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Indian Express
6 days ago
- Sport
- Indian Express
Sports ministry wants to revamp Association of Indian Universities after introduction of National Sports Governance Bill
Association of Indian Universities (AIU), the body responsible for university-level sport in the country, has come under the scanner of the Sports Ministry following allegations of 'mismanagement and incompetence' at the ongoing World University Games in Germany. The Ministry wants to revamp the organisation after introduction of the National Sports Governance Bill in Parliament on Wednesday. The bronze-winning Indian badminton squad at the ongoing Games in Rhine-Ruhr, Germany, found itself in controversy when it came to light that six of the 12 chosen players were barred from participating after Indian officials failed to submit all names correctly during the managers' meeting on July 16. 'It is clear that the body is unable to manage University sports. University sports is our best bet to create world-class athletes and still there are so many gaps leading to mismanagement,' a sports ministry source said. 'A revamp is needed and the solution is to have a proper functioning federation instead of nodal bodies to operate University sports,' the source added. While AIU and Sports Games Federation of India (SGFI) are not counted as National Sports Federations (NSFs), they remain the representative bodies for events like World University Games conducted by International University Sports Federation. Apart from the badminton gaffe, athletics also suffered as names were removed from the start list at the last moment. Quarter-miler Devyaniba Zala took to Instagram to point out that her name went missing from the start list at the last moment. 'I was told that I will run in 400m and Relays when they selected me for the University Games. However, my name was not present in the start list for the 400m due to the causal approach,' Zala told The Indian Express over a phone call. 'I was in good shape to run my personal best and have been preparing for this event for a long time,' she added. Similar to Zala, Federation Cup silver medalist Seema couldn't compete in the 10,000m event as her name was missing too from the entry list. Fined for Jersey Infringement Adding to the selection blunders, AIU was also fined 1000 euros for flouting the jersey regulations in badminton. As per the BWF rules, the last name, as recorded in the BWF database, and if desired, the initials of first name can be printed on the back of a jersey. The same rule was followed at the 2025 World University Games. However, in a violation of the rule, the Indian jerseys had full names of the players printed on the back. 'This is gross negligence and ignorance,' a player said on the condition of anonymity. The efforts to reach AIU officials via phone and text went unanswered.
Time of India
21-07-2025
- Time of India
Suspended cop among three arrested for kidnapping businessman
Rajkot: A suspended policeman was among three people arrested for alleged involvement in the kidnapping of an angadiya (courier) firm, with the plot being orchestrated by a history-sheeter in Kutch. On July 16, four people came in two cars and kidnapped the businessman Ketan Kakrecha near his office in Gandhidham town. However, they abandoned the car near Samakhiyali, some 55 km away, after police barricaded the roads. Kakrecha was rescued unscathed around 4 pm. Investigation revealed that the kidnapping for ransom was plotted by Hitendrasinh Zala alias Hitu, a history-sheeter with 23 offences registered against him. Zala, who roped in other history-sheeters from Rajasthan along with Kiritsinh, planned to take Kakrecha to Morbi and demand ransom from his family. The Kutch East police first nabbed Zala's bodyguard Pawan Baror, a resident of Sri Ganganagar in Rajasthan, on the same day of the incident. Baror's interrogation led police to uncover a wider plot involving Tushant alias Suraj alias Tiger, another bodyguard of Zala, Shravansinh Sodha, Akash Rajput, Ajay, Bhaiyaji, along with Zala and his associate Mayur. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Many Are Watching Tariffs - Few Are Watching What Nvidia Just Launched Seeking Alpha Read More Undo Sources confirmed that Kiritsinh and mastermind Zala got acquainted during their incarceration in Bhuj jail. On Sunday, Kiritsinh and Mayur were caught. Zala, however, remains absconding. Zala mobilised his network through Tushant and brought in others with criminal backgrounds from Rajasthan to execute the plan. During interrogation, Kiritsinh revealed that he was approached directly by Zala to arrange food and shelter for the gang, said investigation officer MD Chaudhary. Zala has 13 cases filed against him, including abduction, attempted murder, and Arms Act violations. Sodha has 23 criminal cases against him in Rajasthan, mostly involving theft and robbery, while Akash Rajput was booked in six offences.
Indian Express
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Several panchayats declared ‘Samras' – won without contest – in Central Gujarat; BJP leaders felicitate winners
On the last day to withdraw nominations for the upcoming elections to gram panchayats across the state, several panchayats in Central Gujarat on Wednesday were declared 'Samras' — won without a formal election or contest. In Vadodara district, the entire panel of Por gram panchayat in Vadodara taluka as well as Vacchesar gram panchayat in Desar taluka were declared Samras while three gram panchayats in Padra taluka also headed the same way, heeding to the 'appeal' from BJP MLA Chaitanyasinh Zala, who had also announced an incentive of Rs 11 lakh from his MLA fund for villages opting for Samras means. Led by Sarpanch Sanjay Vasava, members of the Por gram panchayat, who were declared uncontested winners, celebrated the victory at Vadodara taluka panchayat on Wednesday. Additionally, two out of the 14 wards of Koyali gram panchayat were also declared uncontested winners. Desar Taluka's Vacchesar gram panchayat — a village with a prominently mixed neighbourhood — saw its body being declared uncontested winner on Wednesday, in a first such occurrence. In Padra taluka, three of 49 gram panchayats — Bamanwasi, Nedra and Tajpura — were declared 'samras' as the sarpanch candidate as well as ward candidates were declared uncontested winners. BJP's Zala felicitated the members of the three samras villages in Padra and also handed over the promised letter of Rs 11 lakh incentive. Zala said, 'I had appealed to villages to opt for Samras initiative and even announced that I would hand out a special grant from the MLA fund. Many gram panchayats had shown interest and we are glad that three gram panchayats of Bamanwasi, Nedra and Tajpura opted for the Samras way… I have felicitated the uncontested members and handed over the letter of Rs 11 lakh.' Zala said that Samras panchayats ensure 'no enmity' among villages. He said, 'Samras way of panchayats leads to a unity in the village as there is no ill-feeling or vengeance between villagers… I want to appeal to people, who are contesting the upcoming polls, that they have the right to contest elections but they should follow the law, and not harbour enmity with each other.' In Narmada district, 112 gram panchayats are going to polls out of 238 villages. As many as 765 nomination forms have been filed for 60 posts of sarpanches while 980 nominations have been filed for 532 ward seats. Puchpura, Jalodra and Vajeria gram panchayat of Tilakwada taluka were declared 'samras' as no contestants were found to have filled nominations for the wards. Leaders of the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) felicitated the 'uncontested' winners of Vajeria gram panchayat on Wednesday. In Panchmahal district, seven villages were declared 'Samras', including Navagam, Jodhpur, Hanselav, Bhotwa, and Sagrala. Three of the seven Samras gram panchayats were going to polls for the first time.
Time of India
02-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
NO MORE PANTING, ONLY PEDALLING
Rajkot: Before the Covid-19 pandemic, even climbing a few steps left them breathless — regular exercise was out of the question. But three years on, these same people are now pedalling across hundreds of kilometres, taking on cycling expeditions with stamina and enthusiasm like never before. Punita Virani, 51, a lecturer at Bhavsinhji Polytechnic Institute, pedals nearly 20 km daily as part of her regular routine. On Sundays, she ups the ante, covering 50 km to 70 km on cycling expeditions. Recently, she cycled nearly 100 km in a single day to the scenic union territory of Diu. Virani's fitness journey began during the Covid-19 pandemic. "I never got myself tested for Covid, but feared I caught the virus from my family members. Doctors noticed I was breathless even after climbing a few stairs and recommended I begin some physical activity," she recalled. Initially, she turned to yoga, but persistent knee pain made it difficult to continue. "That's when I started cycling. Not only did it ease my knee pain, but it soon became my passion," said Virani. Virani rides to and from college and actively encourages colleagues and friends to take up cycling for better health. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Banheiro escorregadio? Barra de apoio vira febre no Brasil Evite quedas e escorregões Saiba Mais Undo Much like Virani, 41-year-old Kalpeshsinh Zala also struggled with extreme fatigue after recovering from Covid-19. Even minimal physical activity left him exhausted. Doctors informed Zala, a campus officer at Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji Bhavnagar University, that the virus impacted his stamina and advised him to begin regular exercise. He took up sports and soon began cycling as part of his routine. "I started with just 10–15 km a day. Gradually, my lung capacity improved, the fatigue reduced, and before I knew it, I was cycling 30 km daily," said Zala. With renewed strength and growing confidence, Zala began undertaking long-distance expeditions — from Bhavnagar to Diu and Lathi in Amreli, and even a 350-km ride from Diu to Okha. He is now aiming to cycle across Gujarat's entire coastal highway from Bhavnagar to Narayan Sarovar in Kutch, spanning 650 km. "There was a time when I couldn't climb the staircase at my college. Recently, I completed the 10,000 steps of Mount Girnar in just four-and-a-half hours," he said with pride. To inspire others, Zala also founded a cycling club that now has over 100 active members, many of whom have made cycling a part of their lifestyle.
Time of India
08-05-2025
- Time of India
HC refuses to quash FIR against cop accused of facilitating bootlegging
Ahmedabad: The Gujarat high court has refused to quash an FIR against a cop implicated in a case of bootlegging in Vadodara district. The officer faces charges of facilitating bootleggers in transporting liquor across Gujarat. The case involves police constable Shaktisinh Zala , against whom sections of the Gujarat Prohibition Act were invoked in Padra police station in Feb 2018 after local police intercepted a truck carrying IMFL. Witnesses accused Zala of supporting bootlegging and said that he used a sim card and mobile registered in somebody else's name to facilitate the illegal activity. Zala moved the high court for the quashing of FIR and chargesheet against him, claiming he was a victim of office politics. In March 2018, Vadodara police accused Zala of inciting bootleggers to attack police teams when they raided liquor dens or intercepted vehicles. This occurred particularly after an attack on police personnel in Ganpatpura village near Vadodara city. Operation Sindoor Operation Sindoor: Several airports in India closed - check full list Did Pak shoot down Indian jets? What MEA said India foils Pakistan's attack on Jammu airport: What we know so far In the high court, Zala sought the quashing of charges against him on the grounds that there was no evidence on record against him. However, the prosecution relied on four statements recorded under Section 164 of the CrPC before judicial magistrates, in which the witnesses implicated him. After hearing the case, the high court said that all those statements prima facie established that the petitioner was engaged in abetting other accused to commit the offence. It also appeared that the petitioner, being an officer in the police department, used a sim card and mobile number belonging to a third party obtained using the latter's documents to facilitate transportation of liquor within Gujarat. Regarding the correctness of witness statements, the high court said that it is a subject of a full-fledged trial. The court further stated, "This court finds no case to scuttle the proceedings on the grounds that there is insufficiency of evidence. Apart from other evidence on record, the statements of four witnesses recorded under Section 164 of the CrPC prima facie would put sufficient accusation upon the petitioner to send him to trial."
