‘We need you’: Djokovic backs ‘legend’ Nadal to return from injury again

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January 3, 2019

Novak Djokovic said that sport needed “legend” Rafael Nadal to make another comeback after it was announced that the injury-plagued Spaniard had withdrawn from his season-opening tournament in Brisbane.

Nadal said that he would not play in Brisbane because of a left thigh strain, prompting yet more fears over the 32-year-old’s long term future in tennis.

Nadal, who claimed his 17th Grand Slam title at Roland Garros last year, has not played a competitive match since September.

He also lost the world number one ranking to Djokovic, whose battles with the Spaniard are one of modern sport’s greatest rivalries.

“He has done the comebacks for so many times in his career that you always believe that he can do it again,” said Djokovic after reaching the Qatar Open quarter-finals on Wednesday.

“He has a very physical style of tennis which obviously is putting a lot of load and pressure on his joints, on his knees.

“Sport needs Rafa, no question about it. He is one of the greatest legends of all time and we want to see him play.”

Djokovic and Nadal have met in the finals of all four of the Grand Slams and 52 times in total.

Among their most memorable matches was the 2012 Australian Open final, lasting almost six hours and won by the Serb.

A 2013 French Open semi final was dubbed the greatest ever match on clay and last year battled again for more than five hours in a Wimbledon semi-final.

They first met in on court in Paris in 2006 when, ironically, Nadal was declared the winner after Djokovic had to retire during the match with injury.

Nadal, the current world number two, has not played a main tour event since a knee problem forced him to retire during his US Open semi-final against Juan Martin del Potro in September last year.

The 32-year-old had surgery on his ankle in November and only resumed training three weeks ago.

Nadal said doctors were confident he would be fit to play at the Australian Open which starts on January 14.

“They say that it’s a very small thing, but it can become a big thing, because a strain in the muscle is dangerous,” he said.

“It’s like calling hartal against the SC order,” Kerala CM lashes out at BJP, RSS

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Web Team

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January 3, 2019

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday lashed out at the BJP and the RSS over protests against the entry of two women into the Sabarimala temple, saying the violence unleashed by them will be dealt with strongly.

Vijayan said that the two women were not “airdropped” to Sabarimala but went as normal devotees and the other pilgrims did not protest.

“Kanakadurga and Bindu were given protection after they sought security to visit the shrine. They were not airdropped. They visited shrine like normal devotees. None of the devotees protested,” he told reporters here.

The Chief Minister also said that conducting hartal over women’s entry into the shrine was like calling hartal against the Supreme Court’s order.

Coming down heavily on the chief priest’s action of closing the temple for purification ceremony, Vijayan said this was against the apex court’s verdict.

“Such things are to be decided by the Devaswom Board. The action was not only a violation of the Supreme Court’s verdict but also against the rules of the board,” Vijayan added.

Widespread violence was witnessed in the state after two women of the traditionally barred age group visited the shrine early Wednesday.

A total of 79 KSRTC buses were damaged in stone-pelting. Many media personnel, including women, were attacked and 31 policemen were injured.

CPI(M) party offices were also attacked at many places. Right-wing parties and a section of devotees under the aegis of Sabarimala Karma Samiti have been protesting against the September 28 verdict of the apex court allowing women of all ages into the hill shrine of Lord Ayyappa.

Following the entry of the two women, the Samiti, had called for a dawn-to-dusk hartal on Thursday, which was being supported by the BJP.

Bulandshahr violence: Key accused Yogesh Raj arrested, say police

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Web Team

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January 3, 2019

Yogesh Raj, a key accused in the mob violence in Bulandshahr in which a police inspector and a civilian were killed, has been arrested, police said on Thursday.

Raj, the local convenor of Bajrang Dal, was on the run ever since the violence broke out in Siyana tehsil of the district on December 3, 2018.

He was arrested around 11.30 pm on Wednesday from the Khurja T-point on National Highway 91, the police said.

On Wednesday, Satish and Vineet, accused of violence, and Azhar, accused in the cow slaughtering case, had surrendered in the local court in Bulandshahr.

An official said the police were gathering evidence related to their involvement in the cases and legal proceedings were underway.

“Yes, Yogesh Raj has been arrested. He is undergoing medical examination and would be produced in the local court later today for legal proceedings,” Circle Officer (Siyana) Raghvendra Kumar Mishra told agencies on Thursday morning.

Working on a tip-off about his movement from Khurja to Bulandshahr, Raj, whose name appears on the top in the FIR on December 3 violence, was nabbed by the police, officials said.

With his arrest, the number of accused held in connection with the violence has gone up to 31, they said.

Inspector Subodh Kumar Singh and civilian Sumit Kumar of Chingrawathi village were killed in the mob violence that broke out in Siyana area after cattle carcasses were found strewn outside a village.

Two cases were lodged at the Siyana Police Station the next day, one for violence, in which the police had turned complainant, and the other for alleged cow slaughter, on a complaint by Raj.

Twenty-seven people, including Raj, were named in the FIR, while 50 to 60 unidentified people were booked under Indian Penal Code sections 436 (mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent to destroy house, etc), 307 (attempt to murder), 302 (murder), 124A (sedition), 147, 148, 149 (related to rioting), 332, 33, 353 (related to voluntary assault on public servant to obstruct them from performing their duty), 336 (act endangering life or personal safety of others).

They were also booked for destroying public property, among others.

On December 5, two days since the violence, a purported video of Raj surfaced on social media in which he had claimed innocence and said he was sure of being cleared of all accusations.

However, his statements on the sequence of events on December 3 in the purported video were contrary to what he had stated in the complaint for cow slaughter based on which an FIR was registered against seven people, including two minors, of Nayabans village.

BoB rises while Dena Bank, Vijaya Bank shares tank

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Web Team

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January 3, 2019

Shares of Dena Bank and Vijaya Bank fell sharply on Thursday, with the former tumbling up to 20 per cent after the Cabinet approved their amalgamation with Bank of Baroda.

The scrip of Dena Bank plummeted 19.77 per cent to Rs 14.40 on BSE. Shares of Vijaya Bank plunged 7.44 per cent to Rs 47.25.

The scrip of Bank of Baroda, however, gained 3.30 per cent to Rs 123.35.

Paving the way for the first ever-three way merger of public sector lenders, the Cabinet Wednesday approved amalgamation of Dena Bank and Vijaya Bank with Bank of Baroda (BoB), a move that would create the country’s third largest lender.

The boards of the three banks have also cleared the share-swap ratio for the proposed amalgamation.

As per the Scheme of Amalgamation announced by BoB, shareholders of Vijaya Bank would get 402 equity shares of BoB for every 1,000 shares held in the bank.

In case of Dena Bank, the shareholders would get 110 shares of BoB for every 1,000 shares owned in the bank.

Ramakant Achrekar cremated, tearful Tendulkar in attendance

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Web Team

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January 3, 2019

Renowned cricket coach Ramakant Achrekar, who died due to age-related ailments, was cremated here on Thursday with his most famous ward Sachin Tendulkar in attendance for a tearful adieu.

Archrekar, the childhood coach of Tendulkar, passed away at 87 on Wednesday at his Shivaji Park residence in Dadar in Central Mumbai.

His body was kept at Shivaji Park, where he coached aspiring cricketers, and then taken to a nearby crematorium.

When the body was taken outside the ground, young boys, who practice there, gave a guard of honour amid chants of ‘Amar Rahe’.

Tendulkar, along with Achrekar’s other wards like Vinod Kambli, Balwinder Singh Sandhu and Chandrakant Pandit, took part in the procession to the crematorium, where his body was consigned to flames.

Earlier, the body was kept at his residence for people to pay their last respects to the Dronacharya and Padma Shri award-winning coach.

Mumbai cricketers such as Atul Ranade, Amol Mazumdar Ramesh Powar, Paras Mhambrey, Ranji coach Vinayak Samant, Nilesh Kulkarni, Vinod Raghvan, were also there along with fans.

Former Rajasthan coach Pradeep Sundaram, office-bearers of the Mumbai Cricket Association, veteran cricket administrator Prof Ratnakar Shetty also paid their last respects.

Among politicians, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray, MLA and BJP leader Ashish Shelar, Mayor Vishwanath Mahadeshwar also paid tributes to the decorated coach.

Traditional Dances of India – Part II

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Jayanthy Subramaniam

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January 3, 2019

Indian classical dance has a distinct character that reflects the great cultural and traditional endeavour. The forms of Indian dance have transcended beyond the fences and socio-cultural hindrances. Exponents of the Indian classical dance believe that it has the calibre of creating a new and disciplined lifestyle. The Indian Classical Dance is often regarded as the form of worship and meditation. The performers of Indian Classical Dance, despite the background and forms, have played a crucial role in presenting India to the forefront at the World stage. It has helped in ending the erstwhile artistic isolation. Here, in the following lines, we provide the profile and biography of those great artists who made the country proud.

Zumba dance step is a lower-body workout that incorporates Zumba routines and step aerobics. Zumba toning is for the people who do their workouts with toning sticks. Zumba toning will target the abs, thighs, arms, and other muscles throughout the body. Zumba toning provides participants with a cardio workout. Aqua Zumba classes are held in a swimming pool. The instructor leads the class poolside while participants follow in shallow water. Moves have been specially adapted to combine the same dance movements used in a Zumba Fitness class with those used in aqua fitness classes.

During IPL 10 we saw cheerleaders dancing around four corners of the ground and encouraging the players of their respective sides and in the process gave a chance for the crowd to cheer along with them during the crucial stages of the match in the best way possible. Cheer girls across the world assemble in India during the IPL season and with colourful attire, they give an added attraction to some of the one-sided matches also. They dance to a tune and the crowd enjoy every movement of these trained dancers playing to the gallery during intervals and when a wicket falls or a boundary or six is hit by the participating teams in the champions. It is entertainment all the way with cheer girls around the length breadth of the stadiums in India during both day and night games to provide the real thrill to the spectator interest in the game.

Lezim, Maharashtra State’s traditional folk dance during Gudi Padwa day in every nook and corner of the city is a treat to watch and enjoy. The Lezim Phungadi dances and their specific gestures, movements have been adapted by cultists, their exercises in the drive for “Body Beautiful”. In Lezim dance there are various types of movements like stepping, hopping, squatting and bending. Every movement of the dance is executed in perfect time with proper strikes, which is swung in four or eight counts. This provides a rhythmic accompaniment to the dance. In Phungadi dance the girls stand facing each other, crossing their arms they join their palms and lean back with their feet together while doing so they outstretch their arms and whirl around as far and as long as they can and then parting ways to perfection. International dance day is for the world to enjoy the various steps and dance to the tune in a rhythmic way in their own traditional way.

India is traditionally rich with various classical dances and music shows, which dominates at the regional as well as International level. We as a nation should recognise and encourage the artists to reach the next level and bring laurels to the country. Indian art and culture is a leading light and keeps the Indian flag flying high.

(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)

Worker killed in factory wall collapse; kin seek compensation

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Web Team

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January 3, 2019

A worker was killed when a factory wall collapsed on him in Palghar district of Maharashtra, a police official said on Thursday.

The incident took place at a private company’s gypsum factory site at Nare village in Wada taluka on Wednesday after a JCB machine deployed there accidentally hit the wall, he said.

The debris of the collapsed wall fell on Santosh Patil, 38, who was working in the premises, killing him on the spot, he said.

Later, Patil’s relatives and other villagers blocked the Bhiwandi-Wada road. They refused to take the body and demanded that the company management be booked for negligence and pay compensation for the worker’s death, he said.

They also ransacked the company’s office and damaged the security guard’s cabin, the official said.

After the Wada police intervened, the company management agreed to pay the compensation, he said.

The police later registered a case of accidental death, he added.

19 MPs of AIADMK, TDP suspended from Lok Sabha for 4 days

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Web Team

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January 3, 2019

As many as 19 members of the AIADMK and TDP were suspended on Thursday for four days by Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan for repeatedly disrupting the proceedings of the House.

As soon as the Zero Hour commenced at noon, AIADMK and TDP members trooped in the Well, raising slogans and carrying banners demanding stalling of a dam on river Cauvery and special state status to Andhra Pradesh respectively.

As the disruptions continued, the Speaker suspended 19 MPs of the two parties.

Mahajan had on Wednesday suspended 24 AIADMK members for the next five consecutive sittings for protesting and creating ruckus continuously in the House over the Cauvery issue.

The AIADMK has 37 members in the House.

The Winter Session will conclude on January 8.

I don’t believe in my own hype: Ranveer Singh

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Web Team

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January 3, 2019

Ranveer Singh had a great 2018 both personally and professionally but the actor said that he navigates through all the “blessings” by staying away from his own hype.

The actor’s flamboyant persona, his marriage with fellow actor Deepika Padukone and back-to-back hits in “Padmaavat” and “Simmba” kept him in the headlines throughout last year and Ranveer is aware how it can affect a person’s outlook.

“When this happens around you, there are two possibilities – you either believe it or you are simply aware of it. While I am aware of it, I don’t start believing in my own hype. My experiences have shaped me to be the kind of person I am,” he said.

The actor said that he keeps himself grounded by constantly reminding himself of his struggle period.

“I had a proper struggle period of three and half years, so today when opportunities come my way, I value them tremendously. I never lose sight because I have a vivid memory of the times when I had none of this,” he told agencies.

Film industry is one of most volatile places and an actor’s sense of security is challenged every Friday, something that Ranveer said that he has learnt to deal with.

“I try and adopt the middle path – don’t get too carried away with the success and don’t get bogged down by failures. I feel happy when I succeed, you must do that. But then quickly immerse yourself in the current moment again.

Filmmaking is a collaborative effort, so if it failed, it’s not entirely your doing. I find this middle approach very healthy,” he said.

The 33-year-old actor said that the child in him still considers his journey to success in Bollywood as a “fairy tale.”

“This one kid, out of nowhere, had a dream and he’s now living it. Everyday my heart is filled with gratitude. I pray before I go to work and always say thank you because I value it. It is surreal what is happening with me, or around me.

This love keeps me grounded and humbled. When fans ask me to get clicked with them, what I am actually thinking is ‘What? Me? Do they really want to be clicked with me!'”

The actor will next be seen in Zoya Akhtar’s “Gully Boy” with Alia Bhatt. The poster of the film released on Wednesday.

Meghalaya miners: Dissatisfied with steps taken so far, SC tells state govt

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Web Team

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January 3, 2019

The Supreme Court on Thursday told the Meghalaya government that it was not satisfied with the steps taken so far for the rescue of 15 people who are trapped in an illegal coal mine in the state since December 13.

A bench comprising Justices A K Sikri and S Abdul Nazeer asked the Meghalaya government as to why it was not successful in rescuing these people.

The counsel, appearing for the state, told the court that they have taken adequate steps in the rescue operation and the Centre was also lending support to them.

“We are not satisfied. It is a question of life and death,” the bench said.

The bench asked petitioner Aditya N Prasad, who had sought urgent steps for rescue of these people, to call a law officer of the Centre so that appropriate order could be passed immediately.

The bench will continue with the hearing during the day.

The rat-hole mine, located on top of a hillock fully covered with trees in East Jaintia Hills district, had got flooded when water from the nearby Lytein River gushed into it, trapping the miners.