Latest news with #MushtaqAli
The Star
31 minutes ago
- Politics
- The Star
Car bombing kills 13 Pakistani soldiers near Afghan border, say sources
DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Pakistan (Reuters) -An explosive-laden car rammed into a Pakistani military convoy on Saturday in a town near the Afghan border, killing at least 13 soldiers, sources said. Four Pakistani intelligence officials and a senior local administrator told Reuters that the convoy was attacked in Mir Ali area of North Waziristan district. Around 10 other soldiers were wounded, some critically, and they were being airlifted to a military hospital, the sources said. "It was huge, a big bang," said the local administrator, adding that residents of the town could see a large amount of smoke billowing from the scene from a great distance. One resident said that the explosion rattled the windowpanes of nearby houses, and caused some roofs to collapse. No one has so far claimed responsibility. The Pakistani military did not respond to a Reuters request for a comment. The lawless district which sits next to Afghanistan has long served as a safe haven for different Islamist militant groups, who operate on both sides of the border. Islamabad says the militants run training camps in Afghanistan to launch attacks inside Pakistan, a charge Kabul denies, saying the militancy is Pakistan's domestic issue. Pakistani Taliban also known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), an umbrella group of several Islamist militant groups, has long been waging a war against Pakistan in a bid to overthrow the government and replace it with its own Islamic system of governance. The Pakistani military, which has launched several offensives against the militants, has mostly been their prime target. (Reporting by Saud Mahsud in Dera Ismail Khan and Mushtaq Ali in Peshawar; Writing by Asif Shahzad; Editing by Alexandra Hudson)
The Hindu
16 hours ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
R. Sai Kishore discusses his breakthrough IPL season, finger-spinners in T20 cricket, competition for Indian team spots and more.
In this year's Indian Premier League, Tamil Nadu left-arm spinner R. Sai Kishore finally had the breakthrough season he had been looking for. The 28-year-old has had to wait three years for regular game-time and grabbed his chances in 2025, scalping 19 wickets for Gujarat Titans. In this chat with The Hindu, the TN skipper discusses the IPL, finger-spinners in T20 cricket, the competition for spots in the Indian team, and more. Excerpts: How satisfying was this year's IPL? I have been part of IPL for six or seven years, but have never had the opportunity to play a full season. So, very grateful for it. I do not have any attachment towards it. When you get a full season, you know your full potential, whether you can contribute or not. Otherwise, you are just [thinking of] permutations and combinations, whether I am good enough or not. After a full season, I feel very confident that I am ready to play at the highest level. The biggest realisation was that what I have is enough. Sometimes, when you are not competing, you don't know whether what you have is enough or not. What was your approach this year? I tried to stick to my basics, just as I would in any other tournament, such as the Mushtaq Ali, TNPL, or Ranji Trophy. If I execute my plans well, that's more than enough. Sometimes in T20, you can't buy wickets. So, wickets have to happen. I was very happy that the team also used me when the batsmen were trying to attack. And when I could just adapt to the situation, wickets were falling. So, very grateful for it. ALSO READ | Rishabh, the Pant-astic entertainer After your debut in 2022, you sat out 2023 because of the team combination and then an injury cut short your journey last year. How did you handle this phase? In the first year [2022], I had a very good season. You wanted to build on it. You would expect things to just happen. But as time would have it, I think that also was for the good. It made me much more mature and understand my game. As a result, all those experiences occurred because of that break. So when this breakthrough season happened, I was more than ready mentally to handle it. They say the Chinese bamboo tree doesn't grow for years, and suddenly, in one year, it grows. But for about six to seven years, the tree has been forming its roots and strengthening the foundations. This year, you were the leader of the spin attack. Did you enjoy the responsibility? In the other teams I play for, I naturally take on that role. So, it wasn't like I was taken aback or anything. I am waiting for such roles. To be fair, Rashid [Khan] is the best T20 bowler across all the teams. In this decade, he will be the best T20 bowler. Maybe for some reason, he didn't find his rhythm. Because I have done such roles in all the other competitions, it came naturally to me. I just wanted to back myself. Whatever has worked for me in domestic cricket is what has brought me here. Thankfully, Ashish Nehra also trusted me with those roles. Usually, people can be judgmental about a finger-spinner bowling in the death or a left-arm spinner against left-handers. But he trusted me. I am pleased I could deliver for the trust he had. Speaking about finger-spinners, there are not many going around. How can your tribe stay relevant in T20 cricket? The basic thing is to spin the ball. At times, as a finger-spinner, you dart the ball too much. If you can spin the ball, impart revolutions, and have the basics intact, that is where the key lies. Also, being very smart. Sometimes wrist-spinners can get away by being a little simple. They have to just bowl length, turn the ball both ways, and go. As finger-spinners, you have to understand the game, what the batsman is trying to do, what to do and what not to do. That becomes crucial, but still trying to spin the ball. Luckily, I have had coaches who always emphasised that and not just darting it in. I have been working with Ram Kumar for seven or eight years, and even with Aashish Kapoor in Gujarat Titans. Thankfully, I have had good mentors. You tried bowling the carrom ball this year. How did it come about? It is something which I consciously worked on because you can't just sit back. When you miss a lot of games, then naturally you want to develop. I don't have this. I will work on it. That thought was definitely [there] and could have been the seed for it. So, I worked on my carrom ball for the last two to three years. I started bowling it in the Deodhar Trophy two years ago. From there on, it has evolved so much. I didn't want to overuse it and make it a very mainstream thing. I have trust in my left-arm spin. So, whenever the situation arises, I will deliver. You have to keep evolving along with your basics. I feel the perfect left-arm spinner hasn't been formed yet, and I am working towards it. ALSO READ | The curious case of Kuldeep Yadav What is your idea of the perfect left-arm spinner? You should be able to bowl orthodox well. You should be able to dip the ball well. At the same time, also bowl defensively. Then you have the carrom, googly. What I am saying is probably a bit too much, but I want to keep it for myself so that I have something to look forward to. How do you assess your bowling, and what is your process for improving? Of late, I have stopped a lot [of looking at data]. I switch off my mind. If I have a skill, I want to extract it to the best. I am not diagnosing it or dissecting it. Ram is always very critical. It's difficult to get a 'well bowled' from him. I trust him and Aashish Kapoor. Sometimes, if I am drifting or falling apart, they tell me. They are very straightforward. They don't think about whether they are hurting me or not. Has captaincy helped you? It has helped me see the game from a larger perspective. Thinking not just as a bowler but also what a batsman does and thinking in terms of team dynamics. I have been grateful that when I started leading, we [Tamil Nadu] have done well in the last few years, and players are doing well. I wouldn't say it is [because of me]. I spoke to other captains and former cricketers. W.V. Raman sir helped a lot. He gave his inputs on how to keep the team together and what not to do. I interacted with him a lot during the 2023-24 season. India has quality left-arm spinners in Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel. And last year, Harsh Dubey did exceedingly well with bat and ball. How do you see the competition for spots? We are filled with talent. I am just trying to make my garden beautiful. If the flowers are beautiful, there will be bees here. If the garden is not beautiful, bees won't come. My philosophy is very simple. I just want to keep my garden very beautiful, very attractive. Automatically, what has to come will come. I trust the timing of the universe. When it comes, it will flow. You have to wait for it. I just want to make sure I am ready with all the skill-sets. If I go there, I don't want to turn back and say, 'No, I have to work on this'. I have got some learnings from IPL. I am just working on it here in TNPL. I think the best delivery I can have is patience.
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
LMC drafts women-only tender to revive 72 pink toilets
After years of lying locked and neglected, 72 pink toilets across Lucknow are set for revival under a fresh plan by the Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC), which aims to entrust their operation and maintenance to individual women entrepreneurs, confirmed LMC environmental engineer Sanjeev Pradhan on Monday. A key clause will make it mandatory for the operator to keep the toilet open, functional, and clean at all times. (Mushtaq Ali/HT Photo) 'These toilets were built under the Safe City Project, for women's safety and convenience, but most were shut down within months after being handed to NGOs and private agencies without any financial model,' Pradhan said. As part of the new plan, each pink toilet will be clubbed with a 36-square-foot shop and advertising space. The units will be tendered exclusively to women applicants. While the public will be allowed to use the toilets for free, the selected operators will be allowed to earn through the shop and display ads on the premises. A key clause will make it mandatory for the operator to keep the toilet open, functional, and clean at all times. A visit by Hindustan Times on Monday found multiple pink toilets, especially near Vrindavan Yojna, Shaheed Path, and PGI Hospital, locked or non-functional. Some were constructed inside public parks but were inaccessible due to poor maintenance and a lack of accountability. The issue has been a persistent concern for women commuters, daily wagers, and street vendors. 'We often struggle to find a functional toilet while working long hours in market areas. These locked pink toilets have been of no use to us,' Sunita Devi, a vegetable vendor in Alambagh, said. According to officials, the proposal is in its final stage and will soon be tabled for approval before the tenders are floated.
The Hindu
02-06-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
It is important for us to stay in the present: Rajat Patidar
Royal Challengers Bengaluru fans are a patient and loyal lot. Seventeen IPL editions have gone without the ultimate prize, but the support base has remained hopeful and enthusiastic. Expectations are high as RCB hopes to break the jinx on Tuesday, even if skipper Rajat Patidar strived to keep a calm demeanour. 'No one can deny the expectations, but it is important for us to stay in the present. I always look at what is in my hands, and what we can control,' Patidar said in the captain's press conference here on Monday. If RCB can scale the peak, Virat Kohli's already impressive resume will be complete. Patidar, in his first season as RCB captain, refrained from focussing too much on the superstar. 'He has given a lot of years to RCB, and the international side too. We will try to do our best in the game,' Patidar said. A large number of RCB fans are expected to turn up at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Tuesday — a sight that will please the popular team. 'Wherever we go, the crowd makes us feel like we are playing in a home ground. Our fans have shown support and love to the players. Keep supporting us, and we will all win,' Patidar said. With PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer sitting beside him, Patidar was reminded of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final held in Bengaluru in December. Shreyas and Patidar were leading Mumbai and Madhya Pradesh respectively, in a game where Mumbai won by five wickets. Similarities there may be, but not so the weight of the occasion. 'I saw Shreyas in the morning, and said to him that this feels similar to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final. The difference is that this is the IPL final, and that was the Mushtaq Ali final,' Patidar laughed and said, indicating that the stakes have been raised.
Hindustan Times
07-05-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Gomti's revival drifts off course as Dist Ganga Committee meets after two months
Amid the search for concrete steps to improve the Gomti's deteriorating health, the District Ganga Committee (DGC) meeting held here on Tuesday turned out to be a big disappointment. The committee met after a gap of two months. (Mushtaq Ali/HT) Contrary to the expectations, the meeting, chaired by chief development officer (CDO) Ajay Jain in the absence of the Lucknow district magistrate, failed to come up with any effective plan to curb the flow of around 280 MLD (million litres per day) of untreated sewage into the river. Its focus was rather on planning new gateways and pathways in the name of beautification. Faecal coliform in the river, at Kudiaghat in the state capital, is 40,000 MPN (most probable number)/100ml against the maximum permissible limit of 2,500 MPN/100ml, according to the latest data available with experts. At Nishatganj bridge and Pipraghat, it was 49,000 and 79,000 MPN/100ml in March. Despite the high pollution levels, the committee, on Tuesday, confined itself to discussions only on the construction of gateways and a mandap on the Gomti. There was no dialogue even on deteriorating dissolved oxygen (DO) levels—a key marker for aquatic life—which drops from 10.7 mg/L at Manjhighat to just 2.9 mg/L at Kudiaghat, and then to a deadly 1.6 mg/L at Pipraghat. Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), which is an indicator for organic pollution, rises from 3.10 at Manjhighat to 8.20 at Kudiaghat and peaks to 12 at Pipraghat — levels far beyond safe limits for human use. Flows 960 km through 16 dists In 2014, when the Central government set up the Namami Gange Programme a sum of ₹ 20,000 crore was sanctioned for the rejuvenation and conservation of the Ganga. Also called National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), its state units are headed by chief secretaries of the respective states. At the district level, the programme's implementation is done by District Ganga Committees that are headed by district magistrates with DFOs as their member secretary. The Gomti also comes under the scope of the programme since it is a major tributary of the Ganga. It originates from Madhotanda in Puranpur block of Pilibhit and meets the Ganga at Kaithi Ghat in Ghazipur. It covers a distance of 960 km and passes through 16 districts. DGC planning Gomti Aarti, beautification When concrete mechanisms to conserve and preserve the Gomti did not evoke the desired results, the district committee, in its meeting held on Tuesday, looked beyond sewage treatment plant (STPs) and discussed appealing to the religious sentiments of people when they ask them to keep the Gomti clean. CDO Ajay Jain was the nodal officer who chaired the meeting and divisional forest officer (DFO) Sitanshu Pandey, the member secretary, was among those present. Both officials did the icebreaking by briefing members about the formation of Gomti Task Force and how the district administration was always relentlessly working for the conservation of the river. During the meeting, the irrigation department was requested to find a particular location along the ghat where a grand gateway could be constructed and a mandap could be built for daily Gomti Aarti on the lines of the Ganga Aarti in Varanasi and Haridwar. For the construction of the gateway and 'aarti' mandap, four places were identified. They are: Kudiya Ghat, Ghaila Ghat, Laxman Mela Ground and another one near the G20 ghat. While the irrigation department has been tasked with identifying the area, PWD officials were asked to send the estimate regarding this, which would be sent to the State Mission for Clean Ganga for its approval and funding. Jaldoot and a member of the DGC NK Verma claimed that the idea of a gateway was proposed by him, and it was included in the minutes of the meeting. The DFO said a massive tree plantation would be taken up all along the river ghats and several departments would be allocated saplings. It was also discussed that Ganga village committee meeting halls would be constructed in places from where the Gomti flows so that locals willing to render their services to keep the river clean could hold their periodical meetings there. Meanwhile, the DFO said the Gomti Task Force was bound to play an important role in conserving the river and the district committee would help in spreading public awareness. The task force, a specialised unit by Indian army's territorial wing, has been formed under the aegis of Namami Gange with approval from the Union ministry of defence. Its objective is to rejuvenate and protect the Gomti. Its responsibilities are monitoring the pollution level in the river, spreading public awareness, patrolling the riverbanks and ghats so that no waste is littered on the river, stabilising riverbanks and to seek assistance during natural disasters.
