Hedgewar Hockey Stadium proposed, VHA officials clueless

By Paritosh Pramanik
Aug 8, 2015
AFTER more than 60 years of Vidarbha Hockey Association’s inception, there is a ray of hope for players of the city and nearby region to get astro turf if the flex banner erected besides Vidarbha Hockey Association’s entrance gate is any indication. The astro turf stadium is proposed to be named after Keshavrao Hedgewar. Surprisingly, VHA president and secretary are unaware of this development.
It was learnt that the banner was put up by VHA vice-president TN Sidhra on some life members’ request.
“Some VHA life members demanded to give the proposed stadium the name of Sarsanghachalak Keshavrao Hedgewar, the founder of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and I obliged them,” Sidhra said.
VHA President Radheshyam Sarda and Secretary Vinod Trivedi are “totally unaware” of any such development.
“I don’t have any knowledge about the banner,” Sarda told ‘The Hitavada’.
The news of naming the proposed stadium after Hedgewar was doing rounds for some time. That time too, Sarda denied having any knowledge about the development.
“We had our regular executive committee meeting on Wednesday and nothing was discussed regarding the naming of the proposed stadium. Nothing has been finalised yet about it,” Sarda said on Friday.
VHA secretary Vinod Trivedi, too, claimed his unawareness about the name of the stadium.
“I am totally unaware about it. Nothing was discussed in the executive meeting on Wednesday,” Trivedi said.
On whether he will support the decision of naming the proposed stadium as ‘Keshavrao Hedgewar Hockey Stadium’, the secretary said, “This is not the decision of a single member. This proposal has to be put up before the Council at the annual general meeting or special general body meeting. 
“The name of the stadium has to be proposed at the AGM or GB,” he mentioned.
Sidhra, on his part said, though he has not sought permission of the VHA executive committee, he asked the ground’s marker to put it besides the entrance gate.
“I had ordered to put it (the banner) up on the hoarding. Yes I have not taken any permission or informed the president or secretary as I did not feel the need.
“A group of life members led by Tejraj Batra came to me and requested to give the name of Hedgewar to the proposed astro-turf stadium. I found nothing wrong in it, so I did it,” Sidhra averred.
“If we want to take Vidarbha hockey on par with other states, the players will have to play on astro turf on regular basis. Astro turf is the only ladder through which Vidarbha hockey can go northwards. I don’t want to politicise the issue. I only want an astro turf stadium at VHA so that our players can prosper,” Sidhra stated.
When asked whether he will support any other name to the proposed stadium, Sidhra retorted, “Give the proposed stadium name of Sharad Pawar, Rajiv Gandhi or any other leader or player, I have no objection to it. I want an astro turf in the city, that’s all.”
The issue has once again brought to fore the differences among the present VHA body.
During elections last November, two panels — from Sadar and Ajni, joined hands to oust BC Bhartia and Vinod Gawai’s ruling body. They succeeded in it by winning all the posts. But cracks started to develop immediately after that, it has been learnt.
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Centre, State govts
to fund stadium

The astro turf hockey stadium at VHA ground will be built by Central and State Governments. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Cabinet Minister Nitin Gadkari have recently asked VHA officials to submit detailed proposal.
The stadium will be constructed at VHA’s 3.9 acre land off Amravati Road.
VHA has authorised executive member Dayashankar Tiwari to follow up the issue. 

“VHA has submitted relevant documents to the government as well as to NMC. The proposal and proposed documents will now be sent to Pune and from there to Mumbai for further clearance,” informed Tiwari.

‘Lucky’ and plucky Ankit pedals his way to Khardungla top

 By Paritosh Pramanik
Julu 25, 2015
HE IS only 20 but what Ankit Rajesh Bihari did is hardly attempted by those much older to his age. Ankit, fondly called ‘Lucky’, attempted an unimaginable, difficult, tiresome, fearful, adventurous and enterprising trek and reached the highest peak in a memorable 10 days journey.
The lanky BBA final year student of Tirpude College, pedaled all the way from Manali to Khardungla top in an absorbing, frightening 10 days sojourn to become the first cyclist from Vidarbha to do so.
It was not an easy cycling trek for the son of Rajesh Bihari, who is a South East Central Railway employee and a former hockey player. The senior Bihari was never afraid of challenges on hockey field. His son, Ankit followed his father’s footstep, though in different field, to scale ‘a much greater height’.
Ankit, who is a member of Saddle-ups Cycling Group, decided to scale the ‘Everest’ by cycling up to Khardungla pass, the highest motorable road in the world at 18,380 ft.
Ankit was truly ‘lucky’ in this life threatening cycling sojourn as this was for the first time he took the expedition.
“Mohit Kapur from Jaipur was my partner for this expedition but he had to leave mid-way as he could not withstand the low oxygen pressure,” Ankit told ‘The Hitavada.’
With Mohit leaving the excursion midway, Ankit was all alone without shelter, food and water. Fighting bouts of nervousness, he decided to complete the task on his own.
“We completed our excursion together till Darcha but Mohit’s health worsened. We took one night halt at Darcha and started our journey next morning. Mohit was riding at a slow pace and I left him far behind. Some travellers informed me that Mohit had blood in his vomit and he is laying on the road. I returned and took help from army jawans. I told him to meet me at Sarchu check post.
“But when I reached Sarchu he was not there. Later, I met him at Pang. He was returning home. I came to know that he was admitted in ICU by Army men as his oxygen level was too low. After staying at hospital for two days, Mohit decided to return to Manali,” recalled Ankit.
“I had given my tent and ration to Mohit and had nothing left with me. I met two more cyclists who, too, were going to Khardungla. I shared their tents and food. But losing a partner was a big blow for my confidence,” Ankit recalled.
In fact, Ankit said, the start itself was bad. “We did not get the best possible start. On July 4, the day we started, after a few kilometers, Mohit broke his cycle’s chain. We had to walk for over 5-6 kms to reach a village. Walking with all the luggage was too tiring. One of the travellers helped us and gave us chain of his cycle, with a promise that we would return it back (and we did return it),” said Ankit.
“Once we had to spend a night in the jungle. The night was frightening as there were fears of bears and snow leopards. But we managed and started early next morning,” he said.
But Ankit was determined to complete his expedition.
“For four days I had no contact with my parents. There was no mobile network. Finally, I contacted my parents through one of the army jawans’ phone. They were too worried. They requested me to return. But I was determined. I talked with them for just three minutes and convinced them to let me complete my task.”
During his 10-day journey from Manali to Khardungla which is over 600 kms, Ankit passed through Rohtang, Lachung La, Baralacha, Tang Lang La passes before reaching the peak.
Ankit’s journey to the top was delayed by one day as the road to Khardungla was closed due to heavy snow fall.
“On July 13, we came to know that there were landslides due to heavy snowfall and rains and we had to stay for a day at Leh. For the first time I witnessed landslides. It was more frustrating. I was almost there but could not complete my excursion,” said Ankit, who also played hockey for Vidarbha.
The next morning Ankit, with his new friends (Shahil and Virender from Punjab), started the last stretch. By 5 in the evening they finally reached Khardungla.
“It was like a dream come true. I could not explain how happy I was. It was like reaching to the top of the world. I visited Shiv Mandir at Khardungla top, stayed there for an hour and then returned to Leh at around 6 pm,” said Ankit.
“I am more happy because my excursion was injury free. I never felt the need of oxygen whereas there where people who carried oxygen cylinders and pumps. Above all, I completed this task alone despite having organisations who help you in reaching the peak. But I performed it all alone, that’s more satisfying,” Ankit concluded.

Mrudul Decodes another ring of chess chakravyuha with U-11 National crown

 By Paritosh Pramanik
NAGPUR, July 22, 2015

THERE is a touch of Abhimanyu in her success story. Like the Mahabharat hero acquired the war skills of Chakravyuha in his mother Subhadra’s womb, city’s prodigy Mrudul Dehankar, too, learned her first chess lessons in her mother Archana’s womb.
Today, after 11 years, Mrudul Vilas Dehankar is breaking many such Chakravyuhas, winning titles at national and international levels. She has added another crown, the Under-11 National Chess Championship, to her already overcrowded cupboard, at Pondicherry, Tuesday.
The BVM Trimurti Nagar branch’s standard VI student chess prodigy pipped another rising star and her practice-mate from Nagpur Divya Deshmukh to clinch the title.
Mrudul garnered 10.5 points out of 11 with a staggering 10 victories and a draw while Divya secured 9.5 points.
“Mrudul’s mother Archana was doing PhD in 2004. She was preparing a chess programme when Mrudul was in her womb. Mrudul might have learned chess then only,” revealed an elated Vilas while talking to ‘The Hitavada’ from Chennai on Tuesday.
An MSEB assistant executive engineer at Chandrapur Thermal Power Station, Vilas stated that they had to ‘struggle’ for around two years to learn about Mrudul’s interest in chess.
“First we put her at a basketball coaching camp when she was around five years old. But she showed no interest in learning the cagers’ tricks.
“Then, during one summer vacations, we sent her to Adv Arvind Bade sir who used to conduct chess coaching at his home,” recalled the proud father.
“Bade sir saw the spark in her and convinced us to put her in playing chess,” added Dehankar.
This is not first title for Mrudul, who is also excellent in studies. She has recently won gold medal at Commonwealth Chess Championship at New Delhi. Prior to this, she also clinched National Schools’ games gold medal (in April) and SGFI gold medal (in May) at Selam in Tamil Nadu.
Mrudul has also represented country and won gold medal (in blitz) at the Asian School Chess Championship held at Singapore. In the classical event, she had to settle with silver medal.
Mrudul is also selected in the Indian team which will participate in Asian Youth Championship at Singapore from August 1-12. After that she would be donning India colours in World Youth Chess Championship in Greece in October.
Despite the remarkable exploits Mrudul and her parents are still struggling for financial help to keep her globetrotting going. 
“We are very proud that our daughter is winning medals for city, state and country but at the same time we feel very sorry that nobody comes forward to help us financially,” said Vilas.
“We have to spend lakhs of rupees from our pocket. At South Africa World Youth Championship we had to spend around Rs 3 lakh. Every international tournament costs at least Rs 2 lakh,” he added.
Funding her tours gets really difficult for Vilas and Archana, assistant professor at Priyadarshini College of Engineering.
Vilas said that there are provisions in government department but the process is too lengthy and tedious.
Appealing to the business community and State Government, he cited the example of Sharang Kapoor. The city player moved his base to Gujarat a few months ago. He won a chess title and the Gujarat Government rewarded him with Rs 10 lakh and a scholarship of the same amount.
“Why can’t this happen in Maharashtra,” Vilas Dehankar asked.
Much like Abhimanyu there are some stages of this financial Chakravyuha that even Mrudul will find difficult to break.

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A fast learner: Mrudul’s coach Gurpreet

GURPREET Singh Maras, himself a renowned chess player of the city, and current coach of Mrudul Dehankar and Divya Deshmukh said Mrudul is a very fast learner.
Gurpreet, who works with Ordnance Factory, said he is very proud that two of his pupils secured top spots at national championship.
“I’m very happy that both Mrudul and Divya won first and second spots. Both are very talented and deserve it,” he said.
On Mrudul he said, “she is a very fast learner. Though I don’t coach her daily, whenever I give her tips she understands well and implements it in her game. I never have to repeat any move or any instruction to her,” said Gurpreet.

“Both Mrudul and Divya will win many more titles in coming years. They fight hard against each other. They don’t give even an inch’s space even during practising,” he said.
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Sadhwani ends 4th

Another Nagpur player, Raunak Sadhwani of Centre Point School, was unlucky as he missed the podium finishing fourth. Though he finished 4th, his score (7.5) was same as that of those who stood second and third in final rankings. 

However, because of Buchols tie breaker system Raunak had to be content with fourth spot.

Vora to be new NDFA prez

New body to be declared on May 24

By Paritosh Pramanik
May 21, 2015
AFTER almost three decades, Nagpur District Football Association (NDFA) will get it’s new president. Sardar Atal Bahadur Singh, the ‘Santa Claus’ for district’s football lovers, who was president of the association since 1986, has decided to step aside citing health reasons.
Haresh Vora, who was vice-president of the association for around 20 years will be the new president of the district’s football governing body.
A total of 20 nomination forms were sold and only 17 filed their nominations for 17 available posts. There was no opposition for any of the posts.
The new body will be officially declared on May 24 after the annual general meeting of the association which will be held besides NDFA office, Kamptee Road.
As reported by ‘The Hitavada’ on May 12, BJP MLA Sameer Meghe will be the new vice-president. The other vice-presidents will be Salim Baig, Atmaran Pande and Abdul Latif. Latif is an executive member in the present body.
There is also a possibility to retain Eugene Norbert as the secretary of the association. 
Secretary of the association will be elected by the new body on May 25.
Iqbal Kashmiri will continue to be the treasurer of the association for another term of two years.
The executive committee will also see new faces in Hemant Sahani, son of former NDFA treasurer Chandramohan Sahani, Shyamal Ghosh and Mohd Khalid. 
NDFA members’ request to Atal Bahadur Singh to continue as President went futile as the former city mayor was firm in his decision to not to take the top post for another two years. “We tried a lot to convince him. But as he is indisposed he was firm in his decision,” said of the members of the association while talking to ‘The Hitavada’ on Thursday.
“But Atalji will remain associated with us,” he added.
“It was Atalji’s decision to make Haresh Vora as the new president,” said the source.

The New Body
President: Haresh Vora
Vice-Presidents: Sameer Meghe, Salim Baig, Atmaram Pande, Abdul Latif. 
Treasurer: Iqbal Kashmiri. 

Executive Committee: Vishwajeet Dey, Satyanarayan Jerpot, Hemant Sahani, Stanley Gregory, Javed Rana, Upendra Varma, Abdul Sattar Ansari, Bernard D’Souza, Mohd Khalid, Naqeeb Akhtar, Shyamal Ghosh.

Sameer Meghe likely to be NDFA VP, Atal may continue as president

NDFA AGM, elections on May 24

By Paritosh Pramanik
May 11, 2015

NAGPUR District Football Association (NDFA) will be holding its annual general meeting and elections (if needed) on May 24 besides NDFA Office, Kamptee Road.
Sardar Atal Bahadur Singh, in all probability, will continue to lead the district’s football governing body. Though the ‘Santa Claus’ of football loving fans is indisposed and has shown his unwillingness to continue, members want the former Nagpur mayor to head the association.
Singh is very efficiently working as the president of the association for last 29 years. He was first elected as the president in 1986 when he took over from former MP Datta Meghe.
There is also a possibility of re-jigging of five vice-presidents’ posts. Haresh Vora, Salim Baig, Abdul Latif are sure to retain their posts as vice-presidents. The present committee is contemplating inclusion of BJP MLA Sameer Meghe as one of its vice-presidents. Meghe has completed two years as ordinary member and is now eligible to contest for the post.
The ruling party is also mulling including Hemant Sahani as one of its executive committee members. Hemant is son of former NDFA treasurer Chandramohan Sahani. “Nothing is finalised yet. We will sit together and decide in a few days. All the members are of the opinion that Sardar Atal Bahadur Singh should continue to head the association,” sources told ‘The Hitavada’.
“There is a possibility of offering Sameer Meghe one of the vice-presidents post. There might be some new faces in executive committee too. But nothing is finalised yet. Everything will be clear by 16th or 17th,” sources added.
There are 22 posts in NDFA’s executive committee but elections, if needed, will be held for 21 posts. As per NDFA’s constitution, there will be no election for the post of secretary and the same will be appointed by the elected members. The last elections of the association were held on May 12, 2013 for only three executive members’ post from life members’ category.
The new body will be elected for a period of two years.

Tendulkar to Monika: Call of duty supersedes tragedy

Vidarbha player Monika Nagose overcomes father’s death to return to playfield very next day

By Paritosh Pramanik

WHEN Sachin Tendulkar lost his father Ramesh on May 19, 1999 he flew back from England to Mumbai to perform the final rites. Immediately after, Sachin was forced by his mother to return to England for national duties during the World Cup. This exemplary gesture by Tendulkar also inspired generations to answer the call of duty putting aside personal grief. Vidarbha hockey player Monika Dnyaneshwar Nagose was among the inspired ones who emulated Tendulkar, 16 years later.
Monika was just over two months old when Tendulkar preferred national duty over personal grief. On April 21, 2015, after almost 16 years, Monika, too, preferred to play for Vidarbha rather than sit in grief and mourn her father’s death.
The 16-year-old hockey player from Shankarpur in Yavatmal district, has seen the worst. Her father died on April 21 at Yavatmal when she was in Nagpur attending the preparatory camp with Vidarbha’s junior hockey team.
“My father was not keeping well. He was suffering from kidney ailments. The preparatory camp for junior national started on April 20 and I reached here the same evening. On the same night I got a call from my cousin who informed that my father was serious. I left for Yavatmal on 21st early morning. I was shattered to see the dead body of my father when I reached home,” said Monika, struggling to control her tears.
“I wanted to skip the nationals as I was not mentally fit. But next morning (on April 22) my mother forced me and reminded me that my father wanted me to be a good player. Even my coach Shahid Syed consoled me and tried to convince me. It’s only because of my mother and my coach that today I am going with the team,” said Monika while talking with ‘The Hitavada’ at VHA ground on Friday morning.
Monika was reluctant to attend the selection trials as her father was not keeping well. “But he persuaded me to appear for the trials. He wanted to see me lead the team. Eventhough I was named as the vice-captain, he was very happy,” Monika recalled the last interaction with her father.
“Even Sachin Tendulkar kept aside his personal grief and performed national duties. I too want to move ahead and do what my father loved most, watching me play hockey,” said Monika.
When informed that it was (April 24) Tendulkar’s 42nd birthday, Monika’s was stunned to the core. “Really! what an amazing coincidence. Today is my father’s birthday too,” her voice choked again as she tried to control her emotions. “My father would have turned 48 today,” the pain in the voice said it all.
Monika’s father was a state-level kabaddi player and her mother Durga also played kho-kho at state-level. Fourth amongst five siblings, Monika’s every wish, related to hockey, was fulfilled by her parents.
“No body stopped me from playing. My village Shankarpur was a bit far from my school, Abhyankar Kanya Shala, in Kalamb. So, my elder sister Sarika and one of my younger sisters Nikita stay in a rented room in Kalamb. That helped us in our studies and also in my practice,” said Monika, who appeared for Std X examination this summer.
“My father supported me a lot. He fulfilled all my demands. His dream was to see me reach great peaks on sports field. He used to come to meet me at my room regularly. He never forced me to attend any family functions nor asked me to visit my relatives’ place. I wanted to play hockey and he gave me a free hand,” Monika said, even as her voice choked.
Bringing up five girls would be a humoungous task for any parent but Nagoses never felt like that. “My father always treated me as a son. 
“Now it’s my duty to take care of my family. I will study further and continue playing. I will work hard and who knows one day I may don India colours,” added Monika, who has so far played two sub-junior and two junior nationals.
She is also set to be selected as captain of Vidarbha sub-junior hockey team for the Ranchi nationals.
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Under Paul, India will only climb up, says Olympian Khandekar

Principal Correspondent
Nagpur, March 29, 2015

DESPITE constant chopping and changing of coaches by Hockey India, India hockey player Tushar Khandekar feels Indian team would reach greater heights under newly-appointed coach Paul van Ass.
Sports Authority of India appointed Dutchman van Ass after getting approval from Hockey India. He replaced Australian Terry Walsh, who was controversially shown the door.
Paul’s first India assignment will be the Sultan Azlan Shah 
Cup tournament in Ipoh starting April 5.
“Hockey India has done a great job in appointing van Ass as coach of the team almost more than a year ahead of Olympics to be held at Rio de Janeiro. Paul as well as players would get ample time to know each other. Under him the Indian hockey team would only climb up,” said Khandekar, on a personal visit to city.
As a coach van Ass led the Netherlands men’s team to London Olympic silver medal.
Khandekar viewed that there was no harm in appointing foreign coaches unless they did not deliver.
“Foreign coaches are good and they are delivering. I am not against them. Indian coaches are also learning a lot from them. I am not saying that Indian coaches are not good. They are good but foreign coaches bring in lot of innovative ideas which helps the team positively. Jose Brasa had done well, Michael Nobbs also delivered well, Terry Walsh helped India win Asian Games and a berth in Olympics and I am sure under Paul Indian team would only move up.”
The ace Indian forward said India stand a good chance in the 24th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup.
“The team has done well in the recent past. They created history by beating Australia in their own backyard, won Champions Trophy and Asian Games gold. I am sure the Sardar Singh-led experienced side would reach podium in Ipoh,” said the London Olympian.
Khandekar, who was one of the assistant coaches of Indian Junior team as well as the senior squads, was of the view that India were improving with each passing year, thanks to Hockey India League.
“Hockey India League is the best thing to happen for Indian hockey. The league helped players learn a lot. Since 2012, Indian hockey graph is on upward trend. With the introduction of HIL, Indian players got an opportunity to learn a lot from players from Germany, Holland, Australia, Belgium. Their confidence level has increased manifold. They now know how to make pre-match preparation and how to present themselves post match. They are now learning how to be a professional player. The transition is visible and the performance is getting better and better with each HIL,” said Khandekar, who plays for UP Hockey Wizards.
The BPCL coach-cum-player agreed that India should look ahead in strengthening the goal-keeping department. When pointed out that barring PR Sreejesh and Harjot Singh, India did not have a back-up goal-keeper, Khandekar replied in affirmative.
“That’s true. There has to be a back-up. Sreejesh is doing an excellent job under the bar but Hockey India should look beyond him. If he suffers injury than only Harjot is left. There has to be a third or fourth goalkeeper in the scheme of things. But I think Hockey India is doing its job and has marked out some goal-keepers like Abhinav Pandey from Uttar Pradesh,” concluded Khandekar.

Undercooked VHA teams face bleak future in HI nationals

By Paritosh Pramanik
March 26, 2015 
FUTURE of Vidarbha Hockey Association featuring in the forthcoming nationals look bleak given the tardy preparations by the teams and the association’s “financial crisis”.
Vidarbha will be fielding junior as well as senior teams in the Hockey India nationals scheduled next month.
The junior nationals will be held at Mysore, Karnataka from April 1. Though the association organised preparatory and conditioning camp for the juniors, it lasted for only a few days. The camp was organised at VHA’s ground from March 17 in which outstation players too participated. But to everybody’s surprise selected players from Amravati, Wardha and Chandrapur were sent back home midway without the knowledge of coach and manager.
The coach and manager of junior team, Jageshwar Kaithwas and Prashant Manwatkar are working hard on the fitness of players from Nagpur everyday but there would be hardly any co-ordination between the players as around six players have returned home.
VHA president Radheshyam Sarda said players were sent home and would return on March 28. But he failed to give any concrete reason as to why the players were sent so early.
“Outstation players were sent back on March 20, almost seven days before team’s departure for Mysore,” said an official on condition of anonymity.
Another source blamed it on the financial crisis the association is facing. “There is no money with the association. We are finding it very difficult to take the burden of lodging of outstation players.”
Sarda, however, denied this.
“It is totally baseless information. Association is financially sound and more sponsors 
are coming forward,” Sarda claimed.
If the juniors are having divided preparatory camp, the seniors are clueless about their camp.
The senior nationals are going to be held at Pune from April 6-20. VHA selected team on March 20 but no camp has been organised till date. “I have no idea about the camp. I don’t know how would we get a chance to played a combined practice match,” said one of the selected players.
The senior team has eight players from Amravati, three from Jalgaon and one from Chandrapur. Only six were selected from Nagpur who are doing a combined practice.
“Seniors’ conditioning camp will be held from March 29 to April 2,” informed Sarda.
The players will have to iron out their flaws in those five days if they dream of qualifying for the knock-outs.
It is high time VHA took serious steps to enhance the performance of its teams in nationals. At present VHA teams are lingering in ‘B’ Division in all categories.

City shuttler Arundhati set for life’s ‘doubles’

To tie knot with National Games gold medallist Kerala’s Arun Vishnu

By Paritosh Pramanik

IT’S Love All, in literal sense. City’s international badminton star Arundhati Pantawane has gleefully accepted the ‘first serve’ from Arun Vishnu, the current National Games gold medallist shuttler from Kerala.
After their courtship for almost four years, Arundhati and Arun Vishnu have decided to tie the nuptial knot. Students of Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy in Hyderabad, Arun and Arundhati will be exchanging engagement rings on April 19 at Calicut, Kozikhode, in Kerala in a traditional Malayalam function. The marriage date is set for December 20 at Nagpur.
Their ‘knocking’ started in 2010 during the Guangzhou Asian Games when both the shuttlers were part of India contingent. “From just friends we became ‘best friends’ and the cupid struck soon,” said a blushing Arundhati while talking to ‘The Hitavada’ at her Rambag residence, on Thursday morning.
A few months later it was ‘love-all’ and it grew in their hearts at a much greater speed than that of a ‘smash’. But both waited for each other to take their ‘game’ to ‘next level.’
The day came almost one year later when 26-year-old Arun decided to ‘concede the point’ and proposed Arundhati at the Hyderabad Academy. “On March 18, 2011 Arun proposed me over phone,” recalled the India number 3 shuttler. “I was aware he was about to propose but didn’t know when.”
Was there any reluctance or ‘give me some time to think’ sort of thing?
“Not at all. I accepted his ‘love’ immediately,” said the 25-year-old Arundhati with a laugh.
“We never waste time talking on phone for hours. The longest I talked Arun might be for around 30 minutes. Yes, when I was playing in Sweden, we used to talk over Skype for an hour or so. But not here,” said Arundhati, who is recuperating from a knee injury which she suffered during National Games a few days back. A surgery will be done on her left knee soon and Arun is expected to be with her in Nagpur.
“Arun’s sister is getting married on April 19. So we decided to get engaged on that auspicious day,” said Arundhati.
The engagement would be in traditional Malayalam style while marriage would be solemnised in Maharashtrian tradition. “It would be my duty to dress Arun in proper Maharashtrian attire for the marriage,” she said.
Arun Vishnu is calm and patience personified person. He has showered gifts on Arundhati but the city shuttler doesn’t remember which was the best. 
City shuttler Arundhati set...
“There are so many. I can’t point out at any one gift. All are best,” she explained.An avid lover of photography, Arun has ‘captured’ thousand of Arundhati’s moments.
“He is mad for photography. Once in Hyderabad he drove me outside the city just to click my pictures,” recalled the elder daughter of Prof Avinash and Chitra Pantawane. Despite their strong liking for badminton, Arundhati has ruled out pairing Arun in Mixed Doubles in future. “We tried our best. But let us be frank we are horrible on the court as a pair.”
The families and the pair should be excited for the engagement but its their academy-mates who are doing the countdown for the D-Day. “More than us our academy players are excited. They all are eagerly waiting for the marriage. Hope all would come here in Nagpur in December,” she said.
The marriage is likely to be blessed by Arundhati and Arun’s coach P Gopichand, noted shuttlers PV Sindhu, P Kashyap, Sai Praneeth, Ajay Jayram, PC Thulasi, Arun’s gold medal winning partner at Kerala Aparna Balan, Pradnya Gadre, Sikki Reddy, Ritupurna Das, Alvin Francis, Tarun Kona, Guru Sai Dutt, K Srikanth to name a few.
If all goes well then Indian stars Saina Nehwal and Jwala Gutta may also attend the wedding at Nagpur.
The Pantawanes are happy and relieved. Their job of searching a doting son-in-law is done by their daughter. “We are very happy with her selection. We never objected when she informed us. Ours was a love marriage and Arundhati is continuing our family tradition,” chuckled Arundhati’s mother Chitra.

“We had decided to announce the engagement on February 14, Valentine’s Day, but as Arundhati’s coach Pullela Gopichand could not make it to the city, it was postponed,” Chitra said. “The marriage would be solemnised at VCA Jamtha Club House on December 20,” said Prof Pantawane.
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Know the bridegroom

Born in Kerala, 26-year-old Arun Vishnu is employed with Indian Oil Corporation and has won several titles like India Open Grand Prix (2009), Bahrain International Challenge (2008), Bahrain International Series (2013), Senior National Championships (2014, 2013, 2012 and 2011), Junior National Championship (2005).

His latest yellow metal in an overflowing cupboard is the mixed doubles title with Aparna Balan at Kerala National Games held last week.

Orange City Bleeds Blue

Fans celebrate India’s grand win over Pak

n By Paritosh Pramanik

DID India win the World Cup? The crazy celebrations on city streets on Sunday evening gave one the same impression. For the die-hard fans of the Indian cricket team, the win 
over Pakistan at Adelaide was 
much bigger than lifting the coveted crown.
India’s sixth straight win against Pakistan in World Cup on Sunday once again made Nagpur’s crazy supporters jump out of their couches and ‘storm’ into the ‘field’ to celebrate the occasion. Fans burst firecrackers as if it was a Diwali celebration. They were not friends, not even relatives but the bonhomie was such that everybody looked like a big Indian family as they hugged each other, be it young or old.
The ever-happening West High Court Road was jam-packed with thousands of Indian team’s supporters. It was a normal Sunday afternoon but footfalls started as soon as the last Pakistan wicket fell to mark India’s resounding 76-run win. 
The fans were inside cars, jeeps and also over it, on their mobikes and minidoors chanting ‘Indiaaa... Indiaaaa’ and blaring horn.
Traffic rules were broken for once as bikers moved triple seat. 
The traffic cops too went soft on them. 
“Khushi mana rahe hai aaj jeet ki... Kuch der ki baat hai... (They are celebrating the win. It won’t go much longer),” said one of the cops at Laxmi Bhavan Square.
(Contd from page 1)

The road from Law College Square to Shankar Nagar Square was packed and vehicles moved at a snail’s pace. But the ‘epicentre’ was Laxmi Bhavan Square. Fans celebrated at the square for more than two hours. Tricolour fluttered in almost all hands at the celebration point. A few fans like Gopal Chandak and Ashok Agrawal even brought World Cup replica which attracted everybody. The crowd chanted in chorus, “Bharat Mata Ki Jai. Vande Mataram”.
There were other slogans too which attracted applause. 
“Ek baat to saaf hai, hum sabke baap hai”... “1992- faqr hai, 1996- faqr hai, 1999- faqr hai, 2003- faqr hai, 2011- faqr hai, 2015- faqr hai” which related to each edition of World Cup when India defeated Pakistan.
There were a few girls in an open jeep who were shouting, “Virat Kohli Zindabad...Anushka Sharma (Virat’s girlfriend) Zindabad.”
One of the fans said, “this win is much bigger than the title win.” The other said, “We’ve won the World Cup.”
The ‘victory square’ had all - from kids to elderly people who all came out for the house to join the celebration.
Even sweets were distributed for free by one of the sweet shops located on WHC Road.
“Such win doesn’t come daily. It’s a big win and that too over Pakistan that’s why we are distributing sweets,” said the owner of Subhash Mishtan Bhandar while distributing jalebis to fans.

Rajnandgaon lad Choubey helps Odisha win silver medal in hockey

By Paritosh Pramanik
Nagpur, Feb 14

HIS state hockey team, Chhattisgarh, failed to qualify for the National Games but Rajnandgaon-born Mrinal Choubey got the opportunity to represent Odisha in the tournament. And he did not disappoint them as he helped Odisha finish as the second best in the meet at Kerala. Former Junior India goal-keeper Choubey stood rock solid under the bars in the semi-finals to take Odisha hockey team into the final. They were unlucky in the final against mighty Services as they lost the match comprehensively but in the earlier matches, Choubey showed his mettle to earn applause from one and all. The silver medal at National Games was Choubey’s second medal in short span

after he had helped his employer Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) finish second in the Hockey India’s senior nationals a few months back. ‘I am happy with my team’s performance,’ said Choubey while talking with ‘The Hitavada’ from Kerala.
“We played really well in entire tournament. But we were not lucky in the final,” said the goal-keeper. Odisha defeated Uttar Pradesh, lost to Jharkhand, defeated hosts Kerala to move into the semi-finals. In the semi-final, Choubey saved several penalty shootouts to help his side win the match over Haryana in sudden death.
“That was my day (against Haryana). We had played well in entire tournament and all the boys wanted to play the final. We all were charged up. I managed to save a few in the tie-breaker and also in sudden death which helped us in moving into the final,” said Choubey, who first shot into limelight on hockey field at Nagpur in 2006 when he represented Central Railway Nagpur team. The young lad had helped Central Railway Nagpur beat Central Railway Headquarters to win the Inter-Railway title.
Talking about his chances in playing Hockey India League, Choubey, who was part of Junior Asia Cup gold winning Indian team in 2006, seemed hopeful that his day would come sooner than later. 
‘Now I have two silver medals to show in short time. I am hopeful that my performance would be noticed by coaches and team owners in future. I am confident if I continue to play well I would be in one of the teams in coming season,’ said Choubey, a junior India world cupper.
‘A B Subbaiah Sir (former India goalkeeper) is encouraging me and he is aware about my performance. He too said that my time would come when I would don one of the HIL teams’ jersey,’ Choubey concluded.

Moments that define the Cup

CITY OF NO JOY
The Indian crowd was labelled as ‘bad losers’ after the 1996 semi-final was awarded to Sri Lanka at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Chasing Sri Lanka’s 251, India started off well reaching 98 for 1 with Sachin Tendulkar at the crease. An error of judgement left him stumped and Indian batting fell like a pack of cards as the wicket suddenly turned vicious. At 120 for 8 over a million Kolkata crowd threw bottles on the field halting the game. Vinod Kambli cried, pleaded with folded hands but the unruly crowd did not budge. The officials decided to award the game to Sri Lanka that helped them make final.

GILLY WALKER
It was totally an un-Australian decision. Wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist was looked upon with respect by the cricketing world after he walked off during the semi-finals against Sri Lanka in 2003, despite umpire Rudi Koertzen’s not out decision to a caught behind appeal. Gilchrist swept an Aravinda de Silva delivery but got a thin edge as the ball flew off his pads and landed in Kumar Sangakkara’s gloves. Koertzen ruled that the ball had only hit the pad. Gilchrist waited till the verdict was pronounced and then walked back to the pavilion.

NO MUSIC TO EARS
This was for the first time that technology was used on the field by a player though ‘illegally’. South African captain Hansie Cronje, who a street-smart cricketer, put up an earpiece to communicate with his then coach Bob Woolmer during their match against India. A complaint was promptly lodged by India and Talat Ali, the match referee, asked Cronje to take out the earpiece after Sky TV pictured Cronje’s ‘illegal’ act. The International Cricket Council later stated that Cronje had not sought permission to use it from the world governing body.


MALINGA TO THE FOUR
South Africa were almost home needing just four runs from 30 deliveries with five wickets in hand when Sri Lankan Lasith Malinga’s menacing four deliveries almost plotted a heist for his side. ‘Slinga Malinga’ first fooled Shaun Pollock with a full toss which disturbed his furniture. The second delivery, his last of the over, forced Andrew Hall to balloon the ball in the hands of covers. Proteas managed just one run from the next over and Malinga returned back to have a shy at the hat-trick, the fifth in the World Cup, till then. He forced a well-set Jacques Kallis to nudge behind in the gloves of Kumar Sangakkara to complete his hat-trick and then bowled tailender Makhaya Ntini. SA, though, managed to win.

Is VHA supporting women's ‘unauthorised’ tournament?

4-2-15
By Paritosh Pramanik

VIDARBHA Hockey Association (VHA) is likely to stir up a controversy by supporting the ‘unauthorised’ inter-district women’s hockey tournament which begins on Wednesday at Tiger’s Gap ground.
The women’s tournament, organised in the memory of Harakchand Chopda, is conducted by Vidarbha Women’s Hockey Association (VWHA) which is affiliated with the now defunct Indian Women’s Hockey Federation.
A media statement issued by VHA states: ‘The Vidarbha Women’s Hockey Association is conducting Inter-District Hockey Tournament under the guidance of VHA at Tiger’s Gap ground’.
By giving ‘guidance’ to the inter-district meet, VHA might land into trouble as the women’s body is yet to be merged with it, as asked by Hockey India.
VHA got Hockey India’s Associate Membership in 2013 and was asked to merge the women’s association (VWHA) on a 60:40 ratio. But that merger is yet not done.
Interestingly, VHA’s joint secretary Pramod Jain holds the same post in VWHA and there are
many more officials who are associated with the women’s association. 
The local teams participating in the tournament, too, are affiliated with VHA.
Former VHA secretary Vinod Gawai opposed the current body’s move of supporting an ‘illegal body’ by posting a news item of the tournament announcement on his facebook page. 
The former secretary also commented on his post: “Dirty politics, dirty alliance resulted in dirty game. Unconstitutional, unethical, unfortunate...God bless VHA...”
The VHA-VWHA ‘alliance’ which could be for some personal gains would definitely land the men’s body into trouble. 
It might also force Hockey India to bar Vidarbha teams from participating in nationals which would be a great loss for players.

Moments that define the Cup

Tondulkar Tribute
It was a tribute from a doting son to his late father. Sachin Tendulkar had just returned from Mumbai after attending his father, Ramesh’s, funeral to smack a jaw-dropping century against Kenya in 1999 World Cup in England. Coming in at number four, Tendulkar showed nerves of steel, leaving behind the personal tragedy to score 140 from 101 balls (16x4; 3x6). He completed his 50 from 54 balls and accelerated his innings in time to complete his century from 84 balls. Immediately after completing his 22nd ODI ton, the little champ looked heavenwards, to pay tributes to his father.

Kapil comes to the party
It was a travesty that the first ODI ton by an Indian could not be recorded. The BBC crew was on strike when Kapil Dev pounded an incredible hundred in the 1983 World Cup. India were on the brink of another early exit when a 24-year-old Kapil did the unthinkable against Zimbabwe. Kapil kept India’s chin up and bailed them out with a captain’s knock of 175 at Tunbridge Wells. India were reeling at 17-5 when Kapil walked in. He took Zimbabwean bowlers to the cleaners hitting 175 from 138 balls to emerge as one of the best all rounders in world cricket then. Unfortunately, there was no professional video cameraman to record this great knock.

Deadly blow for the Cup
This was the biggest blot of the 2007 World Cup. Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer was found dead his room of the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston, Jamaica, sending the entire sporting world in shock. Initially, it was reported that Woolmer died of heart attack but a few days later, Jamaican police confirmed they were investigating murder after pathology report said that the Pakistan coach had died of asphyxia via manual strangulation. In June, the same year, Jamaica Constabulary Force, concluded its investigation saying that Woolmer died a natural death. But in November the jury pronounced its verdict and refused to rule out strangulation theory.

birth of the Chokers!
The 1999 World Cup semi-final match between Australia and South Africa actually gave the latter the ‘chokers’ tag. Needing nine runs from the last over, Proteas’ big hitter Lance Klusener smacked two boundaries to take eight from first two deliveries of Damien Fleming. It was cake walk for them, needing one from four deliveries. But Allan Donald and Klusener ended up at the same end on the fourth delivery. The match ended in a tie and Australia moved into the final on better run-rate.

Rise of the Wizards of Oz

By Paritosh Pramanik
NAGPUR, jan 26

THE 1999 World Cup stamped ‘chokers tag’ on South Africa for the first time after the Proteas failed to eke out a win against Steve Waugh-led Australia in the semi-finals.
The tournament hosted by England, saw Australia emerging winners defeating Pakistan in the final. This was Australia’s first of the three straight coveted titles.
The Australians started with a six-wicket win over Scotland. But they lost their next two matches against New Zealand (by five wickets) and against Pakistan (by 10 runs).
They survived in the tournament with two straight wins over Bangladesh and West Indies to bring back their journey on track and move into Super Six.
The moment of the World Cup came in the Super Six when Herschelle Gibbs dropped Steve Waugh in a game Aussies needed to win at any cost. Gibbs dropped the World Cup and Waugh held it with a ton!
Their semis too was heart stopping. Needing nine runs from the last over, Lance Klusener took eight from first two deliveries. And then they choked. Allan Donald and Klusener got tangled in a horrible mix up and the match ended in a tie. Australia moved into the final on better run-rate. In the other semi-final, Pakistan crushed New Zealand by nine wickets.
Australia then avenged their league phase defeat at the hands of Pakistan thrashing them by eight wickets to win the title.
As far as India is concerned, it was a mediocre tournament for them. They did well in the league phase but failed to carry that momentum in Super Six. India managed to beat arch-rivals Pakistan but to their bad luck New Zealand qualified for the semis on better run rate despite losing to Australia. The tournament marked the start of the domination of Tendulkar, Dravid and Ganguly, who showed remarkable consistency. Dravid recorded two mammoth partnerships and ended up as the leading run-scorer of the tournament with 461.

Bite of the underdog

By Paritosh Pramanik
NAGPUR, Jan 25

FORFEITURES, an abandoned game, slogovers and a new champion. The 1996 World Cup is remembered for some innovative power-hitting and slogging that changed the face of One-Day Internationals all over the world.
The Wills World Cup hosted by India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka for the first time, saw the game scaling new heights in the sub-continent following the maiden title win of Sri Lanka.
However, the tournament also had ugly sides. Australia and the West Indies teams refused to travel to Sri Lanka following the Central Bank bombing by Tamil Tigers before the start of the showpiece event.
With both Australia and the West Indies refusing to play, ICC decided to give points to Sri Lanka which helped them walk into the quarter-finals.
Another blot on the tournament was India-Sri Lanka semi-final at Eden Gardens, Kolkata was awarded the eventual champions after crowd trouble.
Chasing Sri Lanka’s 251, India were 120 for 8 when over a million Kolkata crowd threw water bottles on the field that interrupted the game. The officials decided to award the match to Sri Lanka that helped them make the final.
Sri Lankan openers Romesh Kaluwithrana and southpaw Sanath Jayasuriya set a new trend of using the first 15 overs as slog-overs. That helped Lanka amass maximum runs in initial part of the games surprising all.
In the final played at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, Sri Lanka invited Australia to bat. Australia started well but crumbled in front of Lankan spin attack. From 137 for 1 they slumped to 170 for five and ended at 241-7.
Lanka lost both the hard-hitting openers cheaply but Aravinda de Silva scored 124-ball 107 and Arjuna Ranatunga played a captain’s knock of 47 to help their side lift their maiden title.