Latest news with #VVS
NDTV
22-06-2025
- Sport
- NDTV
'VVS Laxman Didn't Speak To Me': Sourav Ganguly Lifts Lid On Infamous Incident
Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has made a massive revelation while recalling an incident from 2003. Ganguly revealed that former teammate VVS Laxman did not speak to him for three months after he dropped him from the 2003 ODI World Cup squad, only to replace him with Dinesh Mongia. Last year, the then selection committee chief Kiran More had revealed that all five selectors wanted to pick Laxman in the squad, but Ganguly and head coach John Wright had other plans. "Before the 2003 ODI World Cup selection meeting, we had a huge argument when the Indian team was playing in New Zealand. As per the inputs received from the captain and the coach, we selected a 14-member squad and asked them what they thought of it. Over the conference call, Ganguly had a different opinion. We had selected VVS Laxman as our middle-order batter. Ganguly was very smart. He was a brilliant captain, a person with a great cricketing brain. He said 'we need an all-rounder'," More told former Pakistan captain Rashit Latif on his YouTube channel. Despite playing 86 ODIs and scoring more than 2,300 runs, Laxman never got the chance to play in a World Cup match. During a recent interaction, Ganguly recalled that Laxman was completely heartbroken after he left him out of the squad. The 50-year-old didn't not speak to him for three months until he made up with him. "It has happened many times when we rested players. They were unhappy. Laxman being left out of the World never spoke to me for three months. Then I made up with him. Anybody would get a World Cup. Especially a player of Laxman's calibre. Quite natural that he would get upset," Ganguly told PTI. Laxman made a stunning comeback on his return to the ODI setup after the World Cup in South Africa, where India lost to Australia in the final. "After we finished the World Cup, he was happy that we did well. When we came back, he returned to the ODI system. He played an outstanding series in Pakistan and Australia. We won in Pakistan for the first time ever, and VVS was very instrumental. They knew at the back of their mind that it was never personal," he added.
India Gazette
19-06-2025
- Sport
- India Gazette
Rohit, Virat, Ashwin retirements mark start of transition for Indian Test team, says Sachin Tendulkar
Leeds [UK], June 19 (ANI): As India prepares to face England in the high-stakes Test series starting June 20, the shock retirement announcements of stalwarts Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravichandran Ashwin have sparked widespread debate. While fans mourn the end of an era, legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar offered a grounded perspective, emphasising the natural progression of generational shifts in Indian cricket. Tendulkar, speaking on the development, acknowledged the emotional void left by the trio but maintained that the process of transition is nothing new to Indian cricket. 'We are going through a transitional phase in the Indian team. There are young faces, and some of the senior players are still around to guide them and this churning process will continue for years to come. It has been going on for decades,' he said. Drawing from personal experience, the Master Blaster recalled how similar changes have occurred in the past, when his own generation passed the baton. 'At some stage, the players have to retire, and at some stage, the new faces replace them, and they start their journey. Even when we were playing, be it Sehwag (Virender), Ganguly (Sourav), Dravid (Rahul), Laxman (VVS), myself, Anil Kumble, Yuvraj (Singh), or Dhoni (MS), at some stage, we all retired and the next generation took over,' Tendulkar added. 'So, it will continue, this process and I have no doubt that the new generation is talented,' he noted. Tendulkar also expressed confidence in the talent pool available in India, calling for patience and faith in the newcomers. 'As far as skill is concerned, in our country there are so many skilful players. I hope they make the most of the opportunity given to them,' he added. Reflecting on the retirements of Kohli, Rohit, and Ashwin, Sachin was clear-eyed but appreciative. 'So, that process, what you said about Virat and Rohit and I'll add another name to that, Ashwin has also retired. These three retirements, I mean, that will go on. Their contribution will always be appreciated,' he noted. India tour of England will take place from June 20 to August 4, 2025, with matches to be played at Headingley (Leeds), Edgbaston (Birmingham), Lord's (London), Old Trafford (Manchester), and The Oval (London). A new era beckons for India in the Test format as the modern-day giants gear up for their first assignment without the prized batting bigwigs Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Shubman Gill, India's youngest Test captain, has taken the baton from Rohit to guide the nation to success and challenge for the World Test Championship mace. India's squad: Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana. England Playing XI for the 1st Test against India: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (C), Jamie Smith (WK), Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue, Shoaib Bashir. (ANI)
The Hindu
03-06-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Indian team announced for the International Junior Science Olympiad 2025, Russia
The Indian team for the 2025 International Junior Science Olympiad (IJSO), to be held in Sochi, Russia, has been officially announced. The announcement was made following the Orientation-cum-Selection Camp (OCSC) held from May 15 to 30, 2025, at the Talent Development Centre (TDC) of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Challakere. The following students will represent India: Aadish Jain, Mahendragarh Public School, Haryana; Anmol Kumar, Manu Vatika School, Punjab; Asmi Inamdar, KVIIT Powai, Maharashtra; Ruhan Mohanty, DAV Public School, Odisha; Sai Sharavan Mavalla, Narayana Co. School, Telangana; S.V. Tejas, Surajkund International School, Tamil Nadu. The team will be accompanied by three leaders, Dr. Shirish Pathare, HBCSE, Mumbai; Prof. Vedavyasa, retired Professor from St .Joseph's College Bengaluru; and Dr. Aravinda S, TDC, IISc, Challakere. Dr. Geetha R.S., retired professor from Vijaya College, Bengaluru, will serve as the scientific observer. The students were selected based on their performance in rigorous written and practical tests in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. The exams are uniquely designed to test students' conceptual understanding, application of knowledge, and critical thinking in science. The team was declared at the valedictory function for the camp on May 31, 2025, at Vidyavardhaka Sangha (VVS), Rajajinagar, Bengaluru. Prof. L S Shashidhara, Director, NCBS, was the Chief Guest of the program, and Prof. Subba Reddy, Chief Research Scientist, IISc, and Convener, Talent Development Centre (TDC), IISc, Challakere, was the special guest. The camp was organised by the Indian Association of Physics Teachers (IAPT) Junior Science Olympiad cell in collaboration with VVS. The VVS Chairperson and the IAPT president presided over the function. In 2024, the Indian team performed outstandingly at IJSO 2024 in Romania, with all six students bagging a gold medal each. The team also won the country winner trophy.
Korea Herald
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
American-produced K-pop group VVS releases debut EP 'D.I.M.M.,' channeling Houston hip-hop roots
Debut EP showcases girl group's genre-blending sound and global ambitions, led by longtime K-pop songwriter Paul Thompson A new K-pop girl group formed in South Korea by American songwriter Paul Thompson, VVS made a bold entrance into the K-pop scene with the release of its debut EP 'D.I.M.M.' — short for 'Diamonds In My Mouth' — on Monday. The group is the first girl group produced by MZMC, a professional production and publishing company, and consists of five members: Brittney, Ilee, Rana, Jiu and Liwon. The group's rollout began on April 7 with the '5 C's Debut Trailer,' a 10-part cinematic teaser series introducing the group's concept and members. The videos featured stylized origin animations and action-driven visuals, with choreography directed by Koji Kawamoto, best known for his work on 'John Wick: Chapter 4.' The EP comprises eight tracks — an intro, interlude, outro, and five full-length songs — crafted to highlight the group's distinct identity and global ambition. Its title track 'D.I.M.M.' serves as both a mission statement and a tribute to hip-hop's roots, with lyrics tracing the group's rise from a small label. The production draws inspiration from Houston's late-1990s 'Chopped and Screwed' movement, featuring thunderous 808s, vocal chops, and multilingual rap verses that bridge cultures and generations. Although the group officially debuted April 22 with the powerful single 'Tea,' the full release of "D.I.M.M.' marks its first cohesive body of work. Thompson, who has worked in the K-pop industry in South Korea for over 12 years, envisioned VVS as a genre-blending act that combines raw hip-hop energy with polished R&B aesthetics, tailored for the global stage. Performance plays a central role in VVS's appeal. The choreography for 'D.I.M.M.' was led by Vata and Simeez of Korean dance crew We Dem Boyz, while choreographers Kim In-gyoo and Song Hee-soo created the routine for 'Purrfect.' The music video for 'Tea' has garnered more than 1.8 million views on YouTube since its April release. The single was paired with the B-side 'Fact$,' which further showcased the group's charisma through a dance practice video that quickly topped 100,000 views on the platform. On May 9, VVS followed up with 'Purrfect,' a rapid-fire hip-hop track inspired by the video game Street Fighter. Co-written by Billboard Hot 100 artist Lay Bankz, the song's music video has already surpassed 600,000 views, signaling the group's rising global momentum.
Russia Today
10-05-2025
- General
- Russia Today
Red aces: Meet the Soviet pilots the Nazis feared most
In the smoke-filled skies of World War II, while Spitfires and Mustangs dominated the headlines, Soviet pilots were rewriting the rules of air combat on the Eastern Front. Their names might not be household ones in the West, but their heroics shaped the outcome of the war – and deserve to be remembered. The Soviet Air Force – known as the Voyenno-Vozdushnye Sily, or VVS – played a pivotal role on the Eastern Front during World War II. It helped secure air superiority and was instrumental in turning the tide of the war in the Allies' favor and ultimately defeating Nazi Germany. The VVS fielded a diverse fleet of aircraft: fast dogfighters, bombers, ground-attack planes, and dive bombers. At its peak in 1944, the USSR was producing over 40,000 aircraft a year. Soviet pilots flew everything from dive bombers and heavy ground-attack planes to nimble dogfighters, many of them produced domestically, others supplied through the Lend-Lease program. Aircraft like the Ilyushin Il-2 Shturmovik, nicknamed The Flying Tank, became icons of the Soviet war effort. The Lavochkin La-7 rivaled any German piston-engine fighter. Meanwhile, the VVS carried out deep interdiction strikes, protected ground operations, and played key roles in major battles – from the defense of Moscow to the turning point at Stalingrad. But behind the machinery were the pilots – young men and women who faced overwhelming odds and helped shift the balance of air power in Europe. A fighter ace is a military pilot credited with downing five or more enemy aircraft in aerial combat – a concept that took root during the latter part of World War I. In WWII, the number of kills varied dramatically depending on a pilot's skill, aircraft performance, mission opportunities, and whether they flew as leaders or wingmen. Germany produced more than 2,500 aces – far more than any other nation – due largely to the lopsided odds their pilots faced. With a smaller force taking on huge waves of Allied aircraft, German pilots flew far more combat sorties. An astounding 103 Luftwaffe pilots each scored over 100 kills. Two even surpassed 300. The highest-scoring fighter pilot in history, Erich Alfred Hartmann, tallied 352 confirmed kills flying the Messerschmitt Bf 109, which itself claimed the most aerial victories of any WWII aircraft. The United States recorded 1,297 aces, led by Richard Bong, who shot down 40 enemy planes. British pilots produced 753 aces; the top RAF scorer notched around 32 kills. The Soviet Union had 221 recognized aces, though many Soviet pilots racked up higher individual tallies than their Allied peers. The most successful Allied fighter pilot of the war was Ivan Nikitovich Kozhedub, with 62 confirmed aerial victories. Born on June 8, 1920, in the village of Obrazhiyivka (now in Ukraine), Ivan Kozhedub came from humble beginnings. Hungry and overworked as a child, he found inspiration in Soviet aviation heroes like Valery Chkalov, whose daring transpolar flights inspired the imagination of countless Soviet teens. Kozhedub joined a local flying club in 1938 and flew his first solo mission in 1939. When war broke out, he was training new pilots but was determined to see combat. In March 1943, now a senior sergeant, Kozhedub joined the 240th Fighter Aviation Regiment, one of the first units equipped with the new Lavochkin La-5. His combat debut came on March 26, when he tangled with two Bf 109s and managed to land safely despite severe damage. He quickly proved his mettle during the Battle of Kursk, shooting down multiple enemy aircraft in July. By August 16, he had eight victories; by October, 20. Kozhedub later said the battle marked a turning point in Soviet aerial tactics. His flying style combined aggression, precision, and masterful gunnery. In just ten days over the Dnieper, he shot down 11 enemy planes. On February 4, 1944, he earned his first Hero of the Soviet Union award. By May, now a captain, he led his own squadron and received a special La-5F aircraft donated in honor of a fallen pilot by a patriotic farmer. Later that year, he transferred to the 1st Belorussian Front and was assigned the La-7 'White 27', in which he would score his final 17 kills. In total, Kozhedub flew 330 combat missions, engaged in 120 dogfights, and downed 62 enemy aircraft – making him the top Allied ace of the war. He famously shot down a Me 262 jet – the world's first operational jet fighter – with his propeller-driven La-7 in a daring head-on engagement. He was awarded the Hero of the Soviet Union title three times. Though denied combat in Korea, he commanded the 324th Fighter Air Division, which claimed 239 victories – including 12 B-29 bombers – for the loss of 27 MiGs. Kozhedub rose to the rank of Marshal of Aviation and served in various high-level posts until his death in 1991. A Russian military stamp was issued in his honor in 2020, and a Ukrainian air force university bears his name. Alexander Ivanovich Pokryshkin was another Soviet ace, famous not only for his combat record but for revolutionizing Soviet air tactics. Born in Novonikolayevsk (now Novosibirsk), Pokryshkin grew up poor but intellectually curious. His fascination with aviation began at age 12, and despite early setbacks – including being forced to train as a mechanic when the flight school closed – he finally earned his pilot's wings in 1939. Deployed near the front in June 1941, Pokryshkin's first combat experience was disastrous – he accidentally shot down a Soviet bomber. But he quickly redeemed himself, scoring his first kill the next day. He was soon studying every engagement meticulously, developing new combat tactics and learning from experience. He later said that anyone who hadn't flown in 1941 or '42 didn't know what real war was. Pokryshkin became a fierce advocate of vertical maneuvers and high-speed attacks. During the Battle of Kuban in 1943, he introduced innovative tactics such as staggered formations at multiple altitudes and the use of radar and ground controllers. Flying the American-made P-39 Airacobra, he recorded 11 kills in April 1943 alone. In one memorable week in May, he brought down multiple high-scoring German aces. He was the first Soviet soldier to be named Hero of the Soviet Union three times during the war. Promoted to colonel in 1944, he led the 9th Guards Air Division, though his combat flights were limited due to his celebrity status. Of his 65 confirmed kills, most came in the early years, when the odds were steepest. After the war, he was initially sidelined, likely due to Stalin's mistrust of his independent thinking. Only after Stalin's death did he rise to become Marshal of Aviation. Pokryshkin passed away in 1985 and was honored with streets, schools, and subway stations named after him. His legacy also includes books, documentaries, and foreign honors such as the US Distinguished Service Medal and Poland's Virtuti Militari. Lydia Vladimirovna Litvyak, known as Lilya, shattered expectations as a female fighter ace in World War II. Born in Moscow in 1921, she was captivated by aviation from an early age. Her father fell victim to Stalin's purges, but Litvyak pressed forward, performing her first solo flight at 15. By the time Germany invaded the USSR, she had already trained dozens of pilots. Initially rejected for frontline duty, she exaggerated her flight hours and joined the all-female 586th Fighter Regiment, founded by the famous navigator Marina Raskova. Later, she transferred to a men's unit flying over Stalingrad. On September 13, 1942, she scored her first kills – downing a Ju 88 and a Bf 109, the latter piloted by a stunned German ace who couldn't believe he'd been bested by a woman. Litvyak's reputation soared. Aggressive, skilled, and daring, she flew with top Soviet aces and earned a spot in elite 'free hunter' missions. Though wounded multiple times, she refused to stand down. In May 1943, her partner and likely love interest, ace Aleksey Solomatin, died in a training crash. Devastated, she flew with renewed fury. She became the first woman to down a German observation balloon, a feat many others had failed to accomplish. By July 1943, now a flight commander, Litvyak had racked up an impressive score. But on August 1, during her fourth sortie of the day near Orel, she was ambushed and disappeared behind a cloud, never to return. She was 21. For decades, the mystery of her fate delayed official honors. In 1979, her crash site and remains were finally identified. In 1990, Mikhail Gorbachev posthumously awarded her the title Hero of the Soviet Union. Her final tally likely includes 11 solo kills and one balloon. Known as the White Lily of Stalingrad, Litvyak was both a warrior and a romantic. She dyed her hair blonde, crafted scarves from parachutes, and picked flowers for her cockpit. She remains an enduring icon, inspiring books, films, and songs – including the Israeli metal band Desert's track 'Fortune Favors the Brave'.
