Latest news with #Ghosal
Hindustan Times
31-07-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Teen squash star Anahat charts the path for excellence
Mumbai: About a year ago, when Saurav Ghosal got on board Team Anahat as mentor and at times also a hands-on coach, he knew that her forehand wasn't at the level it needed to be. Anahat Singh. (Getty Images) Anahat Singh was told that. But she also had to be shown that. So, India's 38-year-old retired squash star got on court for a game with the country's brightest teen talent. The condition: they will play only on the forehand side. The challenge: 'let's see if you can beat me,' Ghosal told Anahat. She could not. 'She absolutely hates to lose,' Ghosal said. 'So, that not only exposed the piece of the puzzle in her game, it also made her realise that 'if I need to get better and not lose, I need to get this right'. I would play on that fact.' A year on, that forehand is a lot more secure, and often even lethal. It showed in the 17-year-old's outing at the World Junior Championships in Cairo, where Anahat went a step better than last year to secure an individual bronze before losing in the semi-finals. That she was the only non-Egyptian in the last four reflected how her game is a handful for most opponents her age at the junior level. What also reflected in the semi-final finish was aspects of her game that are work-in-progress. And while in the basic SWOT analysis of where her game is at currently, strengths outweigh weaknesses, there continue to be refinement opportunities as Anahat ends another junior cycle and dives deeper into pro waters. She is already fishing in it as India's top-ranked woman at world No.54. For Ghosal, three standout features define Anahat's game at present. The foremost winds back to his forehand challenge. 'The hating to lose attitude drives her to push sometimes beyond what she thinks she is capable of,' he said. 'Second, the amount of balls she gets back, especially for the women's game, and the way she can anticipate where the ball is going and make the opponent hit the extra shot, that's been natural from a very young age. And third is her short game. She has good touch. She also has a decent amount of control on the ball for her age, which helps her break up play and put balls away.' She is also a receptive learner, and the different coaches she has worked with in the past few years is an indicator of that. Anahat is currently training under former French pro Gregory Gaultier, with ex-Italian pro Stephane Galifi also in her team that features Ghosal in a more mentorship role. The teen had also worked with Ritwik Bhattacharya, among other coaches. The current team has made her a 'different player today than what she was even in March', according to Ghosal, when Anahat won a PSA title in Mumbai amid a rich haul of Challenger level titles to go with her junior dominance. The biggest uptick, forehand aside, has come in her match intensity. 'She used to float in and out in terms of intensity. I feel Greg has a lot to do with ramping that up,' Ghosal said. 'There's also a bit more structure to her game now. She has a better understanding of what her strengths are and how she can manoeuvre the ball around in her favour on a more consistent basis.' Which means she doesn't necessarily have to hunt for a 10/10 shot every time to win a point. A 7/10 shot, hit repeatedly, will open up larger spaces on court for her to exploit. 'Chances are then that you'll win points more consistently,' Ghosal said. 'These are facets of the game she hadn't explored earlier, and with time she is starting to see the benefits of it. That's the trajectory she is on.' A trajectory that the former world No.10 sees for Anahat is to bring her to a level where she can be a 'mainstay in the top 10 and even higher'. There's work to be done in that. The physicality is one part of it, and that will be a continuous process even though Ghosal cautioned against making her a 'muscle woman'. And then there's this one piece that Ghosal believes can further elevate her game. 'We're trying to get her to step up on the T and volley a lot more,' he said. 'The more she cuts the ball earlier, the more the intensity will shoot up. That's something she will have to do at the top level. Otherwise, she will get stuck behind the top women and they will take advantage. It's something that doesn't come naturally to her, but it's a lot better than what it was a year back.'
India Today
29-07-2025
- Business
- India Today
UK universities discuss study, future opportunities with Indian students in Delhi
Ten universities from the United Kingdom have connected with Indian students in New Delhi through a special pre-departure event ahead of the September 2025 half-day gathering, hosted by the British Council and OneStep Global, focused on linking UK education to long-term career and life outcomes for Indian 'Great Aspirations, Great Careers, Great Britain,' the event welcomed over 140 attendees, including students, university officials, and industry It featured panel discussions, expert insights, and interactive sessions on making the most of academic life in the participating universities included the University of Reading, University of Sussex, Lancaster University, University of Bradford, Nottingham Trent University, Kingston University, University of Westminster, and University of HEAR FROM INDUSTRY AND ACADEMIC VOICESThe event provided students with a deeper understanding of academic programmes, course preferences, and the real-world impact of a UK also featured practical advice from a distinguished panel of speakers representing organisations like Hindustan Unilever Foundation, Standard Chartered Bank, Student Circus, Pearson, and The World Houlgate, Deputy Director of British Council India, delivered the opening address, saying, 'Choosing the UK is about more than just getting a world-class education, it's about joining a global community and becoming part of the living bridge that brings the UK and India closer together.'He encouraged students to 'be open-minded, embrace the new, and enjoy every part of the journey both in and beyond the classroom.'FOCUS ON CAREERS AND LONG-TERM VALUEAritra Ghosal, Founder and Director of OneStep Global, said, 'Students today are making choices based on long-term value, careers, networks, and life outcomes. This event was about helping them connect the dots between education and employability.'The event underlined the importance of building professional networks, staying connected with alumni groups, and viewing university life as a launchpad for future more Indian students choose the UK for higher education, such events aim to ensure they begin their journey informed, inspired and well-prepared.- Ends
Los Angeles Times
02-07-2025
- Business
- Los Angeles Times
President Trump announces trade deal with Vietnam that will let U.S. goods into the country duty-free
WASHINGTON — President Trump announced a trade deal with Vietnam on Wednesday that would allow U.S. goods to enter the country duty-free. Vietnamese exports to the United States, by contrast, would face a 20% levy. On his Truth Social platform, Trump declared the pact 'a Great Deal of Cooperation between our two Countries.'' In April, Trump announced a 46% tax on Vietnamese imports — one of his so-called reciprocal tariffs targeting dozens of countries with which the United States runs trade deficits. Trump promptly suspended the reciprocal tariffs for 90 days to allow for negotiations like the one with Vietnam. The pause expires Tuesday, but so far the Trump administration has reached a trade agreement with only one of those countries — the United Kingdom. (Trump has also reached a 'framework'' agreement with China in a separate trade dispute.) 'Vietnam has been very keen to get out from under this,'' said Mary Lovely, senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics. 'This is forcing a smaller country to eat it, basically. We can do that. It's the big countries that everybody's keeping their eyes on.'' She doubts that Trump will be able to impose such a lopsided agreement on big trading partners such as the European Union and Japan. The United States last year ran a $122-billion trade deficit with Vietnam. That was the third-biggest U.S. trade gap — the difference between the goods and services it buys from other countries and those it sells them — behind the ones with China and Mexico. In addition to the 20% tariffs, Trump said the U.S. would impose a 40% tax on 'transshipping'' — goods from another country that stop in Vietnam on their way to the United States. Washington complains that Chinese goods have been dodging higher U.S. tariffs by transiting through Vietnam. A February study in the Harvard Business Review found that there was 'much less rerouting than previously believed.'' In May, Vietnam approved a $1.5-billion project by the Trump Organization and a local partner to build a massive golf resort complex near Hanoi, covering an area roughly the size of 336 football fields. Vietnam was a beneficiary of American efforts to counter China's influence. Companies looking to diversify supply chains away from China flocked to Vietnam. In 2023, it became the only country to host both former President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping on state visits. That year, the U.S. upgraded Vietnam to its highest diplomatic status — comprehensive strategic partner — placing it on par with China and Russia. Wiseman and Ghosal write for the Associated Press. Ghosal reported from Hanoi, Vietnam.
South Wales Argus
30-06-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Ghosal emphasises importance of National Table Cricket Finals Day
The Leeds school, based in Holt Park, battled through regional rounds to take on 11 other schools at the Home of Cricket, and while they didn't take home the trophy, they revelled in playing at an iconic sporting venue. The school set off at 3:30am to get to Lord's and SENCO Kelly Ghosal revealed how the excitement had swept through the pupils. 'They're all massively excited to be here,' she said. 'It was an early start to get down here, but they've all been brilliant. 'We're all ridiculously proud of them for being here too. They've done phenomenally well. 'I pulled rank to come down to Lord's to be with the students today, they are a phenomenal bunch.' Table cricket is a fully inclusive, adapted version of the game aimed at young people living with a wide range of learning and physical disabilities played on a table tennis table. Teams of six compete to avoid fielders and hit specific scoring zones while the ball is bowled using a ramp. The Lord's Taverners runs its national competition each year, with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) schools from across the country taking part. Ghosal, who has been with the school since 2017, also expressed the importance of having inclusive showpiece occasions such as the National Table Cricket Finals Day for students to aim for. 'Events like this are hugely important,' she continued. 'It's a level playing field. Sports in schools have become more inclusive but it's still asking students to do things outside their comfort zone to meet everybody else who is physically able. 'Whereas with this, everyone is in a similar position, so the students can be their authentic selves whilst doing something that is accessible to them.' For the first time in the competition's history, National Finals Day took place as part of Disability Cricket Day, the biggest ever one-off showcase of disability cricket hosted by the MCC, ECB and Lord's Taverners which saw all formats of disability cricket on display from grassroots to elite level. The day was brought to a close by the first ever international disability cricket fixture on the main ground at Lord's, the third of a seven match Vitality IT20 Mixed disability series between England and India. 'I saw table cricket for the first time a few years ago now and coming to the final here at Lord's today, you are struck immediately by the competitiveness, the keenness and the camaraderie,' said Lord's Taverners President and former England batter David Gower. 'Everyone's spirits are high and it's fantastic to see people getting everything they want from the game, who, as we know, wouldn't otherwise have the opportunity. Events like this are hugely important. 'The players are all so good, and they are all having immense fun. The atmosphere is just vibrant, and I love being a figurehead for Tavs, especially on days like today.' The Lord's Taverners impacts the lives of young people facing the challenges of inequality. The charity works across the UK and beyond to provide inclusive and impactful cricket programmes, empowering young people with disabilities and from disadvantaged communities – visit
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Business Standard
30-06-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
New Zealand approves Indian degrees for faster work and study visa
Good news! Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has scrapped a long-standing barrier for Indian professionals and students. From June 23, 2025, India joins the 'List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment' (LQEA), removing the need for most Indian degree holders to undergo the costly and time-consuming International Qualification Assessment (IQA). The decision is expected to speed up visa processing for Indians applying under work, residency and study-linked immigration routes. 'The LQEA list is part of our commitment to create a more efficient and transparent system for skilled migrants,' said INZ in a statement. What changes for Indian applicants The IQA, which mapped foreign degrees to New Zealand's academic standards, was mandatory for many skilled migrant applications. With the exemption now in place, most degrees from recognised Indian universities will be accepted without this assessment. This change applies to: — Skilled migrant category (SMC) visa applicants — Green list roles (such as engineers, ICT professionals and healthcare workers) — Accredited employer work visa (AEWV) routes — Post-study work visa applicants Applicants will still need to meet other eligibility requirements, including English language proficiency and relevant work experience. Other countries also added India is one of nine new countries added to the LQEA list. Others include: — France — Germany — Italy — Singapore — South Korea — Sri Lanka — Sweden — Switzerland INZ has also revised existing qualification exemptions for countries such as Australia, the UK, the US, Japan, Malaysia and South Africa to ensure consistency across regions. Why this matters for India India has consistently ranked among New Zealand's top four source countries for international students, with over 22,000 enrolments in recent years. The new exemption could give many of these students a clearer path to work and settle in the country after graduation. New Zealand has also taken several steps recently to boost its appeal: — The New Zealand Excellence Awards 2025 offers NZ$260,000 in scholarships, with individual grants of up to NZ$20,000 — Post-study work rights allow graduates to stay and work for up to three years — Visa fees and documentation requirements remain competitive compared to other countries India's inclusion in the LQEA marks a structural shift in how Indian qualifications are treated within global mobility systems, said Aritra Ghosal, founder and CEO at OneStep Global. 'Until now, Indian degree holders were mandated to undergo the IQA—a time-consuming, costly, and often opaque process that acted as a barrier for many students and skilled professionals. The exemption removes a major procedural hurdle, allowing for faster visa processing, reduced financial burden, and greater certainty for applicants—particularly those targeting skilled migration or post-study work routes. It also reflects a broader policy confidence in the rigour and recognition of Indian higher education,' Ghosal told Business Standard. Mamta Shekhawat, founder of called the move a 'welcoming opportunity' for Indian applicants. 'New Zealand has effectively rolled out a welcoming opportunity, showing its profound faith in the Indian education system and degrees. This will help fulfil thousands of dreams, making New Zealand an ideal, accessible and desirable destination to study for young minds looking for global opportunities. The changes will significantly reduce both the financial impact and delays in processing times and support Indian applicants to engage in global aspirations,' Shekhawat told Business Standard. Mayank Maheswari, co-founder and COO at University Living, said the decision was part of New Zealand's broader strategy to attract international talent. 'It also reflects New Zealand's growing recognition of Indian academic credentials and its broader commitment to attracting global talent,' he said. Bigger competition for global talent The exemption is also being seen as part of a wider move by New Zealand to reposition itself in the global race for talent. Immigration experts said that by simplifying the process, INZ is sending a clear message to young professionals: New Zealand wants you. 'The qualification recognition bottleneck has often discouraged skilled applicants,' said Ravi Menon, a licensed immigration adviser in Auckland. 'This update restores confidence and reduces friction.' With the global mobility of skilled workers increasing, particularly in STEM and business fields, faster and fairer processing systems could give New Zealand a fresh edge over rivals like Australia, the UK, and Canada.
