Latest news with #Maharashtra
Free Malaysia Today
3 hours ago
- General
- Free Malaysia Today
Rooted in the earth, India's traditional mud wrestling thrives
This style of wrestling, known as 'kushti' or 'dangal', has millennia-old roots but emerged during the period of India's Mughal rulers in the 16th century. (AFP pic) KOLHĀPUR: Crowds cheer as muscular men in tight loincloths slap sacred scented soil on their bulging thighs and arms for a mud wrestling bout in India. 'When we fight, we sweat,' said 33-year-old Mauli Jamdade, a wrestling star in Maharashtra state, rubbing red-brown earth onto his body for each clash. 'The mud gives us grip and helps us grapple better.' Unlike conventional wrestling matches played on mats with regulated draws, India's mud wrestling is more raw – but has been the training ground for Olympic success. This style of wrestling, known as 'kushti' or 'dangal', has millennia-old roots but emerged during the period of India's Mughal rulers in the 16th century, blending traditional hand-to-hand combat with Persian martial arts. There are no blows or kicking, but plenty of throws to the ground, and it remains hugely popular. It took Jamdade over 15 minutes to defeat his rival, starting with a slow circling dance then twisting, turning and locking arms, before he pinned him down. The bout ends when one wrestler pins his opponent's back to the mud, irrespective of how long it takes. From mud into the Olympics Both men and women Indian wrestlers have won medals at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games in the more regulated form of the sport. But it is the mud, not mat, version that is popular in swathes of rural areas – with supporters saying it is not just a spectacle but a tradition that many want to uphold. Bank cashier Anil Harale ended his wrestling career after injuring his leg, but after work still slips out of his office clothes for a dirty wrestle. 'I miss it,' said the 46-year-old, who hopes his 'unfulfilled dream' will be realised by his teenage son, an aspiring wrestler. Wrestler KD Jadhav, who took bronze at the 1952 Olympics – the first Indian to win an individual Olympic medal – began his sporting career as a mud wrestler in Kolhapur, a city in Maharashtra. 'It is from mud that wrestlers reach the Olympics,' said excited fan Sachin Mote, among hundreds cheering the wrestlers at a bout. Mud, milk, oil Kolhapur is a core base of the sport with its centuries-old residential gymnasiums known as talims. Jamdadejoined the Gangavesh talim is aged 14. A picture of the Hindu monkey god Hanuman – a deity worshipped by wrestlers for his strength and devotion – gazes over waist-deep pits where the soil is dug. The earth is mixed with turmeric, yoghurt and milk, as well as neem tree leaves and oil, before it is ploughed and smoothened across the ring. For the wrestlers, the soil is sacred. 'It is everything,' said Jamdade. 'There is nothing without it.' More than a hundred wrestlers – some as young as 10 – train at the talim. It is an austere life. The rigorous training includes waking up before dawn, running, hundreds of push-ups, rope climbing and grappling. Tobacco and alcohol are strictly prohibited, phone usage is restricted and pre-marital relationships are considered a distraction. 'Never end' For Jamdade, the first year at the talim was all about gaining weight – and that is an expensive affair. 'There are people who weigh 125-130 kilos,' he said. 'To fight with them, and match their strength, I need to be at least 120 kilos.' So when he is not in the ring or training, Jamdade focuses on eating. That includes at least five kilos of goat meat each week, some 70 egg whites, 24 apples, leafy vegetables and dry fruits. He washes that down with at least 21 litres of milk, 14 litres of sweet lemon juice and a protein shake made with almonds, cashews, honey, cardamom seeds, honey and milk. His monthly food bill totals US$350 but the prize money he has won helps his family, who are from a poor farming background. Winnings range from a few hundred dollars to US$1,700 – more than the annual average income of an agricultural household in India. While the popularity of more organised wrestling on mats has grown, Jamdade believes mud bouts have a safe future as a core part of village fairs. 'Fairs will always continue,' he said. 'Mud wrestling will never end.'
Entrepreneur
2 days ago
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Adani Energy Wins INR 1,660 Crore Transmission Project in Maharashtra
This will take AESL's total transmission network to 26,696 circuit kilometers (ckm) and transformation capacity to 93,236 MVA, reinforcing its position as a key player in India's power transmission sector. You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. Adani Energy Solutions Ltd (AESL), India's largest private transmission and distribution company, has secured a major inter-state transmission project worth INR 1,660 crore in Maharashtra. According to a regulatory filing by AESL, the company will develop critical infrastructure to support green energy evacuation from hydro-based projects in the region. The project involves establishing 3,000 Mega Volt-Amperes (MVA) of substation capacity along with associated transmission infrastructure. This will take AESL's total transmission network to 26,696 circuit kilometers (ckm) and transformation capacity to 93,236 MVA, reinforcing its position as a key player in India's power transmission sector. The project will be executed under a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) named WRNES Talegaon Power Transmission Ltd, which was officially transferred to AESL today. The infrastructure is expected to be commissioned by January 2028 and will play a vital role in evacuating 1.5 gigawatts (GW) of green power generated from upcoming hydro Pumped Storage Projects (PSPs) in the region. This energy will serve the growing electricity demand of Mumbai and surrounding urban centers. The project was awarded through the Inter State Transmission System (ISTS) mechanism under Tariff Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB), with REC Power Development and Consultancy Ltd (RECPDCL) acting as the bid process coordinator. This win further strengthens AESL's portfolio and demonstrates its continued success in the competitive power transmission market. With this addition, the company's order book now stands at approximately INR 61,600 crore. AESL is part of the diversified Adani Group and is known for its strategic focus on building sustainable and high-capacity transmission networks across India. The company has consistently expanded its footprint through a combination of organic growth and competitive bidding, aligning with the country's larger shift towards renewable energy integration and grid modernization. By facilitating the transmission of hydroelectric power, the Talegaon project also contributes to India's broader decarbonization goals. It exemplifies AESL's role not just as a transmission company, but as an enabler of the country's energy transition.
Russia Today
3 days ago
- Business
- Russia Today
Makeover plan for Asia's biggest slum faces ire of residents
A plan to transform Dharavi, known globally as one of the largest slums in South Asia, is facing opposition from local residents, the Indian Express reported on Friday. Located in the heart of India's financial capital, Mumbai, Dharavi spans over 250 hectares and has attracted attention from tourists, economists, urban planners, and Hollywood. The redevelopment plan, approved by the government of Maharashtra on Wednesday, aims to build nearly 60,000 residential houses and over 13,000 commercial units for eligible tenants in the area. The total cost of the project is estimated at $11 billion. The proposal also includes improving infrastructure in the area, and could take up to seven years to complete. However, according to the Indian Express, this plan has drawn criticism from Dharavi residents, who are protesting that only those occupying ground-floor structures will be eligible for rehousing. There are over 100,000 ground-floor structures in Dharavi, with at least 150,000 to 200,000 tenants residing on the second and third floors, Rajendra Korde, president of the Dharavi Redevelopment Samiti, told the outlet. He questioned the survey conducted by the agency working on the project. According to government officials, Dharavi houses over 600,000 people. The Dharavi Redevelopment Plan (DRP) is a joint venture between the Adani Group, one of India's largest conglomerates led by Gautam Adani, and the Maharashtra state government. Since securing the project, the DRP has been conducting a survey to identify the total number of residents in Dharavi who are eligible. It estimates that 72,000 housing and commercial units built on 47.20 hectares will be required, according to the master plan presented to the authorities, the report noted. While Dharavi is known as a densely populated slum, it is also a thriving hub for small businesses. Over the decades, it has emerged as a vital industrial zone for leather, textiles, and other small-scale exports. The Maharashtra Chief Minister's Office has stated that the project is designed to preserve Dharavi's unique commercial identity. The master plan for Dharavi includes creating five industry clusters: garment, pottery, leather, food, and recycling, as well as improving connectivity in the redeveloped areas.
Times of Oman
3 days ago
- General
- Times of Oman
India: First-ever batch of 17 women cadets passes out from NDA
New Delhi: The National Defence Academy (NDA) witnessed a momentous occasion on Fridat as the first-ever batch of 17 women cadets was among the 336 cadets who graduated from the academy, marking the culmination of 148th Course - Spring Term 2025, as per a release from the Ministry of Defence. According to the release, a total of 1,341 Cadets, including 336 from the passing out course, participated in the Passing Out Parade (POP) at the iconic Khetarpal Parade Ground in Maharashtra's Khadakwasla. Gracing the occasion as the Reviewing Officer was the Governor of Mizoram, General (Dr) VK Singh (Retd). The parade marked the successful completion of rigorous military and academic training by the cadets, culminating in a splendid display of precision, discipline and military bearing. It was impeccably conducted by Adjutant Lt Col Praveen Kumar Tiwari, astride his charger 'Reliant Robin'. Academy Cadet Captain Udayveer Singh Negi of 'G' Squadron commanded the parade with exceptional composure and military precision. In recognition of the exemplary performance, the Reviewing Officer presented the President's Gold Medal to Battalion Cadet Adjutant Prince Raj, the President's Silver Medal to Academy Cadet Captain Udayveer Singh Negi, and the President's Bronze Medal to Battalion Cadet Captain Tejas Bhatt. The prestigious Chiefs of Staff Banner was awarded to the Golf Squadron for overall excellence. The event concluded with a grand flypast featuring flag-trooping Chetak helicopters, Super Dimona motorised gliders, and the majestic Sukhoi-30 fighter aircraft. This symbolised the culmination of training and the cadets' readiness to embark on the next phase of their military journey. The event was attended by a diverse group that included proud families, distinguished dignitaries, school children, civilians, and serving and retired Armed Forces personnel. The Spring Term 2025 POP stands as a proud testament to the Academy's enduring commitment to grooming future military leaders, now enriched with the inclusion of women cadets destined to serve the nation with honour and valour. The release added that the event held historical significance as it marked the passing out of the first-ever batch of 17 Female Cadets from the Academy -- a transformative milestone in NDA's legacy of nation-building.
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Business Standard
3 days ago
- Sport
- Business Standard
Ratnagiri Jets appoint Devieka Palshikaar as lead coach for MPL Season 3
Ratnagiri Jets, the two-time champions of the Maharashtra Premier League (MPL), proudly announce the appointment of Devieka Palshikaar as the Lead Performance Coach for both their men's and women's teams ahead of the highly anticipated Season 3. Ranjit Pande will continue to serve as Head Coach for both squads. Season 3 of the Maharashtra Premier League is set to begin on June 4, 2025, with the men's team starting their title defense against the Eagle Nashik Titans. The first-ever edition of the Women's Maharashtra Premier League (WMPL) will follow from June 5 to 14, with Ratnagiri Jets opening their campaign against the Raigad Royals. Devieka Palshikaar, a former India international, brings extensive experience to the Jets. She has previously worked as the Batting Coach for Mumbai Indians in the Women's Premier League and served as Head Coach for the Kerala Senior Women's Team, where she played a crucial role in nurturing emerging women cricketers in India. In her new position, Devieka will collaborate closely with Head Coach Ranjit Pande on strategic planning, player development, and match preparations. Her responsibilities will cover both the MPL and WMPL teams, ensuring a unified coaching approach and consistent training standards across the franchise. Additionally, her past collaboration with star player Smriti Mandhana is expected to enhance player mentorship and foster stronger team unity. Expressing her enthusiasm, Devieka said, 'Joining Ratnagiri Jets is an honor, given their strong reputation in Maharashtra cricket. I'm excited to work alongside the players and coaching staff to cultivate a culture of excellence, discipline, and growth. My aim is to develop a confident, fearless, and united team that plays with clear intent. With Smriti leading and the passionate support staff around us, we have a great foundation to achieve something remarkable. Taking on coaching roles for both men's and women's teams is a challenging opportunity that I fully embrace as we prepare future champions.' Praful Chandawarkar, CEO of Ratnagiri Jets, added, 'Our vision at Ratnagiri Jets extends beyond trophies—we strive to build a sustainable platform for cricket talent. Devieka's appointment reinforces our commitment to world-class coaching as we launch our women's team this season. Her expertise and dedication will be key to our goal of achieving excellence across both teams.' Powered by JetSynthesys, Ratnagiri Jets supports their squads through the 'Jets Club,' a grassroots program focused on scouting and developing cricket talent from underserved areas of Maharashtra. With Devieka at the helm as Lead Performance Coach, the women's team is set not only to make a strong debut in WMPL but also to inspire aspiring cricketers throughout the region.
