Latest news with #Desai
Time of India
a day ago
- General
- Time of India
IIT-Dh hosts NCC annual training camp
Dharwad: The Indian Institute of Technology, Dharwad hosted the annual training camp (ATC-III) of the 24 Karnataka Battalion, National Cadet Corps (NCC) on its campus. Organised in collaboration with the NCC Dharwad unit, the 10-day camp aimed to foster leadership, discipline, and a sense of national service among the participating cadets. A total of 589 students from various educational institutions across the region took part in the camp, which included physical training, drills, cultural programmes, and sessions focused on civic awareness and social responsibility. Activities such as rifle shooting, guard of honour drills, marching practice, and map reading classes were conducted. The camp also featured expert lectures on career opportunities in the armed forces, SSB interview preparation, disaster management, cybersecurity, and fraud prevention. The IIT-Dharwad campus came alive with patriotic fervour during the Tiranga March and tree plantation drive, jointly organised by the institute and the 24 Karnataka Battalion. The event, marked by cadets carrying the national flag in a spirited march, was a tribute to national unity and environmental stewardship. The event was inaugurated by IIT-Dharwad director Prof Venkappayya Desai, who flagged off the march and participated in the tree plantation ceremony. Addressing the gathering, Prof Desai highlighted the significance of the National Cadet Corps in nation-building. He offered insights into the scientific principles underlying rifle shooting. Other dignitaries included Col JR Chaudhary, Prof Dhiraj Patil, Prof Ramjee Repaka, Prof SM Shivaprasad, Gp Capt Prahlad Joshi, Prof Ravikumar C, among others.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
SPPU to decide on re-exam for student held over social media post next week
Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) will take a decision early next week on whether to allow a second-year engineering student, arrested earlier this month over a social media post on Operation Sindoor, to appear for two exam papers she missed while in custody. 'As per the Bombay high court's order, the applicant has been given the liberty to appeal to the university regarding the missed exams. Keeping both the court's observations and the student's interests in mind, we are committed to taking a decision that benefits the student,' said Prabhakar Desai, director, board of examinations and evaluation, SPPU, on Saturday. According to sources, the college is likely to approach SPPU within two days. Desai said that once both the student and the college approach the university through proper channels, a decision will be taken. 'Re-examinations are conducted for students who miss their papers due to valid reasons like health or schedule clashes. This case will be considered under the same norms,' said Desai. The 19-year-old student from Sinhgad Academy of Engineering was arrested on May 9 for allegedly posting pro-Pakistan content on Instagram in response to India's 'Operation Sindoor'. She was lodged in Yerawada jail and missed two of her university exams scheduled on May 24 and 27. KM Gaikwad, vice-principal of Sinhgad Academy of Engineering, said the matter now rests with the university. 'If SPPU instructs us to conduct her pending exams, we will implement it. But the decision lies with the university,' he said.
India Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- India Today
Indian team support staff confirms exit, Mohammed Siraj pens heartfelt goodbye
Indian cricket team's strength and conditioning coach Soham Desai announced his departure on Saturday, May 31. Desai, who has been at the helm of the team since Ravi Shastri's time, penned a long note announcing that he is moving on from the national a detailed post on Instagram, Desai thanked the Indian team management and listed the incredible achievements that he had been a part of with the Indian team. It was earlier reported that multiple members of the staff were sacked by the Board of Control for Cricket in India in the aftermath of the team's disastrous show in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024– win in the Champions Trophy 2025 apparently did not save the jobs of multiple staff members, as they were let go at the end of their tenure. India's assistant coach joined the Indian Premier League side Kolkata Knight Riders midway through the IPL 2025, and now Desai has announced his departure from the team."What an honour and privilege it's been to serve Indian Cricket over the years. From day one, the vision was crystal clear — break mental barriers, chase global excellence, stay true to my values, never fear failure. Keep showing up, no matter what," Soham Desai wrote on Instagram."Forever grateful to @ravishastriofficial and @ for backing a 29-year-old coming onto the world stage with a dream. To #RahulDravid and @rohitsharma45 — What can I say? Your faith, support, and trust have shaped every step of this journey. Can't thank you guys enough," he big shoutout to the physios, sports therapists, operations team and team doc — I could only do what I did because of your relentless support. Thank you for always being there," concluded the strength and conditioning coach. Mohammed Siraj took to his social media channels to pen a heartfelt note for the former member of the staff, thanking him for everything that he had done to keep him fit."It's never easy to say goodbye to someone who's been more than a coach, who's been a guide, a mentor, a brother. This is not the end but see you later. Your impact will stay with me forever. Your absence will be felt in the dressing room, in the gym, and in every sprint we run," he added. The BCCI are yet to announce the next strength and conditioning coach. But they are expected to name the new personnel soon as the team leaves for their 5-match Test tour of England in a week or so. The role of the assistant/batting coach is expected to be taken by Sitanshu Kotak, who was roped in by the BCCI ahead of the Champions Watch
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Business Standard
2 days ago
- Sport
- Business Standard
Harmeet Desai eyes 2026 Asian Games, begins preparations with UTT
Two-time CWG champion Harmeet Desai is focussed on a podium finish at next year's Asian Games in Japan and will use the sixth season of Ultimate Table Tennis, which will feature many accomplished players, to kick-start his preparations for the continent event. Desai, currently ranked 66th in the world, bagged gold medals in men's team event at the 2018 Gold Coast and 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games. He also has a bronze medal in men's doubles at Gold Coast and a bronze at the men's team event in 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta. "I don't like to predict so much. I am just taking it step by step, at the moment I am just focussing on UTT," Desai, who will be turning out for two-time champions Goa Challengers in the eight-team UTT, told PTI. "Definitely more important tournaments are coming. Next is Slovenia WTT tournament, Asian Games is also lined up next year so my focus is on to that as of now. "The UTT is a great platform to start my preparations for the Asian Games as many world champions, Asian champions and Olympians are participating in the event," he added. Goa Challengers are two-time defending champions, having won the title in 2023 and 2024 and are eyeing a hat-trick of crowns. He feels the league has changed the face of the sport in India. It began in 2017 but because of COVID two seasons didn't happen. "If you see the graph of Indian table tennis it has risen a lot. We used to be ranked around No.30 in the world but now we came up to top-10 in the recent past," Desai said. "In the last Olympics both the teams qualified for the very first time. We have been winning medals at the Asian Championships, Commonwealth Games. So many players have entered into top-100 in world rankings. "The juniors have been really doing well. Senior women team got into top-25 in the world rankings. These kind of things never happened before, so all credit goes to UTT because it gave us exposure to learn from foreign players, foreign coaches," he added. Desai, who is from Surat, is excited to play in his home state, which is hosting the tournament for the first time. "It's first UTT season in Gujarat, my home state, so I am really excited to perform before home fans. So it's a big opportunity to inspire youngsters who are taking table tennis as a future prospect. "It will great platform youngsters of Gujarat to watch international players, including 32 Olympians," he noted. The sixth season of UTT will be held at the EKA Arena here from May 31 till June 15.
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Business Standard
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
India cuts crude edible oil duty to 10% to control prices, aid demand
To tame inflation in oils and fats, India has lowered the basic import tax on crude and refined edible oils by 10 percentage points, a move that is also expected to benefit the local processing industry. The decision is likely to bring down edible oil prices, boost demand, and subsequently increase overseas purchases of palm oil, soyoil and sunflower oil. India has halved the basic customs duty on crude palm oil, crude soyoil and crude sunflower oil to 10 per cent from the earlier 20 per cent, the government said in a notification. This will effectively bring down the total import duty on the three oils to 16.5 per cent from 27.5 per cent, as they are also subject to India's Agriculture Infrastructure and Development Cess and Social Welfare Surcharge. Welcoming the move, Sudhakar Desai, president of the Indian Vegetable Oil Producers' Association (IVPA), said the government's decision to reduce the basic import duty on crude edible oil to 10 per cent while leaving net refined oil duties unchanged at 35.25 per cent would increase the duty differential between crude and refined edible oil to 19.25 per cent. 'It is a significantly bold move towards ensuring Make in India and also protecting the sector from an influx of refined oils causing capacity injury to the vegetable oil sector. This move will not just strengthen the domestic refining capacities of Indian refiners but also ensure a fair price to oilseed farmers and a fair price to consumers,' Desai said. According to IVPA data, imports of refined palm oil surged from 4.58 lakh metric tonnes during June–September 2024 to 8.24 lakh metric tonnes (representing about 30 per cent of total palm oil imports) in the period October 2024–February 2025. Additionally, under the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) provisions of zero duty, refined oils have been glutting the Indian market due to the huge refined oil duty advantage enjoyed by neighbouring countries.
