Latest news with #Seidou
Indian Express
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘Delhi is a green city… Gulf countries have skyscrapers but no greenery': Niger Ambassador
Zada Seidou, Ambassador of the Republic of Niger in India, is not new to the country. He has been here for over a decade, posted as the Defense Attache before being appointed as his country's envoy. Compared to other countries and cities he has served in, he feels traffic in Delhi is better managed and adds that there is a lot of greenery. Some of his favorite places to visit in the Capital are parks, like Nehru Park, and his favourite food is biryani. He is an active duty officer of the Army. Seidou has served in different positions, from the field to headquarters, before being assigned to the Embassy. He graduated from prestigious military centres: Royal Military Academy of Morocco, Fort Benning USA, Staff College in France, Defence College in Italy, as well as Universities La Sapienza and Luiss Guido Carli. He speaks to The Indian Express as part of a series of interviews with diplomats about Delhi — their home. Excerpts: How long have you been in Delhi? What is the one place in the city that you love to visit often? Before I reply to your question, I have to mention that I have been here for almost 12 years, not in the position of Ambassador, but as a Defense Attache. I have recently been appointed as Ambassador. So in Delhi, I really like Nehru Park, India Gate and Sarojini Market. Three things that have stood out during your stay? First, the time I arrived coincided with Prime Minister Modi also assuming office. This was a very good and important coincidence for me. Second, I witnessed a lot of events. Mostly, celebrations of national days like the Republic Day and Independence Day. I love that Delhi has so many events for ambassadors. The third thing that stood out to me was the fact that I witnessed multiple earthquakes. They were not very strong and didn't affect many people, but I remember observing a little shaking and then hearing it all over the news. How is Delhi different from other major capitals or cities you have served in? The traffic… how well it is managed, without any stress. Also, Delhi is a green city. There is greenery all around, which makes it stand out. To give you an example, Gulf countries are well developed with skyscrapers, but there's no greenery. Does pollution in Delhi bother you? How do you and your family deal with it? I have been here for a long time and have experienced peak pollution during the Diwali season. I constantly see the state of pollution in October, November and December… but I'm not really worried about it because I don't expose myself (to it) much. I'm usually between home and office, using the air purifier, wearing a mask. Even when I'm outside for my regular work or on foot, I wear a mask, so I'm not affected… but I know that it's a major concern. What food did you like here? Of course, India is, I mean, famous for the biryani, so I like the biryani… in my country, too, the main meal is based on rice. So, here in Delhi, I order from my Punjab Grill or Barbecue Nation. Is there anything that you would suggest Delhi's administrators work on to make this city a better place? Yes, the cleanliness… I know they are doing it in a lot of places. Some are very clean, but some also need a lot of attention, which is what I have observed. If you have to introduce Delhi back home, what will you tell them? I will tell the people about the traffic… the roads are really crowded but very well managed. I'm surprised at the understanding between people. In other cities, people really come to a disagreement if there's a lot of traffic. I'm surprised at how people just come to an understanding while driving so peacefully. Memories, encounters or meetings that happened while you were in Delhi, which you think will stay with you always? As the ambassador, meeting the Indian President and presenting my credentials to her was a very important encounter for me. Second, meeting the Prime Minister as the Defense Attache after Republic Day was a memory I'll never forget. I've also met Pranab Mukherjee, the former President. Meeting a lot of Indian dignitaries during the Defense Expo is also something that will stay with me. Is there anything that you or your family would miss once you say goodbye to this city? The environment of Delhi. I will miss how green Delhi is. All these trees are well-maintained and preserved. Some of my favorite places to visit in the Capital are parks, like Nehru Park, and so on.
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Ace of Diamond: The Baseball anime that will make you love the game
Ace of Diamond: The Baseball anime that will make you love the game Credit- Fandom Typically, sports anime lean hard into the flash of the moves, or the extreme drama of the plot. Ace of Diamond (Japanese title: Diamond no Ace) is on a whole other level. This mostly unseen baseball anime delivers top tier sports action, high stakes team chemistry, and emotional character development — all at once. Even if you've never seen a sports anime, Ace of Diamond is one of the best starting points there is. Whether you're a lifelong fan or don't have a grasp of baseball's rules yet, this show turns every single pitch into a World Series moment. With one of the most compelling rosters of characters, emotional rivalries, and perhaps the best underdog protagonist we've ever seen in an anime, this series truly deserves so much more attention in the West. What is Ace of Diamond about? Ace of Diamond centers around Eijun Sawamura , a hot-headed high school flame-thrower with an unorthodox delivery. After losing an out-of-state, critical middle school playoff game, he promises his coach and his team that if they all work hard, they will come back and win it all next year. His raw talent does get the attention of a scout from Seidou High , one of Tokyo's prestigious powerhouse baseball academies. At Seidou, Eijun is greeted by a much higher caliber of players, and almost immediately, he's made aware that he's not the ace anymore. He still has to earn his place on the team, grow beyond his own ego, and discover what it really means to work as part of a team. Along his journey, he encounters rivals, coaches, and friends that mold him into a stronger player and leader. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025 Top Trending local enterprise accounting software [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo Unlike a lot of anime, Ace of Diamond plays it straight with the actual rules of baseball and it does wonders to make each inning feel real and high stakes. A sports anime that actually teaches you the game Unlike shows such as Kuroko's Basketball or Haikyuu!! While shows like Haikyuu!! add a supernatural flair to the sport, Ace of Diamond gets a little more realistic with it. It demystifies actual techniques, styles of pitching, strategy and the mental rigors of being on the field. So even if you've never seen a baseball game in your life, this anime not only teaches you how the sport works, it gets you invested. Soon you'll catch yourself pulling for a long string of leather-limousine fastballs, an infield suicide squeeze, or a crucial ninth inning whiff. For enthusiasts in the US and UK, where baseball's deep roots have long been established, this sports anime provides a novel and heartwarming avenue to rediscover the game. Why Eijun Sawamura is the underdog you'll love As far as genius heroes go, Eijun isn't the typical type. He lacks a signature pitch and world-class control. Truth be told, he's a renegade, he's obnoxious, and he's frequently wrong. It's his passion and never-give-up attitude that endear him to everyone and make him one of the most lovable underdogs in all anime. You'll watch him mature through agonizing defeats, brutal workouts, and unrelenting scrutiny. Unlike most anime main characters who are infallible and unbeatable, it takes a lot for Eijun to win anything. That's why when he finally gets his moment to shine… hoo boy, that one plays even harder. His inspiration from benchwarmer to serious contender is anything but steady and that's what makes him so lovable. The rivalries that drive the story One of the most fun aspects of Ace of Diamond is the competitive spirit between players. It's not just Eijun vs. the world — it's Eijun vs. his own teammates, most prominently Furuya, a stoic pitcher with a literal killer fastball. Their struggle for the title of 'Ace' is deeply personal, high stakes, and serves to make up a core thread of the series. Beyond Seidou, rival teams like Inashiro and Yakushi introduce their share of memorable players, often diverse in talents, gameplan, and drive. These aren't just games — they're high stakes battles of will, experience, and pride. Seasons, manga, and where to watch The Ace of Diamond anime has two main seasons: Ace of Diamond (Season 1): 75 episodes Ace of Diamond: Second Season: 51 episodes Ace of Diamond Act II: 52 episodes (continues the story with new characters and challenges) You can stream the anime on Crunchyroll and HIDIVE in the US and UK. The manga is written by Yuji Terajima and published by Kodansha, with English versions available through Kodansha USA. Why Ace of Diamond is still worth watching in 2025 Even though it doesn't get as much hype as Haikyuu!! or Blue Lock, Ace of Diamond remains one of the most realistic, exciting, and inspiring sports anime ever made. It teaches real lessons about failure, teamwork, and never giving up — both on and off the field. Whether you're a long-time anime fan or just someone who loves a good underdog story , Ace of Diamond deserves a spot on your watchlist. If you've been looking for an anime with strong characters, high-stakes games, and powerful emotional moments, Ace of Diamond has everything you need. It might not have supernatural powers or flashy visuals, but it wins where it counts — in the heart. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
