Month: December 2024

Bollywood star Ranveer Singh paid tribute to Ravichandran Ashwin, who announced his retirement from international cricket after the conclusion of the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on Wednesday.

Taking to Instagram Story, Ranveer wrote, “One of the greatest to ever do it. Thank you for the memories.”

Actor Nakuul Mehta also gave a shoutout to Ashwin.

“End of The Carrom Ball Maestro Era. I have felt heavy all day. Some of the greatest moments of my life have been benchmarked by how we played at that time. Sachin’s desert storm, Laxman and Dravid at Eden, Dhoni’s six at Wankhede, Kohli chasing, Beating Aussies in their den and Ash wrecking havoc at Chepauk and saving us the blushes for the n’th time with the bat,” he wrote.

Nakuul added, “Ashwin’s contribution to Indian cricket would truly be understood in the years to come. An absolute master and servant to the game. Thank you for making our lives so much richer with how you played and upheld the game. Can’t wait to see you and DK analyse the game from the box.”

Ashwin made his Test debut in 2011 against the West Indies, marking the beginning of an illustrious career in red-ball cricket. He featured in 106 Tests, taking an astounding 537 wickets, including 37 five-wicket hauls, and scored 3,503 runs.

Ashwin played 23 Tests against Australia, claiming 115 wickets at an impressive economy rate of 2.71. The 38-year-old also holds the record for the most wickets taken in a single Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, with 29 scalps during the 2020-21 edition.

In the longest format of the game, Ashwin set numerous records that may prove difficult to surpass. He is the fastest Indian bowler to claim 350 Test wickets and ranks as India’s second-highest wicket-taker in Tests, with 537 dismissals at an economy rate of 2.83. (ANI)

At least 13 people have died, and two are critically injured after a ferry capsized off the coast of Mumbai on Wednesday evening, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis confirmed.

The Chief Minister stated that the incident occurred around 3:55 pm when a passenger vessel named Neelkamal capsized in the sea after colliding with a Navy boat.

“The rescue operation is still ongoing, and a final statement will be issued tomorrow,” said CM Fadnavis.

The Chief Minister announced that an ex-gratia of Rs5 lakh would be provided from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund to the families of those who lost their lives.

Addressing the media, CM Fadnavis said, “Near Mumbai, on Buchar Island, a passenger vessel named Neelkamal capsized around 3:55 pm after colliding with a Navy boat. So far, 101 people have been rescued, but 13 lives have been lost as of 7:30 pm. Among the deceased, 10 were civilians, and three were Navy personnel. Two critically injured individuals are being treated at Navy Dockyard Hospital. The Indian Navy, Coast Guard, and police deployed 11 crafts and four helicopters for the rescue operation. However, the operation is still ongoing, and further information will be available by tomorrow morning regarding any missing persons. Families of those who lost their lives will receive an ex-gratia of Rs5 lakh from the CM Relief Fund. The incident will be jointly investigated by the police and the Indian Navy.”

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Navy explained that the collision occurred when an Indian Navy craft lost control during engine trials in Mumbai Harbour due to an engine malfunction. This resulted in the death of 13 people.

According to the Navy, 99 survivors have been rescued so far.

“Search and rescue efforts were immediately launched, involving four naval helicopters, 11 naval crafts, one Coast Guard boat, and three marine police crafts to recover survivors,” the Indian Navy stated.

The Navy spokesperson further added, “This afternoon, an Indian Navy craft lost control during engine trials in Mumbai Harbour due to engine malfunction, which led to the collision with a passenger ferry that subsequently capsized. Thirteen fatalities have been reported. Survivors are being shifted to nearby hospitals. As of the last update, 99 survivors have been rescued.”

According to officials, the ferry, carrying 85 passengers, including five crew members, was en route to Elephanta Island when the incident occurred near Uran, Karanja, around 6:30 pm. (ANI)

IMD scientist Dr Soma Sen Roy on Wednesday stated that foggy conditions in the national capital, Delhi, are likely to persist tomorrow and the day after due to the influence of western disturbances.

Highlighting the prevailing weather conditions, Dr Roy added that a drop in minimum temperatures is expected as a result of these western disturbances.

She explained that variable and calm wind conditions, combined with increased moisture due to the western disturbance, are conducive to the formation of fog.

Dr Roy further noted that this western disturbance has brought significant moisture, particularly from the Bay of Bengal, creating favourable conditions for fog formation.

Speaking to ANI, Dr Soma Sen Roy said, “In the last two days, there has been a western disturbance. Today, a fresh disturbance has emerged. While these disturbances haven’t caused significant rainfall, they have induced a low-level cyclonic circulation that has drawn in considerable moisture, especially from the Bay of Bengal. This increase in moisture has led to a rise in minimum temperatures and the emergence of foggy conditions. As we had predicted, moderate to dense fog is likely to persist today and tomorrow.”

She added, “Western disturbances disrupt wind patterns, making them variable and calm, while increasing moisture levels–both of which are ideal for fog formation. As this disturbance moves eastward, we expect northerly winds to resume, driven by light snowfall over the western Himalayan region. Consequently, northwesterly winds will start affecting the region. For Delhi, tomorrow, we have forecast light to moderate to dense fog, which is likely to continue for another one or two days.”

Dr Roy also noted that the western disturbance is expected to cause a drop in minimum temperatures across north India. Temperatures are predicted to fall by two degrees Celsius over the plains after 48 hours and over the hills within 24 hours.

She said, “As these western disturbances move away, the northwesterly winds will bring a fall in minimum temperatures by two degrees Celsius, primarily over the plains after 48 hours and the hills after 24 hours. This temperature drop is expected to increase the intensity and distribution of cold wave conditions across north India, particularly in East Rajasthan, and these conditions are likely to persist.”

Earlier today, Delhi woke up to a blanket of fog, which reduced visibility in parts of the city. The minimum temperature dropped to 5 degrees Celsius on Wednesday. On Tuesday, Delhi recorded a temperature of 7.4 degrees Celsius at 2:30 am, according to the IMD. (ANI)

Chinese Ambassador to India, Xu Feihong on Wednesday said that China is ready to work with India and put into action the understandings between Indian and Chinese leaders. The comments come ahead of the 23rd meeting of the Special Representatives between National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and China Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing.

In a post on X, Ambassador Xu Feihong, “China is ready to work with India to implement the important common understandings between the leaders of China and India, respect each other’s core interests and major concerns, strengthen mutual trust through dialogue and communication, properly settle differences with sincerity and good faith, and bring bilateral relations back to the track of stable and healthy development as soon as possible.”

The Special Representative talks in Beijing are expected to focus on the China-India border issue. These would be the first such high-level talks since December 2019. The two Special Representatives will discuss the management of peace and tranquillity in the border areas and explore a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution to the boundary question, the Ministry of External Affairs stated.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar informed the Parliament, that the disengagement between India and China has been fully achieved in Eastern Ladakh through a step-by-step process, culminating in Depsang and Demchok.

He also stressed that the maintenance of peace and tranquillity in border areas is a prerequisite for the development of India-China ties.

In October this year, India and China reached an agreement regarding patrolling arrangements along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the India-China border areas.

The border standoff between India and China began in eastern Ladakh along the LAC in 2020, and was sparked by Chinese military actions. It led to prolonged tensions between the two nations, significantly straining their relations.

During the meeting of Prime Minister Modi with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit held in Russia’s Kazan, PM Modi had said that maintaining peace and stability on the border should remain the priority of the two countries and mutual trust should remain the basis of bilateral ties. (ANI)

Amid the chaos in both houses of Parliament, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on Wednesday accused Congress of sidelining Dr BR Ambedkar, saying they have brought his photograph and are taking his name in “compulsion.”

“Congress has always sidelined BR Ambedkar, they have brought his photo and are taking his name in compulsion. They defeated him twice in elections. His name will be written in golden letters,” Meghwal said in Lok Sabha.

The Union Minister was speaking in the Lok Sabha amid sloganeering by the opposition members in protest against remarks made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Rajya Sabha regarding Babasaheb Ambedkar.

Meanwhile, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju in Rajya Sabha said that the Home Minister paid his respects to Babasaheb yesterday. He accused Congress of insulting BR Ambedkar, not giving him the Bharat Ratna and alleged they defeated him twice in polls as part of a conspiracy.

“They played with the nation by defeating him,” he said.

This came after Amit Shah, in his address in the Rajya Sabha at the conclusion of a two-day discussion in Rajya Sabha on 75 years of the Constitution on Tuesday, lashed out at the Congress party and said that it had become a ‘fashion’ for the party to take Ambedkar’s name.

The opposition also carried out protests at the Parliament premises today, holding Dr Ambedkar’s photograph.

As this happened, both houses of the Parliament – Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha – were adjourned till 2:00 PM today.

On Wednesday morning, Congress MP Manickam Tagore moved an adjournment motion notice in Lok Sabha to discuss Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s remarks on Dr BR Ambedkar in Rajya Sabha. In his adjournment motion notice, Tagore accused Amit Shah of “insulting” Dr BR Ambedkar’s legacy and “hurting the sentiments of people.”

Tagore called Amit Shah’s statement “blasphemous” and an “attempt to undermine” Ambedkar’s role in drafting the Constitution. (ANI)

India’s decorated off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin announced his decision to retire from international cricket moments after the Brisbane Test ended in a draw.

Ashwin came into the post-match press conference with India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, to announce his decision. The anticipation around Ashwin’s retirement started to build up when he was visibly emotional and was hugged by Virat Kohli.

Moments after Ashwin announced his retirement, Rohit Sharma stood up and embraced Ashwin. The 38-year-old was brief while announcing that Wednesday marked his last day as an international cricketer.

“I don’t want to make it about myself. This is my last day as an international cricketer. I’ve had a lot of fun. I have made a lot of memories alongside Rohit [Sharma] and several of my team-mates, even though we’ve lost some of them [to retirements] over the last few years. We’re the last bunch of OGs, we can say that. I will be marking this as my date of having played at this level,” Ashwin said in the post-match press conference.

“Obviously there are a lot of people to thank, but I will be failing in my duties if I didn’t thank the BCCI and fellow team-mates. I want to name a few of them, some of the coaches [also] who have been part of the journey. Most importantly, Rohit, Virat [Kohli], Ajinkya [Rahane], [Cheteshwar] Pujara, who have taken some of the catches around the bat and given me the number of wickets I’ve managed to get over the years,” he added.

In a career that spanned over two decades, Ashwin made an everlasting impression across the three formats. He redefined the art of off-spin by working on the established variations and adding a touch of his own.

“Ashwin is a true match winner India has ever seen,” Rohit said in the press conference.

He featured in 106 Tests, picked up a whopping 537 wickets, including 37 five-wicket hauls, and amassed 3,503 runs. One can even argue that his contributions to Indian cricket are far greater than just what those staggering numbers indicate.

The crafty spinner is the seventh-highest wicket-taker in Tests overall and second-highest for India behind legendary spinner Anil Kumble (619 scalps). He also has 2nd most five-wicket hauls in Tests, behind Sri Lankan spin icon Muttiah Muralitharan (67).

With Ashwin stepping down from the international stage, he is truly leaving behind a tremendous legacy and massive boots to fill for the youngsters who will come in to make up for his presence.

Ashwin spearheaded the bowling attack and was a major face behind India’s rise to the top and eventual domination in Test cricket that lasted from 2014 to 2019.

When one turns to look at his dominance in the home conditions, he was a phenom. His expertise wasn’t just limited to the ball but also some impactful contributions with the bat.

In the white-ball format, Ashwin made 181 appearances and snatched 228 wickets. He made 116 ODI appearances and took 156 wickets at an average of 33.20, with best figures of 4/25. He also made 707 runs at an average of 16.44, with one fifty, a knock of 65 in 63 innings. He is the 13th-highest wicket-taker in ODIs for India.

In 65 T20Is, he took 72 wickets at an average of 23.22. His best figures are 4/8. He also scored 184 runs in 19 innings at an average of 26.28, with best score of 31. He is the sixth-highest wicket-taker for India in T20Is.

With 765 scalps in 287 matches, he is India’s second-highest wicket-taker across all formats, next to Kumble (953). He also won the 2011 50-Over World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy with India. (ANI)

Umar Khalid, a former student leader of JNU, has been granted interim bail to attend his cousin’s wedding functions. The Karkardooma court approved the bail for a period of seven days for this purpose.

Khalid is currently in judicial custody in connection with a larger conspiracy case related to the 2020 North East Delhi violence. The court granted interim bail to him from December 28 to January 3.

The Delhi High Court is presently reviewing the regular bail applications of former JNU student Umar Khalid and activist Sharjeel Imam in a UAPA case concerning the alleged larger conspiracy behind the communal riots in Delhi in February 2020.

The Delhi Police Special Cell arrested Khalid on September 14, 2020, under the UAPA for his alleged involvement in the case.

Earlier, while rejecting his bail plea, the trial court stated: “The High Court analysed the case against the applicant and concluded that the allegations against the applicant are prima facie true, and that the embargo created by Section 43D(5) of UAPA squarely applies against the applicant. Hence, the applicant does not deserve bail. It is clear that the Hon’ble High Court has meticulously considered the applicant’s role and declined the relief sought by him,” the special judge observed in the order passed on May 28, 2024.

The court further noted that since the High Court had already dismissed the applicant’s criminal appeal on October 18, 2022, and the applicant subsequently withdrew his petition before the Supreme Court, the order of this court dated March 24, 2022, has attained finality. Therefore, the court cannot reassess the facts of the case or grant the relief requested by the applicant.

The trial court was addressing the second regular bail application filed on behalf of Umar Khalid, who is accused in the UAPA case related to the larger conspiracy behind the 2020 Delhi riots. Khalid, arrested in September 2020, has been in custody since then. He sought regular bail under Section 437 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, read with Section 43D(5) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. (ANI)