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India Today
13 hours ago
- Sport
- India Today
Divya Deshmukh's Chess World Cup triumph fuelled by mental toughness: Susan Polgar
Legendary Grandmaster Susan Polgar has hailed Divya Deshmukh's remarkable Women's World Cup triumph as a victory fuelled by "mental toughness" and an unshakable will to win, after the 19-year-old etched yet another historic chapter in Indian a thrilling all-Indian final held in Batumi, Georgia, Divya stunned the vastly more experienced Koneru Humpy in the tiebreaks on Monday. Entering the tournament as a dark horse, the teenager from Maharashtra not only secured the prestigious World Cup but also qualified for the 2026 Candidates Tournament and became India's 88th of all, congratulations to Divya for this historic feat. Well done," Polgar told PTI Videos in an interview. "Even though she may not have been the pre-tournament favourite, or the strongest on paper, she had what others lacked - the will to win and mental toughness." The 56-year-old Hungarian-American, who was the women's world champion from 1996 to 1999, praised Divya's resilience throughout the competition. "There were games where she was in trouble, and some where she couldn't convert. But none of it mattered. She kept fighting, without fear. Her strong nerves carried her through the finish line."Divya's feat places her among the elite in Indian chess, becoming only the fourth Indian woman Grandmaster after Humpy, Harika Dronavalli, and R. Vaishali, and the 44th female GM in the who herself became the top-rated female player in the world at just 15, believes Indian chess is in the midst of a golden era, propelled by a wave of fearless young talent and bolstered by the guidance of icons like Viswanathan Anand."This is the Golden Age of Chess in India," she said. "What is even more special is that these talents are all homegrown. They respect and support each other. With sustained support from the government - national to local - and sponsors, India will remain at the top for years to come."Citing the example of teen sensation D. Gukesh, who became a Grandmaster at the age of 12, Polgar noted that success in chess often comes down to intangible qualities."When Gukesh became a GM, he wasn't the highest rated among Indian prospects," she recalled. "But I immediately picked him to go furthest. Some thought I was crazy. But as someone who's worked with over 50 Grandmasters, including players rated above 2700, I recognised his special traits.""Same with Divya. She may not be India's highest rated female player, but she has those same intangibles - fearlessness and an immense will to win. That often compensates for any technical deficiencies, which they can address with more training and experience."advertisementPolgar urged both Gukesh and Divya to stay grounded and keep working diligently, warning that future challenges will be fiercer now that they've reached the summit."Don't stop. It's like a moving train - ride the momentum and don't slow down. There'll always be players who are hungrier. If you ease up, it gets much harder," she cautioned. "Divya is no longer an up-and-comer. She's a World Cup champion now. The target is on her back. Others will be gunning for her. She must train - and train harder."Polgar also had warm words for Koneru Humpy, who has been at the forefront of Indian women's chess for decades."Humpy is a phenomenal player. I have great respect for her. She's been near the top for many years. Age and motherhood make things more challenging, but she navigated many tough matches in this tournament. Monday was Divya's day - that's sport. But Humpy will have her moments again, and I wish her all the best."- Ends
New Indian Express
15 hours ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Has the country become banana republic, asks CPI MP on arrest of Kerala nuns
NEW DELHI: Communist Party of India (CPI) MP P Sandosh Kumar said on Tuesday that the arrests of two Catholic nuns, hailing from Kerala, in BJP-ruled Chhattisgarh on charges of human trafficking and forced religious conversion are "strange and shocking," and questioned if the country has become a "banana republic." According to media reports, the Kerala-based nuns were arrested at a railway station in Chhattisgarh recently on charges of human trafficking and forced conversion raised by right-wing activists. "This is a strange, shocking case. The charges are under (section) 143 of the BNS, which is human trafficking. If more than one victim is involved, it is an offence punishable with more than 10 years of imprisonment," Kumar told PTI Videos. "What is this human trafficking from Durg station to Agra station? Has this country become a banana republic?" he asked. "Under the BJP's raj, all minorities are being targeted. Christian nuns and fathers are afraid of wearing their dresses," he said.
Hindustan Times
17 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
One year after disaster, Wayanad shows the world lessons in survival, human love
Wayanad , Last year, the morning of July 29 was as normal as any other day for the people of Chooralmala and Mundakkai in this hill district. One year after disaster, Wayanad shows the world lessons in survival, human love Apart from the pouring rain, it was business as usual in this stunningly beautiful hillside, a highly sought-after tourist destination. Everything changed in a flash the next day, on July 30, and the once-favourite tourist spot became an open grave overnight. One year after the most severe natural calamity Kerala had ever witnessed, Mundakkai and Chooralmala remain ghost towns, with only a few houses intact. There are no people here, except for a tribal family of three, who still live in the area. Though the wounds of this disaster which claimed 298 lives and wiped out everything that stood on the ground seem unlikely ever to heal, Mundakkai and Chooralmala also tell remarkable stories of survival, resilience, and Kerala's unity in the face of an unprecedented disaster. With work on a township envisaged by the state government for the rehabilitation of landslide survivors progressing and with many complaints and political accusations being raised against it some stories of the survivors offer hope and reflect the resilience of the people of Wayanad in moving forward with their lives. Naufal, who lost 11 members of his family in the landslide, is one of many examples from disaster‑torn Chooralmala. Having lost everyone in his family, he has now started a hotel in Meppadi, aptly naming it 'July 30' in memory of the day he lost all his loved ones. Naufal was abroad at work when the disaster struck, wiping away everything he had his family, his house, and the land he owned in Mundakkai. He could not return to his workplace, as it was too much for him to overcome the trauma and leave the place where his family members were buried alive. "My family always wished that I would start a hotel in our area. Now, with the help of good Samaritans, I have managed to open a small hotel to fulfil their wish," Naufal told PTI Videos. A similar story is that of five children who were orphaned in the disaster and are now gradually returning to normal life, pursuing their education under the Kinship Foster Care Programme, which allows close relatives to care for these children with government support. Child welfare officers who frequently visit them say the children often recall their parents, with the trauma yet to fully leave them. However, they are becoming accustomed to their new caretakers and are happy at their schools. In the immediate aftermath of the disaster, there were hundreds of requests to adopt these orphaned children. However, the government decided not to place them for adoption, instead enrolling them in the Kinship Foster Care Programme so they could remain with familiar caretakers their close relatives. Though many stories of survivors are inspiring, some reveal the cruel effects of disasters on human lives. Before the disaster struck, Mundakkai and Chooralmala had a reasonably settled, financially sound community. The people here, who once held decent land holdings, lost everything and are now unable to reclaim their land for construction, as the government permits only farming activities. This has turned many from wealthy to penniless in a single day. The story of Annayan is one such example. Once earning an annual income of about ₹25 lakh from his two‑acre farmland and the rent from buildings he owned, he now works as an autorickshaw driver for a meagre wage of ₹200 a day. He blames the revenue authorities for his present plight, alleging that all his attempts to reclaim his land for cultivation have failed. "Either let me farm on my land and live, or acquire my land and give me compensation," is Annayan's request to the government. Annayan had worked as a farm supervisor in a private estate before leaving his job to focus on his coffee farming and other businesses. However, everything he owned was wiped out on July 30 last year in the devastating landslide. Annayan says he has repeatedly approached the revenue authorities, requesting permission to remove the fallen trees and restart cultivation, but no such permission has been granted. He now lives in a rented house in Meppadi and, seeing his struggles, some kind-hearted individuals have donated an autorickshaw to him. However, Annayan was granted a permit to operate the auto only in Kalpetta town, 12 kilometres away from his residence. One year on, Annayan still vividly remembers the terrifying moments when he awoke to a loud noise. "I woke up at 1.30 am to a loud noise. We first thought it was a wild elephant. But then, suddenly, water began gushing in, breaking the sugarcane fence I had. Around 3.30 am, we heard loud cries, and we realised many houses around us had been wiped out. "My house was washed away in the second landslide. Eighty bodies were recovered from my land alone. Among the farmers in this locality, three others and I were the most affected," Annayan recalls. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
News18
17 hours ago
- News18
One year after disaster, Wayanad shows the world lessons in survival, human love
Wayanad (Kerala), Jul 29 (PTI) Last year, the morning of July 29 was as normal as any other day for the people of Chooralmala and Mundakkai in this hill district. Apart from the pouring rain, it was business as usual in this stunningly beautiful hillside, a highly sought-after tourist destination. Everything changed in a flash the next day, on July 30, and the once-favourite tourist spot became an open grave overnight. One year after the most severe natural calamity Kerala had ever witnessed, Mundakkai and Chooralmala remain ghost towns, with only a few houses intact. There are no people here, except for a tribal family of three, who still live in the area. Though the wounds of this disaster — which claimed 298 lives and wiped out everything that stood on the ground — seem unlikely ever to heal, Mundakkai and Chooralmala also tell remarkable stories of survival, resilience, and Kerala's unity in the face of an unprecedented disaster. With work on a township envisaged by the state government for the rehabilitation of landslide survivors progressing– and with many complaints and political accusations being raised against it — some stories of the survivors offer hope and reflect the resilience of the people of Wayanad in moving forward with their lives. Naufal, who lost 11 members of his family in the landslide, is one of many examples from disaster‑torn Chooralmala. Having lost everyone in his family, he has now started a hotel in Meppadi, aptly naming it 'July 30' in memory of the day he lost all his loved ones. Naufal was abroad at work when the disaster struck, wiping away everything he had– his family, his house, and the land he owned in Mundakkai. He could not return to his workplace, as it was too much for him to overcome the trauma and leave the place where his family members were buried alive. 'My family always wished that I would start a hotel in our area. Now, with the help of good Samaritans, I have managed to open a small hotel to fulfil their wish," Naufal told PTI Videos. A similar story is that of five children who were orphaned in the disaster and are now gradually returning to normal life, pursuing their education under the Kinship Foster Care Programme, which allows close relatives to care for these children with government support. Child welfare officers who frequently visit them say the children often recall their parents, with the trauma yet to fully leave them. However, they are becoming accustomed to their new caretakers and are happy at their schools. In the immediate aftermath of the disaster, there were hundreds of requests to adopt these orphaned children. However, the government decided not to place them for adoption, instead enrolling them in the Kinship Foster Care Programme so they could remain with familiar caretakers — their close relatives. Though many stories of survivors are inspiring, some reveal the cruel effects of disasters on human lives. Before the disaster struck, Mundakkai and Chooralmala had a reasonably settled, financially sound community. The people here, who once held decent land holdings, lost everything and are now unable to reclaim their land for construction, as the government permits only farming activities. This has turned many from wealthy to penniless in a single day. The story of Annayan is one such example. Once earning an annual income of about Rs 25 lakh from his two‑acre farmland and the rent from buildings he owned, he now works as an autorickshaw driver for a meagre wage of Rs 200 a day. He blames the revenue authorities for his present plight, alleging that all his attempts to reclaim his land for cultivation have failed. 'Either let me farm on my land and live, or acquire my land and give me compensation," is Annayan's request to the government. Annayan had worked as a farm supervisor in a private estate before leaving his job to focus on his coffee farming and other businesses. However, everything he owned was wiped out on July 30 last year in the devastating landslide. Annayan says he has repeatedly approached the revenue authorities, requesting permission to remove the fallen trees and restart cultivation, but no such permission has been granted. He now lives in a rented house in Meppadi and, seeing his struggles, some kind-hearted individuals have donated an autorickshaw to him. However, Annayan was granted a permit to operate the auto only in Kalpetta town, 12 kilometres away from his residence. One year on, Annayan still vividly remembers the terrifying moments when he awoke to a loud noise. 'I woke up at 1.30 am to a loud noise. We first thought it was a wild elephant. But then, suddenly, water began gushing in, breaking the sugarcane fence I had. Around 3.30 am, we heard loud cries, and we realised many houses around us had been wiped out. 'My house was washed away in the second landslide. Eighty bodies were recovered from my land alone. Among the farmers in this locality, three others and I were the most affected," Annayan recalls. PTI KPK TGB ADB (This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - PTI) view comments First Published: July 29, 2025, 13:30 IST News agency-feeds One year after disaster, Wayanad shows the world lessons in survival, human love Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
NDTV
2 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Himachal Flash Flood: 10-Month-Old Orphaned, Declared "Child Of State"
Shimla: Orphaned in flash floods triggered by a cloudburst in Himachal Pradesh's Mandi district, 10-month-old Neetika has been declared a "child of the state", with the government pledging to support her education and upbringing. The infant lost her parents and grandmother after a cloudburst struck Talwara village on the intervening night of June 30 and July 1. Her father, Ramesh, 31, died, while her mother, Radha Devi, 24, and grandmother, Purnu Devi, 59, are still missing. Ramesh had stepped out to divert the flow of water entering the house, while his wife and mother followed to help. They did not return. Neetika has been declared a "child of the state" under the Chief Minister Sukh-Aashray Yojana of the Himachal Pradesh government, a senior official said. Talking to PTI Videos, Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi said, "The state government takes full responsibility of the little girl's upbringing, education and future as part of a long-term plan. Whatever this girl wants to become in the future, a doctor, an engineer or an officer, the government will bear all expenses." Several benefits are provided to orphans (children of the state) under the Sukh-Ashray scheme launched in 2023, which includes providing food, shelter, clothing, higher education, and skill development to unmarried orphans between 18 and 27 years of age who have no place to live and are unemployed. The children get clothing and festival allowance, inter or intra-state annual exposure visits, stipend to meet personal expenses while pursuing higher education, vocational training or skill development, funds for startup and grants for building a house. On the fateful night, Neetika was found crying alone in the house by neighbour Prem Singh, who informed her relative Balwant, a personal security officer for former chief minister and Leader of the Opposition, Jai Ram Thakur. At present, the child is living with her aunt Kirna Devi, the younger sister of the dead Ramesh, in Shikauri village, about 20 km away from Talwara village.
