coveted milestone of 150 crores net looms within reach, signaling a seismic shift in the box office landscape. As cinephiles brace themselves for this epic showdown, one thing is certain: the clash between Pushpa 2 and Singham Again will redefine the parameters of box office supremacy, setting the stage for an exhilarating battle between two cinematic titans.
IPL 2024: SKY's Injury, Green's Departure Leave Boucher With Big Gaps To Fill In MI Team
Royal Challengers Bangalore: When he will sit down to decide his playing XI for Mumbai Indians' opening match against Gujarat Titans at Ahmedabad on March 24, head coach Mark Boucher will have a couple of issues to sort out. He will have to fill in a couple of big gaps in the middle-order for the injured Suryakumar Yadav, who is likely to miss the first few matches because of an ankle injury he picked in South Africa, and Cameron Green, who had done well for MI last season but was traded to Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in an all-cash deal just before the auction. Though Green's departure brought in the cash that paved the way for Hardik Pandya's return to the franchise where he started his career and the Indian T20 captain could fill the all-rounder's role, a replacement for SKY is sure to be a big headache for Boucher's team management. On Monday, Boucher said he is still awaiting an update on Suryakumar Yadav's fitness from the Indian team management. The middle-order batter -- a 360-degree player considered the best in the business in T20 cricket currently -- is still waiting for an update on him from the Indian team management. So, Surya at the moment is under the guidance of the Indian cricket team as well. So we're just waiting for updates on that. I don't like to micro-manage. We've got a world-class medical team that's in control of all of that. Yes, in the past we've been hampered by a few fitness issues. We're always going to be in that sort of domain of having fitness issues, as other teams are as well. Every time I look at my WhatsApp, there are reports of other teams also losing players. So, yeah, we trust our medical team that they're doing the right things. And look, if we lose one or two from a fitness perspective, it is what it is. That's sport and we just have to keep on the right track and try to find replacements for that, said Boucher. He said they have identified some players that can fill the breach left by Cameron Green's departure. Regards to Cameron Green. Yeah, so that's the beauty of the IPL, is that the auction changes the dynamics of a lot of different teams and seasons. And Cameron Green had a fantastic season for us. I think the way that he played an exciting brand of cricket that he played was great from our perspective. We had a couple of holes in our team that we needed to fill up and unfortunately, we went for the decision to let go of him. But we've selected along the lines of looking at players that can hopefully fulfil that role again. We've got a couple of options available to us and hopefully, that guy can come in the big shoes that Cameron did have and then fill him with flying colours. So, yeah, Cameron did have a great season for us, but we have one or two players to perform the role he performed, said Boucher. Boucher is satisfied with Mumbai Indians' preparations so far and was keen on seeing how the intra-squad warm-up games pan out. We are in a good space at the moment. We have a big squad. Well be playing our first warm-up game today. Im looking forward to a couple of players putting their hands up for selection, Boucher said. The South African felt the team was well-rounded and the new additions are particularly exciting. We have got new international players. They are very energetic, which is always good. We had a pretty good season. We are in a pretty good space at the moment, said Boucher, hinting that they may go in with fewer foreign players than allowed by IPL in some of the matches. He said the selection of overseas players in the playing XI will depend on the conditions for that match. We have a very good set of Indian players and we are hoping that they will play their role well. We will decide the composition of our foreign players as per the conditions on the day, but I can tell you that we may go in with three overseas players in some matches depending on the conditions. Both Boucher and Hardik were excited to have Jasprit Bumrah back to full fitness, saying the Indian pacer is a top-class bowler and has done well for MI in the past. Boucher said it was interesting to see new bowling coach Lasith Malinga interacting with Nuwan Thushara, whose action is similar to him, adding he was expecting the young Sri Lankan bowler Thushara to do well this season.
Watch: Boucher awkwardly stays mum on Rohit query
Hardik Pandya replaced a highly-successful Rohit Sharma, who led the franchise to five IPL titles, as skipper ahead of the upcoming season of the IPL. Following a successful two-year stint at Gujarat Titans -- where Hardik took the side to 2 finals and winning one of them in 2022 -- the all-rounder returned to Mumbai in a high-profile trade ahead of the December 19 auction.
Garden Mein Ghoomne Nahi Deta: MI Announce Rohit's Arrival In Unique Way
Under Rohit Sharma, Mumbai Indians became one of the most successful IPL franchises alongside Chennai Super Kings
Jason Momoa Opens Up On Possible Comeback In Dune Part 3: 'I'll Get In Trouble'
Recently, Jason Momoa hinted at the possibility of reprising his role of Duncan Idaho in the third instalment of Dune franchise.
KKR Welcome Shreyas Iyer Back to Training Camp After Spine Specialist Consultation
New Delhi : Team India's middle-order batsman Shreyas Iyer has been given the green light after experiencing discomfort in his back during the Ranji Trophy final against Vidarbha. Although Iyer missed out on scoring a century in the second innings of the final match, he did not participate in the field during the last two days due to his condition. However, he has since joined the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) camp and even took part in an intra-squad T20 match on Sunday. Following his discomfort, Iyer consulted a spine specialist in Mumbai and subsequently visited the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bangalore. The doctor assessed his condition and declared him fit to play. However, Iyer has been advised to be cautious about stretching his leg while defending the ball. A source close to the matter stated, He is fit to play. A specialist spine doctor in Mumbai has advised him not to stretch his leg too far forward while defending the ball. He has joined the IPL franchise KKR and is available for selection. Iyer's back issues have been a cause for concern in recent times. He first reported a back injury during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy last year, which led to surgery and his subsequent absence from the IPL 2022 season. However, he made a successful return to the Indian team during the Asia Cup 2023, where he showcased his form by scoring 530 runs as the hosts finished as runners-up. Unfortunately, the 29-year-old experienced discomfort once again during the Test series against England and was subsequently ruled out of India's squad following the Vizag Test match. Hardik Pandya Ready to Lead Mumbai Indians alongside Rohit Sharma Kirti Azad Asserts Virat Kohli's Inclusion in T20 World Cup 2024 Squad PBKS IPL 2024 Tickets Now Available: How to Get Yours
Jkhand DGP holds meeting with five states to ensure free, fair LS polls
Jkhand DGP holds meeting with five states to ensure free, fair LS polls Security has been tightened in Jharkhand especially along the state's border with West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, a senior police officer said on Monday. DGP Ajay Kumar Singh chaired an inter-state virtual co-ordination meeting with senior police officials from neighboring states to ensure fair elections. Discussions during the meeting covered various topics, including intelligence sharing, naxal activities, and coordination to address inter-state criminal activities. Additionally, emphasis was placed on activating the checkposts along the borders to curb influx of illegal weapons, arms, ammunition, liquor, and narcotics. The DGP mentioned that a list of interstate criminals has been shared with the respective states to facilitate necessary action. The Lok Sabha polls for 14 seats in the state will be conducted in four phases. The voting schedule is as follows: Singhbhum, Khunti, Lohardaga, and Palamu on May 13; Chatra, Koderma, and Hazaaribag on May 20; Giridih, Dhanbad, Ranchi, and Jamshedpur on May 25; and Rajmahal, Dumka, and Godda on June 1. Among the 14 Lok Sabha seats, five are reserved for STs and one for SCs. The state has over 2.55 crore voters, including 1.29 crore men, 1.25 crore women, and 407 transgenders. There are 22 lakh first-time voters and 3.6 lakh persons with disabilities among them.
IPL 2024: Kohli joins RCB training camp in Bengaluru
Virat Kohli on Monday made his first appearance in the training session of his franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore.
IPL 2024: I Will Be Bowling This Season, Playing All 14 Matches, Says MI Skipper Hardik Pandya
ICC T20 World Cup: A bit agitated over the captaincy change, Mumbai Indians fans would at least have one thing to look forward to watching the upcoming 2024 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) -- a vintage Hardik Pandya essaying his role as an all-rounder. Pandya, who is coming back from an injury that he suffered during India's match against Bangladesh during the 2023 Cricket World Cup in Pune in October, is fully fit and on Monday assured his fans that he would play all the 14 matches during the IPL and would be bowling as much as the teams needed him to. I got injured during the World Cup in October and initially, it was felt that it was just niggle and that I would recover in a few days. I went to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) to get it checked and to ensure that I was doing the right thing with it. But within a couple of days, my ankle had swelled into a big angle and then we realised that it would take time. It later recurred and kept me out for nearly three months as there was no cricket in two of those months. I did not want to play in the World Cup only 50% fit, said Hardik Pandya during Mumbai India's pre-season press conference here on Monday. Pandya said he is now fully fit and is looking forward to doing his bit for the franchise with which he started his IPL career in 2015. I will be bowling in the IPL. I have recovered fully from the injury and I am looking forward to contributing with both the bat and ball Though he loves to bat and finish games, Pandya said he enjoys being the all-rounder most and therefore is looking forward to contributing to the team's cause with both the bat and ball during the upcoming IPL. Pandya said his focus for the next couple of months will be only on Mumbai Indians and the IPL and he will not be thinking about the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup later this year. But said that if during the tournament, he comes across any performance worth remembering, he will take into account for the T20 World Cup. He said he will not be skipping any matches to preserve himself for the T20 World Cup, which will be started five days after the end of the IPL. I have rarely missed any matches in IPL and so I will be playing all 14 matches this season, said Pandya.
Dabangg 4 coming soon? Arbaaz Khan confirms next franchise with Salman Khan, denies meeting Atlee
Actor-producer Arbaaz Khanwho directed Dabangg 2said he is eager to kickstart work on Dabangg 4 and Salman Khan is also keen to appear again in Chulbul Pandey avatar in the fourth instalment of the beloved franchise
56.38 lakh voters eligible for using franchise in HP on June 1
Shimla: Himachal Pradesh would go to the polls for the four Lok Sabhas and bye-election of six assembly vacant seats on June 1 with 56.38 eligible voters and 138918 would press the button of the electronic voting machine for the first time. Chief Electrol Officer of the state, Manish Garg, informed that around 2.50 percent, []
Indian Premier League: It's never easy to swap teams in these times of passionate fans who identify with their idols and star players, and therefore leads to a backlash from the supporters. Hardik Pandya has faced this situation since the day he decided to return to Mumbai Indians, the franchise he started his Indian Premier League career with, after playing for Gujarat Titans for a couple of seasons. The backlash had intensified when Mumbai Indians management decided to make Hardik Pandya the captain of the team instead of Rohit Sharma, who had led MI for a decade and won titles for them. So, one week before the start of the Indian Premier League's 17th season as Hardik Pandya sat down his first pre-season press conference as Mumbai Indians captain, he faced a barrage of questions on one topic he would have ideally loved to avoid -- captaincy and Rohit. But the new captain of Mumbai handled the topic quite well, expressing his respect for the franchise and Rohit, under whom he has played all his cricket so far. Pandya said it will not be awkward for him to lead a team which will have Rohit as a key member. He said he rather sees Rohit as a senior who will always have his back and put his hand across his shoulder whenever it is needed. it won't be any different. I will carry forward what this team has achieved under him. I played my whole career under him, It won't be awkward. I know I will always have his hand on my shoulder, Hardik Pandya told reporters on Monday. Asked if he has spoken to the Team India skipper since taking over the captaincy, Hardik said Rohit has been busy with the team and he will have a chat with him as they get closer to the IPL. He's been busy, travelling and playing. Been couple of months since we have not seen each other. Once he comes, we will definitely have a chat, said Hardik. The 30-year-old all-rounder said it was exciting to be back with Mumbai Indians, the franchise at which he started his IPL career way back in 2015. Everything I have known from 2015 to now has been through this journey and my whole life changed from there. The journey has been full of dreams and I never thought I would reach here. Really grateful to come back here and play on the ground which is my favourite ground, said Hardik. He said he is looking forward to stepping out again for Mumbai Indians and said though the team composition and management has changed in the last couple of years he was away, the core group was still there and there have been exciting additions, ut the name, the colour remains the same. He said he is looking forward to knowing and playing with the new exciting talents in the team and hoped that Mumbai Indians would do well in this edition of IPL 2024. We can only give the team our best, and we can do is to perform to the best of our abilities, winning and losing is not something we can control, said Hardik adding that they will do their best and whether that will lead to Mumbai Indians winning their sixth IPL title is not in their control.
Hardik Breaks Silence On Rapport With Rohit, Captaincy Change Controversy
Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya spoke about the captaincy change saga at the franchise that saw Rohit Sharma being replaced at the helm.
Apply Now! Ranchi University Assistant Professor Jobs (Various Subjects) 2024
Ranchi University, Ranchi, has issued an employment notification for the recruitment of Assistant Professor vacancies. Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria and are interested in the vacancy details can read the notification and apply online.
Odisha: Siblings tried to extort over 300 govt officials by posing as ED, held
BHUBANESWAR/BERHAMPUR: With the Enforcement Directorate (ED) gaining notoriety over its probe into several high-profile cases and arrests of political leaders and bureaucrats in the recent years, two brothers took advantage of the fear induced by the agencys name to extort money from government officials in Odisha. The duo Tarinisen Mohapatra (30) and his brother Brahmashankar (27) of Dhenkanal was arrested by the Special Task Force (STF) of state Crime Branch on Saturday. They had allegedly attempted to extort money from nearly 350 Odisha government officials by impersonating as the Central agencys officers and were reportedly successful in many cases. So far, the agency has traced transactions of over Rs 16 lakh in the bank accounts of the accused. The matter came to light after a complaint was lodged by Chhatrapur sub-collector Debadatta Mohanta with the STF over demand of money by the accused from him by impersonating as an additional director of ED. The STF investigation revealed Tarinisen and Brahmashankar led a luxurious lifestyle and had borrowed huge sum of money from several people in Dhenkanal town. They had fled over a year back after the lenders started demanding their money. They had shifted to Ranchi and started working with an NGO - Upkar. As the NGO based out of the Jharkhand capital was not making profits, the accused hit upon the idea to make some quick money. The duo decided to target collectorate, tehsil, RTO officials and others. They impersonated as ED officers as the central agency is in news recently for its raids pertaining to various cases, sources said. The accused saved their names as one Sanjaya Mishra ED on Truecaller and WhatsApp profiles. They allegedly used to contact government officials by claiming that they were additional director of ED Sanjay Mishra and had received a complaint against them from Vigilance department regarding corruption. They threatened that the Central agency was about to initiate an inquiry and raids against them. If any government official did not respond to their voice /WhatsApp calls, they sent SMSes/WhatsApp messages which read - This side Sanjaya Mishra, additional director of Enforcement Department. My investigation officer tried to connect but you did not attend the call. Make an instant call. It is very urgent, else I cannot control the Vigilance, ED officials revealed. They demanded money from the officials on the pretext of settling/closing the inquiries and cases against them. Tarinisen and Brahmashankar called around 340 government officials in the last three to four months. In most instances, they did not succeed but in some cases they managed to extort money. They received the money through their PhonePe and Google Pay wallets, said STF IG, Jai Narayan Pankaj. After receiving money from their targets, they sent them fabricated clearance letters issued by ED and Central Vigilance Commission. STF is investigating whether the duo extorted money from Jharkhand government officials too by using similar modus operandi, Pankaj added. Pankaj said, Tarinisen is a BCom graduate and Brahmashankar a Plus Two pass out. Brahmashankar had taken admission in BCA but did not complete the course.
Watch: Virat Kohli joins RCB camp ahead of IPL 2024
India run machine and former captain Virat Kohli arrived in Bengaluru ahead of the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League. India and RCB stalwart Kohli has been with the franchise since the inception of the IPL and has led the team from the front for nine years. Kohli missed India's 4-1 Test series triumph over England for personal reasons.
Rajasthan Royals' Jethalal-Daya meme roasts RCB men's team after women's team triumph
The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) celebrated their maiden franchise cricket victory as the women's team, led by Smriti Mandhana, won the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2024. This contrasted with the men's team, yet to win in 16 years of IPL participation. Rajasthan Royals added humor by comparing RCB's women's success to a scene from Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah in a meme.
After Royal Challengers Bangalore: After Royal Challengers Bangalore grabbed its first-ever trophy in franchise T20 cricket competitions in India via the WPL 2024 title, captain Smriti Mandhana feels the trend of Indian skippers leading their respective teams to title triumphs augurs well for Indian womens cricket from a leadership perspective. Last year, Mumbai Indians captain Harmanpreet Kaur became the inaugural WPL winning captain at the Brabourne Stadium. On Sunday, it was Smritis turn to etch herself as a WPL-winning skipper when RCB beat Delhi Capitals by eight wickets in front of 29,131 fans at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Last year when Mumbai Indians played Delhi Capitals in the final, even though I have many friends in Delhi. But somewhere deep down I wanted Harman to lift the trophy because in the first edition of the WPL, if an Indian captain had to win, if not me it had to be Harman. So, I was really happy at that time for MI and whole team. Little did I know that I will be the second Indian captain to win WPL. I am really happy and that really shows the kind of depth Indian cricket has and this is just the start, we still have a long way to go in terms of Indian captains, said a jubilant Smriti in the post-match press conference. After Richa Ghosh hit the winning boundary by lofting Arundhati Reddy over mid-on, all RCB players ran onto the field. Smriti took time to emerge and shook hands with everyone before disappearing into the dressing room and then re-emerged on the ground ten minutes later, even as others were doing the Naatu Naatu step under the choreography of an excited Shreyanka Patil. The first thing I did was I went to the dressing room and sat, thats my way of celebration to do. It's hard to celebrate the way others do. I don't know, there's some defect, said Smriti, with the glittering WPL trophy alongside her. She was also pleased with Richa hitting winning runs for RCBs title, after she was left in tears last week when the side lost to DC by one run. The game got dragged a bit more than what we would have liked for sure but Im happy Richa got to finish it. She had a bit of unfinished business. I had spoken to her about this, and Im very happy she got to score the winning run. That it came off her bat, not mine. Im really happy about that. The left-handed opener then gave a big shout-out to the fans who watched WPL games live and to the RCB management, who were subjected to ridicule for almost 17 years whenever their prophecy of Ee Saala Cup Namde (this time, the cup will be ours), fell flat in IPL, including in last years WPL, when the team finished at fourth place. More than anything, the way the fans have turned up in each and every match in Bangalore or Delhi and the management, they've gone through so much in the last 15 years being so close and all of that. They've just been amazing throughout. Even last year, when we were not doing well, the only conversation they had was 'Are you okay?' which meant a lot as a player. When the management shows that kind of thing (faith), there's something you want to play for and win for. The first thought for me was, 'Wow the fans of RCB as a franchise are going to be so happy. The management are all in tears'. I was really happy to see them and this whole group. We've been through a lot in this tournament from the time when we didn't know we'd make the Eliminator, to that crazy Eliminator and then this final. The whole group just stuck at it. One thing we did for sure was flight back. Even today, I think we fought back really well. Maybe it is difficult for me to individually express, but there's a lot of gratitude for the fans and the franchise as a whole and this whole group, she added. Last year, Smriti couldnt notch up a half-century and falling to off-spinners majorly. After WPL 2023 ended, Smriti wasnt a part of WBBL 2023 in Australia and instead, spent time playing in the domestic cricket competitions in India, to get a better understanding of the domestic players, apart from Luke Williams replacing Ben Sawyer as RCBs head coach. She feels the time post WPL 2023 failure to now winning the title in 2024 has been a huge learning curve for her, in terms of trusting herself and being calm during the match. The one thing I've learnt is to believe in myself. I thought that's something that I lacked. Last year when it did go wrong, I doubted myself. That was a real conversation internally that I need to keep trusting myself. That was the biggest learning for me. Even in the match, six overs 60 (61 runs by DC in power-play) - we'd planned a few things which didn't go our way. A few field sets didn't go our way. But the only thing which stayed constant was the belief I had. I was not really panicked about it; I was really calm, which was a real learning for me, that was great. I could have that clear conversation with the bowlers because the Indian batters were coming (to bat). So I spoke to them about bowling certain balls and seeing what they do. Eventually those wickets came. So, it was about being very clear (instead) when that panic button is pressed. Most importantly, it was about keeping faith in myself and my team. Its not like I havent played in this gear when I play for the India team when were chasing a low total. I do try and stay till whatever time I can on the field to take us home. Theres a fine balance in T20 cricket, especially when youre batting first as an opener to understand what the conditions and the wicket is like. You dont want to be too defensive or too aggressive because you dont know whats a perfect total sometimes when youre batting first. Going a bit easy on myself is definitely something to think about but, naturally, I like to try and play a few shots which, I think, will remain the same, she concluded.
'Murder Mubarak' movie review: Shines in absurdity, tires as a satire
Murder, old men and a face immersing in a bathtub. Director Homi Adajanias Murder Mubarak, frequently brought back memories of his debut feature Being Cyrus (2005). With his latest Netflix stint, Adajania takes the setting to an exclusive Delhi club, filled with gaudy caricatures. The film, just like Cyrus, is more of a quirky societal study than a murder mystery. But unlike the Saif Ali Khan headliner, the class satire in this film, although enjoyable at times, gets too on the nose. Murder Mubarak relishes in its loose eccentricity but the thriller at its centre often loses grip. Its more of an absurdist comedy packaged in the delicious pulpiness of a whodunit. Although, for the murder at the core of the film, no blood is shed. Womanizer Leo Matthews (Aashim Gulati) is found dead in the gym of the Royal Delhi Club. It seems like a classic case of a bench press gone wrong. But nothing can escape from the sharp eyes of Pankaj Tripathis chaste Hindi-speaking cop Bhavani Singh (He even dons two glasses). The helium balloons over the CCTV camera suggest that this might be a murder. The suspects are an idiosyncratic bunch of South Delhi socialites. There is royalty-hungover cheapskate Raja Rannvijay Singh (Sanjay Kapoor), yesteryear diva turned horror schlock star Shehnaz Noorani (Karisma Kapoor), rich-girl with tragic past Bambi Todi (Sara Ali Khan), lovelorn lawyer Aakash Dogra (Vijay Varma), garrulous gossiper Roshni Batra (Tisca Chopra), her rehab-returned son Yash Batra (Suhail Nayyar) and alcoholic Cookie Katoch (Dimple Kapadia). Leo was blackmailing all the members to get donations for his orphanage. Everybody had a bone to pick with him and had skeletons in their closets. The pleasure of a whodunit lies more in savouring the delicacies offered by its characters rather than finding which one of them has an odd aftertaste. Adajania with writers Ghazal Dhaliwal and Suprotim Sengupta weaves characters that, although at times outlandish, still remain funny and interesting. Credit also goes to Anuja Chauhans book Club You To Death on which the film is based. Some performances, however, dont hold up to their characters. Tisca Chopra as Roshni Batra is amusing only by excess. Her portrayal of a Delhi aunty is impersonation at max. Sara plays Bambi playing Sara. Her eyebrow raises and goofy demeanor isnt any different from the actors public persona. Vijay Varma as the one-sided lover serves as a red herring at most. In contrast, Pankaj Tripathi is hilariously good as the cop. His performance might give flashbacks of his previous works (most recently Kadak Singh) but the actor brings an adorable sweetness to Bhavani Singh. Dimple Kapadia serves a lesson on how to make exaggerated characters sing while Karisma Kapoor balances grace with the comical and Sanjay Kapoor plays an effective insecure Maharaja. More than the performances and the plot, in Murder Mubarak Adajania scores with tidbits of absurdist humour. Notice how all the waiters at the club are senior citizens, being summoned by a bell by the patrons and being called boys. While telling an emotional story about his subordinate, Tripathis Bhavani puts in an unnecessary but hilarious detail of his junior practising belly dance at night. Karismas Shehnaaz steps back and stands in front of a huge fan, head tilted, hair flying, like she is a 90s heroine. The Delhi satire, however, is as loud as Delhi itself. Murder Mubarak isnt subtle or nuanced. The jarring background music by Sachin-Jigar often hammers humour in case you missed it. The Us vs Them narrative feels inorganic and borrowed from the Knives Out franchise. At a run time of 142 minutes, the allure of the mystery starts fading. The film opens free-spirited and then suddenly morphs into a tight thriller. To quote Radhika Aptes V Naidu in Monica, O My Darling, Loosen the story a bit. With feel. Director: Homi Adajania Writers: Gazal Dhaliwal and Suprotim Sengupta Cast: Pankaj Tripathi, Sara Ali Khan, Karisma Kapoor, Sanjay Kapoor, Vijay Varma, Dimple Kapadia Rating: 3/5
IPL stakeholders on edge as elections heighten risk of cancellations
Insurers are exercising caution as the IPL season overlaps with general elections, increasing the risk of cancellations. Stakeholders, including BCCI, franchise owners, sponsors, and broadcasters, seek insurance cover, with quotes up by 30-35%. Event cancellation coverage is crucial, with premiums rising due to uncertainties.
60 per cent booths in Cuttack to be monitored through live webcasting
CUTTACK: Voting in 60 per cent of the polling stations in Cuttack district will be monitored through live webcasting, said collector and district election officer Vineet Bhardwaj here on Sunday. Addressing mediapersons, he said officials deployed for conducting the general elections shall keep a tab on the expenditure incurred by candidates of different political parties. The general elections will be conducted in two phases in the district. While voting in six Assembly segments and the Parliamentary constituency will be held on May 25, polling in the rest three Assembly constituencies will be held on June 1. A total of 21,41,904 voters including 11,00,021 male, 10,41,619 female and 264 transgenders will exercise their franchise in the elections. While as many as 45,218 new voters in age group of 18 to 19 will exercise their franchise for the first time, the district has 829 centenarian and 41,992 PwD voters. A total of 2,274 polling stations including 460 in urban and 1,814 in rural areas are going to be set up in the district. At least 287 Sakhi Booths (solely managed by women) will be set up in the district. Of the total polling stations, as many as 1,364 (60 per cent) will be directly monitored by Election Commission of India through live webcasting, said Bhardwaj. Assured minimum facilities like ramp, drinking water, separate toilets for male and female, electricity, furniture helpdesk and signages will be put up at all the polling stations. We are prepared to conduct free, fair and peaceful elections. Apart from setting up an integrated control room with toll-free number 1950, the C-Vigil Application has also been activated for receiving complaints from people. Officials of expenditure monitoring teams have been imparted training on keeping a tab on election expenditure, said Bhardwaj. Among others, ADM (Revenue) Umakant Raj, ADM (General) Shibo Toppo, ADM (Development) Dibya Lochan Mohanty and sub-collector Jyoti Shankar Ray were present in the press conference. Battle of ballot 21,41,904 voters including 11,00,021 male, 10,41,619 female and 264 transgenders will exercise their franchise 45,218 new voters in age group of 18 to 19 will exercise their franchise for the first time 2,274 polling stations including 460 in urban and 1,814 in rural areas are going to be set up in the district
EC launches campaign in Himachal Pradesh to boost voter turnout
EC launches campaign in Himachal Pradesh to boost voter turnout The Election Commission has launched a special campaign in Himachal Pradesh to maximise voter turnout in 414 polling stations which registered less than 60 per cent voting in the last Lok Sabha polls. Bypolls to six assembly seats that fell vacant after disqualification of Congress MLAs would be held simultaneously with four Lok Sabha seats in Himachal Pradesh in the last phase on June 1. The main focus of the campaign -- ''Mission 414'' -- is increasing the vote percentage in 414 identified polling stations which registered less than 60 percent voting in the last Lok Sabha polls, Chief Electoral Officer, Himachal Pradesh, Maneesh Garg told PTI on Monday. Awareness campaigns and cultural events would be held besides making these 414 stations model polling stations. Booth youth icons from first time voters would be roped in and special invitation cards made by children would be given to prospective voters, he said. Letters had been sent to the respective Deputy Commissioners in February for increasing voter participation in low voter turnout polling stations and assembly constituencies, sources in the department said. A similar initiative is underway for 22 assembly segments and is aimed at increasing the voter turnout to 72 percent in polling stations where the turnout was less than 70 percent in the last Lok Sabha elections. The average voter turnout in Himachal Pradesh in 2019 was 72.42 percent. ''Basically it is an activity to reach out to the voters at the ground level and educate them about exercising their right to vote'', Garg said, adding interventions in these segments would be on motivating employees, women and youth and carrying out a door-to-door outreach programme. Another initiative is related to eight assembly constituencies where turnout of women voters was less than men. 'Mahila Preraks' (motivators) would be appointed in gram panchayats in these segments to motivate women to vote. Besides appointing women icons, girls studying in educational institutes would be motivated by campus ambassadors to reach out to working women and housewives through anganwadi workers, self-help groups, Mahila Mandals, officials said. As many as 7,990 polling stations, which are 267 more than the last Lok Sabha elections have been notified and 150 polling stations would be supervised exclusively by women election officers, 54 by youth and 29 by PwD (People with Disability). Sharing details, Garg said people with more than 40 percent disability (PwD) and voters above the age of 85 would have facility of home voting. There are 56,320 PWD voters and 60,995 voters aged above 85 years in the state. A total of 56,38,422 voters -- 28,79,200 men, 27,59,187 women, and 35 third gender persons are eligible to exercise their franchise for four Lok Sabha seats of Hamirpur, Kangra, Mandi, and Shimla (SC) seats in the seventh and last phase of polling, Garg said. There are 1,38,918 first time voters while the number of voters in the age bracket of 20-29 is 10,40,756, which is over 20 percent of the total voters (56,38,422). However, this number is expected to go up as the state election commission has received 8,654 advance applications of youth in the 17 plus age group attaining 18 years of age on April 1. The expenditure limit of candidates for Lok Sabha polls would be Rs 95 lakh and assembly bypolls Rs 40 lakh. Tashigang polling station in Lahaul and Spiti located at an altitude of 15,256 feet is the highest polling booth in the country. Manola polling station in Dalhousie of Chamba district has the maximum number of 1,410 voters, while Kaa polling station in Kinnaur district has the lowest of 16 voters.
Vaughan Believes 2024 Could Be The Year For RCB double Celebration
Following Royal Challengers Bangalore: Following Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) maiden title win in the Womens Premier League (WPL) final, former England captain Michael Vaughan voiced his belief that 2024 could be the year for a double celebration for the franchise. Spinners Shreyanka Patil, Sophie Molineux, and Asha Sobhana took nine wickets between themselves while Ellyse Perry showed calmness with an unbeaten 35 to help Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) win the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2024 title with an eight-wicket win over Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium here on Sunday breaking a 16-year drought. Vaughan took to X to congratulate the team and went on to share his interesting prediction ahead of the upcoming IPL 2024 season. Fantastic tournament .. Well deserved win for RCB !! Now can the Men do the double !!! This could be the year said Vaughan on X. The Faf du Plessis-led men's side will be starting their IPL 2024 campaign against defending champion Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on March 22 at Chennai. The RCB men's team will be playing a total of 5 matches during the initial phase of the IPL 2024 season.
Vande Bharat Train: Two new Vande Bharat trains started on this route, check fare and route
Vande Bharat Train: Two new Vande Bharat trains on Patna-Lucknow and Ranchi-Varanasi routes will hit the tracks on Monday i.e. today. Patna-Lucknow Vande Bharat will travel till Ayodhya and Lucknow via PDDU Nagar-Varanasi Cantt. The last stop of Ranchi-Varanasi Vande Bharat will be Cantt station. Ticket booking has started in both these trains. There are [] The post Vande Bharat Train: Two new Vande Bharat trains started on this route, check fare and route first appeared on informalnewz .
Nikhil Siddhartha Officially Announces Karthikeya 3!
After the massive success of Karthikeya part 1 and 2, Chandoo Mondeti and Nikhil Siddhartha are collaborating once more for Karthikeya 3 which will be the latest installment in the successful franchise. Nikhil made the official announcement on his X account, reassuring fans that another film starring him as Dr. Karthikeya is in progress. Nikhil [] Read on Lehren - Nikhil Siddhartha Officially Announces Karthikeya 3!
Rajasthan Royals' Jethalal Post Breaks The Internet As RCB Win WPL 2024
Rajasthan Royals trolled the RCB men's team in a brutal manner after the women's side of the franchise won the WPL 2024 title.
Uproar over paper leak of Jharkhand civil service exams
RANCHI: The candidates for Jharkhand Public Services Commission (JPSC) Civil Services (PT) Examination alleged paper leak ahead of the examination at Chatra, Dhanbad and Jamtara. A video footage of candidates, allegedly filling up their OMR sheets sitting on the floor outside their examination halls in Jamtara also went viral on social media. Candidates appearing for the examination also protested in Chatra and Dhanbad alleging that the seal of the question papers brought to them were already broken. Many of the candidates also alleged mismatch in the number of their OMR sheets and question papers. Principal of the Upendra Nath Verma Inter College in Chatra, however, has denied the allegations. As of now, neither the Commission has released any statement regarding the alleged paper leak nor confirmed the report. Several students could not appear for the examination after the news of the alleged paper leak was spread among the students. State BJP Chief Babulal Mrandi came heavily on Champai Soren government saying that competitive examinations have become a means of earning money for the current government. Recently JSSC-CGL exam was conducted, at that time the exam was canceled due to paper leak. The way the paper was leaked today during the examination conducted by JPSC, it is clear that Jharkhand government has made JPSC, like JSSC, a means of earning money, said Marandi on X. Therefore, he appealed to the youth of Jharkhand that he needs their support in uprooting this corrupt government he added. Marandi assured that as soon as the BJP government is formed, they will selectively send such corrupt people to jail and will ensure the rights of the youth and ensure malpractice-free examinations. Leader of Opposition in Jharkhand Assembly Amar Kumar Bauri also alleged that Champai government of conducting the JPSC examination in a hurry with incomplete preparation and a malicious attempt to sell seats, has shattered their dreams. It is a shame to have exams in Jharkhand and its paper gets leaked every time, he said. Meanwhile, Jamtara Deputy Commissioner has formed a three member Special Investigation team to look into the matter. Today, a case of viral video related to JPSC (PT) examination has come up. A Special Investigation Team headed by Deputy Development Commissioner Niranjan Kumar and Project Director, ITDA Jugnu Minj and Sub-Divisional Director General of Police Vikas Anand Languri as the two members, has been formed, said Jamtara DC Kumud Sahay. JPSC maintains silence JPSC has maintained silence on the complaints of irregularities in the examination. One of its officials simply said that they have received the information and is being ascertained. Whatever happens, will be updated on the JPSC website, he said. The investigation team has been directed to verify the authenticity of the viral video
Loksabha polls: Jharkhand ruling alliance awaits Rahuls final nod
RANCHI: Even after BJP has already announced names of most of its candidate for 2024 Lok Sabha Polls in Jharkhand, INDI Alliance has not announced even a single name for the same. According to leaders in the ruling alliance, they have been waiting for former Congress President Rahul Gandhis nod to finalise the names of candidates. BJP has announced names of 11 out of 14 Lok Sabha candidates in Jharkhand, but seat sharing is still not completed in the INDI Alliance. Sources in the ruling alliance, however, said to have agreed on 7-5-1-1 formula in Jharkhand, where the Congress will contest on seven seats, JMM on 5 while the RJD and left will be given one seat each from JMM quota, but they are yet to announce it formally. Meanwhile, CM Champai Soren, Kalpana Soren and JMM General Secretary Supriyo Bhattacharya left for Mumbai on Tuesday to attend the concluding ceremony of the Yatra. Party insiders informed that the JMM leaders would discuss seat sharing for Lok Sabha elections during the programme with the senior Congress leaders. The names will be announced latest by Monday evening or Tuesday afternoon.
More than 2.43 cr voters to exercise their franchise in LS polls: Assam CEO
The CEO told ANI that 60 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) have already arrived in the state and additional forces will arrive
Virat Kohli leads congratulatory messages to RCB women's team
RCB women's team's victory in WPL final sparks social media support from the past and present RCB men's team stars like Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis, Glenn Maxwell, Chris Gayle and Yuzvendra Chahal. Key RCB players Ellyse Perry, Shreyanka Patil and Sophie Molineux shine in historic win for the franchise.
Only Thing I Want To Say: Smriti Mandhana Sums Up On RCB's WPL Triumph
Smriti Mandhana was short of words as Royal Challengers Bangalore tasted their first success in franchise cricket.
AAP-BJP fight over CAA: Much ado about nothing
NEW DELHI: In his 1623 play titled Much Ado About Nothing, legendary playwright William Shakespeare wrote, There is a kind of merry war betwixt Signor Benedick and her. So during the past week, we witnessed a merry war of words between Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Delhi BJP president Virendra Sacheva on the issue of the notification of Citizenship Amendment Act 2019. The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (CAA) was passed by the Parliament of India on 11 December 2019. It amended the Citizenship Act, 1955 by providing an accelerated pathway to Indian citizenship for persecuted religious minorities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan who arrived in India by 2014. The eligible minorities were stated as Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis or Christians. The notification, ahead of the general elections, has invited some discussions as the act for the first time in Indian legal history overtly uses religion a criterion for citizenship. Expectedly it has sparked protests especially in those parts of the country that border Bangladesh and large tranche of Muslim population had migrated from the neighbouring nation. The fear, from an electoral point of view, was that a large number of the members from the minority community could be disenfranchised and affect the fortunes of the parties both who enjoyed the support of the minority community and those who did not. Delhi per se doesnt have presence in substantial numbers of migrant Muslims on the electoral rolls, nor would the number of non-Muslim migrants swell the electoral rolls substantially. Then why is the chief minister crying hoarse. In a post on the micro-blogging site X, Kejriwal wrote, The audacity of these Pakistanis! First, they illegally infiltrated our country, breaking our laws. They should have been in jail. They have the audacity to protest in our country, causing unrest? After the implementation of CAA, Pakistanis and Bangladeshis will spread all over the country and harass people. BJP is causing trouble to the entire country for its own selfish interest of making them their vote bank. Why CAA has polarised the polity The whole attempt is to create a sentiment of insecurity not just among the 20 percent-odd Muslim voters in the national Capital but also on seats in Gujarat from where the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has put up its candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. In Gujarat, the award of citizenship to Hindu migrants from the neighbouring areas of Sindh in Pakistan is a major issue. Coming back to the national Capital, the head of the Delhi unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Virendra Sachdeva, has retorted, Kejriwal is himself a Andolanjeevi who owes his political career to demonstrations and it is shameful that today he is abusing persecuted Hindus from Pakistan and Afghanistan demonstrating for their rights. By abusing these migrants, the Chief Minister has humiliated all those Punjabis who came over from Pakistan to India during the 1947 partition. In saying this Sachdeva has his own axe to grind. Delhis politics, especially that of the BJP, for long has meandered around the Bania and Punjabi leaders. Till late chief minister Saheb Singh Verma emerged on the horizon, BJP in the national Capital was firmly controlled by the Punjabi triumvirate of Madanlal Khurana, Kidar Nath Sahni and Vijay Kumar Malhotra. Though a fourth quotient too has emerged in the form of Purvanchal leaders, the leadership has more or less remained between the Bania and Punjabi communities. Sachdeva himself is from the Punjabi community and has the onerous responsibility of getting his protg Harsh Malhotra, also a Punjabi, win from the East Delhi Lok Sabha seat. In the allocation of seats in the national Capital, East Delhi since 2019 has become the Punjabi quota seat. Thus the fracas between Kejriwal and Sachdeva, has more to do with the polls than with the fate of the non-Muslim migrants awaiting citizenship - Much Ado About Nothing. Sidharth Mishra Author and president, Centre for Reforms, Development & Justice
Feeling Hasn't Sunk In Yet: Mandhana On RCB's Maiden WPL Title Triumph
Smriti Mandhana was short of words as Royal Challengers Bangalore tasted their first success in franchise cricket.
What's the real success of WPL? The answer lies in the final
CHENNAI: It was a momentous occasion for women's cricket when Australia and India walked onto a packed Melbourne Cricket Ground on March 8, 2020. No one had seen 86, 174 fans come in for a women's cricket game before. For two teenagers, then 15-year-old Shafali Verma and 16-year-old Richa Ghosh, it was the biggest day of their young careers. Despite dominating the entire tournament, Verma could not make her mark in the final and Ghosh, who came in as a concussion substitute, played her shots, but it was not enough. Verma was inconsolable after the match, but anyone who watched her throughout the World Cup and even in the tri-series before the marquee event knew the talent the youngster had. Four years have passed. In this time, they have led India to the first-ever U19 T20 World Cup victory, represented the senior side in the two ICC tournaments and have also been part of the first season of the WPL. Both had contrasting seasons with Verma being the second-highest run-scorer for the Delhi Capitals while Ghosh struggling to find her feet in the star-studded Royal Challengers Bangalore. However, one look at the numbers in the second season of Women's Premier League will tell you how much they have grown. RCB's Shreyanka Patil being awarded as best bowler after the WPL-T20 final cricket match between Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bangalore on March 17, 2024. This time, Verma, who opened for the Capitals alongside Meg Lanning is the third-highest run-scorer of the season and Ghosh has performed her role as a finisher and a wicketkeeper to perfection with 240 runs in the season, just behind Ellyse Perry and captain Smriti Mandhana. Verma has scored those runs at the top with a strike rate of 156.85, the highest for any batter with a minimum of 100 runs in the season and Ghosh is third on that list with a strike rate of 143.71. When it comes to hitting sixes, Verma has no close competitor as she has smashed 20 sixes throughout the season. Unsurprisingly, Ghosh with her 10 sixes from eight innings has taken the second spot. If the first season was contrasting for both, with their performance in this season, they have shown that they belong to this stage. There is an added sense of maturity to the way both of them have gone about their business in this season. Verma always had the talent but after two seasons of WPL, she is looking more polished than ever. Along with her batting, Ghosh has also worked on her wicketkeeping skills. She has gone back to the drawing board and become one of the quality wicketkeepers in the country. Her 13 dismissals in the season are the tip of the iceberg when it comes to how dominant her presence has been. The two players, in their early 20s, facing some of the most experienced bowlers in the world, with that much maturity tells you how important having a competition like WPL is. And that brings us to the final when these two stars faced each other in the final of the second season. Verma did what she has been doing throughout the season. Even when her captain was struggling to find her feat early in the powerplay, Verma did not let the opposition settle. A six off Sophie Molineux that helped her break free was sublime. It was followed by the 19 runs she scored from the Indian national side's first-choice pacer Renuka Singh Thakur. Even Ellyse Perry could only watch when Verma smashed a full delivery over the bowler's head. In the powerplay, Verma was batting with a strike rate of 200, before her wicket led to Delhi Capitals collapse they were all out for 113. Verma had done her job with the bat, on the pitch where every other batter struggled to get the start. Ghosh, fittingly, hit the winning runs as RCB won the 2024 WPL title RCB captain Smriti Mandhana receives the Champions trophy BCCI President Roger Binny and BCCI Secretary Jay Shah after the WPL-T20 final cricket match between Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bangalore at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, in New Delhi, Sunday, March 17, 2024. The legacies of the franchise leagues, at least on the women's side of cricket are still decided by the push it provides to the existing talent and the bench strength it creates. It is too early to talk about the bench strength of WPL, but what it has undoubtedly done is, provide these budding superstars a platform to express themselves. For now, this is the greatest achievement of the WPL. Brief scores: DC 113 all out in 18.3 ovs (Shafali 44; Shreyanka 4/12, Molineux 3/20) lost to RCB 115/2 in 19.3 ovs (Mandhana 31, Devine 32, Perry 35 n.o) Delhi Capitals' Shafali Verma being awarded for hitting most number of sixes in the season after the WPL-T20 final cricket match between Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bangalore
Vijay Mallya Reacts To RCB Women Winning WPL 2024 Title, Says, 'If RCB Men's Team...'
After RCB won their maiden WPL title on Sunday night, former chairman of the franchise Vijay Mallya took to social media to express his joy.
Funded by tainted money, 2024 election juggernaut rolls on
You give me khoon (blood), and I promise you aazadi (freedom) is passe. A reworked maxim is in place - You give me protection money, and I promise you freedom from government probe agencies. Its an unexplained spectacle of merging two divine functions of destruction and protection into one spiritual force. Six years after electoral bonds worth thousands of crores, purchased by shell companies, private entities, benamis and political brokers, undisputedly funded political parties, the Supreme Court has finally struck them down as unconstitutional. Just as the 2024 election juggernaut is all set to thunder through the length and breadth of the country. The newly-constituted three-member Election Commission of India barely took a day to fix the schedule for the worlds largest festival of democracy. Nearly 100 crore people will line up to exercise their franchise in seven phases. Instead of the ballot boxes transported in bullock carts in those days, EVMs go by air. Technology and infrastructure are way superior today. Yet the election process is spread over 35 days in seven phases. How many political parties with a national ambition have the deep pockets to sustain the money-guzzling election season of over two months? The data published on the electoral bonds gives you a clear picture. If funds raised through bonds are illegal, why are we not selling them back to the buyers? In 2012, the apex court upheld a Sebi order on the Sahara Group and directed the group entities to refund investors with interest of nearly Rs 25,000 crore. In the electoral bonds case, elections after elections were funded by illegal money. BJP has put up a defence, saying its 303 MPs garnering half of the total funds is no big deal since the per-capita figure is way below that of the Congress, which won only 52 seats. Isnt the funding meant for all who stand for elections and not just for the elected candidates? It may sound a trifle baffling that in a country that was allegedly riled by the news of shady shell companies puffing up Adani shares in the stock market, the funding of political parties and the democratically-elected government by similar companies is swept under the carpet. More so when funding follows on the heels of raids by the obsequious central probe agencies on companies and their promoters. The move to muffle the bond details still has the potential to trigger a Streisand effect. The nucleus of the elections once fought in the Hindi heartland seems to have now shifted to the south of Vindhyas. While Rahul Gandhi is ensconced in the safety of Wayanad, Narendra Modi is expending most of his energy in Tamil Nadu and Kerala with his customary Vanakkam with the ultimate aim of breaking the two tough nuts. Some of his cabinet colleagues have thrown themselves into the southern cauldron too. Hats off to BJPs resolve to repeal its north Indian party tag. The Ram temple, CAA, abrogation of Article 370 and Indias global image are surely saleable narratives in its traditional markets, but issues related to unemployment, communal disparities, inflation, a subservient media and the undermining of institutions ring loud in this part of the world. In Tamil Nadu, BJPs campaign against corruption by DMK and dynasty politics may have broken some new ground. But the ground realities barely mirror the enthusiasm exuded by the party. DMK, a part of INDIA alliance, looks like a formidable force in the three-pronged contest. The EPS-led AIADMK, staying away from BJP for now, has a tough fight at hand to prevent the ground slipping away from under its feet. BJP may increase its vote share, but is unlikely to make any major dent in the Dravidian hold, at least in the 2024 elections. Anto T Joseph Resident Editor, Tamil Nadu anto@newindianexpress.com @AntoJoseph
Watch: Kohli Joins Mandhana And Co In Celebrations After WPL 2024 Victory
RCB finally found their night of reckoning as glory as the Smriti Mandhana-led side won the first silverware of the franchise on Sunday.
Unable to accept mom's death, Jharkhand man lives with her body for 5 days
In Dhanbad, Saurav Upadhyay's refusal to accept his mother's death led to a distressing ordeal. Despite medical confirmation, he insisted she was alive, causing a chaotic situation that required police intervention and medical attention.
Insurance rates for IPL business vault over polls clash
Insurance companies are being cautious as IPL stakes rise with two new teams and high player bids. The season's overlap with general elections increases the risk of cancellations. Quotes for stakeholders like franchise owners and sponsors are 30-35% higher. The cover is primarily for event cancellation, which results in a loss for all stakeholders. In India, event cancellation happens largely due to adverse weather.
Rgarh teen girl dies by suicide
Cost accountants can speed up countrys eco: Guv
Goods train mows down rly staff at Barwadih