India’s Most-Capped Women’s Player Vandana Katariya Bids Farewell To International Hockey

by Latest UpdatesSports

Indian women’s hockey stalwart Vandana Katariya has officially announced her retirement from international hockey, bringing an end to an illustrious career spanning over 15 years.

With 320 international appearances and 158 goals to her name, Vandana departs as the most-capped player in the history of Indian women’s hockey. Beyond the numbers, she leaves behind an inspiring legacy—one of resilience, quiet determination, and an unwavering commitment to elevating Indian women’s hockey.

The 32-year-old forward, who made her senior team debut in 2009, was an integral part of several defining moments in the sport, including India’s historic fourth-place finish at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where she became the first and only Indian woman to score a hat-trick at the Games.

Announcing her retirement, Vandana, who played her last match for India during the Bhubaneswar leg of the FIH Pro League 2024-25 in February, reflected on her journey with mixed emotions.

“This decision wasn’t easy, but I know it’s the right time. Hockey has been my life for as long as I can remember, and wearing the Indian jersey was the greatest honour. But every journey has its course, and I leave with immense pride, gratitude, and love for the sport. Indian hockey is in great hands, and I will always be its biggest supporter.”

She extended heartfelt appreciation to everyone who played a role in her career. “I want to thank my coaches, teammates, support staff, Hockey India, my family, and all the fans who have supported me over the years. Every cheer, every message, every word of encouragement meant the world to me.”

Hailing from Roshnabad, Haridwar, Vandana’s journey began like that of many young girls in India—on dusty fields with dreams far bigger than her circumstances. Over the years, she represented India on the grandest stages, including two Olympic Games (Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020), two FIH Hockey Women’s World Cups (2018, 2022), three Commonwealth Games (2014, 2018, 2022), and three Asian Games (2014, 2018, 2022).

Her contributions were instrumental in India’s rise in world hockey. She played a pivotal role in securing gold medals at the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy (2016, 2023) and the FIH Hockey Women’s Nations Cup (2022), silver medals at the 2018 Asian Games, the 2013 and 2018 Women’s Asian Champions Trophy, and bronze medals at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, the 2014 and 2022 Asian Games, and the FIH Hockey Pro League 2021-22.

Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey paid tribute to Vandana’s contributions, saying, “Vandana was not just a goal scorer; she was the heartbeat of the Indian attack, a tireless worker, and a leader by example. Her presence in the forward line gave India an edge, especially in high-pressure situations. She has set a benchmark for future generations, and we at Hockey India are immensely proud of her achievements. We wish her the very best in her future endeavours.”

Vandana was also a key member of India’s bronze medal-winning squad at the 2013 Junior World Cup, finishing as the team’s top scorer and the tournament’s third-highest goal scorer.

Apart from representing India in multiple global tournaments, Vandana featured in the inaugural edition of the Women’s Hockey India League in 2025, playing for Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers.

Among her many achievements, Vandana’s Tokyo Olympics heroics remain unforgettable. Her hat-trick in a crucial 4-3 victory over South Africa helped India reach the quarterfinals and secure their best-ever Olympic finish.

Speaking about that defining moment, Vandana said, “I still get goosebumps thinking about Tokyo. The Olympics are special, and that match against South Africa was one of the most emotional games of my life. I just wanted to give everything for my team, for my country. The hattrick was special, but more than that, it was about proving that we belonged on that stage.”

For her immense contributions, Vandana was honoured with some of India’s most prestigious awards, including the Arjuna Award (2021) and the Padma Shri (2022). She also received the Hockey India Balbir Singh Sr. Award for Player of the Year (Women) in 2014, the Hockey India President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement in 2021, and the Hockey India Dhanraj Pillay Award for Forward of the Year in 2021 and 2022, cementing her status as one of India’s finest forwards.

Hockey India Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh lauded her remarkable journey, stating, “Vandana’s journey is nothing short of inspirational. From her early days to becoming a stalwart of Indian hockey, she has shown exceptional skill, resilience, and commitment. Her performances in crucial matches, especially at the Tokyo Olympics, will be remembered for years to come. As she takes her final bow, she leaves behind a legacy of resilience, excellence, and inspiration—one that will continue to guide the next generation of Indian hockey stars.”

–IANS

 

 

 

 

 

 

PM Modi And Chilean President Hold Bilateral Talks At Hyderabad House

by EconomyLatest Updates

President Boric. The two leaders discussed ways to further deepen long-standing bilateral ties. Jaishankar later shared his thoughts on X, saying, “Pleased to call on President Gabriel Boric of Chile at the start of his state visit to India. Appreciate his commitment for deepening our long-standing cooperation. Confident that his talks with PM Narendra Modi today will foster new partnerships and greater engagement.”

As part of his visit, President Boric will travel to Mumbai and Bengaluru, where he will engage with political figures, industry leaders, startup entrepreneurs, and technology innovators. These discussions aim to foster collaborations in key sectors between the two nations.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) emphasized that this state visit is an important opportunity for both India and Chile to review their bilateral relations and deliberate on regional and global issues of mutual interest.

“India-Chile relations have traditionally been characterised by warmth, friendship, and a commonality of views on a wide range of issues. Both countries cooperate extensively in multilateral forums and share similar views on climate change, renewable energy, and on the expansion and reforms of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC),” the MEA said.

Inputs from IANS

Towering blaze in Malaysia on Petronas pipeline, 63 sent to hospital

by EconomyLatest Updates

At least 63 people were being treated in hospitals in Malaysia on Tuesday after a major blaze at a gas pipeline operated by state energy firm Petronas, authorities said, with efforts ongoing to control the fire and evacuate residents.

The fire started on Tuesday morning in the town of Puchong in Selangor state on the outskirts of the capital Kuala Lumpur and those taken to hospitals had suffered burns, respiratory problems or other injuries, authorities said.

The pipeline had been isolated, Petronas in a statement said. The fire department said the firm had closed off the valve on the 500 m (1,640 feet) long pipeline and 49 houses in the area had been affected.

The fire started on Tuesday morning with a towering orange blaze on the horizon and a large plume of smoke above, according to early images carried by news outlets and footage shared on social media.

A Reuters journalist located about 5 km (3 miles) away from the blaze said the intensity of the fire had reduced by early afternoon but a flame and billowing smoke could still be seen.

Ambulances were seen rushing towards the area of the fire, which had been sealed off by authorities.

No deaths were reported but the full extent of the injuries or damage so far was not immediately clear. Authorities had earlier said some people trapped in their homes.

Petronas said it was working closely with all relevant parties to ensure the safety of the surrounding community, environment and security of gas supply to the country.

The government set up relief centres at two local mosques, Bernama reported.

Women’s T20I Rankings: Mooney Remains At The Top As Litchfield, Voll, And Sutherland Make Significant Gains

by Latest UpdatesSports

Australia’s Beth Mooney continues to hold the top spot in the ICC Women’s T20I Rankings, retaining her position as the No.1 ranked T20I batter, according to the latest update released on Tuesday.

Mooney played a pivotal role in Australia’s dominant 3-0 series sweep over their trans-Tasman rivals last month, earning Player of the Series honours for scoring 166 runs across the three matches.

Fellow southpaw Phoebe Litchfield reached a career-high ranking, improving by two places to 20th, thanks to her 60 runs in the series. Georgia Voll also enjoyed a remarkable rise, jumping 29 spots to tie for 41st after her impressive 161 runs from three innings.

Both Litchfield and Voll achieved new career-best ratings, while Annabel Sutherland also made a notable leap in the T20I bowler rankings following her stellar performance with the ball. Sutherland took eight wickets across the series, with her best performance coming in the series finale in Wellington, where she claimed 4-35, helping Australia secure an eight-run victory.

Sutherland remains in fourth place on the updated T20I bowler rankings but has closed the gap to just 20 rating points behind England’s Sophie Ecclestone, who tops the list.

Australian spinner Georgia Wareham moved up one place to eighth in the T20I bowler rankings, while veteran seamer Megan Schutt also gained one spot, improving to 11th.

Despite New Zealand’s 3-0 series loss to Australia, a group of Kiwi players saw improvements in the rankings, with star all-rounder Amelia Kerr leading the way. Kerr’s stylish half-century in the final match boosted her ranking by seven places, moving her to 10th overall among T20I batters. Teammate Maddy Green also made a significant rise, jumping nine spots to share the 45th position following her 62-run effort in the same match.

(With IANS inputs)

India-Thailand Bilateral Trade Ties Set To Strengthen During PM Modi’s Visit

by EconomyLatest Updates

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Thailand from April 3-4 to participate in the 6th Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Summit.

As part of his visit, PM Modi will hold a bilateral meeting with Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on April 3. The two leaders are expected to review bilateral cooperation and outline future partnerships between India and Thailand.

“India and Thailand are maritime neighbours with shared civilizational bonds which are underpinned by cultural, linguistic, and religious ties,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

Thailand’s investments in India have grown significantly in recent years, with key sectors including infrastructure, real estate, agro-processing, electronics, automotive, food processing, hospitality, and renewable energy.

A major highlight of this economic collaboration came in 2021, when Global Renewable Synergy Co., Ltd. made the largest-ever Thai investment in India’s renewable energy sector, amounting to $453.29 million.

Bilateral trade growth has been supported by initiatives like the Early Harvest Scheme (EHS), covering 83 products under the India-Thailand Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA), which was implemented in September 2004. Additionally, the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) has facilitated increased trade. ASEAN and India are currently reviewing AITIGA to simplify and enhance its trade facilitation for businesses.

According to Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce, bilateral trade between India and Thailand reached $16.04 billion in 2023. Indian exports to Thailand were valued at $5.92 billion, while imports from Thailand to India stood at $10.11 billion.

Among ASEAN nations, Thailand is India’s fourth-largest trading partner, following Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia.

Key Indian exports to Thailand include silver bars, gold, machinery and parts, metal scrap and products, chemicals, vegetables, medicinal products, seafood (fresh, chilled, frozen, processed), vehicle parts and accessories, iron, steel, electrical machinery, household appliances, and fabrics.

On the other hand, major imports from Thailand include animal and vegetable fats and oils, chemicals, polymers of ethylene and propylene, precious stones and jewellery, and iron and steel products.

(With IANS inputs)

Sensex Plunges Nearly 2 Percent Amid US Tariff Concerns

by Banking & FinanceEconomyLatest Updates

Indian stock markets plunged on Tuesday, the first trading session of the new financial year, as investors reacted to global trade tensions ahead of the US reciprocal tariff announcement on Wednesday.

The Sensex tumbled 1,390.41 points, or 1.80 percent, closing at 76,024.51, after swinging between an intra-day high of 77,487.05 and a low of 75,912.18. The Nifty 50 also slumped 353.65 points, or 1.50 percent, to settle at 23,165.70, with an intra-day range of 23,565.15 to 23,136.40.

The selloff was broad-based, with most Sensex stocks ending in the red, except Zomato, IndusInd Bank, and State Bank of India (SBI).

Top losers included HCL Technologies, Bajaj Finserv, HDFC Bank, Bajaj Finance, and Infosys, which declined up to 3.66 percent.

Midcap and smallcap stocks also faced pressure. Nifty Midcap100 lost 0.86 percent, while Nifty Smallcap100 dipped 0.70 percent.

The BSE Midcap index dropped 0.9 percent, whereas the Smallcap index edged up 0.2 percent.

Sectorally, IT, real estate, and consumer durables fell nearly 2 percent each, while media, oil & gas, and telecom stocks managed to stay positive.

Investor sentiment turned jittery, with India VIX—known as the fear index—surging 8.37 percent to 13.78, indicating increased market uncertainty.

“Amid heightened global volatility ahead of the anticipated US reciprocal tariff announcement tomorrow (US time), the domestic market witnessed a significant sell-off today. Investors are eagerly awaiting the specifics of these tariffs while also keeping a close eye on ongoing negotiations for a potential Indo-US trade agreement,” said Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Investments Limited.

The IT sector bore the brunt of the selloff due to its heavy exposure to the US market, while real estate stocks tumbled after Maharashtra raised ready reckoner rates, impacting property valuations.

WHO calls for strengthening the global response against invasive fungal diseases and antifungal resistance

by Health and CommunityLatest Updates

The World Health Organization (WHO) today published its first-ever reports addressing the critical lack of medicines and diagnostic tools for invasive fungal diseases, showing the urgent need for innovative research and development (R&D) to close these gaps.

Fungal diseases are an increasing public health concern, with common infections – such as candida, which causes oral and vaginal thrush – growing increasingly resistant to treatment. These infections disproportionately impact severely ill patients and those with weakened immune systems, including individuals undergoing cancer chemotherapy, living with HIV, and who have had organ transplants.

“Invasive fungal infections threaten the lives of the most vulnerable but countries lack the treatments needed to save lives,” said Dr Yukiko Nakatani, WHO Assistant Director-General for Antimicrobial Resistance ad interim. “Not only is the pipeline of new antifungal drugs and diagnostics insufficient, there is a void in fungal testing in low- and middle-income countries, even in district hospitals. This diagnostic gap means the cause of people’s suffering remains unknown, making it difficult to get them the right treatments.”

The fungi in the top ‘critical priority’ category of the WHO’s fungal priority pathogens list (FPPL) are deadly, with mortality rates reaching as high as 88%. Advancements in treatments mean that more people are likely to be living with immunocompromised conditions, which also could mean increases in cases of invasive fungal diseases. This is a complex challenge to manage due to inaccessibility of diagnostic tools, limited availability of antifungal medicines, and a slow and complex R&D process for new treatments.

Constrained process in developing treatments against deadly fungal infections

WHO’s report on antifungal drugs highlights that, in the past decade, only four new antifungal drugs have been approved by regulatory authorities in the United States of America, the European Union or China. Currently, nine antifungal medicines are in clinical development to use against the most health-threatening fungi, as detailed in the FPPL.

However, only three candidates are in phase 3, the final stage of clinical development, meaning few approvals are expected within the next decade. Twenty-two drugs are in preclinical development, an insufficient number to feed a clinical pipeline considering the dropout rates, risks and challenges associated with earlier development stages.

Issues with current antifungal treatments include serious side effects, frequent drug-drug interactions, limited dosage forms and the need for prolonged hospital stays. The report highlights the urgent need for safer antifungal medicines, possibly reducing requirements for continuous drug monitoring.

Antifungal medicines that work against a wide range of severe infections caused by fungal priority pathogens are also needed. Children are particularly underserved with few clinical trials exploring paediatric dosing and age-appropriate formulations.

WHO recommends investing in global surveillance, expanding financial incentives for drug discovery and development, funding basic research to help identify new and unexploited targets on fungi for medicines, and investigating treatments that work by enhancing patients’ immune responses.

Landscape report of diagnostics for fungal priority pathogens
The new diagnostics report shows that while commercially available tests exist for fungal priority pathogens, these rely on well-equipped laboratories and trained staff, which means that most people in in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) do not benefit from them. All countries, but particularly LMICs, need faster, more accurate, cheaper and easier testing for a broad range of fungal priority pathogens, including diagnostic tools that can be used at or near point-of-care.

There are many challenges with existing antifungal diagnostics; they work only for a limited range of fungi, are insufficiently accurate and take a long time to obtain results. Most of the tests are not well suited to primary and secondary health facilities as certain diagnostics require stable electricity supplies within suitable and equipped laboratories.

Health workers often have insufficient knowledge about fungal infections as well as the impact of fungi growing more resistant to treatments, resulting in limited ability to perform the testing needed to determine the appropriate treatment. WHO calls for strengthening the global response against invasive fungal diseases and antifungal resistance, and is also developing an implementation blueprint for the FPPL.

Credit:WHO

President of India graces closing ceremony of the commemoration of 90th year of RBI

by Banking & FinanceLatest Updates

The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu graced the closing ceremony of the commemoration of 90th year of the Reserve Bank of India in Mumbai today (April 1, 2025).

Speaking on the occasion, the President said that the RBI, as the central bank, is at the very centre of India’s incredible growth story. It has witnessed the whole journey of the country so far, from the time before Independence when it was suffering from widespread poverty to the time now when it is among the top economies in the world.

The President said that RBI has emerged as one of the most critically important institutions in the nation. She pointed out that a common man or woman has no direct interaction with RBI – except for its name printed on the currency notes in their pockets, but indirectly all their financial dealings, through banks and otherwise, are governed by the RBI. And they instinctively place their utmost faith in the financial system overseen by it. She stated that in the nine decades, the biggest achievement of the RBI is this trust.

The RBI earned this trust by steadfastly maintaining its mandate of price stability, growth, and financial stability. Also, it has continuously adapted to meet the evolving needs of our growing nation. Its swift responses to key challenges, from economic liberalisation in the 1990s to the Covid-19 pandemic, highlight its resilience and adaptability. In an increasingly globalising world, it has also ensured that India’s financial system remains resilient in the face of any adverse international trends.

The President said that the RBI has played a key role in making India a global leader in digital payments. By continuously modernizing the country’s payment infrastructure, it has ensured that digital transactions are not only seamless and efficient but also secure. Innovations like the UPI have revolutionised financial access, enabling instant, low-cost transactions and deepening financial inclusion. Beyond payments, RBI has nurtured a vibrant fin-tech ecosystem.

The President said that as India approaches the centenary of its Independence, the mission of ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ calls for a financial ecosystem that is innovative, adaptive, and accessible to all. She stated that the path ahead would present new complexities and challenges.

She expressed confidence that with a steadfast commitment to stability, innovation and inclusivity, RBI would continue to be a pillar of strength – reinforcing trust and steering India towards a future of prosperity and global leadership. She said that as the guardian of monetary and financial stability, RBI would play a defining role in this journey – ensuring a sound banking system, driving financial innovation, and safeguarding trust in our financial ecosystem.

WAVES ‘Create in India Challenge’ Crosses 85,000 Registrations with 1100 International Participants

by with No Comment Latest UpdatesTechnology

The Create in India Challenge (CIC) Season-1, launched as part of the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) set to take place at the Jio World Centre in Mumbai from 1st to 4th May, 2025, has achieved a new milestone of crossing 85,000 registrations including 1,100 International participants.

Over 750 finalists, selected after a meticulous selection process, from across 32 diverse challenges, will get a unique opportunity to showcase the outcome and output of their individual challenge, their talent and skills, apart from networking opportunities with business leaders from their respective sector including pitching sessions, and learn from global stalwarts through masterclasses, panel discussions, conferences etc.

The winners of the Create in India challenges will be felicitated with ‘WAVES Creator Awards’ in a grand ceremony at Mumbai.

These challenges have made a powerful entry into the creative landscape, igniting a wave of innovation and engagement across India and beyond, emerging as a premier platform for creative talent on a global scale. Featuring 32 diverse and dynamic challenges including the high-energy Reel Making Competition, the solution-oriented Truth Tell Hackathon, the visionary Young Filmmaker’s Challenge, and the imaginative Comics Creator Championship, CIC offers a unique opportunity for creators to showcase their skills.

Other flagship events such as the A.I. Avatar Creator Challenge, WAM! Anime Challenge, Esports Tournament, Trailer Making Competition, Theme Music Competition, and the cutting-edge XR Creator Hackathon further establish CIC as a definitive launchpad for the next generation of storytellers, designers, and digital innovators.

By uniting creators across disciplines, borders, and generations, CIC not only celebrates India’s creative energy — it has sparked a global dialogue around the future of storytelling and digital expression. With this remarkable foundation, CIC is poised to scale new heights in the seasons ahead, continuing its mission to empower creators and shape the cultural landscape of tomorrow.

About WAVES

The first World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES), a milestone event for the Media & Entertainment (M&E) sector, will be hosted by the Government of India in Mumbai, Maharashtra, from May 1 to 4, 2025.

Whether you’re an industry professional, investor, creator, or innovator, the Summit offers the ultimate global platform to connect, collaborate, innovate and contribute to the M&E landscape.

WAVES is set to magnify India’s creative strength, amplifying its position as a hub for content creation, intellectual property, and technological innovation. Industries and sectors in focus include Broadcasting, Print Media, Television, Radio, Films, Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, Sound and Music, Advertising, Digital Media, Social Media Platforms, Generative AI, Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Extended Reality (XR).

Navika Sagar Parikrama II Tarini enters Cape Town , South Africa

by Latest UpdatesTechnology

INSV Tarini entered Cape Town, South Africa, completing the fourth leg of the Navika Sagar Parikrama II expedition, the vessel and the crew were welcomed by Ms Ruby Jaspreet, Consul General of India at Cape Town, Rear Admiral (JG) Lisa Hendricks, Chief of Staff, South African Navy Fleet and the Defence Adviser of India at Pretoria, Captain Atul Sapahia. South African Naval Band also performed welcoming the vessel to the port.

The NSP II expedition was flagged off by Adm Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff, on 02 Oct 24, from Goa, and is being undertaken by two women officers of the Indian Navy, Lt Cdr Dilna K and Lt Cdr Roopa A, onboard Indian Naval Sailing Vessel (INSV Tarini). The mission aims to cover more than 23,400 nautical miles (approximately 43,300 kilometers) in eight months, with a scheduled return to Goa in May 2025. The expedition has so far had three stopovers at Fremantle (Australia), Lyttelton (New Zealand) and Port Stanley, Falklands (UK).

The vessel will be at Royal Cape Yacht Club for two weeks for scheduled maintenance and repairs. The crew of the vessel will engage and interact with the South African Navy at Simon’s Town Naval Base and Gordon’s Bay Naval College. Community Outreach events are also planned during their stay.

The vessel and the crew having encountered rough seas and extremely cold temperature coupled with stormy weather conditions, made the task of circumnavigation highly challenging and demanding. The passage so far witnessed winds in excess of 50 knots (93 kmph) and waves upto 7 meters (23 feet) high.

The indigenously built INSV Tarini is a 56-foot sailing vessel, which was inducted in the Indian Navy in 2018 and has participated in many such expeditions earlier. The vessel is a true testament of ‘Make in India’ and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative of the Government of India.

The Navika Sagar Parikrama-II expedition also promotes women empowerment in the Indian Armed Forces and is expected to motivate many young women to join the Services and Indian Navy in particular. This edition is also aimed at furthering marine and scientific researches

The stopover of Tarini at Cape Town exhibits the growing relations between India and South Africa and how India stands committed to strengthen its maritime cooperation with the friendly countries in the Indian Ocean Region.

In the recent past, Indian Naval Ship Talwar participated in the 8th edition of Exercise IBSAMAR in October 2024 in South Africa. The month of January this year also saw the latest stealth frigate of Indian Navy INS Tushil making a port call at Durban and engaging with the South African Navy and the Indian community in Kwa-Zulu Natal. Such visits and engagements bring the Navies together to address the common challenges in the maritime domain and learn from the best practices for ensuring safe and secure seas.