Latest news with #Rajat
Hindustan Times
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Jammu lad Rajat clinches India's first gold at Asia Cup Wushu Championship
Rajat Charak, 21, of Jammu's Bishnah, has scripted history by clinching first-ever gold medal for India at the elite Asia Cup Wushu Championship, held in China's Jilin from July 2 to 7. Rajat's landmark victory came in the final bout against a strong opponent from Kazakhstan. (HT) His landmark victory came in the final bout against a strong opponent from Kazakhstan. Charak was part of the 16-member Indian Wushu contingent. Dronacharya awardee and renowned Wushu player Kuldeep Handoo lauded the Indian Wushu team for their commendable performance, with special praise for Rajat. 'Rajat has immense potential. He has created history by winning gold at the Asia Cup Wushu Championship. I wish he brings us gold at the Olympics and World Championship too,' said Handoo. The Indian contingent delivered a stellar performance in China, winning three gold medals, three silver and five bronze medals. Charak, who serves Indian army, had previously won a silver medal in the 2024 Asian Championship in Macau, China, which qualified him for this elite continental event. On their return to India, the medal-winning athletes were given a rousing welcome at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport, hosted by the Wushu Association of India.
Time of India
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Rajat Dahiya on playing a lawyer in Ufff…Yeh Love Hai Mushkil; says ‘He doesn't just fight cases; he plays mind games'
Ufff…Yeh Love Hai Mushkil takes a darker and more thrilling turn with the entry of Vikram 'Vicky' Malhotra, played by Rajat Dahiya — a suave, dangerous lawyer whose courtroom style is less about arguments and more about psychological warfare. In an exclusive chat, Rajat opens up about what drew him to the role and how he prepared to step into Vikram's twisted mind. 'There was something oddly familiar about this character the moment I read the script,' Rajat shares. 'Being a lawyer, he exudes charm, wit, and psychological warfare – it's like stepping into a game of chess every time he walks into court. And I love a good game.' While Rajat is an engineer by degree, his upbringing gave him natural tools for the role. 'I didn't really have to work very hard on playing a lawyer. I've been raised by strong women, from my dadi to my mom. That calm and confidence comes naturally. For Vikram, I just added a little sharpness and control. He doesn't speak just to win — he speaks to throw people off.' Despite playing such a complex role, Rajat draws a clear line between himself and Vikram. 'I admire how fearless he is, but I don't relate to how far he'll go for revenge. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Is it legal? How to get Internet without paying a subscription? Techno Mag Learn More Undo He'll burn everything to get back at one person. That's scary. For me, it's like clocking in and out of work. I know I'm not Vikram the moment I look in the mirror after pack-up.' Rajat's scenes opposite Shabir Ahluwalia are loaded with tension. 'The real tension is in the small things — a pause, a glance, a line said with extra sweetness. The history between Yug and Vikram creates natural drama. You don't need loud fights; you just need honesty in performance.' Their on-screen rivalry may be fierce, but off-screen, it's all love. 'With Shabir, it's like working with a real brother. No courtroom drama off-screen — just good vibes, chai, and lots of laughs. The entire cast is like a family.' One of Rajat's most memorable moments came right at the start. 'My first shot was wild. It was a new courtroom set, ten pages of dialogue, and this arrogant, layered character to play. I felt lost at first, but something clicked. I found Vikram in that moment.' As for how Vikram will complicate the central love story between Yug and Kairi, Rajat hints at major twists ahead. 'If Vikram finds even the smallest crack between them, he'll turn it into an earthquake. That's how he plays — calculated, sharp, and always looking to stir the pot.' With Rajat Dahiya's entry, Ufff…Yeh Love Hai Mushkil just got even more intense. As courtroom battles heat up and emotional games deepen, viewers can expect a thrilling rollercoaster of love, betrayal, and high-stakes drama.
India Today
30-06-2025
- Sport
- India Today
The Thunderblades story: How a former player is trying to revive Kolkata's table tennis scene
The Thunderblades story: How a former player is trying to revive Kolkata's table tennis sceneThe sound of two loud dhols echoed through EKA Arena in Ahmedabad every time the Kolkata Thunderblades won a point at the Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) league. Rajat Kumar and Ketan Jain, the owner duo of the franchise, led the celebrations with reverberating cheers from the stands. The small indoor stadium, with the capacity of 800 people, responded with equal energy, thumping, chanting, rallying behind the the turnout, you'd never guess that this was the franchise's debut season. Ankur Bhattacharjee, the local boy, the young sensation of the team, revelled in the chants, playing an exceptional first season. Thunderblades, while they finished just outside of the top 4, took a lot of positives from their maiden run. The team, through the Ultimate Table Tennis competition, at least gave something back to Kolkata, a city that loved the sport dearly through the 2000s and this story isn't about Ankur. This is about someone who could've been Ankur, had life panned out Kumar, the part owner of Kolkata Thunderblades, was a former national-level table tennis player. Rajat, who now owns his own company, MVikas Group, told India Today in an exclusive interview about how he loved the sport, was forced to walk away from it, and then returned after a long hiatus of 15 played table tennis along with Ketan since 1995. Both of us have represented Delhi at the national level,' Rajat told India Today in an exclusive conversation. 'We always had that connection with the sport. That's what motivated us to get back in, first as sponsors for U Mumba, and now as team owners.'Their entry was part chance, part destiny. When Puneri Paltan backed out of UTT this year, Rajat and Ketan pounced on the opportunity. They bought the new franchise. And the Thunderblades were OF KOLKATA THUNDERBLADESAt the time that Rajat played table tennis, there was no way to sustain one's livelihood just through the sport, bar the elite players, of course. So, once he saw that the road was coming to an end, Rajat got into the academic side and completed his CA degree."There were not many opportunities at that time. You could open an academy, you could trade in equipment, but nothing more than that. Today, you have foreign and national leagues. Both my parents were from government service, so for me, simply playing TT was not an option," Rajat Rajat's practice flourished, he got into other things. He called back his brother who was working at Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) and started their own firm, dealing in industrial products and government despite the success that his CA career and entrepreneurship brought, table tennis stayed at the back of his the opportunity arrived, Rajat got together with Ketan and bought the new franchise in UTT. In business terms, it made little sense. As per his own admission, they are not going to make any money out of this team in the next 10 years."Me and Ketan, we balance out each other. I bring the calm, he brings the dhols. I sit and bite my nails, he cheers the team, shouts loudly. This aspect has worked in building this team as well," Rajat there's no illusion here. Rajat knows this isn't a money-making venture, at least not yet.'I don't think I'll see a return for 7–10 years,' he said bluntly. 'But if we get an Olympic medal? That changes everything. Look at what happens in India when you win a medal. The government wakes up, sponsors come in, everyone wants to be associated.'He's got an eye on India's rising core: Diya Chitale, Manav Thakkar, and Manush Shah, who are ready to support the already established stars, Manika Batra and Sathiyan this group peaks at the right time, Rajat believes they can push India onto the Olympic podium.'And if that happens,' he said, 'we're good to go.'Still, he's aware of the risk.'Yes, we are losing money,' he admitted. 'But we'll accept that loss if it means the sport is growing. It's worth it.'UTT'S UNIQUE MODELRajat reveals that he was also drawn towards UTT because of the unique model that it follows. UTT, which is a franchise tournament like the IPL, doesn't follow the IPL model to the letter. Though teams, auctions, and city branding exist, the model is centralised. Players are contracted by the league and not by individual franchises. The auctions are more symbolic, done with tokens, not money, to maintain excitement while the league handles logistics and salaries.'The best part?' Rajat said. 'We don't have to worry about the operational side. That allows us to focus on building a team culture, a brand, and fan engagement.'This model, according to Rajat, is what's kept UTT alive through six seasons, when leagues in badminton, tennis, and even kabaddi have faltered or BACK TO KOLKATAFor Rajat, owning a table tennis team was never going to be just about the had to be about giving back. Especially to the city of was a table tennis stronghold in the 2000s. The sport thrived in schools, clubs, and para-athletic meets. But slowly, it faded from what the Thunderblades are trying to and his team want to start outreach programs. They want to organise small tournaments across West Bengal. The idea is to identify talent, help them get drafted into UTT, and eventually support their journey into the professional circuit.'If we can sponsor a few kids at 13 or 14, give them what we didn't have, that's a win,' Rajat FACE OF THE CITYFor now, Ankur Bhattacharjee is their in the top 100 in the world, Ankur is expected to break into the top 50 by the end of the year. He plays with flair, backed by a city desperate for a sporting identity beyond football and cricket.'This year, we've got Ankur in our team. He's only 19 and already the third-best player in India,' Rajat said. 'In 4–5 years, you'll hear his name everywhere.'advertisementBUILDING THE EXPERIENCEThe owners of the team also want to better the viewing experience for fans in whatever tournaments they are organising. At the UTT, they arranged for food packets and juices for all the fans who came to watch Kolkata's matches. This is an initiative that they have taken out of their own pockets, and they plan to keep doing that to attract crowds to the stadiums.'If fans are coming to support your team, you take care of them. Give them a memory,' Rajat said. 'You watch these games at dinner time, people come from far. You want them to feel like they were part of something.'He knows this is rare. Even in cricket and football, fans often get ignored.'I think we'll connect with local academies too. But this kind of outreach, it needs to be done centrally. One owner can't do everything.'BEYOND UTTThe Thunderblades don't want to disappear once the UTT season says the goal is to build a year-round presence, connect with state associations, sponsor tournaments, partner with local coaches. And most importantly, identify kids who can't afford to play but have the talent.'The kids we find can interact with our team, sit with them, learn from them. That kind of exposure changes your mindset,' Rajat said. 'I want Kolkata to grow. I want TT to be great in this city again.'And if one of those kids becomes the next Ankur Bhattacharjee?Then maybe, just maybe, the long bet will pay off.- Ends
Time of India
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Chariot of tradition: Lord Jagannath's Rath Yatra on June 27 in Prayagraj; deities to be dressed in Rajasthani attire
PRAYAGRAJ: With barely four days left for Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra, the members of Shri Jagannath Ji Mahotsav Samiti Trust, are busy finalising all the arrangements for this festival. The Rath Yatra will be taken out in the city on June 27. The organisers and devotees are busy giving final touches to the chariot on which idols of Lord Balabhadra, Lord Jagannath, and Devi Subhadra will be placed for the yatra. Convenor of the yatra Rajesh Kesarwani told TOI that, "Lord Jagannath will be dressed in an attractive Rajasthani attire and Vrindavan's Rajat crown and the yatra will be taken out from Zero Road at Arya Bhawan. Lord Jagannath will appear in Shyam Varna Brahamand Swaroop among devotees." The main chariot is 18 ft high, 16 ft long, and 12 ft wide. Kesarwani further added, "Tableux displaying forms of deities including Lord Ganesh, Garun Maharaj, Lord Hanuman, Sapta Rishi, Paanch Pandav, Devraj Indra, Lord Vishnu on Sheshnaag and showing Ujjain Mahakal Bhasm Arti, Vrindavan Maharas, Krishna-Sudama, Radha Krishna, Sitaram Ayodhya, and Kashi Mradang, along with bands of Prayagraj and Saharanpur, will be taken out with the yatra and all the deities will be dressed in traditional Rajasthani dresses. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Memperdagangkan CFD Emas dengan salah satu spread terendah? IC Markets Mendaftar Undo " The rath, popularly known as Nandi Ghosh Rath, will have 16 wheels, a Trailokyamohini flag, and four horses: Shankha, Balahaka, Suweta, and Haridashwa. Devotees will pull the rath by Basuki nose rope. The maha arti of Lord Jagannath will be performed with flowers, anna, water, fruit, conch, damru, and deepak.
Time of India
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Rath Yatra on June 27, deities to be dressed in Rajasthani attire
1 2 Prayagraj: With barely four days left for Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra, the members of Shri Jagannath Ji Mahotsav Samiti Trust, are busy finalising all the arrangements for this festival. The Rath Yatra will be taken out in the city on June 27. The organisers and devotees are busy giving final touches to the chariot on which idols of Lord Balabhadra, Lord Jagannath, and Devi Subhadra will be placed for the yatra. Convenor of the yatra Rajesh Kesarwani told TOI that, "Lord Jagannath will be dressed in an attractive Rajasthani attire and Vrindavan's Rajat crown and the yatra will be taken out from Zero Road at Arya Bhawan. Lord Jagannath will appear in Shyam Varna Brahamand Swaroop among devotees. " The main chariot is 18 ft high, 16 ft long, and 12 ft wide. Kesarwani further added, "Tableux displaying forms of deities including Lord Ganesh, Garun Maharaj, Lord Hanuman, Sapta Rishi, Paanch Pandav, Devraj Indra, Lord Vishnu on Sheshnaag and showing Ujjain Mahakal Bhasm Arti, Vrindavan Maharas, Krishna-Sudama, Radha Krishna, Sitaram Ayodhya, and Kashi Mradang, along with bands of Prayagraj and Saharanpur, will be taken out with the yatra and all the deities will be dressed in traditional Rajasthani dresses. " The rath, popularly known as Nandi Ghosh Rath, will have 16 wheels, a Trailokyamohini flag, and four horses: Shankha, Balahaka, Suweta, and Haridashwa. Devotees will pull the rath by Basuki nose rope. The maha arti of Lord Jagannath will be performed with flowers, anna, water, fruit, conch, damru, and deepak.
