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Maestro Who Took Tabla To The World Stage, Ustad Zakir Hussain Passes Away

Sanjeev Kochhar
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Maestro Who Took Tabla To The World Stage, Ustad Zakir Hussain Passes Away
While tabla had traditionally been seen as an accompaniment to vocalists or instrumentalists in Indian classical music, Hussain, through his innovations, revolutionised its role and made it a solo instrument that could command the stage, writes Masrat Nabi in his tribute to the maestro

One of India’s most celebrated global maestros of classical music, who took the ‘tabla’ to the world stage, winning among other accolades all the three Padma Awards, along with an impressive five international Grammys, passed away in the USA on Sunday after a brief illness.

The maestro, Ustad Zakir Hussain, who was considered in the league of the other greats of Indian classical music, like Pandit Ravi Shankar, Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, Ustad Bismillah Khan, MS Subbulakshmi, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, and more, was admitted to a hospital in San Francisco, California following lung complications a couple of weeks ago and was shifted to the ICU after his condition aggravated.

He passed away, aged 73, while undergoing treatment for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, his family shared in a statement on Monday (16.12.2024).

In a tribute penned on the website mediaindia.eu, Masrat Nabi has written that a tabla maestro, percussionist, composer, occasional actor, and global ambassador of Indian classical music, Zakir Hussain’s revolutionary approach to the tabla, blending traditional Indian rhythms with global genres, had earned him global acclaim.

“Born into a musical family in Mumbai on March 9, 1951, Hussain was destined to become one of the greatest tabla players the world has ever seen. He was the son of Ustad Allah Rakha, a renowned table virtuoso, and was introduced to music at a very young age. Hussain’s innate talent and passion for the tabla became evident early on, and by his teens, he had already begun performing professionally.

“Hussain’s first major breakthrough came when he was just 18 years old, when he had the opportunity to perform with the legendary sitarist Pandit Ravi Shankar. This collaboration was a turning point in his career, and it set the stage for his rise to global prominence. By the time he was 19, Hussain was playing over 150 concerts annually, both in India and abroad, establishing himself as a sought-after tabla virtuoso.

Ever energetic, ever in high spirits during his performances: Ustad Zakir Hussain

“While tabla had traditionally been seen as an accompaniment to vocalists or instrumentalists in Indian classical music, Hussain revolutionised its role. His unparalleled virtuosity and innovation turned the tabla into a solo instrument that could command the stage. His ability to blend rhythm, melody, and intricate rhythms captivated audiences worldwide, earning him not just the admiration of classical music enthusiasts but also the respect of musicians from diverse genres.”

To read the entire text of Masrat Nabi’s tribute, please click on the following link to the website mediaindia.eu

https://mediaindia.eu/society/tabla-maestro-zakir-hussain-passes-away/

Some of the other names which come to mind in the league of global Indian classic music maestros

• Pandit Ravi Shankar – sitarist and composer
• Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia – music director and classical flautist
• Ustad Bismillah Khan – shehnai player
• Pandit Bhimsen Joshi – vocalist in the Hindustani Classical tradition
• Pandit Shivkumar Sharma – Classical musician and santoor player
• Vishwa Mohan Bhatt – Hindustani Classical music instrumentalist on the Mohan Veena
• M. S. Subbulakshmi – Carnatic singer
• Ustad Amjad Ali Khan – Classical sarod player
• Dr. Balamurlikrishna – Classical Carnatic Music
• A.R. Rahman – music composer, record producer, singer, songwriter, musician, multi-instrumentalist

Travis Piles One More ‘Ton’ On India’s ‘Head’; Bumrah Remains Only Counterbalance

Sanjeev Kochhar
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Travis Piles One More ‘Ton’ On India’s ‘Head’; Bumrah Remains Only Counterbalance
Unrelenting in his India bashing, the Aussie middle order mainstay adds to India’s misery with a masterly 150+ score
This is a remarkable comeback for him, from three consecutive golden ducks in his last three innings at the Gabba, to 152
He has struck his third ton in the last four Tests against India, second on the trot, and his 2nd century at the Gabba
Head credits his continuing success against India to his familiarity with the Indian team, with which they have been playing more often
Steve Smith too achieves ton, more laboured though
Sports website backs demand for Mohd. Shami to be flown-in to rest ‘tired’ Siraj

In the form that he is in against India, the rising star of Aussie cricket Travis Head, is looking almost invincible as he piles on the misery on the visitors. With a 150+ score in the Aussie first innings of the third Test at the houseful Gabba in Brisbane on Sunday, he now has two consecutive centuries, and a score of 89 in the four innings he has played so far in the 5-match series for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.

With Steve Smith also grittily hanging on to complete a century, their 241-run partnership powered the hosts to an imposing 405 for 7 at stumps on the second day of the Test, the first day of which was almost completely washed out due to rain.

The situation could have been worse for India had not Jasprit Bumrah woven his magic again with the second new ball, taken post tea, to send them both back to the pavilion, along with allrounder Mitchell Marsh in between.

(Subsequently, on a rain-interrupted first session on the third day, Australia, looking to make fast runs, were bowled out for 445, and Indian batsmen repeated their disastrous Adelaide start to totter at 22-3; 4/1 Yashasvi Jaiswal, 6/1 Shubman Gill, 22/3 Virat Kohli), all falling to what the expert commentators described as loose shots upfront, instead of showing the resolve to apply their minds as per the demand of the situation).

Jasprit Bumrah’s feat

Bumrah, once again proved the lone counterbalance to the Travis Head-led Aussie onslaught, finishing the day with a fifer (5 for 72), his 12th in Test cricket. He is now 2nd on the list of Indian pace bowlers with the maximum five-wicket hauls, after the legendary Kapil Dev, who has 23 to his credit. Overall, among all Indian bowlers, R Ashwin leads the list with 37 fifers.

Bumrah has also reportedly become the Indian bowler with the highest number of five-wicket hauls in Tests outside Asia. With his 10 hauls outside Asia, he has surpassed Kapil Dev’s previous record of nine.
His latest five-wicket haul is the Indian pace spearhead’s third in Tests in Australia. With this he has reportedly become the first visiting bowler to claim three or more fifers in Australia since Pakistan spinner Danish Kaneria in 2010, and the first pacer to do so since Pakistan legend Wasim Akram in 1990.

Travis Head’s India love story

Travis Head continues his love story with India. He had powered Australia to an emphatic 10-wicket win in the second Test at Adelaide, the pink ball Test, where he scored 140 off 141 in the first innings and was not required to bat in the second innings. Head now averages 113 in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar series, with another 89-run score in the second innings in the first Test at Perth.

Of the nine Test centuries to his credit so far, he has struck three of them in the last four Tests against India, the first being 163 he scored in the first innings of the World Test Championship (WTC) final at the Oval in June 2023, which proved crucial in Australia winning the title.

Overall, in 11 matches against India, he has amassed 1,048 runs at an impressive average of 52.40, including three centuries and five half-centuries.

In his comments to the broadcasters at stumps on day two, Head credited his continuing success against India to his familiarity with the visitors. “We are playing a lot against them,” he remarked.

Travis Head’s ton against India at the Gabba, his second century at the iconic ground following the 152 he scored against England in 2021, portends ominously for India as Australia has never lost a Test in which he has hit a century. A loss here could shatter all remaining hopes India might be harbouring of making it to the WTC final for a third straight time.

The 30-year-old Head came to bat with the hosts reeling at 75 for three following another inspired spell by Jasprit Bumrah early on Day 2, continuing his dominance over the Australian openers. He dismissed them both in the opening half-hour of play on Sunday with the addition of only 10 runs to the Aussie overnight total of 28/0.

After the third wicket fell, with batting allrounder Nitish Reddy, getting rid of Marnus Labuschagne, Head strode in and resumed from where he left off in his home ground at Adelaide, plundering the Indian bowling attack for runs to all parts of the turf, in an exceptional display of batsmanship.

At the other end, his senior partner Steve Smith, appeared to build on his innings after a shaky start, before coming into his own. Between lunch and tea, and an hour thereafter, the Indian bowling attack was taken to the cleaners with a boundary or two being hit every over.

Head raced to his century and then to the 150-run mark at run-a-ball, and Smith laboured to his century, before India took the new ball as soon as it became due, and Bumrah again turned the tables on the Aussies.

Steve Smith’s milestones

With his century, Steve Smith reached a couple of milestones in his Test career. He reportedly became the first player to score 10 of more centuries against two different opponents in Test cricket. Smith has accumulated 12 hundreds against England, and his latest innings in Brisbane marked his 10th century against India.

Smith’s 33 Test centuries are reportedly the second-most for Australia, surpassing Steve Waugh’s tally of 32. He is only behind Ricky Ponting’s record of 41.

India’s two changes

India made two changes to the XI that was crushed by 10 wickets in the Adelaide pink ball Test, replacing pacer Harshit Rana expectedly with Akash Deep and spinner R Ashwin with Ravindra Jadeja.
Playing three different spinners in as many Tests of the current series was quite surprising.

One would have expected Washington Sundar, who played the first Test at Perth, and was replaced in the second at Adelaide by R Aswin, to return for the third Test because of his exceptional all-round performance in the historic India win at the Gabba in the previous BGT series. But instead Jadeja was preferred. He has remained wicketless in the 16 overs he has bowled so far.

Jasprit Bumrah with Mohammed Shami is what India need, says Sports website insidesport.in

Need to bowl in tandem on the Aussie wickets – Jasprit Bumrah & Mohd. Shami

For Travis Head’s stats against India, and support for Mohammed Shami, please visit the following links of the sports website:

https://www.insidesport.in/cricket/travis-head-test-stats-against-india/

https://www.insidesport.in/cricket/jasprit-bumrah-with-mohammed-shami-is-what-india-needs-rohit-sharma-should-get-rid-of-mohammed-siraj-at-bgt/

JK Tyre Seeks To Strengthen Punjab-Chandigarh Market For Premium Products

Sanjeev Kochhar
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JK Tyre Seeks To Strengthen Punjab-Chandigarh Market For Premium Products
The premium offerings include Smart tyres, Puncture Guard tyres, and the XF series of fuel-efficient tyres for commercial vehicles

Amidst the transformation happening in the Indian automobile landscape, the Rs 90,000 crore tyre industry is also rapidly ramping up to meet the demand for high-quality and premium products, foremost among them being the increasing rim size tyres.

The rising passion for driving and adventure among aspirational Indians, the ever-increasing luxury cars and SUVs, is also pushing hard the tyre manufacturers to come out with innovative and targeted solutions catering to varied needs, enhancing safety, convenience and fuel-efficiency aspects.

Capitalising on this growing demand for premier tyres, leading tyre manufacturer JK Tyre, which claims to be a front-runner in the country’s innovation-led technological development, has doubled down its focus on strengthening its key markets, including Punjab and Chandigarh, for its portfolio of high value tyres, which include Smart tyres, Puncture Guard tyres, and the XF series of fuel-efficient tyres for commercial vehicles.

Interacting with your own news portal LifeInChandigarh.com, while in Chandigarh for a meeting with channel partners from across Punjab and Chandigarh, where JK Tyre has nearly 200 touch points, including 27 exclusive brand stores, Anuj Kathuria, President (India), JK Tyre & Industries Ltd., shared that the company has pushed the fast forward button on increasing its production capabilities and strengthening its network of touch points and exclusive brand stores across the country, including Punjab.

“In two years, JK Tyre will ramp up the strength of its exclusive brand stores from the current 800+ to 1,000+, making us the tyre company with the highest number of exclusive brand stores in the country,” he said, adding that “the exclusive brand shops, variously called as Steel Wheels, Truck Wheels and Xpress Wheels, are one stop shops, which apart from selling tyres, are equipped with all allied facilities and services, including wheel alignment, wheel balancing, nitrogen, etc.”

Reminiscing on the changing trends, he shared that about 15 years ago car tyres were typically of 12-13 inch (rim diameter), and gradually, as entry of premium car manufacturers started picking up, larger rim size tyres began replacing the smaller ones. This trend has received a huge leg-up in the last 4-5 years, he added.

Dwelling on the phenomenal popularity of SUVs, he said there was a time when out of every 100 cars sold at most 30-35 were SUVs. “But look at the percentage of SUV sales now, they are skyrocketing. In the last few years because of a transformation in lifestyles, and increasing travel, SUVs sales have nearly doubled in percentage terms to 60-65% of all cars sold.”

Sharing an example of increasing rim sizes, Kathuria said the top selling Hyundai Creta SUV, when it was introduced in India, sported 15-inch rim tyres, now the latest Creta N Line has come out with 18-inch rim tyres. 100% of Cretas entering the market come fitted with JK types, he added.

“It is a fact that larger rim tyres enhance the overall ride and handling experience, and all car manufacturers are focussed on doing just that for their customers. Individual car owners are going a step further, by opting to upside by an inch (replacing the original rim sizes in cars, and hence types, by an inch), which does not compromise on stability of the car, and gives the riders a sense of further improved ride experience,” he said.

He hastened to add though, that this trend, of customers resorting to upsiding their cars, is not a countrywide phenomenon. It is typical of Punjab and Kerala, two states with highest NRI populations, and metros like New Delhi and Mumbai, he shared.

Smart tyre

Explaining the concept of a Smart tyre, the JK Tyre top executive said, these tyres come with an embedded sensor on the inner side of the tyre, which conveys real time information about pressure and temperature of the tyre on a mobile app. This helps a rider optimise ride experience, safety and fuel-efficiency of the vehicle.

Puncture Guard tyre

The Puncture Guard tyres work on the self-healing concept. A special gel runs through the tyre and as soon as a puncture occurs the self-healing gel gets activated and the pressure in the tyre is maintained. Even if the puncture occurs due to a nail piercing the tyre, the nail can be removed without the need for any puncture repair.

Recent launch of Levitas Ultra

In line with the growth of the premium car segment, JK Tyre recently launched its Levitas Ultra high-performance tyres, especially designed for premium cars. Available in seven sizes ranging from 225/55/R16 to 245/45/R18, these sizes cater to over 80% of the top 20 luxury car models available in India.

Following the success of these tyres in the market, the company plans to expand the range further by introducing rim sizes from 19 inches to 22 inches in the coming years, catering to the full spectrum of premium cars.

Ranger series for SUVs

Punjab is a significant market for SUVs, and the company’s Ranger series of tyres command a substantial market share with over 30 Stock Keeping Units (SKUs) to choose from. Designed specifically for SUVs, the company offers these tyres in an entire multi-terrain range, including the Ranger A/T, Ranger H/T, Ranger M/T, Ranger X-AT and Ranger HPe (for E-SUVs).

According to the company, Punjab accounts for a significant portion of the company’s sales, with the Passenger Car Radial (PCR) segment contributing 32%, Truck and Bus Radial segment 31%, and Truck and Bus Bias 21%.

JK Tyre & Industries did nationwide sales of Rs 15,000 crore last year, of which around Rs 500 crore was from Punjab alone.

India’s D Gukesh Dethrones China’s Ding Liren, Becomes Youngest World Chess Champ

Sanjeev Kochhar
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India’s D Gukesh Dethrones China’s Ding Liren, Becomes Youngest World Chess Champ

Continuing with the dream run of Indian chess champions at the world stage, India’s chess prodigy D Gukesh on Thursday scripted history by becoming the youngest ever World chess champion, beating title-holder Ding Liren of China in the decisive 14th and last game of the FIDE World Championship Singapore 2024 match hosted at the luxurious Resorts World Sentosa.

At 18 years, D Gukesh has become the 18th world chess champion. Before him, the legendary Garry Kasparov of erstwhile Soviet Union (USSR) was the youngest world champion when he won the title at the age of 22, dethroning compatriot Anatoly Karpov in 1985.

Gukesh and Liren were tied 2-games-all before the 14th game, with the Indian challenger having won the third and 11th games and the 32-year-old Liren the opening and 12th games. All the other games were tied.

As champion, Gukesh will pick up the better part of the $2.5 million total prize fund.
He is the second Indian after the legendary Viswanathan Anand to win the world chess title. Anand, a five-time world champion, had lost the title in 2013 to Magnus Carlsen of Norway, who had then become the second youngest world chess champion.

According to a brief initial report on fide.com, in a dramatic and unexpected turn of events, when it seemed that the final game was heading for a draw and tiebreaks were unavoidable, the champion Ding Liren made a huge mistake and capitulated three moves later. The result was 7.5-6.5 for the challenger.
“I was totally in shock when I realized I made a blunder,” Ding admitted in the post-game press conference.

D Gukesh could not hide his emotions after the realisation sank in that he had won the world chess championship. PHOTO Credit: FIDE

Gukesh couldn’t believe his eyes when Ding Liren blundered with 55.Rf2??: “At the first moment, I didn’t see that I was winning. When I realized that I was winning it was the best moment of my life.”

Ding Liren painfully acknowledged his loss: “I think I played my best tournament of the year. It could be better, but considering yesterday’s lucky survive, it’s a fair result to lose in the end. I have no regrets.”

China’s Ding Liren in a sombre mood after losing his world chess title to India’s D Gukesh. PHOTO Credit: X@FIDE_chess

For Gukesh this victory became the culmination of his lifelong dream. “Since I was seven, I have been living this moment, already for ten years. Every chess player wants to experiment this moment and doesn’t get the chance. I am living my dream,” said the elated new World champion.

In a message for aspiring chess champions, Gukesh simply put it: “Keep enjoying chess. Your are going to achieve your dream one day.”

PHOTO Credit: X@FIDE_chess

About the FIDE World Championship match

The FIDE World Championship match is one of the most important and widely watched chess events globally. Held every two years, it features the defending World champion and the challenger, chosen through a qualification process culminating in the Candidates Tournament, which includes eight of the world’s top players.

In the FIDE World Championship Singapore 2024, the defending champion was Ding Liren, who won the title after defeating Ian Nepomniachtchi in Astana, Kazakhstan, in April 2023 on tiebreaks. The challenger was 18-year-old D Gukesh from India, who won the Candidates Tournament in April 2024 in Toronto.

The World Championship match consists of 14 games. The player who scores 7.5 points or more wins the match, and no further games are played. If the score is equal after 14 games, the winner is decided by a tiebreak.

For more information, visit FIDE website: https://www.fide.com/news/3347

8 Times Michelin Star, And Now ‘Bib Gourmand’ Award For Chef Vikas Khanna’s ‘Bungalow’

Sanjeev Kochhar
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8 Times Michelin Star, And Now ‘Bib Gourmand’ Award For Chef Vikas Khanna’s ‘Bungalow’
‘Bungalow’ is Vikas Khanna’s latest restaurant (just 260 days old) in New York
Michelin Guide honours talented chefs (in restaurant setting) with ‘Bib Gourmand’ designation for restaurants serving good food at moderate price

Chef Vikas Khanna, originally from Amritsar, the food capital of Punjab, is not only a household name in India but a prominent ambassador of Indian cuisine at the international level. Eight times recipient of the coveted Michelin star, which recognises the culinary talents of chefs (in a restaurant setting), Khanna has award-winning restaurants running in New York and Dubai.

So, when news started being splashed across the Indian mainstream online and offline media since Tuesday evening that he had won another Michelin award – Michelin 2024 Bib Gourmand Award – for his newest (just 260 days old) New York restaurant ‘Bungalow’, picking up from his post on Instagram, your own news portal LifeInChandigarh.com decided to check out the significance of the award on the Michelin Guide website.

The Michelin Guide, for select metropolitan cities worldwide, is recognized globally for excellence and quality. It offers a selection of world-class restaurants.

These are the various categories in which Michelin Guide presents awards to restaurants in the select metros:

• The famous one, two and three Michelin Stars identify establishments serving exceptional cuisine that’s rich in flavour, remarkably executed and infused with the personality of a talented chef.
• The Bib Gourmand, won by our very own Vikas Khanna, is a designation given to select restaurants that offer good quality food for a good value – often known as personal favourites among the Michelin inspectors when dining on their own time.
• The Michelin Green Star honours restaurants that are pioneers in sustainable gastronomy.
• Recommended restaurants and special professional awards are also highlighted by the Michelin Guide inspectors.

As per information available on the website, the second annual Michelin Guide Ceremony, bringing together New York, Chicago and Washington, D.C., was held earlier this week and described as a night of excitement with a new three Michelin Star restaurant and three new two Stars.

New York’s Jungsik New York was awarded its first third Michelin Star and New York restaurants César, Chef’s Table at Brooklyn Fare and Sushi Sho were each awarded their first two Stars. New York’s One White Street received a first Michelin Green Star, as did Oyster Oyster in Washington, D.C.

On further reading we came across a table of the 2024 Michelin Guide New York selection (reproduced below), which mentions that five New York restaurants were honoured with three Michelin Stars, 14 with two Michelin Stars, and 55 with one Michelin Star.

Four other NY restaurants were presented a Green Star, while as many as 91 restaurants got the Bib Gourmand, the one presented to Vikas Khanna for his restaurant ‘Bungalow’.

Searching For Answers, India Head Into Third Test At The Gabba With Mixed Feelings

Sanjeev Kochhar
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Searching For Answers, India Head Into Third Test At The Gabba With Mixed Feelings
It has long been heralded as the Aussies’ fortress, but India made a historic dent there in January 2021 handing the hosts’ their first loss on the ground after the 1988 defeat at the hands of the West Indies
Strategy to tame the seemingly invincible Travis Head and negotiating the fiery Aussie pace trio would be key
A couple of replacements in the offing to plug the weaknesses experienced in the Adelaide debacle
Services of skiddy Mohd Shami, who has an impressive track record playing on Aussie wickets, being direly missed
Aussies will be under pressure trying to avoid the ignominy of a hattrick of Test series losses against India at home
India have slid to the third place on the ICC World Test Championship 2025 points table

In the ultimate analysis, Travis Head and a uniformly fiery Aussie pace bowling attack made all the difference as India plummeted from an overwhelming 295-run victory in the first of the 5-match away Test series for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at Perth to a crushing 10-wicket defeat in the second at Adelaide.

Scores even in equal measure, leaving the series wide open. Good for cricket, but India go into the third Test, beginning at The Gabba in Brisbane on Saturday, with a few worries, but also with fond memories of the historic three-wicket win there in the summer of 2021 which propelled Player of the Match Rishab Pant to stardom. Australia will also be under pressure, trying to avoid a hattrick of Test series losses against India at home.

Pink ball was always going to be a big test for the visitors against the masters of the double-lacquered ball, with India’s nightmarish second innings total of 36 in first Test of the 2020-21 Border Gavaskar Trophy, after taking a first innings lead, weighing heavy on their minds.

There were no demons in the pitch, just the usual pink ball lateral movement which extends for a longer period and the greater skid off the wicket the ball generates. Yet, Indian batters failed to effectively negotiate the pink ball, to the extent that they could not post a single half-century in either inning.
The last time India reportedly suffered the same fate was in the 2021 World Test Championship final against New Zealand at Southampton.

The two top guns, captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, around whom the entire batting unit is expected to build the innings, failed miserably yet again. The Indian pace bowling unit in its entirety also failed to exploit the conditions as well as the Aussies did.

Which begs the question – was there a difference in how the Indian side was led in the first Test as against the second? One might say a one-off Test is not a justifiable ground for comparison, but cricket observers found more aggression, tact and intent in Jasprit Bumrah, who stood in as captain in the first Test in the absence of Rohit Sharma, than the regular captain’s leadership on his return for the second Test.

Standout Nitish Reddy

However, amidst the dampened spirits, the standout consistent performances of young allrounder Nitish Reddy with the bat deserves to be applauded. Making his Test debut in the first Test at Perth, the promising youngster lived up to his billing.

With his 42 runs apiece (off 54 and 47 balls respectively) in both innings at Adelaide, that too while facing the pink ball in international cricket for the first time, he is now the top-scoring Indian batter in three of the four innings he has played so far. He was also the highest Indian scorer (41 off 59 balls) in the first innings of the Perth Test.

With this, Nitish Reddy has become only the second Indian, and eighth batter worldwide, to top score in three of his first four innings. Sunil Gavaskar reportedly did it in his debut series against the West Indies back in 1971.

Probable changes in playing XI

To leave the terrible loss at Adelaide behind them and make a strong comeback in the third Test at Brisbane, the Indian side is expected to affect a couple of changes in the playing XI to plug some of the weaknesses experienced.

Among the probable replacements could be pacer Akash Deep for Harshit Rana, who leaked a lot of runs and remained wicketless and scoreless; and allrounder Washington Sundar returning for the third Test, after being dropped in the second, replacing Ravichandran Ashwin.

Along with Rishab Pant, Sundar played a stellar role in the historic India win at Brisbane in 2021, scalping four Aussie batsmen (three in the first innings and one in the second) and contributing more than useful scores of 62 and 22.

Direly missing Shami

Recovering from injury: Will Mohd Shami to flown to Australia for the last couple of Tests!

India is apparently direly missing the services of skiddy Mohd Shami, who has been missing from international cricket since the 2023 ICC ODI Cricket World Cup, recovering from an ankle injury. A master at exploiting the ball’s seam position, Shami has an impressive track record playing in Australia. In tandem with Jasprit Bumrah, he was largely instrumental in India’s maiden Test series victory on Australian soil in 2018-19.

He was also reportedly the leading wicket-taker for India in the 2015 ICC ODI Cricket World Cup jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand.

Mohammed Shami has featured in eight Test matches on Australian soil so far, claiming 31 wickets at a decent bowling average of 32.16. The speedster has two five-wicket hauls to his name in Australia in Test cricket.

Memories 2020-21

The victory lap after India’s historic Test victory over Australia at the Gabba in Brisbane, 2021. PHOTO Credit: X/cricket.com.au

Just for memories, the composition of team for the historic January 2021 Test match at the Gabba in Brisbane was very different from what it is now. Ajinkya Rahane had stood in as captain in place of Virat Kohli. Then there were Cheteshwar Pujara, Mayank Agarwal, Shardul Thakur, T Natarajan and Navdeep Saini.

Pujara had proven to be the glue that kept India’s innings together on the final day, taking blow after blow in an innings of 56 that consumed 211 deliveries against the very same Aussie pace trio of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood. It gave the likes of Shubman Gill (91), Washington Sundar (22) and Pant (89 not out) the freedom to flourish. Which is exactly the role expected of Rohit and Kohli now.

Mohd. Siraj was the pace spearhead in the match, claiming a fifer in the second innings. Shardul Thakur also had a memorable match plundering the Aussie bowlers for 67 in India’s first outing and claiming seven wickets in the match. Left-armer T Natarajan took three wickets in Australia’s first innings. Navdeep Saini had remained wicketless.

Aussie fortress

According to the website https://thecricketlounge.com/, that historic win, however, was the only one by India in seven Test matches against Australia at the Gabba, which has long been heralded as the hosts’ fortress. Of the other Tests against India, Aussies have won five and one was drawn.

That January 2021victory came after 32 years of Australian invincibility at the Gabba, breaking a record that had stood since West Indies last defeated Australia there in 1988.

The website further stated that this stark record paints a picture of a venue where resilience, strategy, and sheer cricketing skill are tested to their limits. Australia’s robust record at this iconic ground stands thus: Matches played – 66, matches won – 43, matches drawn – 13, and matches lost – 10.

ICC World Test Championship points table

India need to fight hard in the remaining three Test matches of the tour if they are to remain in the reckoning for a place in the final of the ICC World Test Championship 2025. With their loss in Adelaide, India have slid to the third place on the points table. South Africa with a 109-run win over Sri Lanka in the final Test of the current series on December 9 have replaced Australia at the top of the table.

‘Kultivated Karats’ Exclusive Lab-Grown Diamonds Outlet Opens in Chandigarh Tricity

Sanjeev Kochhar
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‘Kultivated Karats’ Exclusive Lab-Grown Diamonds Outlet Opens in Chandigarh Tricity
Lab-grown diamonds and mined diamonds are scientifically proven to essentially possess identical chemical, physical and optical properties
Grown using more sustainable practices, the lab variety costs up to 80% less than the mined diamonds, and hence becoming increasingly popular choice among the millennial consumers

One is a natural diamond created by forces deep within the Earth, and the other a lab-grown diamond. Both are authentic diamonds, scientifically proven to essentially possess identical chemical, physical and optical properties. The growing awareness amongst millennial consumers about the authenticity of lab-grown diamonds, their substantially lower pricing, and lingering apprehensions about the continuing unstainable practices of deep mining are driving their rising demand in the market.

Riding on the growing trend, which is expected to gather pace with time, Chandigarh tricity’s first exclusive large format lab-grown diamonds outlet has opened in NAC Manimajra.

Also the first exclusive store in the country of the Bangalore-based startup Kubix Jewels LLP’s label ‘Kultivated Karats’, it has on display 400 odd products at prices up to 80% lower than comparable mined diamond products.

The formal inauguration the outlet, opened in a joint venture with local jewellery industry entrepreneur Deepak Gupta, was done by Bigg Boss Season 14 winner and actress Rubina Dilaik, on Sunday. She also tried out a few of the jewellery items on display.

Kubix Jewels co-founders Sampath Jain and his young daughter Mehek told your own news portal LifeInChandigarh.com : “We’re thrilled to launch our first outlet in Chandigarh under the joint venture. The store is set to cater to the rising demand for lab-grown, eco-friendly diamonds, providing consumers with access to high-quality jewellery at affordable prices.”

Adding to this Deepak Gupta said: “Lab-grown diamonds are approximately 80% less in cost than natural mined diamonds. Our outlet offers an exquisite range of lab-grown diamond jewellery, including rings, necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and more. We have also featured different cuts of solitaires and coloured solitaires, offering an even broader selection to suit various occasions.

“With more than 400 products on display, our collection starts at Rs. 15,000. We’re also excited to showcase our lab-grown uncut diamonds (Polki) jewellery,” he said.

The Jains further shared that just like natural mined diamonds, lab-grown diamonds are also certified by labs such as Gemological Institute of America (https://www.gia.edu/), International Gemological Institute (https://www.igi.org/) and SGL (https://sgl-labs.com/). Moreover, the Hallmarking/Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) process for lab-grown diamond jewellery is the same as for natural diamond jewellery, they informed.

Lab-grown diamonds are also being actively promoted by Government of India as a substitute for natural diamonds, the import of which is a heavy drain on the country’s foreign exchange reserves. India is a leading exporter of diamond jewellery and lab-grown diamonds can significantly increase volume of these exports.

So, why pay more for an identical product!

Bigg Boss Season 14 winner and actress Rubina Dilaik poses with co-founders of Kultivated Karats label and their local partner after the formal inauguration of its first exclusive outlet in NAC Manimajra on Sunday (Dec 8, 2024)

Make Your Kitchen Gardening Experience ‘Sampurn’ With Fermented Organic Manure

Sanjeev Kochhar
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Make Your Kitchen Gardening Experience ‘Sampurn’ With Fermented Organic Manure
FOM is superior to compost as it stimulates root development and promotes plant growth
Sampurn Agri Ventures Pvt Ltd (SJVPL) had so far been marketing FOM and its other crop/plant supporting products to farmers
Into promoting sustainable agriculture, converting paddy straw waste to compressed biogas (CBG), company has announced expansion of its area of operation with the signing of an MoU with a federation of 50 farmer producer organisations (FPOs)

If you are a kitchen gardening enthusiast and using cow dunk or compost as manure, you might like to look at an alternative organic manure that is more potent and cost effective, the use of which can potentially lift your experience and satisfaction to a new level.

Sampurn Agri Ventures Pvt Ltd (SJVPL), with its mission to promote sustainable agriculture, has begun marketing of its high quality chemical free Fermented Organic Manure (FOM) for urban kitchen gardening. FOM is a byproduct of converting paddy straw waste (stubble) into compressed biogas (CBG) which can further be used to generate power.

The company, which boasts of having set up the first of its kind in the world manufacturing facility to produce FOM from paddy stray waste in Fazilka, Punjab in 2017, had so far been selling this manure and other products for boosting the productivity of crops to farmers, from whom they are procuring the waste raw material.

FOM, the company claims, is a far superior quality manure as compared to unprocessed manure since it is hygienic, sterilised and has compatible soil microbes to support plants. It is also more economical since one kg of FOM is claimed to be equivalent to five kg of compost. A five kg pack of FOM (equivalent to 25 kg of compost, as per company claim) costs just Rs 100.

Rich in nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, just as compost is, FOM additionally contains micronutrients, vitamins, and amino acids, along with plant growth-promoting substances like indole acetic acid (IAA) and gibberelic acid (GA). FOM stimulates root development and promotes plant growth.

This assertion was made by Sanjeev Nagpal, Managing Director, Sampurn Agri Ventures (Corporate Office: Elante Office Building, Industrial Area Phase I, Chandigarh), while addressing a press conference in Chandigarh on Thursday to announce signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with a federation of 50 farmer producer organisations (FPOs), Northern Farmers Mega FPO (NFMF), to expand its operational area for giving value to farmers for their paddy straw waste.

Sanjeev Nagpal, MD, SAVPL (2nd from left) and Ajay Malik, Director, Northern Farmers Mega FPO, post with the MoU signed between the two parties in Chandigarh on Thursday (Dec 5, 2024)

NFMF has 12,000-plus associated farmers covering over 25,000 acres of land in more than 250 villages of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and nearby areas of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttarakhand.

Addressing the media Sanjeev Nagpal said, “The transformative partnership aims to address pressing challenges in North India, including air pollution being caused by stubble burning, deteriorating soil health, and declining agricultural productivity, while fostering climate resilience and economic empowerment in the farm sector.”

He claimed that Punjab alone produces 50 million tons of crop residue annually, 70% of which is either burnt or wasted, significantly contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and soil degradation. The largest greenhouse gas emission is coming from the agriculture sector – mainly from biomass residue and composting of biomass. This produces methane gas which is 20 times more harmful as compared to CO2, he maintained.

Nagpal further said, “One of the most important steps required to mitigate global warming is safe handling of biodegradable biomass and processing this for making Compressed Biogas (CBG) and FOM.”

According to Ajay Malik, Director, NFMF, “Farmers stand to gain from this arrangement as they will get value for the paddy straw which will be used for manufacturing FOM. In the long run farmers through use of FOM can minimize the use of urea and DAP, thereby lowering their input costs. This model is also slated to improve the quality of agricultural produce.”

Shedding light on the importance of using FOM, Dr Neha Sharma, Principal Scientist, SAVPL, said, “Stubble burning is causing loss of ‘soluble silica’ in the soil, which in turn is leading to silica deficiency in humans as they consume crops produced in silica deficient soil. This reduces their immune response towards viruses and pathogens. Agriculture based on the use of FOM produces silica-rich agricultural produce which in turn makes humans healthier.”

SAVPL has associated with organic farming expert Komal Jaiswal, founder of ‘Greenaffair’ to further promote sustainable agriculture. “As part of this association, we are training housewives on sustainable kitchen gardening techniques,” she shared.

Days Of ‘Tareekh Par Tareekh’ Over, Says PM About 3 New Criminal Laws In Chandigarh

Sanjeev Kochhar
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Days Of ‘Tareekh Par Tareekh’ Over, Says PM About 3 New Criminal Laws In Chandigarh
He was addressing a ceremony in the city on Tuesday to dedicate to the nation the successful implementation of the new laws
UT Chandigarh has become first among all states and UTs to complete the entire elaborate process of implementing the three laws; countrywide implementation to be completed within three years
Union home minister lauds Chandigarh for completing the entire modernisation and digital integration of all five pillars of the criminal justice system – police, jail, judiciary, prosecution and Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) – within a very short span of five months from the laws coming into effect on July 1, 2024

Emphasising the transformative nature of the new criminal laws, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called upon states and union territories to proactively ensure speedy and effective implementation of all aspects of these laws for a brighter future for generations of Indians and further strengthening of the country’s security and economy.

Congratulating Union territory of Chandigarh for becoming the first among all states and UTs to complete the entire process of implementing the new laws in all their manifestations, he said every citizen must be aware of his rights under these laws because their impactful implementation on the ground will determine the future of their lives, their children and their service satisfaction.

He was addressing a large gathering on the grounds of Punjab Engineering College (PEC) to dedicate the successful implementation of the three new criminal laws – Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam – to the nation in a programme titled ‘Secure Society, Developed India – From Punishment To Justice’.

The latter part of the title highlighted the shift in the emphasis of the new laws from punishing Indians during the British rule to providing equitable justice to all citizens.

Earlier Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah informed the gathering that the authorities in Chandigarh had within a very short period of five months, since these three laws came into effect across the country from July 1, 2024, completed the entire process of modernising and digitally integrating all five pillars of the criminal justice system – police, jail, judiciary, prosecution and Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL).

He admitted that since a lot of new provisions and systems are to be incorporated, and new institutions raised under the new criminal laws, their complete implementation from a police station, to district, to state, and across the country, is expected to take another three years. But once completely implemented, he claimed, India’s criminal justice delivery system will be the most modern in the world.

Punjab Governor and UT Chandigarh Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria presenting a memento depicting the city’s symbolic ‘Open Hand’ to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Chandigarh on Tuesday (December 3, 20204). Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Member of Parliament in Rajya Sabha Satnam Singh Sandhu look on.

Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria and member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha Satnam Singh Sadhu were also present.

The prime minister was given a live demonstration by the Chandigarh Police at a separate venue within PEC on how the laws will be implemented on the ground.

Milestone

The prime minister in his speech, while acknowledging that the implementation of the new criminal laws across the country will take time to fully mature, maintained that it will prove to be a milestone in the country’s justice delivery journey.

At the same time, he said even within the few months of its rollout, information trickling in from various parts of the country is encouraging.

Sharing specific examples to highlight the power and impact of the new criminal laws, he said in Chandigarh itself in a case of vehicle theft, judgement was delivered by the concerned court within three months and 11 days of the filing of FIR. In another case a man accused of disturbing peace in the area was promptly judged after following the due process of hearing within 20 days of filing FIR, he added.

Citing a case in Delhi, he said justice was delivered in just 60 days of filing of FIR and the accused sentenced to 20 years in prison. A murder case in Bihar’s Chapra shared by him took the cake in the speed of justice delivery. The accused were sentenced to life in prison within 14 days of FIR being lodged.

Stressing that the first benchmark of justice is its timely delivery, the prime minister said in the new laws early chargesheet and early judgement have been given top priority. Timelines have been clearly spelled out for each stage in the justice delivery process, he shared.

He called for nationwide discussion on the numerous early judgements which are being delivered ever since the new laws came into effect so that people at large realise how much their power of getting justice had increased.

Tareekh par tareekh

Resorting to a highly popular filmi dialogue, the prime minister said this would also send a strong message to the criminals that the days of “tareekh par tareekh”, which were an impediment in timely delivery of justice, and at times resulted in derailment of justice, are over.

At the same time, he further informed that while 1500 superfluous laws have been done away with in the new set of criminal laws, thousands of people languishing in jails under the previous laws have been freed.

Arguing that rules and laws remain effective only when these keep pace with the times, he asked when the world is changing fast, and so are the tactics of crime and criminals, how could a system rooted in the 19th century have remained relevant to the modern times.

Laws modernised

In this context, he informed that not only have the new laws been Indianised these have also been modernised, keeping even future parameters into account.

Among other things, the laws have made digital evidence admissible in court; to check possibility of tampering of evidence, video recording of crime scene has been made mandatory; summons can be delivered through electronic means; and audio-video of witness statements has been permitted.

All these will become basis for delivery of justice and save precious time before the culprits of crime are arrested, the prime minister informed.

He said these changes are equally important for the country’s security as the integration of digital evidence and technology will help in our fight against terrorism. Now terrorists and terrorist organisations will not be able to exploit the complexities of the law. Even the fight against corruption will get a fillip, he added.

The prime minister further said, the new criminal laws will also encourage more foreign investors, who were earlier apprehensive of getting embroiled in unending litigation thereby jeopardising their investments, to invest in the country, thereby further strengthening the Indian economy.

To watch video of entire ceremony, visit:
https://www.pmindia.gov.in/en/news_updates/pm-dedicates-to-the-nation-the-successful-implementation-of-three-new-criminal-laws/

Lost, Young Hiker Survived Frigid Temps In Canadian Mountainous Wilderness For 50 Days

Sanjeev Kochhar
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Lost, Young Hiker Survived Frigid Temps In Canadian Mountainous Wilderness For 50 Days

 

On first read, you will find this the most improbable story. But once you tend to believe it, it sounds like a miracle. A 20-year-old hiker, who lost his way in the remote mountainous wilderness of northeast British Columbia (BC) in Canada, survived for 50 days in heavy snow and frigid temperatures plunging to as low as minus-20 degrees Celsius before being rescued with non-life-threatening snow and cold inflicted injuries.

According to CBC News and other news media outlets, Sam Benastick had set out on his supposedly 10-day hiking and fishing trip to the remote mountainous Redfern-Keily Provincial Park in his car on October 7. Not receiving any communication from him after the 10 days, by when he was expected to return home, his worried family came searching for him and lodged a missing report with the local police on October 19.

Despite a massive search operation, he could not be found until November 26 when, according to police, he flagged down two industrial workers headed to the Redfern Lake trailhead, which was also the last place he had been seen.

He was reportedly wearing a cut-up sleeping bag wrapped around his legs for warmth and supporting himself with two hiking sticks before nearly collapsing and being whisked away to a hospital in an ambulance for emergency care.

He has since reportedly been discharged from hospital, but details of Sam’s ordeal are sketchy since the Benastick family has asked for time and privacy as he recovers physically and emotionally from his trauma in the woods.

In a statement, Royal Canadian Mountain Police (RCMP) has only provided a few details of what they believe happened, saying Sam told them he stayed in his car for a couple of days, then walked to a “creek, mountainside” where he camped for 10 to 15 days.
After that, police say, he “moved down the valley and built a camp and shelter in a dried-out creek bed.” He was found when he flagged down the two men and was taken to safety.

Till Sam Benastick recovers enough to tell his story, questions remain about how he went missing, why he could not be found as search crews scoured the area, and how he survived as snow fell and temperatures plunged below -20 C in the remote mountain park.

An aerial photo taken during the search for a missing hiker in northeastern B.C. (Kamloops Search and Rescue)

B.C. Search and Rescue Association was quoted in the media as saying that more than 120 volunteers were involved in efforts to find Sam, amounting to more than 3,500 search hours which included ground teams, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), “multiple helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, trained search dogs, drones, and other resources,” which covered “hundreds of square kilometres of challenging terrain.”

After weeks of unsuccessful efforts, the research was officially called off.

According to the owner of an inn where Sam Benastick’s parents and brother stayed for several weeks while searching the nearby Redfern-Keily Provincial Park, where Sam was last seen before being reported missing, and whom the family briefly visited on way home after Sam was discharged from hospital, has been reported as saying: “I don’t know the full story, but he did say that he did get lost because he was getting chased by a wolf.”

Timber Bigfoot, land and environment manager and member of the Prophet River First Nation, whose territory extends to the park, was involved by search and rescue crews to help try to find Sam because of his knowledge of the area, which he reportedly described as one of the more isolated places in BC.

“There’s no society. There’s no technology. There’s no civilization,” he said.

Among the dangers are “large grizzlies” and “lots of wolves,” he said, but the biggest challenge facing someone spending an extended period in the area is the environment itself.

“One day it’s +2, +3, the next day it’s -20,” he said. “It can go from rainy to snowing within hours.”

But Bigfoot said despite the vast expanse, he had a hard time believing Sam Benastick wouldn’t have been aware of the search underway.

“No matter where he was, he would have heard all the helicopters,” he said.
But, he added, with the abundance of wolves and bears, an encounter with wildlife could have thrown him off track.

“It’s an amazing environment and climate to try to survive,” Bigfoot said, adding he’d love to speak with Sam about what he went through and how he kept going.

“I think it’s a miracle, and I congratulate him for being such a tough person.”

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