Latest news with #SalimMerchant
Time of India
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Dream League of India launched to promote tennis cricket in the country
Servotech Sports on Thursday launched the Dream League of India, a one-of-a-kind Tennis-ball Cricket League in a grand ceremony here on Thursday. The Dream League of India will be for both juniors (13–18) and seniors (18+), with six franchises participating across both categories. Bollywood actor Sonu Sood has been appointed as the League Commissioner for the Dream League of India. Joining the league as one of the six celebrity faces are acclaimed music director and singer Salim Merchant, the organisers informed in a release on Thursday. Servotech Sports aims to nurture the finest grassroots talent , with top performers earning the chance to represent India's tennis ball team internationally in tennis cricket. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! To play in the Dream League of India, players can register themselves on the league's official website or Starzpit App for the nationwide open fair trials, conducted across multiple districts and centres under the supervision of over 1,500 certified coaches. From these fair trials, 860 junior and 860 senior players will be shortlisted for the DLI auction, where six franchises per category will select their squads. Players shortlisted from the fair trials will enter the Dream League of India auction. Top performers stand a chance to be scouted by the International Tennis Cricket Federation (ITCF) and Tennis Cricket Association of India (TCAI) selectors to represent Team India in tennis cricket. Moreover, unsold players will compete in the country's biggest Inter-Zonal Tournament, with zonal champions advancing to an All-Zonal Championship. The winning team will face the Season 1 Franchise Champion in the Season 2 opener, ensuring every player gets a pathway to recognition and national glory. Speaking on the launch of DLI, Rishabh Bhatia, Director, Servotech Sports, said, "At Servotech Sports, we are committed to transforming dreams into reality. The Dream League of India reflects our belief in grassroots empowerment and our passion for seeing India dominate new frontiers in sports. Every young player from every gully now has a real chance to wear the Tennis cricket ball India jersey," Speaking on the occasion, actor Sonu Sood, League Commissioner, DLI said, "Dreams are meant to be chased — and realised. The Dream League of India is not just about a game, it's about giving wings to thousands of young athletes across India. I am proud to be part of a movement that will inspire, uplift, and transform the sporting landscape."
NDTV
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Salim Merchant On Pahalgam Terror Attack: "I Feel Ashamed As A Muslim"
New Delhi: Music composer Salim Merchant has shared a video condemning the terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir. In the video shared on Instagram, he said, "The innocent people who were killed in Pahalgam were targeted because they were Hindus and not Muslims. Are the killers Muslims? No, they're terrorists. Because Islam doesn't teach this." Quoting verse 256 from the Quran, the composer added, "It is said that there is no compulsion in religion. This is written in the Quran Sharif." ' Mujhe sharam aa rahi hai as a Muslim ki yeh din dekhna padh raha hai (As a Muslim, I feel ashamed that we have to see this day) that my innocent Hindu brothers and sisters were brutally murdered simply for their identity. When will this hatred end? Kashmir had finally begun to heal, and now this. I don't even know how to put my grief and anger into words. I pray with my head bowed for the innocent people who lost their lives," Salim Merchant continued. He concluded the video by saying, 'May God give strength to the families who have lost their loved ones. I pray for peace in their hearts. Om Shanti.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Salim Merchant (@salimmerchant) Earlier, Salim Merchant also shared a touching note on Instagram. He wrote, 'My heart breaks for Kashmir today. In a place that sings of beauty and dreams, terror has once again silenced laughter and stolen precious lives. Families shattered. Futures destroyed. There are no words strong enough to heal the pain, no justice swift enough to undo the horror." He added, "We cry for those we lost. We ache for those left behind. And we hold on to hope–hope that someday, the guns will fall silent, and only love will echo through those mountains." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Salim Merchant (@salimmerchant) The attack took place at a popular meadow near Pahalgam on April 22, where the terrorists open fired at tourists, killing 26.
Time of India
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'As a Muslim, mujhe sharam aa rahi hai,' says music director Salim Merchant on Pahalgam terror attack; Munawar Faruqui reposts video
A horrific attack in Baisaran Valley, Kashmir, claimed 26 lives and injured over 20, shattering the region's fragile peace. Musician Salim Merchant expressed profound grief, denouncing the violence as a contradiction of true faith and reciting Quranic verses promoting religious tolerance. Comedian Munawar Faruqui echoed Salim's sentiments, emphasizing the gravity of the tragedy and the routine grief plaguing the region. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Salim Merchant's Emotional Response Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Munawar Faruqui's Stand in Solidarity The entire country is grappling with sorrow and disbelief after a horrifying act of violence shattered the serenity of Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam in Kashmir. On April 22, 2025, a group of unidentified assailants opened fire on unsuspecting vacationers, instantly transforming a peaceful tourist destination into a scene of bloodshed and tragedy. According to initial reports, 26 people were killed and more than 20 suffered injuries in what is now being recognized as one of the most horrifying assaults in the valley in recent musician and singer Salim Merchant expressed his grief and outrage through an emotional video shared on Instagram. With visible distress and sincerity, he denounced the violence and emphasized that such barbarity contradicts every principle of faith. 'Those innocent souls in Pahalgam were attacked simply because they were Hindus. But let's be clear—these perpetrators are not followers of any true faith. They are extremists,' Salim went on to recite a verse from the Quran—Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 256: 'Let there be no compulsion in religion.'He added passionately, 'There is no compulsion in religion.' He added, 'Islam doesn't teach violence. This is not who we are.'Salim's words were soaked in heartbreak and dismay as he continued, ''As a Muslim, I feel ashamed and heartbroken watching my Hindu brothers and sisters being brutally murdered simply for their identity. When will this hatred end? Kashmir had finally begun to heal, and now this. I don't even know how to put my grief and anger into words.'He concluded his post with a prayer, 'May God give strength to the families who have lost their loved ones. I pray for peace in their hearts. Om Shanti.'That same morning, Salim had also shared a brief yet moving message: 'There are no words that can ease such deep sorrow, no verdict swift enough to undo this nightmare. We weep for those lost and ache for those left behind.'Stand-up comedian and actor Munawar Faruqui also voiced his support by reposting Salim's video on his Instagram story, adding a single yet powerful word: 'Facts!'—a quiet but compelling endorsement of Salim's also penned his own somber reflection: 'God doesn't forgive those who shatter hearts—forget spilling innocent blood. Justice will be left trailing as politics surges ahead once more. Grief on this soil has sadly become routine.'
Time of India
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Salim Merchant speaks out on Pahalgam terror attack, says, ‘As a Muslim, mujhe sharam aa rahi hai'; Munawar Faruqui reacts: VIDEO
The entire nation is in shock as a brutal terror attack shattered the peace of Baisaran Valley in Pahalgam, Kashmir. On 22 April 2025, gunmen opened fire on a group of innocent tourists, turning a popular holiday spot into a scene of grief and devastation. Reportedly, 26 people lost their lives and over 20 were injured in what has become one of the deadliest attacks in the region in recent years. Salim Merchant 's heartfelt appeal Music composer and singer Salim Merchant spoke out in a powerful video on Instagram. Deeply moved and visibly emotional, Salim condemned the attack and made it clear that such violence has no place in any religion. 'The innocent people were killed in Pahalgam because they were Hindus. Are the killers Muslims? No. They are terrorists,' he said. Quoting from the Quran, he shared Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 256, 'There is no compulsion in religion.' He added, 'Islam doesn't teach violence. This is not who we are.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo 'Mujhe sharam aa rahi hai' Salim didn't hold back his pain and frustration as he continued, 'As a Muslim, I feel ashamed and heartbroken watching my Hindu brothers and sisters being brutally murdered simply for their identity. When will this hatred end? Kashmir had finally begun to heal, and now this. I don't even know how to put my grief and anger into words.' He closed his message with a prayer, 'May God give strength to the families who have lost their loved ones. I pray for peace in their hearts. Om Shanti.' Earlier that day, he also posted a touching note that read, 'There are no words strong enough to heal the pain, no justice swift enough to undo the horror. We cry for those we lost. We ache for those left behind.' Munawar Faruqui responds Popular comedian and actor Munawar Faruqui stood firmly with Salim. He reposted the video on his Instagram story and added just one word: 'facts!'—a' simple but strong show of support. Munawar also posted his own message, "Khuda maaf nahin karta kisi ke dil ko todna. Phir khoon kisi bekasoor ka toh door ki baat hai. Insaf reh jaayega peeche, aage hogi phir se siyasat. Meri zameen par maatam toh yahaan roz ki baat hai." (God does not forgive breaking someone's heart. Let alone spilling the blood of an innocent. Justice will fall behind, and politics will once again lead. Mourning on my land has become a daily affair.) Jaideep Ahlawat Reveals Hilarious Dance Debut Saga In Most Candid Interview | Jewel Thief Exclusive
