Mahendra Singh Dhoni gave an exhibition of blistering strokeplay to hit a career-best undefeated 206 while Virat Kohli cracked 107 as India rode on their captain's batting brilliance to gain control of the first cricket Test against Australia by taking a substantial 135-run first innings lead in Chennai on Sunday. Dhoni produced a stunning counter-attacking knock to notch up his maiden double hundred, his sixth Test century overall, while Kohli recorded his fourth in longer format as the hosts reached a commanding 515 for eight at close, on an eventful third day's play. The Indian captain set the M A Chidambaram stadium ablaze with his amazing strokeplay as he smashed 22 boundaries and five sixes during his 243-ball assault much to the delight of a sizeable Sunday crowd which cheered the Indians as they went about consolidating their position in the match. Dhoni, who was agonisingly run out for 99 against England in India last Test in Nagpur, changed the complexion of the game with his aggressive batting after the hosts lost Sachin Tendulkar (81) early in the morning session. Tendulkar, who gave glimpses of his vintage form yesterday, could add just ten runs to his tally. The Indians found the going a little tough in the pre-lunch session as the runs dried up but the second new ball ball saw the game slipping away from the Australians as both Dhoni and Kohli attacked the bowlers with an array of shots on both sides of the wicket. The duo added 128 runs for the fifth wicket before off-spinner Nathan Lyon provided the breakthrough for the visitors with India still 56 runs short of Australia's first innings total. Kohli paid the price for a lapse in concentration as he tried to lift a dlivery from Nathan Lyon over mid-on but could not get the desired elevation and Mitchell Starc latched on to a good catch. Kohli clobbered 15 boundaries and a six during his 206-ball knock. Source: Hindustan Times
Superb double ton by Dhoni, India take control of 1st Test
India celebrates Republic Day with pomp and hope
New Delhi, Jan 26 (IANS) With millions taking part, India celebrated its 64th Republic Day Saturday with pomp and pride, with people in a few areas defying rebel groups to join official flag hoisting functions. Men, women and children participated enthusiastically in numerous events across the length and breadth of the world's most populous democracy which was declared a Republic on this day in 1950. It was the first Republic Day for President Pranab Mukherjee, and chief guest at the main event in the capital was King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk of Bhutan, India's closest neighbour. In New Delhi, there was a
perfect blend of the indigenous military hardware and rich cultural diversity as the country showcased its military strides as well as its roots with the past. Time was when almost all the hardware on display was of foreign origin. This time around, it was the the opposite barring few exceptions. And what was on view was itself an exercise in contrast. The smartly attired marching contingents came from the armed forces, the paramilitary forces, the National Cadet Corps and school students in their colourful best. There were also tableaux from 19 states and government departments. The highlight of the 100-minute parade was the nuclear-capable 5,000 km Agni-V ballistic missile developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation, flight-tested last year. A flypast by the air force provided the grand finale. The day passed off peacefully all across India barring a minor bomb explosion in Manipur that injured no one. Republic Day functions were held in state capitals and district headquarters with patriotic zeal. Meghalaya Governor R.S. Mooshahary and his Manipur counterpart Gurbachan Jagat appealed for peace, with the former asking rebel groups to end their violence spree. Defying boycott calls by militant groups, hundreds of thousands turned up at official functions in Assam, Tripura, Manipur and Meghalaya. The
scene was no different in the sprawling Bastar region in Chhattisgarh, a known Maoist den. Central Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh hoisted the tricolour in a Maoist stronghold in Jharkhand's West Singhbhum district, saying Maoists could be battled with sound economic development. Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik chose the event announce that his government would provide a kilo of rice at Rs.1 to the poor from February. He said after unfurling the tricolour in Cuttack that he wanted to ensure food security to over 58 lakh families. Patriotic fervour marked the celebrations in Andhra Pradesh despite unending acrimony over a separate Telangana state, with the issue marring a function in the Congress party office. Karnataka Governor Hans Raj Bhardwaj used the occasion to advocate "discipline" in democracy to prevent the country slipping into "chaos and self-destruction". In Srinagar, Rural Development Minister Ali Muhammad Sagar lamented that the gun had only caused destruction in Jammu and Kashmir. In Jammu, Governor N.N. Vohra called for vigil on the border with Pakistan. In Himachal Pradesh, people braved sub-zero temperatures at many places to celebrate the day with enthusiasm. Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal unfurled the tricolour in Amritsar, not far from the Pakistan border. Across Maharashtra and Gujarat, politicians and citizens hoisted the national flag in numerous places -- schools, colleges and housing blocks. Ignoring a dense fog and icy winds, hundreds of thousands all over Bihar celebrated Republic Day, with Governor Devanand Kunwar leading the main function at the Gandhi Maidan in Patna. There was no dearth of patriotism in Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Kerala either. In Chennai, thousands gathered at the Marina beach. Students displayed a 1.5 km long and nine metre wide national flag in Andhra Pradesh's Karimnagar district. Not to be left behind, more than 1,000 people marched in Allahabad to celebrate Republic Day on the banks of the Ganges at Kumbh Mela to demand efforts to save the holy river from pollution. Image Link photobucket, Source: NewsTrackIndia,
22 young heroes to get National Bravery Awards 2013
New Delhi, Jan 18 (IANS) Young bravehearts who saved their friends and others from drowning and exposed social evils will be among the 22 children, including four girls, who will be conferred the National Bravery Awards for 2013, it was announced Friday. One of the award would be given posthumously to Ramdinthara of Mizoram, who died while trying to rescue his friend from drowning, the Indian Council for Child Welfare said Friday. The Bharat Award has been conferred on 17-year-old Tarang Atulbhai Mistry of Gujarat who saved four people from drowning in the Narmada River. Eleven-and-a-half-year-old Renu will be given the
prestigious Geeta Chopra Award for exposing the perpetrators of inhuman treatment of a children's home. The Sanjay Chopra Award has been given to 11-and-a-half-year-old Gajendra Ram of Chhattisgarh who saved a child from drowning in a well. Vijay Kumar Sainik, 17, of Uttar Pradesh, Akanksha Gaute, 16, of Chhattisgarh and Hali Raghunath Baraf, 16, of Maharashtra will receive theBapu Gaidhani Awards. Other recipients are Devansh Tiwari and Mukesh Nishad (Chhattisgarh), Lalrinhlua (Mizoram), E. Suganthan (Tamil Nadu), Ramith.K, Mebin Cyriac and Vishnu M.V. (Kerala), Koroungamba Kuman (Manipur), Sameep Anil Pandit (Maharashtra), Viswendra Lohkna, Satendra Lohkana and Pawan Kumar Kanaujiya (Uttar Pradesh), Stripleaseman Mylliem (Meghalaya), Sapna Kumari Meena (Rajasthan) and Suhail K.M. (Karnataka). The children will receive their Awards from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh prior to Republic Day 2013 and will also participate in the Republic Day Parade atop an elephant. The awardees will receive a medal, certificate and cash. A reception in honour of the children will also be held by President Pranab Mukherjee, and Defence Minister A. K. Antony. Since the inception of the scheme in 1957, the Indian Council for Child Welfare has given awards to 846 brave children - 602 boys and 244 girls. Image Screen Shot On Youtube, Source: News Track India
