Latest news with #Lakshmi
Indian Express
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Indian Express
Ravi Shastri's mother recalls him hitting six sixes in 1985: ‘I found out from our bhelpuri wala'
It's been four decades but Lakshmi Shastri's memories of a heady evening from January 1985 are still fresh. It was on that day in 1985 that her son, Ravi Shastri, created history by hitting six sixes in an over. It was only the second time in history this was done. In doing so — in a Ranji Trophy game against Baroda while playing for Mumbai — Ravi Shastri had emulated what the legendary Garfield Sobers had done in 1968 in an English County game for Nottinghamshire against Glamorgan. While Ravi was occupied in commentary duties for the second Test at Edgbaston, Lakshmi was accepting a Lifetime Achievement Award on her son's behalf at Bombay Gymkhana in Mumbai from the Sports Journalists Association of Mumbai. There, she spoke of that day her son created history 40 years ago. And also gave a glimpse of where the former India cricketer and coach-turned commentator gets his skills behind the microphone. 'There are many treasured memories which Ravi has given us. But I would say that the one which stands out is when he scored six sixes in an over. I was blissfully unaware of the fact that he was doing it at Wankhede Stadium (nearby). I was told by my bhelpuri wala who was present there and witnessed this,' Lakshmi told the audience from the dias on Wednesday to much laughter. While Sobers had hit the six sixes at Swansea against Malcolm Nash, Ravi Shastri had struck Baroda's Tilak Raj in the 1984-85 Ranji Trophy season. The feat has since been matched by just a handful of batters like Herschelle Gibbs and Yuvraj Singh. Continuing the anecdote from that day in 1985, Lakshmi said: 'When Ravi came home, he had to immediately leave for somewhere else. I asked him what happened today. You know his style, he never wanted to say the truth to me. So he said, 'you want to know what I did? Then tune in to today's All India Radio for the 7 o'clock news'. 'So since even the bhel puri wala (was talking about it), this thing was running in my mind. I was wondering why has he asked me to do this? So I informed my husband who was sitting in his clinic at that time and told him that he better come and hear the 7 o'clock broadcast in Marathi. He said why? I said this is what everybody is saying. So I came home and there to my great surprise, it was being announced that he had 'Sobered Sobers', and I'm quoting the banner that was put on Marine Drive the next day, hailing for equalling Sobers' record. These are precious memories that I carry with me.' Besides Shastri, Michael Ferreira, Anjali Bhagwat, Deepali Deshpande, Suma Shirur, Pravin Thipsay, Joaquim Carvalho and Mervyn Fernandis were among those feted with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Lakshmi added: '1985 was a glorious year for him. He started with these six sixes, then he ended up at the Benson Hedges World Championship of Cricket where he was awarded this title, Champion of Champions and the famous Audi car which nobody, at least me, I didn't even know how to pronounce the name of that car and I'm sure many in India have not seen that and that memory of the entire team taking a round in the Melbourne ground will always stay in my memory.' She then thanked her son, 'Thank you Ravi, you have been a great son to us and we hope you will achieve much more.'
Scroll.in
2 days ago
- Politics
- Scroll.in
Supreme Court grants anticipatory bail to Tamil Nadu MLA in abduction case
The Supreme Court on Monday granted anticipatory bail to Tamil Nadu MLA Poovai M Jagan Moorthy in a case pertaining to the abduction of a 17-year-old boy. A bench of Justices Manoj Misra and NK Singh said that the case needed further review. The court said that if the police arrest Moorthy, he should be released on a personal bond of Rs 25,000, as long as he cooperates with the investigation and does not threaten witnesses or tamper with evidence. Earlier, the Madras High Court had rejected his anticipatory bail plea citing initial evidence suggesting his involvement, Bar and Bench reported. Moorthy had challenged the High Court order in the Supreme Court. The case stems from a police complaint filed by one Lakshmi, whose elder son married a woman from Theni district against the wishes of her family. Fearing retaliation, the couple went into hiding. To trace them, members of the woman's family, with the help of men they had hired, allegedly abducted Lakshmi's younger son from their home. The 17-year-old boy was later found near a hotel with visible injuries. After a police complaint, several persons were taken into custody. Some of them reportedly mentioned Moorthy as being allegedly connected to the incident. The MLA is accused of being involved in the abduction and is also alleged to have later prevented the police from questioning him by having party supporters gather around his home. Moorthy is the chief of the Puratchi Bharatham party. He was elected as an MLA from the KV Kuppam Assembly constituency in 2021 on ally All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam's ticket. Moorthy's counsel argued before the Supreme Court that the MLA had been falsely implicated simply based on a co-accused's confession, without direct evidence. Describing the case as being politically motivated, the counsel said: 'The relevant facts were omitted to be considered by the court and instead the High Court had drawn adverse remarks against the petitioner,' The New Indian Express reported.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
She walked 140 km for his dream: A Meerut girl's soulful journey for her army-aspiring boyfriend.
As the month of June comes to a close and the sacred season of Sawan sets in, the spiritual fervour across North India intensifies with the onset of the annual Kanwar Yatra , which is scheduled to begin on July 11. This revered pilgrimage, devoted to Lord Shiva , sees lakhs of enthusiastic devotees—popularly known as Kanwariyas—undertaking journeys on foot to holy sites like Haridwar, Gaumukh, and Gangotri to collect sacred water from the Ganga and offer it to Shivlings back home. Among the many heartwarming stories emerging ahead of this divine journey, one tale from the Saharanpur division of Uttar Pradesh stands out and has deeply moved the public. A Young Woman's Devotion Fuels Her Journey Lakshmi, a young woman from Partapur, a locality near Meerut, has embarked on the Kanwar Yatra for an extraordinarily heartfelt cause. According to News18 , she is undertaking this challenging trek to Haridwar not just as a religious act but with a special intention: to seek divine intervention for her boyfriend, who has been trying hard to join the Indian Army but has not succeeded so far. Lakshmi's boyfriend has reportedly been preparing for military service for the past year. Despite his relentless efforts, he has not yet achieved his dream. Moved by his persistence and inspired by the sacredness of the Sawan season, Lakshmi took it upon herself to pray for his success. She believes that by offering her devotion and the holy Gangajal to Lord Shiva, she may help turn his aspirations into reality. A Spiritual Mission Powered by Friendship and Faith Lakshmi didn't undertake this yatra alone. Accompanied by her close friend Mansi, she journeyed to Haridwar on foot and successfully collected a total of 81 litres of Gangajal. With great care, they are now making their way back to Meerut, carrying the water in decorated vessels. Throughout the journey, the duo has displayed remarkable strength and determination, earning praise and blessings from fellow pilgrims and locals. Support and Admiration from the Community Their return route has become a trail of inspiration. When Lakshmi reached Shiv Chowk in Muzaffarnagar, people gathered to welcome and encourage her. Locals offered refreshments, showered petals, and applauded her dedication, turning her path into a celebration of devotion and love. The outpouring of support has transformed her spiritual mission into a community experience, filled with emotion and hope. An Offering of Faith on Shivratri Lakshmi plans to complete her pilgrimage by offering the Gangajal at the Shivling in her hometown, Partapur, on the occasion of Shivratri. With folded hands and unwavering faith, she will pray for the realisation of her boyfriend's dream to serve in the Indian Army. Her journey has not only highlighted the deep spiritual connection people share with Lord Shiva but also served as a testament to how love, faith, and hope can drive one to take on even the most demanding paths.
Hans India
7 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
Silent solar revolution brewing in a quiet village of Nalgonda dist
Hyderabad: A quiet village is leading India's first all-women cooperative solar battery unit. Here's how a silent revolution is unfolding under the sun. In the heart of Telangana's Nalgonda district, Aitipamula village is now making national headlines — not for protests or problems, but for pioneering a women-led clean energy revolution. With 50 women, Rs 50 lakh in seed funding, and a vision rooted in empowerment, the Komatireddy Prateek Foundation has quietly scripted a success story that bridges rural resilience with renewable energy. The 'Swachha Shakti Off-Grid Cooperative Solar Battery Unit', launched recently in collaboration with Swabags Labs, is a first-of-its-kind initiative in India where rural women, most of them homemakers and self-help group members, are managing and benefiting from solar battery units — from the comfort of their homes. Each woman was earning Rs 2,000+ per month, credited directly to her bank account. There's no physical labour, no technical complexity, and no middlemen. The solar units installed are low-maintenance, with a battery life of over 10 years and a cycle capacity of 3,000 charges — making them both sustainable and profitable. Lakshmi, one of the beneficiaries, says she never imagined something like this would be possible in her village. 'We thought solar was for big companies and cities. Today, I have a unit under my name. I don't have to leave home, yet I get money every month. This gives me confidence and dignity,' she says, her eyes lighting up with the same energy that powers her village. Minister for Roads, Buildings & Cinematography Komatireddy Venkata Reddy — who also heads the Komatireddy Prateek Foundation — calls this initiative 'a movement of light and liberation.' He said that solar energy is not just a clean energy alternative — it's becoming the most economically viable source of power. India's solar potential is massive, and tapping it via decentralized units like these reduces transmission loss, ensures energy democracy, and opens doors to income for communities that were previously disconnected from both grids and growth.
The Hindu
25-06-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
More than 4,000 elderly people screened for cataract in Coimbatore
Over 4,000 elderly people underwent cataract screening in Coimbatore district over the past two months through special eye camps launched under the initiative of District Collector Pavankumar G. Giriyappanavar. As many as 19 special screening camps were conducted in various blocks including Madukkarai, Thondamuthur, Negamam, Karamadai, Sarkarsamakulam, Sultanpet, Valparai, Periyanaickenpalayam, and Annur. The camps were jointly organised by the Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine and the District Blindness Control Society. During these camps, 4,011 individuals were screened, and cataract was detected in 236 of them. Of these, 168 have already undergone surgery. In addition, 154 people were detected with hypertension, 103 with diabetes, and 50 with both . Those identified with health issues were provided medical support and counselling. An outreach event held on Wednesday (June 25, 2025) under the Ungalai Thedi Ungal Ooril programme in Sulur taluk brought attention to the case of 80-year-old Lakshmi, a resident of Karumathampatti. During an inspection of the Karumathampatti Primary Health Centre, the Collector noticed that Ms. Lakshmi was affected by cataract and instructed health officials to provide immediate medical assistance. She was subsequently admitted to the Coimbatore Government Medical College Hospital for the surgery.
