Special Reports
A Fight for the Soul of the Game: Why Revanth Reddy’s Crackdown Must Go All the Way This is in continuation of my pursuit to expose who is responsible for ruining Hyderabad cricket—not just through corruption and incompetence, but by systematically dismantling an ecosystem that once produced legends, pride, and a legacy few cities in…
In 1975, Arthur Ashe made history by becoming the first African American to win the prestigious Wimbledon singles title, defeating the heavily favored Jimmy Connors in a stunning upset. This victory wasn’t just a personal triumph—it was a monumental moment in sports history, breaking racial barriers on one of the world’s grandest tennis stages. Born…
“Merit Is Dead”: Former Hyderabad All-Rounder Slams Rot in State Cricket MS Shanker As part of my continuing series, “How to Revive Hyderabad Cricket,” this week I sat down with one of the city’s most quietly impactful cricketers—M.V. Ramanamurthy. A gritty allrounder who played his cricket in the 1980s and early ’90s purely on merit,…
The Timeless Bond of Devotion Dr Sandhya Bombay One of the most profound expressions of devotion in the Hindu tradition is the line “భక్తవత్సల గోవిందా, భాగవతప్రియ గోవిందా” from Govinda Naamalu, translated as: “O Govinda, beloved of devotees; O Govinda, dear to the Bhagavatas.” This chant captures deep reverence and fills our hearts with inspiration and…
The Case of Dr. U.C. Banerjee, Abuse of Process and Power in NIPER Mohali In an alarming case of institutional betrayal, Dr. Uttam Chand Banerjee—former Dean at the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Mohali, and a scientist facing serious plagiarism allegations—was shockingly regularised as a permanent employee through what appears to be…
N Nagarajan It’s tragic how global politics today has been reduced to loud theatrics. Donald Trump, once the President of the world’s oldest democracy, turned the White House into a circus, mocking the disabled, downplaying white supremacy, and ultimately fuelling the Capitol Hill riots with baseless lies about the 2020 election. And yet, he’s clawed…
One victim’s frustrating journey through the legal maze after cyber fraud (This is a continuation of the cyber fraud article published in these columns last week. Here, the victim recounts his distressing journey of trying to reclaim his stolen money. — Editor) MS Shanker When he (Radhakrishna, name changed) first discovered that he had been…
Young captain, fearless squad, and a shot at history By all standards of modern Test cricket, India’s 336-run hammering of England at Edgbaston last week wasn’t just emphatic—it was historic. The victory not only levelled the five-match series 1-1 but also signalled the arrival of a new Indian era led by a youthful yet fearless…
Raman Lamba’s story is one of raw talent, unyielding passion, and tragic destiny. Born on January 2, 1960, in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, Lamba rose from local cricket grounds to the international stage, leaving an indelible mark on Indian and world cricket before his untimely death at just 38. From childhood, Lamba was known for his…
MS Shanker Can there be anything more bizarre than a man under the scanner for corruption writing a letter demanding justice for others? That’s exactly what Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) Joint Secretary T. Basavaraju has done. Basavaraju—who is already facing heat after a parent accused his close aide of accepting a bribe for securing a…
