Special Reports
MS Shanker A short video doing the rounds on social media has ignited speculation: Did Prime Minister Narendra Modi narrowly escape an assassination attempt during his recent visit to Beijing for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit? The clip links together several threads — Modi’s remarks about “safe return” from international trips, his drive with…
When Even the Balls Were Fixed Stadium chairs are bad enough. But cricket without balls? That’s not just corruption — that’s sacrilege. Yet the HCA managed to pull it off, with the finesse of a street-corner hustler palming cards. The forensic audit uncovered the great cricket ball scam of 2020–22. It revolved around two shady…
The sprinter who ruled five Olympics, broke six world records, and redefined women’s athletics for generations. In the grand stage of Olympic history, Irena Szewińska stands unmatched. Poland’s sprinting queen didn’t just win medals—she redefined the very boundaries of women’s athletics. Across five Olympic Games, she collected seven medals, set six world records, and achieved…
In my continuing campaign to trace the steep decline of Hyderabad cricket and explore ways to revive its past glory, this week I had the privilege of meeting one of the forgotten stalwarts of the game—Mahender Kumar. A prolific all-rounder of the 1960s, he belonged to that rare breed of cricketers who combined artistry with…
On Wednesday, the nation came together to celebrate the birthday of our beloved Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. The affection and reverence he commands are not merely the result of political positioning but the reflection of a lifetime devoted to service, discipline, and honesty. For me, as someone who has seen Indian politics up close—having been…
MS Shanker In India, dynasties don’t fade; they just change uniforms. Some wear crisp white kurtas and sit in Parliament; others slip into blazers and preside over cricket associations. Either way, they rule. Elections and trials are for the aam aadmi; succession is strictly for the khaas aadmi’s son, daughter, nephew, or, when imagination runs…
MS Shanker The Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA), already under fire for a series of administrative lapses, has once again invited criticism—this time over its handling of women’s team selections. Despite being reduced to a truncated apex council after recent controversies, the remaining office-bearers had an opportunity to rebuild confidence. Instead, their latest decision has raised…
Dr. Asha Chadha It was in 1986 that we purchased a plot in Eswaripuri for three simple reasons: the abundance of greenery, the well-demarcated Army officers’ colonies, and—most importantly—we could afford it within our limited means. At that time, the area was considered remote. The suburban railway gates often closed as trains passed frequently, making…
In the global academic world, being invited to serve as editor of a reputed journal is not merely a personal accolade. It is also an institutional recognition, a chance for the university or research centre to showcase its intellectual capital on the international stage. Yet, at the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER),…
MS Shanker Fresh controversy is brewing around the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA), with growing calls for the state High Court–appointed one-man committee, headed by Justice Naveen Rao, to represent the association in the upcoming BCCI Presidential polls on September 28. The proposal was put forth by former HCA Secretary Sheshnarayan, who has written to both…
