Gujarat Artist Shaheena Gandhi Gifts Unique Agate Artwork to PM Modi
Vadodaras Shaheena Gandhi presents a stunning agate artwork to PM Modi, celebrating national unity and her artistic journey. Gujarat Artist Shaheena Gandhi Gifts Unique Agate Artwork to PM Modi
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Gujarat artist Shaheena Gandhi gifts PM Modi Agate Artwork depicting National Unity Day Parade
Digital Desk | Vadodara, Nov 2 (IANS) Shaheena Sikander Gandhi, an agate stone artist from Gujarat's Vadodara, gifted Prime Minister Narendra Modi a unique artwork made from naturally coloured agate stones, depicting the National Unity Day parade and the Statue of Unity. Gandhi, who has been practising the art for nearly four decades, has also been nominated for the Golden Book of World Records for creating what she describes as the first agate chips wall artwork. Speaking to IANS, Gandhi said the nomination followed a process to verify whether anyone else had created a similar form of art. They checked whether anyone else had created this art form, and only after that was I given the award for being the first to create it, she said. Gandhi described presenting her artwork to the Prime Minister as a proud moment for her and her family. She also showed a photograph of herself with Modi, which the Prime Minister shared on social media platform X. In the photograph, she can be seen holding the artwork as Modi looks at it before accepting it as a gift. Prime Minister Modi accepting my artwork as a gift was a very proud moment for me and my family. The painting that I gifted him depicted the entire National Unity Day parade. I was inspired by the rally held on National Unity Day, she said. The artwork also features the Statue of Unity set against a landscape, bringing together the national event and the iconic monument in a composition made entirely from agate stones. Shaheena said she had been creating such artworks for the past 40 years and had produced around 500 to 600 pieces so far. The time required to complete each work depends on its size and the level of detailing involved. One of her most elaborate creations is an artwork depicting the map of India, in which each state is represented through its significant historical architecture. She said the piece took a year to complete. Recalling her first meeting with Modi, Shaheena Gandhi said she had presented the Prime Minister with the agate artwork depicting India's map. He appreciated the creation but could not accept it as a gift at the time because of its large size. She later got another opportunity to meet him through the Central Cottage Industries initiative at Bharat Parv 2026. During the event, she presented her latest artwork, which Modi appreciated and accepted as a gift. Gandhi said the price of her creations ranges from Rs 5,000 to Rs 5 lakh, depending on the intricacy and detailing of each piece. Explaining the painstaking process involved, she said agate stone artwork requires patience and precision because the designs are assembled from very small stone chips. The natural colours of the stones are central to the technique, and artificial colours are not used. She also said she had learnt the art on her own rather than receiving formal training. By the grace of Allah, I did not learn this art from anywhere. I learnt it myself, Gandhi said. Her home bears testimony to her decades-long journey, with its walls adorned with awards and recognitions received from various institutions for her artistic work. Through her intricate creations, Gandhi has developed a distinctive art form that combines natural materials, painstaking craftsmanship and representations of India's cultural and historical heritage.
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From Statue of Unity to defence manufacturing, Gujarats journey on display at Ekta Diwas parade
Digital Desk | Ekta Nagar, Oct 31 (IANS) From the Statue of Unity and the Sardar Sarovar Dam to Vadodaras emerging defence manufacturing sector, Gujarats cultural heritage, industrial development and cooperative movement featured prominently in a series of tableaux presented during the 'Rashtriya Ekta Diwas' celebrations at Ekta Nagar on Saturday. The tableaux formed part of a larger presentation on Indias cultural diversity and heritage, inspired by the spirit of Vande Mataram. Officials described the display as a celebration of public participation and awareness, bringing together the countrys folk traditions, art, craft, history and natural landscapes. The opening tableau represented Ekta Nagar in Narmada district and was dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. It depicted his role in integrating the princely states and strengthening farmers, with the message that national unity was the countrys greatest strength. The presentation also recalled Patels contribution to the idea of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat. Another tableau brought together the religious and architectural heritage associated with Dwarka, Somnath and Modhera. It featured the Dwarkadhish temple, the Somnath temple and the Sun Temple at Modhera, presenting them as enduring symbols of faith and Indias civilisational history. The educational legacy of Vallabh Vidyanagar in Anand district was represented through a tableau highlighting the towns identity as a centre of learning. It traced the journey from traditional knowledge to modern education, research and innovation, with an emphasis on the role of young people in shaping the countrys future. A replica of the Sardar Sarovar Dam highlighted water conservation, irrigation and renewable energy. The presentation referred to the Jal Jeevan Mission and the Saurashtra Narmada Avtaran Irrigation (SAUNI) scheme, which aims to carry Narmada water to water-scarce areas. Vadodaras growing identity as a defence manufacturing hub was showcased through a tableau titled Vande Shakti. It highlighted indigenous defence production, including drones, technology and the BrahMos missile, as symbols of the drive towards self-reliance in national security. Surats diamond and textile industries featured in another tableau, while the Rann Utsav presentation showcased the white salt desert, the full-moon landscape and the tribal culture of Kutch. The cooperative movement and the White Revolution, associated with Anand and Banaskantha, were also represented, recalling the role of milk producers and cooperative institutions in transforming rural livelihoods. The presentation paid tribute to cooperative pioneers Tribhuvandas Patel and Verghese Kurien. A tableau on the 'Khelo India' initiative highlighted youth participation and sporting excellence. The available event commentary ended during its introduction. The celebrations are being held at Ekta Nagar, near the Statue of Unity, to mark Patels 151st birth anniversary on October 31. The Statue of Unity, inaugurated in 2018, commemorates Patels role in the integration of India after Independence. The annual 'Rashtriya Ekta Diwas' programme includes a parade and cultural presentations highlighting national unity and the countrys diversity.
Vadodara (Gujarat) [India], October 31: Ratnaveer Precision Engineering Limited has announced its unaudited financial results for the quarter and half year ended September 30, 2026, reporting strong year-on-year growth across key financial parameters. Alongside its financial performance, the company continues to advance its capacity expansion plans, with its new CCL plant progressing towards completion and currently approximately 75% complete.
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Yastika Bhatia Set For Brisbane Heat Debut After India's Zimbabwe Sweep
After being a part of India's 3-0 ODI series win over Zimbabwe in Vadodara, wicketkeeper-batter Yastika Bhatia will link up with Brisbane Heat squad and is set to make her debut for the club against Sydney Thunder at the Drummoyne Oval in the ongoing WBBL.
After ODI Series Win Over Zimbabwe, Yastika Bhatia To Make Brisbane Heat Debut In WBBL
WBBL Brisbane Heat Squad: After being a part of Indias 3-0 ODI series win over Zimbabwe in Vadodara, wicketkeeper-batter Yastika Bhatia will link up with Brisbane Heat squad and is set to make her debut for the club against Sydney Thunder at the Drummoyne Oval in the ongoing Womens Big Bash League (WBBL). Yastika being with the India ODI side, though she bagged a duck in the third and final game against Zimbabwe at the BCA Stadium, meant she wasnt available for the Heats season opener against the Sydney Sixers at Allan Border Field on Friday night. The Sixers won that game off the last ball after Australia left-arm pacer Lucy Hamilton bowled a superb final over. Yastika replaces Mikayla Wrigley in the Heats only change to the 13-member squad from that game starting at 2:40pm local time. Yastika was signed up by the club after veteran Australia left-arm spin bowling all-rounder Jess Jonassen was ruled out of the season with a neck injury. Yastika has played 28 T20Is and 29 ODIs for India so far. In July, she became the first woman to score a Test hundred at Lords, which is currently the high point of her international career. The left-handed batter is no stranger to the WBBL, having played for the Melbourne Stars in the WBBL two seasons ago. Apart from Yastika, Englands Sarah Glenn and Irelands Orla Prendergast are the Heats overseas recruits for the ongoing WBBL season. Another player in line for a Heat debut is 19-year-old fast bowler Catherine White. She was with the franchise last season as a local replacement player but did not play a match, and will make her WBBL debut if she is picked in the playing eleven. The left-handed batter is no stranger to the WBBL, having played for the Melbourne Stars in the WBBL two seasons ago. Apart from Yastika, Englands Sarah Glenn and Irelands Orla Prendergast are the Heats overseas recruits for the ongoing WBBL season. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
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Gujarats first bullet train power substation nears completion at Bilimora
Digital Desk | Ahmedabad, Oct 30 (IANS) The first Traction Substation (TSS) for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train project is nearing completion at Bilimora in Gujarats Navsari district, as work progresses on the 14 substations planned to supply power along the 508-km high-speed rail corridor. The substation, spread across approximately 18,000 square metres, is at an advanced stage of construction, with equipment installation, testing and commissioning activities under way. Installation work in the control panel, changeover switch, transformer and circuit breaker buildings has been completed. Work on all gantry towers and beams has also been finished. A total of 14 traction substations (TSS) are being developed along the corridor to ensure an uninterrupted power supply for the bullet trains. These substations will receive electricity from the grid, transform it to the required voltage levels and feed it into the traction power system that powers the trains. Of the 14 substations, five will be located in Maharashtra at Mumbai, Thane, Virar, Boisar and Thane Depot, while the remaining nine will be in Gujarat at Vapi, Bilimora, Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara, Anand, Mahemdavad, Ahmedabad and Sabarmati Depot. In Gujarat, the traction substations will receive electricity from the Gujarat Energy Transmission Corporation Limited's (GETCO) 220 kV Ambetha Grid Substation. The power will subsequently be supplied to the overhead equipment (OHE) installed along the viaduct through the 2 25 kV traction power supply system adopted for the corridor. The system is designed to distribute electricity to the overhead equipment, which transfers power to the trains through their pantographs. The entire traction power supply network will be monitored in real time from a centralised control centre to oversee the electricity supply along the corridor. The 508-km Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail corridor is India's first bullet train project, connecting Maharashtra and Gujarat. The 14 traction substations will form a key part of its power infrastructure, supporting the operation of trains along the route.
Bengal: Hawkers assault Rashtriya Ekta Diwas rally participants
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 30 (IANS) People travelling from West Bengal to Vadodara in Gujarat to participate in the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrations were brutally assaulted by hawkers at the Bhusaval station in Maharashtra on Friday. The railway police at Bhusaval confirmed that a complaint has been lodged and several people have been detained for questioning. Further investigation is underway, an official said. We were in a group of 99 people from the Jhargram district in West Bengal, selected by the district administration to travel by a special train to Vadodara for the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrations on October 31. When the train stopped at the Bhusaval station, some of us decided to get out and stretch our legs as it had been a long journey, said Nirmalendu Mahato. He, along with his daughter, purchased some bananas from the platform. While Mahato remained outside, the girl went inside the compartment to keep the bananas near their luggage. Trouble started after she rejoined her father on the platform and Mahato started videographing the surroundings. We had heard a lot about Bhusaval and its bananas, so it was only natural for me to make a video. There were some hawkers around, but it was not my idea to focus on them. Suddenly, an elderly man approached me from behind and asked me harshly to stop making the video. I asked him the reason, when four others approached. Realising that they were out there to create trouble, I turned to send my daughter back into the compartment. This was when they pushed me from behind, Mahato said. His co-passengers noticed the incident and accosted the hawkers, resulting in a minor scuffle. The team from Jhargram, which comprises police and administrative officers from the district, then approached the elderly man who had started the whole thing. When he was asked why he started the whole ruckus, the man left. We believed that was the end of the matter. However, he returned in a few minutes with over 20 men and started assaulting us. At least a dozen members of our group received injuries to their faces, shoulders, backs, and other parts of the body. We somehow managed to get into the train and get in touch with the Railway Protection Force (RPF), Mahato said. The injured, including Mahato, received treatment at the next station, where a complaint was also registered by the railway police. After reaching Vadodara, they were taken to a hospital for medical examination. On the evening of October 30, senior police officers from Bhusaval reached Vadodara and spoke to us in detail. A DSP of West Bengal Police, who was part of our group, also provided details. We were told that seven of the miscreants have been identified and detained. More people will be booked as the investigation progresses, we were told, Mahato said. According to a senior police official, it was the handiwork of illegal hawkers against whom Central Railway has been taking steps for the last few months. Several hundred illegal hawkers have been identified and removed from stations in that area. However, they keep on returning to the stations on the sly. It seems that they were scared that their activities would get recorded when the video was being made and attacked the passengers, the official said. Whatever the reason, the incident has left a bad taste in the mouth for Mahato and the others, who had left home so happily, proud to be part of the national event, to be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Samad, Lotra rescue J&K from defeat against Baroda
Srinagar, Oct 29: Sensational centuries from Abdul Samad and a fighting knock from Sahil Lotra helped Jammu and Kashmir salvage a draw against Baroda in their Ranji Trophy Elite Group match at the Reliance Cricket Stadium in Vadodara on Thursday. Baroda, however, secured victory on the basis of a first-innings lead after J&K finished their second innings at 316 for six in 96 overs. Forced to follow on after conceding a massive 313-run first-innings lead, J&K were staring at a possible defeat after their top order once again failed to provide a solid foundation. However, Samad and Lotra produced a remarkable fightback, ensuring the visitors batted out the final day to save the match. Samad was the chief architect of the rescue act, hammering a magnificent 143 off just 152 deliveries. His aggressive innings featured 16 fours and seven sixes, as he took the attack to the opposition and shifted the momentum with a display of fearless strokeplay. The right-hander showed his ability to change the course of a match, countering Barodas bowling with an attacking approach when J&K needed it most. At the other end, Lotra displayed tremendous patience and composure, remaining unbeaten on 96 off 240 balls. His innings was built on discipline and resilience, providing the perfect foil to Samads attacking approach. Lotra held his ground and his partnership with Samad proved decisive in taking J&K out of danger. The pair stitched together a crucial 225-run partnership, transforming a precarious situation into one of relative comfort for the visitors. Their contrasting styles, Samads aggression and Lotras calm resistance,proved effective against a Baroda attack that had dominated proceedings for much of the match. J&K had resumed the fourth day under pressure after being asked to follow on. Their first-innings total of 303 had left them 313 runs behind Barodas imposing 616, built around Priyanshu Moliyas unbeaten 321 and Mahesh Pithiyas 102. The visitors second innings initially followed a familiar pattern, with the top order struggling to make an impact. Qamran Iqbal scored 20, Shubham Khajuria managed five, Kawalpreet Singh contributed 22, while captain Paras Dogra fell for one. The early setbacks raised the prospect of Baroda completing a convincing victory. However, Samads counter-attacking century and Lotras determined effort changed the complexion of the contest. After Samad was dismissed for 143, Lotra continued to bat with discipline, ensuring Baroda could not force a result. Rydham Sharma added 11, while Vanshaj Sharma remained unbeaten on one alongside Lotra when the match was drawn. For Baroda, Mahesh Pithiya claimed three wickets, while Rasikh Salam, Bhargav Bhatt and Atit Sheth picked up one wicket each. Priyanshu Moliya was adjudged Player of the Match for his monumental unbeaten 321 in Barodas first innings, which laid the foundation for the hosts first-innings advantage. While J&K managed to avert defeat through a determined batting display, Baroda took the match honours by virtue of their commanding first-innings total.
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Digital Desk | Ahmedabad, Oct 29 (IANS) Sabhai Gadhvi, a kabaddi player from Mota Bhadia village in Kutch district, has become the first woman from Gujarat to earn a place in the Indian womens team, which has reached the semi-finals of the 'Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026' being held in Ahmedabad. Gadhvi, who has also been named Best Defender in one of the matches, is competing in the championship being held from October 23 to 31. Her selection follows years of training and participation in state and national-level competitions. Her journey began at Mota Bhadia Primary School No. 2, where principal Mayur Joshi and teacher Haresh Pandya recognised her talent and prepared her for competitions, including the state governments Khel Mahakumbh. After completing primary education, she joined Navjivan Vidyalaya in Morbi, where she trained under coaches Vijaykumar Chaudhary and Narsinh Rabari. In 2016, Gadhvi participated in the state-level Khel Mahakumbh in Vadodara, where her school team finished fourth. The following year, the team secured second place at the competition held in Bhavnagar. In 2018, she appeared for the District Level Sports School (DLSS) examination conducted by the Sports Authority of Gujarat (SAG) and secured the first rank across the state. She subsequently trained as a physical training (PT) player under the DLSS scheme from 2018 to 2022. Her performances and medal wins at national-level competitions led to her selection under the Centre of Excellence (COE) scheme in 2022. In 2024, she was selected for the National Centre of Excellence (NCOE) of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) in Gandhinagar, where she continues to train. Her achievements include a bronze medal in the Under-14 category and a gold medal in the Under-17 category at the Khel Mahakumbh, as well as a gold medal in the Under-19 category of the School Games Federation of India (SGFI). She has also won gold medals in state-level sub-junior and senior competitions. Besides competing in various national tournaments, Gadhvi has participated in the Indian training camp for the 20th Asian Games. Her journey from a village school playground to the international championship highlights the role of grassroots sports development programmes in identifying and nurturing talent. Sabhai Gadhvis journey from the playground of Mota Bhadia to the global stage of Commonwealth kabaddi demonstrates the success of grassroots sports development initiatives such as DLSS. With proper guidance and unwavering hard work, the daughters of Gujarat can also reach for the skies, officials said. The Indian womens team has advanced to the semi-finals of the championship, with its next match awaited.
Ranji Trophy: Kotian, Bhut grab eight-fors as Mumbai, Saurashtra register big wins
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 29 (IANS) Tanush Kotian and Parth Bhut both claimed eight-wicket hauls on the final day of the latest round of Ranji Trophy matches on Thursday. Kotians effort set up Mumbais 10-wicket rout of Haryana, while Bhut bowled Saurashtra to victory over Assam by an innings and 12 runs. At the BKC Ground in Mumbai, off-spinner Kotian finished with 8-81. He had taken the first wicket of Haryanas second innings on day three and added seven more on the final day. Kotian removed overnight batters Himanshu Rana (46) and Nishant Sindhu (44), and later ended a lower-order fightback led by Samant Jakhar. Mumbai needed only 97 runs for victory, and they knocked off the runs in under 11 overs. Angkrish Raghuvanshi, who scored a hundred in the first innings, smashed an unbeaten 67 off 39 balls. At the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot, Player of the Match Bhut, who had six wickets by stumps on day three, was even more destructive, finishing with 8-17 in 18 overs and had a match haul of ten wickets as Saurashtra wrapped up a bonus-point win. Ravindra Jadeja, who will be a part of Indias Test series against New Zealand next month, took 2-58 wickets in 22 overs, including 4 maidens. Bengal crushed Kerala by 287 runs in Thiruvananthapuram, with Pradipta Pramanik taking 6-51. Pramanik had claimed all four Kerala wickets that fell on day three and added two more on the final morning as the hosts were bowled out for 120. Captain Shreyas Gopals 5-36 bowled Karnataka to an innings-and-116-run win over Tripura in Mysuru, with the visitors dismissed for 180 in their second innings. Vidarbha thrashed Goa by an innings and 27 runs in Nagpur, with Harsh Dubey taking 4-38. He struck twice in quick succession to remove Manthan Khutkar, who top-scored with 70, and Yash Kasvankar, before taking wickets off consecutive deliveries to bowl Goa out for 195. Several matches ended in draws. In Vadodara, Abdul Samads 143 off 152 balls, which included 16 fours and seven sixes, and Sahil Lotras unbeaten 96 rescued defending champions Jammu and Kashmir against Baroda. The pair added 225 runs after J&K had slumped to 53/4 after being made to follow-on. In Pune, Gujarat declared their second innings on 446/5 against Maharashtra after Aarya Desai hit 151, followed by an unbeaten 119 from Jaymeet Patel and 96 from Urvil Patel, but the hosts held on for a draw. The Punjab and Hyderabad match ended in a draw at tea on the final day in Secunderabad, after half-centuries from Vihaan Malhotra, Prabhsimran Singh (68 off 76 balls) and visiting captain Uday Saharan (55 not out off 106 balls). Akash Vasisht struck an unbeaten 126 as Himachal Pradesh replied with 559/6 to Chandigarhs 685/5 declared in a high-scoring draw. Puducherry secured a draw against Uttar Pradesh by taking the first-innings lead, despite Kartik Yadavs 6-42.
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Gujarat: 213 medical stores inspected; 25 notices issued over NDPS drug sale violations
Digital Desk | Gandhinagar, Oct 28 (IANS) Gujarat Police's Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) inspected 213 medical stores and pharmacies across the state over a week to check compliance with regulations governing medicines linked to the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, with the Food and Drugs Department issuing 25 notices during the exercise. The inspections were conducted between October 6 and 12 by the ANTF's various zones and its Surveillance headquarters in Gandhinagar, following instructions from the senior officials. The exercise was aimed at preventing the illegal sale, storage and distribution of narcotic substances and NDPS-related medicines, as well as their misuse. Officials examined compliance with applicable rules and procedures governing the sale and distribution of medicines at the establishments inspected. Of the 213 medical stores and pharmacies checked, the Surveillance headquarters in Gandhinagar accounted for the highest number, at 64. The Vadodara zone inspected 43 establishments, followed by the Rajkot zone with 36 and the Border zone with 32. The Ahmedabad zone inspected 23 medical stores and pharmacies, while the Surat zone covered 15. During the operation, the Food and Drugs Department issued 25 notices for regulatory compliance, according to officials. Of these, 11 were issued in the Ahmedabad zone, 10 in the Surat zone and four in the Surveillance headquarters zone in Gandhinagar. The latest inspections follow previous statewide efforts to curb the misuse and illegal sale of narcotic and psychotropic medicines. In July last year, Gujarat Police inspected 7,575 medical stores in a separate drive conducted with the Food and Drugs Control Administration, focusing on compliance with prescription requirements and restrictions on the sale of controlled medicines. Such inspections and surveillance would continue to prevent the illegal trade and misuse of narcotic substances and NDPS-related medicines across Gujarat, officials added.
India Women completed a commanding 3-0 white-ball ODI series sweep against Zimbabwe Women, securing an eight-wicket victory in the third match at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara. Driven by 20-year-old spinner Vaishnavi Sharmas maiden international five-wicket haul and rapid, unbeaten half-centuries from openers Pratika Rawal and Shafali Verma, the hosts comfortably chased down a target [] The post Vaishnavi Sharmas Maiden Five-For and Rapid Fifties from Pratika Rawal, Shafali Verma Seal 3-0 Series Sweep for India Women appeared first on Pragativadi I Latest Odisha News in English I Breaking News .
Vadodara: Family Of Three Dies By Suicide
A woman and her two adult children were found dead by suicide in Vadodara, Gujarat, on Wednesday. Police are investigating the cause, and no suicide note was found. The family's patriarch had died about a year ago.
3rd ODI: Satghare credits collective bowling effort as India bundle out Zimbabwe for 131
Digital Desk | Vadodara, Oct 28 (IANS) India pacer Sayali Satghare credited the bowlers collective effort for dismissing Zimbabwe for 131 in the third and final ODI, while praising left-arm spinner Vaishnavi Sharma for claiming her maiden five-wicket haul in international cricket. Vaishnavi returned figures of 5/39, while Sayali and Kranti Gaud picked up two wickets each as India bowled out the visitors in 39.5 overs after Zimbabwe opted to bat first at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara on Wednesday. I think the energy was really good. Vaishnavi bowled really well to get five wickets. The wicket was on the slower side, and she got a bit of turn. Happy to knock them over on that total, Sayali said after the innings. The right-arm pacer, who finished with figures of 2/11, also felt her rhythm had improved compared to the first two matches of the series, adding that regular bowling helps her find consistency. Yes, today I felt my rhythm was much better than the previous two games. I'm the kind of bowler who if I bowl more, I'll get better, she said. India made an early breakthrough through Sayali, who dismissed Loryn Phiri for a six-ball duck in the second over. Kranti then removed Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano in the following over to leave Zimbabwe in trouble early in their innings. Beloved Biza fell for one off 16 deliveries as the hosts continued to apply pressure. Modester Mupachikwa, who top-scored with 37, and captain Josephine Nkomo, who contributed 35, offered some resistance, but neither could build a substantial partnership to revive the innings. Vaishnavi then capitalised on the conditions, extracting turn from the slower surface to dismantle the middle and lower order and complete her maiden five-wicket haul. Sayali and Kranti complemented her effort to ensure Zimbabwe were restricted to a modest total. Reflecting on her approach against the tailenders, Sayali said she did not make any significant changes to her plans and focused on maintaining a consistent line. Not really. My plan was simple. Just stick to the stump line. Even the old ball, I was trying to do the same, she said. The pacer also highlighted the difference in pitch conditions compared to the first two matches, noting that the surface offered greater assistance to the spinners on Wednesday. I think today, it was on the slower side. So the spinners were getting turn. In the first two games, there wasn't much turn. Today, the spinners were getting turn, Sayali said. India's seamers also varied their lengths during the opening overs, using short-pitched deliveries alongside fuller balls to prevent the batters from settling into a rhythm. Explaining the tactic, Sayali said, I mean you can't let the batter settle on one particular length. So you have to keep changing the length. She also praised wicketkeeper Yastika Bhatia for taking a sharp catch down the leg side, acknowledging that such moments can make a difference during a bowling spell. Yeah, she took a really good catch. It was kind of that day. Sometimes, on a good ball, you don't get a wicket, and sometimes, on the leg-side ball, you get a wicket, she added. hs/nsk;
3rd ODI: Harleen, Kranti and Yastika return as Zimbabwe ask India to bowl
Digital Desk | Vadodara, Oct 28 (IANS) Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to bat against India in the third women's ODI at the Vadodara International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday. Zimbabwe captain Josephine Nkomo said the ongoing series against India has provided valuable international exposure to her players, helping them understand the gap between the two sides and identify areas for improvement. Definitely, the exposure is good. Now we know how big the gap is and where we need to work on. It has been a good exposure for the girls; we haven't played at this level much. It also gives them a chance to be picked in one of the leagues, Nkomo said. Reflecting on the small wins achieved by her team during the series, she added, It feels good but I know we can do better. We still have a lot to offer, we just need to believe in ourselves. Nkomo, who opted to bat first after winning the toss, said the team wanted to put runs on the board on what she considered a good batting surface. Zimbabwe made one change to their playing XI, bringing in Tendai Makusha, while Nkomo identified a total of around 250 or more as a competitive target. Anything around 250 above 250, gives us a good chance, she said. India captain Smriti Mandhana, meanwhile, confirmed three changes to her side, with Kranti Goud returning to the playing XI alongside Harleen Deol and Yastika Bhatia, who replaced Richa Ghosh and Tejal Hasabnis. Looking ahead to the upcoming South Africa tour and the Champions Trophy, Mandhana said India could consider playing three specialist pacers, particularly with the matches expected to be played under lights. We have South Africa big tour and the Champions Trophy. Considering those will be night matches. Three pacers will be ideal. As we get closer to the Champions Trophy, we will think what will be the best combination. We have so many part-time spinners in our team. So, we can always go with an extra pacer in the team, she said. Mandhana also stressed the importance of taking early wickets with the new ball, praising Kranti, Sayali Satghare and Jintimani Kalita for bowling in the right areas. Pacers with the new ball, I feel we can pick more wickets with the new ball. That's the point for sure. Kranti, Sayali and Jinti, all bowled well in the right areas, she said. Assessing the bowling unit's performance, Mandhana said she would ideally want to restrict opponents to below 150, although a total under 180-200 would also be a reasonable outcome. Well, considering the anything below 180-200 will be good. They are batting decently well. But if I'm being very critical to our bowlers, anything under 150 would be great as a captain. But anything under 180-200 will be good, she added. Playing XIs: India: Pratika Rawal, Smriti Mandhana (c), Shafali Verma, Harmanpreet Kaur, Harleen Deol, Yastika Bhatia (wk), Deepti Sharma, Kranti Gaud, Sayali Satghare, Jintimani Kalita, Vaishnavi Sharma Zimbabwe: Modester Mupachikwa (wk), Loryn Phiri, Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, Beloved Biza, Josephine Nkomo (c), Nyasha Gwanzura, Chiedza Dhururu, Michelle Mavunga, Nomvelo Sibanda, Tendai Makusha, Olinder Chare
Adani Sportsline's Khush Parikh wins gold; Shreeja bags bronze at Khel Mahakumbh 2026
Digital Desk | Ahmedabad, Oct 28 (IANS) Adani Sportsline Tennis Academy players Khush Parikh and Shreeja Shah won gold and bronze, respectively, at the district-level Khel Mahakumbh 2026. Khush claimed the Under-14 Boys Singles title, while Shreeja finished third in the Under-14 Girls Singles category. Shreeja joined the academy on 20 April 2026 and went on to win the Under-14 and Under-16 Girls Singles titles at Gujarat State Tennis Association tournaments in July. She is now targeting the Under-14 Nationals Championship in 2027, with the long-term ambition of representing India. Khush, who joined the academy in August 2025, recently finished runner-up in Under-14 Boys Doubles and reached the semi-finals of Under-14 Singles at the All India Ranking Championship Series Tennis Tournament 2026, held at Mamta Tennis Academy in Bhavnagar, Gujarat. His other achievements include qualifying for the School Games Nationals in 2025, finishing runner-up in Under-14 Doubles at an All-India Tennis Association Championship Series tournament in Vadodara and winning Gujarat State Tennis Association ranking tournaments. Both players train with the academys coaching team, focusing on stroke technique, footwork, shot placement, consistency and match strategy. Khush and Shreeja will now prepare for their upcoming competitions, looking to build on their latest results.
India eye series sweep against Zimbabwe
Vadodara, Oct 27: A dominant India will look to sign off their first-ever bilateral womens ODI series against Zimbabwe with another emphatic win when the two teams square off in the third and final 50-overs game here on Wednesday. India have already clinched the series with an unassailable 2-0 lead after comprehensive victories in the []
Moliya smashes 69-yr-old Baroda Ranji record with unbeaten 321
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Ranji Trophy: Baroda Hold Upper Hand Against Jammu Kashmir
SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir were trailing Baroda by 610 runs at stumps on the second day of their Ranji Trophy Elite Group A match after the hosts posted 616 all out in their first innings at the Reliance Stadium in Vadodara on Tuesday. Jammu and Kashmir finished the day at 6 without loss in four []
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Liechtenstein Prince arrives in Delhi, set to hold bilateral talks with PM Modi on Tuesday
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 26 (IANS) Liechtenstein's Hereditary Prince Alois arrived in New Delhi on Monday as part of his ongoing State Visit to India which aims at further strengthening bilateral ties. Prince Alois arrived in the national capital from Gujarat's Vadodara. He was received by Union Minister of State (MoS) Jayant Singh at the airport. A new chapter in IndiaLiechtenstein engagement. H.S.H. Hereditary Prince Alois of Liechtenstein arrived in New Delhi today, following his visit to Vadodara, as part of his ongoing State Visit to India. He was received by MoS Jayant Singh at the airport. The visit will provide renewed impetus to the bilateral relations, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) posted on X. Extending a warm welcome to Prince Alois, MoS Singh took to X and posted: Following our earlier engagement at Davos, I look forward to further strengthening the warm and friendly ties between India and Liechtenstein and advancing our shared interests through greater cooperation. Prince Alois arrived in Mumbai on Sunday as he began his State Visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He is accompanied by his wife, Princess Sofia, and a high-level official and business delegation comprising top industry leaders. A warm welcome to India! H.S.H. Hereditary Prince Alois of Liechtenstein arrived in Mumbai on a State Visit to India. He was received by Shri Jaykumar Rawal, Minister of Protocol, Government of Maharashtra. IndiaLiechtenstein share warm and cordial relations, based on shared values, the MEA posted on X. This is the second visit of Prince Alois to India in 2026, as he had earlier visited New Delhi in February to attend the AI Impact Summit. He had previously visited India in 2010 and 2018. Prince Alois will be accorded a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Tuesday. He will pay a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat and have a meeting with External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar. Prince Alois is scheduled to hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Hyderabad House later on Tuesday, where they will discuss cooperation in various sectors, including trade and investment, science, technology and innovation, and people-to-people exchanges besides also views on regional and global developments. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Union Minister of State for Skills Development and Entrepreneurship Jayant Chaudhary will call on Prince Alois on Tuesday. Prince Alois will then meet President Droupadi Murmu, who will also host an official banquet in his honour. The visit is expected to provide further impetus to the growing engagement between India and Liechtenstein, particularly since the operationalisation of the IndiaEFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement in 2025. The visit will provide an opportunity to further deepen the friendly ties between India and Liechtenstein and build partnerships in new areas of mutual interest, the MEA said in a statement.
INOX India & partners open semiconductor training centre in Vadodara
The initiative aims to address the shortage of specialised technical talent as India builds its semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem
Deepti Sharma Celebrates Long-Awaited ODI Century in Vadodara
Deepti Sharma scores her second ODI century after a nine-year wait, leading India to a 121-run victory against Zimbabwe. Deepti Sharma Celebrates Long-Awaited ODI Century in Vadodara
Vadodara (Gujarat) [India], October 24: Vadodara-based Parul University has been recognized globally for its research, with eight of its researchers featuring in the Stanford-Elsevier Global Scientist Rankings 2026 as among
CBI court sentences bank fraud accused to seven years' rigorous imprisonment
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 26 (IANS) A special CBI court at Rouse Avenue, New Delhi, has convicted and sentenced bank fraud accused Sanjeev Dixit alias Sanjay Sharma to seven years' rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 1.6 lakh, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) said in a statement on Monday. According to the CBI, the case was registered on July 11, 2013, against Dixit, proprietor of M/s Shankar Metals; Sanjay Sharma, proprietor of M/s Super Machines; Indra Rani; and other unknown persons. The agency alleged that the accused, acting in criminal conspiracy, fraudulently obtained a cash credit facility of Rs 4 crore from Punjab National Bank's Jor Bagh branch in New Delhi using forged property documents. The loan amount was diverted for purposes other than those for which the credit facility had been sanctioned, the statement said. The CBI said that in 2016, Dixit escaped from judicial custody while being produced before a court in Sonipat in connection with another case. He subsequently absconded and was declared a proclaimed offender by the trial court on November 23, 2017. In January 2026, the agency received information that the proclaimed offender was living in Vadodara under a fake identity as Pankaj Bhardwaj, son of Brij Mohan Bhardwaj. Acting on the tip-off, the CBI traced him to Mata Tripura Sundari Mandir in Rajasthan's Banswara district and arrested him on January 30. During the trial, Dixit pleaded guilty to charges of criminal conspiracy, cheating by personation, cheating, forgery of valuable security, forgery for the purpose of cheating, and using forged documents as genuine. Following his plea, the Rouse Avenue court on October 24 convicted him and sentenced him to seven years' rigorous imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 1.6 lakh.
Jammu Kashmir to Face Baroda in Ranji Trophy Clash
SRINAGAR: Defending champions Jammu and Kashmir will face Baroda in their next Ranji Trophy Elite Group A fixture from October 26 to 29 at Reliance Cricket Stadium in Vadodara. The four-day contest forms part of Jammu and Kashmirs campaign in the domestic first-class competition. The side will be led by Paras Dogra, with the Jammu []
Pratapnagar-Jobat passenger train extended
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2nd ODI: Harmanpreet, Deepti, Vaishnavi take India to series win over Zimbabwe (Ld)
Digital Desk | Vadodara, Oct 25 (IANS) Harmanpreet Kaur and Deepti Sharma struck centuries before left-arm spinner Vaishnavi Sharma claimed her maiden four-wicket haul in international cricket as India beat Zimbabwe by 121 runs in the second womens ODI here at the BCA Stadium on Sunday to seal the three-match series 2-0 with a game to spare. After Pratika Rawal made 61, Harmanpreet (126) and Deepti (106 not out) shared a record 153-run stand for the fifth wicket to power India to 328/6 after an early wobble. Zimbabwe made a spirited start in reply through Modester Mupachikwa (49) and Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano (46), but Vaishnavis spell in the middle overs triggered a collapse as the visitors were bowled out for 207 in 48.5 overs. Vaishnavi, who came into the playing eleven in place of the rested Kranti Gaud, ripped through the Zimbabwe line-up to finish with impressive figures of 4-39 from her 10 overs. Deepti then returned in the death overs to pick up 3-32 and round off a commanding all-round display. Apart from Vaishnavi and Deepti, Jintimani Kalita, Sayali Satghare and N Sree Charani picked a scalp each. After electing to bat first, India were off to a shaky start. Nomvelo Sibanda struck in the very first over when Smriti Mandhana went for an ill-judged pull off a short, wide delivery and was caught at short third. Sibanda claimed her second scalp when Shafali Verma (8) pulled one low towards midwicket, where Nyasha Gwanzura held a sharp catch inches off the ground, a decision upheld by the TV umpire. With India at 19/2, Harmanpreet and Pratika set about repairing the damage with a 124-run third-wicket partnership. Harmanpreet looked in control with her back-foot and off-side shots, while taking a liking to Sibanda and Tendai Makusha and finding the boundary ropes with a series of crisp drives and cuts. Pratika, who looked pristine, struck the first six of the match by lofting Makusha over long-on in the 10th over. The pair brought up Indias hundred in the 16th over, before Pratika completed her half-century off 57 balls and celebrated by stepping out to loft Loryn Phiri for a six straight down the ground. An over later, Harmanpreet reached her fifty off 51 deliveries. Zimbabwes fielding effort was also hit by injuries, with Mugeri-Tiripano hurting her right knee and captain Josephine Nkomo leaving the field after a diving stop. Nyasha finally broke the third-wicket stand in the 23rd over when Pratika, who was dropped on 59, swept straight into the hands of deep midwicket. She made 61 off 67 balls, laced with four boundaries and two sixes. Leg-spinner Olinder Chare struck in the next over, as Tejal Hasabnis (3) skied a slog-sweep to mid-on. Harmanpreet, who was dropped on 66 by Nkomo at short midwicket, and Deepti then steadied the innings. After Harmanpreet cut Nyasha for four, Deepti cashed in on some wayward bowling down the leg side, sweeping repeatedly to the fine-leg boundary while also cutting and pulling to race to 45 off 35 balls, with Harmanpreet unbeaten on 88 off as many balls at the second drinks break. Deepti then brought up her fifty off 37 balls in the 35th over by sweeping a Sibanda full toss past square leg. Harmanpreet, meanwhile, moved through the nineties with a classy drive through extra cover off Makusha before completing her century off 101 balls with a fine sweep off Beloved Biza in the 41st over. It was her eighth ODI hundred, but Harmanpreet kept her celebration low-key - settling for a handshake with Deepti as the Indian dressing room rose to applaud. Zimbabwes woes in the field continued, with Harmanpreet getting two more lives. Michelle Mavunga failed to hold on to a diving chance at long-on, while Nomvelo spilled a chance at backward point. The pair helped India race past 300 in the 46th over before Michelle finally ended Harmanpreets stay by luring her into a big hit with a slower, fuller delivery that was caught by at long-off. Harmanpreet, who hit 15 boundaries in her 121-ball 126, walked back to a standing ovation from her teammates. Her 153-run stand with Deepti is now India womens highest partnership for the fifth wicket or lower in ODIs, eclipsing the 122-run association between Sneh Rana and Pooja Vastrakar against Pakistan in the 2022 ODI World Cup. Richa Ghosh (7) fell soon after, holing out to long-on off a Tendai full toss in the 48th over. Deepti, however, made sure India finished strongly. She reached her second ODI hundred off 83 balls her first ton since 2017 - in the final over by sweeping Tendai between short fine leg and square leg, and remained unbeaten on 106 off 86 balls, laced with 15 boundaries. The sweep alone fetched her 36 runs, including eight boundaries. Deeptis 83-ball century is the fifth fastest ton by an India womens batter in ODIs, and she also became the first Indian woman to score a hundred at number six or lower, bettering Richas 94 coming against South Africa in the 2025 ODI World Cup in Visakhapatnam. Zimbabwe made a bright start to the chase as Modester cracked two boundaries off the first two balls from Sayali. The Indian seamers struggled with their lines early on as Modester continued to cash in on anything short or on the pads. But India struck through spin in the ninth over when Charani had Loryn Phiri (6) caught by short midwicket and end a 38-run opening stand. Chipo then took the attack to the spinners, hitting three fours in a Charani over. She added 69 for the second wicket with Modester before Sayali got a breakthrough in the 23rd over by castling her for 46 through the gate with one that nipped back in. Vaishnavi, who bowled slower through the air, then turned the game decisively in Indias favour. Switching to over the wicket, the left-arm spinner picked up her maiden ODI wicket when Modester fell one short of a fifty, as she sliced straight to backward point. Beloved Biza (34) tried to keep Zimbabwe in the hunt with some aggressive strokes against the spinners, but was trapped lbw by Vaishnavi after India successfully reviewed the decision. Vaishnavi then bowled Michelle Mavunga (3) with a classic flighted delivery that clipped the top of off-stump. Zimbabwe skipper Josephine Nkomo, who survived a dropped chance by wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh, was also undone by Vaishnavis flight and was trapped lbw for 20 with the DRS failing to save her. Nyasha Gwanzura briefly entertained with the first six of the Zimbabwe innings, but Deepti trapped her lbw, while having Nomvelo Sibanda edged the next ball to slip. Though Deepti missed out on a hat-trick, she returned to dismiss Tendai Makusha with a leading edge to backward point. Jintimani wrapped up the innings in the 49th over and also got her first ODI wicket when Chiedza Dhururu chipped straight to cover, as India got another comprehensive win. Brief Scores: India 328/6 in 50 overs (Harmanpreet Kaur 126, Deepti Sharma 106 not out; Nomvelo Sibanda 2-38, Nyasha Gwanzura 1-43) beat Zimbabwe 207 all out in 48.5 overs (Modester Mupachikwa 49, Chipo Mugari-Tiripano 46; Vaishnavi Sharma 4-39, Deepti Sharma 3-32) by 121 runs
India Women Crush Zimbabwe by 121 Runs to Seal 2nd ODI Victory
India Women produced a dominant display with both bat and ball to defeat Zimbabwe Women by 121 runs in the second ODI of the Zimbabwe Women in India 2026/27 series at the BCA Stadium, Vadodara. After piling up an imposing 328/6 in 50 overs, India Women backed up their batting effort with a disciplined bowling [] The post India Women Crush Zimbabwe by 121 Runs to Seal 2nd ODI Victory appeared first on Pragativadi I Latest Odisha News in English I Breaking News .
First Indian ever! Deepti Sharma scripts history with century against Zimbabwe
In a remarkable display of skill, Deepti Sharma secured her place in history with an unbeaten century against Zimbabwe in Vadodara. Achieving the milestone in just 83 balls, she struck 15 boundaries, demonstrating her batting prowess from the No. 6 position. Furthermore, Harmanpreet Kaur's impressive 126-run innings added fuel to the fire, as they forged a record partnership, propelling India to a formidable total.
Former India captain Harmanpreet Kaur once again stole the show with a commanding century against Zimbabwe at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara. Ahead of the series, the BCCI officials held a meeting with Harmanpreet and following which she was replaced as captain. Smriti Mandhana was handed the baton. The veteran was asked to bat freely and since then, she has been a force to reckon with.
Nationwide anti-drug bike rally heads to Statue of Unity to join parade on October 31
Digital Desk | Gandhinagar, Oct 25 (IANS) More than 550 personnel from states, union territories and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) are taking part in a national motorcycle rally to spread awareness against drug abuse ahead of the National Unity Day parade at Ekta Nagar on October 31. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Sunday flagged off the rally from the Secretariat complex in Gandhinagar, with participants set to travel to the Statue of Unity in Ekta Nagar, also known as Kevadia, under the theme Fight Against Drugs. Director General of Police (DGP) Gyanendra Singh Malik said 45 teams are participating in the rally through four zones, with more than 275 motorcycles. Five bikers from each participating state had joined the event, including participants from Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, alongside CAPF personnel. Teams from across the country will reach Ekta Nagar today with the message Fight Against Drugs, DGP Malik said, adding that awareness programmes and pledge-taking activities were being organised at various locations along the route to encourage people, particularly young people, to stay away from drugs. The rally is part of preparations for the National Unity Day celebrations on October 31, which mark the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, widely regarded as the architect of India's political integration after Independence. The annual event is held at Ekta Nagar, home to the Statue of Unity. The motorcycle rally follows the flag-off of the North Zone contingent by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on October 21. The contingent travelled through Haryana and Rajasthan before reaching Gandhinagar. From there, the rally will proceed through Anand and Vadodara before reaching Ekta Nagar. Participants are scheduled to take part in the National Unity Day parade on October 31. The campaign carries the message, Say No to Drugs, Say Yes to Life, with a focus on discouraging drug abuse through public awareness and community engagement. Sanjeev Kumar, Principal Secretary of the Home Department and Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, along with senior police officers, government officials and security personnel, was present at the flag-off ceremony. The National Unity Day parade is held annually to commemorate Sardar Patel's contribution to national unity and integration. The celebrations bring together security forces and other contingents at Ekta Nagar, in Gujarat's Narmada district.
2nd ODI: Preparation brings clarity, which in turn brings results: Tejal Hasabnis
Digital Desk | Vadodara, Oct 25 (IANS) India batter Tejal Hasabnis believes thorough preparation for different match situations has been the key behind her recent good run, saying it gives her the clarity she needs once she walks out to bat in the middle order. Tejal struck twin half-centuries for India 'A' getting the 2-1 50-over series win over Australia A in Mohali, and it paved her way to earn a recall to the Indian team for the ongoing ODI series against Zimbabwe at the BCA Stadium. So honestly speaking, I feel preparation is very crucial as a middle-order batter because I try to be in different kind of situations. As you said, I practice that a lot in different areas. Like what areas I can target or what kind of innings I want to build. Then when Im playing in the match, I just try to have more clarity as I guess clarity gives more results. So I guess preparation helps. Good preparation always helps to become clear and clarity gives better output, Hasabnis told broadcasters in a pre-match chat ahead of the second ODI on Sunday. Reflecting on her back-to-back scores of 81 and 60 against Australia A, the right-handed Tejal said staying in the present and keeping a close eye on the match situation allowed her to stay ahead of the opposition bowlers. I was just trying to look and stay present, and I was just looking at the scoreboard and adapting accordingly, and it helped me, and technically, I was just trying to be one step ahead of them and it worked. When asked whether her preparation was more mental or technical, Tejal said self-belief played the bigger role, as well as being confident about her ability to shift gears when required and keep the scoreboard ticking. It's I feel its just about mindset. I know that I have both the gears like whenever a team needs, I can just put my foot down and attack and if given a situation, I know I am good at rotating sides. So its just about having that belief and following the scoreboard, I guess. With India having won the series opener by nine wickets, Tejal signed off by saying the team was eager to keep the winning run going while staying focused on the basics. I feel its definitely important as winning and dominating is something we are looking forward to and winning is always good. So well just try to focus on our process and make today count, she said.
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Rahul Gandhi is Liar of Opposition, not Leader of Opposition: Gujarat BJP
Digital Desk | Ahmedabad, Oct 24 (IANS) Gujarat Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief spokesperson Anil Patel on Saturday accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of spreading misleading information about constitutional institutions, as the party announced a statewide campaign to counter the Oppositions allegations over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The BJPs Save Democracy, Remove Anarchy campaign will begin on Sunday, with a march in Surat, followed by programmes in Ahmedabad and Rajkot on October 27 and Vadodara on October 28. The party said it would organise further marches across districts and cities in Gujarat, along with press conferences and public outreach programmes. Addressing a press conference at the BJPs state headquarters in Gandhinagar, Patel accused the Congress and other Opposition parties of attempting to create distrust in constitutional institutions, including the Election Commission, through what he described as false and misleading information about SIR. Opposition is acting out of political frustration and attempting to mislead the public rather than accepting the peoples mandate and playing a constructive role, he said. Referring to Rahul Gandhis functioning, Patel said: Rahul Gandhi is behaving not as the Leader of Opposition but as the Liar of Opposition. Patel also accused the Congress of placing political interests above national interest in its pursuit of power. The partys allegations against constitutional institutions and its position on issues such as infiltration are turning matters of national interest into political confrontations, he said. He maintained that the Opposition would not succeed in creating an atmosphere of anarchy or misleading the public. The campaign is intended to present facts in response to the Oppositions claims about SIR and strengthen public confidence in democratic and constitutional institutions, the party said. The first march will take place at Adajan in Surat at 5 p.m. on Sunday in the presence of state BJP president Jagdish Vishwakarma and Union Minister C. R. Patil. State general secretary Prashant Korat will also attend. On October 27, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel will attend the march in Ahmedabad, where state general secretary Ajay Brahmbhatt will also be present. A separate march in Rajkot on the same day will be attended by Vishwakarma, state co-in-charge Ajay Mahawar, Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister Nimuben Bambhaniya and state general secretary Aniruddh Dave, among other leaders. Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi will attend the Vadodara march on October 28, along with state general secretary Hitendrasinh Chauhan. The marches would bring together state ministers, MPs, MLAs, party office-bearers, elected representatives, workers, community leaders, traders association representatives, women, non-governmental organisation representatives and other citizens. Similar programmes will subsequently be organised across the state, party leaders said. The campaign will also include press conferences in districts and cities to address the Oppositions claims regarding SIR, discussions with eminent citizens, and youth interactions on the theme Democracy vs Mobocracy. Competitions for students on strengthening democracy and outreach programmes involving influential citizens and social media influencers are also planned. Youth discussions will cover Indias democratic history, the role of constitutional institutions, the Congress past use of Article 356 and the imposition of Presidents Rule in various states. Restrictions on the press and media during the Emergency will also feature, alongside discussions on institutional autonomy, infiltration and issues concerning national interest.
Digital Desk | Vadodara, Oct 24 (IANS) Fresh from a crushing nine-wicket win in the ODI series opener, a clinical India will look to clinch the series when they meet Zimbabwe in the second match here at the BCA Stadium on Sunday. The hosts, who swept the T20I series 3-0 in Raipur, extended their dominance on Friday as left-arm spinner Sree Charani's career-best 4-23 and opener Pratika Rawal's unbeaten century propelled them to another victory on a fresh red-soil pitch. After bundling out Zimbabwe for 197, India knocked off the target with 137 balls to spare and got their ICC Championship campaign off to a winning start. Charani was the standout bowler for India by relying on tight lines to keep the Zimbabwe batters in check. Pacer Kranti Gaud supported Charani well by picking 3-42, and India will wish for that to continue on Sunday. 17-year-old Beloved Biza held the innings together for Zimbabwe with a patient 62 off 92 balls, her fourth ODI fifty and she will again be the visitors best batting hope on Sunday. With the bat, Pratika was superlative in hitting 15 fours in her 96-ball century her third ton in the format. What would have also pleased India is regular opener Shafali Verma smashing an unbeaten 64 off 33 balls with five fours and four sixes while batting just the second time at number three in ODIs. India, who are using the series to test different combinations ahead of the multi-format trip to South Africa, will want to tighten up their fielding after two early lapses. When: October 25, 2026, 2:00 PM Where: BCA Stadium, Kotambi, Vadodara Where to watch: The match will be shown live on the Star Sports channels on TV, and live streaming is available on the JioHotstar app and website. Squads India: Smriti Mandhana (captain), Shafali Verma, Pratika Rawal, Harmanpreet Kaur, Harleen Deol, Tejal Hasabnis, Deepti Sharma (vice-captain), Richa Ghosh (wk), Yastika Bhatia (wk), Vaishnavi Sharma, Nandni Sharma, Sree Charani, Kranti Gaud, Sayali Satghare, and Jintimani Kalita. Zimbabwe: Kelis Ndhlovu, Beloved Biza, Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, Chiedza Dhururu (wk), Nyasha Gwanzura, Josephine Nkomo (captain), Modester Mupachikwa, Sharne Mayers, Loryn Phiri, Francisca Chipare, Kudzai Chigora, Nomvelo Sibanda (vice-captain), Olinder Chare, Michelle Mavunga, and Tendai Makusha.
Five-year-old Arjun Prajapati has drawn attention for his exceptional learning abilities, scoring 141 on an IQ test and qualifying for Mensa International and Intertel at the age of four. He reportedly began reading independently at 18 months and has explored more than 3,000 books on subjects including mathematics, astronomy, genetics and human physiology. Despite his advanced interests, his parents want him to learn at his own pace and enjoy his childhood without academic pressure.
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