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Air India Ahmedabad Crash: Civil Aviation Veteran HS Khola Says Court Of Inquiry Would Have Instilled Greater Public Confidence

Sanjeev Kochhar
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Air India Ahmedabad Crash: Civil Aviation Veteran HS Khola Says Court Of Inquiry Would Have Instilled Greater Public Confidence
India’s first and longest serving Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) shared his views on the recent air tragedy on the sidelines of his lecture ‘Application of Advanced Technology in Aviation Safety and Accident Investigation’ delivered at the Panjab University Chandigarh
Lecture was organised by SPSTI (Society for Promotion of Science & Technology in India) and the PU’s Department of Physics

India’s first and longest serving Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) HS Khola has expressed the view that ordering a Court of Inquiry into the June 12 crash of an Air India Boeing 787 dreamliner at Ahmedabad, in which all but one of the 242 passengers and crew on board and many others on the ground died, could have instilled greater public confidence and prevented most of the speculation and conjecturing swirling around the cause of the crash.

Khola, who remained the DGCA from 1993 till the time of his retirement from service in 2002, however was quick to add that though a Court of Inquiry is not mandatory, in the past it was a standard practice to order it into air accidents which resulted in a large number of fatalities. “It’s a more open and transparent process,” he asserted.

At the same time the man who investigated many high-profile air tragedies, including the Kanishka bombing over the Atlantic in 1985, expressed confidence that the truth will nevertheless come out in the open as the entire data collected from various sources, including Digital Flight Data Recorder (DFDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR), collectively also called the ‘black box’, will have to be made public and thus cannot be falsified.

He was talking exclusively to your own news portal LifeInChandigarh.com on the sidelines of his lecture on the topic ‘Application of Advanced Technology in Aviation Safety and Accident Investigation’ delivered in the Prof BM Anand Auditorium on the Panjab University (PU) campus in Chandigarh on Tuesday.

The lecture was organised by SPSTI (Society for Promotion of Science & Technology in India) and the PU’s Department of Physics.

Within 24 hours of the crash, the Indian government had ordered two separate and parallel investigations – one into the technical aspects of the crash by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) and the other by a High-Level Committee (HLC) chaired by the Union Home Secretary, the latter of which, Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu had later clarified will provide a holistic, policy-oriented roadmap for future safeguards.

The high-level committee includes representatives from the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Home Ministry, Indian Air Force, Intelligence Bureau, Gujarat government, Directorate General of Civil Aviation, and Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, besides others.

While the high-level committee is expected to submit its report within three months, AAIB has already released its mandatory preliminary report which has given certain pointers without hinting at probable causes for the crash.

About an estimated timeline for the AAIB to conclude its investigation and submit its final report, the civil aviation veteran Khola says it dependents on the complexities involved and how fast all required evidences are collected to arrive at a conclusion. Giving the example of the Kanishka crash he said it took more than a year to conclude that it was a result of a bomb going off mid-flight.

In a presentation as part of his lecture, Khola broadly covered topics like aviation regulators involved, and complexities of aviation safety; analysis of past aviation safety record and causes of accidents; use of DFDR & CVR data in safety enhancement and accident investigations; and safety enhancement measures – use of airborne and ground-based systems.

He shared that taking a broad view of past accidents shows that about 60% accidents occurred during approach or landing, about 60% in poor weather conditions, and about 60% due to human errors.

Safety analysis also revealed that among the factors contributing to human errors were skill errors (46%), inadvertent errors (30%) and deliberate errors (24%), he added, further stating that most such accidents were caused due to non-compliance of laid down procedures, coupled with poor weather conditions, leading to the conclusion that that most accidents were apparently avoidable.

At the same time, striking a note of optimism, the civil aviation veteran emphasised that use of advanced technology has contributed significantly to making aviation safer, and positioning by air as the safest mode of transportation.

Citing data from the latest Asia Pacific Summit for Aviation Safety 2025, organised by Flight Safety Foundation and CAA Singapore, he said it shows that the rate of fatal aviation accidents has declined more than 80% in the past four decades.

Civil aviation veteran HS Khola being felicitated by the organisers after his lecture at the Panjab University Chandigarh on Tuesday. PHOTOS By: LifeInChandigarh.com

It also shows that flying on an airline these days is:

  • 270 times safer than travelling in a car
  • 5,000 times safer than walking
  • 7,500 times safer than riding a motorcycle

Khola concluded that technology has:

  • Reduced air route distances (by straightening routes), and thus cost of operations
  • Increased capacity of airspace by reducing vertical and horizontal separations (between airborne aircraft)
  • Reduced workload of pilots and air traffic controllers
  • Advanced technology in aircraft and ground systems and application of space technology is greatly enhancing aviation safety.

International Schools Sports Organization ISSO Gets Adani International School Push

Sanjeev Kochhar
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International Schools Sports Organization ISSO Gets Adani International School Push
ISSO promotes the development of 22 sports disciplines in 430+ international curriculum schools across India affiliated with International Baccalaureate (IB), Cambridge, Edexcel, the US-based National School Boards Association (NSBA), etc
The collaboration between ISSO and Adani International School, Ahmedabad will support the former in scaling sporting infrastructure, enhancing athlete training and promoting participation in global events
ISSO’s association with key national and international sports bodies such as the School Games Federation of India (SGFI) and the International School Sport Federation (ISF) has enabled Indian students to compete at the highest levels

 

The International Schools Sports Organization (ISSO), which has been spearheading the development and promotion of sports in international curriculum schools across India affiliated with International Baccalaureate (IB), Cambridge, Edexcel, the US-based National School Boards Association (NSBA), etc, has received a further boost with the Adani International School, Ahmedabad extending its support to ISSO’s movement aimed at fostering athletic talent and cultivating a strong sports culture among its network schools.

Namrata Adani, Promoter of Adani International School, Ahmedabad has also joined the Advisory Board of ISSO which has operations spanning 430+ international curriculum schools, covering 22 sports disciplines, conducting more than 300+ tournaments annually, and impacting over 22,000 students.

Through this collaboration, Adani International School, Ahmedabad will support ISSO in scaling sporting infrastructure, enhancing athlete training and promoting participation in global events.

ISSO’s association with key national and international sports bodies such as the School Games Federation of India (SGFI) and the International School Sport Federation (ISF) has enabled Indian students to compete at the highest levels. Through its specialised wing, the International Board School Sports Organisation (IBSO), ISSO has helped thousands of students progress to elite events like the SGFI Nationals, Khelo India Games, the Subroto Cup and even the ISF World Championships.

It also organises its own annual ISSO National Games where member international curriculum schools compete in various sports disciplines. Students who excel in these games get to participate in national school games and get an opportunity to compete in international events.

According to a release, the Adani International School-ISSO collaboration brings a renewed focus on structured, transparent and professionally managed competitions that can also aid global university admissions through robust student-athlete profiling.

Speaking about the collaboration, Aakanksha Thapak, Director ISSO, said, “We are delighted to welcome Mrs. Namrata Adani and the Adani Group as part of our shared vision for youth empowerment through sports. Over the years, ISSO has built a structured pathway for international school students to grow through competitive sport — from grassroots to national and international levels. With the leadership and forward-thinking vision of Mrs. Adani, this collaboration is set to further strengthen the ecosystem we’ve created. Together, we look forward to unlocking greater sporting possibilities and inspiring thousands of young athletes across international schools.”

“We are at an inflection point in India’s educational and sporting landscape,” said Namrata Adani from Adani Group. “Through this collaboration, we aim to create inclusive, future-ready institutions where students are empowered to pursue excellence both in the classroom and on the sports field. It is an honour to support ISSO in establishing a structured, globally benchmarked sports culture for international schools in India.”

ProSight Eye Hospital-43 Chandigarh First In India To Introduce Envision For Dry Eye Treatment

Sanjeev Kochhar
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ProSight Eye Hospital-43 Chandigarh First In India To Introduce Envision For Dry Eye Treatment
Treatment combines precisely targeted radiofrequency (RF) and Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) technologies to remove the root cause of dry eye syndrome
Hospital-level estimates put the prevalence of the syndrome to be as high as 40-50%

Dry eye syndrome, caused by the oil grands located within the eyelids, near the eyelashes, secreting insufficient meibum, an oily substance that helps prevent the watery layer of tears from evaporating too quickly and keeps the eye surface lubricated, is taking on alarming proportions with some hospital-level estimates putting its prevalence as high as 40-50% .

Though traditional eye drops do provide relief, this is often short-lived.

Now a combination of breakthrough technologies introduced by an advanced eye hospital in Chandigarh promises to treat dry eyes at its root cause by tackling inflammation of the oil glands and restoring natural oil secretion.

Inaugurating the non-invasive, AI-enabled Envision machine manufactured by InMode, a global leader in minimally invasive technologies, at the ProSight Eye Hospital in Sector 43, Chandigarh, its head and well-known ophthalmologist Dr Sheetal Brar said the treatment combines precisely targeted radiofrequency (RF) and Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) technologies to address various eye concerns, particularly dry eye syndrome. An additional advantage is that it also rejuvenates the delicate skin around the eyes reducing fine lines, wrinkles and eye bags, and improves overall eye health. 

Sameer Wadhera, Managing Director, InMode India, who was also present, endorsed Dr Sheetal’s claim that ProSight Hospital has become the first medical facility not only in India but entire South Asia to install the machine, which is the gold standard in treatment of dry eye syndrome at its roots.

While Dr Sheetal shared that the treatment involves 3-4 sitting of less than 15 minutes each with a gap of 2-3 weeks between sittings and patients start experiencing substantial relief from the first sitting itself, Wadhera added that the biggest advantage of the treatment is that it is non-invasive, there is no downtime and no special post procedure precautions are required to be taken.

Envision by InMode

Symptoms of dry eye syndrome

  • Persistent redness in the eyes along with irrigation, pain, discomfort, burning or stinging sensation, etc.
  • Excessive watering from the eyes
  • Blurred vision
  • Higher sensitivity to light
  • False feeling of foreign body in the eye
  • Difficulty wearing contact lenses

Causes

  • Ageing
  • Excessive screen time
  • Environmental conditions, including air pollution
  • Lifestyle factors
  • Medications
  • Underlying medical conditions

Milestone achieved by ProSight Eye Hospital

In less than six months of its existence, the hospital has achieved a milestone of conducting 100 Smile Pro advanced laser vision correction procedures for eyesight correction, apart from performing other AI-assisted advanced cataract and lasik procedures and eye-related diagnostics, according to Dr Sheetal Brar.

Chandigarh Tricity Rotarians, Vision-Aid Donate Patented Smart Vision Glasses To Blind Students

Sanjeev Kochhar
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Chandigarh Tricity Rotarians, Vision-Aid Donate Patented Smart Vision Glasses To Blind Students
25 Class 8-12 students of Institute for the Blind, Sector 26, Chandigarh get light weight wearables with attached device, embedded with a chip, two cameras, sensors, audio, etc to enable the visually impaired and blind to enjoy reading and safely navigate their way through obstacles while on the go
Society for the Care of the Blind appeals for more donations for betterment of the Institute for the Blind, which enjoys high credibility

Rotarians belonging to various Rotary Clubs in Chandigarh tricity, joining hands with NGO Vision-Aid India, on Monday initiated a noble activity, after reading about which, I am sure, many of us would be delighted to join – providing AI-assisted smart vision to visually challenged children, making their reading easier and enjoyable, and navigation through obstacles safer.

The latest smart vision glasses (https://youtu.be/VAaVXs4WfoI), designed, patented and manufactured by Bengaluru-based SHG Technologies, gifted to 25 students of the Institute for the Blind, in Sector 26, Chandigarh, brought cheer to the beneficiaries studying in classes 8 to 12 and their families, and a visible sense of satisfaction on the faces of the donors.

And the donors left with a promise of more to the 170-odd students of the institute. If the feedback about the efficacy of the devices is good, then Rotarians will consider repeating the activity next year, assured the project director Rtn AP Singh on behalf of the Rotarians.

Hailing the initiative by the Rotarians as a life-changing gesture for the visually challenged students, Dinesh Kumar Kapila, Senior Vice President of the Society for the Care of the Blind, which runs the institute in Sector 26, Chandigarh, appealed to other citizens, associations, organisations, NGOs and corporates through their CSR funds to join the noble effort to further empower the visually challenged children, almost all of whom are from poor families.

Chief guest Rtn Rajpal Singh, immediate past district governor of Rotary District 3080, under whom project ‘SuDrishti’ was launched last year in association with Vision-Aid to provide smart vision glasses to the visually impaired and the blind, inspired the visually challenged students to resolve and work hard on their inner strengthens to achieve whatever they dream of.

He expressed his special gratitude to two Rotarians, Rtn Hari Om Verma of Rotary Chandigarh Uptown and Rtn PJ Singh of Rotary Club Chandigarh for contributing Rs.5 lakh and Rs.2.5 lakh respectively for the project, and to Vision-Aid for matching Rotary’s contribution.

Rtn AP Singh further informed that each device has cost Rs.36,750. Rotary District 3080 and Vision-Aid raised Rs.15 lakh for 40 pieces of these glasses, out of which 25 have been distributed among students of Class 8 to 12 at the Institute for the Blind, Sector 26, today while the remaining 15 would be distributed to the needy in other parts of District 3080.

He said that these glasses have an electronic brain and their AI capabilities would enable the children to detect objects, read in multiple languages with the device reading the text and conveying it in voice, navigate easily with obstacle-alerts while walking, identify people with facial recognition, and even share images and location, and store information. The glasses are compatible with all light conditions, and children would not need scribes in writing their exams.

Chief Guest Rtn Rajpal Singh (third from left), Rtn Hari Om Verma of Rotary Chandigarh Uptown (centre) and Rtn PJ Singh of Rotary Club Chandigarh (bespectacled, in the background) presenting the smart vision glasses to the visually challenged students.
A students’ choir of the Insitute for the Blind presenting a welcome song, followed by a patriotic song.

Later talking to your own news portal LifeInChandigarh.com, Dinesh Kumar Kapila informed that the society is running the institute solely with regular donations from well-wishers, many of them not even willing to take credit for the noble cause.

The Institute for the Blind is currently packed to capacity. It has 170+ students, with more than 100 of them housed in separate boys’ and girls’ hostels and the rest being day boarders. It’s annual running expenditure is estimated to be between Rs 4-5 crore, including salaries of 60+ staff.

So, how can donors help?

Informs Kapila, there can be four-five types of donations:

  1. Sponsoring a day’s breakfast, lunch or dinner (Rs 7,000-8000 each)
  2. Donating equipment like computers, laptops with special software, etc
  3. Building new infrastructure, making additions to/renovating existing infrastructure
  4. Contributing towards general expenditure
  5. Donating transport vehicle like bus, van, etc.

About SHG Technologies

SHG Technologies believes that vision should never be a barrier to independence. Driven by the challenges faced by the visually impaired community, the promoters of the company set out on a mission to create innovative solutions that enhance mobility, confidence, and daily living. With the support of Vision-Aid India and Narayana Nethralaya, the company is transforming lives through Smart Vision Glasses and AURA Vision Glasses, bringing technology and accessibility together to make the world more inclusive for everyone.

Smart Vision Glasses in detail

Smart Vision Glasses is a wearable device for the blind and visually impaired that utilizes Artificial Intelligence, Machine Vision, and Machine Learning. With its electronic brain (artificial intelligence), the device transforms their world of darkness into a more interactive, interesting, and independent experience. They can now read their favourite books, stay updated with news from magazines and newspapers, and even write exams without the need for scribes.

The device is designed to address the needs of individuals suffering from conditions such as Blindness, Macular Degeneration, Diabetic Retinopathy, Retinitis Pigmentosa, severe Glaucoma, Cataract, and other visual impairments.

What Makes Smart Vision Glasses Unique?

  • Multilingual Support: Beyond English, Smart Vision Glasses provide robust support for Indian regional languages, ensuring inclusivity for diverse users across India.
  • Advanced Object Detection: Equipped with cutting-edge object detection technology, ensuring enhanced environmental awareness.
  • Obstacle detection: A unique combination of a proximity sensor and algorithms offers added safety by alerting users about the obstacles, ensuring secure navigation.
  • Hands free Activation: Once connected to the mobile phone, the device can be used without frequently opening the phone.
  • Currency Detection: can accurately detect and identify both Indian and Kuwaiti currencies, empowering users in financial transactions.
  • Offline Functionality: Many features, including text reading, object detection, and obstacle detection, work efficiently without an internet connection, ensuring uninterrupted assistance anywhere.
  • A Holistic Solution: Smart Vision Glasses integrate AI and practical usability, such as reading signboards, identifying objects, and assisting with walking through intelligent algorithms.

How Smart Vision Glasses Transform Lives for the Blind?

  • Object Recognition: Detects vehicles, obstacles, traffic signals, zebra crossings, furniture, and more, helping users navigate their surroundings safely.
  • People Identification: Recognizes individuals, estimates approximate age, detects expressions, and identifies known individuals when names are linked.
  • Text Reading Capabilities: Reads books, road signs, and even handwritten manuscripts, bridging the gap to information access.
  • Currency Detection: Accurately identifies Indian and Kuwaiti currencies, assisting with financial transactions.
  • Obstacle Detection: Ensures secure navigation by alerting users.
  • Emergency Calling: Users can place a call just with a tap in times of emergencies.

Anderson-Tendulkar Series 2025 Lifts Test Cricket To New High

Sanjeev Kochhar
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Anderson-Tendulkar Series 2025 Lifts Test Cricket To New High
Packed stadiums, gripping cricket, and the uncertainties of the game on full display
(A photo feature appears at the end of the write-up)

It was an incredibly hard-fought Test series, one for all times, aptly finishing level at 2-2 after a magical win for India in the last of the five matches, made possible by the indomitable Mohammed Siraj. The series, which witnessed overwhelming crowd presence, saw over 7,000 runs being scored, including a record-equalling 21 individual centuries.

Not many believed in the new look younger Indian side under a young, less experienced captain, but with their fighting spirit and self-belief they proved themselves worthy of the legacy left behind by the sudden retirement of all-time greats Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin.

With exceptional batting performances, led by India’s Player of the Series Shubman Gill (Harry Brook was declared the Player of the Series on the England side), and gritty bowling spearheaded at different times during the series by a not-fully-fit yet still world’s best bowler Jasprit Bumrah, and in his absence by Mohammed Siraj, the team displayed exceptional skill and spunk to admirably fill the void left by the absence of the legends.

England head coach Brendon McCullum’s words aptly reflected the intensity with which the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy Series 2025 was played, ending in a deserving 2-2 draw.

“That is the best five-match Test series I have ever been a part of and witnessed. It just oscillated so much right throughout the six weeks and I felt it had everything. I thought there was hostility at times, camaraderie at times, great cricket at times, there was some average cricket because of the pressure they were put under.

“We knew it was going to be hard coming into the series, we knew they were going to test us physically and mentally. I think it tested both teams more than we expected. I think 2-2 was a fair reflection,” is what the man who propounded the much debated ‘bazball’ brand of cricket had to say.

Ben Stokes, the England captain and star performer in the series, who missed the final Test due to a shoulder injury, was also all praise for the quality of cricket both sides displayed in the series, describing it as one of the most compelling Test series he has been part of, despite his disappointment at missing out on a series victory.

Speaking after India’s dramatic six-run victory in the fifth Test at The Oval, Stokes acknowledged the fairness of the drawn series result although he expressed his frustration at England’s inability to get over the line in a tight finish.

“I think the series as a whole, even before this game, it was just all four games going to five days, this one again, and it’s been toe-to-toe for 25 days, two very good teams who have thrown everything at each other, left nothing out there, so I guess from a cricket fan’s point of view, 2-2 is probably fair, obviously we’re disappointed now to have not got the result that we wanted to give us a series win, so there’s obviously that disappointment, a little bit of frustration there as well from everyone.”

For India overall, batting remained exceptional right from the beginning of the series, barring the initial lower order collapses, with the team posting high totals and record hundreds. The bowling lineup at times was found lacking, with Bumrah not fit enough to give his 100% in all of the three Tests he featured in, and his strike partner Mohammed Siraj taking time to fit the bill as a match-winning bowler.

Some playing-eleven selection decisions remained hotly debated both in the batting and bowling lineup, leading to murmurs of bias. The continuing exclusion of top order batter Abhimanyu Easwaran and highly rated wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav and the only left-arm pacer in the squad Arshdeep Singh not getting a bowl did not go well with many experts and fans.

Records and milestones achieved in the The Oval Test and the Series

  • The 6-run margin of India’s victory is their narrowest in Tests in terms of runs, the previous record being 13 runs in Mumbai in 2004 while defending 107 against Australia. The six-run margin is also England’s joint-third narrowest defeat in Tests.
  • Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna became only the second Indian bowling pair to take four or more wickets in both innings of a Test. Bishan Bedi and Erapalli Prasanna did it against Australia in Delhi in 1969.
  • The 23 wickets for Siraj in the series are the joint-highest for an India bowler in a Test series in England, level with Jasprit Bumrah’s 23 wickets in 2021-22.
  • This is the 4th consecutive Test series that England have failed to win against India. Their previous series win against India came in 2018, when they won 4-1 at home. England’s longest streak without a series win against India is five, between 1996 and 2011.
  • India’s win-loss record in the fifth and sixth matches of an away Test series is 1-10. Before the six-run win at The Oval, India had lost 10 of 17 such matches, while seven ended in draws. At home, India have a 7-4 record in 27 such Tests.

Following are some of the other records and milestones highlighted by Sportstar in its wrap-up of the series:

  • Shubman Gill (754) broke Sunil Gavaskar’s record (732 against West Indies in 1978) of most runs by an Indian captain in a Test series. Gill’s effort is second only to the 810 runs scored by Australian captain Don Bradman during the 1936-37 Ashes series.
  • Gill (754), however, fell just short of going past Gavaskar’s record (774 against West Indies in 1970-71) of most runs by an Indian in a Test series.
  • England skipper Ben Stokes completed 7,000 runs in Test cricket — only the third player to record 7,000 runs and 200 wickets in Tests.  Jacques Kallis and Garfield Sobers had achieved the feat before Stokes.
  • With his five-wicket hauls at Leeds and Lord’s, Jasprit Bumrah now holds the record for most fifers by an Indian bowler in England. The record previously belonged to Lala Amarnath, Kapil Dev, B Chandrasekhar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Vinoo Mankad, Chetan Sharma, Ishant Sharma, Mohammad Nissar and Surendranath as all of them had two five-wicket hauls in England.
  • With his tons at Leeds and Lord’s, KL Rahul now holds the record for most centuries by an Indian opener in England.
  • For only the fourth time this century, all five Tests in a series went to the final day with other instances including the England tour of South Africa (2004-05), South Africa tour of West Indies (2001) and the 2017-18 Ashes in Australia.
  • Gill became just the fifth Indian Test batter to register a century on his captaincy debut during the first Test at Headingley, Leeds.
  • With his knock of 269 in Birmingham, Gill became the sixth Indian captain to score a double hundred after MAK Pataudi, Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli.
  • Gill (754), KL Rahul (532) and Ravindra Jadeja (516) became just the sixth trio in Test history to pass 500 runs in the same series for a single team.
  • Yashasvi Jasiswal became the seventh Indian opener to register a hundred in England and Australia, joining an exclusive list which includes Vinoo Mankad, Gavaskar, Ravi Shastri, Virender Sehwag, Murali Vijay and KL Rahul.
  • With his twin tons at Leeds, Rishab Pant went past Dhoni (six) for most centuries in the longest format by an Indian wicketkeeper as he took his tally to eight.
  • With his five-wicket haul at Lord’s, Bumrah broke Kapil’s record (12) of most fifers by an Indian bowler in away Tests.
  • A total of 21 centuries were scored during this five-match contest, going level with a Test series held between Australia and West Indies in 1955. Out of 21, India scored 12 which is also joint-most for a team in a single series.
  • With his three centuries in the series, Joe Root went past Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara (38) to take the fourth spot on the list of batters with most Test tons. Only Tendulkar (51), Kallis (45) and Ricky Ponting (41) have more.
  • The 45 bowled dismissals were the most in any men’s Test series since 1984, and the most in a series held in England since 1976.
  • Bumrah equalled Ishant Sharma’s all-time Indian record of 51 wickets in England with his 14 scalps in the series.
  • Jamie Smith scored 184 in the first innings of the second Test in Birmingham, the highest score by an England wicketkeeper in the longest format. He went past Alec Stewart’s record of 173 against New Zealand in 1997.
  • Siraj recorded the second-most overs bowled by an Indian pacer in a series since June 2002, falling only behind Bumrah (187 overs on England tour in 2021-22).
  • Root went past Rahul Dravid (210) for an all-time record of most catches in Test cricket. He achieved the feat as he collected a difficult grab of Karun Nair at first slip during the second day of the third Test at Lord’s.
  • With his incredible knock in Birmingham, Gill broke Kohli’s (200 against West Indies in North Sound in 2016) record for the highest score by an Indian captain in away Tests, as well as his record (254 not out against South Africa in Pune in 2019) of the highest score by an Indian Test skipper. It is also the highest score by an Indian in England, a record previously held by Gavaskar (221 at The Oval in 1979).
  • India’s 336-run victory at Edgbaston is its biggest by runs in an away Test, going past its previous record of 318 against West Indies in 2019.
  • India scored 3,809 runs across five matches this series, surpassing its previous record of 3,270 runs, achieved during a six-match Test series against West Indies at home in 1978-79. In the overall list of the highest run tallies by a team during a Test series, India sits second. Australia leads the list with 3,877 runs, which it amassed during the 1989 Ashes series in England.
  • With 7,187 runs, the five-match contest had the second-highest runs aggregate recorded in a Test series, only bettered by the six-Test 1993 Ashes in the UK (7221).
  • With 13,543 runs, Root went past Dravid (13,288), Kallis (13,289) and Ponting (13,378) to take the second spot on the list of batters with most runs in Test cricket. Only Tendulkar (15,921) is ahead.
    The greatest: Jasprit Bumrah
    Young turk at the top of the order: Yashasvi Jaiswal
    Rock solid: KL Rahul
    Darling of crowds & showman: Rishab Pant
    Man for all seasons: Ravindra Jadeja
    Another Jadeja in the making: Washington Sundar
    Cementing the No. 3 slot: Sai Sudarshan
    Proving his credentials: Wicketkeeper-batsman Dhruv Jurel

    Surprise appearance at The Oval to support team: Rohit Sharma

Parents Celebrate Happy Pets Day With Their Pawsome Pals At Zigly-Sec 35 Chandigarh

Sanjeev Kochhar
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Parents Celebrate Happy Pets Day With Their Pawsome Pals At Zigly-Sec 35 Chandigarh
Fun games, free treats, live sketching of professional pet portraits, complimentary health check-ups and discounts mark the specially curated fun-filled event

While people enthusiastically celebrated Friendship Day on Sunday, pet parents simultaneously showed special indulgence towards their pawsome pals on International Happy Pets Day.

Many of the parents along with their pet dogs and cats celebrated the occasion at a specially curated fun-filled event at Zigly, the country’s first tech-enabled omnichannel pet care brand, at its experience centre in Sector 35 Chandigarh. The brand has a chain of 34 experience centres across the country, including two in Chandigarh and one in Panchkula, and is in the process of expending further.

Apart from celebrating the special bond between pet parents and their pawsome pals, the event also promoted responsible pet parenting. Among other activities, fun games, free treats and live sketching of professional pet portraits marked the event and photobooth sessions captured precious memories for families.

As part of this initiative, pet parents received complimentary health check-ups for their pets, along with anti-rabies vaccinations among many other benefits, including special discounts on Everyday Shine grooming services, select food brands, treats, and toys, along with attractive offers on Zigly Lifestyle products.

Besides running professional outpatient and inpatient hospital services, including surgeries, for the pets, the experience centre provides a range of grooming services and pet products of all top brands all under one roof.

On display are an amazing array of exclusive sections, including health and hygiene, nutrition food for dogs and cats, creamy treats and biscuits (gluten-free also available), bowls and feeders, grooming products, walk essentials, litter & accessories, and toys. Pet parents also have a choice of pet beds and mats, clothing, and other accessories like bow ties, bandanas and socks.

The resident doctor, Dr Anjali Saurav Sharma, says like humans, pets also require regular care to keep them healthy. Vaccinations and tests, particularly blood tests, are essential for all pets. Tests are recommended once every six months for younger pets and once every three months for the older ones.

She advises parents to be vigilant against physical and behavioural abnormalities occurring in their pets, which are clear indicators that they need professional help.

She informs that with greater number of people starting to reside in apartments, smaller breeds of pet dogs are more in vogue like Pugs, Poodles, Beagles, and of late Shih Tzus are increasingly finding favour with pet lovers.  But otherwise, all breeds of bigger dogs are coming in like Golden Retrievers, Labradors, German Shepherds, etc., she adds.

Dr Anjali points out that along with pet dogs and cats, she had also experienced walk-ins with pet pigeons and parrots too.

The centre also offers packages and limited period exclusive club membership which entitles members to near free consultations for pets and special discounts on pet services and products. A guaranteed 60-minute home delivery of pet products is also available within a particular distance.

Sales Of Hot And Cold ACs Witnessing A Big Leap, Makes Greater Sense: Daikin India CMD KJ Jawa

Sanjeev Kochhar
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Sales Of Hot And Cold ACs Witnessing A Big Leap, Makes Greater Sense: Daikin India CMD KJ Jawa
In Chandigarh, to inaugurate a new upgraded branch office for better channel partner and customer connect, the air conditioning and refrigeration veteran says brands not providing satisfactory customer care services will struggle for survival
Daikin, the air-conditioning market leader in India with 20% market share (its turnover in the country hit Rs 10,500 crore in the last financial year, the highest by a company in the air conditioning business), is highly customer focussed, he asserts
Eyes 25% market share in Punjab & Haryana in next 12 months, and Rs 1000 crore revenue from the two states this year

It makes greater sense to buy a hot and cold star-rated smart inverter split air conditioner. Coming at a price differential of around Rs 3500 over a matching cooling-only inverter air conditioner, it is real value for money as at that price gap you cannot even buy a decent heater, and the energy you save due to superior heating technology is an additional bonus.

Coming from a veteran with decades in the air conditioning and refrigeration business, the advisory carries enormous weight.

In an exclusive conversation with your own news portal LifeInChandigarh.com on the sidelines of inauguration of Daikin’s new upgraded branch office in Chandigarh’s Industrial and Business Park, Phase 1, Daikin Airconditioning India Chairman and Managing Director Kanwal Jeet Jawa noted that the share of hot and cold room air conditioner variants in Daikin’s annual sales has leapfrogged to 20%.

In Chandigarh region, the brand’s hot and cold air conditioners displayed an even higher sales share in the April-June quarter of 2025, increasing to 35% of total sales of Daikin room inverter ACs during this period, interjected Ankit Gulati, General Manager & Operation Head for the Chandigarh and Karnal branch offices of Daikin.

Daikin India CMD Kanwal Jeet Bawa interacting with select media in Chandigarh.

Jawa claimed that Daikin being a research-oriented exclusive air conditioning and refrigeration company, and backwardly integrated at that, making its own refrigerants and compressors, etc, has been able to bring to all its markets products and solutions in residential, commercial, industrial and cold chain solutions segments with the very same advanced technology and superior quality as anywhere else.

He said realising that it could not become a global leader in its field without aggressively addressing the Indian market, Daikin began to invest heavily in the country’s growth story from 2010, though it was present here since 2000.

The company which pioneered the introduction of the path-breaking R32 refrigerant in 2012 and the invertisation of air conditioners, has so far pumped in Rs 2800 crore in the Indian market, and is the highest investor in its field under the Production Related Incentive (PLI) scheme of the Government of India, he informed.

He further shared that the company has three global R&D centres, including an AI-IoT lab, in Neemrana (Rajasthan) and Hyderabad. It has 10 product-specific manufacturing facilities concentrated at Neemrana (Rajasthan) and Sri City (Andhra Pradesh), besides the Daikin Japanese Institute of Manufacturing Excellence (DJIME), an initiative jointly supported by the Japanese and Indian governments, at Neemrana (Rajasthan, which is committed to provide skill development for increased employability to 1.5 lakh youth, he added.

Eyeing 25% sales growth in Punjab & Haryana in next 12 months

Kuldeepak Virmani, Senior Vice President & Executive Director, Daikin India, who was also present, added that “India is experiencing strong and sustained growth in the air conditioning and refrigeration business. The North market too has grown by over 30% last year, and Daikin India predicts it to be worth Rs 25,000 crores by end of FY 2025.

“In Punjab and Haryana specifically, with robust infrastructure and housing development, we are witnessing a high demand for smart and energy efficient air-conditioning solutions. To cash in on this increasing demand, Daikin is poised to accelerate its expansion across Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Jammu, adopting a more aggressive approach to strengthen its market presence.

“A host of new products are being launched, and our dealership network being extensively expanded. We are planning to invest heavily into marketing and promotions across Punjab & Haryana to secure a 25% market share in the next 12 months, and Rs 1000 crore revenue this year,” Virmani added.

Sense of satisfaction: The Daikin India and local senior team poses for a photograph in the new upgraded Chandigarh office.

Snapshots

  • Daikin Global net sales: 32+ Billion US$
  • Daikin India Turnover: 1.5+ Billion US$
  • Sold 2 million room ACs in India last year
  • Targeting a growth of at least 20% this year, eyeing sales of 2.5 million units
  • 6.25 lakh units already sold in the April-June quarter of 2025
  • Despite India’s growth story, the penetration f air conditioning in the country is still 7-9% as against 90% in the West
  • 7 million customers connected to Daikin call centres in India
  • 80% of room ACs being sold by Daikin in India are now invertor ACs

Punjab-Based SAEL To Invest Rs 8200 Cr In Setting Up Integrated Solar Manufacturing Facility In UP

Sanjeev Kochhar
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Punjab-Based SAEL To Invest Rs 8200 Cr In Setting Up Integrated Solar Manufacturing Facility In UP
One of the largest investments witnessed so far in the solar manufacturing space in India
Sukhbir Singh Awla, Co-Founder & Director of SAEL Industries Ltd, recently received a Letter of Comfort in this regard from Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath
The project, with an integrated 5 GW (Giga Watt) solar cell manufacturing unit and solar module manufacturing line, is slated to commence construction this year

It started its journey in Punjab as a private limited agro company way back in 1999, setting up its first rice mill in the state. Sukhbir Agro Energy Limited later reconstituted itself into a public limited entity, expanding into energy production with the setting up biomass power plants in Punjab and Uttar Pradesh.

The fast emerging renewable and green energy company, SAEL is now set to make one of the largest investments witnessed so far in the solar manufacturing space in India.

Through its subsidiary SAEL Solar P6, SAEL plans to invest approximately Rs 8200 crore into setting up an integrated solar manufacturing facility in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, under the jurisdiction of the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA).

The upcoming facility in Greater Noida will house a 5 GW solar cell manufacturing unit and an equal capacity solar module manufacturing line. Post operationalization of this project, SAEL’s total solar manufacturing capacity will increase to 8.5 GW.

The company already has operational solar module assembly lines with a combined capacity of 3.3 GW (3300 MW) annually in Rajasthan and Punjab, which is set to increase to 3.6 GW.

The plant will produce TOPCon (Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact) solar cells, recognized globally for their efficiency standards in solar cell technology. These cells will be assembled into solar panels at the in-house Module Manufacturing Line.

The company revealed that Sukhbir Singh Awla, Co-Founder & Director of SAEL Industries Ltd, recently received a Letter of Comfort in this regard from UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

The project is slated to commence construction this year.

The ambitious project is part of SAEL’s backward integration strategy to support its expanding solar IPP (Independent Power Producer) business and the domestic solar value chain. The company has a total portfolio of 6.7+ GW of Solar IPP assets. This includes operational and under-construction projects across India.

Yogi Adityanath said, “Uttar Pradesh is charting a bold and aggressive path towards renewable energy, setting an ambitious target of generating green energy. Projects like the Rs 8,000 crore-plus undertaken by SAEL are vital to achieving this. This is the future, and Uttar Pradesh is ready to lead”.

Sukhbir Awla

According to Sukhbir Singh Awla “This facility will be a major leap for scaling our manufacturing capabilities and reinforcing our contribution to the future of solar manufacturing in India. Setting up this integrated facility in Uttar Pradesh allows us to bring technology and manufacturing close to home while contributing actively to India’s clean energy transition.

“It aligns with the state’s solar policy and national missions like Viksit Bharat @2047 and Atmanirbhar Bharat and enables us to contribute towards strengthening the domestic supply chain, reducing reliance on solar equipment imports,” he emphasised.

The project also aligns with the Indian government’s Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) policy.

A Reuters report mentions that India currently has 80 GW of module manufacturing capacity but only about 15 GW of cell capacity, with most modules relying on Chinese imports.

It said the move aligns with India’s push to localise solar manufacturing. From June 2026, only domestically made solar cells from approved manufacturers will be allowed in government projects.

The Reuters report further shares that SAEL operates assets capable of generating more than 6.7 GW of solar power, including operational and constructional projects, and aims to drive that to 10 GW in three years. The company has already raised more than $2.4 billion in equity and debt and has issued a $305-million green bond in 2024.

Laxit Awla

It quotes Laxit Awla, CEO of SAEL Industries, as informing that “By 2030, tentatively, we are looking at a power generation capacity of around 18 to 20GW as an IPP (independent power producer)”.

SAEL’s revenue from its biomass and IPP business nearly doubled to Rs 687 crore in fiscal 2025 from fiscal 2023. The company aims to grow its revenue from these businesses to Rs 3,094 crore by fiscal year 2027, the Reuters report further said.

Architect Abha Joshi Sharma Installed As Rotary Club Chandigarh’s Sixth Woman President

Sanjeev Kochhar
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Architect Abha Joshi Sharma Installed As Rotary Club Chandigarh’s Sixth Woman President
Chief guest, Punjab Governor and UT Chandigarh Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria, enjoins Rotary clubs to partner the Chandigarh administration in making organ and body donation a mass movement
Shares that families of organ donors will be honoured by the administration at official Independence Day and Republic Day functions
Formally launches Rotary Club Chandigarh’s e-waste collection project ‘BeWise’

 

Rotary Club Chandigarh is among the most respected clubs in India with a rich legacy of community service spanning over nearly seven decades and having produced one of the handful of Indians to lead Rotary International as its worldwide president, in Rajendra (Raja) K. Saboo. Taking on the mantle of upholding this legacy, an architect by profession, Abha Joshi Sharma was formally installed as the sixth woman president of the club at a gala ceremony at the CII Northern Region headquarters, graced by Punjab Governor and UT Chandigarh Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria as the Chief Guest, late on Monday evening.

The governor also formally inaugurated ‘BeWise’, an e-waste collection project of the club under which it will open e-waste collections points across the city.

Abha, who retired as Senior Architect from the Government of Punjab after putting in 36 years of service, which included a four-year stint as senior architect on deputation with the Chandigarh Administration, was formally passed on the ceremonial Rotary collar by outgoing president Jatinder Kapur. She will hold the responsibility for the Rotary year 2025-26.

Along with being an architect, Abha, who joined Rotary in 2015, is a passionate poetess and deeply involved in conducting meditation sessions as a spiritual seeker herself. She is also associated with Indian Women Network (IWN) chapter of the prestigious industry body Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

Outlining her priorities, the newly installed president of Rotary Club Chandigarh said apart from various ongoing projects, the club will gift a community outreach van to the Human Milk Bank set up with its assistance at the Dr BR Ambedkar State Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS) Mohali. This will be done under the second phase of project ‘Ashneer’.

Apart from this, the setting up of the Health Education Centre in Sector 22 will be expedited, Miyawaki forests will be planted in barren areas in and around the city, and programmes initiated to address the mental health issues among people, especially youth, she added.

Punjab Governor and UT Chandigarh Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria formally inaugurating ‘BeWise’, the e-waste collection project of Rotary Club Chandigarh.

Hailing the unparalleled selfless community services provided by Rotary clubs, especially their role in polio eradication efforts worldwide, and highlighting the special contribution of past Rotary International president Rajendra K Saboo and his wife Usha, Governor Kataria enjoined the clubs to partner with the Chandigarh administration in making organ and body donation after death a mass  movement just as they did in polio eradication and blood donation.

In this context, he informed the gathering that the Chandigarh administration would be honouring families of organ and body donors in official Independence Day and Republic Day functions and goaded Rotary clubs to also initiate steps which encourage cadaver organ donations on a larger scale.

Similarly, he suggested, movements should be launched to encourage youth to participate in sports and other productive activities so that their energies can be channelised, thus preventing them from falling prey to drug abuse.

Ravi Parkash, District Governor for 2025-26, Rotary District 3080, who was the guest of honour, while describing Rotary Club Chandigarh as an iconic club because of its seven decades of history and contributions and past RI worldwide president Rajendra K Saboo being an invaluable part of it, at the same time reminded that the club’s high status also brought with it higher expectations. He promised Rotary District 3080’s full support to the constituent club in all its endeavours.

Rotary Club Chandigarh’s Board of Directors for 2025-26

The entire board of governors of Rotary Club Chandigarh for the year 2025-26 poses with other dignitaries on the dais at the formal installation ceremony.

Vice President – Rajinder Kaur; Immediate Past President – Jatinder Kapur; President Elect 2026-27 – Teena Virk; , Secretary – Arun Agarwal; Treasurer – Baldev Garg; Joint Secretary – Aman Aggarwal;  Director Club Service – Prem Mahindru, Director Vocational Service – Lalita Grover; Director Special Projects – Anil Chadda; Directors of Community Service – Dr Bhavneet Bharti and Rosy Katyal;  Director International Service – Shuchita Luthra; Col. Alok Batra (retd); Director Youth Service – Shivya Sehgal; Sergeant-at-Arms – Nidhi Kapoor; Bulletin Editor – Sartaj Lamba.

Past Rotary International president Rajendra K Saboo, and past district governors Madhukar Malhotra and Praveen Chander Goyal are coopted members of the Board.

Coach Marco Seruca Shapes Chandigarh Under-16 Tennis Star Ribhav Saroha’s Rise To AITA Top Ranking

Sanjeev Kochhar
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Coach Marco Seruca Shapes Chandigarh Under-16 Tennis Star Ribhav Saroha’s Rise To AITA Top Ranking

Just how important is a professional coach’s role in shaping the fortunes of a sportsperson with the right attributes is epitomised in the meteoric rise of Chandigarh’s young tennis star Ribhav Saroha to the top of the under-16 boys age category national rankings.

The 15-year-old Class 9 student of DAV Public School, Sector 8, Chandigarh, under the guidance of international coach and former Portugal Davis Cup player Marco Seruca, achieved the AITA No. 1 ranking in the under-16 age category in weekly rankings announced on June 16, 2025 (though in subsequent rankings released on June 23 and June 30 Prakaash Sarran from Karnataka has again hit the top spot, pushing the Chandigarh lad to the second rank).

This marks a remarkable climb up the ladder this year for the lanky Chandigarh player, who had been languishing in the rankings in between 25-56 in his age category in the last quarter of 2024.

Marco Seruca, who represented his country Portugal in Europe in the late 1980s and now trains budding young tennis talent at the MS Star Academy in Kansal, after a two-year stint with the Chandigarh Lawn Tennis Association (CLTA) in Sector 10 Chandigarh, is gung-ho about Ribhav Saroha going on to become one of India’s top men’s tennis players.

“He has all the attributes of making it big at the international level. There is nothing which can be described as a natural weakness in his game. He has a fantastic overall game and is quickly learning and working hard on improving every attribute of his game required to be successful at the highest level of the game,” the coach gushes with a proud glint in his eyes.

And the trainee reciprocates: “Marco Sir has been the best thing which ever happened to me. I’m enjoying every moment of my training and competing in and winning national series and international junior tournaments. I’m preparing hard for the upcoming ITF junior tournaments and hope to make a strong transition to the men’s circuit next year.”

His doting parents, Nagender Saroha and Dr. Saroj Saroha, who have been pillars of strength for Ribhav, agree: “For Ribhav the day begins and ends with Marco Sir on his lips. So devoted is he towards his coach. The depth of the relationship, of course, is reciprocal.”

Ribhav has been under Marco’s wings for the last three years, the first two years being at CLTA. The partnership has continued as Marco parted ways with CLTA a year ago over differences in approach to training.

The ITF-certified Portuguese tennis mentor, who has more than two dozen budding boys and girls training under him and his team of coaches and support staff at the academy’s clay courts, shares that there is no dearth of tennis talent in the country. The only aspect holding Indian tennis back is that it is failing to keep pace with fast-emerging training methodologies and micromanagement of the abundant talent.

Though in terms of ranking, Ribhav Saroha may be the top performer among Marco’s trainees, but others too are getting into winning ways with successes in national and international tournaments.

Tennis raquet in hand, Rishab Saroha poses with his ITF-certified coach and former Portugal Davis Cup player Marco Seruca

Ribhav Saroha’s recent winning performances

Boys under-16 doubles winner in HPCL Mittal Energy Ltd. CLTA-AITA Championship Series Tennis Tournament held at the CLTA complex in Chandigarh from October 21-25, 2024

A golden double: Won both the singles and doubles crown in the Asia (U-16) Tennis Tournament held at Shree Ram Tennis Academy at Jind in Haryana.

Silver medal in the boys (individual) U-17 category at the 68th National School Games Lawn Tennis Championship 2024-25 held at Aurangabad in Maharashtra from February 3-6, 2025.

Won 2nd consecutive Asian U-16 tournament in singles and doubles held at Joygaon Tennis Academy in Jhajjar (Haryana) from March 31-April 4, 2025.

Runners-up Boys U-18 singles in the AITA National Series Tennis Tournament held at the CLTA Chandigarh from April 21-26, 2025

Won doubles title and secured runners-up finish in the National Series Under-16 Tennis Tournament held in Jalandhar (Punjab) from June 2-7, 2025.

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