Free Entry For Female Spectators For India-Zimbabwe Womens T20Is In Raipur
Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International: Female spectators will be allowed free entry to the three women's T20Is between India and Zimbabwe, starting at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium here, following a suggestion from the states Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai. The matches will be played on October 16, 18 and 20, with all three games starting at 7 pm. A Chhattisgarh State Cricket Sangh (CSCS) source said to IANS on Thursday that the decision was taken after the chief minister floated the idea when office-bearers of the association invited him to watch the T20I series. The Chhattisgarh CM suggested free ticketing for female spectators yesterday when he was invited to watch the T20I games by the state association. This happened because of the CM's suggestion, as one cannot refuse the CM's suggestion. Navratri is also going on, and having as many female spectators as possible in the T20I matches will add more spark to the festive season in Raipur, further said the source. The invitation was extended to Sai by CSCS president Mohan Das, director Vijay Shah, former president Mukul Tiwari, secretary Vintesh Agrawal, along with G S Murthy, Vinay Bajaj and other office-bearers. The association announced the initiative on its social media accounts on Thursday and urged female fans to turn up in large numbers and fill the stands in support of the Indian team. The series marks the start of Smriti Mandhana's tenure as India's full-time captain and is Zimbabwe's first bilateral series against India. It will also be the first time Raipur hosts a women's international match. After the T20Is, the two teams will move to Vadodara for a three-match ODI series from October 23 to 28. Meanwhile, Surat will host Elite Group A games in the Senior Womens T20 Trophy, which New Delhi was to stage originally. But with Arun Jaitley Stadium set to undergo drainage and pitch upgrades, and Palam Grounds occupied with the Ranji Trophy, there werent sufficient grounds to stage the games. CK Pithawala Ground and Lalbhai Contractor Stadium in Surat will now host Elite Group A games starting on October 26. It will also be the first time Raipur hosts a women's international match. After the T20Is, the two teams will move to Vadodara for a three-match ODI series from October 23 to 28. Meanwhile, Surat will host Elite Group A games in the Senior Womens T20 Trophy, which New Delhi was to stage originally. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International: Newly appointed T20I vice-captain Shafali Verma said on Thursday that her role in the Indian team leadership group will go beyond that title, adding that the side are aiming to play a fearless yet smart brand of T20 cricket in next years Champions Trophy. India, to be now captained by Smriti Mandhana, will begin its preparation for the inaugural six-team tournament, to be played in Mumbai and Vadodara in February 2027, when they open the T20I series against Zimbabwe at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium on Friday. Just talking about vice-captaincy, I have done captaincy in the Under-19 World Cup as well. So, I have that experience. I know vice-captaincy is not just a title. It's a big responsibility. I know we have to just take care of each and every player and make them in a very good headspace. So, I am just trying to make every player very comfortable and just help the captain, Shafali said in the pre-match press conference. She also credited former captain Harmanpreet Kaur for the growth of the women's game and said the team had already mapped out its approach for the road ahead. Harman di has done a lot of growth to women's cricket. The current shape of women's cricket, it's just all about Harman di only. So, just thanks to her and just talking about how we have to move forward in women's cricket. First of all, we have to play a fearless brand of cricket in T20, with smartness as well. So, we have just talked in this series that we have to play the Champions Trophy, the fearless brand of cricket with the smartness and we have done lots of meetings. So, everyone knows what to do and you guys can also see the growth. So, we are just trying to keep growing series by series, she added. Shafali, who has been in prolific form via scores of 64, 68, 40 not out, 100 not out and 48, traced her resurgence to the work she put in after being left out of the ODI side in 2025, before a call-up came following Pratika Rawal's injury led to her dramatic return to the ODI World Cup team and capped it off with a Player of the Match performance in the final against South Africa in Navi Mumbai. When Pratika got injured, I got a direct call to be back in the team. Luckily, at that time I was playing state T20 games from Haryana. So, I worked a lot on myself in 2025 and I think that hard work which I did in 2025, it gave me lots of help right now. So, I am just trying to keep my head down and just keep learning everything. Every day brings every new experience, and I am just trying to learn everything, she said. Shafali recalled that spending time out of the team forced her to take a hard look at her game. I think in 2025, when I got out of the team, I sat down and analysed myself which things I have to work on. First of all, consistency and then fitness, which meant I had to work on my body. Mentally, I have to grow more. So, these three things, I did hard work at that time. I think because of that, everything is going well. So, I am just trying to be more consistent. Shafali, who has also been chipping in with her off-spin, said she had long prepared for the possibility of bowling at the international level. Bowling is nothing new for me because I have been bowling for Haryana since 2021. So, I know when I used to bowl for Haryana, I used to think that someday I will have to bowl for India. So, I used to keep myself mentally prepared at that time that if I get bowling in the Indian team, then how do I have to prepare. With God's grace at that time, I am just trying to get used to the thinking that when I will get bowling in the Indian team, then what do I have to do and luckily I did that. Mentally, I have been ahead only and it's a great thing. Aware that opponents now plan specifically for her, Shafali said she recreates various match scenarios in the nets. I know that the other opponent team does all the preparation for me. So, in the net sessions, I always prepare for that. If my hitting is not good in the net session, then how do I play along the ground? So, I put myself in various situations in every net session. So, I think it is easy for me to go into the match because of that practice. On every skill, on short balls, even on spinner's back foot punch and even the pull shots as well. So, I have worked on that and I can see a very good reflection. So, I have to just keep doing the hard work. In the absence of injured Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali said the batting order had coped well and backed youngster Niki Prasad to step up. Jemi is recovering. But, in the Asia Cup and Asian Games, we were very good in the middle order. We didn't feel so much absence of it. So, I think it is easy for me to go into the match because of that practice. On every skill, on short balls, even on spinner's back foot punch and even the pull shots as well. So, I have worked on that and I can see a very good reflection. So, I have to just keep doing the hard work. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
Mandhana Captaincy Era Set To Begin As India Take On Zimbabwe (Preview)
Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International: A new chapter in Indian women's cricket will commence on Friday when Smriti Mandhana leads the side as full-time captain for the first time in the opening T20I against Zimbabwe, who are still searching for their first win in the format this year. Fridays clash will mark the start of Zimbabwe's first-ever bilateral series against India, and the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium is set to host a women's international match for the first time. Smriti, who takes over from Harmanpreet Kaur after being the vice-captain for almost ten years, inherits a side brimming with confidence after winning the Asia Cup and the Asian Games gold medal. Captaincy is hardly unfamiliar territory for Smriti - she has led Maharashtra in domestic cricket and guided Royal Challengers Bengaluru to two WPL titles. She has also captained India in 18 T20Is, winning 11 and losing six of them, with the first of those coming seven years ago against England in Guwahati when Harmanpreet was injured. Her elevation to captaincy comes when Smriti is at the peak of her batting powers. The left-handed opener has struck two hundreds and 15 fifties in T20Is over the last three years and has pushed her strike rate to a career-best 148.25 in 2026. While Harmanpreet still remains a key figure in the dressing room, her now being free from leadership duties means she could well be more destructive with the bat. The main selection puzzle to solve for India is the number three slot, left vacant by Jemimah Rodrigues, who is recovering from a right hamstring tear. G Kamalini batted there twice, but Anushka Sharma and Niki Prasad pushed their case after posting strong showings against Australia A. Prema Rawat could come in with Shreyanka Patil not included for the series. India will also have huge hopes from vice-captain Shafali Verma and left-arm spinner N Sree Charani to continue their sparkling run. Zimbabwe, led by Josephine Nkomo, have lost all of their T20Is this year and last won in the format against Namibia in September 2025. They will, however, draw belief from their maiden ODI win over the West Indies at home in September. Opener Kelis Ndhlovu, the only Zimbabwean with a T20I fifty this year, will be a key figure with the bat. The three T20Is will be followed by three ODIs in Vadodara from October 23 to 28. When: October 16, 2026, 7:00 PM Where: Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium, Raipur Where to watch: The match will be shown live on the Star Sports Network channels on TV and live-stream is available on the JioHotstar app and website. Squads India: Smriti Mandhana (captain), Shafali Verma (vc), Niki Prasad, Harmanpreet Kaur, Anushka Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wk), G Kamalini (wk), Deepti Sharma, Prema Rawat, Sree Charani, Nandni Sharma, Kranti Gaud, Arundhati Reddy, Jintimani Kalita, and Minnu Mani Squads Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
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18 new machines to upgrade cataract surgery facilities at Gujarat hospitals
Digital Desk | Gandhinagar, Oct 15 (IANS) Government hospitals and medical colleges across Gujarat will receive 18 advanced phacoemulsification machines for cataract surgeries at an estimated cost of more than Rs 8.85 crore, following approval by state Health Minister Praful Pansheriya, on Thursday. The machines will be distributed among government healthcare institutions in Ahmedabad, Surat, Bhavnagar, Vadodara, Jamnagar, Morbi, Gandhinagar, Vadnagar and Himmatnagar. The state government said the equipment would help patients to access modern eye treatment free of cost. The M and J Institute of Ophthalmology in Ahmedabad will receive seven machines, while Government Medical College in Bhavnagar, and GMERS Hospital in Morbi, will receive two each. One machine each has been allocated to New Civil Hospital and Old Civil Hospital in Surat, GG General Hospital in Jamnagar, ESIC General Hospital in Vadodara, and GMERS institutions in Gandhinagar, Vadnagar and Himmatnagar. The machines are designed to improve precision during cataract surgery by allowing surgeons to control ultrasound energy, vacuum and fluid flow. Their technology helps break down and remove cataract fragments, with the aim of providing greater control during procedures and supporting faster recovery. The equipment features an elliptical movement technology in its handpiece and a peristaltic pump system to regulate fluid flow and vacuum, enabling cataract particles to be removed through a suction tip. A foot-pedal control system allows surgeons to adjust ultrasound energy, vacuum and fluid flow according to the requirements of each operation. The machines also incorporate CASE (Chamber Stabilisation Environment) technology, which regulates changes in vacuum and fluid flow to help maintain stable pressure inside the eye during surgery and reduce the risk of a sudden pressure drop, known as a post-occlusion surge. The handpiece is designed to reduce excessive heat generation near the small incision made during surgery. This can help minimise corneal oedema, or swelling of the cornea, and other post-operative complications, supporting quicker recovery. The approval was given at a meeting chaired by Pansheriya as part of the state government's efforts to strengthen eye-care facilities at government medical colleges and hospitals.
Smriti Mandhana era begins as India look to fix T20 flaws against Zimbabwe
India will begin their T20 series against Zimbabwe under the leadership of Smriti Mandhana on Friday. The series marks the first bilateral encounter between the two teams in history. India is looking to improve their performance in T20s after recent World Cup exits. Zimbabwe enters the series on a high after their recent ODI victory over West Indies. Both teams will follow the T20 matches with three ODIs in Vadodara.
'Steel And Velvet': What Smriti Mandhana Brings As India's New All-format Captain
What Smriti Mandhana: The first thing Biju George noticed about a teenaged Smriti Mandhana at the BCCI's first-ever Under-19 girls' camp, held in Guntur in 2013/14, was the cover drive. Tall and bespectacled, Smriti leaned into the ball so sweetly while playing the cover drive that George nicknamed her 'Lady Dada'. The second thing he noticed was her gutsy nature when she came to him to solve an issue. She came up to me and said, 'Listen, I find it difficult. I am like a compulsory hooker. So people get me out with that and I want to work on that,' George said to IANS. He and a colleague, Raghu, took her to the indoor nets at the old NCA and threw balls at her for hours till the issue was solved. That habit and maturity runs through almost every account of Smriti Mandhana, India's new all-format captain. Harmanpreet Kaur stepped down as Indias skipper on October 6, though she will carry on as a player. She leaves after leading India to its first-ever ODI World Cup at home in 2025, a second Asian Games gold medal and twin Asia Cup triumphs. But under Harmanpreets captaincy, India was also a T20I side that has gone out in the group stage of the last two World Cups, though she was hamstrung by the absence of key all-rounders this year. Smriti, 30, has led India in 18 T20Is and four ODIs as a stand-in captain and taken Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to WPL titles in 2024 and 2026, apart. This year she passed Mithali Raj as the leading run-scorer in women's international cricket, made a record 18th international hundred to surpass Meg Lanning, and moved past Suzie Bates to be at the top of the T20I run charts. In March, Mattel made her a one-of-a-kind Barbie doll, the first cricketer to be bestowed with that honour. Aarti Vaidya, the former India player and national selector, feels a measured and assured Smriti is very prepared to begin life as the sides captain. She has played a lot of WBBL and franchise matches in England too. So she has that international cricket experience of handling and being with different teams and that helps. Similar views are echoed by Malolan Rangarajan, RCB's women's head coach. It's very well deserving for someone who has worked so hard on her game and also contributed so much to Indian cricket. She has been Indias vice-captain for such a long time and so, it's a well-deserved elevation and adds another feather in Smriti's cap, he said to IANS. It also helped that when Smriti captained RCB, it had former international captains like Heather Knight and Sophie Devine. While picking her, it wasn't like we were waiting to see how good a captain she was. She had captained before she joined RCB also. So she was very well experienced back then itself. But having worked with her over a period of 4-5 years now, you get to know the person also. She is a leader of a team and not a leader of select individuals. She always thinks about what's best for the team, how can this team, and anything with it, go forward. I'm pretty sure regardless of her being the Indian captain or not, even as the vice-captain, she was always thinking about how well she can contribute and take Indian cricket forward, added Rangarajan. Asked about instances in WPL where Smriti the skipper shined, Rangarajan is wary of reducing it to a single moment. She's got an extraordinary pulse of the game. She knows what works, and what doesn't work. With her, it was always about knowing what's best for the team and what's best for a situation. So I can't point out a single situation in which Smriti was amazing. She's a very, very, very experienced player. She knows a lot of Indian and international girls. Even tactically, she's very, very adept - knows exactly what to do when and just overall, her experience has been amazing, he said. Tejal Hasabnis, who will play under Smriti in the ODI series against Zimbabwe in Vadodara, knows Smriti well from the Maharashtra days. Getting to debut internationally under Smritis captaincy during the 50-over clash against New Zealand in Ahmedabad in 2024 will always be a fun fact worth cherishing for the right-handed batter. Growing up, I have played a lot of cricket under her. She used to lead Maharashtra senior side as well. So, yes, it will be very familiar and I am just looking forward to it. I am so excited because this is kind of a new chapter starting for the Indian women's cricket team. So, I am very excited to see how she approaches it and what will come next. She also gives a glowing assessment of what playing under Smritis captaincy is like. Basically, Smriti is someone who is a very calm and thoughtful person off the field and is the same on the field. I feel she is someone who prepares and then she just comes there and executes her plan with a calm head. Even in domestic games, she was pretty clear on what she wanted from the team. She gave us role clarity - like what she expects from the players and when just out there, she supports us to execute our plans. Former India player Soniya Dabir was Smritis roommate when she first broke into Maharashtra's senior side as a shy teenager. Made the sides captain at 16, Smriti leaned on the senior players rather than trying to impress them. She used to listen to everyone for help in terms of formulating strategies. She could make it out whose advice was to be taken and used to think about the situations differently. That thought process was very clear from a young age. With the bat, we always believed that as long as she was there, we could still go ahead and win the match. Smriti has spent her India career under two very different leaders: the measured Mithali Raj and Harmanpreet, whose fire a team still learning to believe in itself needed a lot. Luckily for her, she got to play under Mithali and Harman for a long time. So she is quite experienced for that job and on and off, when Harman was not available, she was also taking her place, says Aarti. George puts this captaincy change in a well-thought phrase. Harman was steel-steel. Now Smriti will be steel and velvet. Harman can be aloof at certain times. Smriti is never aloof. Smriti is always available and I know the girls will love working with Smriti. He calls it a new era for India, where the captaincy is more welcoming. In Georges view, Smriti is that one girl who will always listen and one of the few who would reach out and ask. Smriti and Jemi (Jemimah Rodrigues) are a few people who have never changed, he said. Aarti feels the change at the helm has arrived at the right time. I just thought time had come for her to take charge now. I guess she would handle it properly because she has that experience with her. George, though, will watch out for one adjustment. Challenges will be working with the same support staff because they were so much used to Harman's style of captaincy. A home Champions Trophy in February 2027, then the T20 World Cup and the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, and ODI World Cup title defence in 2029 a great showing in all of them will be on Smritis radar. Results will decide how her captaincy will be judged, especially with the social media era quick in asking questions and hurling criticisms. That level of scrutiny, long reserved for India's men's captains, is a measure of how far the women's game has come. Harmanpreet built a side that learned to fight, and then to win and constantly challenge big teams. Smritis task will be to take it up a notch and also crack the code of success in the shortest format while being the ever-dependable batter. She's been playing the sport at the highest level for a while now. She knows what it takes to play at that level. Not only play, but to also be a superstar at that level. So, it's come at a very good time for her and the Indian cricket team. Knowing Smriti, the only thing she'll be thinking about is how she can take this team to the next level. They've obviously won the World Cup in the 50 overs and knowing her, she'll be thoroughly and fully focused on how she can make this team even better, added Rangarajan. It also helps that Smriti is easily approachable and shows empathy towards newbies and youngsters to give them a sense of belonging. With Smriti, what you see is what you get. Regardless of her seniority or experience, she conducts herself in a very, very calm manner. She's very approachable, and I'm pretty sure if you speak to more girls, they'll echo the same sentiment of how good Smriti is around the group and how she is. RCB also has found a couple of players who came in as uncapped players and have now gone on to play for the country, and that's a testament to how Smriti has led the team, said Rangarajan. He also feels Smriti can easily compartmentalise her batting and captaincy duties. Again, Smriti is experienced enough to detach the two. When she captains, she captains and when she bats, she's mature and experienced enough to think like a batter and do what's required for the team. So, knowing her as a person, I don't think it's going to make too much of a difference, her being a captain or not. Soniya also agrees with it. I don't think that captaincy pressure will matter that much to her. She is used to it now. Like she said in an interview, a captain is more answerable. So now she has an idea of what she is going to face. She will take it as an opportunity. There are still lots of trophies to be won. Aarti adds, If you have that hunger to win, then obviously there are a lot of things which come your way and I guess she has that hunger and proved it during WPL also. She has handled the team there very well. Rangarajan returns to clarity of thought in Smriti, the leader. Smriti is such an experienced player. She knows every player - literally every player. Practically, shes very, very clear. She doesn't waste her time around and wants to do what's right for the team. Even in meetings, she's very clear with the messaging that needs to go out to the team. She's been absolutely good and I don't expect her to do anything different in the Indian team. Aarti adds, If you have that hunger to win, then obviously there are a lot of things which come your way and I guess she has that hunger and proved it during WPL also. She has handled the team there very well. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
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Cinpolis India and RealD announce 3D Film Festival across 18 cities, tickets priced at Rs 150
Cinpolis India, in partnership with RealD, has announced a special 3D Film Festival starting October 23, 2026. The festival will be held across 23 Cinpolis cinemas in 18 cities across India, bringing a selection of popular film franchises, family entertainers and cult classics back to the big screen in 3D. Tickets for all screenings will be priced at Rs 150. The festival's lineup includes Spider-Man: No Way Home, Fast & Furious 7, Jurassic World, Mufasa: The Lion King and Lilo & Stitch in English, along with the Hindi film Raaz 3. The initiative aims to give moviegoers an opportunity to revisit these titles in a 3D theatrical format at an accessible price. The festival will take place in Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Delhi, Gurugram, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kochi, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, Navi Mumbai, Noida, Pune, Surat, Thane and Vadodara. Speaking about the initiative, Ashish Misra, Head of Commercialisation, Cinpolis India, said, When people come back to a film they already know, they come for the moments. They know exactly when the big scene is coming, and they wait for it with a hall full of people who are waiting for the same thing. That's what makes watching a film in a cinema special and seeing it in 3D on a big screen adds to it. We've taken the festival to 18 cities, from Bhopal to Bhubaneswar, because people everywhere should be able to enjoy that. Nathan Davis, VP of Marketing at RealD, also spoke about the collaboration and the festival's focus on bringing audiences back to cinemas. He said, India continues to be one of the world's most exciting moviegoing markets, and we're thrilled to partner with Cinpolis India to bring audiences back into theaters for some of the most memorable 3D experiences ever released. This festival is a great opportunity for fans to rediscover the immersive storytelling that premium 3D can deliver, while also building excitement for the next generation of cinematic events. As audiences look ahead to highly anticipated releases such as Ramayana and Avengers: Doomsday, we're excited to help create even more unforgettable moments on the big screen through the power of RealD 3D. Also Read : EXCLUSIVE: Cinepolis Indias Ashish Misra predicts HISTORIC Rs. 15,000 cr India box office in 2026; says, Ramayana can be the BIGGEST film Indian cinema has ever seen
Mandhana Says India Need To Work Hard in T20Is Despite ODI World Cup Triumph
Mandhana is set to lead India in her first assignment as full-time captain when the hosts take on Zimbabwe in a three-match T20I series starting on Friday, followed by three ODIs in Vadodara
Vadodara Cops Go Undercover In Garba Attire To Ensure Women's Safety
Cops have issued a stern warning that any suspicious activity or attempts to harass women will be met with immediate and strict legal action.
Vadodara (Gujarat) [India], October 14: Total Sports & Fitness, India's leading Multi-Brand, Multi-Sports retail chain, has opened its first store in Vadodara, marking its third store in Gujarat, following its presence in Surat and Ahmedabad, and another milestone in its expansion across India. Located on Vasana-Bhayli Road, the new 1,500 sqft. store brings together sports equipment, fitness gear and active lifestyle products from over 100 brands across sporting categories, with a key focus on cricket and badminton, catering to athletes, fitness enthusiasts, coaches and recreational players across the city.
Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train hits another milestone; 14 portal beams completed in Vadodara
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Bullet train project construction integrates with railway network at Vadodara
The 14 portal beams have been constructed along the complex Vadodara stretch, where the Bullet Train alignment crosses multiple operational railway lines.
Bullet train project construction integrates with railway network at Vadodara
The 14 portal beams have been constructed along the complex Vadodara stretch, where the Bullet Train alignment crosses multiple operational railway lines.
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Digital Desk | Gandhinagar, Oct 10 (IANS) Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has said that several development initiatives launched in the state under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership had subsequently been expanded nationwide, as he congratulated the Prime Minister on completing 25 years in public service. Addressing a press conference in Gandhinagar alongside Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi and government spokesperson Minister Jitu Vaghani, Patel on Friday added that PM Modi's political journey, which began with his tenure as the Gujarat Chief Minister on October 7, 2001, had been guided by the principles of Service, Not Power and Nation First. PM Modi had introduced a new approach to governance based on development and performance, with the mantra of 'Reform, Perform, Transform', and had sought to turn challenges into opportunities through a clear vision and decisive leadership, he said. Recalling PM Modi's tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister, Patel cited the Jyotigram Yojana, which improved electricity supply to villages, the Narmada canal network, which expanded access to water, and the Vibrant Gujarat Global Investment Summit, launched in 2003 to attract investment to the state. Patel said the development model pursued in Gujarat had contributed to PM Modi securing a national mandate in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. As Prime Minister, he had continued to serve as the countrys 'Pradhan Sevak', ushering in an era of development-focused and performance-driven politics, he noted. He said that development under PM Modi went beyond roads, bridges and industries, and was intended to bring tangible changes to the lives of disadvantaged sections of society. Initiatives relating to housing, sanitation, financial inclusion, healthcare security and Garib Kalyan Melas were aimed at ensuring that welfare benefits reached people directly, he added. Patel also highlighted PM-KISAN, the promotion of natural farming, the Ujjwala Yojana and efforts to increase women's participation in decision-making as initiatives supporting farmers, women and other sections of society. Drawing parallels between Gujarat's schemes and national programmes, Patel cited the expansion of MA Amrutam into Ayushman Bharat, Jyotigram into the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana, Nirmal Gujarat into the Swachh Bharat Mission, Jal Mandir into Amrit Sarovar and Kanya Kelavani into 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao'. He also pointed to the transition from Khel Mahakumbh in Gujarat to the nationwide Khelo India programme. Highlighting projects expected to support Gujarat's economic growth, Patel referred to the Ahmedabad-Dholera rail and expressway projects, the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor, the railway locomotive manufacturing unit in Dahod and defence aircraft manufacturing in Vadodara. He also cited the International Financial Services Centres Authority and India International Bullion Exchange at GIFT City. The Chief Minister said, The hybrid renewable energy park at Khavda in Kutch, the CNG terminal in Bhavnagar and the expansion of the semiconductor sector are positioning Gujarat for growth in clean energy, advanced technology and manufacturing. Six semiconductor projects under the Semiconductor Mission were part of the state's efforts to emerge as a major semiconductor hub. Patel also referred to India's response to the Covid-19 pandemic, saying PM Modi had demonstrated global responsibility by promoting the development of indigenous vaccines and supplying them to other countries. Guided by the principle of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam', or the world as one family, PM Modi had strengthened India's international standing while seeking to balance development with environmental protection, he said. He added that the Prime Minister's emphasis on self-reliance, innovation and skill development was creating opportunities for young people and supporting the goal of Viksit Bharat-2047.
Gujarat: Khel Mahakumbh participation crosses 76 lakh, up from 16.5 lakh in 2010
Digital Desk | Vadodara, Oct 9 (IANS) Participation in Gujarats Khel Mahakumbh has crossed 76 lakh in its 2026 edition, up from around 16.5 lakh in the inaugural event in 2010, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said on Friday while inaugurating the statewide sporting initiative along with Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi in Vadodara. Patel said the event, launched under Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision of promoting sports with the mantra Khele Te Khile, had provided a platform for athletes to showcase their talent and helped foster a sporting culture across the state. Gujarat has always had talented sportspersons. By providing them with the right platform and opportunities, Khel Mahakumbh has fostered a new sports culture in the state, the Chief Minister said. He said the Centres Khelo India initiative and the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) had created opportunities for athletes to develop their abilities from the grassroots level and progress to national and international competitions. The state government is committed to identifying talented sportspersons, providing specialised training and preparing them for international-level events, he added. Patel said around 410 athletes from Gujarat were being trained under Khelo India, while around 11 athletes from the state were part of TOPS and represented India at the international level. He also highlighted the Shaktidoot Scheme, launched in 2006 to support talented athletes. Referring to the Prime Ministers goal of strengthening Indias participation across more sporting disciplines by 2036, Patel said: Gujarat had taken the challenge as an opportunity and is working towards preparing athletes for international competitions. The Chief Minister also urged young people to reduce screen time and participate in outdoor sports. Referring to the Prime Ministers appeal to move away from PlayStations and towards playgrounds, he said regular physical activity was important in the digital age. He called on sportspersons to encourage their peers to exercise and adopt a healthy lifestyle as ambassadors of the Fit India campaign. Young people could also contribute to the vision of a Nasha Mukt Bharat and urged athletes to follow the Prime Ministers mantra of 'We Will Do It' in working towards a Viksit Bharat, he said. At the inauguration, Patel and Sanghavi felicitated the top-performing schools from Khel Mahakumbh-2025. Knowledge High School in Nadiad, Kheda district, secured first place and received a trophy and Rs 5 lakh. Urmi School in Vadodara came second and received Rs 3 lakh, while S.R. High School in Devgadh Baria, Dahod district, finished third and received Rs 2 lakh. Mehsana was declared the overall state champion among districts, followed by Kheda as state runner-up and Ahmedabad as second runner-up. Among municipal corporations, Surat secured the overall state championship, Ahmedabad finished runner-up, and Vadodara came third. The winning municipal corporations were presented with trophies. Addressing the gathering, Sanghavi said the government was making efforts to encourage students and young people from schools, villages and cities to participate in the event and spend less time on mobile phones, television and other digital platforms. Sports instil sportsmanship in youth, teaching them to accept defeat gracefully and remain humble in victory, he said. Sanghavi said Khel Mahakumbh, which began in 2010 with around 16 lakh participants, had developed into a major sporting initiative and helped nurture athletes who had represented Gujarat and India at the Asian Games and other international events. He added that the budget for athletes training and facilities had been increased fourfold under Patels leadership. The number of athletes selected under the Shaktidoot Scheme had also risen from 50 to 500, allowing more sportspersons to benefit from support, he said. The state government is working to strengthen sporting facilities at the taluka and rural levels, Sanghavi said, adding that Gujarat aimed to host the Commonwealth Games and other international sporting events in the coming years.
GSFC University Partners with Lupin Manufacturing Solutions Ltd
Bilkul Online Vadodara| 09 October 2026 GSFC University, Vadodara, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Lupin Manufacturing Solutions The post GSFC University Partners with Lupin Manufacturing Solutions Ltd appeared first on Bilkul Online .
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PM Modi to address nation today; BJP to hold 'Seva Jyoti Kalash Yatra' across Gujarat
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 7 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation virtually on Wednesday as Gujarat unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) organises a 'Seva Jyoti Kalash Yatra' across all districts and metropolitan areas to mark his completion of 25 years in public service. PM Modi will address the 'Viksit Bharat Sankalp Sabha' around 9 a.m. and lead a collective pledge to create 'Viksit Bharat @ 2047'. The Prime Minister's address will be broadcast live from the yatra's departure points across the state. The programme is part of the 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan', being organised to mark 25 years of his public service, first as the Gujarat Chief Minister and subsequently as the country's Prime Minister. Before PM Modi's address, BJP National President Nitin Nabin will also address the gathering. Following the Prime Minister's address, local leaders will light the 'Seva Jyot', after which the 'Seva Jyoti Kalash Yatra' will begin from designated locations in each district and metropolitan area. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel will participate in the Ahmedabad programme at Pujya Pramukh Swami Marg-Riverfront Road near Riverfront House. State BJP President Jagdish Vishwakarma will attend the programme at the Arts and Commerce College on New Civil Hospital Road in Sabarkantha district. Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi will participate in the programme at Shri Vardayini Mataji Temple in Rupal village of Gandhinagar district. State BJP General Secretaries Aniruddh Dave, Prashant Korat, Ajay Brahmbhatt and Hitendrasinh Chouhan will attend programmes in Rajkot, Surat, Ahmedabad and Vadodara respectively. State Ministers, BJP office-bearers, MPs, MLAs, party leaders, workers and local residents are also expected to participate at designated locations. The nationwide 'Seva Sankalp Yatra', which began on September 17, will also conclude on Wednesday at Vadnagar in Gujarat and Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. The two locations are associated with PM Modi's birthplace and political career. In Vadnagar, the concluding programme will include a water offering at the historic Hatkeshwar Mahadev Temple. Chief Minister Patel, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Deputy Chief Minister Sanghavi, State BJP President Vishwakarma and Yatra In-charge V.D. Sharma are scheduled to attend.
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Mandhana to lead as BCCI announces squads for Zimbabwe series
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 6 (IANS) The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Tuesday announced Indias squads for the upcoming T20I and ODI series against Zimbabwe, with Smriti Mandhana set to lead the womens team as full-time captain for the first time. Mandhanas appointment as captain was announced by the BCCI earlier on Tuesday after Harmanpreet Kaur stepped down from the leadership role across formats. Mandhana, who has previously led India in 18 T20Is and four ODIs, will now begin her full-time tenure with the Zimbabwe series. Opener Shafali Verma has been named vice-captain for the three-match T20I series, while all-rounder Deepti Sharma will serve as Mandhanas deputy in the ODI format. Harmanpreet remains part of both squads. The T20I squad includes maiden call-ups for Niki Prasad and Jintimani Kalita, while Anushka Sharma, Minnu Mani and Prema Rawat have returned to the setup after missing out in the recent assignments. Niki has been part of Indias A setup and impressed in domestic cricket, while Jintimani has also featured for India A. Both were part of the India A group that faced England A earlier this year. Prema, a leg-spinner, has also represented India at the international level and was brought into the T20 World Cup squad earlier this year after Shreyanka Patil was ruled out with injury. However, she didn't get many chances after the tournament. Prema had previously impressed for India A, including an eight-wicket haul in five matches during Indias victorious Womens Asia Cup Rising Stars campaign. The series will be Indias first assignment after their womens cricket team retained the Asian Games gold medal in Aichi-Nagoya. India had entered the Games as defending champions, having won the womens cricket gold at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou. Compared to the T20I squad that was part of Indias gold-medal-winning campaign, there are five changes. Niki, Anushka, Jintimani, Prema and Minnu have come into the squad, replacing Bharti Fulmali, Pratika Rawal, Renuka Thakur, Radha Yadav and Shreyanka Patil. For the ODI series, Tejal Hasabnis and Sayali Satghare have been recalled. The duo was part of India. A side that toured England earlier this year, with Hasabnis scoring an unbeaten 57 in a one-day match against England A. Mandhanas appointment also marks the beginning of a new leadership phase for Indian womens cricket. The left-handed opener has been part of the national team since 2013 and has led Royal Challengers Bengaluru to Womens Premier League titles in 2024 and 2026. India will play the three T20Is in Raipur on October 16, 18 and 20, followed by three ODIs in Vadodara on October 23, 25 and 28. Squads: Indias T20I Squad: Smriti Mandhana [C], Shafali Verma [VC], Niki Prasad, Harmanpreet Kaur, Anushka Sharma, Richa Ghosh [WK], G Kamalini [WK], Deepti Sharma, Prema Rawat, Sree Charani, Nandni Sharma, Kranti Gaud, Arundhati Reddy, Jintimani Kalita, Minnu Mani India's ODI Squad: Smriti Mandhana [C], Shafali Verma, Pratika Rawal, Harmanpreet Kaur, Harleen Deol, Tejal Hasabnis, Deepti Sharma [VC], Richa Ghosh [WK], Yastika Bhatia [WK], Vaishnavi Sharma, Nandni Sharma, Sree Charani, Kranti Gaud, Sayali Satghare, Renuka Thakur.
Railways Announces KolkataVadodara Weekly Special via Sasaram and Dehri-on-Sone
Vadodara (Gujarat) [India], October 6: Taking an initiative to focus on Quantum Computing research, industry-academia collaboration, and future-ready talent building in Gujarat, Vadodaras Parul University has signed an MoU with
Gujarat horror: Man, teen girl die by suicide in Dahod forest; act livestreamed on Instagram
Digital Desk | Ahmedabad, Oct 6 (IANS)Young tennis players Khush Parikh and Raghavi Jajoo of Adani Sportsline Academy finished runners-up in their respective doubles categories at the All India Ranking Championship Series Tennis Tournament 2026, held at Mamta Tennis Academy in Bhavnagar, Gujarat. Khush finished runner-up in the Under 14 Boys Doubles, while Raghavi secured the runner-up spot in the Under 14 Girls Doubles. Both also reached the semifinals of the Under 14 Singles event. Raghavi joined Adani Sportsline Academy in April 2024 and has stood out for her resilience and determination on court, often fighting for every point. Khush, who joined in August 2025, has worked on his ball placement, angled shots and consistency, while developing greater composure in tight matches. Their progress has been supported by regular work with the academys coaching team on stroke technique, footwork, match play and decision-making. The focus has been on strengthening their fundamentals and helping them handle the demands of competitive tennis. Both players qualified for the School Games Nationals in 2025. Khush was runner-up in Under 14 Doubles at an All-India Tennis Association Championship Series tournament in Vadodara, while Raghavi finished runner-up in Under 12 Doubles at an All-India Tennis Association Championship Series tournament in Ahmedabad. Both have also won Gujarat State Tennis Association ranking tournaments. At Adani Sportsline Academy, the players have access to dedicated coaching, training facilities and regular competitive opportunities as they continue to develop their game. Khush and Raghavi will now return to training as they prepare for their upcoming competitions.
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CCTV Captures Massive CNG Blast At Vadodara Fuel Station, Vehicles Damaged
A dramatic explosion at a petrol-CNG station near Karjan in Vadodara has been captured on CCTV. The incident occurred while a car was being refuelled with CNG, when a cylinder reportedly exploded, triggering panic at the fuel station. The blast damaged two nearby vehicles and sent debris flying across the area. Fortunately, no major injuries were reported. CCTV footage of the incident has since surfaced, showing the force of the explosion and the moments that followed.
Watch: CNG car explodes while refuelling on NH-48 near Gujarat's Karjan
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AAI Inter-Zonal Carrom and Chess Tournament in city
