‘This victory is as much yours as it’s mine’, Virat pens down heartfelt note to Anushka after T20 World Cup win

New Delhi, June 30 2024-

Stylish Indian batter Virat Kohli shared a heartfelt note to his wife and Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma a day after beating South Africa in a last-over thriller by seven runs to win the T20 World Cup 2024 and ending the 11-year wait of ICC title at Kensington Oval, Barbados.

India went into Saturday’s title clash as one of the two unbeaten teams alongside South Africa. Player of the Match Virat Kohli stepped up when it mattered the most with a 59-ball 76 to help India post a competitive 176/7, the highest total in a Men’s T20 World Cup final. His 72-run stand for the fourth wicket with Axar Patel, who made 47 off 31 balls, and a 57-run partnership with Shivam Dube, who hit a 16-ball 27.

Sharing a post on ‘Instagram’ with a picture of his wife, Virat wrote, “None of this would remotely be possible without you my love. You keep me humble, grounded and you always say it how it is with absolute honesty. I couldn’t be more grateful for you. This victory is as much yours as it’s mine. Thank you and I love you for being YOU @anushkasharma.”

In reply, South Africa were very much in sight to chase down the total. But Hardik taking out Heinrich Klaasen propelled India to come back into the match and emerge victorious to end a long 11-year global trophy drought as they restricted South Africa to 169/8. While Pandya took 3-20, Player of the Tournament Jasprit Bumrah shined with 2-18.

After delivering a match-winning knock for his team, Kohli also announced his retirement for the T20I format of the game ending his T20I career as India’s second-highest run-scorer in the format, through 4188 runs in 125 games at an average of 48.69 and strike rate of 137.04. (Agency)

‘So many words but can’t find the right ones’, Rohit shares heartfelt post after T20 World Cup win

New Delhi, June 30 2024-

The 2024 T20 World Cup-winning Indian captain, Rohit Sharma shared a heartfelt note to the fans a day after beating South Africa in a last-over thriller by seven runs at Kensington Oval, Barbados.

With the title-win, Rohit also announced retirement from the shortest format of the game. Rohit , finished his T20I career as the highest scorer in T20Is – 4231 runs in 159 matches – and also holds the record for the most centuries in men’s T20Is via fine tons, apart from being a two-time world champion in the shortest format.

Sharing a post on ‘X’ with his picture, Rohit wrote, “This picture epitomises how I’m feeling right now. So many words but can’t find the right ones to express what yesterday meant to me but I will, and I will share them, but right now I’m basking in a dream come true for a billion of us.”

India went into Saturday’s title clash as one of the two unbeaten teams alongside South Africa. Player of the Match Virat Kohli stepped up when it mattered the most with a 59-ball 76 to help India post a competitive 176/7, the highest total in a Men’s T20 World Cup final. His 72-run stand for the fourth wicket with Axar Patel, who made 47 off 31 balls, and a 57-run partnership with Shivam Dube, who hit a 16-ball 27.

In reply, South Africa were very much in sight to chase down the total. But Hardik taking out Heinrich Klaasen propelled India to come back into the match and emerge victorious to end a long 11-year global trophy drought as they restricted South Africa to 169/8. While Pandya took 3-20, Player of the Tournament Jasprit Bumrah shined with 2-18. (Agency)

Punjab’s luscious litchis hit Britain markets

Chandigarh, June 30 2024-

In a first, luscious litchis from Punjab’s sub-mountainous districts of Pathankot, Gurdaspur and Hoshiarpur have been exported to Britain, state Horticulture Minister Chetan Singh Jouramajra said on Sunday.

He virtually flagged off the first shipment of litchi, exported by the Horticulture Department in collaboration with the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA).

He said the litchi cultivation in Punjab covers 3,250 hectares, with a production of approximately 13,000 metric tonnes.

“Due to the favorable climate in Pathankot, Gurdaspur and Hoshiarpur districts, the litchi produced has a naturally deep red colour and sweetness superior to those from other states.”

Jouramajra said through the state government’s initiatives, litchi growers will be able to earn higher profits through exports.

“In the coming days, efforts will be made to export other horticultural crops as well, in collaboration with the Horticulture Department and APEDA,” said the Horticulture Minister.

He said the litchi produce of progressive farmer Rakesh Dadwal from village Muradpur in Pathankot has been sent for export to Britain from Amritsar.

“The day is not far away when Punjab’s fruits will put the state’s name on the map in important foreign markets, and litchi growers will gain recognition internationally,” he added. (Agency)

Ajj Da Hukamnama – Sri Darbar Sahib Amritsar – July 1, 2024

From Colonial to Contemporary: India’s legal system set to enter a new era on Monday

New Delhi, June 30, 2024
India is now set to enforce new criminal laws, replacing colonial codes. The three new criminal laws — Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam — will be implemented nationwide on Monday (July 1).

They are set to replace the colonial-era Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, and the Indian Evidence Act, respectively.

The new laws aim to modernise the justice system by introducing features like Zero FIR, online police complaint registration, electronic summonses via SMS, and mandatory videography of crime scenes for all serious offences.

Following the notification of the three new criminal laws on December 25, 2023, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) initiated several preparations to ensure their effective implementation and to raise awareness among all stakeholders, including police, prisons, prosecutors, judicial, forensic personnel, and the general public.

Here are the initiatives undertaken by the MHA to ensure effective and smooth implementation of the new laws.

Twenty-three functional updates were applied to the existing CCTNS (Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems) application to align with the technological requirements of the new criminal laws, including FIR filing.

Technical support was provided to states/Union Territories (UTs) to facilitate a smooth transition to the new system.

Support teams and call centers were established to provide continuous monitoring and assistance to states/UTs in implementing the new criminal laws.

C-DAC (Centre for Development of Advanced Computing) is developing the CCTNS 2.0 application, which will incorporate secure cloud storage and features for crime scene videography and forensic evidence collection.

Significantly, the MHA launched a mobile and web application called NCRB Compendium of Criminal Laws.

It was made available on NCRB, Ministry of Home Affairs, Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D), Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNPA), iGot websites, as well as on Google Play Store and iOS.

The e-Sakshaya app was developed that enables videography, photography of crime scenes, and document onboarding.

It has been distributed to all police departments across states and Union Territories, with comprehensive testing completed.

The Nyayashruti App facilitates electronic judicial hearings and document onboarding, shared with all states/UTs and the e-Committee of the Supreme Court for court implementation. The e-Summon App facilitates electronic service of court summonses.

Additionally, necessary updates were made to CCTNS, e-Prison, e-Prosecution, and e-Forensic apps in accordance with the new laws.

The MHA implemented comprehensive training initiatives to build capacity among various stakeholders, including police, prisons, prosecutors, judicial officers, forensic experts, and central police organisations.

Several training modules were developed specifically for capacity building.

Over 250 training courses, webinars, and seminars were conducted, resulting in the training of a large number of officers and personnel.

Control rooms have been established with teams comprising law and police officers to manage and address queries and challenges raised by field personnel during the implementation of the new laws.

Extensive publicity campaigns on social media were carried out.

Ministries published advisories, press releases, and infographics on social media platforms to inform the public about the three new criminal laws.

Dialogue workshops held in state capitals, focused on regional media, to highlight the benefits of implementing the new laws.(Agency)

Wolvaardt, Luus fightback as South Africa stretch one-off Test to final day against India

Chennai, June 30, 2024
South African batters demonstrated exceptional mental resilience, fighting back against a formidable Indian bowling attack to stay in the game as they finished the third Day of one-off women’s Test against India at 232 for 2 at M A Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday.

After being put on the back foot, South Africa showcased their tenacity, cutting down the deficit and setting up an intriguing final day.

After the historic innings, India declared their first essay at a mammoth 603 for 6, placing immense pressure on South Africa. The visitors, however, showed remarkable grit in their first innings, thanks to Sune Luus and Marizanne Kapp. On the second day, their partnership held firm, helping South Africa reach 236 for 4 at stumps. Yet, on Sunday morning, Sneh Rana’s sensational spin bowling turned the game on its head.

Rana, exploiting the turn and bounce from the pitch, decimated the South African lineup, adding five more wickets to her tally from the previous day. She finished with figures of 8 for 85, orchestrating a collapse that saw South Africa lose six wickets for just 30 runs to bowled out for 266.

Rana’s first breakthrough of the day came when she dismissed a well-set Kapp for 74 with a delivery that pitched on off and middle, taking the top of off stump. This triggered a rapid downfall, with South Africa losing wickets in quick succession.

India enforced the follow-on with a significant lead of 337 runs, putting South Africa under immense pressure. They faced an early setback when Deepti Sharma trapped Anneke Bosch lbw in the first over. However, South Africa’s fighting spirit shone through as Laura Wolvaardt and Sune Luus stitched together a monumental partnership.

At lunch, they were 29 for 1, and what followed was a masterclass in resilience and skill.

The duo batted through 66 overs across the second and third sessions, building a 190-run stand—the highest partnership for any wicket in South African women’s Test history. Wolvaardt, using the depth of the crease effectively, and Luus, who carried her first-innings form, blunted the Indian attack with solid defense and precise shot selection.

At tea, South Africa were 124 for 1, with Luus on 64 off 121 balls, playing positively and punishing loose deliveries.

India’s bowlers toiled hard to break the stand, with captain Harmanpreet Kaur employing as many as seven bowlers. Despite their efforts, they struggled with consistency in lengths and speeds. Fatigue also seemed to set in, as evidenced by Deepti Sharma dropping two catches off Kapp late in the day.

As the day wore on, the pitch slowed, and the South African pair grew more accustomed to the low bounce. Luus, after 234 minutes on the field, reached her maiden Test hundred, becoming only the second South African woman to score a century in India.

Her celebration—a rocking baby cradle gesture—was a tribute to the team’s strength and conditioning coach Zane Webster, who is expecting a child.

Harmanpreet Kaur eventually broke the stand, dismissing Luus for 101 with a delivery that stayed low. Wolvaardt, unbeaten on 93, continued to march on with Kapp at the other end, giving South Africa hope of taking a lead on the final day—a scenario that seemed improbable at the start of Sunday.

For India, the absence of Jemimah Rodrigues, who was off the field for much of the last two sessions due to cramps, was a notable setback.

Brief scores:

India 603/6 decl in 115.1 overs (Shafali Verma 205, Smriti Mandhana 149; Delhi Tucker 2-141, Tumi Sekhukhune 1-70) lead South Africa 266/10 & following-on 232/2 in 88 overs (Sune Luus 109 not out, Laura Wolvaardt 93; Harmanpreet Kaur 1-24, Deepti Sharma 1-56) by 105 runs.(Agency)

Truck plunges into river as bridge collapses in Manipur

Imphal, June 30, 2024
A bridge over the Imphal River in Manipur’s Imphal West District collapsed when a wood-laden truck was crossing it on Sunday, sending the vehicle plunging into the water, officials said.

Police said the truck’s driver is currently missing and rescue operations are underway.

Local people rescued the three persons who were on the truck, which was still submerged in the flooded water.(Agency)

PM Modi congratulates Ravindra Jadeja on ‘exceptional’ T20I career

New Delhi, June 30, 2024
The Indian cricket team has raised the heads of all Indians by ending the side’s 11-year drought in ICC tournaments. The T20 World Cup winners defeated South Africa by seven runs to clinch the victory in a thriller.

The emotional victory turned bittersweet as the Indian cricket’s most loyal and experienced soldiers, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma had announced retirement from the shortest format following the win.

On Sunday, another star cricketer, Ravindra Jadeja announced his retirement from T20Is.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Jadeja on his ‘exceptional’ career.

“Dear @imjadeja, You have performed exceptionally as an all-rounder. Cricket lovers admire your stylish stroke play, spin and superb fielding. Thank you for the enthralling T20 performances over the years. My best wishes for your endeavours ahead,” read the tweet by PM Modi on X.

Jadeja has played 74 T20 Internationals for India and racked up 515 runs at a strike rate of 127.16 whilst racking up 54 wickets at an economy of 7.13.

Unlike Rohit and Kohli who announced their intentions to retire from the format in the post game conference, Jadeja took to Instagram to close the curtains on his glorious career.

“With a heart full of gratitude, I bid farewell to T20 internationals. Like a steadfast horse galloping with pride, I’ve always given my best for my country and will continue to do so in other formats.

Winning the T20 World Cup was a dream come true, a pinnacle of my T20 International career. Thank you for the memories, the cheers, and the unwavering support. Jai hind – Ravindrasinh Jadeja,” stated the 35-year-old all-rounder.(Agency)

Police register suo motu case in Chopra beating incident

Kolkata, June 30, 2024
The North Dinajpur District Police registered a suo motu case in the Chopra beating incident in which a local Trinamool Congress worker mercilessly beat up a couple over an alleged extra-marital affair.

North Dinajpur District Superintendent Jubi Thomas told media persons that police have already started search operations in the area to track the prime accused and others who are involved in the case.

The principal accused, identified by the locals as Rejemul a.k.a. JCB, is known to be close to the local Trinamool Congress MLA Hamidul Rahman.

Sources said that, as per the preliminary investigation, the incident took place in the Laxmipur village panchayat area, a couple of days back.

Meanwhile, the CPI-M State Secretary Mohammed Salim has alleged that ruling activists torturing people has become a trend in West Bengal.

Salim said that the state is witnessing misrule under Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the entire legal system has failed to stop such incidents.

BJP’s Rajya Sabha member and state Spokesman Samik Bhattacharya said that the Chopra beating incident is nothing for the people of West Bengal. “In most cases, such events are suppressed by the ruling party with the help of local police,” he said.

Former Trinamool Congress state Spokesman Kunal Ghosh said that it will be too early to come to a conclusion based on this video. He also alleged that interference in personal matters was a regular practice during the previous Left Front government as well.(Agency)

Security forces launch operation in higher reaches of J&K’s Gulmarg ski resort

Srinagar, June 30, 2024
Security forces launched an anti-militancy operation in higher reaches of J&K’s Gulmarg ski resort on Sunday following reports of armed men in the area, officials said.

Officials said that the security forces started a Cordon & Search Operation (CASO) there after the reports were received.

“The CASO was started after the security forces received reports of two people with rifles moving in the Afarwat area of Gulmarg’s higher reaches.

As a precautionary measure, phase two of the Gondola Cable Car that leads to the Afarwat heights has been shut down. Meanwhile, tourists and locals have been advised not to venture into the area till it is declared safe by the security forces,” an official said.(Agency)