Aparna Popat’s racket wasn’t just a tool for victory; it was a weapon against inequality in Indian badminton. For over a decade, this shuttler from Gujarat redefined what women could achieve on the court, opening doors long shut. Starting her career amid limited resources, Popat trained under basic conditions in Ahmedabad. Yet, her talent was undeniable. By 1997, she was National Champion, and soon after, she embarked on a golden streak: five straight singles titles. Her precision, speed, and mental fortitude turned matches into masterclasses. On the global stage, Popat flew the Indian flag high. A bronze at the 2002…
Author: News Analysis India
Read More
The influence of KL Saigal on the giants of Indian music is immeasurable. Both Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar openly acknowledged Saigal as their ‘guru’. Lata once mentioned that she started her career by imitating Saigal’s soulful renditions. Kishore Kumar, similarly, held Saigal in the highest regard, crediting him for teaching the industry how to sing from the heart. Despite having no formal training, Saigal’s ability to emote through songs like ‘Babul Mora’ and ‘Jab Dil Hi Toot Gaya’ remains unparalleled.
Delhi’s fight against drugs intensified with a daring police operation in Palam Colony, resulting in the arrest of a youth smuggling heroin worth over Rs 1.60 crore. Cash recoveries added to the haul, exposing a thriving black market. The midnight raid was meticulously planned after intelligence inputs pinpointed the suspect’s hideout. As officers swooped in, the 25-year-old was attempting to offload the deadly substance to waiting buyers. Forensic teams recovered 1.2 kg of brown heroin, carefully concealed in everyday items, plus Rs 5 lakh in unaccounted cash. The street value underscores the lucrative nature of this illegal trade plaguing the…
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given the green signal to India’s first-ever Vande Bharat Sleeper train, a game-changer for long-distance night travel. Launched virtually from Lucknow, the train will operate on the Delhi-Dehradun route, bringing high-speed luxury to everyday commuters. This 20-coach behemoth, entirely made in India, features state-of-the-art sleeping arrangements in AC-3 Tier configuration. Reducing the Delhi-Dehradun travel time from over 10 hours to a swift five, it operates at speeds up to 160 kmph. Key stops include Moradabad, Najibabad, and Saharanpur, enhancing connectivity for Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh residents. Inside, passengers will find modular interiors, automatic doors, and…
The Women’s Premier League 2024 curtain-raiser witnessed Mumbai Indians skipper Harmanpreet Kaur win the toss and invite UP Warriorz to bat first at the iconic Wankhede Stadium. This tactical choice highlights MI’s confidence in their bowling unit to contain the aggressive UP batting lineup. Alyssa Healy led her UP Warriorz side onto the field, determined to lay down a marker in the tournament’s opening fixture. Key players like Deepti Sharma and Sophie Ecclestone add depth to their squad, promising a competitive chase if they post a strong total. For Mumbai Indians, the focus is on their revamped pace battery including…
A shocking death in Indore has ignited a political firestorm, with Rahul Gandhi branding the city’s water woes as the BJP’s prized ‘urban model.’ The Congress MP’s pointed criticism follows the demise of a resident from drinking contaminated tap water, shattering the narrative of Indore as a sanitation success story. Details emerged from the upscale Vijay Nagar locality, where 32-year-old Meena Patel collapsed at home. Medical reports attribute her death to acute gastroenteritis caused by polluted water sources. Neighbors report murky, foul-smelling supply for over a month, blaming IMC’s negligence amid expansion projects. Taking to social media, Gandhi posted a…
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has officially conferred the ‘Leader’ category status upon Uttarakhand in the latest Startup India evaluation. This achievement reflects the state’s dedication to nurturing a vibrant startup culture through effective policy implementation and mentorship programs. During the ceremony, the certificate was handed over to state officials, marking a proud moment for the Himalayan region. Key factors contributing to this ranking include the state’s focus on incubation centers, seed funding, and ease of doing business. The government intends to leverage this recognition to further boost the ‘Startup Uttarakhand’ initiative, aiming for even higher growth in the…
Udham Singh Nagar breathes easier today after forest teams successfully trapped a marauding leopard that had terrorized Kashipur for nearly a week. The big cat, responsible for heightened fears among locals, was ensnared in a baited cage on the town’s periphery, marking a pivotal win against escalating wildlife threats in Uttarakhand. The saga began with sporadic sightings that escalated into direct encounters. Livestock carcasses littered fields, and anxious parents kept children indoors as the leopard grew bolder, venturing into orchards and near homes under cover of night. Emergency helplines buzzed with over 50 distress calls in 48 hours, forcing authorities…
In a bold move that formalizes the divide in Nepal’s largest opposition party, the Election Commission on January 17 recognized Gagan Thapa’s leadership of the Nepali Congress, sidelining Sher Bahadur Deuba’s longstanding influence. The announcement, coming swiftly after a contentious special convention, has Thapa’s allies rejoicing while Deuba’s group mobilizes for mass agitation across the country. Acting Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari led the commission’s deliberation, approving Thapa’s panel by a majority despite one member’s opposition. Drawing from party statutes, the body cited three irrefutable grounds: the constitutional right of 40% delegates to call a special general convention, which…
It’s been 30 extraordinary years since Rani Mukerji stepped into the world of Hindi cinema, and she’s not slowing down. The veteran actress is making headlines with her return as the indomitable Shivani Shivaji Roy in ‘Mardani 3’, a milestone that coincides perfectly with her silver jubilee-plus-five in the industry. Kicking off her career with a bang in 1997’s ‘Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat’, Rani quickly proved her mettle. Her chemistry with Shah Rukh Khan in ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’ turned her into a household name overnight. Who can forget her bubbly Anjali or the intense Tina in ‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhie…