Special Reports
MS Shanker Hyderabad cricket, for long defined by turmoil in its association and decline on the field, is showing signs of revival. The state team’s strong run in the ongoing Butchi Babu tournament — two convincing wins and a firm grip on a semifinal berth — has sparked rare optimism. For a side that once…
When the Indian Navy formally inducted INS Nilgiri and INS Udayagiri into service, it did more than expand its fleet strength—it marked a decisive step in India’s transformation into a truly modern, blue-water force capable of dominating not just regional seas but also distant oceans. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh presided over the induction ceremony on…
India is a nation of 140 crore people, bursting with cricketing talent. A sport once introduced by colonial elites has now become the heartbeat of the country, producing world champions and turning the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) into the financial powerhouse of world cricket. From Kapil Dev’s underdog triumph in 1983,…
In the shadow of a brutal war, where cities lie in ruins and civilians endure unimaginable suffering, an unusual force has stepped into the battlefield. Not armed with weapons, but with breath, resilience, and compassion — our Art of Living Foundation is giving Ukrainian soldiers what they need most: the inner energy to endure, heal,…
The curtains came down on the life of Judge Frank Caprio on Wednesday (August 22, 2025), bringing to an end an illustrious career built on compassion and kindness in the courtroom. According to a statement from his family, the Rhode Island judge died of pancreatic cancer at the age of 88. In a career spanning…
Shane Gould, born on November 23, 1956, in Sydney, Australia, is celebrated as one of the nation’s sporting icons. An extraordinary swimmer, Gould made revolutionary contributions to the sport during her prolific career in the 1970s. With an array of accolades and achievements, she not only redefined swimming in Australia but also inspired countless young…
For years, the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) has been projected as a custodian of talent, the nursery that once produced the likes of ML Jaisimha, Mohammad Azharuddin, VVS Laxman, and a string of India internationals. But peel back the façade of cricketing pride, and one finds a cesspool of corruption, manipulation, and brazen looting of…
Club Secretaries Hold the Key MS Shanker In the past few weeks, I have been reaching out to those who matter most in Hyderabad cricket—not just former players, administrators, or politicians, but the men at the grassroots who truly decide the direction of the game: the club secretaries. With 216 affiliated clubs forming the electoral…
When I assumed charge as Director of the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Mohali, my vision was clear: to transform the institute into a true centre of excellence in pharmaceutical education, research, and skill development. By 2018, these efforts bore fruit when NIPER Mohali was ranked No. 1 in the country under…
Gulabrai Ramchand occupies an important place in the evolution of Indian cricket. Emerging in the 1950s, he offered something relatively rare in that era: a middle-order batsman who combined grit with attacking intent, a useful medium-pace bowler, and a leader who helped shift the team’s mentality toward greater competitiveness. His influence extended well beyond the…
