Horoscope 2019

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December 30, 2018

Astro Guru Shreetam Malee

New Year brings in new hopes, dreams and aspirations. It is an opportunity to make us more joyous and focused. Life is tricky and to know our future can be of great help. And certainly, these predictions are reliable as they are based on the readings of the heaven, deciphered by our most expert astrologers. They will help you plan your life in a much better manner. Read and make use of these crucial insights about your future in 2019.

Aries: Your Life in 2019 Will Be A Mixed Bag

2019 for you is going to be full of ups and downs, leaving you with varied and mixed results throughout the year. During the first initial months, you may feel anxiety taking over you, making you quite enraged and angry, even over petty matters in your day to day life. You may notice that a distance is formed between you and your family members creating a sort of a barrier in between which may have a negative impact on the bonding that you share with one another. To add further, it is advised that you remain alert and cautious of what is happening around, as you may also feel disturbed, uneasy and a bit edgy. You may also feel that your life is turning bleak, as there are chances that you may have monetary issues or be decieved by someone or something.

Taurus: Good Time To Set Priorities

2019 is going to be really exciting for you, as it is filled with a lot of astonishments and amazement. This year will be very fruitful for you and your dear ones because there lies a great possibility for you to get promoted at your job or obtain some good amount of profit through your business. Furthermore, students may also get a chance to go abroad, to pursue their higher education which will mark as a good opportunity for them to grow and get some exposure. Your family life and matters affiliated to love will also bloom like a beautiful flower in a garden. 2019 will be enjoyable, and you will be able to accomplish tasks related to your profession and some related to your personal ones, which were incomplete for some time now.

An important aspect that you can put emphasis on is, setting up of priorities and working on them accordingly.

Gemini: Stay Careful Regarding Health

The Gemini 2019 horoscope says that this year will be very crucial and significant, as there will be a lot of alterations and variations. This year will be like a roller coaster ride for you, with both optimistic as well as pessimistic experiences.

Therefore, it is advised that you take proper care of your health as there are chances that you may face some health problems. So, keep a watch and try to indulge in healthy workouts and a proper diet.

This year will ask for a lot of hard work from your side, especially in the field of education. This time of the phase also looks like a very average period for love and other relationships to flourish. The good news is that your partner will always stay with you, to support you through your thick and thins – in your personal as well as professional life.

Cancer: Good Increment Likely In 2019

Cancerians are usually very sentimental, sensitive and intuitive by nature, and life may turn out to be really productive for them as matters related to finance, career and job is going to take a positive leap. Therefore, those who have a job will be appreciated and promoted, as your hard work and capabilities will lead you through the way and bestow you with the taste of success. For all the businessmen, you may get good opportunities to make new clients or implement something new, which will be favourable and advantageous for you, monetarily.

As far as the subject related to love is concerned this year is the best time to involve yourself in a relationship. Those who intend to get married, will also find this the best suited time to get into the association of marriage.

Leo: You Will Exhibit More Enthusiasm

Leo in 2019, will have an optimistic and a zealous year, as you will be filled with confidence and enthusiasm which will reflect on your everyday execution of work. Although your previous year was not fruit-bearing, this year will see a drastic change in your situation, a positive one. Thus, your performance will have a positive influence on your status, honour and self esteem. It will also boost your confidence which in turn will make you more productive and zesty.

In spite of the overload of your work, your devotion, urge and your energetic persona will not dull you down, but will rather make you push yourself more towards accomplishing more. You will feel a sudden change in your life. But you will have to be quite wary and careful of any health issues that may take place this year, as prevention is always better than cure.

Virgo: Ups And Downs In Profession Are Likely

Virgo in 2019, may witness both good and bad experiences, but do not worry as you can always hold on to the good ones, and learn something from the bad ones. You will see a positive result in your professional career. You may get a good hike in your salary and businessmen will also receive monetary gains. You will feel that you are physically fit and also ready to do some long distance travelling. All the problems pertaining to your ancestral property will also find its way out and get disentangled.

You are very sensible and analytical in your approach towards most of the things in life, which makes you overcome a lot of challenges and be successful. In spite of having a weak and a less determined mindset, you usually take very precise decisions which are always helpful. It is advised to be alert in your profession.

Libra: Your Honour And Prestige To Increase

Libra life in 2019, may have a blend of both rises and falls of situations and outcomes. You may see an increase in your level of reputation in the society. There may be hurdles that you have to deal with while making money. This will also have an impact on your mindset which will receive a lot of strain and tension as well. Furthermore, you will also witness stress and face a lot of struggle in your relationship with your spouse, so try to be more calm and composed rather than firing back. You will witness both negative and positive affect in your life. You may eventually be able to find some sort of stability during this period of time, and thus you should make the most out of it. So, try to hold on to any and every opportunity that you get so that you can be very productive and be able to set yourself in every possible way.

Scorpio: You May Undertake Pilgrimage

For all the Scorpios, this year may have its own advantages and disadvantages, that you may have to experience. Your career may take a huge leap and benefit you. Although, at the starting of the year, the conditions prevailing will help you to gain success, it is highly recommended to take really good care of your health by eating right and regularly exercising.

Another important aspect is that you may not be able to make clear decisions and come to any final conclusions, making it very difficult for you to come to any concrete judgements. Apart from this, there are very good chances for you to indulge in travelling this year.

Sagittarius: You Will Grow And Develop

Sagittarius in 2019, is going to witness the ebb and flow of opportunities and circumstances. There will be several chances where you will get a possibility to grasp, learn, grow and implement your actions accordingly, which will improve the probability of you being successful in whatever you dig your hands in. You may also find yourself to be inclined towards philosophy or indulge in religious activities. Though, it is advised that you become cautious and careful.

As far as the finances are concerned, this year for you is going to be very profitable which will make you quite stable monetarily. Apart from this, your children will lend you constant aid and support which may boost your much needed confidence. Luck is something that will undoubtedly follow you where you go, making all your tasks easy, uncomplicated and effortless. Thus, all your remaining chores and tasks will be taken care of.

Capricorn: You Will Witness Transformation

Get ready as the world will be your oyster! You will come off with flying colours as you will witness a positive transformation in both, personal and professional life, a whole nine yards, during this phase. The tenth sign of the Zodiac represents that you are an ambitious, determined and helpful person. It is truly said that, it is better to stock up before the winter comes. As you are also a reliable, practical and hardworking person, it is a perfect time to think about your future. And remember that, action speaks better than words. Try to improve yourself, think more rationally and make realistic plans, and keep the eye on the ball, always! For now, keep the worry about your financial investments and savings at bay as there will be better than average results.

Aquarius: You Will Be More Effective

It is said that adopt the pace of nature, her secret is patience. You have shown tremendous patience till now. But now is the time for you to carefully analyse the situations affecting you or asking for your attention and wisely act upon them in a very effective manner. With Aquarians’ endeavour, they can beat any struggle and climb any mountain and convert the tough times into their desired and favourable situations. Aquarians are decision makers; they wield a very strong and effective deciding power. Your faith in your goals, aims and objectives will be rekindled and reaffirmed by no one else but you!

Pisces: You Will Be Admired

Your true self will show admirable intelligence and people will take you as a sharp cookie! You will wear your thinking cap real tight this year but beware not to get too egoistic about it. So, skip the ‘e’ and let it ‘go’! You will be able to give solutions to others at the drop of a hat. You will be like the ‘Socrates’ to the people around you, and they will love you for who you really are as, and may also get influenced by you. Several unprecedented events will be taking place, so be careful and keep your eyes and heart open!

Resolutions for the Year 2019

By

C K Subramaniam

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December 30, 2018

We are entering the New Year, that is 2019. We have very good ambitions to become big bosses in the years to come. We Indians are really happy with great value for our family life. Western people admire our culture and the joint family set up still prevailing in a fast world. In the New Year, I would like to be a part of a social organisation, which can serve the people at the time of floods, famines, earthquakes and other national calamities. Few ways to be happy in the coming year:

1. Nothing is impossible

Happiness comes to those who seek it. Winning is a habit as far as sports is concerned. Yes; you need to go for a winning mode, then only you can finish as a hard fought loser.

2. Don’t think of today

Think about tomorrow and the day after. Try to plug the loopholes and feel success in life. Saving is a very good habit and cultivate the same for rainy days. Small drops makes an ocean.

3.Don’t be Selfish

Live and let others live. Mumbai is helping so many people to start their career and become rich in record time. Thus, so many people are coming to the Business Capital to make their living more comfortable.

4. Learn to leave bad habits

The coming year is the best opportune moment to leave bad habits. Cigarette smoking is injurious to health as per the statutory warning message yet many people smoke and spoil their health in the process. Chewing Gutka, tobacco and drinking habits can also be done away with grit and determination in the New Year.

5. Teaching is good hobby

Inculcate the knowledge available with you to others. Teachers play a very crucial role in imparting knowledge.

6. Respect Elders

Express gratitude to your parents, teachers and the patients. At one time or other we may also lie down with an ailment and we need the help of others.

7. Try fast methods

Be a sport and try to finish your work as early as possible and accept more work and help others and the institution. If your Institution grows, then you will also grow simultaneously.

8.Work is Worship

Play a key role in your sphere of work. You must think that you are the backbone and shoulder additional responsibilities. You need not go to a temple if you treat the work as your worship.

9. Patient Listening

Listen to what others say. Improvise their views and make a successful suggestion. Give credit to the team members also instead of poking your nose alone.

10. Have Concern for others

Instead of thinking about yourself, always give some attention towards poor and downtrodden people. After all you live to help others and that attitude is a great virtue.

11. Control your anger

People may irritate you with unwanted comments; but try to maintain composure and do a good to your loved ones and give attention to family values and traditions. After all, anger will come and go but the name and fame you attained will also go with your anger.

12. Try to be a fitness freak

The retirement age of government employees has been increased from 58 to 60 and a recent notification says it may be again increased to 62. Hence, try to stay fit with healthy habits.

13. Develop good Character

Our life span is short. Try to develop a good character and try to adopt them in day to day life as well. After all, your character reflects your mind. Apply patience and perseverance to achieve your objectives and don’t take hasty decisions and never look for shortcut to success.

14. Compliment People

Give respect and take respect. Appreciate a good song. Compliment a good knock by a batsman and encourage him. Stop talking discouraging words.

15.Aim of your life

In the best interest of your family, you wish to have loving parents and loving children. The love and affection is passed on from forefathers to our father, father to son etc.

If you are able to get what is required for your life with the above good thinkings you can lead a peaceful life for which, you maintain robust health, work with honesty and sincerity, have faith in God and that will give you peace of mind. Thus, we can see happy homes in 2019.

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

Haryana Police gets Govt’s nod to investigate land deal case against Vadra, Bhupinder Hooda

By

Afternoon Voice

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December 29, 2018

The Haryana government has authorised the state police to investigate the land deal case against former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and UPA Chairman Sonia Gandhi’s son-in-law Robert Vadra.

Addressing a press conference, Gurugram Police Commissioner KK Rao confirmed the government’s approval, saying that the investigation into the case is underway. “We have got the approval to probe and the investigation is underway,” Rao said on Friday.

On September 1, an FIR was registered against Vadra and Hooda under the Prevention of Corruption Act and multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), in the alleged scam that dates back to 2008.

Besides Vadra and Hooda, DLF Gurugram and Onkareshwar Properties Gurugram are also named in the FIR.

The FIR states that Vadra’s company, Sky Light Hospitality, allegedly purchased land in various places in Gurugram and sold them at exorbitant prices.

Vadra claimed that the FIR was filed to divert people’s attention from the real issues, while Hooda claimed that it was registered because of “political malice”.

Army rescues 2500 tourists stranded near India-China border in Sikkim

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Web Team

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December 29, 2018

The Indian Army has rescued around 2500 tourists who were stuck near the India-China border in Sikkim’s Nathu La due to heavy snowfall.

The tourists including women and children who were stranded between the 17 Mile area and Nathu La in Sikkim have now been provided food, shelter and warm clothes by the Army, a Defence Ministry official said.

“300 to 400 civil vehicles were stranded near 17 Mile carrying over 2500 tourists who were returning after visiting Nathu La Pass along the Indo-China border. The Indian Army immediately swung into action to provide rescue and relief to the stranded tourists including food, shelter, warm clothing and medicines,” the official said.

1500 tourists have been accommodated at 17 Mile, while the remaining tourists were shifted to 13 Mile.

The Indian Army has also provided two sets of JCBs and Dozers of BRO for snow clearance and restoration of road connectivity.

As per Indian Army, the evacuation operation will continue till all stranded tourists are safely moved out towards Gangtok.

Ulhasnagar Sindhis drifting away from Hinduism

By

Afternoon Voice

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December 28, 2018

The Sindhi community in Ulhasnagar, north-east of Mumbai, is enduring a social turmoil, for the last few years, a sizable number in the township – primarily created for Sindhis who came in as refugees from Pakistan’s Sindh province after partition – have drifted away from Hinduism and embraced Christianity. In Ulhasnagar and other places surrounding Thane, many Hindu Sindhis have been lured into Christianity. Though, the estimated number of converted Sindhis varies according to different sources, one can safely assume that at least 20,000-30,000 Sindhis have been converted in past few years.

Nikhil Namdeo Bhole a resident of Ulhasnagar told this paper, “The Christian missionaries are organising several gatherings and most of the participants are Hindu. No one knows how it started, but it has spread like wildfire.”

Another resident and social worker for Kalyan, Mrs Manju said, “The missionaries are going door to door and convincing people for conversion to Christianity, which is very dangerous trend. They lure people exploiting their weaknesses.”

It is reported that there are many mini-churches operational in and around Ulhasnagar area and they look similar to temples; and Jesus Christ is depicted as Bhagwan Isu/Yeshu, to bait the Hindus into thinking that it is quite similar to Hinduism. In fact, a sub-group has been created in a famous matrimonial website citing the title of “Sindhi Christian”.

A Sindhi “Pastor” – Soni Basantani has effectively lured many Hindu Sindhis into Christianity in Ulhasnagar and nearby area. These Sindhis were either poor, or they were going through a rough patch in life and were offered a solution to their life “problems” through “Christ” by the said Pastor. Carols have been made in Sindhi for deeper penetration in the community and propagate the spread of Christianity among Sindhi language speakers.

The “conversions” have sent shockwaves among the community elders, especially since Indian Sindhis, weighed down by the scars of partition, are known to be staunch followers of Hinduism. Most of those who are shifting their faith allegiance to Christianity are in their 40s and, in fact, had been devout followers of Hinduism. Ulhasnagar is largely a business township, full of small scale industries and traders. The Christian missionaries helped the small businessmen rebuild their businesses. Since then, there has been a wave of conversion. However, when AV spoke to Ulhasnagar MLA and BJP city President Kumar Ailani, he said, “Nothing of this sort is happening. The Christian missionaries aren’t forcing anyone to convert their religion. There might be a very small number who have got converted. Poor people at times do convert for the need of money.”

The Sindhi-speaking Hindus are so worried about the conversion trend that they are on the verge of boycotting newly converted entities. A feud took place regarding the fact that many of these newly converted Christians retained their old Hindu names. This angered the Hindu community, particularly the Sindhi Hindus, who are staunch supporter of Hinduism throughout history. However, Dr. Abraham Mathai, the vice-president of State Minorities Commission has commented that any such attempt to make the newly converted Christian Sindhis change their name against the will should be cited as unconstitutional.

Looking at these ramped conversions, Sanatan Sanstha has demanded that government should impose anti-conversion law and bring uniform civil code. These days, Sanatan Sanstha is very much aggressive on various fronts. They think that Secularism is a poison of the worst kind in Indian politics and that is the reason they want the word ‘Secular’ to be removed from the constitution of India. Speaking to AV, the Sanatan Sanstha spokesperson Chetan Rajhans said, “The Sindhi community is the original branch of the Hindu community and that is why it has been targeted by the imperialistic force of Christian missionaries. Hence, the Santan Sanstha and other Hindu organisations have taken an initiative to come together in Ulhasnagar and create religious awareness sessions because the main crisis that is faced by the Sindhi community is that they lack religious awareness. Also, conversion should be banned by the law. If you try to gain followers through alluring them with money and other such temptations, then you are as wrong as a deceiver and this should be punishable under the Indian Penal Code.”

Every nation has a unique identity. India’s is of “Sanathan dharma”, essentially based on Hindu culture and tradition. France, UK, USA, Australia – all have the word ‘Secular’ in their constitution but they all claim that they are Christian nations and are proud of their heritages. Rather, we, the Indians believe in equality in diversions. We cannot call our own country a Hindu Rashtra as Pakistan calls itself a Muslim country, no matter if the other religious people residing there.

(Any suggestions, comments or dispute with regards to this article send us on feedback@www.afternoonvoice.com)

How long would Hindus be compromised?

By

Vaidehi Taman

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December 28, 2018

It is very unfortunate to see Sindhis losing touch with their own religion. There is a famous proverb in Hindi “Akela bacha hamesha gidh ki nazar mein hota hai”, which means “A lonely child is always a soft prey for vulture”.

This small community gives a huge competition to brands across the globe, like, you name the product, and they will have it ten times cheaper. A large number of Sindhis, fleeing from Pakistan during the Partition, arrived in Mumbai suburbs and got settled in Chembur, Thane (Kopri), as well as a large number of them moved to Ulhasnagar, on the banks of River Ulhas. As the area developed, Sindhis nurtured their culture, making Ulhasnagar synonymous with the Sindhi population. However, ironically, the human has become too cheap here. For a few benefits and financial assistance, entire Ulhasnagar is slowly adopting Christianity. These Christian missionaries are playing very smartly with the emotions of the people, which can reflect to Evangelist that is working furiously.

One of my friend, who resides in Ulhasnagar, told me, these missionaries ask you to retain your Hindu name, build a church, looking like a temple, and have Jesus to pray as Yesu Sahasranama. As we see, they are the height of hypocrisy bundled with funds from the USA to convert Hindus into Christians. Apart from it, these days even the funds are grabbed from the pockets of the prosperous Hindus, who once got converted to Christianity. Those, who are getting converted, are materialistic fools, having been forgotten their Hindu forefathers, who would rise from death to harass the descendants for their negligence in worshipping the Hindu Gods.

For the last five to six years, Ulhasnagar has been seeing a quiet spurt in the number of “prayer halls”, where a pastor chaperones a weekly congregation. There are now 50 to 70 such halls in Ulhasnagar, a hub of Sindhi traders and executives. These institutions are very smart to grab the money from the prosperous converted Sindhis to the name of donations, while giving the same money to the poor Sindhis if they get converted. We, the Hindus, are not only getting exploited through the pockets, but also our souls are leeched by these vultures to get converted. It is a high time when we need to stand by our people and say “ENOUGH” to such adaptations. Whether it is due to losses suffered in business or traditional family ties breaking down, several thousand Sindhis in Ulhasnagar have found themselves drawn to Christianity. Some of them belong to Hindu scheduled castes, and a large number are poor Sindhis. That growing number has now drawn a sharp divide in a town that was, until now, more identical than other parts of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

The word ‘secular’ was discussed, debated by the Constituent Assembly and it was decided not to include the word in the Constitution. In 1976, the Congress government had a huge majority and the then PM got it incorporated in the preamble of the Constitution. The intentions were debatable then and now. Many of the 42nd amendment insertions were gross violations of many cherished principles of democracy and were repealed by subsequent amendments. No other country has this word in their written constitution. Bangladesh had originally incorporated this word in their constitution but later withdrew the same. In our Constitution, either it should be properly defined or it should be removed. It is the most misused and misinterpreted word by our politicians and some vested communities and is used for convenience. The irony is that, a particular community which can never be secular because of its proselytising religion uses for themselves as “secular votes”. India is neither Socialist nor Secular. From 2004-2014 UPA was in power and it was a socialist-leaning government. Now NDA is in power which is capitalist-leaning; so how we are socialist? India is not secular either. Secularism means “absence of religiousness”; while India is one of the most religious nations in the world. Only countries like North Korea and China can be called secular. The Indian version of Secularism is very different from the secularism practised in several other democratic countries. India has reduced the secularism to mean being pro-Muslims and nothing else. In this sense it’s a communal term and should be removed from India’s Constitution. Instead, India’s Constitution should be changed to add the description of the sense of the secular word. The way things stand, members of Hindu religious groups employ the term contemptuously, usually twisting it to “pseudo-secular”; politicians from non-religious parties pay lip service to it without much conviction; and leaders of Muslim outfits uphold it to protect various unjust religious practices, but abandon it when it threatens such practices, as when a secular civil code is mentioned.

Do you think this country is a secular country? No. It is not. Its population is still governed by religious laws. Reservations are provided on the basis of religion. Government controls Hindu temples. The government provided subsidies to Muslim for Mecca pilgrimage. Political parties play religious vote bank politics and are devoid of any ethical responsibilities to the nation. Conversions are happening right under the nose of administration and government doesn’t take action against religious fraudsters. Ulhasnagar is one such place ruled by corrupt and criminal NCP man for years, his family is dominant by all means; this converted population is their vote bank. The man belongs to Dawood Ibrahim gang, he is least bothered if the people of his constituency is getting converted to Islam or Christianity. Muslim leaders openly ask Sharia to be implemented and the government doesn’t take action. Secularism in India means to surrender to Islam and Christianity. This word must be either removed from the constitution or be implemented by the government in its letter and spirit in every walk of life in this country. However, this on-going chaos may add to politics but may damage Indians at large. Sanatan Sanstha are targeted just because they follow staunch Hindu religious preaching, and the liberals and rationalists assume that the Sanatan Sanstha is nothing but saffron terror organisation whose members are killing the think tanks of India. But recently this myth also got busted. No allegation is yet proven; no member of Sanatan Santha got accused in any such so-called crime that is painted by ATS Maharashtra. In the recent past, all those writers and socialists were killed and the investigations indicated the involvement of Sanatan Sanstha, is demon created by authorities against selective Hindu groups, those who are committed to protect the region. Hope, we the Hindu save our nation and its people in the coming time, if not, one day we would be reading Bible or Quran in secular India.

(Any suggestions, comments or dispute with regards to this article send us on feedback@www.afternoonvoice.com)

Ranji Trophy experience helped me to reverse swing: Bumrah

By

Web Team

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December 28, 2018

Jasprit Bumrah said his experience of getting reverse swing on slower pitches in first class cricket helped him get the best out of a docile MCG track after his six-wicket haul put India in command in the third Test.

Bumrah’s produced a career-best effort of 6/33 in 15.5 overs, becoming the first bowler from the subcontinent to take a five-for or more in South Africa, England and Australia in the same year.

“When I was bowling there, the wicket had become really slow and the ball had become soft… I tried to bowl a slower one, a fuller slow ball. Maybe it will dip or go to short cover. It worked because the ball had started reversing,” Bumrah said on Friday.

“When we play on similar wickets back home, the ball reverses. So you try to make the most of it. We were trying to use our experience in First-Class cricket where we have bowled with reverse-swinging balls. That was the plan,” he added.

Bumrah’s exploits helped India bowl out Australia for a meagre 151 in the first innings on the third day of the Boxing Day Test.

In fact, the pacer returned with 45 wickets in nine Tests this year and Bumrah said he isn’t surprised by his rich vein of form in his maiden season in Test cricket.

“I am not surprised. If I say I don’t believe in myself, who else will? I just try to back myself in any situation that I go. Yes the start has been good and I have played in England, South Africa and here three different kinds of conditions,” said Bumrah.

“Yes I have not played a Test in India but whenever you go to different countries, you have new learning and experiences from playing in every country. I have had a good start and let’s see how it goes further.

Bumrah also paid credit to his coaches through the career, and especially talked about Bharat Arun, for backing him despite his unorthodox bowling action.

India women’s hockey team do not fear top-ranked teams anymore: Rani

By

Web Team

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December 28, 2018

India’s success against top-ranked nations this year has instilled a new self-belief and helped the women’s hockey team shed its underdog tag, feels skipper Rani Rampal.

Indian women’s hockey team won a historic silver at the 18th Asian Games and another silver at the Asian Champions Trophy this year. They also finished at the quarterfinals at the World Cup in London and ended at the fourth place at the Commonwealth Games.

“Though we would have preferred to win gold medal at the 18th Asian Games Jakarta-Palembang as well as the Asian Champions Trophy, I believe overall, we had a good outing in 2018,” Rani said.

“Beating England 2-1 at the Commonwealth Games, a 1-1 draw against them at their home turf during the Women’s World Cup in London and a 0-1 loss to Australia in the semi-final at Gold Coast has given the team tremendous confidence and a self-belief.

“We can give top teams a run for their money in big-ticket tournaments. We are no longer considered an underdog team by our opponents and that’s our biggest takeaway from 2018.”

India’s quarterfinal finish at the women’s World Cup for the first time in four decades has spurred their world ranking to a career-best world no.9 and Rani feels the team has great potential to improve further in future events.

“The brighter side of 2018 was our U-18 team doing well at the Youth Olympic Games where they won a silver medal. With fresh talent coming into the core group, the seniors too want to improve their individual performance to stay relevant to the team,” she said.

“There is healthy competition within the core group and the pool of players is bigger now with a good mix of youngsters and seniors who have played together for more than four years.

“I’m quite confident if we continue to improve at the pace we are at this moment, we stand a good chance of climbing up the World Ranking further.”

She also said that working with an elite hockey star like Glenn Turner of Australia who was invited by Hockey India to conduct a special camp for forwards has helped the team tremendously.

Need to bat like Pujara, Kohli in next innings: Cummins

By

Web Team

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December 28, 2018

Bundled out for a paltry 151 in the first innings, pacer Pat Cummins on Friday said that Australian batsmen need to learn a lot from India captain Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara on how to pace their knocks on this MCG pitch.

Pujara and Kohli had put on 170 runs in the first innings to help India declare at a mammoth 443 for seven and Cummins said the Australian batsmen need to take a cue from the visiting duo’s temperament.

“It was obviously not ideal. We turned up thinking of a good first innings score and be right in the game. We wanted to take this result away from them. This is a young batting group and they are working hard. They are trying their best, but it is just one of those things. Today it didn’t come off,” Cummins said after the day’s play.

“What we saw from India’s first innings, we saw temperament of Pujara and Virat and how they pace their innings. They absorb pressure because on this kind of wicket, it is hard to score runs.

“You have to face a lot of balls to get big scores and it is probably one of those wickets where you do the hard work early. Keep absorbing pressure and score later, but evidently it did not work for us today,” he added.

Riding on Cummins’ four for 10 figures, Australia reduced India to 54 for five in the second innings of the ongoing third Test but still trail the visitors by 346 runs after conceding a first innings lead of 292 runs.

The fast bowler said in the absence of their two best batsmen — banned duo of Steve Smith and David Warner, others have to rise to the occasion to give India a tough fight in the remaining two days of the match.

“It’s always going to be hard missing two of your best players. We’ve known for nine months (that Steve Smith and David Warner won’t be available). Others have to stand up. It probably highlights the class they’ve had in previous years but we’ve got find to find a way,” Cummins said.

Cummins was the wrecker-in-chief In India’s second innings with his impressive figures.

And the pacer said they wanted to make things tough for India in the second things and still dare to dream for a positive result over the next two days.

“But it’s still a long way left in the game. For India to move the game forward will be hard tomorrow. They will have to bat long and we will just take it as deep as possible,” he signed off.

Jonathan Hollander – A choreographer par excellence

By

Web Team

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December 28, 2018

Many a times in life, we meet interesting people at different crossroads, some we forget easily and some etch a wonderful place in our heart. I am talking about one such person whom I look up to and regard him as the best in the business. I accidently met him on a social networking site and our first lunch meeting made me realise what an amazing personality he was. Superbly dynamic, highly creative, tremendously talented with humility as his second name, all bundled up into one man — Mr. Jonathan Hollander.

Jonathan Hollander is one of the outstanding choreographers of his generation and has taken a leadership role in international cultural exchange and social activism. He founded Battery Dance Company in New York City in 1976 and has choreographed over 75 works that the Company has presented in major theatres and festivals across five continents.

In 1982, he created the Downtown Dance Festival (now renamed Battery Dance Festival) which has since become New York City’s longest-running dance festival. He established arts education residencies at the primary, middle and high school levels in New York City public schools; and served as Fulbright lecturer on dance in India in 1992, and Fulbright Specialist in Malaysia in 2011. Notable performances of Hollander’s works have been presented at Lincoln Center, Beijing International Modern Dance Festival, Taipei Arts Festival, Open Look Festival in St. Petersburg, Stockholm’s Moderna Museet, Alexander Theatre and Tampere Biennale in Finland, Hyogo Performing Arts Center in Japan, Cultural Center of the Philippines, Krizanke Theatre in Slovenia, National Dance Theatre in Budapest, Varna Festival and European Cultural Month in Bulgaria, and on national tours and television broadcasts in Poland and India. Hollander’s work has been supported by the Educational and Cultural Affairs Bureau of the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Embassies and Public Diplomacy Offices of Regional Bureaus; National Endowment for the Arts, New York State Council on the Arts, New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, Rockefeller Brothers Fund, Ford Foundation and many others. Hollander received the Silver Mask of the Silesian Dance Theatre (Poland), the USable Award (Germany) and the Arts & Business Council’s Encore Award. Under Hollander’s leadership, Battery Dance Company actively supports the commissioning of new musical scores and the inclusion of live musical performance in its productions.

Hollander is collaborating with iKapa Dance Theatre in creating the Cape Town International Dance Festival. He has also facilitated U.S. tours by many of India’s leading dance companies and co-founded the Indo-American Arts Council in 2000.

Jonathan’s international exposure gave him the right perspective to focus on contributing to society through his Battery Dance Company, His earliest initiative was to establish arts education residencies at primary, middle and high school levels in New York Public schools. He started ‘Dancing to Connect’, an intensive 20-hour programme, that brings together a diverse group of students to engage in creativity and team-building through modern dance. Since 2006, the Company has successfully implemented the programme in 50 countries.

Jonathan travels the world but India is always his priority and will always be. He made his choreographic debut in India with ‘Moonbeam’, featuring Mallika Sarabhai and Sashidharan Nair. It was staged in Ahmedabad in 1992 and was later presented in New York. For his next production, ‘Seen by the River’, he collaborated with Badal Roy, the first Indian jazz musician, to break into mainstream. In 1995, he premièred ‘Songs of Tagore’ in New York with his dance ensemble. He toured 17 cities in India with the production which received rave reviews. The same year he presented ‘Purush: The Expressions of Man’ at The Music Academy It was greatly appreciated in India and also by the diaspora, when he later took it on an extensive US tour.

In 2014, Jonathan’s Company conducted an outreach programme in Mumbai and New Delhi for survivors of human trafficking to address the issues of exclusion in society.

In 2016, for the 40th anniversary of the Battery Dance Company, Jonathan choreographed ‘The Durga Project,’ to celebrate his long and eventful relationship with India. Initially inspired by the soul-stirring rendering of raag Durga by Pt. Rajan and Sajan Mishra, he later correlated it with the powerful imagery of Durga as the source of female power.

Jonathan is constantly seeking avenues to further explore fresh Indian concepts and showcase them to the world. Last week ‘The Durga Project’ stepped into Indian shores. Shakti — A Return to the Source, with a fervent hope that Indian audiences will appreciate his non-religious interpretation of Durga as a feminine force portrayed through the universal language of dance premiered at St Andrews Auditorium in Mumbai and weekend saw a house full opening in Pune too.