Special Reports
Ramnath Dhondu Parkar’s cricketing journey is a testament to perseverance, skill, and the quiet dignity of those who thrive largely outside the spotlight. Born on October 31, 1946, in Bombay (now Mumbai), Parkar rose through the ranks of Mumbai cricket to become one of the finest domestic players of his generation—often sharing the crease with…
Girja Shankar Dixit In today’s fast-paced, stress-laden world, finding inner peace often feels like a luxury. But thanks to the timeless wisdom and compassionate vision of Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, millions across the globe have discovered a simple yet powerful tool for mental clarity, emotional balance, and holistic well-being — Sudarshan Kriya. Developed by…
I jumped with joy — though I must admit, with some disbelief — as I sat in my living room watching the final moments of the fifth Test. England needed just 35 runs with four wickets in hand. Most would have thought it was a done deal. Even I, a lifelong cricketer, momentarily gave in…
MS Shanker The Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) has been plunged into fresh controversy after several club secretaries questioned the legality and propriety of a series of decisions taken by the current Apex Council. The criticism follows the suspension of HCA President G. R. Jaganmohan Rao, Secretary Devraj Ramachandran, and Treasurer C.J. Srinivas Rao—all arrested in…
M Shyam Sparsha In a moment of quiet triumph that signals the beginning of a technological renaissance, Union Minister for Electronics and IT, Ashwini Vaishnaw, announced this week that India’s first indigenously designed semiconductor chip is ready—and 19 more are on the way. This is not just a routine update in policy or production. It’s…
Dr. Sandhyaa Bombay Oh, Ever-Pure Govinda, in You we believe! Your dark azure skin drifts like a gentle cloud across the sky of our minds. You are a living serenade—a divine masterpiece—where true peace takes form. Your sacred aura radiates hope, pulling us ever closer into the fold of your eternal grace. The Eternal Grace…
Arshad Ayub: From Test Cricketer to Alleged Architect of Corruption MS Shanker (Editor’s Note: Following receipt of a legal notice from former Indian Test cricketer and ex-HCA President Arshad Ayub, this article has been revised. Certain portions have been removed or modified to avoid misinterpretation. A corrigendum has also been issued immediately after receipt of…
Zhuang Zedong, born on August 25, 1940, in Yangzhou, China, began playing table tennis at the age of 11. By his teenage years, his precocious talent had propelled him to the national stage. At a time when China was not yet the table tennis powerhouse it would become, Zhuang’s arrival marked the beginning of a…
Manohar calls out decay and demands a clean-up MS Shanker In my continued quest to uncover ways to restore Hyderabad cricket to its rightful place in Indian cricket, I have been engaging with former players—those who may not have made headlines but whose connection to the game is rooted deep in legacy, values, and sincerity….
MS Shanker In a long overdue move, the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) has suspended its President Jagan Mohan Rao, Secretary Devraj Ramachandran, and Treasurer Srinivas following their arrest by the Telangana State CID in connection with the now-infamous IPL ticketing scam and other alleged financial irregularities. The emergency decision, reportedly taken by acting president Daljit…
