Special Reports
MS Shanker Who says social media is all noise and no fact? Those dismissing “WhatsApp University” often forget that a well-sourced forward can carry more truth than a thousand wordy editorials. Sure, there’s a margin of error—call it 5–7%—but the core data often exposes what conventional academia and mainstream commentary won’t admit. One such fact…
MS Shanker The crisis inside the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) has deepened, with Acting President Sardar Daljit Singh coming under increasing fire for allegedly arbitrary actions taken by a truncated apex council — one that critics say has no mandate under the association’s own rules. In the latest challenge, Ramakrishna Udupa of Classic Cricket Club…
In the shadowy world of defence technology, the most potent weapons are often the ones you never see — or hear. One such system, cloaked in secrecy and whispered about in defence circles, is India’s KALI, short for Kilo Ampere Linear Injector. Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in collaboration with the…
As a former cricketer, I’ve seen bouncers that rattled helmets, but nothing rattles this country quite like the words “India vs Pakistan.” And here we are again — pads strapped on, gloves tightened, and the scoreboard flashing a diplomatic crisis instead of runs and wickets. The Asia Cup 2025 groups are set: India, Pakistan, UAE,…
MS Shanker Azharuddin – From Captaincy to Controversy When a senior police officer recently named three former India cricketers—Shivlal Yadav, Arshad Ayub, and Mohammad Azharuddin—as key culprits behind the sorry state of the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA), it wasn’t hyperbole. It was a blunt, uncomfortable truth that had long circulated in cricketing circles. In the…
The controversy over the Election Commission’s (EC) decision to conduct a special voter list revision — and the Opposition’s loud protests against it — has prompted me to pen these thoughts. What strikes me as astonishing is the contradiction in the Opposition’s position. On the one hand, the Congress and its allies accuse the EC…
Gary Lineker stands as one of England’s most celebrated footballers—an instinctive striker renowned for his clinical finishing, exemplary sportsmanship, and enduring impact both on and off the pitch. Over a storied 16-year career across several top clubs, Lineker won hearts with his skill, intelligence, and understated charisma, becoming one of the game’s most respected figures….
MS Shanker Mohan Bhupathy, former selector, speaks out: No more experiments, we need results In the wake of the state CID’s recent crackdown on the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA), a long-overdue clean-up operation finally seems to be underway. The arrests of three HCA officials, including the sitting President, in connection with the IPL ticketing scam…
MS Shanker In yet another twist to the Hyderabad Cricket Association’s (HCA) continuing saga of controversy, Acting President Sardar Daljit Singh and Joint Secretary Basavaraju find themselves under a cloud. The duo, part of the “leftover” Apex Council after the arrest of three key office-bearers — President, Secretary, and Treasurer — are now accused of…
Dr Sandhyaa Bombay This radiant Saturday, the 9th of this month, we come together to joyfully celebrate the divine birth of Sri Venkateshwara Swamy, illuminated by the enchanting glow of the full moon in Shravan. The full moon symbolizes the peak of spiritual energy, and the Shravana Nakshatra—a constellation associated with auspicious beginnings—adds a celestial…
