Dhaka (TIP): A complaint was filed on August 20 with Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) against deposed premier Sheikh Hasina and 26 others, including former ministers of her cabinet, for committing alleged genocide and crimes against humanity.
Md Abul Hasan, the father of Shahriar Hasan Alvi, who was killed during the recent anti-discrimination students’ movement, filed the complaint against 27 people, including 76-year-old Hasina and her cohorts and 500 unnamed others with the investigation agency of the ICT, state-run BSS news agency reported.
The other prominent accused in the complaints are former ministers Obaidul Quader, Rashed Khan Menon, Hasanul Huq Inu and former inspector general of police Abdullah Al Mamun, it said.
Hasina fled to India on August 5 after resigning from her post amidst unprecedented anti-government student-led protests. — PTI
Month: August 2024
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Plaint filed in Int’l Crimes Tribunal against Sheikh Hasina
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UN team in B’desh to talk modalities of rights probe
Dhaka (TIP): A United Nations team will meet Bangladesh’s interim government and other stakeholders from August 22 to discuss the process to investigate alleged human rights violations during the recent deadly violence in the country, officials said.
About 300 people, many of them university and college students, were killed during protests before the events spiralled into demonstrations to oust long-serving former PM Sheikh Hasina.
The UN office in Bangladesh said in a media advisory that the team from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights will be visiting Dhaka from September 22-29.
“The purpose of this visit is to understand their priorities for assistance in promoting human rights,” said the media advisory, adding Bangladesh’s interim government had requested the UN to probe the killings during the protests.
Kamala Harris remembers her mother as she accepts Democratic Party’s nomination’
“It is important to note that this visit is not an investigation, but rather it will focus on discussing the process for investigating human rights violations in light of the recent violence and unrest.” (Reuters) -
7 die in Nepal landslides; 4 of family buried alive in Bajhang district
Kathmandu (TIP): Seven persons were killed in separate incidents of landslides that were triggered by incessant rain in the western part of Nepal in the last 24 hours, police said on August 20.
Four members of a family were buried alive in the Bajhang district as a landslide swept a house in the Bungal municipality-10 on Sunday night, according to the police.
Those killed included 50-year-old Kali Dhami, her daughter-in-law and two grandchildren aged six and three, said the police. Meanwhile, six members of the family managed to escape nature’s fury.
In another incident, a landslide buried a temporary shelter in Majha gaon of the Nalgad municipality-2 in Jajarkot district on Monday, killing three members of a family.
According to the police, the family had been living in the temporary shelter after their house had collapsed in the earthquake last year. More than 1,800 people have lost their lives in a decade, owing to the monsoon’s fury in the Himalayan nation. (PTI) -
Sri Lanka announces visa-free access to Indians, nationals from 34 other countries for 6 months
Colombo (TIP): The Sri Lankan government has announced visa-free access to citizens from 35 countries, including India, the UK and the US to the island nation for six months, media reports said on August 21. The Cabinet made the decision which will be in effect from October 1, 2024, the Daily Mirror newspaper reported quoting Adviser to the Ministry of Tourism, Harin Fernando.
The policy is for six months, Fernando said. Countries on the list include India, the UK, China, the US, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Australia, Denmark, Poland, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Nepal, Indonesia, Russia, and Thailand.
Other countries include Malaysia, Japan, France, Canada, the Czech Republic, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Israel, Belarus, Iran, Sweden, South Korea, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain and New Zealand.
Earlier, controversy surrounded increased fees for on-arrival visas in Sri Lanka, which were being handled by a foreign company.
Visitors from India, China, Russia, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia received tourist visas free of charge to Sri Lanka. (PTI) -
Pakistani YouTuber arrested for fanning ‘religious hatred’, ‘defaming institutions’
Lahore (TIP): A staunch critic of the Pakistan Army and YouTuber has been arrested in the Punjab province of Pakistan for allegedly fanning ‘religious hatred’ and ‘defaming institutions’, especially the military, on social media, authorities said on August 22. The arrest of Orya Maqbool Jan, a known political commentator, comes a week after intelligence agencies allegedly abducted another YouTuber and comedian for criticising the Shehbaz Sharif-led government.
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) cybercrime wing said it raided Jan’s residence in Lahore on Thursday and arrested him for stoking religious hatred against an ‘important personality’ and institutions.
Jan, a columnist, poet, playwright and former civil servant, has a following of over a million subscribers on his YouTube channel. Last year he was detained by intelligence agencies for several days for openly criticising the role of the powerful military in politics and for supporting jailed former prime minister Imran Khan.
Following the arrest of Khan, the founder supremo of the Pakistan-Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party last August, a number of journalists and YouTubers in the country faced arrests, violence and threats amid mass protests.
Earlier last week, another Pakistani YouTuber and comedian Aun Ali Khosa was allegedly abducted by intelligence agencies for singing a song critical of the Shehbaz Sharif government and its backers. He, however, had returned home, his lawyer said on Monday.
Khosa was among the three other social media activists from Khan’s PTI, who had recently been picked up, allegedly by intelligence agencies. The other two were Naeem Ahmad Yasin and Arsalan Akbar and their families have claimed they are ‘missing’. (PTI) -
Spanish woman believed to be the oldest person in the world dies at age 117
Madrid (TIP): Maria Branyas, an American-born Spaniard considered the world’s oldest person at 117 years old, has died, her family said on August 21.
In a post on Branyas’ X account, her family wrote in Catalan: “Maria Branyas has left us. She has gone the way she wanted: in her sleep, at peace, and without pain.” Gerontology Research Group, which validates details of people thought to be 110 or older, listed Branyas as the oldest known person in the world after the death of French nun Lucile Randon last year. The next oldest person listed by Gerontology Research Group is now Japan’s Tomiko Itooka, who is 116 years old.
Branyas was born in San Francisco on March 4, 1907. After living for some years in New Orleans, where her father founded a magazine, her family returned to Spain when she was young. Branyas said that she had memories of crossing the Atlantic Ocean during World War I.
Her X account is called “Super Catalan Grandma” and bears the description: “I am old, very old, but not an idiot.” At age 113, Branyas tested positive for COVID-19 during the global pandemic, but avoided developing severe symptoms that claimed tens of thousands of older Spaniards.
At the time of her death she was living in a nursing home in Catalan town of Olot.
Her family wrote that Branyas told them days before her death: “I don’t know when, but very soon this long journey will come to an end. Death will find me worn down from having lived so much, but I want to meet it with a smile, feeling free and satisfied.” (AP) -
French destroyer in EU mission rescues 29 mariners from oil tanker stricken in Red Sea attacks
Dubai (TIP): A French destroyer rescued 29 mariners from an oil tanker that came under repeated attack in the Red Sea, officials said on August 22, while also destroying a bomb-carrying drone boat in the area. Yemen’s Houthi rebels are suspected to have carried out the assault on the Sounion. The attack, the most serious in the Red Sea in weeks, comes during a monthslong campaign by Houthis targeting ships over the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip that has disrupted a trade route through which $1 trillion in cargo typically passes each year.
The Sounion is now at anchor in the Red Sea and no longer drifting, the European Union’s Operation Aspides said. However, it wasn’t clear if the vessel was still ablaze. The vessel had been staffed by a crew of Filipinos and Russians.
Military officials did not name the French destroyer involved in the rescue.In the attack Wednesday, men on small boats first opened fire with small arms about 140 km (90 miles) west of the rebel-held Yemeni port city of Hodeida, the British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre said. Four projectiles also hit the ship, it added. It wasn’t immediately clear if that meant drones or missiles.
The Houthis did not immediately claim responsibility for the attacks, though it can take them hours or even days before they acknowledge their assaults. However, they did acknowledge US airstrikes in Hodeida that the American military’s Central Command said destroyed a Houthi surface-to-air missile and radar system. The Houthis have targeted more than 80 vessels with missiles and drones since the war in Gaza started in October. They seized one vessel and sank two in the campaign that also killed four sailors.
Other missiles and drones have either been intercepted by a US-led coalition in the Red Sea or failed to reach their targets.
The rebels maintain that they target ships linked to Israel, the United States or the UK to force an end to Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza. However, many of the ships attacked have little or no connection to the conflict, including some bound for Iran.
As Iran threatens to retaliate against Israel over the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, the US military told the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group to sail more quickly to the area. Early Thursday, the US military’s Central Command said the Lincoln had reached the Mideast’s waters, without elaborating.
America also has ordered the USS Georgia-guided missile submarine into the Mideast, while the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier strike group was in the Gulf of Oman.
Additional F-22 fighter jets have flown into the region and the USS Wasp, a large amphibious assault ship carrying F-35 fighter jets, is in the Mediterranean Sea. (AP) -
UK tech tycoon Mike Lynch missing after yacht sinks
Palermo (Sicily) (TIP): One man died and six people were missing, including British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch, after a luxury yacht was struck by an unexpectedly violent storm and sank off Sicily on August 21. The British-flagged “Bayesian”, a 56-metre-long sailboat, was carrying 22 people and was anchored just off shore near the port of Porticello when it was hit by ferocious weather, the Italian coast guard said. Witnesses said the yacht vanished quickly beneath the waves shortly before dawn. Fifteen people escaped before it went down, including Lynch’s wife, Angela Bacares. — Reuters
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China lodges ‘serious protest’ with US over top American officials meeting Dalai Lama
Beijing (TIP): China on August 22 lodged a “serious protest” with the US after a top Biden administration official met the Dalai Lama and reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to advancing the human rights of Tibetans and supporting efforts to preserve their distinct historical, linguistic, cultural, and religious heritage.
The Dalai Lama, 89, is recuperating in New York since he underwent a successful knee replacement surgery on June 28.
Uzra Zeya, the US Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights and Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues, travelled to New York for an audience with the Dalai Lama and conveyed Biden’s message to the Tibetan spiritual leader, a State Department statement said.
The Tibetan spiritual leader’s meeting with the top US State Department official comes months after Biden signed into law a bill which enhanced US support for Tibet to promote dialogue between China and the Dalai Lama towards a peaceful resolution of the dispute over the status and governance of the remote Himalayan region.
Reacting to UZra Zeya’s meeting with the Dalai Lama, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, told a media briefing here that the 14th Dalai Lama is not a pure religious figure, still less a figure promoting “non-violence” and “peace”, but a political exile engaged in anti-China separatist activities under the cloak of religion.
“China firmly opposes any country allowing the Dalai Lama to make visits under any pretext and opposes government officials of any country meeting with the Dalai Lama in any form,” she said.
“We’ve made a serious protest with the US. The appointment of the so-called “US Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues” constitutes an interference in China’s internal affairs. China has never recognised it,” Mao said of the region, which China refers to as “Xizang”.
“We urge the US to fully understand the gravity and sensitivity of Xizang-related issues, be fully aware of the Dalai group’s anti-China and separatist nature, honour the commitments the US has made to China on issues related to Xizang, truly respect China’s core interests and major concerns, not allow the Dalai Lama to engage in political separatist activities in the US, have no contact with the Dalai Lama in any form, and stop sending the wrong message to the world,” she said.
China had opposed the “Resolve Tibet Act” passed by the House of Representatives last February and cleared by the Senate in May and described it as “destabilising”.“Honoured to meet with His Holiness the @DalaiLama, a global figure for compassion and nonviolence. I conveyed greetings from @POTUS, wishing a smooth recovery and reaffirming the United States’ unwavering support for the Tibetan community,” Zeya, an Indian-origin-American diplomat, said in a post on X through her official handle.
Earlier in May 2022, Zeya had called on the Dalai Lama at his residence in Dharamsala, the seat of power of the Tibetan government in exile, during her official visit to India and Nepal. (PTI) -
Putin: Kyiv trying to strike nuclear plant
Moscow (TIP): Russian President Vladimir Putin on August 22 accused Ukraine of trying to strike Russia’s Kursk nuclear power plant in an overnight attack and said Moscow had informed the UN nuclear safety watchdog about the situation. Acting Kursk Governor Alexei Smirnov told Putin that the situation at the Kursk plant, which has four Soviet graphite-moderated RBMK-1000 reactors, was “stable”. “The enemy tried to strike at the nuclear power plant during the night today,” Putin told a meeting of senior officials about the situation in Russian border regions. (Reuters)
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Zelenskyy visits area bordering Russia amid offensive in Kursk
Kyiv (TIP): President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the capture of another Russian village as he visited a border area from which Ukrainian forces entered Russia over two weeks ago, but Moscow said its troops had taken a village in east Ukraine. Kyiv also said it had mounted a drone strike on an air base in southern Russia, its latest counterattack as Russian forces slowly advance in eastern Ukraine 2-1/2 years after Moscow’s full-scale invasion.
Russia said its troops had beaten back an attempt by a Ukrainian force to infiltrate its border in a different region to Kyiv’s initial incursion into Russia on August 6. The raid took place about 240 km from the site of the Ukrainian incursion into Kursk region in western Russia, suggesting that the Kyiv government may be aiming to take the war to more border areas.
Authorities in Kursk said they had begun installing concrete shelters to help protect civilians amid the Ukrainian incursion.
The Russian defence ministry said on August 22 its forces had captured the village of Mezhove in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region.
Zelenskyy said he had met his top commander, Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi, during his visit to the border region of Sumy. Official video footage showed them shaking hands and embracing but did not make clear when the visit took place. (Reuters)
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Israeli strikes leave 50 dead in Gaza; truce deal remains elusive
Cairo/Jerusalem (TIP): Israeli airstrikes across Gaza killed at least 50 Palestinians in the past 24 hours, Palestinian health officials said on August 21, after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken ended his latest visit to the region with a truce deal still elusive. As last-ditch diplomacy continued to halt the 10-month-old war between Israel and Hamas, the Israeli military said jets hit around 30 targets throughout the Gaza Strip including tunnels, launch sites and an observation post.
It said troops killed dozens of armed fighters and seized weapons including explosives, grenades and automatic rifles. Later in the day, the Israeli military struck a school and a nearby house in Gaza City, killing at least three people and wounding 15, the territory’s Civil Emergency Service said.
The military said, in a statement, it had hit Hamas militants operating at a command center located inside a compound that had previously served as a school.
The conflict churned on as Blinken wound up his ninth troubleshooting visit to West Asia since the Gaza war erupted last October with still no sign that deep differences between the sides over how to end the war could be reconciled.
A Greek-flagged oil tanker was adrift in the Red Sea on Wednesday after repeated attacks that started a fire on the vessel and caused the ship to lose power, the UK maritime agency said.
The Israeli military said on August 21 it had bombed Hezbollah weapon storage facilities in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley overnight, and Hezbollah said it had carried out a drone attack on military posts in a kibbutz in northern Israel in retaliation. Israel also said it had killed a militant in Sidon, southern Lebanon, who worked with Iran’s Revolutionary Guards and the Tehran-aligned Hezbollah. Hezbollah said it had retaliated for the strike on the Bekaa by firing Katyusha rockets at an Israeli military logistics site in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights and by later firing a swarm of drones on military posts in the kibbutz of Amiad in northern Israel. (Reuters)
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Rocket engine explodes during test at Scottish spaceport
London (TIP): A rocket engine exploded in flames during a test at the SaxaVord Spaceport in Scotland, which last year became Britain’s first licensed vertical rocket launch site.
BBC footage showed a large explosion late on August 21 at the site in the Shetland Islands off the northern coast of Scotland.
It spewed great plumes of fire and smoke into the air.
The site had been evacuated prior to the test and no one was injured, SaxaVord and its German partner, Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA), said in separate statements.
“This was a test, and test campaigns are designed to identify issues prior to the next stage,” a spokesman for SaxaVord said. “We will work with RFA to understand and learn from the causes and support them as they move forward to the next phase of their preparations.”
RFA said it was trying to gather information to resolve what happened following an “anomaly” during the test, one of a number of trials in the run-up to a launch.
The launch pad had been “saved and is secured”, it added.
SaxaVord, which hopes to become the first British site to undertake a vertical satellite launch into space, received a key safety license from regulators in April, paving the way for a launch later this year.
The space market is forecast to be worth over a trillion-dollars by 2030 as companies around the world plan to deploy thousands of internet-beaming satellites. (Reuters) -
Vinay Mohan Kwatra arrives in Washington to assume charge as India’s Ambassador to US
WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): India’s Ambassador-designate to the US Vinay Mohan Kwatra arrived here on Monday, August 12 to assume charge as India’s Ambassador.
Kwatra, 61, till recently was India’s Foreign Secretary. He succeeds Taranjit Singh Sandhu, who retired from the foreign service early this year after serving as India’s top diplomat in the US from 2020 to 2024. “Delighted to welcome Ambassador Vinay Mohan Kwatra as the new Ambassador of India to the United States of America. All of us (at the Indian Embassy) are excited to work under his leadership,” Charge D’Affaires Sripriya Ranganathan said in a post on X.
A group of eminent Indian Americans from the Greater Washington DC area had gathered at the Dulles International Airport to welcome the new Indian Ambassador. However, they could not meet him. Kwatra, who previously served as Minister of Commerce in the Indian Embassy here is expected to present his credentials to the US President Joe Biden shortly.
He was also India’s Ambassador to France and Nepal, after which he was appointed as the foreign secretary. He retired from the foreign service on July 14. -
Kamala Harris gains ground in key battleground states, continues her fundraising spree
WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris has voiced confidence in winning the November 5 general elections against her Republican rival Donald Trump, as she gained ground nationally and in several key battleground states.
US Vice President Harris, who is of both Indian and African origin, continues to be on a fundraising spree, taking her campaign coffers to an unprecedented level.
The 59-year-old Democratic leader has also been attracting a record crowd in her rallies.
“We will win this election,” Harris told a fundraiser in San Francisco on Sunday, August 10 in which she amassed USD 12 million more for her presidential bid.
The fundraiser was attended by around 700 donors, including several prominent Indian-Americans.
In less than a month of her being on top of the Democratic Party ticket, after incumbent President Joe Biden decided to withdraw from the race, Harris has nearly wiped out the national lead of her Republican rival and former president Trump.
According to Real Clear Politics, which monitors all the major national and state polls, Harris is now leading Trump by 0.5 percentage points in an average of all the national polls.
Harris has also surged ahead in two battleground states, Wisconsin and Michigan, where Biden was trailing earlier, as per Real Clear Politics. The latest poll by The New York Times said that Harris is leading in three key states – Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan – by four percentage points.
Harris told the donors in San Francisco that she is not taking any chances. Speaking about the enthusiasm behind her campaign, Harris said she’s “never been one to really believe in the polls, whether they’re up or they are down.” Still, “what we know is the stakes are so high. And we can take nothing for granted at this moment,” she said. “It’s really been a good couple of weeks, but we have a lot of work to do,” Harris said. “The people are ready to use their power,” she said.
The energy around the country is “undeniable,” she added, arguing, “The press and our opponents like to focus on our crowd size, and, yes, the crowds are large.” But even better is that attendees are signing up for volunteer shifts in the thousands, she noted.
On Saturday, Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz addressed more than 12,000 Nevadans – one of the largest political rallies in modern Nevada political history.
The rally marked the final stop on a weeklong tour of battleground states launched after she picked Walz to be her running mate. Harris picked Walz as her running mate for the presidential elections last week. She formally secured the Democratic presidential nomination a day before that, becoming the first Indian-American to win the nomination from a major political party.
“Thousands of people showed up here to Thomas and Mack—and Harris explained to them why she should be the next president of the United States. A rock star’s welcome as Kamala Harris walked out to the podium,” local TV station KVVU-LV said.
“At one of the largest political rallies in modern Nevada political history, Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz continued their barnstorming tour as the new Democratic presidential ticket on Saturday — one of the clearest signs yet of Democrats’ renewed hopes in the swing state,” the local news portal Nevada Independent reported.
Starting on Tuesday, Harris and Walz blitzed the battlegrounds, drawing crowds of fired-up supporters, including more than 14,000 in Philadelphia, over 12,000 in Eau Claire, and 15,000 plus in both Detroit and Arizona.
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National Cricket League USA Launches Game-Changing Sixty Strikes Tournament in North Texas
New Frontier of Cricket: NCL USA and UT Dallas Partner Up to Redefine Cricket
DALLAS, TX (TIP): The National Cricket League (NCL) USA is set to revolutionize the sports landscape in North Texas with the inaugural Sixty Strikes Tournament. This new 60 ball cricket format will feature a star-studded lineup of international cricket icons and will take place from October 4-14, 2024, at UT Dallas. Think of this as the premier league of cricket, on par with the biggest names in sports. The NCL USA is establishing a professional cricket league with American teams that will bring a unique and dynamic brand to the sport, creating a new legacy in the world of cricket while honoring its rich origins.
The Sixty Strikes Tournament will feature six world-class teams of international stars. Leading the teams will be cricketing icons such as Muhammad, Sunil Narine, Dwayne Bravo, Mohd Amir, Angelo Mathews, Jason Roy, Muhammad Nabi, Tamim Iqbal, Shakib Al Hasan, Shahid Afridi, and Kamran Akmal. Mentoring these players will be legendary figures like Dilip Vengsarkar, and Zaheer Abbas, with coaching provided by cricket greats Vivian Richards and Sanath Jayasuriya. These elite players and mentors represent international cricket, making for powerful matches. “Cricket’s popularity in the U.S. is on the rise, and this tournament will bring world-class cricket to American shores,” said Arun Agarwal, Chairman of the NCL USA. “Our collaboration with UT Dallas is a perfect match, combining our expertise in cricket with their facilities to create an unforgettable experience.”
“UT Dallas, home of many international students, is the perfect site for NCL USA’S inaugural season,” said James B. Milliken, chancellor of The University of Texas System.
The Sixty Strikes format is a condensed, fast-paced version of traditional cricket. This shorter format of the game lasts about 90 minutes, allowing players to be more competitive, making for a nail-biting game for everyone.
“Texas is proud to host the inaugural Sixty Strikes tournament,” said Governor Greg Abbott. “Earlier this year, Texas hosted the first ever T20 Cricket World Cup in the United States, and our great state has welcomed the Major League Cricket and National Cricket League USA—both of which have a presence and teams in North Texas. As cricket expands its global fanbase, Texas will hold front-row seats to its growth across the nation.”
The NCL USA is transforming the game of cricket by shortening matches to a 60-ball format. They are creating a faster-paced, high-scoring game that appeals to a wider audience. This new style encourages aggressive batting, leading to more boundaries and nail-biting finishes. Cricket is more than a sport in India; it’s a cultural obsession. From bustling streets to packed stadiums, the nation’s passion for the game is unmatched. Now, this passion is coming to North Texas.
Arun Agarwal and UT Dallas President Richard Benson. “Many in our UT Dallas community play or follow the game, so bringing this innovative tournament to campus is a natural fit,” said UT Dallas President Richard C. Benson. “We are excited for the opportunity to host alumni and supporters and to introduce newcomers to our university.”
“The NCL USA is reimagining cricket as a global entertainment phenomenon, combining athleticism with the glamour of Bollywood,” said Arun Agarwal, Chairman of the NCL USA. “We’re building a world-class venue to host this exciting new era of cricket. North Texas is about to experience a cricket revolution. Cricket meets Coachella!”
Click here to learn more about Sixty Strikes Tournament at NCLCricket.com
About the National Cricket League USA
Headquartered in Dallas, the National Cricket League (NCL) USA is at the forefront of bringing the Sixty Strikes format of cricket to the United States. By creating a competitive platform for both domestic and international players, the NCL USA will elevate the sport’s profile and draw a diverse audience. The NCL USA is committed to delivering action-packed matches that highlight the excitement of cricket, providing top-tier entertainment for families and sports enthusiasts.Socials:
Facebook: National Cricket League USA
Instagram: National Cricket League USA
Twitter: NCLCricket USA
Kyle Edgington, UT Dallas VP for Development and Alumni Relations) -
Three Indian American Congressmen urges to end to violence against Hindus in Bangladesh
WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): Three prominent Indian American Congressmen—Raja Krishnamoorthi, Shri Thanedar, and Ro Khanna—have called for an immediate end to the escalating violence in Bangladesh, particularly the targeting of the Hindu minority. In a statement released earlier this week, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi expressed deep concern over the ongoing turmoil in Bangladesh. “As Bangladesh prepares to swear in its interim government, I urge all government officials, the new administration and police chief, and the people of Bangladesh to do all they can to end the violence that has emerged across the country, including the brutal targeting of the country’s Hindu minority, their homes, businesses, and their temples,” Krishnamoorthi said. He further emphasized the need for accountability, urging that “those responsible must be brought to justice to help the people of Bangladesh move forward as a nation.” Krishnamoorthi assured his constituents that he would continue to closely monitor the situation in coordination with the U.S. State Department.
Congressman Shri Thanedar also condemned the violence, describing it as a “horrific” threat to Bangladesh’s democracy. In his statement, Thanedar highlighted the recent civil unrest, which began with student-led protests and has since spiraled into widespread violence, leading to the deaths of hundreds and the persecution of minority populations, including Hindus, Buddhists, and Christians. “I am especially concerned about reports of attacks targeting the country’s Hindu minority. Accounts of temples destroyed, homes leveled, and individuals targeted are as disturbing as they are reprehensible,” he said. Thanedar called on all Bangladeshis, from leadership to the general populace, to work towards ending the violence and restoring peace.
Thanedar also noted the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 6th and her subsequent flight to India, leaving Bangladesh in disarray and under military control. He urged the new interim government to prioritize peace and stability, pledging to remain vigilant in coordination with the U.S. State Department.
Congressman Ro Khanna echoed similar sentiments, acknowledging the legitimacy of student-led protests against the former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government but condemning the subsequent violence. “Bangladeshi students had just human rights concerns against PM Hasina. It’s good she is gone. But the violence now targeting Hindus is wrong,” Khanna stated. He called on the newly appointed Prime Minister Yunus to uphold the rule of law and protect all citizens, regardless of their political or religious affiliations. -
7 Indian-origin men convicted of violence at kabaddi event in England’s in Derby
LONDON (TIP):Seven Indian-origin men aged between 24 and 36 years have been convicted for their role in a violent disorder involving guns and machetes at a kabaddi tournament in Derby, in the East Midlands region of England. Derbyshire Police said several people were injured when violence broke out between two groups who attended the tournament at Alvaston in August last year. While five of the men arrested and charged had pleaded guilty, two others — Parminder Singh and Malkeet Singh — were convicted of violent disorder and possession of a firearm by a jury last week. All five men will be sentenced at Derby Crown Court at a later date.
“What should have been a pleasant day out for people attending a sporting event turned into a huge violent disorder in which multiple people were injured,” said Detective Chief Inspector Matt Croome, Senior Investigating Officer at Derbyshire Police.
Police were called to the scene off Elvaston Lane on August 20 last year after reports of shots being fired and people fighting with weapons. They discovered that the fight had been pre-planned with a group meeting at Brunswick Street, Derby, beforehand.
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Indian American Sivasankaran Somasundaram wins GRIT Lifetime Achievement Award
AUSTIN, TX (TIP) : Indian American Sivasankaran “Soma” Somasundaram, president and chief executive officer of ChampionX, is one of the three winners of the 2024 GRIT Lifetime Achievement Awards given by ALLY Energy, leveraging AI to power the energy workforce of the future.
These awards recognize people who have made significant and sustained contributions to the energy industry through leadership, scholarship, administration, or mentoring, according to a media release. “They represent the most influential minds in energy, sustainability, and climate.”
The other two winners are Vicki Hollub, president and chief executive officer of Occidental and Jan E. Odegard, consultant and former executive director of Ion, the hub of Houston’s innovation ecosystem.
“This year’s winners are those who have spent many years transforming the energy and climate sectors in big companies and building ecosystems to address the energy transition,” says Katie Mehnert, founder and CEO of ALLY Energy. “We were overwhelmed with submissions. The committee of judges had its work cut out!”
The Lifetime Achievement Award winners, Mehnert said, “have worked steadily to move us forward in the marathon to reaching net zero. They have also shown crucial leadership in helping organizations tap into the most important resource of all: the minds and skills of people. There’s nothing more powerful in energy than human capital.”
The awards will be presented at the GRIT awards ceremony on Oct 30 at the House of Blues in Houston. Somasundaram’s career in the energy sector spans over two decades. He currently serves as president and CEO of ChampionX Corp, where he spearheads initiatives that foster innovation and sustainability within the energy field.
Prior to his current role, Somasundaram served in multiple leadership roles including as president and CEO of Dover Energy, where he oversaw the development of engineered products and solutions for the global energy market. His contributions to the energy industry have been recognized by the Energy Workforce and Technology Council who named him the 2022 recipient of its DEI Champion Award for his commitment and advocacy for diversity, equity and inclusion in the energy services and technology industry.
In 2023, he was named as a member of the National Petroleum Council, a federally chartered advisory committee whose members are selected and appointed by the US Secretary of Energy.
Somasundaram holds a master’s degree in industrial engineering from the University of Oklahoma and a Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Anna University in Chennai, India. -
When overseas Indians enjoyed their moments of glory
By Prabhjot Singh Led by veteran Rajeev Ram, sportspersons belonging to the Indian Diaspora representing different nations in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games have every reason to feel pleased about their performance in the 2024 Paris Olympic games.
After Rohan Bopanna, the oldest tennis player to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, made an early exit from his favorite men’s doubles event, his long-time arch-rival and friend, Rajeev Ram, finished on the podium. Though a gold medal eluded Rajeev Ram for the second time since the Rio Olympic Games in 2016, he doubled his silver medal tally of the Olympic Games. In partnership with left-handed Austin Krajicek, he lost the men’s doubles final to the Australian pair of Mathew Ebden and John Peers at 7-6, 6-7, 8-10.
Incidentally, Mathew Ebden is a long-time doubles partner of Rohan Bopanna.
Rajeev Ram has become the second player of Indian origin to win two Olympic medals in different editions. Earlier, hockey player, Kulbir Bhaura, representing Great Britain had won two Olympic medals – a Brown in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games and a gold in the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games.
Rajeev won his first Olympic medal, a silver, in partnership with Venus Williams in the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. In the semi-final, Rajeev and Venus defeated Indian pair Rohan Bopanna and Sania Mirza.
The only tennis medal that has come India’s way was a bronze won by Leander Paes in the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. He lost to the ultimate winner, Andre Agassi, in the semi-finals. Since then, India has not won any medal in tennis while Rajeev Ram, a player of Indian origin, has won two silver medals in 2016 and 2024. Rajeev Ram has represented the USA in three consecutive Olympic Games since 2016.
Another player of Indian origin who represented the USA in the third consecutive Olympic Games has been Kanak Jha, a table tennis player. Kanak Jha had a credible tournament as he qualified for the pre-quarterfinals, his highest finish since his Olympic debut in Rio in 2016.
Besides Rajeev Ram and Kanak Jha, who represented the USA In three Olympic Games each, wrestler Amarveer Singh Dhesi donned Canadian colors in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. He made his Olympic debut in the 125 kg category at Tokyo. He finished 13th. This time, he won his pre-quarter-final encounter but lost the quarter-final and also the repechage to end among the top eight.
Another athlete of Indian origin who represented Canada has been Jasneet Nijjar, a runner. She was a part of the Canadian 4×400 m women’s relay quartet that finished sixth.
The third player of Indian origin to represent Canada was water polo player Jessica Gaudreault, a goaltender. Canada finished eighth in the women’s water polo event.
A player of Indian origin represented France in table tennis. Prithika Pavade competed in women’s singles. She lost to Manika Batra. -
India’s medal winners and near misses
By Prabhjot Singh Neeraj Chopra, Manu Bhaker, Sarabjot Singh, Swapnil Kusale, Aman Sehrawat, and the Indian hockey team contributed to the six medals, including a silver and five bronze, that India won in the Paris 2024 Olympics, ranking the country in the 71st place on the medals tally.
While the six medals gave many reasons to celebrate, India’s campaign at the Olympics was also filled with many near misses including that of Lakshya Sen in Badminton, Saikhom Mirabhai Chanu in Weightlifting, and Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification from the wrestling final.
Neeraj Chopra
While India rested its hope of a gold medal on reigning Olympic and Javelin Throw world champion Neeraj Chopra, it was ultimately not to be as he lost to Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem who bettered an Olympic record that had stood for 16 years, not once but twice.
Nadeem’s first — a throw of 92.97m in his second throw of the competition secured his gold medal. The second of 91.79m in his final attempt put the final exclamation mark on a near-flawless performance. Chopra produced his biggest throw of the season in the qualification throw with 89.34m. He improved on that in his second throw of the final with 89.45m which netted him a silver medal.
During his performances, Chopra has been careful about the injury he has been carrying for some time. He agreed that it affected his focus. “Despite that I performed well and got my season best throw.”
Following his performance, Chopra became the second male athlete post-independence to win two Olympic medals in an individual event.
Chopra, who is yet to cross the 90m mark, wanted to improve the technical side of the game. “Javelin is a technical sport. You always have some scope for improvement.”
Manu Bhaker
Manu Bhaker registered several firsts for Indian shooting, but most importantly, became the first Indian ever to win twin medals in a single edition of the Games. Manu Bhaker won her first bronze medal at the women’s 10m air pistol event, becoming the first Indian woman shooter to be on the Olympic podium.
After qualifying for the final in third place, Manu hit the ground running. Of the 22 shots she took, just 7 were in the ‘9’ ring .She was never out of medal contention and was in silver medal place until her final shot of the competition where she was pipped by the narrowest of margins — 0.1 — by South Korea’s Kim Yeji. She next won another bronze medal in the mixed 10m air pistol event with Sarabjot Singh, having beaten South Korea 16-10.
Men’s Hockey Team
In the last half a century, the Indian hockey team had not secured two consecutive medals in the Olympics. When it retained its bronze medal in Paris on August 8, 2024, it was time for celebrations and overflow of emotions in the stands of the Yves du Manoir Stadium in Paris. India’s fourth bronze and 13th Olympic medal was a fitting farewell for goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh, who closed his glorious two-decade long international career and served India with distinction, and deserved every bit of the dream swansong.
In captivating action under the hot afternoon sun, India, which switched to coach Craig Fulton only three months prior to the Asian Games last year and adapted quickly to a defence-first style, rallied to pip a never-say-die Spain 2-1 in the bronze medal match. It last won back-to-back Olympic medals way back in 1972 in Munich. The committed Indian fans broke into celebrations as the players stacked over a grounded Sreejesh paid their tribute to the legendary ‘God of Indian hockey.”
Sarabjot Singh
World No. 14 Sarabjot Singh has added a bronze Olympics medal into his kitty when he, along with Manu Bhaker, defeated South Korea in the 10m air pistol mixed team Bronze Medal Match.
Swapnil Kusale
Swapnil Kusale clinched his first Olympic bronze and third medal for India in the 50m rifle 3 positions event, a highly demanding category that requires shooters to compete in three different positions across three stages — 20 shots each in kneeling, prone and standing positions.
Aman Sehrawat
Grappler Aman Sehrawat has become India’s youngest-ever Olympic medallist after winning the bronze medal in the 57kg freestyle wrestling category less than a month after his 21st birthday. Aman notched up a commanding 13-5 win over Puerto Rico’s Darian Cruz in a high-intensity third-place contest. After shaking off a loss in the semifinals, he went through the rigmarole of making the weight by losing 1.5kg before dominating Cruz for the bronze
Medals that were missed by a whisker
There’s a difference between finishing seventh and fourth. Any athlete will tell you which is worse. When you are seventh, you really were not in contention for a medal. A fourth-place finish is a reminder that you are just the first of the guys outside the podium. For India, there were six such medals that were missed.
Arjun Babuta – Men’s 10m Air Rifle Shooting
Arjun Babuta had to swallow a bitter defeat in the 10m air rifle individual final when he flirted with the chance to make Indian sporting history before eventually finishing fourth, missing the bronze medal by just 1.4 points.
Dhiraj Bommadevara and Ankita Bhakat – Archery
Indian archers Dhiraj Bommadevara and Ankita Bhakat made a bit of history by making it to the mixed team bronze medal match, but fell short of cornering Olympic glory by placing fourth. However, they have given Indian archery a big morale-boosting push.
Manu Bhakar – Women’s 25m Pistol Shooting
Manu Bhaker narrowly missed out on a 3rd shooting medal, finishing 4th in the women’s 25m pistol final. “The fourth position definitely does not feel amazing but there is always a next time and certainly it is going to be there for me,” Bhaker said.
Lakshya Sen – Men’s Badminton Singles
Hopes for India’s first-ever Olympic gold in badminton will were dashed after Lakshya Sen suffered a straight-game defeat to reigning champion Viktor Axelsen in the men’s singles semifinals. Lakshya fought gallantly against Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia in the bronze medal match but missed out on securing a medal there as well.
Anantjeet Singh Naruka and Maheshwari Chauhan – Skeet mixed team shootingIndia’s skeet mixed team of Anantjeet Singh Naruka and Maheshwari Chauhan lost the bronze medal match to China 44-43. The Indian team struck a total of 43 targets out of the possible 48. China managed one better, hitting 44 of the 48 pellets to finish third.
Saikhom Mirabai Chanu – Women’s Weightlifting 49kg
Trying to replicate her heroics from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Saikhom Mirabhai Chanu needed a cumulative total of over 200kg going into her final clean and jerk attempt to secure her medal. Unfortunately, she failed to complete the 114kg lift and fulfilled a cumulative total of 199kg, missing the medal bracket by 1kg. Source: The Hindu -
Curtain closes on Paris 2024 as Olympic flame passes to Los Angeles
CAS postpones verdict on Vinesh Phogat’s Olympic silver medal appeal further, next update on August 16
The Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) postponed the verdict on Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s appeal for a joint Olympic silver medal in women’s 50kg wrestling at the Paris Olympics 2024 till August 16. “The CAS ad hoc division president has allowed Hon. Dr Annabelle Bennett, Sole Arbitrator in the Vinesh Phogat vs. United World Wrestling (UWW) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) matter, an extension until 6-00 p.m. (Paris time) on Friday, August 16, 2024,” a release from the IOA said.
This was the second time the CAS postponed its decision on the matter.
The hearing took place on Friday (August 9). CAS initially promised a decision by Saturday night (August 10) but then deferred it until August 13.
This was after the CAS ad-hoc division, set up especially for dispute resolution during the Games, accepted Vinesh’s appeal against her ouster for being 100gm overweight on the morning of her final against eventual gold-winner Sarah Ann Hildebrandt of USA.
The United World Wrestling (UWW), the parent body of world wrestling, stripped Vinesh of a podium finish according to the game rules.
“Indian Olympic Association remained hopeful of a positive resolution of wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s application before the Ad hoc Division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against her failed weigh-in,” the IOA said in a statement.
In the summit clash, Vinesh was replaced by Cuban wrestler Yusneylis Guzman Lopez, who lost to her in the semifinals on Tuesday.
In her appeal, the Indian has demanded that she be given a joint silver with Lopez as she was within the prescribed weight limit during her bouts.
Vinesh was represented by high-profile senior advocates Harish Salve and Vidushpat Singhania.
“Since the matter is sub-judice, IOA can only state that the Sole Arbitrator Dr. Annabelle Bennett AC SC (Australia) heard all parties applicant Vinesh Phogat, the respondents United World Wrestling and the International Olympic Committee as well as IOA as an interested party over three hours,” the IOA stated.
All concerned parties were given an opportunity to file their detailed legal submissions prior to the hearing and then present oral arguments.
“It was indicated by the Sole Arbitrator that the operative part of the order may be expected soon, with a detailed order with reasons to follow thereafter,” the IOA said.
The body’s head PT Usha thanked Salve and Singhania as well as the Krida Legal team for their assistance and arguments during the hearing.
“IOA deems its duty to back Vinesh and would like to reaffirm its steadfast, unflinching, and unwavering support to her, regardless of the outcome of this matter.
“We are proud of her countless achievements on the wrestling mat throughout her stellar career,” Usha said.
Earlier, the ad-hoc division said that a decision can be expected before the end of the Games.
Vinesh went on to announce her retirement from the sport after challenging her disqualification, saying she does not have the strength to continue. Source: HT -
Raksha Bandhan: Sublime bond between siblings
Raksha Bandhan is observed to acknowledge the sublime bond between siblings. Brothers promise to protect their sisters while sisters wish for their brothers’ immortality while tying a sacred thread ‘rakhi’ around the wrist of their brothers. The festival is celebrated on the day of the full moon in the month of Shravana, according to the Hindu calendar, which usually falls in August. According to the Hindu Panchang, on 19 August, from 03.04 am to 11.55 pm, along with the full moon date, Bhadra will start, which will last till 01.32 pm. The auspicious time for tying Rakhi on 19th August is from 01.33 pm to 11.55 pm.
Raksha Bandhan is observed on the last day of the Hindu lunar calendar month of Shravana, which typically falls in August. The expression “Raksha Bandhan” (Sanskrit, literally “the bond of protection, obligation, or care”) is now principally applied to this ritual. Until the mid-20th century, the expression was more commonly applied to a similar ritual, held on the same day, with precedence in ancient Hindu texts. In that ritual, a domestic priest ties amulets, charms, or threads on the wrists of his patrons, or changes their sacred thread, and receives gifts of money. This is still the case in some places. By contrast, the sister-brother festival, with origins in folk culture, had names which varied with location. Some were rendered as saluno, silono, and rakri. A ritual associated with saluno included the sisters placing shoots of barley behind the ears of their brothers.
Of special significance to married women, Raksha Bandhan is rooted in the practice of territorial or village exogamy. The bride marries out of her natal village or town, and her parents by custom do not visit her in her married home. In rural north India, where village exogamy is strongly prevalent, large numbers of married Hindu women travel back to their parents’ homes every year for the ceremony. Their brothers, who typically live with their parents or nearby, sometimes travel to their sisters’ married home to escort them back. Many younger married women arrive a few weeks earlier at their natal homes and stay until the ceremony. The brothers serve as lifelong intermediaries between their sisters’ married and parental homes, as well as potential stewards of their security. Let’s take a look at some of the interesting stories around Raksha Bandhan in Indian mythology.
Krishna and Draupadi
Amongst the better-known legends around the origin of Raksha Bandhan is the story of Krishna and Draupadi. According to one version of the Mahabharata, Krishna slit his index finger in battle, while hurling his divine weapon, the Sudarshan Chakra, at his nephew, Shishupala. Another version says he cut his finger while reaping sugarcane from the fields. Both stories conclude with Draupadi tearing a piece of her saree and wrapping it around his finger to stop the bleeding. Pleased by this loving gesture from Draupadi, Krishna took a divine oath to protect Draupadi’s honour in the future. This is also believed to be the reason why he came to her rescue during the infamous disrobing by the Kauravas.
King Bali and Goddess Lakshmi
Another legend about the festival revolves around the story of Goddess Lakshmi and King Bali. When Bali selflessly gave everything that Vishnu had asked for disguised as Vamana, Vishnu became very impressed by Bali’s devotion. He blessed Bali to be equal in status to Indra for as long as he lived. He also promised to protect Bali and his homestead and disguised himself as a gatekeeper guarding Bali’s palace. However, Vishnu’s wife, goddess Lakshmi, missed her husband in Vaikunth. Unable to bear her husband’s absence, she disguised herself as a poor Brahmin lady and went to Bali, and told him that she wanted a place to stay until her husband returned from the task he had set out to accomplish. Bali wholeheartedly welcomed her and protected her just like an elder brother.
With the arrival of the goddess, Bali’s palace was filled with happiness and wealth. On the day of Shravana Purnima, the poor Brahmin lady tied a coloured cotton thread around his wrist. Overwhelmed by the gesture, Bali granted her a wish. The Brahmin lady pointed at the gatekeeper and asked for her husband to be set free. In an instant, Vishnu and Lakshmi then returned to their true form. King Bali was touched by the love and care they had shown him and requested Vishnu to go back to his abode with Lakshmi. However, he requested Vishnu to visit him at least once every year. It is believed that lord Vishnu visits King Bali for four months every monsoon.
The legend in the Bhavishya Puran
The legend refers to a war between the Gods and the Demons. The demon King Brutra was advancing and the Gods lead by lord Indra, were on verge of defeat. The king of Gods, Indra approached Guru Brihaspati to find a solution to the situation. Brihaspati asked Indra to tie a sacred thread on his wrist, powered by the sacred mantras on the Shravan Purnima. Lord Indra’s Queen Sachi also called Indrani, empowered the thread and tied it on to his hand on the decided day. The power of the sacred thread called Raksha helped the Gods to victory. The tradition of thread tying still continues. It is a gesture of goodwill.
Yama and the Yamuna
It is said that the Raksha Bandhan was a ritual followed by Lord Yama (the Lord of Death) and his sister Yamuna. Yamuna tied rakhi to Yama and bestowed immortality. Yama was so moved by the serenity of the occasion that he declared thar whoever gets a rakhi tied from his sister and promised her protection will become immortal.
In the Epics
Raksha Bandhan finds a mention in Mahabharata when Lord Krishna advised Yudhishthir to perform the ceremony to protect himself and the army from the dangers of the war. It is said that Kunti, the mother of the Pandavas tied rakhi to her grandson Abhimanyu and Draupadi to lord Krishna. -
Mahabaleshwar: A hill station in Western Ghats
Well known for its juicy strawberries, lush evergreen forests, breezy weather, and picturesque vistas, Mahabaleshwar is the most popular hill station in the Sahyadri Mountain Ranges. Flocked by locals and tourists alike, it is just 285 kilometers from Mumbai and 120 kilometers from Pune. Bound by valleys, this verdant picnic spot is a nature lover’s paradise located in the Western Ghats, in the Satara district of Maharashtra. Mahabaleshwar is a hill station located in the Western Ghats, in Satara district of Maharashtra. Known for its captivating beauty and the beautiful strawberry farms, the city comprises of ancient temples, boarding schools, manicured and lush green dense forest, waterfalls, hills, valleys. The city is definitely among the most sought after weekend getaways from Mumbai. Charming views, enticing valleys, serene lakes and a refreshing delight for your taste buds – the best way to summarize this natures gift.
Elephant’s Head point
Elephant’s Point is famous for the beauty and peace that one gets by being there. The greenery around is worth appreciating, and nature around is stunning and gives one a sense of comfort away from the fast moving life of the city. The rock formations at the site are present in a way that forms the trunk of an elephant. It is one of the most visited and famous attractions of Mahabaleshwar which is flocked in by tourists from near and far.
Elephant’s Point got its name from the age prevalent during the British Raj and the Governor of Bombay at the time, Sir Mount Elphinstone. It is believed that it was founded in the year 1930 by Dr Murray who also has an old mansion present nearby.
Today, only the ruins of this hotel are present in the place of which a picnic shed for the tourists is being constructed by the local authorities. The elephant’s point justifies its name and give one a picture of an elephant’s head and trunk. One must surely not miss out on the place.
Chinaman’s falls
A visit to Mahabaleshwar is less or more incomplete without witnessing the tantalizing descend of the Chinaman’s fall, one of the most significant falls in the state.
The place is named after the Chinese prison located in the vicinity. It serves as a perfect holidaying spot enthralling a bewitching experience.
Dhobi waterfall
These set of fascinating waterfalls connect Lodwick and Elphinston point and further join petit road with Old Mahabaleshwar road. Surrounded by greenery and rocks, these are ideal for a surreal experience amidst nature.
Arthur’s seat
Arthur’s seat or Suicide point is also known as the Queen of all points. It offers the most mesmerizing and fascinating view of the dense valleys of Brahma-Arayana and the Savitri river. The point is a huge table that stands on a natural pillar. On the way up, one can also see window point and Tiger’s spring.
Venna Lake
Venna Lake is a beautiful and scenic lake in Mahabaleshwar and is frequently flocked by visitors from all over India. It is one of the most famous tourist attractions of Mahabaleshwar, and its serenity is what speaks for the place. The lake is covered with tall trees and grass all over. Venna Lake is a man-made lake and is not a natural one. It surely is one of the most eye-catching places and is a must-visit for all nature lovers out there.
Venna Lake was built by Shri Appasaheb Maharaj who was the ruler of Satara and a descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, in the year 1942. Appasaheb was the leader in the 19th century, and the ancient tower which is present in the centre is a mark of the history surrounding the place. The lake is spread over an area of 28 acres with a periphery of 7 to 8 km. It was initially built with the aim of catering to the water needs of the city of Mahabaleshwar. The lake has one or two thirths (place of pilgrimage) submerged to nearly 1 to 2 km. Chhatrapati Pratapsihn Garden is present on the banks of the lake.
The lake offers exciting boat rides to the visitors and hence is usually very crowded. Tourists can even opt for horse rides nearby, which are mainly liked by children. People prefer to take a brisk walk to reach here from the market area and bus stand nearby. There are some eateries and restaurants nearby Venna Lake that attracts even more travellers.
Wilson Point
A wide plateau by the name of Wilson Point, tends to be one of the best places in the town to start your day. Catch a breathtaking view of the sunrise from any of the three watch points here. Enjoy the wide sceneries here as this also happens to be the highest points in the town.
Mahabaleshwar Temple
Located at a distance of 6 km from the city of Mahabaleshwar; Mahabaleshwar temple is an ancient shrine and an ideal example of the Maratha heritage. Popularly known as the Mahabali, the temple is flocked by tourists and devotees throughout the year to bask in the serenity and tranquillity offered here. The temple is extremely popular among the Hindus, as Lord Shiva is the presiding deity here. Set up amidst the hilly terrain, this picturesque temple glorifies the Maratha Empire and its rule during the 16th century.
The Mahabaleshwar temple near Satara is one of the ancient temples of Maharashtra. It was built by Chanda Rao More dynasty in the 16th century. The magnificent temple is guarded by a five feet wall and has two sections- the inner area and the outer area. The inner part, known as the sanctum sanctorum, has Shiva as the presiding deity. There are many belongings of Lord Shiva in the premises of this temple, like his bed, damru, Trishul, carvings of his sacred bull and Kalbhairav (his bodyguard); that aptly defines his presence here.
The main and central attraction of this temple is the 6 feet long Shiva lingam of which only the tip is visible, depicting the stone incarnation of Lord Shiva. The Mahabaleshwar Temple has a very serene and spiritual environment. Devotees visit the temple around the year to witness the calm and peaceful aura of Lord Shiva. The site has two more temples nearby, namely the Atibaleshwar temple and the Panchganga temple. Mahabaleshwar Temple is quintessential of the authentic Hemadant architectural style of South India. -
Starbucks replaces its CEO Laxman Narasimhan, names Chipotle chief to head the company
Newport Beach (TIP)- Starbucks, struggling with weak demand and disgruntled investors, said Tuesday that CEO Laxman Narasimhan is stepping down after a little more than a year in the job. The Seattle coffee giant said Brian Niccol, the chairman and CEO of Chipotle, will become Starbucks’ chairman and CEO on September 9.
Starbucks shares jumped more than 13 per cent before the market opened.
Narasimhan, a longtime PepsiCo executive who has also served as the CEO of Reckitt, a UK-based consumer health company, became Starbucks’ CEO in March 2023. He succeeded Howard Schultz, the longtime Starbucks leader and chairman emeritus who came out of retirement in 2022 to serve as the company’s interim CEO.
But investors quickly soured on Narasimhan as the company’s sales weakened and it dealt with multiple issues, including competition from lower-cost competitors in China and boycotts in the Middle East and elsewhere due to its perceived support for Israel.
Mellody Hobson, the chair of Starbucks’ board of directors, said Niccol has transformed Chipotle since becoming its CEO in 2018 by focusing on menu innovation, operational excellence and digital transformation.
“Brian is a culture carrier who brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of driving innovation and growth,” Hobson said in a statement.
“Like all of us at Starbucks, he understands that a remarkable customer experience is rooted in an exceptional partner experience.” Schultz said he has long admired Niccol. “I believe he is the leader Starbucks needs at a pivotal moment in its history. He has my respect and full support,” Schultz said in a statement.