New Delhi, July 18:
India’s hopes of fetching five badminton medals at the Commonwealth Games suffered a massive jolt today as ace shuttler and defending champion Saina Nehwal pulled out of the Glasgow event after failing to recover from leg blisters sustained during the Australian Open Super Series triumph last month.
“It is an extremely difficult decision but an important one,” a heartbroken Saina said ahead of the event which starts on July 23.
“I had suffered a groin injury during the first round in Australia and then there were those blisters on my leg but I still won the title. After I came back I had two and a half weeks but I took one week to recover, so hardly got a week to train. So, I decided to pull out. It’s heartbreaking for me as well,” she said.
The Olympic bronze medallist, who is believed to be suffering from a knee injury as well, said she had to take the decision of withdrawing from the Glasgow Games in order to get fit for the rest of the season which includes important tournaments like the World Championship and the Asian Games.(PTI)
“I did start practicing and I hoped that I could still go and play, but then I didn’t want to exert myself too much. I don’t want to risk an injury again. I have to be fit for the rest of the season. There are two more important and equally big tournaments coming up next — the World Championship and Asian Games. So I had to take a call,” said Saina.
“It is important to go into such big tournaments knowing you are 100 per cent and especially when I am playing well and have won an event. It will enhance my chances of winning a medal for India,” she added. (PTI)
Saina pulls out of Commonwealth Games
India hit back after Ballance’s ton
London, July 18:
Paceman Bhuvneshwar Kumar scalped four wickets as India hit back with two late strikes to wrest the initiative in the second cricket Test against England, despite Gary Ballance’s gutsy century here today.
Kumar exploited the seaming conditions to return figures of 4/46 and leave England struggling at 219 for six at close of play on an absorbing second day, still trailing by 76 runs.
Ballance struck his second century in four matches to help rescue England on a Lord’s wicket that appeared to have eased out a little.
He scored 110 runs (203 balls, 15 fours) to help his lift his side from 113/4. For India, Kumar was the stand-out bowler and delivered 23 overs.
Matt Prior (2) and Liam Plunkett (4) were at the crease at stumps, while Ravindra Jadeja (1-41) and Murali Vijay (1-12) were the other wicket-takers. Ishant Sharma (0-32) and Mohammad Shami (0-33) bowled well on a hot and humid day, but weren’t rewarded for their efforts.
India had heaped up pressure on England and reduced them to 125/4 at tea, from where Ballance (51 batting) and Moeen Ali (32 runs, 106 balls, 4 fours) began in the last session. They put on 98 runs for the fifth wicket and tested the patience of the Indian bowlers.
To their credit, the visitors didn’t lose their focus and continued to bowl probing line even as the green-top pitch eased out. The medium pacers held tight lines and didn’t allow easy runs. With the older ball getting soft, skipper MS Dhoni cleverly used Jadeja as well as Vijay.
The batsmen too utilised the conditions well, bringing up their 50-run partnership in the 65th over of the innings. Ballance then went on to get a well-deserved second Test hundred at Lord’s, off 186 balls hitting 14 fours, reaching the mark in the 77th over.
His first century at this ground came against Sri Lanka just three matches prior. He fully utilised the life given to him by Dhoni who let go an edge induced by Stuart Binny (0-45) in the 40th over. Ballance had been on 32 at that time.
With two overs to go for the new ball, Ali finally got out to a lazy shot off Vijay, trapped LBW giving the opening batsman his maiden Test wicket. Plunkett was sent in as night-watchman but the ploy failed when Ballance was dismissed by Kumar in the 83rd over, caught behind by Dhoni who didn’t make a mistake this time.
The second session had begun well for India as Kumar had broken Ballance’s lunch-stand with Ian Bell (16 runs, 56 balls, 2 fours). They had added 20 runs in the morning and could only score 19 more before a short delivery surprised Bell and the ball kissed his gloves on its way to Jadeja at third slip.
His dismissal brought first-Test centurion Joe Root to the crease and India were obviously desperate to see his back. Sharma and Shami didn’t get as much movement as Kumar. Finally Jadeja got the breakthrough they needed. Root (13 runs, 50 balls) was adjudged LBW, albeit a big inside-edge which Australian umpire Bruce Oxenford failed to notice.
In the morning session, Kumar removed Alastair Cook (10) first, caught behind by a diving Dhoni, as the English skipper’s horrible run with the bat continued. It was brilliant bowling from the Indian medium pacer who set up Cook beautifully in the previous over and then snapped him up with a huge out-swinger off the first ball of the 11th over.
He then struck a second blow four overs later with opener Sam Robson (17) playing a loose stroke outside off-stump and was safely pouched by Dhoni as well. It was quite disappointing for the batsman for he failed to make good on a life given by Ajinkya Rahane at third slip, when the first-innings’ centurion dropped him off Shami in the 10th over. Robson was batting on 8 at that time and could only add 9 to his tally.
Earlier, Sharma (12*) and Shami (19) added just five runs to the overnight score of 290/9 in ten balls. The innings ended when the latter was caught at first slip by Cook off Ben Stokes (2-40) in the second over of the day and the 92nd of the innings. This was Cook’s 100th catch in Test cricket.
On day one, Rahane’s second Test ton had rescued India from a collapse after they were reduced to 145/7 at one stage. (PTI)
3.75 lakh poor girls to get marriage assistance
Mir Farhat
SRINAGAR, July 18: The Social Welfare Department has begun the process of providing monetary assistance to women from poor families for marriage following the High Court directions. However, the officials of the department said the benefits will not be given to all those women who have been shown as Below Poverty Line by the Consumers Affairs and Public Distribution Department as some people have procured BPL ration cards by fraudulent means.
Under this State scheme, Rs 25,000 would be provided as monetary assistance to a poor woman and 5 gm of gold costing around Rs 15,000.
The SWD officials said about 3.75 lakh poor girls are living in the State and would be given marriage assistance.
They said girls belonging to Below Poverty Line and who have attained the age of 18 years and are eligible for the marriage are being registered with the department through Anganwadi Centers to avail the benefits under the scheme for their marriage expenses.
However, the officials apprehend the scheme could be “misused and abused” by people by producing fake nikaah certificates and CA&PD’s BPL ration cards.
To block misuse of the scheme, the department is mulling to form committees which will be headed by respective Deputy Commissioners and will have District Social Welfare Officer, a senior gazetted officer, a female to monitor the scheme.
“Women will have to apply to the monitoring team with an affidavit attested by a Sarpanch, a councillor or by a gazetted officer and would be thoroughly checked whether she belongs to a BPL family,” Mohammad Shafi Rather, Secretary Social Welfare Department told Excelsior.
Rather said having BPL ration card cannot be the only criteria to avail the scheme.
“The teams formed at district level will itself assess on ground and will verify the authenticity of the claim of a woman of being BPL. There are chances of misuse and abuse of the scheme. So we have to monitor it,” he said.
“People may produce fake nikaah namas to get the marriage assistance. So we have to frame a mechanism to check the misuse,” he said.
The Social Welfare Department has sent the proposal to the Finance Department to get the financial assistance for the scheme. The Secretary said besides Government assistance, NGOs and local populace can also help the department by donating the money for noble cause.
Female dental surgeons continue chain hunger strike
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 18: The female dental surgeons under the banner of Dental Surgeons Association (DSA) continued their chain hunger strike for the sixth consecutive day, whereas the dharna by the association entered 18th day here today.
The unemployed dental surgeons assembled at Ambphalla Chowk and raised slogans in favour of their demands.
Continuing the chain hunger strike, Dr Tanya Gupta was sitting on fast to carry forward the movement of the association.
Addressing the gathering, chairman of the association Dr Pawan Singh Jasrotia said that a deputation of dental surgeons met Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and apprised him about the issues of dental surgeons.
However, despite having high hopes from the Chief Minister, we did not get much encouraging response from him.
Dr Jasrotia said that their agitation will not be called off till their including complete absorption of unemployed dental youth, recruitment of dental surgeons on yearly basis and establishment of separate directorate for dental health in the State are redressed.
Venkaiah to lawmakers: Discuss, debate but not disrupt House
HYDERABAD, July 18:
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu today said lawmakers should discuss and debate issues in legislatures but not disrupt proceedings in the House as it would ultimately be a loss to the people.
“Protecting people’s interest should be the guiding principle for legislators and Parliamentarians. The ruling party will be happy if the House is stalled but it will be a loss for the House and the people.
“Legislators should discuss, debate and decide (on issues) but not disrupt,” Naidu said, addressing the inaugural session of a two-day orientation programme organised for newly -elected legislators of Andhra Pradesh here.
Members should enhance the standard of debate as well as conduct in the House, said the Minister, whose sage advice came at a time when disruptions in Parliament and State legislatures have become such a common occurrence.
“Personal criticism of other members is unwarranted. Legislators should be objective and there should not be opposition just for the sake of it. Opposition should be given enough space (in the debates) to express its views.”
The Minister regretted the decline in the number of working days of State legislatures and said there was a need to increase the sittings per year.
“Parliament meets at least for 89 days a year. But some of the State legislatures are not even meeting for 30 days. This is sad,” he pointed out.
Narrating several anecdotes, Naidu said legislators should be “well prepared” with facts and be keen listeners.
“Read the (legislature) rule book thoroughly. Memorise everything and follow the rule book scrupulously. Take part in the debates actively and sit through the day’s proceedings,” he told the newly-elected public representatives.
The veteran politician said the legislators now had a new responsibility of monitoring welfare and development programmes besides being law-makers. “We have to be the bridge between people and government,” he noted.
Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan and Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will address the legislators tomorrow. (PTI)
Club files Ganguly’s nomination as CAB Joint Secretary
Kolkata, July 18:
Former India captain Sourav Ganguly’s nomination for the post of Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) Joint Secretary was today filed by his club Barisha Sporting ahead of the annual general meeting on July 27.
Welcoming the move, CAB supremo Jagmohan Dalmiya, who is set to be re-elected president uncontested, said: “Such type of people are always welcome at this level.”
“We have sent his nomination papers. He represents Barisha Sporting as the General Secretary. I’m not going to comment anything beyond this before the AGM,” Barisha Sporting president Arup Chatterjee said.
He further said there’s a “possibility” of Ganguly, who’s currently doing commentary in the ongoing Test series in England, attending the AGM despite the third Test beginning on the same day.
While Ganguly will succeed Sujan Mukherjee whose four-year term will expire this month, there will be three new vice-presidents in Samar Paul, Sudip Biswas, Amiya Kumar Auddy in place of the outgoing trio of Alok Nandy, Sambhunath Poddar and Subhas Kundu.
In another change to the CAB panel, Sibaji Dutta will be inducted into the board of trustees.(PTI)
Rs 17.87 cr earmarked for channelization of Channi Himmat drainage: Bhalla
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 18: Minister for Housing, Horticulture, Culture, Youth Services and Sports Raman Bhalla today said that Government has earmarked Rs. 17.87 crore for channelization of existing primary drains and including construction of Housing Colony Barsati nallah new secondary drains in Channi Himmat under JKUSDIP package.
This was stated by the Minister while addressing a large gathering at Channi Himmat Sector-1 after inspecting 3287 meter long R1, R2 and R3 deep drain at Channi Himmat Housing Colony, here today.
Mr. Bhalla asked the Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA) to use quality material on the development works which are under progress on war-footing in the locality.
The Minister further informed that Government has prepared a detailed project report of Rs. 65 crore for channelization and modernization of Barsati nallahs of Sunjwan, Bathindi and Gangyal, adding that all the codal formalities under the project have been completed for early start of the project.
Listing the measures taken by the Minister for providing improved basic amenities to the people of Channi Himmat, Mr. Bhalla said Government has spent Rs. 90 lakh under Jammu and Kashmir Housing Board funding for upgradation including macadamization of internal link roads of Sector-5, 6, and 7.
Mr. Bhalla said development of Housing Colonies in urban as well as in rural areas of the State was receiving main focus of the Government. He said the colonies would be developed on modern lines with all basic amenities like safe drinking water, road connectivity, electricity, parking, play field, super bazaar and recreational parks.
The Minister informed that JKHB has approved Rs. 3.50 crore for creation of health club, swimming pool and tug shop besides a recreation centre facilities on the available land near the Green Belt Park in Channi Himmat Sector-1, adding that the project is under progress.
Mr. Bhalla asked the JKHB officers to prepare the inventory of Housing Board assets besides available land across the state, adding that Government is planning to develop new housing colonies across the State under new master plan under self financing schemes. He stressed the need to put the assets of the board to best use and revenue generation.
The Minister said development of Housing Colonies in urban as well as in rural areas of the State was receiving main focus of the Government. He said the colonies would be developed on modern lines with all basic amenities like safe drinking water, road connectivity, electricity, parking, play field, super bazaar and recreational parks.
PDP MPs walk out of LS against Govt inaction on Gaza killings
Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, July 18: Continuing with her campaign for the victims of Israeli aggression in Gaza, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president, Mehbooba Mufti, today said soul of India was being killed by the silence and inaction of present Government over the unabashed atrocities committed on Palestinians.
Mehbooba rose up at the start of the proceedings in the Lok Sabha and reiterated that the Government must use its influence to stop the aggression on Gaza which has, so far, consumed 250 innocent lives with a ground invasion by Israel threatening more destruction and escalation.
She said it was sad that NDA Government, in spite of having an overwhelming majority, had turned Gandhi’s India, which always took principled stand on Palestine, into a mute, helpless spectator.
“Of what use is your brute majority if you feel shaky even by the mention of Gaza in this House and about the atrocities on children, women and aged,” Mehbooba said while pointing to the treasury benches. Such a big win should have empowered the country to take centre stage in the region especially on humanitarian issues but it has failed to do so, she added.
She said our claim to being a superpower with tremendous potential, power, nuclear arms and status as the largest democracy in the world, all is diluted because of the helplessness this Government is displaying in relation with open aggression on a defenseless people, who have been squeezed into a corner of their country.
Mehbooba, who represents South Kashmir in the Lok Sabha, said Gandhi, in spite of promoting non-violence, had given India a moral standing and influence among nations of the world by calling a spade a spade. But, the present Government by refusing to speak up on a humanitarian crisis in a region with which we have had historical connections is severely compromising that high moral pedestal of the country.
Mehbooba, along with Tariq Hameed Karra, PDP MP, later staged a walkout against the continued refusal to act.
RC cautions migrants not to buy return forms from agents
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 18: The Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner Migrants, Jammu, RK Pandita in a notice issued here has cautioned the Kashmiri migrants, desirous to return back to Valley, not to buy forms for return and rehabilitation from private agents/touts, who are doing it for vested interests.
Mr Pandita has informed that these agents are performing the job, without any authority from Relief Organization.
The notice said that all Kashmiri migrants are hereby informed that any migrant desirous to return back to Valley, under Prime Minister’s Package, announced in the year 2008, can have the forms free of cost from Relief Organization, Jammu.
Demanding sanitation, residents threaten to block NH
Excelsior Correspondent
Jammu, July 18: Residents of Preet Nagar today threatened to block Jammu- Pathankote National Highway (NH) if Jammu Municipal Cooperation (JMC) would fails to provide proper sanitation in the locality at earliest.
Scores of residents assembled at main road, Preet Nagar near Sani Market and shouted slogans against JMC for its failure to provide proper sanitation facilities in the locality despite repeated requests.
A protester, Gurmeet Singh said that the problem exist in area since last many years. “We have called on authorities and apprise them about the problem being faced by residents in absence of proper sanitation but nothing has been done so far” he said.
He said that a nallah in locality creates problem every year during monsoon but JMC authorities has not been bother to clean it since last many years.
“The nallah was 5 feet deep but it was filled with 4feet garbage due to which it over flows during monsoon and water enters in the houses of residents” he said.
He added that they asked JMC to provide a dustbin in locality so the people will not throw garbage in nallah but the JMC has turned deaf ear towards demand.
He said that this apathetic attitude compelled them to stage protest.