Paraplegic youth dives into Kochi lake, unfurls Tricolour in an act of 'defiance'
P N Ramees, a 26-year-old with 85 per cent physical disability, defied the barriers imposed by fate by diving into the lake and unfurling the Tricolour underwater, thanks to the 'Break the Challenge' event organised jointly by Aqualeo PADI Dive Centre and DTPC.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Why Neeraj Chopra's wife Himani Mor turned down a ₹1.5 cr job abroad; here's why
Himani Mor , wife of two-time Olympic medalist Neeraj Chopra, has made a significant career move, stepping away from professional tennis to pursue a new venture in the sports business sector. Independence Day 2025 Modi signals new push for tech independence with local chips Before Trump, British used tariffs to kill Indian textile Bank of Azad Hind: When Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose gave India its own currency A former tennis player, Himani has officially ended her playing career to focus on entrepreneurship. Her father, Chand Mor, told Dainik Bhaskar that she had even declined an attractive overseas offer. 'She also turned down a Rs 1.5 crore sports-related job offer in the USA and instead will focus on her own business now,' he revealed. Currently, Himani is in Europe alongside Neeraj, who is undergoing a rigorous training schedule ahead of multiple upcoming competitions. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Brain tumor has left my son feeling miserable; please help! Donate For Health Donate Now Undo An alumna of Delhi University with a Political Science degree, Himani also holds a qualification in Sports and Fitness Management from Franklin Pierce University in the U.S. The couple married earlier this year in an intimate ceremony at a resort in Solan, Himachal Pradesh. Their wedding was announced through low-key social media posts, and shortly after, they left for the USA. With Neeraj's packed training calendar, the family has yet to host a formal reception. Live Events Meanwhile, Neeraj has pulled out of the upcoming Silesia Diamond League in Poland, which was expected to feature a highly anticipated showdown with Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem. Both athletes' names were missing from the final entry list, sparking speculation among fans. Concerns about Neeraj's fitness were quickly put to rest, as there are no signs of injury. Instead, it is understood that he is saving energy and sharpening his form for the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo on September 17 and 18, where he will look to extend his exceptional career. [With TOI inputs]


Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Asia Cup: Pakistan ignore Babar and Rizwan for T20 tournament
Former Pakistan captains Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan could not make the cut for the Asia Cup Twenty20 tournament in the United Arab Emirates next month. Independence Day 2025 Modi signals new push for tech independence with local chips Before Trump, British used tariffs to kill Indian textile Bank of Azad Hind: When Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose gave India its own currency The 17-member team, led by Salman Agha , will play a T20 tri-series in the UAE featuring the hosts as well as Afghanistan in their buildup to the Asia Cup, the Pakistan Cricket Board said in a statement on Sunday. Babar and Rizwan were not picked for the T20 leg of Pakistan's West Indies tour this month, where they were beaten 2-1 by the hosts. Pacer Shaheen Afridi has been retained while opener Fakhar Zaman, who suffered a hamstring injury in the West Indies, has been included for the Sept 9-28 tournament. Pakistan will begin their Group A campaign against Oman in Dubai on September 12 before meeting arch-rivals India at the same venue two days later. Live Events Pakistan squad: Salman Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Waseem Jr, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Afridi and Sufyan Moqim.


Time of India
10 hours ago
- Time of India
Alcaraz to face defending champ Sinner in Cincinnati ATP final
World number one Jannik Sinner and hot rival Carlos Alcaraz will face off in a major final for the fourth time this season after both booked straight-set wins into the title match at the ATP-WTA Cincinnati Open on Saturday. Independence Day 2025 Modi signals new push for tech independence with local chips Before Trump, British used tariffs to kill Indian textile Bank of Azad Hind: When Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose gave India its own currency Defending champion Sinner ruthlessly subdued 136th-ranked qualifier Terence Atmane 7-6 (7/4), 6-2 while Spanish second seed Alcaraz defeated an ailing Alexander Zverev, who was suffering badly from the 32 Celsius heat and humidity, by 6-4, 6-3. Alcaraz and Sinner have played for trophies this season in Rome, Roland Garros and Wimbledon, with the Italian winning their most recent at the All England Club last month. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cardiologist Reveals: The Simple Morning Habit for a Flatter Belly After 50! Lulutox Undo Sinner, celebrating his 24th birthday, ended Frenchman Atmane's dream run and will now try to become the first man since Roger Federer in 2014-15 to win back-to-back titles in Cincinnati. Sinner, tuning up for the US Open in his first tournament since winning Wimbledon, hasn't dropped a set en route to the final. Live Events "It's a very, very tough challenge every time you play a new opponent," Sinner said. "In the later stages of the tournament,the pressure is on, they deserve to be there." Alcaraz will also be playing in his second Cincy final after losing to Novak Djokovic in 2023. The Spaniard increased his ATP season match win lead to 53 in a year of five titles. Alcaraz broke Zverev once in the opening set to claim it before the German, who is diabetic, began feeling poorly and took a medical timeout off court after the third game of the second set. Zverev, who has retired in only two matches since 2014, came back out to finish what was a patchy match from Alcaraz, who double-faulted for times in the second game of the second set but won the last 12 points with Zverev running on fumes. "We started well with good rallies, a good level," Alcaraz said. "All of a sudden he felt bad and I was thinking more about how he was feeling instead of playing good tennis. "It was tough and I just wish him all the best." Alcaraz said he is keen to try and take his Wimbledon revenge on Sinner in the unorthodox Monday final. "We always bring our best tennis. We raise each other's level. I'm ready to take the challenge," Alcaraz said. "I will try and adjust my game better and correct what I did wrong in our last match. I want to be ready with my 100%. Mentally I'll be ready -- I'm excited for Monday." 'Pressure was on me' Atmane gave birthday boy Sinner a Pokemon card shortly before they went on court, but he was in a less giving mood once they were underway. But Sinner surrendered just three points in his first six service games as they went to the tiebreaker with neither man facing a break point. Atmane double faulted on the first point of the decider and Sinner was away, powering to a 5-2 lead and pocketing the set at his second opportunity. "My experience helped in the first set," he said. "I'm very happy to go through to another final. "I tried to focus on myself, how I usually play, and then try to adapt a little bit to his game style," Sinner said. "And that's exactly what I did today. "The pressure was on me. That's normal in the position where I am in -- he was ready to fight." "My goal has always been the US Open, But we have put in the work here, in the gym and in practice. I just hope to be ready for New York." Sinner showed a first sign of vulnerability as he needed five game points to hold serve in the opening game of the second set. But that was the closest look Atmane got at his serve, and Sinner broke the Frenchman for a 3-1 lead and again to seal the match. Atmane, who is projected to crack the top 70 in the world rankings, became Sinner's 22nd straight French victim since May 2021, when he lost to Arthur Rinderknech in Lyon.