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Business Upturn
07-08-2025
- Business
- Business Upturn
Otherside Whiskey Wins Gold at The World Whisky Masters 2025, Redefining India's Place in the Global Whisky Conversation
The Spirits Business has awarded a prestigious Gold Medal to Otherside Subcontinental Whiskey, at The World Whisky Masters 2025, spotlighting Third Eye Distillery's bold vision to reframe India's role in contemporary whisky making. Business Wire India The Spirits Business has awarded a prestigious Gold Medal to Otherside Subcontinental Whiskey, at The World Whisky Masters 2025, spotlighting Third Eye Distillery's bold vision to reframe India's role in contemporary whisky making. Launched earlier this year, Otherside is crafted with malts that are 100% blended and aged in India, offering a distinctly tropical, rooted expression to this category. Matured entirely in India's year-round heat and humidity, and finished in charred ex-bourbon barrels through a Solera process, Otherside delivers a robust, vibrant profile with a lingering, gently peated finish- a true product of its provenance. Since introducing Stranger & Sons Gin in 2018, Third Eye Distillery has consistently challenged conventions, crafting premium spirits defined by place, process, and purpose. With Otherside, the distillery turned its focus to whisky — not just to enter the category, but to ask bigger questions about what Indian whisky can be. 'India is one of the world's largest whisky markets, but much of the category still echoes the early days of gin — dominated by legacy brands and familiar profiles,' said Rahul Mehra, Co-Founder & CEO of Third Eye Distillery. 'With Otherside, we wanted to introduce a bold, homegrown perspective to the whiskey conversation, one shaped by India's terrain, climate, and creative spirit. Rather than emulate Scotch-style expressions that crowd our shelves, we chose to create a whiskey with malts that are 100% aged in India. To see that vision recognised on a global platform is deeply rewarding- not just for the liquid, but for what this represents.' This recognition marks a category-first for India: Otherside is crafted with malts that are 100% blended and aged in India, making it the first whiskey in the category from India to win Gold a t The World Whisky Masters, broadening how Indian whiskey continues to be seen and celebrated on the world stage. The win adds to Third Eye Distillery's growing list of international accolades. Stranger & Sons Gin was named Gin of the Year 2023 by The Whisky Exchange, having earlier secured Gold Outstanding at the IWSC UK in 2020. In 2023, five of the distillery's expressions earned medals at the Asian Spirits Masters, including two Master Medals for Trading Tides Gin and Short Story Vodka. Otherside Whiskey is currently available in Mumbai and Goa, with further rollouts planned as India's next whisky chapter begins to unfold. Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with Business Wire India. Business Upturn take no editorial responsibility for the same. Ahmedabad Plane Crash
The Hindu
04-08-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
National Sports Governance Bill: Federations split over new law, concerns raised over sports autonomy
The story so far: 'Preparing for 2036 Summer Olympics, it is imperative that the sports governance landscape undergoes a positive transformation to bring better outcomes,' reads the aims of the National Sports Governance Bill, 2025. The Bill, which has been tabled in the Lok Sabha by Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya is likely to be taken for debate next week. The Bill has been heralded by some sports federations as 'visionary, transformative and furthering sports in India', but several others remain skeptic. BCCI remains non-committal India's top cricketing body — Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI), has opposed any efforts to be dragged under the ambit of Right to Information (RTI), citing it does not depend on government funding for its functioning. When asked about its stance on the Bill, BCCI General Secretary Devajit Saikia told The Hindu, 'Currently, it is too premature to comment on the Bill as it is going to be debated by MPs in Parliament. The BCCI will take a call once a final draft is passed by the Parliament'. Federations differ on government interference In October last year, Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President P.T. Usha had first raised concerns over the Bill citing government infringing on the IOA's independence. She had stated that the National Sports Board – which will have powers to recognise federations, may 'lead to a conflict between the government and international sports governance bodies, particularly the IOC, which has previously suspended many National Olympic committees for excessive governmental interference'. Ms. Usha found herself in a dilemma recently after the IOA's executive committee members had refused to ratify Mr. Raghuram Iyer's appointment as Chief Executive Officer, seeking to bring of motion of no confidence against Ms. Usha. Upon prodding from the Sports Ministry, the members ceded and Mr. Iyer's appointment was ratified. Disagreeing with IOA's stance, Hockey India Secretary-General Bhola Nath Singh, while speaking to The Hindu, says, 'If there were any such provisions which enhance government interference into sports, the international Olympic Committee would not approve this Bill. This legislation follows international norms.' Terming the Bill as helpful for promoting sports, he asserts, 'All federations were consulted thrice while the Bill was being drafted.' He also downplays any concerns over former poll officials conducting sports bodies' elections. 'If my federation is run properly and you seek welfare of your sportspersons, it would not matter if EC is involved in federation's elections,' he opines. 'The bill is anti-sports, anti-India': Rahul Mehra The biggest pushback from the Bill is from sports Activist and senior advocate Rahul Mehra. His public interest litigation filed in 2010 against the IOA for non-compliance to the National Sports Development Code of India, 2011 (Sports Code), resulted in the landmark verdict by the Delhi High Court in 2022. The HC had made compliance with the sports code non-negotiable and failure will result in derecognition of the sports body. 'This Bill gives Centre de facto and maybe direct control of all federations and the entire sports domain of India. Apart from the Chairman, members of the National Sports Board are going to be senior bureaucrats, people from the ministry and Sports Authority of India. This is like how the Election Commissioner is appointed by the Prime Minister and his nominee, leaving the Leader of Opposition powerless,' Mr. Mehra tells to The Hindu. The Delhi HC verdict had mandated appointment of 25% sportspersons in such federations, paving way for Dilip Tirkey to become the first international player to head a national body — Hockey India. However, Mr. Bhola Nath Singh's tenure as Vice-President Hockey India was cut down as the court did not allow a former President to have voting rights in the executive committee. 'Earlier, the government used to appoint an MLA or a sportsperson via the 25% quota in these federations to exercise indirect control. This Bill stamps that idea of control, legally,' explains Mr. Mehra. When asked if the Bill infringes on sports autonomy, Mr. Mehra says, 'If a court appoints an administrator when a federation is deep-rooted in corruption, conflicts and nepotism, these federations file affidavits saying they will be suspended and derecognized by the international bodies. We saw the Sports Ministry citing these in cases of Football and Wrestling federations recently. However, this same government has now made infringement a law. He also decries the relaxation of age barrier for members by the Bill. 'As per the Sports Code, age of every elected member in all these bodies across the board, whether be President, Secretary, Treasurer, any elected office bearer, be the executive Committee member cannot exceed 70 years. This Bill imposes this age limit only for the top three — President, Secretary and Treasurer and also relaxes this to 75 years, but in actual it is perpetuity. In one section, it says that if the member happens to be in the office of an international body, he can apply for exemption and that will be granted to him.' He adds, 'The Sports Code mandated members to retire after 12 years of tenure. He cannot transfer to another sports body. But this Bill gives 12 years maximum and then a four-year cooling off then another 12 years and so on. Why do you want the same people to keep, stay put in power? Once these politicians and bureaucrats man these bodies, they want those to be there for perpetuity. Whether BJP is in power or not.' He also points out that while the Sports Code only allowed a government servant to serve one four-year term, this Bill is silent on it. 'So that means the government servant can ask multiple can stand for election multiple times,' he says. A new National Sports Tribunal which will adjudicate disputes between federations and players is also not well-intentioned, says Mr. Mehra. 'Earlier, citizens like me could go to court and challenge the government and the federation. Under new provisions of the Bill, barring anybody other than an aggrieved person cannot challenge its decisions. They have taken away the jurisdiction of the High Court by transfering all pending cases to the Tribunal. With this they have decided to undo these contempts of court and petitions where they have absolutely no answers in the court,' says Mr. Mehra. However, he adds that he is not against the Tribunal as such. 'However, the intention behind bringing the tribunal is not quick, speedy, efficacious remedy to sportspersons and to people involved in sports. Disputes are usually between a sportsperson and a sports adminstrator with deep pockets. It's a mismatched fight. The longer you prolong, the more the fatigue and disenchantment amongst the players and they give up. Now in order to improve the system, you're bringing your tribunal. But you have no time limit to the tribunal deciding a particular time,' he notes. 'Every single step should have a specific time bound period. So a case when it comes should be decided within 30 days. Appeals should be decided within another 30 days. Then if someone wants, they can take it to the Supreme Court. In 60-90 days, your entire litigation is over,' Mr. Mehra says. The only two aspects of the Bill he agrees with is the constitution of a National Sports Election panel and the government taking a final call on participation of sportspersons in international events where matters of national security, public order and safety are involved. He cedes, 'As a purist, I would say sports and politics should never be mixed. But you can't divorce it from the will of the people. However, by putting something like this in writing, you are inviting trouble. Certain things you just leave unsaid.' In contrast, Mr. Singh says, 'For any citizen, the government is responsible for safety. What is wrong if it decides on stopping players from travelling to such [dangerous] locations? We have seen how well security preparations are in Pakistan. India is prepared to welcome all Pakistani players with VISA because government is responsible for their safety.'
New Indian Express
18-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Sports Governance Bill could bring significant changes in Indian sports
CHENNAI: After much discussion, debate and a little bit of haggling by stakeholders, the draft National Sports Governance Bill is set to see daylight soon. Union sports minister, Mansukh Mandaviya, has said that the proposed governance bill will be tabled in the Parliament for discussion and subsequent amendment this Monsoon session. The Bill is likely to be tabled next week. Implementation will be the key for its success. This will be one of the most significant steps in Indian sports. The Bill should also include cricket as well. As of now, there is no set of uniform sports law of legal codes except for the National Sports Development Code 2011. With the passing of the Bill (after getting nod from both Houses), a lot of changes is expected in Indian sports ranging from governance to dispute resolutions. If implemented well, it could bring in positive changes too. Hopefully, the proposed sports bill will address all outstanding issues that are plaguing the country's sporting ecosystem. The proposed Bill strives to give more representation to women and bring in transparency in sports administration. Court cases should stop Going by the recent trend in court judgments (and affidavits in courts by the sports ministry), there is a concerted effort by all stakeholders to resolve outstanding issues relating to elections. Over the last few years because of the Rahul Mehra vs Union of India 2010-11 case and various court orders, things got complicated. Every NSF election could be challenged because of the 13 pitfalls suggested by Rahul Mehra, which the Delhi High Court had asked all NSFs and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to follow. Not even one NSF has followed all the provisions of this 13 pitfalls as outlined by Mehra. And to follow it in the district level seems to be biggest concern. Similarly, in case of the draft Bill also, if the proposed National Sports Board interfere in district administration then it can once again turn into a mess. The number of districts will run into more than 25,000 for all NSFs. In any case, district and state associations are usually governed by state laws. Sports is state subject. In 2024 alone, at least four NSFs (tennis, volleyball, wrestling and rowing) landed up in court because of elections. Recently, rowing and volleyball had some relief after the court modified the earlier orders. Then, there were a few NSFs like the equestrian and judo whose disputes are yet to be resolved. Interestingly, the judo federation is run by an administrator for close to three years and for some reason or the other election has not been called. Even the proposed new constitution has faced opposition from certain judo federation members. The Bill aims to bring an end to long court battles and appointments of administrators who usually leave the posts reluctantly after dragging it for a while.
Time of India
30-05-2025
- Time of India
Youth fakes abduction to clear debts, arrested
Indore: Four persons, including a 20-year-old youth, were arrested for allegedly orchestrating abduction of the youth to pay off his debts. On May 28, Banaganga police received a complaint from Anand Rathore, who claimed that his son Yash Rathore, 20, was abducted by unidentified individuals demanding a ransom of Rs 3 lakh. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now A police team was formed and investigations were initiated. ASP Ramsanehi Mishra said that with the assistance of the Zone-03 cyber crime team and through intelligence gathering, the police located Yash and three others near a secluded spot on Super Corridor Service Road along with a car. The suspects were taken into custody after a 16-hour-long operation. During interrogation, Yash confessed that he fabricated the abduction story with his associates. He revealed that he was involved in finance-related work and accumulated a debt of approximately Rs 2 lakh due to his lavish lifestyle and extravagant habits. In a desperate attempt to secure money, he pawned the family's SUV for Rs 1 lakh without informing his parents and falsely claimed that it was seized by the municipal corporation. Under pressure from creditors, Yash plotted his fake abduction with the help of Rahul Mehra, a known criminal, and two others—Adarsh Chakravedi and Dharmendra Lodhi. Rahul Mehra, who has 13 criminal cases registered against him at various Indore police stations, including Tukoganj, MIG, Lasudiya, Khajrana, Kanadia and Tilak Nagar, made a ransom call to Yash's parents. Adarsh monitored the activities of both the victim's family and the police, while Dharmendra provided logistical support. Following the revelation, all four accused—Yash Rathore, Rahul Mehra, Adarsh Chakravedi and Dharmendra Lodhi—were arrested and further legal action is underway. In recognition of the teamwork, Zone-03 DCP has announced a cash reward for the entire team.
