The Aam Aadmi Party swept to power in Punjab largely because the people, fed up with the failure to perform of the two traditional parties which they had been voting to power by turns, were looking for a creditable alternative. They found that in AAP, basis its perceptibly successful governance/developmental model demonstrated in Delhi.
But with the very basis of their choice coming under question following the electorate in the National capital giving a resounding verdict against the party, the AAP government led by Bhagwant Singh Mann, preparing to celebrate three years in power in March, will come under increased public scrutiny for its effectiveness in delivering good governance and focussed development in the state.
There has always been a widespread public perception that Bhagwant Mann does not enjoy a free had in the running the state government and that party supremo and then Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal was pulling his strings in the background.
Now that Kejriwal’s dream of returning to the chief minister’s seat in Delhi with a fresh verdict from the people of the National capital has been shattered, with he himself having narrowly lost his New Delhi seat in the state assembly, speculation is rife that he might want to have an even deeper say in running the affairs of the only state now ruled by the party.
In such an eventuality, Bhagwant Mann’s position might be further compromised in the eyes of the public and the emboldened principal opposition party, the Congress will be encouraged to sharpen its attack on Mann on this issue.
The party’s loss in Delhi is the second setback for the Mann government in Punjab. Earlier in last year’s national elections, the ruling party grossly underperformed, winning just three of the 13 Lok Sabha seats from the state with the lion’s share (seven) going to the Congress.
That was a poor reflection on the popularity of the party which had stormed to power in the state in 2022 with an overwhelming majority of 92 seats in the 117-member state assembly.
Chief Minister Bhawant Mann, who so far had been accompanying Kejriwal on all his election tours to other states like Gujarat, Goa, and Uttar Pradesh, under a strategy to showcase both states being governed by the party, will now be compelled to spend more time within the state to reassure the people and avoid opposition barbs.
Finding himself under greater pressure, as the opposition Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal and BJP sharpen their swords, he might also be contemplating sweeping administrative reshuffles to sharpen focus on governance, development, and shoring up the state’s finances to fulfil the rest of the election promises which remain unfulfilled.
Noted Cellist and a Rotary Peace Fellow from Brazil, Diego Carneiro
rendering a few of his musical compositions on the cello at the Rotary Peace Summit at Amity University Punjab, Mohali on Wednesday (06.02.2025)
If we want peace, we must start caring for everybody from the heart, because once we start caring, being kind and empathetic towards all, peace will follow. This was the broad message conveyed by Buddhist monk from the United Kingdom Karma Yeshe Rabgye while participating in a panel discussion at the first Rotary Peace Summit organised by six Peacebuilding Clubs of Rotary District 3080 in association with Amity Unity Punjab, in the auditorium of the university campus in Mohali on Wednesday.
The peace summit with the theme ‘Peace Is Possible’ was organised under the aegis of the India chapter of Rotary Action Group for Peace with its motto Peace Through Service. The participating clubs were Rotary Chandigarh Uptown, Rotary Chandigarh, Rotary Chandigarh Midtown, Rotary Chandigarh Central, Rotary Chandigarh Shivalik and Rotary Classic Chandigarh.
Noted Cellist and a Rotary Peace Fellow from Brazil, Diego Carneiro enchanted the large audience, comprising Rotarians and students and faculty of the university, with the rendition of a few of his musical compositions on the cello, which personified the rhythm and harmony in society.
It was a trailer to the Rotary Peace Concert ‘Symphony for Harmony’ scheduled to be held at the Tagore Theatre in Chandigarh on Thursday evening. The concert is an Indo-Brazilian collaboration which will feature the musical styling of Diego Carneiro, who is also an orchestral conductor, and Artistic Director at Amazonart Foundation, in ‘jugalbandi’ with Hindustani instrumental band ‘Aarohi’.
In the panel discussion, Karma Yeshe Rabgye advocated the introduction of spirituality, in the curricula at school and college level as a way of promoting world peace. Peace has to begin within, and if we as individuals can undertake a personal journey within ourselves, we will be at peace with ourselves and with the world and there will be no cause for conflict, he added.
On the request of the organisers, he held an impromptu brief meditation session for the audience with simple practice of concentrating on one’s breath while keeping the eyes closed.
Panel discussion as part of the Rotary Peace Summit
Another panellist, Dr Upneet Lalli, Deputy Director, Institute of Correctional Administration, which trains police and jail personnel in correctional handling of offenders and jail inmates, talked about the relatively new concept of restorative justice, which emphasises on delivering justice not in terms of punishment for offenders but by respecting the dignity of all concerned, thus helping restore harmony in society.
Dr Nitya Parkash, Global CEO of Quality New Zealand Education, an organisation promoted by cricket greats from New Zealand Sir Richard Hadlee and Geoff Allott, in association with trio of ambassadors Stephen Fleming, Brendan McCullum, and Daniel Vettori, emphasised the need for promoting equitable and inclusive education as a means for promoting peace and harmony in the world.
He informed that with a view to make quality education affordable and accessible, his organisation is working with educational institutions in 13 countries worldwide which commit to reducing their tuition fee by 10% annually instead of hiking it.
Rotary district 3080 Governor designate for 2026-27 Dr Rita Kalra, who is the head coordinator of Civil Hospital Panchkula, enjoined the students and other young leaders to form or join Rotaract Clubs, Rotary’s associate clubs which represent the global movement of young leaders developing innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges.
She said among the Rotary programs available for Rotaract members are leadership development opportunities, community service projects, international service initiatives, professional development workshops, Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA), worldwide Rotary Youth Exchange programs, all designed to foster leadership skills, global understanding, and community impact.
Regional Head – North Region India at UNDP Vikas Verma delivering the keynote address at the Rotary Peace Summit
Earlier in his keynote address, the Regional Head – North Region India at UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) Vikas Verma emphasised that successful implementation of the 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs), adopted by all United Nations (UN) member states in 2015, is probably the last chance for ushering peace and prosperity in the world.
But, for the SDGs to succeed, we as individuals will have to set out own sustainable self-development goals because when we change, the world changes.
In his address, Guest of Honour Rotary District 3080 Governor Rtn Rajpal Singh, while emphasising that Rotary International is one of the biggest NGOs in the world which apart from doing charity is also undertaking several activities to promote world peace, enumerated various achievements of his district, most notably creating a world record by distributing 6 lakh+ sanitary pads free of cost to the needy girls within 24 hours.
Chief Guest Prof RK Kohli, Vice Chancellor of Amity University Punjab, appreciated the spirit behind organising the Rotary Peace Summit saying that it is a wonderful way of inviting attention of the people towards fostering peace. He said peace is not something which can be promoted top-down, it has to come from the hearts of the people at the grassroots level.
Chandrika Tandon (right) sharing the Grammy Award for her album "Triveni' with her collaborators, South African flautist Wouter Kellerman and Japanese cellist Eru Matsumoto
Chandrika’s ‘Triveni’ won the award for Best New Age, Ambient, or Chant Album, beating out competitors like Ricky Kej and Anoushka Shankar
Chandrika shared the honour with her collaborators, South African flautist Wouter Kellerman and Japanese cellist Eru Matsumoto
The prestigious award was presented at the 67th Grammy Awards on February 2, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. In her album Tandon, known for blending ancient mantras with modern musical styles, has focussed on peace and healing.
According to various news reports, other nominees in the same category included Break of Dawn by Ricky Kej, Opus by Ryuichi Sakamoto, Chapter II: How Dark It Is Before Dawn by Anoushka Shankar, and Warriors of Light by Radhika Vekaria.
The reports mentioned that Consulate General of India in New York congratulated Chandrika via their official X account, stating, “Congratulations to Ms Chandrika Tandon @chandrikatandon on winning the Grammy Award @RecordingAcad in the Best New Age, Ambient, or Chant Album category for Triveni! A mesmerizing fusion of ancient mantras, flute, and cello, Triveni bridges cultures and traditions through the universal language of music.”
Describing the album’s essence, Chandrika has called it a “true confluence of three artistic spirits united in a higher purpose of music for healing”. The unique mix of instruments and chanting has resonated with audiences worldwide, securing its place among the best in the New Age music genre, she added.
Beyond music, Chandrika Tandon is known for being a successful business leader, philanthropist, and advocate for education.
She reportedly became the first Indian-American woman to become a partner at McKinsey & Company and later founded Tandon Capital Associates, a financial advisory firm.
In 2015, she reportedly donated $100 million to New York University, leading to the renaming of its engineering school as NYU Tandon School of Engineering.
This is not the first time Chandrika Tandon has been recognized by the Recording Academy. She was nominated for a Grammy in 2011 for her album ‘Soul Call’, which featured spiritual music in the Contemporary World Music category, though she did not win that year.
Picture perfect: Jubilant Indian squad poses with the winner's trophy after wrapping up the 5-match T20i series against England 4-1. PHOTOS Credit: X/@BCCI
Opener Abhishek Sharma wields the magic wand as India breeze to mammoth 150-run win in the last T20I of the series. India 247/9 in 20 overs, England 97 in 10.3
The southpaw’s incredible knock of 135 in 54 balls, the highest individual score by an Indian in the format surpassing Shubman Gill’s 126* against New Zealand in 2023, swept the visitors off their feet, and broke records aplenty
He scored 38 more runs than England’s collective total
Abhishek’s 135 is also the second-highest score by any batter against England, behind only Aaron Finch’s 156 in 2013
His century of 37 balls, is the second-fastest for India, just behind Rohit Sharma who took 35 balls to reach the three-figure mark against Sri Lanka in 2017, and the eighth-fastest in men’s T20Is
The 13 sixes he hit are the most by an Indian in a single T20I inning. Rohit Sharma hit 10 against Sri Lanka in 2017, so did Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma against South Africa in 2024
Racing to his 50 in 17 balls places him as second fastest to the mark behind his mentor, the great Yuvraj Singh who recorded a 12-ball fifty against England in 2007
The 150-run margin of victory at the Wankhede in Mumbai on Sunday is India’s second highest margin of win in men’s T20Is, after the 168-run win they registered against New Zealand in the 3rd T20I at Ahmedabad in 2023
It is also England biggest margin of defeat by runs in T20Is, the previous biggest being 90 runs, also against India in 2012
India’s total of 247 is the second highest by any team against England in men’s T20Is, just one run behind the 248 for 6 posted by Australia in Southampton in 2013
England bowlers were hit for 19 sixes on Sunday, the most they have conceded in a men’s T20Is
The 247-run total was the highest ever by any team in T20Is at the Wankhede
India also registered their highest powerplay score ever of 95-1
Abhishek, by far the standout performer of the match, with 135 runs, two wickets and a catch to his kitty, won the Player of the Match award
Indian spinner Varun Chakravarthy was awarded the Player of the Series Award for finishing the series with the highest No. of 14 wickets
With an aggregate of 279 runs, Abhishek Sharma emerged as the highest run getter of the series
The focus now shifts to the longer format of white ball cricket as the two teams prepare for a thrilling 3-match ODI series, starting from Nagpur on February 6, in the runup to the Champions Trophy in Pakistan and Dubai later in the month
The arrival of all-time great Joe Root in Mumbai for the series will give England some heart, and they would thankfully not have to face Abhishek Sharma, who is not in the Indian one-day squad
There cannot be a greater honour for any batter to be congratulated by each member of the opposition team and receiving a standing ovation from the crowd on being dismissed. The fearless and relentless Indian opener Abhishek Sharma just lived that memorable moment in the 5th and final T20Is match against England at the Wankhede in Mumbai on Sunday.
The 24-year-old left-hander played a magical innings of 135 runs in 54 balls and powering India to a massive total of 247-9, which eventually sank England to a 150-run defeat, their biggest by run-margin in T20Is, and a 1-4 series loss.
The greatest quality of Abhishek’s power-hitting masterclass was that all his strokes were proper cricketing shots. There wasn’t a single false stroke in his innings, that was the perfection in his shots. It was as if every time he could read the bowler’s mind and would be ready with an aggressive response.
The fours and sixes seamlessly flowed from his bat, leaving the England pace battery and the spinners clueless. Even when he had to reach out to the ball a couple of times, his one-handed shots easily cleared the fence.
He raced to his 50 in 17 balls and to his 100 in 37. By the time he finally departed of the bowling of Adil Rashid, holding out in the deep, he had hammered the England bowlers for 7x4s and 13x6s. His strike rate an astounding 250. It was the last ball of the 18th over and India’s total reading 237-7. Though only 10 runs came of the remaining two overs, England were apparently left with a sinking feeling.
England’s bravado
Phil Salt on way to a cracking 50. PHOTOS Credit: X/@ECB_cricketEngland players celebrate Carse’s wicket.
Though they tried to make a match of it with opener Phil Salt plundering Mohd. Shami for 17 runs in his first over, the only time they were ahead of India in the run chase, the task was too daunting, and panic was a natural outcome with the pressure of maintaining a run rate over 12 an over.
Salt remained the lone warrior in the side, as the England innings collapsed around him like a pack of cards and India bowlers exerting their dominance. Only one other batter, left-handed Jacob Bethell at No. 6 reached double figures (10).
Continuing with his aggressive posture Salt raced to his half century in no time. But when he departed first ball to change bowler Shivam Dube, edging a widish ball to Dhruv Jurel, substituting for injured Sanju Samson, behind the stumps, in the 8th over and the total reading 82-5, England began to count their last breaths. THE END came just 20 balls later.
Mohd. Shami was India’s highest wicket-taker with three dismissals.
Shami, playing his second match of the series, and returning to the side after a one match gap, replacing Arshdeep Singh, finished with 3-25 in 2.3 overs with two wickets coming of his last two consecutive deliveries. Varun Chakravarthy, Shivam Dube and Abhishek Sharma claimed two wickets each and Ravi Bishnoi one. Axar Patel did not get a bowl.
Earlier, England skipper Jos Buttler, winning the toss for the second consecutive time after losing the first three, chose to again bowl first.
India’s innings
Abhishek Sharma exults after competing his 100 with a single.
Sanju Samson, who had fallen each time in the series trying to negotiate the short ball, appeared to make some adjustments in his batting style. Preferring to play inside the line he smashed Jofra Archer for two sixes and a four in the first over of the innings. In between he also got a nasty cut on the finger to a rising delivery and had to be attended to by the team doctor.
But next over, without adding to his total, he made the same typical mistake the first ball he faced of Mark Wood’s short length delivery. His mistimed pull failed to clear the fence and instead found a waiting Archer at deep square leg. He made 16.
Tilak Varma, who came in next, also showed aggressive intent, hitting three boundaries and a six before becoming pacer Brydon Carse’s first victim, edging a short ball to Salt behind the stumps. His contribution 24 of 15 balls.
Carse was the only exception to the otherwise one-dimensional pace attack which concentrated heavily on speed and bounce. Showing great situational awareness, with the ball being hit around all over the park, Carse brought some sanity to the bowling, deploying the entire repertoire of variations, and to good effect.
He remained the highest wicket-taker with three to his credit. Mark Wood took two. Both conceded far less runs compared to others, including spinners Adil Rashid and Liam Livingstone.
Captain good, batter flop
With Abhishek Sharma going great guns at the other end, captain Suryakumar Yadav, extending his disastrous batting performance, again fell to the same shot which over the years has been his most productive asset, a high flick off the pads over deep square leg.
He became Carse’s second kill, a thickish edge sending the ball straight up to be lapped up by wicketkeeper Salt running a fair distance to his left and judging the difficult apparently swirling catch to perfection. He made just two runs of three balls, inching his series total to a miserable 28.
Shivam Dube appeared to resume his top form from the previous match but departed after a quickfire 30 (13 balls, 3x4s, 2x6s). This was Carse’s last of three wickets in the 14th over of the innings with India’s total reading 182-4.
Hardik Pandya and Rinku Singh contributed 9 runs apiece, both having faced 6 balls each. Axar Patel (15 of 11 balls, 2x4s) perished on the penultimate ball of the innings, attempting a suicidal second run to keep strike. Ravi Bishnoi was out first ball mishitting a full toss from Jamie Overton straight up to be caught by Carse.
In his post-match comments, England captain Jos Buttler was all praise for Abhishek Sharma knock: “I’ve seen quite a lot of cricket and that was as good as I’ve seen in T20s.”
Alistair Cook not impressed
In his comments, ex-England captain Sir Alastair Cook has been reported as saying: “I think England were surprised by the onslaught (Abhishek Sharma’s) and just couldn’t think calmly enough to react. I’m not saying they could’ve bowled them out for 170 or 180, but I don’t think they quite reacted.
I don’t think their policy of pace on all the time on these wickets quite works.
Just whacking the ball down at 150 kph, I don’t think, is good enough against these (Indian) players.”
Steven Finn points out misconception
On the other hand, former England pace bowler Steven Finn has been reported as saying: “It was predictable [bowling] from England. Bowling round the wicket to left-handers is a misconception that is cramps batters. It opens both sides of the wicket.
Bowling at Abhishek’s hip from over the wicket with fielders on the leg side in hindsight was the way to bowl to him.”
Highest individual T20I scores for India
Abhishek Sharma 135 of 54 balls Vs England, Mumbai, 2025
Shubman Gill 126* of 63 balls Vs NZ, Ahmedabad, 2023
Ruturaj Gaikwad 123* of 57 balls Vs Australia, Guwahati, 2023
Most Wickets in a T20I series between full ICC members
15 – Jason Holder vs England, 2022
14 – Varun Chakravarthy vs England, 2025
13 – Ish Sodhi vs Australia, 2021
England fast medium bowler Saqib Mahmood being congratulated by his teammates on his record feat during the fourth T20I at the MCA stadium in Pune on 31.01.2025.
Go 3-1 up in 5-match series with 15-run victory over England in 4th T20I in Pune
Half-centurions Shivam Dube and Hardik Pandya stitch together 87-run match-winning partnership for 6th wicket, the 2nd highest by an Indian pair for the sixth wicket or below
With latest 50, Hardik Pandya has become first Indian allrounder to score 1500 runs, picking up more than 50 wickets and accumulating five fifties
He needs another six wickets to become only the second player after Bangladesh star Shakib Al Hasan to achieve the double of 1000 T20I runs and 100 T20I wickets
In the Pune T20I, India once again demonstrated their power-hitting supremacy in the middle overs. Since the start of 2024, in over numbers 7 to 16, no ICC full-member side has scored at a faster rate (9.41 per over) or hit more fours (182) and sixes (141) than India have
Dream T20I debut for Harshit Rana (3-33), controversially allowed as concussion substitute for Shivam Dube who got hit on the helmet on the penultimate delivery of India’s innings, with several former cricketers arguing that it was not a ‘like for like’ substitution as mandated in the ICC rules and regulations
Final match in Mumbai on Sunday
12-1, 12-2, 12-3, it’s not often that you see wickets falling like that even in a T20 match. But no so sensible batting by India’s top order batters made it happen in the 4th T20I vs England at Pune against a fast medium bowler they were facing for the first time. Thank you so much! The bowler Saqib Mahmood, playing his first match of the 5-match series, replacing genuine fast bowler Mark Wood, wrapped himself in glory for the feat, becoming the first bowler in the history of T20Is to bowl a three-wicket maiden over.
But India not only bounced back, largely powered by a magnificent 87-run partnership for the sixth wicket between half-centurions Shivam Dube, who replaced Dhruv Jurel in the match, and Hardik Pandya, which witnessed a flurry of fours and sixes, but were able to defend what appeared a below par total (181) on a good wicket conducive to stroke making.
England openers were on song in the run chase, but as has been happening in the past the team was unable to capitalise as Indian bowlers, especially the spinners, took control. Eventually India won the match by 15 runs and wrapped up the series with an unassailable 3-1 lead, but the score did not paint a true picture of how close the visitors were to break even in the series.
It was a dream T20I debut for India’s specialist pacer Harshit Rana, who was controversially allowed as a concussion substitute for allrounder Shivam Dube (included in the playing XI for the match largely as a specialist batsman, in place of Dhruv Jurel). Having played a brilliant knock Dube was hit on the side of the helmet by a well-directed bouncer from England pacer Jamie Overton on the penultimate ball of India’s innings and had to leave the field in the second over of the England innings due to concussion.
Harshit claimed three wickets for 33 runs in his four overs and contributed majorly to India’s victory.
Pick of Indian bowlers
Pick of Indian bowlers, Ravi Bishnoi jubilates after one of his three dismissals. PHOTOS Credit: X/@BCCI
Leg break bowler Ravi Bishnoi was the pick of the Indian bowlers finishing with 3-28 of his four overs. After initially uncharacteristically proving largely ineffective and going for runs, Varun Chakravarthy’s rebounded with a two-wicket over, which marked a crucial turning point in the match. Axar Patel and Arshdeep Singh, the latter returning to the team in place of Mohammed Shami after sitting out the third T20I match at Rajkot, finished with a wicket apiece.
Earlier, England captain Jos Buttler finally won his first toss of the series and decided to bowl first. It was a typical cracker of a start from left-handed Abhishek Sharma who waded into England strike bowler Jofra Archer, striking him for a six and a four in the very first over.
Disaster strikes
But then disaster struck in the 2nd over bowled by Saqib Mahmood. It appeared as if the Indian batters were determined to take him apart from ball one. However, that aggressive posture proved counterproductive. Right-handed Sanju Samson perished first ball mishitting a short-pitched delivery straight into the hands of Brydon Carse in the deep. His run of poor scores in the series continues: 26, 5, 3, and 1.
With the series wrapped up, India could look at a replacement for him in the final T20I match at the Wankhede in Mumbai on Sunday.
Stylish left-hander Tilak Varma, who has been in tremendous form, too did not wait a single ball to get a feel of the bowler and the wicket. He gave Mahmood the charge and an edge flew into the safe hands of Jofra Archer at deep point. Out for a duck.
Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav, who too has not got going in the series, survived just three balls, before falling into a trap set for him of the last ball. Playing an on-drive he failed to keep it down and was taken by Carse at short mid-wicket where he was placed precisely for such a shot. Surya became the second batter to depart for a duck in the over. He has only 26 runs against his name in the series so far.
Another left-hander Rinku Singh joined Abhishek Sharma, and the duo stabilised the innings with a 45-run partnership with a fine display of hitting, before Adil Rashid got the better of Abhishek, attempting a slog sweep which found Jacob Bethell in the deep. His 29 came of just 19 balls (4x4s, 1×6).
Dube dropped first ball, costly miss
Player of the Match Shivam Dube in full flow
In came yet another left-hander Shivam Dube. He almost became Rashid’s second victim, an edge travelling quickly and high to the left of Jos Buttler in the slips. Despite a valiant attempt by the England captain, diving fell length, he could not hold on to the difficult chance. The reprieve proved costly as the hard-hitting allrounder went on to plunder the England bowling attack for 53 runs (of 34 balls, 7x4s, 2x6s). He was particularly severe on Rashid.
However, at the other end, Rinku Singh departed edging a big hit of Carse to be taken by Rashid in the deep. His 30 came of 26 balls (4x4s, 1×6). India 79-5 in 10.4 overs.
The left-right hand combination was restored when allrounder Hardik Pandya made his entry into the arena. After a sedate start from him, the duo unleashed a blistering attack on the England bowlers. For the first time in the series Hardik was seen at his best, that effortless ease in his shots was a treat to watch.
Match-winning stand
The effortless ease is back in his batting: Hardik Pandya
Their partnership of 87 runs, coming of only 44 balls, took the Indian total to 166 with the prospect of 200 very much on the cards. However, Hardik fell, caught in the deep of Overton in the 18th over of the innings. His 53 of 30 balls was studded with 4x4s and 4x6s.
Shivam Dube struck a couple of more lusty blows to complete his half century. However, three wickets fell in quick succession in the last over of the innings bowled by Jamie Overton. He first dismissed Axar Patel attempting a big hit. Arshdeep Singh was runout first ball trying to give the strike to Dube. Then a well-directed bouncer struck the side of Dube’s helmet on the penultimate ball of the innings. Dube was run out attempting a second run of the last ball.
The last over yielded just three runs. India finally managed only 181 runs, well short of 200 which appeared a possibility when Dube and Pandya were going great guns.
Brisk start to England innings
The England openers Phil Salt and Ben Duckett began their chase of a 182-run target on a cracking note with nothing in the wicket for the pace bowlers and the spinners. With a flurry of boundaries, and a six, England posted their highest powerplay score of 62 in the series so far, with left-handed Duckett finally holding out to Suryakumar Yadav at cover of Ravi Bishnoi on the last ball of the powerplay. His 19-ball 39 included 7x4s and 1×6.
Phil Salt (23 of 21 balls, 4x4s) too departed next over, clean bowled by Axar Patel. England slid to 67-3 in Ravi Bishnoi’s second over, when captain Jos Buttler in trying a slashing cut held out to substitute Harshit Rana at short point for just 2 of 3 balls.
No. 4 batsman Harry Brook held the innings together, going on to complete his half century in quick time. But wickets kept tumbling at the other end.
Dream T20I debut for Harshit Rana as concussion substitute for Shivam Dube.
On his T20I debut, Harshit Rana tasted first blood on the second ball of his first over with Liam Livingstone (9 of 13 balls) edging a dolly catch to Samson behind the stumps.
Chakravarthy’s two-in-one turning point
Brook took charge thereon and hammered the Indian bowling attack to all parts of the ground and raced to his half-century, before he fell to Varun Chakravarthy trying a lap shot and skying a catch to Arshdeep Singh at widish short fine leg. His 51 of 26 balls was studded with 5x4s and 2x6s). The England total read 129-5.
Chakravarthy made it two in an over when incoming batsman Brydon Carse skied an attempted slog sweep on the second ball he faced straight to Rinku Singh at deep mid-wicket. He was out without scoring.
Varun Chakravarthy’s double wicket in an over proved a turning point in the match.
The No. 6 position is proving to be an Achilles heel for England. Jacob Bethell, who returned to the side, replacing Jamie Smith, after sitting out for the 2nd and 3rd T20Is at Chennai and Rajkot, perished soon after attempting a big hit of Harshit Rana and holding out to Suryakumar Yadav at long-on. He made just 6 of 9 balls.
Lower down, Jamie Overton showed some resistance (19 of 15 balls, 1×4, 1×6). Adil Rashid remained not out on 10 (6 balls, 1×6).
From 129/4 in the 15th over, the visitors were bundled out for 166 in 19.4 overs.
Newly elected Mayor Harpreet Kaur Babla and other BJP councillors raise the victory sign in the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation House on Thursday.
Party candidate Harpreet Kaur Babla is elected Mayor against odds, defeating AAP-Cong combine candidate Prem Lata of AAP 19-17 by getting the benefit of three cross votes in a secret ballot
Congress candidates representing the combine, however, win both posts of Senior Deputy Mayor (Jasbir Singh ‘Bunty’) and Deputy Mayor (Taruna Mehta)
Blame game begins among combine partners
Urgent need for reforms in municipal laws to halt apparent horse-trading and other electoral malpractices
So, what went wrong for the Aam Aadmi Party in the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation mayoral elections on Thursday! Despite commanding a combined clear majority of four, why did the joint AAP-Congress Mayor candidate Prem Lata from the AAP lose by two votes (19-17) to the BJP candidate Harpreet Kaur Babla, while their joint candidates for the Senior Deputy Major and Deputy Mayor’s posts, Jasbir Singh ‘Bunty’ and Taruna Mehta won the elections by the same margin given the same scenario!
Apart from the 35 councillors, the local Member of Parliament too has a vote in the House in his capacity as ex-officio member of the municipal corporation, making the total number of votes 36.
Going by their strength in the House, the AAP-Cong combine had 20 votes (AAP 13, Cong 6 and one vote of Cong MP from Chandigarh Manish Tewari) and the BJP 16 after one of the seniormost Congress councillors Gurbax Rawat shifted allegiance from the Congress to the BJP just a couple of days ahead of the elections.
With this equation, one thing is certain, three were three cross votes from the combine in the polling for Mayor’s post and one cross-vote each in the polling for the other two posts.
There can broadly be two probable scenarios. Either the Congress as a party backstabbed the AAP in connivance with the BJP, as alleged by the AAP; or there was resentment within AAP councillors, or Congress councillors, or both, over Prem Lata being made the combine’s mayoral candidate.
Known for her brashness, Prem Lata may have ruffled a few feathers. When former Chandigarh Congress President Pardeep Chhabra had switched over to the AAP, Prem Lala along with several others, had followed suit prior to the general elections to the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation in December 2021. She had won the elections as councillor from Ward No. 23 (sectors 34, 35 & 43) as AAP candidate.
Harpreet Kaur Babla and her husband Devinder Singh Babla in joyous mood
The newly elected Mayor, Harpreet Kaur Babla has had a long Congress background. She, as Congress councillor, along with her husband Devinder Singh Babla, a former vice president of Chandigarh Congress, had joined the BJP ahead of the annual mayoral elections in January 2022. Their old links in the Congress may also have played a role in the elections. Devinder Singh Babla is currently vice-president in Chandigarh unit of BJP.
Given the secret ballot, it may never be publicly known what happened, but once again political manipulation has won the day against the spirit of democracy.
BJP councillors surround newly elected Mayor Harpreet Kaur Babla in celebration in the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation House on Thursday.
The signs were ominous when Gurbax Rawat was made to switch sides ahead of the mayoral polls. It proved that BJP was on the prowl. It would have been difficult for the party to publicly win over three more councillors required for a victory in the mayoral elections. Speculations over probable crossvoting were rife in public domain.
Sweets being distributed to celebrate the election of Congress councillor and AAP-Cong combine candidate as Senior Deputy Mayor.
The episode raises serious questions like, did the Supreme Court appointed observer for the elections make an iota of difference to the cause of holding free and fair elections, both in letter and in spirit!
It once again brings to focus the urgent need for reforms in the municipal laws to put a halt to the dance of money, power and influence, and the mockery of democracy.
Indian players celebrate one of Varun Chakravarthy's five wickets in the third T20I against England at Rajkot on 28.01.2025. PHOTOS Credit: X/@BCCI
With a fifer at Rajkot, Chakravarthy’s tally of wickets during the current series rose to 10. Earlier, he had taken 12 wickets in four T20I matches of the away series against South Africa last year
Despite his fifer, during which he missed a hattrick chance, India finished on the losing side in the third T20I against England at Rajkot
Loss means 5-match series still wide open with India leading 2-1; Next match is at Pune on Friday
Shami’s first appearance in an international match, after nearly a year and a half layoff due to injury, proved uneventful
Sanju Samson and skipper Suryakumar Yadav’s poor run of form during the series cause for concern for the Indian camp
The visiting England team appears to be coming into its own in the 5-match T20I series against India. After Player of the Match Tilak Varma thwarted England’s march to victory in the second match at Chennai with a masterly unbeaten 72 (England lost the thriller by two wickets), the visitors tasted their first victory of the tour by 26 runs at Rajkot on Tuesday night to keep the series alive at 2-1.
A high point for India was Varun Chakravarthy’s continuing magical spin bowling, which England batsmen are failing to read. However, despite his remarkable figures of 5/24 in his quota of four overs, which deservedly won him the Player of the Match award, India found themselves on the losing side.
With this fifer, during which he missed claiming a hattrick, Chakravarthy’s tally of wickets during the current series rose to 10, making him the first Indian player to claim 10 or more wickets in a T20I series twice. He had taken 12 wickets in four T20Is in an away series against South Africa last year.
India’s ace fast bowler Mohammed Shami, finally given a chance to play in an international match, after nearly a year-and-a-half layoff while recovering from injury, looked quite rusty despite earlier having a good bowl in domestic cricket. He was tidy without being penetrative, giving away 25 runs in the three overs he bowled and going wicketless.
But surprisingly Shami was included in the playing XI in place of in-form Arshdeep Singh, which made little sense since he is a wicket-taking bowler especially with an awesome reputation for dismissing opposition batsmen in the first six powerplay overs.
A subpar England total
Put into bat for the third consecutive match by Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav, England, after a solid start (at one stage they were 83-1), could manage a total of only 171 runs, seen as a subpar score, considering that the average innings score at Rajkot before the match was 189.
But England’s pace attack rose to the occasion and displayed much greater discipline in its bowling at Rajkot. It was consistent and it was targeted short-pitched bowling, which paid rich dividends, with India’s top three back in the pavilion within the first six powerplay overs.
Experienced wrist spinner Adil Rashid added to the pressure as he tied up the Indian middle order batsmen in knots, extracting appreciable both-way spin on an otherwise placid wicket.
Archer’s takedown plan for Samson
First to go in the third over was Sanju Samson, for whom England quick Jofra Archer appears to have found a takedown formula. For the third time in the series, he dug the ball in short and the skid on it took Samson by surprise, a resultant mishit falling in the hands of Adil Rashid at mid-on. Samson made 3 runs of 6 balls.
The other opener, left-handed Abhishek Sharma was his usual belligerent self. After a flurry of boundaries both sides of the stumps, he became the first victim of pacer Brydon Carse, who replaced Mark Wood in the fourth over.
Having been hit for two boundaries of his first three deliveries, Carse still stuck to his plan and a mistimed lofted shot from Abhishek went high in the air for Archer at mid-off to run a fair distance to his right and take a brilliant catch, stretching full length backwards to grasp the ball with both hands and then tumbling over to maintain his balance.
Captain Suryakumar Yadav, who promoted himself up the order at No. 3, ahead of left-handed Tilak Varma, apparently to maintain the left-right hand combination at the fall of Samson’s wicket, again struck the ball cleanly, hoisting Archer for his typical high flick six over deep square leg and following it with a slashing off drive for a boundary.
However, as has been happening on previous occasions, he did not last long, falling first ball in the 6th over, attempting another high flick this time against Mark Wood and mistiming it straight to hand.
Tilak Varma’s unbeaten run broken
The hero of the 2nd T20I at Chennai, Tilak Varma, coming in at No. 4 after the fall of Abishek Sharma’s wicket, was stroking the ball well when he fell victim to an unexpectedly sharp turner from Rashid which pierced his defences and crashed into the stumps.
The dismissal (at 18 of 14 balls, with India’s total reading 68-4 at the end of the 8th over) was Varma’s first dismissal in the last 5 matches, having remained unbeaten on the previous four occasions tallying 318* runs.
Unable to get bowlers away
Following Varma’s dismissal Indian’s run rate began to fall as allrounders Hardik Pandya, Washington Sundar and Axar Patel failed to get the bowlers – Rashid and pacers Carse and Jamie Overton – away. Rashid was the most difficult to negotiate as he spun the ball both ways, mixing up his regular leg spin with googlies. He finished with splendid figures of 1-15 in his quota of 4 overs.
Sundar eventually fell for 6 of 15 balls and Axar for 15 of 16 balls.
At one stage just 25 runs came of 7 overs.
In the 15th over, when Hardik hit Overton’s first ball over his head for a boundary, it was the Indian innings’ first four in 45 balls.
Meanwhile the required run rate climbed from nearly 10 at the end of the 11th over to over 14 at the end of the 15th (72 required in 30 balls).
Though Hardik did smash a couple of sixes in his innings of 40 of 35 balls, for most part his strike rate was much below par.
Specialist batsman Dhruv Jurel, who was pushed much down the order to No. 8, in an apparently inexplicable move to maintain the left-right hand combination even in the lower middle order, had practically no role to play with just over two overs to go. He scored just two of 4 balls before holding out to the wicketkeeper, trying a ramp shot in desperation.
For England Jamie Overton claimed three wickets, Archer and Carse two apiece, and Mark Wood and Adil Rashid one each.
England innings
In England’s innings, their opener wicketkeeper-batsman Phil Salt disappointing again, holding out to Abhishek Sharma at cover to a pace off delivery from Hardik Pandya in the 2nd over. He made just 5 of 7 balls.
But then the other opener Ben Duckett and captain Jos Buttler stitched together a solid partnership to take the team total to 83-1 before Buttler departed in the 9th over, becoming first of spinner Varun Chakravarthy’s 5 victims.
Buttler (24 of 22 balls, 1×4, 1×6), attempted a reverse sweep and under edged a difficult catch to Sanju Samson behind the stumps. After the on-field umpire turned down a vociferous appeal by Samson, who went up instantly, confident he had got the man, the keeper convinced his skipper for a review, and it was upheld.
Collapse triggered
Duckett, the only half centurion among both teams (51 of 28 balls, 7x4s, 2x6s), too departed in the next over, falling to Axar Patel, triggering a collapse from 108-4 to 127-8. The wrecker-in-chief was Chakravarthy, who missed a hattrick, after claiming the wickets of Jamie Smith and Jamie Overton of consecutive balls in his third over, 14th of the innings.
No. 8 batsman Carse, who had managed to block Varun Chakravarthy’s hattrick ball, however, did not survive his next over, trying a lofted sweep shot to be caught in the deep. Jofra Archer fell as his fifth victim on the last ball of the same over, completely missing the line and finding his off stump knocked down, much to his disbelief.
Big hitting Liam Livingstone, who had a poor run in the first two matches, came as their saviour, hitting the ball to all parts of the ground. His knock of 43 of 24 was studded with 1×4 and 5x6s.
The last wicket pair of Adil Rashid (10 of 9) and Mark Wood (10 of 10) also showed resistance. Their 24-run unbeaten partnership eventually made the difference between a win and loss, as India lost by just two runs above that partnership figure.
India's new T20I sensation Tilak Varma takes a bow from his captain Suryakumar Yadav after his match-winning effort in the 2nd T20I match against England at the MA Chadambaram Stadium in Chennai on 25.01.2025. PHOTOS Credit: X/@BCCI
With his matching winning unbeaten knock of 72 of 55 balls in Chennai, India’s No. 3 batter has compiled 318* runs in his last four T20I innings without being dismissed (107*, 120*, 19*, 72*)
He finds himself on top of the list of international batsmen with most runs between dismissals
Champions Trophy approaching, and still no comeback match for Mohd. Shami
It was take-a-bow moment for the new Indian T20 batting sensation Tilak Varma. Displaying remarkable maturity, the 22-year-old left-hander thwarted England and anchored his team to a thrilling 2-wicket win in the second T20 match which went to the wire at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Saturday night. The win gave the home team a 2-0 lead in the 5-match T20I series. The third match of the 5-match series will be played at Rajkot on Tuesday.
With his unbeaten 72 of 55 balls in Chennai, the new T20 sensation has now compiled 318* runs in his last four T20I innings without being dismissed (107*, 120*, 19*, 72*), which places him on the top of the list of international batsmen with most runs between dismissals.
Unlike the Kolkata encounter, which was outrightly one-sided, this one was closely fought with fortunes swinging like a pendulum.
Right from the time Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav won the toss for the second time in the series, and put England in, the visitors’ displayed more persistence in their resolve to restore parity in the series. They looked set to achieve their goal, but for Tilak Varma, who stood rock solid between them and victory, eventually tipping the scale in India’s favour.
Still leaning heavily on captain Buttler
Banking On Though overall their batting performance was not as bad as in Kolkata in the first encounter (they put up a decent total of 165 against 132 in Kolkata), England were again left leaning heavily on their captain Jos Buttler to do bulk of the scoring (45 of 30 balls, 2x4s, 3x6s).
Rest, other than cameos from both the new players drafted into the playing XI – No. 6 batter Jamie Smith, who replaced Jacob Bethell, struck a 12-ball 22; and allrounder Brydon Carse, replacing Gus Atkinson, who had a miserable first outing going for 38 runs of his two overs, playing a cracking innings of 31 of 17 balls at No. 8 before he was unfortunately run out – the script of the previous match was repeated.
Carse had a wonderful outing with the ball as well, claiming three wickets for 29 runs, but his all-round performance got overshadowed by Tilak Varma’s match-winning knock, for which he was also named Player of the Match.
Two forced changes due to injury
India were forced to make two changes from Kolkata due to injury issues, with allrounder Nitish Kumar Reddy ruled out for the rest of the series due to a side strain and injured middle order batter Rinku Singh ruled out for the 2nd and 3rd T20Is due to lower back spasm.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Dhruv Jurel replaced Rinku Singh as a specialist batter and Washington Sundar came in place of Nitish Kumar, further strengthening the spin bowling attack from three in Kolkata to four.
The pitch in Chennai had much less grass on it and was expected to produce a high scoring match, but it was not to be as it later turned out to be somewhat two-paced, making stroke play challenging.
Despite being hit for a first ball four by wicketkeeper-batsman Phil Salt, Arshdeep Singh, straight from a high of being named ICC Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Year for 2024, once again proved true to his reputation, tasting first blood a couple of balls later.
That boundary was the only scoring shot the England opener was to play, as the Indian strike bowler got him in similar fashion as in the first match, to a well-directed bouncer, which the batter skied to be caught in the deep.
However, not getting much movement both in the air and of the pitch, by far the world’s highest T20 wicket-taker in the powerplay with 42 dismissals later got hammered for runs (40 in his 4).
Hardik mixes it up
Unlike in the first match Hardik Pandya, sharing the new ball with Arshdeep, bowled exceptionally well, mixing up his deliveries and keeping the batsmen guessing. Though he got to bowl only two overs (the 2nd and 19th) he gave away only 6 runs and claimed a wicket towards the end, that of No. 10 batsman Adil Rashid (10 runs), who along with No. 9 batter Jofra Archer (12 n.o.) put up some resistance, contributing 20 runs for the 9th wicket.
Spinners’ guile
All the other batsmen again fell to the guile of Indian spinners.
Replacing Hardik for the fourth over of the innings, off spinner Washington Sundar got rid of the other opener left-handed Ben Duckett (3 runs) first ball, with the batter trying a reverse sweep and edging it straight to point.
The England captain went after the Indian bowlers from word go, taking a toll on Arshdeep, Washington Sundar and Ravi Bishnoi, before falling to Axar Patel, who also accounted for Liam Livingstone (13 runs). The left arm spinner finished with 2-32 of his 4.
Varun Chakravarthy again bowled No. 4 batsman Harry Brook through the gate, as in the first innings, for 13 and later repeated this with allrounder Jamie Overton (3 runs). He however proved expensive, giving away 38 runs of his four overs.
Suryakumar Yadav frequently kept shuffling his bowlers around in an effort not to allow the England batters to settle into any sort of rhythm. Even Abhishek Sharma got to bowl one over as the fifth spinner and claimed the prize wicket of hard-hitting Jamie Smith.
Ravi Bishnoi remained wicketless for the second time in the series, though he finished as the most economical of the spinners, giving away 27 runs of his four overs. Washington Sundar did not get to bowl again after his first over in which he claimed 1-9.
India’s response
Tilak Varma exults
Chasing a manageable 166-run target, hero of the first match Abhishek Sharma, in his typical pitch-hitting style, struck three glorious fours of England strike bowler Jofra Archer’s first over, but departed in the next over on 12, wrapped on the pads plumb in front of the stumps to Mark Wood’s sizzling hot delivery.
Archer got rid of Sanju Samson (5 runs) in his second over with a pacy bouncer which the other opener got high on the bat while attempting a pull shot, holding out to Carse at midwicket.
Captain Suryakumar Yadav who joined Tilak Varma, looks in good nick, straight away stroking Archer for two boundaries square on the offside in the same over. Tilak Varma also got going with a blistering attack on Archer in the fifth over, slashing him for a boundary over point, and then following it up with a flicked six over long leg and a top-edged maximum sailing over the wicketkeeper. He raced to 19 in 11 balls.
However, the Indian skipper again fell cheaply. After Tilak hit a first ball six of Carse in the sixth over and took a single to rotate the strike, Suryakumar (12 runs, 3x4s) defended one onto his stumps.
India ended the powerplay at 49/3, with nothing much differentiating the two teams at this stage. England were 48/2 after the 6 powerplay overs.
Dhruv Jurel did not make good the opportunity of replacing the injured Rinku Singh and became Carse’s second victim in the 8th over of the innings, spooning a catch to mid-on. He made just 4.
Tilak Varma drops anchor
When Hardik Pandya (7 runs) also fell on pacer Jamie Overton’s first ball in the 10th over, gloving a slow bouncer to wicketkeeper Phil Salt, and the hosts were in some bother at 78/5, required to score at 8.8 runs an over, Tilak Varma appeared to change gear and play the anchor to see the team through to the end.
Washington Sundar, after a slow start and a dropped chance by Adil Rashid at mid-on of Mark Wood, capitalised on the reprieve, hitting the bowler for a six of a free hit awarded on a no ball, and following it up with two fours. The 18 runs of the over eased the equation for India to 53 runs of 42 balls.
But there was to be another twist in the game. Returning to the attack for the 14th over, Carse bowled Sundar with a delivery which skidded on and kept slightly low. At 116/6, another left-handed allrounder Axar Patel stepped in.
At this stage, with India requiring 47 runs of 36 balls, England captain Jos Buttler played a gamble, bringing on off spinner Liam Livingstone instead of leg spinner Adil Rashid with two left-handers at the crease. The gamble paid off as Axar, instead of playing a supporting role to Tilak, tried to be the aggressor His all-mighty heave misfired, and he held out to deep mid-wicket. His contribution just 2.
Takes charge again
Sensing he could run out of partners, Tilak Varma decided to change gears once again. With India needing 40 runs of 30 balls, Archer returned to the attack in the 16th over. Prepared as he was for a short-pitched delivery, Tilak had a go at it, and for the second time in the match top edge of Tilak’s bat sailed over the fence behind the wicketkeeper to bring up his 50.
Another six over deep square leg by Tilak, and an edged four by Ashdeep Singh through the slips following a crossover sent the crowd into ruptures. The 19 runs of the over for the first time brought the equation to less than run a ball (21 of 24).
Tilak was forgoing a few single to shield Arshdeep, but in Adil Rashid’s last over, the 17th of the innings, the doubles and the boundaries were difficult to get, compelling him to take a single of the fifth ball, exposing Arshdeep to the last ball, which proved fatal.
After nodding to Tilak apparently on some instruction, Arshdeep did exactly what Axar did, his all-mighty swing at Rashid’s delivery fell short of the boundary and went to hand at deep square leg, once again raising the excitement level. He made 6 runs with the hosts still needing 20 runs to win in 18 balls.
As Carse took the ball for the 18th over, Tilak appeared to repose greater faith in the abilities of Ravi Bishnoi as a batter, taking singles twice and exposing the spinner to the highest wicket taker in the innings. Bishnoi, playing sensibly, obliged dispatching Carse to the mid-wicket fence in the over.
At this stage, with India needing 13 of two overs, England captain Jos Buttler appeared unsure whom to bowl for the penultimate over. After careful thought, the ball was handed to pacer Overton, but quickly the decision changed and off spinner Livingstone was asked to bowl, largely keeping left-handed Tilak Varma in mind.
Playing out two dot balls while not attempting a single, Tilak Varma pushed for a cheeky second run of the third ball with Bishnoi just making his ground. He took a single of the fourth ball and Bishnoi against obliged slicing the off spinner’s fifth ball over point for a four. On the last ball Bishnoi survived a lbw appeal and subsequent review.
With six needed of the last over bowled by pacer Overton, Tilak powerfully struck the first ball towards the fence on the onside, only for Livingstone to dart a fair distance from deep midwicket and make a brilliant stop, restricting Tilak to 2 runs. However, there was no stopping the boundary on the next ball which he timed beautifully, bisecting cover and mid-off.
Tilak Varma had just played probably the best innings of his brief T20 career which came in most challenging circumstances with wickets falling all around him. The temperament and situational awareness he displayed, and his shot selection was par excellence, for which he earned a bow from his captain.
Most runs between two dismissals in T20Is (full ICC member teams)
Portrait of HS Mattewal at the LPG Crematorium in Sector 25 Chandigarh on Friday (24.01.2025). Photo By LifeInChandigarh.com
Remained Punjab’s top government lawyer during two terms of Prakash Singh Badal as chief minister of the state from 1997 to 2002 and again from 2007-2012
Following a stroke in 2011, and unable to continue as A-G, he was appointed by Badal as advisor to the state government in the rank of cabinet minister
Ably defended the interests of Punjab and Punjabiyat, especially in the state’s river waters sharing disputes
An outstanding legal luminary, who, as Advocate-General during two terms of Prakash Singh Badal as chief minister of Punjab, stoutly defended the interests of Punjab and Punjabiyat, especially in the state’s river waters sharing disputes, is no longer with us. Hardev Singh Mattewal, who had not been keeping good health ever since he suffered a brain stroke back in 2011 while he was still A-G Punjab, passed away on the night intervening Thursday and Friday.
A huge gathering of family members, friends, well-wishers and members of the legal fraternity gathered to pay their last respects at the LPG Crematorium in Sector 25 Chandigarh, where he was cremated on Friday afternoon. Punjab and Haryana High Court Bar Association suspended work in the post-lunch session as a mark of respect and to facilitate lawyers’ attendance at the cremation.
Mattewal, who got his last name from the village by the name in Amritsar district and did his schooling from Sainik School Kapurthala, is survived by wife Maninder Mattewal, a former college teacher who later served as member of Punjab Human Rights Commission; daughter Dr Puneet Kaur Sekhon and son Pavit Singh Mattewal, both lawyers.
In a video obituary posted on his YouTube channel KBS Today, former senior bureaucrat KBS Sidhu, who remained closely associated with Mattewal while he was additional deputy commissioner (development), later deputy commissioner of Amritsar, and still later when he was moved to Chandigarh, described the former A-G as a sharp legal brain who was politically savvy too.
In his opinion Hardev Singh Mattewal was the only Advocate General Punjab has had who stoutly defended the interests of Punjab and Punjabiyat. The legal luminary’s contribution in defending the legitimate rights and interests of Punjab in its river waters sharing disputes was stellar.
He remembered Mattewal remained the Punjab A-G during two terms of Prakash Singh Badal as chief minister of the state from 1997 to 2002 and again from 2007 to 2012. Though, following his stroke and consequent poor health Mattewal resigned as A-G in 2011. However, so attached was Badal to him that the chief minister retained Mattewal in the government and appointed him as advisor in the rank of cabinet minister.
According to KBS Sidhu, Mattewal was also closely associated with Dera Beas, in the extended family of whose head his daughter Dr Puneet Kaur later got married.
Family members lay a shawl on the body of former Punjab A-G HS Mattewal at the LPG Crematorium in Sector 25 Chandigarh on Friday (24.01.2025). Photo By LifeInChandigarh.com
Sidhu further recollected that earlier, as senior advocate practicing in the Punjab & Haryana High Court, Mattewal was instrumental in getting approved a judicial complex for the historical town of Baba Bakala from the high court in the early 1990s and it was got inaugurated by the then Chief Justice of the High Court, Justice SP Kurdukar.
The small town is closely associated with the ninth guru of the Sikhs, Guru Tegh Bahadur. The guru is said to have meditated there for long years and a gurdwara now stands commemorating the site. The judicial complex came right next to the gurdwara, Sidhu, who was then Amritsar deputy commissioner, said.
Updated cover photo on HS Mattewal’s sparingly used Facebook page dated 28.03.2016, apparently on his birth anniversary going by birthday wishesMemories from the High Court of Himachal Pradesh, Shimla posted on HS Mattewal’s Facebook page on dated 28.11.2022
Psychologist Shabana Azam (left) and theatre personality and art therapy coach Nisha Luthra announcing the launch of ENSO - The Home for Counselling & Therapy in Sector 8 Chandigarh on Wednesday (22.01.2025)
The holistic mental health solutions startup is a partnership between experienced psychologist Shabana Azam and well-known theatre personality Nisha Luthra, who has also been working in the field of art-based mental health coaching
Will provide holistic therapies for mental health challenges through the confluence of science and art
‘मन का हो तो अच्छा, ना हो तो और भी अच्छा’ (‘Mann ka ho tto achcha, na ho tto aur bhi achcha’) is a beautiful line from one of celebrated poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan’s poems. The essence of its meaning is thus: यदि हमारे मन का हो रहा है तो वह बहुत अच्छा है क्योंकि वह तब तो हमें अच्छा ही लगेगा । लेकिन यदि वह हमारे मन का नहीं हो रहा है तो और भी अच्छा है क्योंकि उसमें ईश्वर ने हमारी कुछ ना कुछ भलाई सोच रखी होगी । (If things happen as per your wishes, that’s good. But if they don’t, that’s even better, because in that case these are happening according to some divine force. That divine force will never think ill about you. So, you need to respect that as being better.”
We cannot always have our way. There are bound to be ups and downs, twists and turns in this roller coaster ride that is life. The faster we accept this reality of life, the easier it will be for us to navigate through its complexities and maintain physical and mental equilibrium.
But the modern-day lifestyles aggressively pursued by ever-increasing mass of people are leading to a surge in mental health challenges that are manifesting as anxiety, depression, and even suicidal tendencies.
To professionally engage with the people struggling to live through such challenges in a holistic manner, two ladies, one an experienced psychologist and the other a well-known theatre personality who has also been working in the field of art-based mental health coaching, have joined hands to launch ENSO – The Home for Therapy & Counselling in the busy Sector 8-B inner market in Chandigarh.
Sharing details about the purpose and mission of ENSO, Shabana Azam, who has been providing mental health services to various clinics, hospitals, educational and other institutions, NGOs, etc. under the name Hidayat; and Nisha Luthra, founder and director of The Narrators Performing Arts Society, told your own news portal LifeInChandigarh.com that the startup aims to provide a safe, inclusive space for individuals to discuss their struggles and access holistic therapeutic interventions without the use of medicines.
Their holistic approach integrates science with art forms, psychological therapies like psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), psycho-dynamic therapy and talk therapy with creative modalities like music therapy, art therapy, theatre & drama therapy, movement & breath therapy, affirmations, manifestations, and more.
Professional help
Emphasising that mental health challenges are growing in populations worldwide, Shabana and Nisha advised that professional help should be sought immediately after initial symptoms start emerging in an individual. Ignoring these symptoms can lead to severe conditions that can be life-disrupting, in which case pharmacological intervention becomes necessary, they added.
Nisha opined that seeking professional help to overcome these challenges and enjoy life to its fullest is a sign of strength and courage, rather than weakness, as is generally perceived by affected individuals.
Talking about symptoms to look out for, especially among the children and the young, the two ladies emphasised that behavioral changes among children in their teens are natural because of normal biological changes happening, but parents and teachers need to be vigilant to the unusual direction in which these changes may be headed.
Symptoms of mental health challenges
Among the symptoms can be individuals keeping to themselves and not communicating with friends and others or not having friends at all; aversion to entertaining guests in the house and perceiving them as intrusion in their personal space; enveloping themselves in the darkness of their rooms, and many more, they shared.
About the process of identifying the mental health issue and choosing a therapy thereafter, Shabana said every individual has a different personality, and the approach accordingly is different in every case, which is decided after thorough psychometric and personality testing. The process begins with rapport building with an individual to win his/her trust, she added.
Contributing factors
Among the contributing factors to mental health challenges, Shabana and Nisha pointed out societal shifts, including the disintegration of joint families and the widening generational gap, increased financial independence, and all-pervasive influence of social media.
The challenges of pressure to excel, conform to societal expectations, and seek validation on social media manifest as anxiety, depression, and even suicidal tendencies, especially in the youth, they said.
Emphasising the detrimental effects of excessive screen time on young minds, they said from social anxiety and sleep disorders to reduced attention spans and emotional immaturity, the psychological impact on individuals is profound.
The virtual world is replacing real-life experiences, leading to isolation, loss of direction in life and chronic feelings of emptiness, they further said.
Impressionistic minds unable to process the flood of information are increasingly getting confused and indecisive. Their energies, instead of being focussed on productive pursuits and goals, are getting scattered. Life for them is not getting faster, rather slowing down, the two ladies observed.
Take a break, collect your thoughts: In the given scenario, they said there is a need for individuals to every now and then take time out and pause their routines, whether studying, working, or indulging in any other activity, to closely reconnect with themselves and their thoughts and reinvest in themselves.
Confluence of science and art
Emphasising the importance of the confluence of science and various art forms in their counselling and therapies, Nisha Luthra asserted that art in all its variations has the power to capture thoughts and bring them to focus. A human being is a bundle of emotions, and art provides expression to a variety of emotions through various beautiful ways. It also provides a platform for healthy exchange of energies between individuals, which by itself is therapeutic, she further said.
ENSO also has programmes for loneliness and other mental health challenges of senior citizens, marriage and relationship conflicts, home makers, expectant and postpartum mothers, corporate professionals, educational and other institutions, health service providers, security forces personnel, and more.
Apart from running ENSO counselling and therapy clinic, the startup plans to conduct workshops in schools, colleges, corporates, police organisations, etc to promote mental health awareness. It is also gearing up to provide stress management and life skills training to young adults.