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The Print
7 days ago
- Sport
- The Print
IPS officer won shooting gold at World Police Games. Army dreams broke, Olympic aim alive
A 2011-batch IPS officer, Singh works as Joint Director General at the Competition Commission of India. But once office hours end, it's all about hitting the bullseye. The obsession began when he was seven and his father gifted him a rifle. Through his training at the National Defence Academy, the Indian Military Academy, and finally into the Indian Police Service, shooting has been the one constant— even through years of major personal setbacks. 'I practised for two hours every day in my hotel room. It was a 75-minute-long competition where I fired 60 shots. This gold medal is just one step closer to my Olympic dreams,' said Singh, gesturing toward the indoor shooting range set up in the backyard of his Delhi residence. New Delhi: In his hotel room in the US, 41-year-old IPS officer Ingit Pratap Singh taped a target to the wall, picked up his rifle, and began dry firing. It was his quick jugaad after the range where he was supposed to practise for the World Police Games was shut. He went on to win gold at the 10-metre air rifle event in Birmingham, Alabama, earlier this month. Now he's setting his sights on even bigger targets. 'Shooting is my childhood passion which inspired me to join the forces. But when fate didn't allow me to wear olive green, I moved to khaki,' said Singh, who could not join the Army due to multiple health complications. 'The goal was set in childhood, but my training shaped me throughout the years for this.' His gold at the World Police Games follows a bronze at the same event in 2023. Now, he's preparing for the National Shooting Championship Competitions, slated for November or December. When he's not at work, the new father follows a gruelling training regimen. 'I live a boring life to achieve this dream. I skip family functions, give very limited time to my family, and spend most of my free time on the shooting range,' said Singh, holding his 6-month-old daughter. 'I practise a minimum of two hours every day, and on weekends it expands to 8 hours.' But the IPS officer with Olympic ambitions came to competitive shooting only a few years ago. Also Read: Cop by day, writer of thrillers & researcher by night, who is Maharashtra IPS officer Brijesh Singh One dream ends, another begins Ingit Pratap Singh's shooting dream began on the roof of his childhood home. Every day, he and his father, an IRS officer, would line up Dalda dabbas and practise firing at them. But there were no facilities to pursue shooting competitively at school, and so he took up other sports such as hockey, cricket, and volleyball. The rifle stayed in the background, but it was still his first love, and he was always certain he'd join a uniformed service. Everything was going to plan until a series of unexpected blows. 'I joined NDA in 2001, but after seven months of training, I got some health issues due to which I had to leave midway,' said Singh. He returned to Delhi, completed his graduation, and once again pursued the armed services, this time by joining the Indian Military Academy in 2003. But his luck failed him again. He developed abdominal TB and had to leave training once more. After recovering from that, he rejoined, but tore his knee ligament. It was at this point that he decided to pivot to the civil services. 'It was the most difficult time for me. I kept thinking, why is this happening to me? I took a break and prepared for UPSC. My first choice was the Indian Foreign Service, but I got Indian Police Service. I think I was meant for khaki,' said Singh. From there, things began to turn around. In 2011, during his IPS training at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, he broke a 17-year-old record in high jump. 'The record was set by one IPS officer from Punjab. I jumped 1.60 metres and broke the record—it's still there,' Singh added. Singh threw himself into every sport during IPS training, but the shooting range was where he felt most at home. At the National Police Academy, trainees practised in pairs, teaching each other. The partner Singh trained went on to become the best shooter in the batch. 'We were buddies in training, and Ingit was my shooting teacher. He is the most disciplined person. He taught me so well,' recalled Singh's batchmate, who didn't want to be named. 'We used to feel bad when we didn't perform well, and before each shooting session, we were always excited and talking about it.' Also Read: A Tamil IPS officer is transforming sports in Bihar. From shame to pride Passion, practice, and policing The back garden of Singh's home now houses a shooting range, where his shoes, rifles, and gear are always ready for him. He spends at least two hours in the morning and two in the evening practising there, and more when a competition is near. But it was only in 2015, during a posting to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, that he found the time to return to shooting properly. He set up a small range and began practising regularly with an air pistol again. He hasn't stopped since. 'When I was later posted as DCP South West Delhi, I didn't stop shooting. I used to finish my official duties and then practise at my residence,' he said. In 2022, he decided to take the next step: professional training. Nothing but the best would do. Despite being based in Delhi, he signed up at an academy in Panvel, Maharashtra, run by Suma Shirur, who had competed at the 2004 Olympics. 'I talked to a friend about it. He got me connected to Suma Shirur ma'am. One has to complete a 22–24 session programme, which takes a year. I completed 15–16 sessions,' said Singh. It meant a hectic travel schedule. Singh would take a flight out to attend classes at Lakshya Shooting Club in Panvel on weekends and then return to Delhi to continue his official duties during the week. His dedication stood out, said Smita Kamble, head coach at Lakshya Shooting Club. 'Shirur ma'am used to train him, and later he practised under me. When he was in Delhi, he would send pictures and videos of his posture and practice, and I used to guide him from here. Now we are focusing on the upcoming nationals,' she added. Once the formal training started, so did the competitions. Singh won a silver medal at the Delhi State Shooting Championship in 2022. Through it all, his wife Shweta helped him stay on track. The couple have fixed strict timings for everything. 'Our daughter is six months old, so I give her at least one hour a day. We only go out once a month on weekends. I know it is a boring life, but I have to be disciplined to achieve the dream,' said Singh, as his wife nodded beside him in their living room, where all his medals are framed on the wall. Singh's Olympic obsession runs deep. He even named his dog 'Rio' after the Rio Olympics. 'I grew up watching the Olympic Games, and in my childhood, I used to think that one day I would also go there. When someone asked me how old I was, I used to say I'm 10 Olympics old,' said Singh, while showing childhood photos of himself holding a rifle. So far, Singh has borne most of the expenses of his shooting journey himself. For the recent World Police Games, he found one sponsor who covered half the trip's costs. He's hoping to get full sponsorship eventually. For now, he's grateful that his current posting gives him enough room to keep up with his training schedule. 'The department has supported me. My seniors didn't assign me more responsibilities beyond my official ones. I asked for this deputation because in this post, I get proper weekends and national holidays. I'll need more time for nationals,' said Singh. In the thick of preparations for competitions, his practice can stretch to eight hours a day. 'All this is part of the journey. My final destination is the Olympics, and to reach there, I will have to achieve many milestones,' said Singh, flashing his gold medal. (Edited by Asavari Singh)
The Hindu
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
‘Son of Sardaar 2' trailer: Ajay Devgn returns in comedy sequel set in Scotland
Ajay Devgn is set to return in Son of Sardaar 2, the sequel to his 2012 film Son of Sardaar. The freshly released trailer confirms the film's release date as July 25. Directed by Vijay Kumar Arora, the sequel shifts its setting from Punjab to Scotland, where the story unfolds around a wedding. The trailer opens with the question, 'Will he survive Scotland?' and follows Devgn's character as he navigates unfamiliar surroundings and a series of comic situations. The story introduces several characters tied to a wedding, with humour built around cultural contrasts and exaggerated misunderstandings. The film features Mrunal Thakur opposite Devgn. Other cast members include Ravi Kishan, Mukul Dev, Sanjay Mishra, Vindu Dara Singh, Dolly Ahluwalia, and Neeru Bajwa. Mukul Dev, who passed away in May 2024, appears here in his final film role. Son of Sardaar, released in 2012, earned approximately ₹100 crore at the box office. It released alongside Jab Tak Hai Jaan, the final film by Yash Chopra, and the simultaneous release led to a dispute over screen distribution. Ajay Devgn filed a complaint with the Competition Commission of India against Yash Raj Films at the time. Speaking about the issue in a recent interview with The Lallantop, actor Kajol, who is married to Devgn, said she felt 'helpless' during the disagreement. She noted that both sides were defending their positions and that time was needed to allow tensions to settle. Director Vijay Kumar Arora is known for Punjabi-language films including Godday Godday Chaa and Kali Jotta. Son of Sardaar 2 marks his return to Hindi cinema.
Indian Express
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Son of Sardaar 2 trailer: Ajay Devgn pretends to be Sunny Deol from Border in a comedy that tries too hard. Watch
Son of Sardaar 2 trailer: Ajay Devgn has a few franchises under his belt and while films like Drishyam, Raid, Golmaal appeared to be the kind that had the potential to turn into a franchise, no one, not even some of his ardent fans, expected him to come out with a sequel of his 2012 film Son of Sardaar. The first film was set in Punjab, and the new film's trailer opens with the text asking, 'Will he survive Scotland?' The trailer then shows Ajay's character watching an older woman performing a pole dance, and as she collapses, the film tries to make a joke on 'Bebe marr gayi (Old woman is dead).' The trailer then proceeds to introduce a gamut of characters who seem to be here for a wedding. At one point, Ajay starts pretending he is Sunny Deol from Border, as Ravi Kishan's character speaks incorrect English. Mrunal Thakur plays Ajay's love interest here. The film also stars Mukul Dev in his last role. The actor passed away in May 2024. Sanjay Mishra, Vindu Dara Singh, Dolly Ahluwalia and Neeru Bajwa also star in the film. Son of Sardaar released in 2012 and also starred Sonakshi Sinha. Back then, the film made around Rs 100 crore, as per Bollywood Hungama. The film clashed at the box office with Yash Chopra's last film Jab Tak Hai Jaan, starring Shah Rukh Khan. The movie released just a month after Chopra's sudden passing. It also led to some controversy between YRF and Ajay Devgn as he filed a complaint with Competition Commission of India (CCI) and accused YRF of trying to secure more screens for their film. In a recent interview, Kajol, who is married to Ajay, and has had a long work association with YRF said she felt 'helpless' when this happened. She shared with The Lallantop, 'Fights are always difficult, especially when they remain unresolved for some time. At that point, when you have a situation like that in front of you, both parties were standing for themselves. As somebody who was connected to both sides, I felt helpless. You have to wait for time to pass so that the feelings subside. So that things can become ok again.' Son of Sardaar 2 has been directed by Vijay Kumar Arora. He is known for directing Punjabi films like Godday Godday Chaa and Kali Jotta. Son of Sardaar 2 releases on July 25.
India Gazette
09-07-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
360 ONE gets CCI approval to acquire UBS India's wealth and lending businesses
ANI 09 Jul 2025, 11:01 GMT+10 New Delhi [India], July 9 (ANI): The Competition Commission of India (CCI) approved the acquisition of wealth and lending units of UBS AG by 360 ONE Group entities. According to the Competition Commission of India, the transaction involves the transfer of key financial services operations, including portfolio management, stock broking, distribution, and lending from UBS AG to the 360 ONE proposal approved by the Competition Commission suggests that 360 ONE Portfolio Managers Limited will acquire the portfolio management services business of Credit Suisse Securities (India) Private Limited. Simultaneously, 360 ONE Distribution Services Limited will take over the stock broking and financial product distribution services of the same entity. Additionally, 360 ONE Prime Limited will acquire the loan portfolio and financing business of UBS Finance India Private Limited, a non-banking financial company classified as systemically important. As part of the broader transaction, UBS AG will also subscribe to warrants of 360 ONE WAM Limited, securing a stake of approximately 4.95 per cent in the company's paid-up share AG is a direct 100 per cent subsidiary of UBS Group AG (UBS) and together with its subsidiaries, UBS AG is the operating entity of the UBS is a multinational investment bank and financial services company founded and based in Switzerland, and active globally.360 OWL is the ultimate parent entity of the 360 ONE Group. It is a wealth and asset management firm in India and serves high net-worth and ultra-high net worth individuals, institutional clients, etc., through tailored wealth management subsidiaries, 360 Prime, 360 Portfolio, and 360 Distribution, are involved in lending, asset management, and financial product distribution.360 Prime provides a range of financial services, including loans against securities and property for corporates and affluent individuals. 360 Portfolio manages various investment services, while 360 Distribution is registered with the Association of Mutual Funds in India and the Securities and Exchange Board of India, both as a stockbroker and a depository participant. (ANI)
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First Post
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- First Post
Kajol on Ajay Devgn and Yash Raj Films' fallout during 'Son of Sardaar' and 'Jab Tak Hai Jaan': 'I felt helpless, fights are always difficult when...'
She added, 'As somebody who was connected to both sides, I felt helpless. You have to wait for time to pass, so that the feelings subside. So that things can become ok again.' read more Ajay Devgn is gearing up for Son Of Sardaar 2 that releases on July 25. The first film came out on Diwali 2012 and clashed with Yash Chopra's swansong Jab Tak Hai Jaan. There was a fallout between Devgn and YRF for screen-space and the actor filed a complaint in the Competition Commission of India. In an interview with The Lallantop, Kajol addressed the issue that happened 13 years ago and said, 'Fights are always difficult, especially when they remain unresolved for some time. At that point, when you have a situation like that in front of you, both parties were standing for themselves.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD She added, 'As somebody who was connected to both sides, I felt helpless. You have to wait for time to pass, so that the feelings subside. So that things can become ok again.' Actor Kajol says maintaining work-life balance has always been a priority since she started acting in the 1990s and the journey became easier with the support of her family as well as the producers. 'I was one of the few people who worked on one film at a time; I didn't do 4 films at the same time (like other actors). I used to finish one film, then start another. I didn't work for 20 or 30 hours. I was always very clear that we would work a certain amount only, and my mom also backed me up big time on it,' the 50-year-old actor told PTI in an interview. Actor Deepika Padukone's alleged exit from Sandeep Reddy Vanga's 'Spirit' after the two did not agree over an eight-hour working shift among other conditions has sparked a discussion around shooting hours in the industry.
