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Kolkata Doctor’s Rape & Murder: SC Slams WB Govt, Police, Asks For CISF Security At RG Kar Hospital

By
Sanjeev Kochhar
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Protest demanding justice in Kolkata doctor rape and murder case and safety for doctors at workplaces
Apex Court asks CBI to file a status report on the investigation by Thursday (August 22 and the State of West Bengal to submit a status report on the investigation into the acts of vandalism at the hospital by a mob
Orders constitution of a “National Task Force” comprising doctors from all over the country to give recommendations on the modalities to be followed all over the country to ensure the safety of medical professionals

Taking the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal Government and the state police to task for its handling of the brutal rape and murder of a doctor at RG Kar Govt Medical College & Hospital in Kolkata, which has shaken the conscience of the nation and led to nationwide protests by doctors and civil society, the Supreme Court has, as an immediate measure, ordered placing the  RG Kar Hospital and doctors’ hostels in Kolkata under CISF (Central Industrial Security Force) security cover.

It has been asked the CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation), which is currently investigating the matter, to file a status report on the investigation by Thursday (August 22. The State of West Bengal has also been asked to submit a status report on the investigation into the acts of vandalism by a mob which invaded the hospital on August 14 and damaged critical facilities while a “reclaim the night” protest campaign was ongoing elsewhere in the city.

The court ordered the constitution of a ten-member National Task Force (NTF) comprising doctors from all over the country and headed by Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin AVSM, VSM. Director General Medical Services (Navy). It will make recommendations pertaining to the safety, working conditions and well-being of the medical professionals. The NTF has been asked to furnish an interim report to the court in three weeks and a final report within 2 months.

Appeal to doctors to return to work

With these orders, the court appealed to the doctors, who are protesting all over the country against the crime, to return to their duties, observing that since it has taken up the issues relating to the doctors’ safety, the protesting medical professionals ought to refrain from abstention from duties.

“We request all the doctors who are abstaining from work across the country to resume the work at the earliest. Above all the abstention from the work of doctors affects those segments of the society who need medical care the most from accessing day-to-day services. The abstaining doctors and medical professionals can stand assured that their concerns are receiving the highest concern from the Supreme Court of India,” the Court observed in its order.

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra was hearing the suo motu cognizance taken by the court of the gruesome rape and murder of the doctor.

The Court observed that it is deeply concerned about the absence of conditions of safety for doctors and medical professionals across the country. It has initiated the suo motu case to address the “systemic issues.”

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal represented the state government and Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta stood for the central government.

The body of the post-graduate trainee doctor was found in the RG Kar Hospital’s seminar room on August 9. The Kolkata Police has arrested a civic volunteer in the case so far.

Acting on petitions filed by a parent of the victims and some other individuals, the Calcutta High Court had directed the CBI to take over the investigation, after expressing lack of satisfaction with the Kolkata Police.

State Govt, police roasted

The Court questioned the State over the conduct of the Principal of the medical college and hospital, the delay in the registration of the FIR and the vandalism which took place at the hospital on August 14.

The various observations by the SC bench:

  • After the crime is detected in the early hours of the morning, the Principal of the medical college-hospital tries to pass this off as a suicide. The parents are not allowed to see the body for a few hours.
  • Why the Principal was given the charge of another hospital after he resigned from RG Kar Hospital.
  • About the timing of the FIR: Autopsy is conducted between 1 PM and 4.45 PM of the day. The body is handed over to the parents at about 8.30 PM for cremation. However, the FIR is registered only at 11.45 PM.
  • FIR is registered at 11.45 at night? Nobody at the hospital registers the FIR? What were the authorities at the hospital doing? Doesn’t autopsy reveal the victim was raped and murdered?
  • What was the principal doing? Why first it was attempted to pass off as suicide?
  • Hospital is invaded by the mob! Critical facilities are damaged. What was the police doing? The first thing the police have to do is to secure the crime scene.
  • We are unable to comprehend how the authorities were not able to deal with the vandalism.

The Court also urged the State not to take coercive actions against people who are participating in peaceful protests and speaking up in media and social media.

Mob returned to threaten women doctors by name

During the hearing, Senior Advocate Aparajita Singh, appearing for an organization of doctors “Protect the Warriors”, told the bench that after the vandalism incident on August 14, the mob returned to the medical college hospital and threatened the women doctors that they will also meet the same fate as the rape-victim if they complained about the incident. While informing the court that a “brave doctor” has emailed a complaint regarding this to the police, she presented a copy of the complaint to the court.

The bench took serious note of this complaint.

Ram Temple Float High Point Of ‘India Day Parade’ In New York Despite Controversy

By
Sanjeev Kochhar
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The beating of drums by one of the band groups participating in the annual India Day Parade to commemorate India's Independence Day in New York City, USA, on August 18, 2024 Credits for all images: https://www.facebook.com/fianynjct.org/

 

Thousands of Indian Americans and others, including prominent spiritual guru Swami Avdheshanand Giri Ji Maharaj and some Indian film actors, participated in the grand 42nd annual India Day Parade down Madison Square in New York City on August 18 to commemorate India’s Independence Day despite a “malicious and hate-filled” social media campaign by some groups to have it stalled because of the inclusion of a float of Ram Mandir being included in this year’s parade.

The Ram Temple float

Among the Indian film stars who joined in were newly weds Sonaksh Sinha and Zaheer Iqbal, Pankaj Tripathi and Manoj Tewari.

The parade has been held in New York city every year for the past over four decades.

According to the Federation of India Associations (FIA) in USA, which organises the parade, more than 40 floats from various communities representing the Indian diaspora, 50 marching groups and 30 marching bands participated in the parade. Enthusiastic waving of the tricolour, dancing, singing of patriotic songs and beat of the drums marked the parade.

Apart from the grand parade, a festival featuring cultural performances, 45 booths and food stalls, vending a variety of traditional Indian foods from different regions of the country wowed the participants.

The float which generated some controversy carried a flower bedecked wooden replica of the recently consecrated Ram Temple in Ayodhya with the Ram Lalla idol.

Defending the inclusion of the float in the annual parade, Dr Avinash Gupta, president of New York’s FIA, said, “The temple was built after 500 years of wait and it was decided by the highest court of the land. Supreme Court decided it. The parade is all about unity, diversity, and inclusiveness, and there is no place for hate. We are respectful to all faiths,” he added.

Earlier on Independence Day, on the initiative of FIA-NY, NJ, CT (New York, New Jersey, Connecticut) the most iconic building in New York City, the Empire State Building was illuminated with a stunning display of the Indian tricolour, a ceremony in which Indian Consul General Binaya S. Pradhan also joined.

An Indian flag-hoisting ceremony held at Times Square witnessed vibrant energy and patriotism.

The ONE – Chandigarh: Multi-speciality Clinics Made Comprehensive & Compassionate

By
Sanjeev Kochhar
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City residents need not wait long for their turn in a hospital or visit a limited-services standalone medical clinic any longer for their overall outpatient healthcare requirements.

A new structured premium multi-speciality outpatient healthcare facility has opened at a central location in the city, providing quick and easy access to quality post graduate doctors in more than a dozen specialities, lab tests in tie-up with the most reputed laboratory chain in the country Agilus (earlier SRL), small interventions and procedures and vaccination for children and adults, all under one roof.

The ONE – Chandigarh, located on the Madhya Marg in Sector 8 (SCO 112, Sector 8C, Madhya Marg) promises to redefine how outpatient care is delivered in non-metro cities and beyond, comprehensively and with compassion.

Brainchild of Dr Vishal Bhambri

Dr Vishal Bhambri, Director, The ONE – Chandigarh

A brainchild of well-known physician Dr Vishal Bhambri, who has served for nearly quarter of a century in a corporate hospital and clinical environments, has come up with this new concept to bridge the wide gap, which he felt existed for patients between a multi-speciality hospital and a standalone medical clinic in non-metro cities.

The new vertical created in healthcare services has retained all the positives of a corporate hospital, including pleasing ambience, smartly dressed and friendly staff, OPDs manned by the best doctors in their respective specialities, quality medical tests, etc.

Where the facility adds value to a patient is its central location with adequate parking facility, less waiting time, personalised attention and care by doctors and support staff, comfortable seating right in front of the concerned doctor’s cabin and complimentary welcome tea-coffee.

Sample collection centre in tie-up with Agilus

Sharing his thoughts with your own news portal LifeInChandigarh.com, Dr Bhambri, who has worked with Fortis Hospital as well as Apollo Clinics, along with running his own standalone clinic, says “the idea is to provide the best possible multi-speciality OPDs, manned by senior consultants, medical tests, minor interventions/procedures and vaccination facilities to patients all under one roof at a convenient central location, and at a decent price. And, at the same time make sure that the overall healthcare experience of patients is comprehensive, warm, compassionate and satisfying.”

Ethical practice & quality time

Doctor consultation room

The multi-speciality healthcare facility promises to adhere to ethical practices like, if required, referring patients for admission or surgeries only to a hospital of their choice. It will also not empanel itself with any health insurance companies or government organisations.

Another promise is of doctors spending enough quality time with the patients to hear out their medical issues before prescribing the best possible treatments without any ulterior considerations.

Minor procedures room
Vaccinations

‘The ONE – Chandigarh’ in Sector 8 Madhya Marg is the first structured premium multi-speciality outpatient facility to be opened by VH Medical Services, a private limited company specially floated for this purpose, of which Dr Bhambri is one of the two partners. Gradually, more ‘The ONE’ centres are planned to be opened at central locations in non-metro cities in the region.

Specialities at ‘The ONE’

Experienced post graduate doctors are available for consultation in the following specialities:

* Internal Medicine
* Gynaecology & Obstetrics, Endoscopic Surgery
* Urology & Andrology
* ENT
* Orthopaedics
* Paediatrics
* Psychiatry & De-addiction
* Psychology
* Dentistry
* Dietetics & Weight Loss
* Inpatient/Critical Care Backup

List of senior consultants

Explaining how the concept of ‘The ONE’ came about, Dr Bhambri says, “During my long clinical practice, I realised that a big gap existed for patients between multi-speciality hospitals and standalone medical clinics. The idea of a structured premium multi-speciality outpatient facility had been germinating in my mind for quite some time now, but it started taking practical shape in the last about five years.”

Dental room

The name ‘The ONE’, he says “is inspired by ‘Ik Onkar’ which embodies the belief in One God and the equality of all people. “We intend to cater to the around 75% of the healthcare-seeking patients who do not require hospital admission, providing them comprehensive and compassionate care, which I am very passionate about.”

www.facebook.com/TheONEChandigarh?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Who’s Who of Chandigarh Tricity at the launch ceremony

 

 

‘Meri Baari Te Lagdaey, Tuh Rabba Sutta Hi Reh Gaya!’ Wails Vinesh Phogat

By
Sanjeev Kochhar
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Wrestler Vinesh Phogat (Instagram/vineshphogat)

 

In the first expression of her apparent agony at the rejection of her appeal for being granted a shared silver medal by the ad hoc division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Paris following her heartbreaking disqualification prior to her historic gold medal bout in the women’s 50 kg freestyle competition of the Parish Olympics, star Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat has posted a wail to God.

Without a word written or spoken, Vinesh posted a picture of herself on her Instagram account on Thursday lying flat on her back in the wrestling arena, her hands clutching her face, with an accompanying song ‘Rabba Ve’ by soulful music composer and Punjabi singer B Praak. The lyrics of the song are “….Meri Baari Te Lagdaey, Tuh Rabba Sutta Hi Reh Gaya…..!” (when it was my turn, it seems that God! you kept sleeping).

The song appears to be a true reflection of the pain and agony she must be experiencing within after being on the cusp of glory, for being the first Indian woman wrestler ever to get an opportunity to take a crack at an Olympic gold medal, and then, by a quirk of fate, being disqualified from the competition altogether and denied a medal.

Vinesh Phogat’s post on on her personal Instagram acccount

On the morning of her gold medal winning bout, she was found 100 grams over the cutoff weight for her weight category (50 kg) during the mandatory weigh-in. As per an apparently obnoxious rule of the world wrestling body United World Wrestling (UWW), a wrestler found even one gram over the cutoff weight at weigh-in on the day of the bout stands disqualified from the competition and becomes ineligible for a medal even after having won a medal-winning bout prior to the disqualification.

Only operating portion of CAS decision released

After a week of deliberations on Vinesh’s appeal for being granted a shared silver medal, on grounds of having won three bouts on way to the finals of the competition in the 50 kg weight category, despite being disqualified, the ad hoc division of CAS, after a few postponements, on Wednesday officially released the operating portion of its decision rejecting Vinesh’s appeal.

Vinesh, and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), which supported her cause, were represented in the court by India’s top international arbitration lawyer Harish Salve.

The details of the decision are still awaited.

IOA exploring further legal options

Expressing “shock” and “disappointment” over CAS’s rejection of Vinesh Phogat’s appeal, IOA in a statement released on Wednesday said, “In light of the order of the CAS, the IOA continues to stand in full support of Ms. Phogat and is exploring further legal options. The IOA is committed to ensuring that Vinesh’s case is heard. It will continue to advocate justice and fairness in sports, ensuring that the rights and dignity of athletes, and everyone in the sports fold, are upheld at all times.

“The operative part of the August 14 decision, which dismisses Vinesh’s application to be awarded a shared silver medal women’s 50 kg category at the Paris Olympic Games 2024, has significant implications for her in particular and the sporting community at large, the IOA statement read.

“The marginal discrepancy of a 100 grams, and the resultant consequences, has profound impact, not only in terms of Vinesh’s career but also raises serious questions about ambiguous rules and their interpretation.

“The IOA firmly believes that the total disqualification of an athlete for such a weight infraction on the second of (the) two days warrants a deeper examination. Our legal representatives had duly brought this out in their submissions before the Sole Arbitrator,” the statement further read.

The IOA is of the opinion that “The matter involving Vinesh highlights the stringent and, arguably, inhumane regulations that fail to account for the physiological and psychological stresses athletes, particularly female athletes, undergo. It is a stark reminder of the need for more equitable and reasonable standards that prioritize athletes’ well-being.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ZINNIA – Abstract Dining: Where Indian Cuisine Meets Modernity

By
Sanjeev Kochhar
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0

 

It’s a quaint little dining place, nestled in the restaurant and café zone along the famous ‘gheri’ route of Chandigarh in Sector 10, which has won the love and admiration of the food lovers of the tricity for its modernistic-traditional cuisine.

Within a year of opening on the first floor of the inner market, opposite the iconic government-owned Mountview Hotel, ZINNIA – abstract dining, run in a partnership by international hospitality professionals, has built a reputation for itself rivalling any of the long existing popular premium restaurants. A 4.7 rating with more than 200 reviews on Google is no mean achievement in this short a span of time.

A vast majority of walk-ins at this place, with a seating capacity of 30-35 in both indoor and glass-covered outdoor settings, are repeat visitors who enjoy its plush and pleasing interiors, amazing food and warm and personalised hospitality of its staff.

For a restaurant this size, ZINNIA surprisingly has a disproportionately large staff, both in the kitchen as well as in service of guests, all conditioned to focus on every detail to ensure that the overall experience of guests does not get compromised at any time.

With the restaurant-café set to celebrate the completion of one full year of amazing response from patrons and guests on August 14, your own news portal LifeInChandigarh.com, on the invitation of Chef Jatin, the creative force behind the culinary experiences at ZINNIA, and its Managing Partner Varun Zinta, visited the place a few days prior to check it out.

In the interaction, during which various signature items from different sections of their menu were served to us, the two gentlemen came across as very knowledgeable, skilful and passionate professionals, out to wow guests with every aspect of hospitality.

So, they enthusiastically touched upon the welcoming interiors, to focussing zealously on detailing, quality and taste of all offering on their menu, to utmost care being taken to ensure that the serving staff is attentive, warm, and efficient in their dealings with the guests.

“Both of us are around all the time to make sure that right from procurement of ingredients to the preparation in the kitchen to service at the table, there is not an iota of difference between promise and delivery,” Jatin and Varun shared with apparent honesty.

(left to right) Varun, Vaibhav and Jatin posing for photographs after receiving an award in Chandigarh

They returned to the country after serving with top hospitality brands for a good 6-7 years in Canada, and together with a techie-turned-hotelier Vaibhav, they launched ZINNIA in a partnership.

Small compact menu

As with its seating area, the restaurant-café has a small compact menu of some 50 items divided in sections like hot and cold beverages, veg and non-veg fusion appetizers, pizzas, pastas, traditional Indian street foods with a modern twist, traditional cuisine in main course offerings and awesome desserts.

In the words of the promoters, “ZINNIA is all about culinary sophistication in sync with Chandigarh’s quest for refined dining. With a penchant for culinary art, we reimagine Indian cuisine, infusing creativity into tradition. You will find a different element in every menu, which we keep changing every now and then to maintain the excitement around it.”

One special feature of dining here is that as soon as you settle down around a table, each guest is warmly welcomed with a mouth-watering complimentary single-bite appetiser, which will be different on most of your visits.

Coming to section-wise menu, ZINNIA offers some very refreshing mocktails like Cactus & Cucumber and Passion Fruit spitzers with vibrant colours to bold flavours; and Mango & Turmeric and Gooseberry, Mulberry & Strawberry combuchas (with no added sugar).

In the beverage section, they also serve a variety of hot and cold coffees and teas, and fresh cold-pressed juices.

Also served are pizzas and pastas, and a rich variety of fusion appetizers, including modernized street food menus, catering to both vegetarians and non-vegetarians.

The appetizers we relished

We had delightful taste of Charcoal & Chevre kebab, made from goat cheese and served with cranberry chutney, and Mushroom Galauti, which had mushroom paté and onion jam sandwiched in truffled pao fried in butter. Mumbai Chilli Cheese Kulcha is also a must have.

In non-veg appetizers, Butter Chicken with chironji, Marzano makhani and fenugreek is a fovourite with the guests. With a blend of light, crispy batter and succulent prawn goodness, Tempura Fried Prawns promise an unforgettable culinary experience.

Main course

Turning to main course menu, Cranberry Kofta featuring toasted almond sauce, cottage cheese and cranberry; Paneer Khurchan with bell peppers and onion-tomato masala; and Wild Mushroom Do Pyaza, a dish prepared with assorted wild mushrooms from the hills of Himachal Pradesh cooked in onion-tomato masala are ZINNIA’s star offerings.

Among non-veg dishes Mutton Pepper Fry (featuring tender mutton cooked in a robust curry leaf, coconut, and black pepper masala, with a touch of tamarind for a delightful tang); Lamb Shank Nihari, with nihari sauce and fried onions; and Chicken and Mutton biryanis stand out in the menu. Gucchi Palao made with gucchi mushrooms is another attraction.

Every dining experience is incomplete without a dessert. So, the irresistible desserts on offer at this place are the Chocolate Flower Pot & Aam Ras, which is cake soaked in delicious mango rabri. Ya, you got it right, mango rabri!

So, if someone was to ask us how best to describe ZINNIA – abstract dining, we would say “Where flavours come alive!”

 

Paris Olympics 2024: Is Hosting Oly The Answer To Reversing India’s History Of Underperformance!

By
Sanjeev Kochhar
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Victorious Indian stars of the Paris Olympics: Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra (left) and shooter Manu Bhaker

 

A history of narrow misses and fourth position finishes, which was repeated by Indian athletes at the just concluded Paris Olympics 2024, cannot and should not be a consolation to the most populous country in the world, which is also one of the most ancient, and was once the most prosperous civilisation.

For a contingent of 117, the strongest ever by numbers in any edition of the Olympics so far,  the six medals with no gold and just one silver, Indian sports, instead of improving on its best ever performance at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in the midst of the pandemic (seven medals, including one gold and two silver), slid  from that tally, and finished a dismal 71st among 84 nations which won medals in Paris.

This is a stark reality in an era which is witnessing India’s rise as the world’s top five economies and a possible future status as an advanced country and global superpower.

However, there are eternal optimists who see a silver lining in Indian contingent’s performance at the Paris Games. The country’s first ever Olympic individual gold medallist, Abhinav Bindra, who etched his name in India sports history with his feat in the men’s 10m air rifle event at the 2012 Beijing Olympics, is one of them.

Abhinav Bindra happy with competitiveness

Bindra, who happened to be in Paris as a part of the International Olympic Committee’s Athletes Commission, while reflecting on India’s performance at the games, has expressed his admiration for the contingent’s competitiveness across various disciplines.

After the 142nd IOC session, where he was presented with the prestigious Olympic Order, Bindra was quoted as saying in the media, “I think it’s been a spirited performance. All our athletes have performed at a high level. We have six medals to show on our tally, but if you really go in-depth into performances, we have never had a Games where our athletes have been so competitive across disciplines, many of them been close to medalling.”

Many bright spots

Of course, there were many bright spots in the overall performance of the contingent at the Games.

The 2024 Paris Olympics bronze medal winning Indian hockey team

The Indian men’s hockey team won its second successive bronze medal at the Games. Through the course of their campaign at Paris, they scored a stunning victory over Australia (with a 3-2 scoreline), something which they had not been able to achieve in an Olympic for the last 52 years.

Young Manu Bhaker became the first ever Indian woman shooter to win a bronze medal (in 10m air pistol event) at the Games, which she capped with a second bronze (in the 10m air pistol mixed event) pairing with Sarabjot Singh to become the only Indian athlete postindependence to win twin medals in a single edition of the Olympics. She narrowly missed out on a hattrick of bronze medals, finishing fourth in the women’s 25m pistol final.

Swapnil Kusale added a third shooting bronze medal (in men’s 50m rifle three positions event) to make it India’s biggest haul in a single sports discipline in any one edition of the Olympics.

With his silver medal finish in javelin at the Paris Olympics, after his gold winning performance at the 2020 Tokyo Games, Neeraj Chopra became the most successful individual Indian Olympian ever.

In winning the bronze in the 57 kg men’s freestyle wrestling competition, the only medal in wrestling for the Indian contingent, Aman Sehrawat at age 21 years 24 days became India’s youngest ever Olympic medallist.

Heartbreaks aplenty

On the other hand, there were heartbreaks aplenty.

Apart from Manu Bhaker, who missed her third bronze medal, there were five other close fourth position finishers.

Among them was shooter Arjun Babuta in men’s 10m air rifle final; shooting pair Anantjeet Singh and Maheshwari Chauhan in the skeet mixed team event; and Dhiraj Bommadevara and Ankita Bhakat in the mixed team archery event (though they made history by becoming the first Indian archers to reach the semi-finals in the Olympics).

Others to miss out with a fourth position finish were badminton wonderkid Lakshaya Sen in men’s singles (though he created history, becoming the first Indian male badminton player to advance to the Olympic semi-finals); and weightlifter Mirabai Chanu, who won a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics, in the women’s 49 kg weight category.

Disastrous disqualification of Vinesh Phogat

And the greatest of the heartbreaks was the disastrous disqualification of wrestler Vinesh Phogat on grounds of being over the required weight of 50 kg by just 100 grams at the weigh-in on the morning of her gold medal bout in the women’s 50 kg weight category, when she was on the cusp of creating history by becoming the first Indian woman wrestler ever to enter an Olympic final.

There is, however, still hope as a decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), on her appeal against her disqualification and for being presented a (shared) silver medal, following legal arguments having been heard, is expected to be announced any day.

Among the biggest disappointments was badminton ace and two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu (silver at Rio 2016 and bronze at Tokyo 2020), who could not advance beyond the pre-quarterfinal stage.

Time to reflect, prepare afresh for LA 2028

As always, it’s time for the government and the various sports bodies to get down to serious introspect on what worked well, what didn’t and reboot the training programme for a much-improved performance at the next Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028.

Former Olympian Dipa Karmakar, the first Indian female gymnast to compete at the Olympics (she finished fourth at the 2016 Rio Games), has been quoted in the media as suggesting an increase in spending on sports from the grassroots up. “Athletes need to be provided the right resources over the long term, not just for the few months running up to major competitions,” she has opined.

On the issue of funding for success of sports in India, Abhinav Bindra has a different take. In a recent interview to The Indian Express, the country’s first Olympic individual gold medallist, said: “Resources being allocated is only a simple enabler, and you need it. I mean, how else do you do it? You need money for training, to compete, travel, for the larger performance support stuff. But that doesn’t mean that it’s a vending machine. You can spend more you can spend less. (By itself) It’s not going to guarantee you success.”

Debate on India’s Olympic bid

Which bring us to another debatable issue – should or should not the country bid for hosting the Olympics in 2036, or beyond? Will it really help give a big fillip to sports in the country? Do we have creditable wherewithal to host the Games? What are the economic implications of holding the most expensive sporting extravaganza in the world?

All these issues will have to be debated at length nationally in the coming months before deciding to formally put in a bid or not.

Till then, hoping for a miracle to help us as a nation to climb the road to becoming another sporting powerhouse!

After Sisodia’s Bail In Delhi Liquor Policy Cases, Kejriwal Too Moves SC To Quash CBI Arrest, Grant Bail

By
Sanjeev Kochhar
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Arvind Kejriwal

 

Apparently encouraged by the Supreme Court recently granting bail to former Delhi deputy chief minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Manish Sisodia after remaining in jail for 17 months in two cases related to the alleged Delhi Liquor Policy scam, incarcerated Delhi Chief Minister and AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal has also moved the Apex court seeking quashing of his arrest by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the same scam and to release him on bail.

On August 5, Kejriwal’s plea for quashing his arrest had been rejected by the Delhi High Court, and on his other plea for bail he had been asked to approach the trial court. He has moved the Supreme Court to challenge the high court’s decision.

The petition was mentioned before Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud on Monday with a prayer for urgent listing of the matter.

Kejriwal was arrested by the CBI on June 26 while in judicial custody in connection with a money laundering case being probed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the same alleged scam.

While granting bail to Sisodia last week the Supreme Court had noted that that the prolonged delay in trial had violated the right to speedy trial of Sisodia and right to speedy trial is a facet of liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution.

 

Wrestler Aman Sehrawat Becomes Youngest Indian Ever To Win Individual Olympic Medal

By
Sanjeev Kochhar
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Wrestler Aman Sehrawat with his Olympic bronze medal
Orphaned at tender age of 11 years, and facing an existential crisis along with his little sister, Aman’s grit and determination turned misfortunate into opportunity with support and encouragement from his kin
In his bronze medal win in the men’s 57 kg weight category, the grappler at 21 years and 24 days age eclipsed badminton star PV Sindhu’s previous record of being the youngest Indian at 21 years, one month and 14 days when she bagged the silver medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics

From being born in a rural family of humble means, orphaned at the tender age of 11, and facing an existential crisis, to a 21-year-old becoming the youngest ever Indian to win an individual Olympic medal on debut, Aman Sehrawat is an epitome of grit and determination, having turned misfortunate into opportunity with support and encouragement from his kin.

Also being the youngest male wrestler at the Paris Summer Games at 21 years and 24 days, Aman, known for his pacy and aggressive style of wrestling, came up against the wall in the semifinals of the freestyle 57 kg weight category, losing the bout to the accomplished top-seed wrestler, Japan’s Rei Higuchi.

But far from being disheartened by the reverse, Aman displayed exceptional composure in the bronze medal playoff to get the better of Puerto Rico’s Darian Cruz, a Pan American Games bronze medallist, with a convincing 13-5 scoreline.

Earlier, the young Indian wrestler registered back-to-back wins on technical superiority with victories over Macedonia’s Vladimir Egorov, a former European champion, in the round of 16 and former world champion Zelimkhan Abakarov of Albania in the quarterfinal.

Sehrawat eclipsed badminton star PV Sindhu’s previous record of being the youngest Indian at 21 years, one month and 14 days when she bagged the silver medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Indian wrestlers’ Oly medal winning streak unbroken since 2008

In winning the medal, Aman Sehrawat, a resident of Birohar village in Haryana’s Jhajjar district, and the only male member in the Indian six-member wrestling squad, ensured that the Indian wrestlers’ streak of winning a medal in every edition of the Olympics since 2008 remained unbroken.

Apart from Vinesh Phogat’s pending appeal for being considered for a (shared) silver medal in the 50 kg weight category after being disqualified for being over the required weight by just 100 grams ahead of her gold medal bout, none of the other four Indian women wrestlers participating in their respective weight categories could win a medal.

Nisha Dahiya (women’s 68kg) was eliminated in the quarterfinals, Antim Panghal (women’s 53kg) and Anshu Malik (women’s 57kg) faltered at in the very first round, and under-23 world champion Reetika Hooda (women’s 76kg) unfortunately lost in the quarterfinals to top seed Kyrgystan wrestler Aiperi Medet Kyzy despite being tied 1-1 at the end of regulation time, considering that the latter scored the last technical point.

According to United World Wrestling (UWW) rules, in case of tied scores after a bout, the winner is decided on the basis of three criteria – one, higher value of holds; two, least amount of cautions; and three, who scored the last technical point.

In Reetika’s case, the third rule came into play. In the tied contest, Reetika gained a point first and later Aiperi gained a score-levelling last technical point, deciding the bout in her favour.

The only Indian two-time Olympic medallist wrestler, Sushil Kumar was the first to break the glass ceiling by winning the bronze in Beijing (2008), and since then Yogeshwar Dutt (2012), Sakshi Malik (2016), Ravi Dahiya and Bajrang Punia (2021) had kept the tradition intact.

Aman Sehrawat’s bronze is India’s eighth wrestling medal in all Olympics. Sushil Kumar and Ravi Kumar Dahiya won silver medals at 2012 London and 2020 Tokyo, respectively. The remaining six medals are bronze.

Latest in list of Olympic medallists to emerge from Chhatrasal Stadium

Sehrawat has joined the list of Olympic medallist male wrestlers Sushil Kumar, Yogeshwar Dutt, Ravi Kumar Dahiya and Bajrang Punia as the latest grappler to emerge from the acclaimed Chhatrasal Stadium of Delhi.

Aman dedicated his feat to his late parents. “This medal is for them. (Before passing away) They didn’t even know that I have become a wrestler, that there’s something called the Olympics,” he shared.

Showing remarkable confidence and vision, the 21-year-old said: “It’s been a long time since I won a medal for my country. I had to do something about it. I would like to say to the people of India that I will definitely win a gold for you in 2028.

“The target was a gold (medal at Paris), but I had to be content with bronze this time. I had to forget the semifinal defeat. I told myself, let it go and focus on the next. Sushil pehalwan ji won two (Olympic) medals, I will win in 2028 and then in 2032 also,” he declared.

Tragic childhood

Aman Sehrawat’s earlier life was tragic with the then 11-year-old left alone in this world with his little sister, and facing an existential crisis, following the death of both his parents in quick succession. Fortunately for him one of his uncle Sudhir Sehrawat, and his grandfather Mangeram took up the responsibility of looking after them.

Sudhir was able to convince young Aman not to despair despite the personal loss of losing his parents at a tender age, and devote his attention and energy to wrestling, which was his favourite childhood indulgence in the village mud pits. The boy’s deep interest in wrestling had begun to turn into passion at age 10, inspired by watching the exploits of ‘pehalwan’ Sushil Kumar in his bronze medal winning performances at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

He had been initiated into modern mat wrestling at Chhatrasal Stadium even prior to his parents passing away, though without their knowing, but encouraged by his uncle, the stadium became his second home from there on and his wrestling journey gained firm footing.

Announced arrival

By the time he entered his teens, Aman was already showing promise in the game. Finally, he announced his arrival in his late teens, winning the gold in the 2019 Asian Cadet Championships in Nur-Sultan (later renamed Astana), the capital of the central Asian nation of Kazakhstan.

Graduating into the senior category, he won his first National Championships in 2021.

This was only the beginning of his accelerated career, as he went on to become the first Indian to win gold at the Under-23 World Championships, and cap it with a gold medal winning performance in 2023 at the Asian Championships in Astana and winning a bronze at the Hangzhou Asian Games.

Riding on his successes, Aman Sehrawat outperformed 2020 Tokyo Olympics silver medallist Ravi Dahiya in the trials to book a ticket as India’s representative to the Paris Olympics in the men’s freestyle 57 kg weight category, an opportunity he grabbed with both hands.

The young man is on a roll, winning millions of hearts, and etching his name in India’s sporting history!

Out On Bail, Manish Sisodia Enjoys Morning Cuppa With Wife After 17 Months

By
Sanjeev Kochhar
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0

 

The one thing which former Delhi deputy chief minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader apparently missed most all these past 17 months in jail in connection with the Delhi Liquor Policy case was a ‘bed tea’, the hot morning cuppa in the cozy comfort of the bed, at home in the company of his wife Seema.

Sisodia, who was granted bail by the Supreme Court on Friday in both the CBI and ED cases, posted a selfie of smiling himself and his wife, cups of tea in hand, on his personal ‘X’ handle on Saturday with a strong apparently politically coloured message in Hindi:

“Aazadi ki subah ki pehli chaye … 17 mahine baad!

“Veh aazadi jo samvidhan ne humm sab bharatiyon ko jeene ke adhikaar ki guarantee ki roop mein dee hai.

“Veh aazadi jo eeshvar nein hamein sabke saath khuli hava nein saans lene ke liye dee hai.”

(“First morning tea of freedom…. after 17 months!

“That freedom which the Constitution has granted us all Indians in the form of guarantee of our right to live.

“That freedom granted to us by God which allows all of us to breath freely.”)

The primary premise of the Supreme Court bench of Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan, which had reserved the judgment on August 6, in granting bail to Sisodia is the delay in commencement of the trial in the case.

The bail granted to Sisodia is expected to have a strong bearing on the dozens of similar cases, wherein various premier government investigating agencies are holding the accused in jail for long periods of time pending trial, especially in cases where political witch-hunting by the government is alleged.

“We find that on account of long incarceration running around 17 months and trial having not been commenced, the appellant has been deprived of the right to speedy trial…,” the Court noted in its order on Sisodia’s bail plea, and added that there did not appear to the remotest possibility of the trial being completed in the near future considering that 495 witnesses and thousands of documents are to be examined.

Under the circumstances, to keep the accused in custody for an unlimited period would result in a grave violation of the fundamental right to personal liberty under Article 21, the judges observed.

The bench also rejected Additional Solicitor General SV Raju request to impose certain conditions on Sisodia akin to those imposed in the Arvin Kejriwal case, like he should not visit the Chief Minister’s office or the Delhi Secretariat.

However, the Court asked the former Delhi deputy CM to furnish bail bonds for a sum of Rs.10 lakhs with two sureties of the like sum and to surrender his passport. He will also be required to report to the investigating officer every Monday and Thursday.

Sisodia is an accused in two separate cases – one registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) under the Prevention of Corruption Act, and the other registered by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

He was arrested in 2023, first by CBI on February 26 and later by ED on March 9.

Vinesh Phogat’s Olympic & Pre-Olympic Horror Story

By
Sanjeev Kochhar
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0
Vinesh Phogat

 

From a high of being so close to winning a historic Olympic gold medal for the country, to not even eligible for any medal, and rather relegated to the bottom of the ranking in her weight category, destiny could not have been crueller on India’s star woman wrestler Vinesh Phogat, who was disqualified for being 100 grams over the required 50 kg weight limit during the weigh-in on the morning of her gold medal bout.

It might have initially felt like a horrible dream after a dream run, during which she pulled off one of the biggest wins of her career as she shocked four-time world champion and reigning gold-medallist Yui Susaki of Japan on points to enter the quarter-final.

But when the reality of the harsh and seemingly illogical Olympic rules, according to which even one gram overweight of the maximum weight permissible at the time of weigh-in on the morning of the bout/s is enough to disqualify an athlete from competing any further in his or her weight category, must have sunk in, it would have been heart-shattering for even the toughest of fighters as Vinesh is.

The deep sense of pain, sorrow and resignation to fate was quite palpable in the message addressed by her to her mother, and posted on her personal X handle, in which Vinesh, one of the sisters from among the famed six wrestling ‘Phogat Sisters’ of Haryana, announced her decision to quit wrestling.

Post on ‘X’

“Maa, kushti mere se jeet gayi, mein haar gayi! Maaf karna! Aapka sapna, meri himmat, sabb toot chuke! Isse zyada taakat nahin rahi abb!

“Avlida kushti 2001-2024!

“Aap sabki hameshan rini rahongi. Maafi!

(Mother, wrestling got the better of me, I lost! Pardon me! Your dream, my grit, all have been shattered! Not left with more strength than this now!

“Goodbye Wrestling 2001-2024!

Will always remain indebted to you all. Pardon!”)

Appeal for arbitration

But as per latest reports, all is not lost for Vinesh.

Her appeal against her disqualification and being reinstated for the gold medal bout, which was later modified to appeal for being awarded a (shared) silver medal, was admitted by the Paris-based hoc committee of the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS), which adjudicates on all legal disputes at the Olympics and other major world sports events.

India’s legal luminary Harish Salve and another senior lawyer Vidushpat Singhania represented Vinesh Phogat and IOA, which is supporting the wrestler’s appeal, before the sole arbitrator appointed by the CAS ad hoc committee. The decision on the arbitration is expected to be made before the conclusion of the Olympics on August 11.

CAS can decide on appeals within 24 hours in urgent matters. However, in exceptional cases the arbitrator appointed by the ad hoc committee of CAS can extend this time limit if the circumstances so demand.

While hope hangs by a thread pending a decision by CAS, Vinesh Phogat’s paternal uncle and award-winning wrestling coach Mahavir Phogat while appreciating the circumstances under which Vinesh took the extreme step of quitting the sport, said that on her return home the family together will try to persuade her to reconsider her decision and take another shot at the Olympics in 2028 at Los Angeles.

Mahavir Phogat has coached Vinesh, her sister Priyanka, and his own four daughters, Babita, Gita, Ritu and Sangeeta, all of whom have won international and national championships.

The Haryana government has also pitched in with its support for Vinesh with Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini declaring that the state government will honour and reward the gutsy wrestler commensurate with an Olympic silver medal winner.

Scars of humiliation

Whatever the outcome, Vinesh is apparently still nursing the mental scars of the pain, agony and humiliation suffered during her and her fellow wrestlers’ protest sit-ins organised by them at Jantar Mantar in the National capital last year to seek justice in charges of sexual harassment of women wrestlers.

The charges were levelled by six women wrestlers against then Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President and powerful multiple-times Member of Parliament (MP) Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of the ruling BJP at the Centre. He is now facing a court trial in the matter.

The profile picture on Vinesh’s personal X account still carries a graphic representative of the agitation with a slogan reading ‘CHAMPIONS IN TEARS’ …. ‘I STAND WITH WRESTLERS’ on the lines of the ‘No Farmers No Food’ slogan coined by the agitating farmers and their supporters to oppose the contentious farm laws, which were later repealed.

The sexual harassment charges

File photos of Vinesh Phogat (left) and former WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who is facing court trial in a case of sexual harassment charges levelled against him by six women wrestlers

The protesting wrestlers launched an agitation in January last year demanding removal of the then WFI president facing sexual harassment charges, and dissolution of the sports body.

During the long-drawn agitation, spearheaded by Vinesh Phogat, Olympic bronze medallist Sakshi Malik and top male wrestler Bajrang Punia, there were a couple of unsavoury clashes with the police. In one such clash, the police used force to thwart a protest march by a large crowd of protesting wrestlers and their supporters towards the new Parliament building, which was to be inaugurated by the Prime Minister on that day.

File photos of Vinesh Phogat (left) and Sakshi Malik being manhandled by the police in Delhi at the height of their agitation against sexual harassment of women wrestlers

Pictures of the wrestlers, including Vinesh and Sakshi, being manhandled and dragged away by the police had raised a public outcry and condemnation from the international sports fraternity.

Establishment shielded accused WFI chief

Despite the seriousness of the allegations, that too coming from some of the star women wrestlers of the country, the response from the entire establishment, including the BJP government at the Centre, remained rather partisan and cold towards the demands of the agitating wrestlers, apparently because of the involvement of a powerful ruling party MP. The Prime Minister also did not decisively intervene in the matter.

But when matters came to a head, after the aggrieved women wrestlers formally filed separate individual complaints against the WFI chief with the Delhi Police, and moved the Supreme Court, a FIR was registered against the accused.

Later, on the intervention of then Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur, Brij Bhushan was forced to resign and the WFI dissolved, paving the way for Indian Olympic Association (IOA), led by Sprint Queen PT Usha, to form ad hoc committee to administer the body and oversee fresh elections.

But eventually when the much-delayed elections took place in December 2023, as expected Sanjay Singh, a close confidante of Brij Bhushan, won hands down and assumed the charge as WFI president.

Charges framed, trial began

Meanwhile in June 2023, the Delhi police filed a chargesheet in the court, which framed sexual harassment charges against the accused more than a year later in May this year stating that the court had found sufficient material on record to frame charges against Brij Bhushan Saran Singh for the offences under Section 354 (outraging modesty of woman) and 354A (sexual harassment) of the Indian Penal Code.

Brij Bhushan pleaded not guilty and claimed trail, which began in the court on July 26.

Following the adverse developments against Brij Bhushan, BJP denied him a ticket to contest the Lok Sabha 2024 elections from Kaiserganj in Uttar Pradesh, a constituency he represented for three consecutive terms.

However, succumbing to pressures, the party was compelled to field his son Karan Bhushan Singh, president of the Uttar Pradesh Wrestling Association, from the seat. And, despite the overall crushing reverses suffered by the ruling party in Uttar Pradesh, which sends the highest number of members in the country to the Lok Sabha, he won the seat with more than 50% of the votes polled, though marginally short of the percentage of votes won by his father in the 2019 elections.

 

 

 

 

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