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India Gazette
3 days ago
- Sport
- India Gazette
"We'll be prepared for major tournaments": Deepak Kumar Punia thanks RPL
By Diptayan Hazra Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 27 (ANI): Deepak Kumar Punia, a rising star in Indian rugby, hails from Kanoi village in Hisar, Haryana. He made his mark by captaining the Haryana men's rugby sevens team to multiple national titles, including a gold medal at the National Games. In April 2024, his leadership journey reached a new milestone when he was appointed captain of India's men's 15s team for the Asia Rugby Division 1 Championship in Sri Lanka. A natural leader, Punia had earlier served as vice-captain of the national rugby sevens team. Having overcome early challenges in his career, he established himself as a key figure in both the sevens and fifteens formats. Under his captaincy, the Indian 15s side faced off against Sri Lanka, Qatar, and Kazakhstan, a pivotal campaign in India's steady progress toward joining Asia's rugby elite. Punia believes the launch of the Rugby Premier League (RPL) has the potential to revolutionize the sport in India. 'Right now, I believe the RPL might bring a real change,' he said. 'The number of players is increasing, and current Indian players are receiving massive support through the league. We're getting valuable exposure and experience by sharing the field with some of the world's best athletes, top rugby players who are the best in the world,' he added. This level of competition, he feels, has been eye-opening not just in terms of performance, but also in understanding professionalism. 'We're learning what needs to be done both on and off the field. Thanks to the RPL, we'll be much better prepared for major tournaments like the Asia Trophy and Asia Championship in the future,' he noted. Currently representing Delhi Redz in the RPL, Punia finds himself at home. 'I live in Delhi, so it feels great to play for the Delhi Redz. We have players from different states and countries, and now we all got together so we all are playing in this RPL as a team and we have a very good communication with each other and we are having a lot of fun playing together,' Deepak said. Despite the recent momentum, Punia acknowledges that Indian rugby still has a long way to go. He is a firm advocate for prioritizing grassroots structures, especially club-level competitions. 'Clubs are where rugby players are made,' he said. 'More importance must be given to club tournaments and alongside that, the Indian team needs to get more exposure by playing tournaments abroad. The more matches we play, the more experience we gain, and that's how our game will develop,' he added. Punia is also passionate about breaking stereotypes associated with rugby and encouraging youth, especially from smaller towns and villages, to take up the sport. 'Rugby in India is still growing, and it welcomes every skilled person,' he explained. 'Any height, any body shape, there's a position for you in rugby. You don't have to be tall or bulky to play, no matter what your body shape is, you can adjust in rugby,' he added. He pointed out that many young players who've competed at the national and international levels have already secured stable government jobs, making rugby not just a passion but a viable career path. 'Playing nationally and internationally, a lot of kids have got government jobs. So, in the future, you can also say that by playing rugby, you can also set your life. So, in the future, there is a lot in rugby,' he noted. As a fly-half, Punia plays one of the most crucial leadership roles on the pitch. His experience captaining both sevens and fifteens teams has taught him the value of communication, discipline, and preparation. 'Leadership is about keeping the team together, building strong communication, and making sure we're all aligned in what we need to do, and what we can do better as a team and what we have to do in the upcoming matches and tournaments and how we can prepare for games off the field. So, that comes in leadership,' Deepak said. 'These are things maybe I've learned from my senior players, and now I try to pass them on to my teammates,' he added. Punia's introduction to rugby was unplanned, but life-changing. Originally drawn to cricket, he began his sporting journey with his elder brother at an academy in Delhi after moving from Hisar. 'One day it rained, and we couldn't play cricket,' he recalled. 'So, our cricket coach got us to do some fun activities with a tennis ball like agility drill. So, from there he suggested I try rugby. He told me it was a growing sport and that I might do well,' he said. That one suggestion led Punia to the Delhi Hurricanes Rugby Club, and from there, his rugby career was born. 'So, he got me admitted to Delhi Hurricanes Rugby Club. So, my rugby started from there,' he noted. (ANI)
Time of India
07-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Named as AICC secy in Cong meet, PU's spokesperson under lens
1 2 Chandigarh: Panjab University's official spokesperson attended a closed-door Haryana Congress event during Rahul Gandhi's visit to Chandigarh on June 4 — with his name not only on the official attendee list but also mentioned as AICC Secretary, raising serious concerns over political involvement by a serving university official. Vineet Punia, director of public relations at the university, is named on page 2 of the list titled 'Meeting of Senior Leadership at Chanakya Hall, HPCC,' signed by Haryana Congress incharge B K Hariprasad. The Indian National Congress website also identifies him as AICC secretary (communication, publicity, media). Photographs accessed by this reporter confirmed his presence at the June 4 event. University officials confirmed that an internal inquiry into Punia's political activities is already in progress. According to top PU officials, he has reportedly denied holding any official party position even during the inquiry, but the documentation suggests otherwise. Registrar Prof YP Verma said, "Each employee of the university is bound by the service rules and regulations of the university. If there is violation, university will act as per PU rules." While PU service conduct is not specific on employee holding position in a political party, it states that "no employee shall take part in, subscribe in aid of, or assist in any way any political movement." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo The same rules require employees to seek prior approval before contesting elections to any legislative or local body. Breach of these rules may invite disciplinary action. Punia did not respond to queries. BOX- HOLDING PARTY POSITION NOT RIGHT: VC PU vice-chancellor Prof Renu Vig said holding a political position while serving in the university is wrong and should not be allowed to go unchecked. "We will look into the matter. While affiliations may exist, holding a position in a political party while serving in the university system is not appropriate and raises serious concerns," she said.
New Indian Express
31-05-2025
- Sport
- New Indian Express
Delhi court closes defamation case against wrestler Bajrang Punia after apology to coach
NEW DELHI: Delhi's Patiala House Court on Thursday closed the defamation case against Olympic medalist wrestler Bajrang Punia after he tendered an unconditional apology to coach Naresh Dahiya. Metropolitan Magistrate Yashdeep Chahal officially compounded the matter. 'I tender my unconditional apology to Naresh Dahiya for the wrong and insensitive statement made by me against him during the press conference held at Jantar Mantar during the agitation, in public view,' read Punia's written apology. Advocate Rajesh Kumar Rexwal, along with Ravinder Singh and Lovinder Chaudhary, appeared for the complainant. Advocate Tushar Giri, representing Punia, confirmed that the matter was settled amicably following the apology. The complaint stemmed from Punia's remarks during a May 10, 2023 press conference, where he referred to a rape case once registered against Dahiya. Dahiya clarified he had been acquitted in 2019. The court had earlier observed the remarks appeared malicious and made a prima facie case under Sections 499 and 500 IPC.
Hindustan Times
29-04-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Highest ever illegal stock of abortion kits seized in Haryana
Haryana government authorities on Tuesday seized a staggering 5,805 medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) kits from a private residence in Kaithal—the largest such haul ever in the state struggling to 'save the unborn girl child', an official aware of the development said. This massive recovery is a chilling reminder of the scale at which abortion kits are being trafficked and points to how unregulated MTP kits are potentially being used to facilitate illegal sex-selective abortions--- a practice that continues to haunt Haryana, where the sex ratio remains among the most skewed in the country. Also Read: Retd CRPF man who killed his daughter had forced her first abortion In last three months, Haryana's health department has conducted over 30 raids at places allegedly involved in the illegal practice of gender detection and registered at least 20 first information reports (FIRs) against MTP kit sellers in the past two months, as per official data. According to Dr Gaurav Punia, Kaithal district Nodal officer of the PNDT (Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques), acting on a tip-off, a joint team of the health department, food and drug administration (FDA), and Haryana State Narcotics Control Bureau (HSNBC) raided a private residential house near Bal Sadan Senior Secondary School in Kaithal on Tuesday morning. Also Read: Delhi HC issues guidelines to let minor rape survivors who need abortion get help 'Out of the total seized 5,805 MTP kits (worth ₹25 lakh) of different batches and manufacturer, 5,745 kits were sealed and seized, and 60 MTP Kits were taken for sampling,' Dr Punia told Hindustan Times over the phone. 'Each MTP kit contains one Mifepristone (200 mg) tablet and four Misoprostol (200 mcg) tablets. Both are used for terminating pregnancies. These drugs can only be stored or prescribed by registered medical practitioners and that too at authorised medical facilities.' Also Read: Bihar man booked in Haryana for online sale of abortion pills The officials said that a case under Section 3, 4, 5 of MTP Act, 1971 has been registered and the accused identified as Vikas Bansal, 47, a resident of a locality near Chandana Gate in Kaithal, who was found in possession of the stock, was arrested. As per the FIR, two other types of drugs 'Unwanted 72' (660 tablets), and 'Manforce -100' (3,840 tablets) were also recovered. The accused Bansal, a medical representative, admitted to having distributed these MTP kits for abortions over the last 2-3 years from this rented premises. Dr G L Singal, an expert and associated with Beti Bachao Beti Padhao flagship programme since its inception in 2015, said: 'This is the biggest ever haul... In the history of Haryana, we have not seized such a huge quantity of MTP Kits is a single raid earlier.' 'One MTP Kit means the life of one unborn child is at stake' According to Dr Singal, one MTP Kit means the life of one unborn child is at stake. He said at the root of Haryana's sex ratio at birth going down are these MTP Kits. 'After the gender determination test is done illegally, many abortions are done with these MTP Kits,' Dr Singal, save the girl child programme expert, said pointing out that the arrested medical representative cannot store these medicines. 'In 2021 also we had seized 350 MTP kits in Kaithal,' Dr Gaurav Punia said, adding that as per the law of MTP kit can only be used under the supervision of gynaecologist and no chemist can dispense it without prescription of gynaecologist to anyone. Haryana government recently issued directions for the sale of MTP kits only to approved MTP centres. Meanwhile, as many as 25 MTP kits were also seized in Hisar on Tuesday in another decoy operation conducted by FDA Hisar when a peddler who supplied 25 MTP kits (Cadila make) was nabbed after receipt of online ₹4,100 as its cost. In yet another case, the Drugs Control Officer Sonepat conducted decoy operation on Monday and nabbed a woman who allegedly supplied MTP kit for ₹1,500 for inducing abortion to a pregnant decoy. 'Two women including the owner of the hospital in Sonepat have been arrested on Monday night by the local police,' officials said. Alarming dip in SRB spurs crackdown Facing a sharp drop in the sex ratio at birth (SRB)—from 916 in 2023 to 910 in 2024, the lowest in eight years—Haryana has launched an intensified crackdown on the illegal sale of MTP kits, often used in unlawful and sex-selective abortions. The dip in SRB, a key indicator of gender imbalance, has set off alarm bells in the state which once celebrated improvements under the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (BBBP) campaign. The Nayab Singh Saini-led government flagged 'weak enforcement' of key laws as a major hurdle and in early 2025 directed health and drug control agencies to act tough. At the heart of the crackdown is the growing online black market for MTP kits. In February, two UP-based online pharmacy owners were arrested for illegally supplying MTP kits to Gurugram—an action after which authorities have uncovered a larger network through decoy operations. In one raid alone, about 200 MTP kits were recovered from a UP-based supplier in February after the health and FDA officials placed an online order and got the kits delivered with usage instructions. Officials say MTP kits—legal only for use under medical supervision at approved centres for pregnancies up to nine weeks—are being misused in unsafe, unsupervised abortions, often with life-threatening consequences. So far, over 1,220 FIRs have been registered under the PC-PNDT and MTP Acts, including 400-plus after inter-state raids. Simultaneously, 379 of the state's 1,500 registered MTP centres have been shut and 16 more suspended in just one month, officials said. As Haryana's flagship save the girl child campaign falters, authorities are scrambling to plug the gaps—in enforcement, surveillance, and awareness—before the SRB crisis deepens further.
