Latest news with #Maharashtra-born
Time of India
7 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Sant Namdev connnect: Maharashtra politicians write Punjab CM Mann, seek ‘holy place' status for Gurdaspur's Ghoman
1 2 3 4 5 6 Chandigarh: At least two prominent politicians from Maharashtra and a Pune-based NGO, Sarhad, which boasts of working to strengthen the cultural and historical bond between Maharashtra and Punjab, have written to Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann seeking holy place status for Ghoman village in Punjab's Gurdaspur district of Punjab. This is where Maharashtra-born medieval-era poet, saint, and a prominent figure of the Bhakti movement, Sant Namdev, is believed to have spent the final years of his life. What makes the late saint's association with Punjab even more special is that his 61 hymns (shabads) are also included in the Guru Granth Sahib, considered a 'living Guru' in Sikhism. Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) founder president and Rajya Sabha member Sharad Pawar, in a span of less than five months, wrote twice to CM Mann, requesting the latter to grant holy place status to Ghoman in Gurdaspur. Currently, Ghoman houses Shri Namdev Darbar, where devotees pray at the 'samadhi' of the late saint. "As you may recall, Ghuman (read Ghoman) holds significant cultural and spiritual importance due to its association with Bhagat Namdev Ji. Given its special significance in Marathi spiritual culture and literature, I request you to look into the matter favourably and expeditiously," Pawar wrote in a letter to CM Mann on July 29, a copy of which is with TOI, as he pointed out the same request made in a preceding letter on March 11. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Health and comfort: the comfiest slip-on shoes of the year Ultra-Comfortable Shoes Undo On March 11, Pawar wrote, "I am forwarding a letter regarding a request that I have been personally associated with and which is very close to the hearts of the people of Maharashtra. Sant Namdev Ji holds a special place in the hearts of the people of Maharashtra, as well as Punjab, where Bhagat Namdev Ji's shabads are revered in Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. His spiritual contributions created a lasting bond between the two states. " Referring to the literary congregation held in 2015, Pawar further pointed out, "During the 88th Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan, which was held in Ghuman (Ghoman), we proposed declaring the village as a holy place, marking its special significance in Marathi spiritual culture and literature. This historic event further highlighted Ghuman's spiritual legacy and its deep-rooted cultural relevance. " Pawar further wrote, "As per my knowledge, more than 50,000 devotees from Maharashtra and the rest of India visited Sant Namdev's Ghuman last year alone. This clearly reflects the spiritual influence of Sant Namdev Ji's teachings and the deep connection he holds with the hearts and minds of people across India." Pawar's letter to CM Mann further read, "I earnestly request you to personally look into this matter and take the necessary steps to grant holy place status to Ghuman (Ghoman). Your esteemed leadership and vision can help in preserving and further enhancing this sacred site." Sarhad Pune founder president Sanjay Nahar said over the phone that "After writing the letter to Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann, Sharad Pawar also spoke to (AAP national convenor) Arvind Kejriwal to seek holy place status for Ghoman." Sarhad Pune, while raising the demand in a letter to Punjab CM on March 11, highlighted that "the village holds immense spiritual and cultural significance due to the long stay of Sant Namdev, whose 61 verses are included in the Guru Granth Sahib." It added that the people of Punjab believe that Ghoman "is also the resting place of Bhagat Namdev Ji." Sarhad Pune noted that "over the past decade, lakhs of devotees from Maharashtra have visited Ghuman, with thousands choosing to stay there for extended periods." While demanding holy place status for Ghoman, Sanjay Nahar said, "The govt of Maharashtra has expressed its willingness to contribute wherever necessary. Elevating Ghuman to this status will not only honour its sacred heritage but also generate employment opportunities for thousands of youth in the surrounding areas." On May 14, former Union home minister Sushilkumar Shinde, who is also one of the patrons of Sarhad Pune, also wrote a letter to Punjab CM requesting the holy place status for Ghoman. Shinde wrote, "The emotional appeal to grant Ghuman (read Ghoman), the sacred place where Sant Namdev Maharaj dedicated his later years, the status of a national holy site is close to my heart and to millions of devotees in Maharashtra. As Union minister, I personally took up this issue and wrote to the Prime Minister in 2011, urging for Ghuman's (Ghoman's) recognition as a site of national spiritual importance. " Shinde further wrote, "Since then, senior leaders from Maharashtra, including Sharad Pawar Ji, have supported the demand and written to your esteemed office." Shinde pointed out, "Sant Namdev Maharaj is not just a saint of Maharashtra or Punjab — he is a national spiritual icon whose teachings continue to resonate across generations." According to Shri Namdev Darbar committee joint secretary Sarabjit Singh Bawa, "It is believed that Bhagat Namdev founded Ghoman and meditated here for 18 years." Bawa said devotees heading to Mata Vaishno Devi from Maharashtra often make a stop at Ghoman either while going to Vaishno Devi or on their return. "There is a serai and a big hall for accommodation." "For the past couple of years, devotees have been flocking to Ghoman on cycles from Pandharpur of Maharashtra in batches of a hundred or more," he added. Former Punjab governor Banwarilal Purohit, a veteran politician from Maharashtra, Bawa said, in his capacity as governor, gave Rs 1 crore, of Rs 2 crore cost, for the construction of the serai. During the 88th Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan in Ghoman, then Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal announced to set up a govt degree college dedicated to Bhagat Namdev and a chair at Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU). While a constituency college of the GNDU, Baba Namdev University College, was set up in nearby Kishankot the next year, the chair at GNDU remained a non-starter even as it emerged it was reportedly first set up in 1997 and remained defunct. Union minister of road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari, who attended the inaugural function of the Sammelan, announced the construction of a 157-km-long four-lane cemented road from Amritsar to Una in Himachal Pradesh via Mehta, Ghuman, Tanda, and Hoshiarpur at a cost of Rs 1,800 crore under the national highways project. According to Bawa, "In ten years, of the announced road project, only part of the stretch that was completed is from Amritsar to Mehta. " Nahar said that devotees from Maharashtra believe that Namdev breathed his last in Pandharpur, Maharashtra, but those from Punjab believe that he took 'samaadhi' in Ghoman. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
7 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Demand to grant holy place status to Ghoman grows
1 2 Chandigarh: At least two prominent politicians from Maharashtra and a Pune-based NGO, Sarhad, which boasts of working to strengthen the cultural and historical bond between Maharashtra and Punjab, have written to Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann seeking holy place status for Ghoman village in Punjab's Gurdaspur district of Punjab. This is where Maharashtra-born medieval-era poet, saint, and a prominent figure of the Bhakti movement, Sant Namdev, is believed to have spent the final years of his life. What makes the late saint's association with Punjab even more special is that his 61 hymns (shabads) are also included in the Guru Granth Sahib, considered a 'living Guru' in Sikhism. Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) founder president and Rajya Sabha member Sharad Pawar, in a span of less than five months, wrote twice to CM Mann, requesting the latter to grant holy place status to Ghoman in Gurdaspur. Currently, Ghoman houses Shri Namdev Darbar, where devotees pray at the 'samadhi' of the late saint. "As you may recall, Ghuman (read Ghoman) holds significant cultural and spiritual importance due to its association with Bhagat Namdev Ji. Given its special significance in Marathi spiritual culture and literature, I request you to look into the matter favourably and expeditiously," Pawar wrote in a letter to CM Mann on July 29, a copy of which is with TOI, as he pointed out the same request made in a preceding letter on March 11. On March 11, Pawar wrote, "I am forwarding a letter regarding a request that I have been personally associated with and which is very close to the hearts of the people of Maharashtra. Sant Namdev Ji holds a special place in the hearts of the people of Maharashtra, as well as Punjab, where Bhagat Namdev Ji's shabads are revered in Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. His spiritual contributions created a lasting bond between the two states. " Referring to the literary congregation held in 2015, Pawar further pointed out, "During the 88th Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan, which was held in Ghuman (Ghoman), we proposed declaring the village as a holy place, marking its special significance in Marathi spiritual culture and literature. This historic event further highlighted Ghuman's spiritual legacy and its deep-rooted cultural relevance. " Pawar further wrote, "As per my knowledge, more than 50,000 devotees from Maharashtra and the rest of India visited Sant Namdev's Ghuman last year alone. This clearly reflects the spiritual influence of Sant Namdev Ji's teachings and the deep connection he holds with the hearts and minds of people across India." Pawar's letter to CM Mann further read, "I earnestly request you to personally look into this matter and take the necessary steps to grant holy place status to Ghuman (Ghoman). Your esteemed leadership and vision can help in preserving and further enhancing this sacred site." Sarhad Pune founder president Sanjay Nahar said over the phone that "After writing the letter to Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann, Sharad Pawar also spoke to (AAP national convenor) Arvind Kejriwal to seek holy place status for Ghoman." Sarhad Pune, while raising the demand in a letter to Punjab CM on March 11, highlighted that "the village holds immense spiritual and cultural significance due to the long stay of Sant Namdev, whose 61 verses are included in the Guru Granth Sahib." It added that the people of Punjab believe that Ghoman "is also the resting place of Bhagat Namdev Ji." Sarhad Pune noted that "over the past decade, lakhs of devotees from Maharashtra have visited Ghuman, with thousands choosing to stay there for extended periods." While demanding holy place status for Ghoman, Sanjay Nahar said, "The govt of Maharashtra has expressed its willingness to contribute wherever necessary. Elevating Ghuman to this status will not only honour its sacred heritage but also generate employment opportunities for thousands of youth in the surrounding areas." On May 14, former Union home minister Sushilkumar Shinde, who is also one of the patrons of Sarhad Pune, also wrote a letter to Punjab CM requesting the holy place status for Ghoman. Shinde wrote, "The emotional appeal to grant Ghuman (read Ghoman), the sacred place where Sant Namdev Maharaj dedicated his later years, the status of a national holy site is close to my heart and to millions of devotees in Maharashtra. As Union minister, I personally took up this issue and wrote to the Prime Minister in 2011, urging for Ghuman's (Ghoman's) recognition as a site of national spiritual importance. " Shinde further wrote, "Since then, senior leaders from Maharashtra, including Sharad Pawar Ji, have supported the demand and written to your esteemed office." Shinde pointed out, "Sant Namdev Maharaj is not just a saint of Maharashtra or Punjab — he is a national spiritual icon whose teachings continue to resonate across generations." According to Shri Namdev Darbar committee joint secretary Sarabjit Singh Bawa, "It is believed that Bhagat Namdev founded Ghoman and meditated here for 18 years." Bawa said devotees heading to Mata Vaishno Devi from Maharashtra often make a stop at Ghoman either while going to Vaishno Devi or on their return. "There is a serai and a big hall for accommodation." "For the past couple of years, devotees have been flocking to Ghoman on cycles from Pandharpur of Maharashtra in batches of a hundred or more," he added. Former Punjab governor Banwarilal Purohit, a veteran politician from Maharashtra, Bawa said, in his capacity as governor, gave Rs 1 crore, of Rs 2 crore cost, for the construction of the serai. During the 88th Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan in Ghoman, then Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal announced to set up a govt degree college dedicated to Bhagat Namdev and a chair at Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU). While a constituency college of the GNDU, Baba Namdev University College, was set up in nearby Kishankot the next year, the chair at GNDU remained a non-starter even as it emerged it was reportedly first set up in 1997 and remained defunct. Union minister of road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari, who attended the inaugural function of the Sammelan, announced the construction of a 157-km-long four-lane cemented road from Amritsar to Una in Himachal Pradesh via Mehta, Ghuman, Tanda, and Hoshiarpur at a cost of Rs 1,800 crore under the national highways project. According to Bawa, "In ten years, of the announced road project, only part of the stretch that was completed is from Amritsar to Mehta. " Nahar said that devotees from Maharashtra believe that Namdev breathed his last in Pandharpur, Maharashtra, but those from Punjab believe that he took 'samaadhi' in Ghoman. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
19-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Country Cricket: Ruturaj Gaikwad opts out of Yorkshire stint at the last minute, cites 'personal reasons'
Ruturaj Gaikwad (PTI Photo) India batter Ruturaj Gaikwad has withdrawn from his County Championship contract with Yorkshire Cricket Club due to personal reasons, just days before his scheduled debut on Tuesday. The Chennai Super Kings captain, who had signed the deal last month to play for the remainder of the English domestic season, informed Yorkshire of his decision to opt out, leaving the club searching for a potential replacement on short notice. Yorkshire head coach Anthony McGrath confirmed Gaikwad's withdrawal from the agreement, stating: "Unfortunately Gaikwad's not coming now for personal reasons. We're not going to have him for Scarborough or for the rest of the season. So that's disappointing." Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! McGrath expressed uncertainty about the specific reasons behind Gaikwad's decision, saying: "I can't tell you anything about the reasons why, but we hope that everything's ok. We've literally just found out." "We're working behind the scenes on what we can do. But it's only two or three days away, so I'm not sure what we can do at the moment. We're working to try and get a possible replacement, but time pressure is the issue. I can't give you anything more than that at the moment." When Gaikwad's signing was initially announced in June, he had expressed enthusiasm about joining the historic English county club. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Hear better, live easier Amplifon Book Now Undo He had stated: "I'm excited to be joining up with Yorkshire for the rest of the English domestic season. It has always been a goal of mine to experience cricket in this country and there is no bigger Club in England than Yorkshire." Is Ruturaj Gaikwad in contention for T20s? The Maharashtra-born batter has been away from competitive cricket since April 8, following an elbow fracture sustained while captaining Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 2025 season. During his recovery period, Gaikwad was selected for the India A squad touring England but did not participate in either matches against the England Lions. Gaikwad's First-Class cricket statistics show a moderate performance record, with 2632 runs at an average of 41.77 across 38 matches. His recent performances include a challenging India A tour to Australia last year, where he managed only 20 runs in four innings. In the 2024-25 domestic cricket season in India, Gaikwad accumulated 571 runs in 12 innings, including one century. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Time of India
12-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
British Indian relative's family shell-shocked as elderly couple killed
British Indian relative's family shell-shocked as elderly couple killed LONDON: A British Indian relative of an elderly Indian couple killed on board the Air India flight has spoken of his anger with the airline, saying the fleet that Air India uses is terrible. Tushar Jogi and his family were shell-shocked on Thursday when the news came through that the flight their relatives were on had crashed. Jogi's cousin's in-laws — Vallabh Nagji Agheda, a former general manager of the electricity board in Gujarat, and his wife, Vinaben Vallabh Agheda, a housewife, both from Vadodara — were in seats 21E and 21F on the Boeing aircraft. Both in their 70s, they were to come to the UK to spend a few months with their eldest daughter, her husband, and their grandchildren who live in Reading. The daughter and her whole family were en route to Heathrow on Thursday evening to fly to India. Jogi's cousin, and his wife, an IT engineer, had been due to go to Gatwick on Thursday night to pick them up. The elderly couple have three daughters and the other two live in Gujarat. The two sisters had rushed to Ahmedabad on Thursday with their husbands to get DNA tests done so their parents' remains could be handed over. 'We are all absolutely shattered. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Neuropathiepijn? Miljoenen praten over dit apparaat KneeTens Undo We are all not able to digest this reality that we have lost them sadly — my cousin's wife has lost both parents in just a single instant,' said Jogi, getting emotional. 'They are the closest relatives we have in the UK. We don't have any other family here. We are all a close-knit family,' he said, as he prepared to travel to Reading. Maharashtra-born Jogi, a British Indian social media influencer living in London, said though the couple were in their 70s they were enjoying the perfect retirement in Vadodara and spending time with all their grandchildren. 'They were very fit and healthy and their life expectancy was beyond 90. They had huge love and affection from the whole family.' He said there was a lot of British concern with Air India among the Indian diaspora in Britain at 'the way they treat passengers like luggage'. 'The queue management is pathetic and people in the Indian community say the Air India fleet is the most horrible one. The ex-Etihad Airways Boeing 777-300ER aircraft are pathetic – the ones running from Heathrow. Seats falling apart is the default – whether 787 or 777-300ER, these Boeing fleets are horrible. For any journey, life is more important. They have to have a policy of care. Half the infotainment systems don't work and the food tables are even broken at times,' he added.
NDTV
24-04-2025
- Sport
- NDTV
Sachin Tendulkar Turns 52: A Look Through The Extraordinary Cricketing Journey Of 'Master Blaster'
Legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, who made a name for himself as possibly the greatest batter in cricket's history with his unmatched consistency, longevity, hunger for runs and audacity to take on some of the world's very best teams and bowlers, turned 52 on Thursday. Tendulkar is a name known in households not only in India, but across all major cricketing nations in this world. It would not be wrong to say that the sport owes a lot to the 'Master Blaster' for the sheer popularity, competitiveness and money power it currently enjoys. Many of the world's current great batters and leaders, such as Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, Kane Williamson, Joe Root, Virender Sehwag, MS Dhoni, etc, owe their strokeplay, passion for the game and match-winning abilities to the master himself. The Maharashtra-born player made his Test debut on November 15, 1989, at the age of 16. In the same year, on December 18, he also got his maiden ODI cap. Over the years, with his astonishing range of strokes, which he kept re-inventing, upgrading, and polishing owing to injuries, team situations, age, conditions, etc., Tendulkar accumulated a massive 34,357 runs in 664 international appearances at an average of 48.52. Sachin is the highest run-scorer in international cricket. He has scored 100 centuries and 164 half-centuries, the most in international cricket. He stands alone at the top with a century of centuries. The once-child prodigy went on to become the undisputed greatest batter in Tests, amassing 15,921 runs in 200 matches at a batting average of 53.78 that many greats would envy, against bowling attacks and conditions that rattled some highly talented stars. Along the way, Tendulkar scored 51 Test centuries, the most by any player. With 18,426 runs in ODIs at an average of 44.83 in 463 matches, 49 centuries and 96 half-centuries, Tendulkar evolved from a middle-order batter to being the greatest ODI batter and opener ever. Though he was surpassed by Virat Kohli for the record of most centuries during 2023 Cricket World Cup at his home venue of Wankhede Stadium, the show of respect by the man hailed as 'King' proves that Sachin's 49 tons are more than a statistic and hold a special place in everyone's hearts and there is surely no one above 'The God of Cricket' no matter what the number game is. The Master Blaster is also the first-ever cricketer to have hit a double hundred in ODIs, against South Africa at Gwalior in February 2010 and to have played a total of 200 Test matches. Tendulkar is part of the Indian team that won the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2011. After his World Cup debut in 1992, his dream to win the prestigious trophy came true in 2011 after India defeated Sri Lanka in the final by six wickets. The batting legend, committed fully to his dream of holding the cup in his hands, emerged as India's top run-getter with 482 runs in nine matches, with two centuries and two fifties. It was only fitting that Tendulkar experienced the greatest night of his cricketing career at Wankhede Stadium, a venue that he first stepped inside as a boy wonder. Overall, Tendulkar is the highest run-getter in the Cricket World Cup history. In 44 innings across 45 matches, he has scored 2,278 runs at an average of 56.95 with six centuries and 15 fifties. His best score in the tournament is 152. Sachin had a great record in the knockout matches. In seven knockout stage matches in the World Cups, he scored 339 runs at an average of 48.42. He scored four half-centuries in knockout matches for India, with the best score of 85. However, he was not able to hit it big in the two finals he played. Though Tendulkar failed to win an ICC Champions Trophy with India, he was a part of a total of five CT campaigns with Team India. Tendulkar has a solid record in the Champions Trophy as well, though not as good as his World Cup records. Throughout his 16 ICC Champions Trophy matches, he scored 441 runs at an average of 36.75. He has managed only one century and fifty in this tournament. In knockout matches in this tournament, he managed only 169 runs at an average of 42.25, with one half-century. In all, across both these ICC events, Sachin has scored 2,719 runs in 61 matches at an average of 49.43, with seven centuries and 16 half-centuries. Though Tendulkar played only 1 T20I for India, scoring just 10 runs, he still got a taste of T20 cricket through the Indian Premier League (IPL) with Mumbai Indians (MI). He scored 2,334 runs in 78 matches at an average of 34.83, with a strike rate of 119.81, a century, and 13 fifties. His best score was 100*. In the IPL, he won the title with MI in 2013, but also secured the Orange Cap for most runs in 2010, with 618 runs in 15 matches at an average of 47.53, a strike rate of over 132 and five fifties.
