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Kashmir turns crimson with blood of Pandits

AN UN-ISLAMIC KIDNAPPING AND CHAOS IN THE VALLEY

The illusion of azaadi and Kashmir’s historic deception

How Pak's terror policy evolved in Kashmir

Birth of social media jihadists, death of Article-370

Operation Sindoor: When Indian missiles rained on Pak terror parade

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LIVE SCORES

<div class="itg-mosimage"><amp-img src="https://ancillary-proxy.atarimworker.dev?url=https%3A%2F%2Fakm-img-a-in.tosshub.com%2Fsites%2Fmedia2%2Findiatoday%2Fimages%2Fstories%2F1998September%2Ftarget%2520(3)_082212084907.gif" alt="" height="425" width="650" class="" layout="responsive"></amp-img><p>As the medals rolled in, the flag went up and the anthem played, Indian hearts beat a trifle faster. Fourth on the medal list, as India was at one point, was enough to make one believe in miracles. In international sporting competitions, India's name is usually somewhere near the bottom, a few names below Burundi.<br><br>Yet the smiles were proof that this was no mirage. Jaspal Rana and Ashok Pandit (centrefire pistol pairs), Mansher Singh and Manavjit Singh (trap pairs) and Roopa Unnikrishnan (sport rifle prone) were smoking at the shooting range; the badminton men won a team silver, the women bronze and the weightlifting men were winning medals of every hue by the dozen.<br><br>But wait, this was not quite the sporting revolution we had anticipated. Every medal was admittedly a testament to hard work, but by and large everyone knew the standards weren't frightening. Prakash Padukone, manager of the badminton squad and a man who understands greatness, put it sharply: "Aparna (Popat) did well, but she gives too many easy points. That may be fine at the Commonwealth level, but it will not work at the Asian Games where the standard is world class."<br><br></p><div class="itg-mosimage"><amp-img src="https://ancillary-proxy.atarimworker.dev?url=https%3A%2F%2Fakm-img-a-in.tosshub.com%2Fsites%2Fmedia2%2Findiatoday%2Fimages%2Fstories%2F1998September%2Ftarget%2520(2)_082212084851.gif" alt="" height="425" width="650" class="" layout="responsive"></amp-img>Singular Show: Shooters lack sponsors, yet Roopa Unnikrishnan hit the bull's-eye</div></p><p>In many events this was a common refrain. In weightlifting, the Chinese were missing, in hockey the Spanish, Germans and Dutch, in shooting the Koreans. There were exceptions: in trap shooting, Mansher and Manavjit defeated Olympic champion Michael Diamond of Australia.<br><br>Yet shooting coach Sunny Thomas admitted it would be difficult to replicate such a performance at the Bangkok Asiad. The truth is many countries use the Commonwealth Games to experiment, as an arena to learn; with the more important Asian Games to be held in December this year, India could have done the same. Yet have we learnt our lessons?<br><br>The usual suspects, read politicians, were there, even "observers" like Chetan Chauhan and Ajit Panja. Politicians are welcome to shop (an old Indian habit impossible to stop) but it would have been more sensible if the contingent had included doctors and physiotherapists. The South Africans sent 14 doctors and physiotherapists, the Australians brought over 20 medical personnel including surgeons and orthopaedic specialists.</p><p> The Indians had no back up, the teams so desperate that cricket physio Andrew Kokinos was attending to injuries suffered by hockey players, explaining to athletes the value of rehydration in such humid conditions. When the cricket team departed, he was asked to stay on.<br><br>Countries across the world, not just struggling Asian nations but also the advanced Europeans, have realised that stealing is the only way to get ahead. Stealing coaches that is. India has always settled for the cheaper Eastern Bloc coaches or believed their own coaches are sufficient. </p><p>In contrast, New Zealand has acquired Chinese-born badminton coach Li Feng, the Malaysians have enlisted Morten Frost Hansen and Australia is searching for a Chinese coach. <br><br>Suresh Kalmadi, Indian Olympic Association president, claimed he had spent his time meeting foreign officials. Now he says, "In two months, I will have a foreign coach for every major discipline." And probably give them one year to win Olympic gold. Indian hockey has changed its coach thrice in the past year or so, even though the international norm is quite different. </p><div class="itg-mosimage"><amp-img src="https://ancillary-proxy.atarimworker.dev?url=https%3A%2F%2Fakm-img-a-in.tosshub.com%2Fsites%2Fmedia2%2Findiatoday%2Fimages%2Fstories%2F1998September%2Ftarget%2520(1)_082212084851.gif" alt="" height="425" width="650" class="" layout="responsive"></amp-img>Braving The Odds: Pandian overcame poor training conditions to lift gold in the 56 kg</div></p><p>Ric Charlesworth has been Australian women's coach for five years and men's coach Terry Walsh has a contract that runs till 2000. They stay whether they win or lose a tournament.</p><p>The final lesson came in the ring where Indian boxers like Dingko Singh and Gurcharan Singh found that skill was easily blunted by technology. Computer scoring has always been a controversial aspect; it was no different in Kuala Lumpur. <br><br>The boxers and their seconds are not supposed to know how many points they have scored; however, since the points were displayed on television outside the arena, team members would sneak out, note whether their boxer was ahead or behind, and then alter their tactics accordingly. </p><p>Often this led to defensive boxing, for boxers, knowing they were ahead, simply stayed away from their opponents. Dingko, an aggressive boxer, still doesn't know how to play the computer.<br><br>Three months from now, the Bangkok Asian Games begin. It would be unfortunate if India did not learn some lessons from Kuala Lumpur.<br></p><div class="itemcenter"><amp-iframe height="62" title="" width="320" sandbox="allow-forms allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-top-navigation allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation" allowfullscreen src="https://ancillary-proxy.atarimworker.dev?url=https%3A%2F%2Fakm-img-a-in.tosshub.com%2Fsites%2Findiatoday%2Fbanner%2Fpreferred-source-new.html%3Fv%3D1.014%5Cu0026native%3D1" class="mrBt15 preferred-source-banner"> </amp-iframe></div><div id="tab-link-wrapper-plugin"><div class="authors__container"><div class="authors__by"><div class="authlable">Published By: </div><div class="authdetaisl">AtMigration </div></div><div class="published__on"><div class="authlable">Published On: </div><div class="authdetaisl">Sep 28, 1998</div></div></div><div class="sendros">--- ENDS ---</div></div></div>

sport

Sport

<div class="itg-mosimage"><div class="itgimage"><img  title=""  class="" alt="" src="https://ancillary-proxy.atarimworker.dev?url=https%3A%2F%2Fakm-img-a-in.tosshub.com%2Fsites%2Fmedia2%2Findiatoday%2Fimages%2Fstories%2F1998September%2Ftarget%2520(3)_082212084907.gif" loading="lazy" /></div><p>As the medals rolled in, the flag went up and the anthem played, Indian hearts beat a trifle faster. Fourth on the medal list, as India was at one point, was enough to make one believe in miracles. In international sporting competitions, India's name is usually somewhere near the bottom, a few names below Burundi.<br><br>Yet the smiles were proof that this was no mirage. Jaspal Rana and Ashok Pandit (centrefire pistol pairs), Mansher Singh and Manavjit Singh (trap pairs) and Roopa Unnikrishnan (sport rifle prone) were smoking at the shooting range; the badminton men won a team silver, the women bronze and the weightlifting men were winning medals of every hue by the dozen.<br><br>But wait, this was not quite the sporting revolution we had anticipated. Every medal was admittedly a testament to hard work, but by and large everyone knew the standards weren't frightening. Prakash Padukone, manager of the badminton squad and a man who understands greatness, put it sharply: "Aparna (Popat) did well, but she gives too many easy points. That may be fine at the Commonwealth level, but it will not work at the Asian Games where the standard is world class."<br><br></p><div class="itg-mosimage"><div class="itgimage"><img  title=""  class="" alt="" src="https://ancillary-proxy.atarimworker.dev?url=https%3A%2F%2Fakm-img-a-in.tosshub.com%2Fsites%2Fmedia2%2Findiatoday%2Fimages%2Fstories%2F1998September%2Ftarget%2520(2)_082212084851.gif" loading="lazy" /></div>Singular Show: Shooters lack sponsors, yet Roopa Unnikrishnan hit the bull's-eye</div></p><p>In many events this was a common refrain. In weightlifting, the Chinese were missing, in hockey the Spanish, Germans and Dutch, in shooting the Koreans. There were exceptions: in trap shooting, Mansher and Manavjit defeated Olympic champion Michael Diamond of Australia.<br><br>Yet shooting coach Sunny Thomas admitted it would be difficult to replicate such a performance at the Bangkok Asiad. The truth is many countries use the Commonwealth Games to experiment, as an arena to learn; with the more important Asian Games to be held in December this year, India could have done the same. Yet have we learnt our lessons?<br><br>The usual suspects, read politicians, were there, even "observers" like Chetan Chauhan and Ajit Panja. Politicians are welcome to shop (an old Indian habit impossible to stop) but it would have been more sensible if the contingent had included doctors and physiotherapists. The South Africans sent 14 doctors and physiotherapists, the Australians brought over 20 medical personnel including surgeons and orthopaedic specialists.</p><p> The Indians had no back up, the teams so desperate that cricket physio Andrew Kokinos was attending to injuries suffered by hockey players, explaining to athletes the value of rehydration in such humid conditions. When the cricket team departed, he was asked to stay on.<br><br>Countries across the world, not just struggling Asian nations but also the advanced Europeans, have realised that stealing is the only way to get ahead. Stealing coaches that is. India has always settled for the cheaper Eastern Bloc coaches or believed their own coaches are sufficient. </p><p>In contrast, New Zealand has acquired Chinese-born badminton coach Li Feng, the Malaysians have enlisted Morten Frost Hansen and Australia is searching for a Chinese coach. <br><br>Suresh Kalmadi, Indian Olympic Association president, claimed he had spent his time meeting foreign officials. Now he says, "In two months, I will have a foreign coach for every major discipline." And probably give them one year to win Olympic gold. Indian hockey has changed its coach thrice in the past year or so, even though the international norm is quite different. </p><div class="itg-mosimage"><div class="itgimage"><img  title=""  class="" alt="" src="https://ancillary-proxy.atarimworker.dev?url=https%3A%2F%2Fakm-img-a-in.tosshub.com%2Fsites%2Fmedia2%2Findiatoday%2Fimages%2Fstories%2F1998September%2Ftarget%2520(1)_082212084851.gif" loading="lazy" /></div>Braving The Odds: Pandian overcame poor training conditions to lift gold in the 56 kg</div></p><p>Ric Charlesworth has been Australian women's coach for five years and men's coach Terry Walsh has a contract that runs till 2000. They stay whether they win or lose a tournament.</p><p>The final lesson came in the ring where Indian boxers like Dingko Singh and Gurcharan Singh found that skill was easily blunted by technology. Computer scoring has always been a controversial aspect; it was no different in Kuala Lumpur. <br><br>The boxers and their seconds are not supposed to know how many points they have scored; however, since the points were displayed on television outside the arena, team members would sneak out, note whether their boxer was ahead or behind, and then alter their tactics accordingly. </p><p>Often this led to defensive boxing, for boxers, knowing they were ahead, simply stayed away from their opponents. Dingko, an aggressive boxer, still doesn't know how to play the computer.<br><br>Three months from now, the Bangkok Asian Games begin. It would be unfortunate if India did not learn some lessons from Kuala Lumpur.<br></p><div class="itemcenter"><iframe scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="62" awidth="320" aheight="62" amplayout="fixed" src="https://ancillary-proxy.atarimworker.dev?url=https%3A%2F%2Fakm-img-a-in.tosshub.com%2Fsites%2Findiatoday%2Fbanner%2Fpreferred-source-new.html%3Fv%3D1.014" class="preferred-source-banner" loading="lazy"></iframe></div><style>.preferred-source-banner{  margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom:10px;}</style><div id="tab-link-wrapper-plugin"><div class="authors__container"><div class="authors__by"><div class="authlable">Published By: </div><div class="authdetaisl">AtMigration </div></div><div class="published__on"><div class="authlable">Published On: </div><div class="authdetaisl">Sep 28, 1998</div></div></div><div class="sendros">--- ENDS ---</div></div></div>

India excel in a field short of world-class standard. The real test will come at the December Asian Games.

India Today

Right on target - India Today

India excel at Commonwealth Games, but real test to come at Asian Games

TEAMS

Right on target

A Canadian Federal Court judge set aside the deportation of former Pakistan police officer Munir Ahmad Malhi, ruling the decision unreasonable and ordering a fresh review.

A Canadian Federal Court judge set aside the deportation of former Pakistan police officer.

Canada court halts deportation of ex-Pakistan police officer

NASA astronaut Sunita Williams shared how seeing Earth from space changed her outlook on life. She said viewing the planet from orbit makes human conflicts and divisions seem meaningless.

Sunita Williams

Sunita Williams says seeing Earth from space makes human conflict seem pointless

The ED arrested two people in connection with the BitConnect cryptocurrency fraud and a linked kidnapping-extortion case. Assets worth around ₹2,170 crore have been attached or frozen in the case.

ED arrests 2 in BitConnect crypto fraud case; Rs 2,170 crore assets attached

The ED arrested Sandeep Gupta, former promoter and suspended managing director of Richa Industries Ltd, in a Rs 236-crore bank fraud and money laundering case. He was sent to ED custody for eight days.

जांच के लिए ईडी दफ्तर पहुंची रांची पुलिस

ED arrests former Richa Industries promoter in Rs 236-crore bank fraud case

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has called on cadres to attend statewide meetings on January 25, framing them as a “language war” against the BJP-led alliance, in the run-up to the upcoming Assembly polls.

स्टालिन सरकार को हाई कोर्ट से झटका

MK Stalin's 'language war' call against BJP on Jan 25 before Assembly polls

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In an exclusive interview with India Today TV Consulting Editor Rajdeep Sardesai at Davos, Somalia's Deputy Prime Minister Salah Ahmed Jama spoke in fluent Hindi and slammed Donald Trump for his remarks and recalled his student days in India. 

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In this exclusive interaction with India Today at Davos, Ian Bremmer, President of Eurasia Group, said that President Donald Trump is not the most powerful leader, but it is Xi Jinping. 

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Twenty people, including women and children, were left stranded 75 feet above the ground after an amusement ride malfunctioned at an exhibition held at Codissia Grounds in Tamil Nadu’s Coimbatore. The incident occurred on Tuesday night when around 20 visitors, including three children, were stuck on the ride, prompting police and the Fire and Rescue Department to respond. Using a sky lift vehicle, the rescue team worked for roughly 45 minutes to safely bring everyone down. The incident has raised safety concerns, following a similar case in Chennai last year where visitors were left stranded on an amusement ride, highlighting the need for periodic inspections and strict safety checks of such attractions.

The incident occurred on Tuesday night when around 20 visitors, including three children, were stuck on the ride, prompting police and the Fire and Rescue Department to respond.

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India excel at Commonwealth Games, but real test to come at Asian Games

India excel in a field short of world-class standard. The real test will come at the December Asian Games.

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