‘Commendable Feat’: PM Modi On Tejasvi Surya Completing Ironman 70.3 Event

Suzie Bates, Georgia Plimmer, skipper Sophie Devine, and Maddy Green all contributed with the bat to set India a daunting target of 260. Early dismissals and regular breakthroughs forced India to play on the back foot. A late ninth-wicket partnership between Radha Yadav and Saima Thakor saved the hosts from a huge deficit defeat. 

New Zealand set India a challenging target in the first innings after posting an impressive total of 259/9 on a pitch that offered assistance to spinners. The foundation was laid by Bates and Plimmer, who shared an 87-run opening partnership before Deepti broke through to give India their first breakthrough. Bates went on to score a valuable fifty, though India managed to claw back by claiming three quick wickets for 41 runs. Devine powered up with aggressive strokes and built a strong 82-run stand with Green, who blasted four boundaries in five balls before being dismissed.

Radha Yadav was India’s best performer not only with the ball in hand but also in the field. She ended the innings with four wickets to her name including the important scalps of Bates, Devine and Green. Alongside her impressive bowling figures, she also took three catches which included a brilliant diving effort to remove Halliday. 

The Kiwis struck early and removed Smriti Mandhana in the first over when she was caught off Lea Tahuhu’s delivery. Shafali Varma and Yastika Bhatia’s scalps soon followed as the duo were dismissed in the fourth and fifth over respectively. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (24) and Jemimiah Rodrigues (17) attempts of bringing the innings back on track were foiled by Sophie who claimed both wickets. 

India were struggling at 108/8 when Radha and Saima combined for 70 runs before the latter was caught trying to match the ever growing run rate. Devine rounded the game up by dismissing Radha in the 48th over of the game and took the victory. 

The series decider will be played on Tuesday at the Narendra Modi Stadium. 

“I think we gave away too many runs and dropped too many catches but I think it was still a chaseable target but we didn't bat well. Good to see Radha and Saima do well with bat. We kept losing wickets in the chase. We will look to build partnerships in the next game. We weren't up to the mark. These girls look ready and keen to do well for the country. Batting is something that we really need to work on and if we do that we can win the series,” said India skipper Harmanpreet in the post-game interview. 

Brief Scores: NZ-W 259/5 (Sophie Devine 79, Suzie Bates 58; Radha Yadav) defeated Ind-W 183/10 (Radha Yadav 48; Sophie Devine 3/27, Lea Tahuhu 3/42) by 76-runs.  

--IANS

aaa/ 2nd ODI: New Zealand-W register emphatic 76-run victory over Ind-W to tie series

Ahmedabad, Oct 27 (IANS) New Zealand-W defeat India-W by 76 runs in the second One Day International to tie the three-game bilateral series 1-1 at the Narendra Modi Stadium. 

Suzie Bates, Georgia Plimmer, skipper Sophie Devine, and Maddy Green all contributed with the bat to set India a daunting target of 260. Early dismissals and regular breakthroughs forced India to play on the back foot. A late ninth-wicket partnership between Radha Yadav and Saima Thakor saved the hosts from a huge deficit defeat. 

New Zealand set India a challenging target in the first innings after posting an impressive total of 259/9 on a pitch that offered assistance to spinners. The foundation was laid by Bates and Plimmer, who shared an 87-run opening partnership before Deepti broke through to give India their first breakthrough. Bates went on to score a valuable fifty, though India managed to claw back by claiming three quick wickets for 41 runs. Devine powered up with aggressive strokes and built a strong 82-run stand with Green, who blasted four boundaries in five balls before being dismissed.

Radha Yadav was India’s best performer not only with the ball in hand but also in the field. She ended the innings with four wickets to her name including the important scalps of Bates, Devine and Green. Alongside her impressive bowling figures, she also took three catches which included a brilliant diving effort to remove Halliday. 

The Kiwis struck early and removed Smriti Mandhana in the first over when she was caught off Lea Tahuhu’s delivery. Shafali Varma and Yastika Bhatia’s scalps soon followed as the duo were dismissed in the fourth and fifth over respectively. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (24) and Jemimiah Rodrigues (17) attempts of bringing the innings back on track were foiled by Sophie who claimed both wickets. 

India were struggling at 108/8 when Radha and Saima combined for 70 runs before the latter was caught trying to match the ever growing run rate. Devine rounded the game up by dismissing Radha in the 48th over of the game and took the victory. 

The series decider will be played on Tuesday at the Narendra Modi Stadium. 

“I think we gave away too many runs and dropped too many catches but I think it was still a chaseable target but we didn't bat well. Good to see Radha and Saima do well with bat. We kept losing wickets in the chase. We will look to build partnerships in the next game. We weren't up to the mark. These girls look ready and keen to do well for the country. Batting is something that we really need to work on and if we do that we can win the series,” said India skipper Harmanpreet in the post-game interview. 

Brief Scores: NZ-W 259/5 (Sophie Devine 79, Suzie Bates 58; Radha Yadav) defeated Ind-W 183/10 (Radha Yadav 48; Sophie Devine 3/27, Lea Tahuhu 3/42) by 76-runs.  

--IANS

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The Chief Minister surveyed the situation in the coastal areas of Paradip, Mahakalpada, Rajkanika, Rajnagar and Chandabali.

Following the inspection, he directed the concerned departments to assess the damages caused due to the severe cyclonic storm ‘Dana’ so that the persons affected by the cyclone and post-cyclone flood could be compensated at the earliest.

Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari and Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja accompanied CM Majhi during the aerial survey in cyclone-affected areas.

Earlier, speaking to media persons here on Sunday, the state R&DM Minister Pujari said that around 36 lakh persons were affected in the severe cyclonic storm ‘Dana’ that hit the Odisha coast near Bhitarkanika in Kendrapara district on Thursday midnight.

As many as 1671-gram panchayats in 108 blocks and 426 wards in 31 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) 14 districts of the state are fully or partially affected in the severe cyclonic storm.

Pujari also stated that 8,10,896 people were evacuated from low-lying areas and vulnerable places to cyclone shelters and relief centres in the affected districts of the state before the severe cyclonic storm ‘Dana’ hit the Odisha coast on Thursday midnight.

"The Special Relief Commissioner has written letters to the district collectors to positively send detailed reports regarding damages to infrastructure in the 14 affected districts of the state by November 2. The collectors have also been asked to send the report on damages to crops and houses in their respective districts," added Pujari. 

Pujari further informed that the reports regarding the damages will be sent to the centre and a central team will also visit the state to assess the damages caused by the cyclone 'Dana'.  

He assured that the process of giving compensation to people for the damages of the cyclone will be started soon.  

--IANS
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“Commendable feat!” PM Modi wrote on X.

The Prime Minister added: “I am sure this will inspire many more youngsters to pursue fitness-related activities.”

Earlier, Tejasvi Surya, participated in Ironman 70.3 which was held in Goa.

The fourth edition of Ironman 70.3 Goa was flagged off at Goa’s Miramar Beach by Goa minister Govind Gawde, in the presence of BJP MP Tejasvi Surya and former Indian tennis player Leander Paes.

Since its inception, Ironman 70.3 Goa has attracted triathletes from over 57 countries, and the fourth edition welcomed participants from more than 75 towns and cities across the country. This year’s race also featured over 120 competitors from Central and State Government services, with women making up 12-15 per cent of the athlete base.

Remarkably, over 60 per cent of this year’s participants are first-time competitors, underscoring the event's significant role in expanding the triathlon community in India.

A couple of family members also cheered for their sons and daughters as they took part in the Triathlon challenge.

Many local residents who turned up to watch the Ironman challenge also shared their excitement and said that it was a welcome move that the Goa government was giving a platform to youngsters to partake in a highly competitive and challenging sporting event.

In 2022, Tejasvi Surya participated in the Ironman 70.3 Goa as part of a relay team, completing the 90 km cycling segment.

However, this year, the lawmaker took on the full distance, competing individually against other triathletes.

The finish is a remarkable testament to Surya’s dedication and commitment to fitness and a healthy lifestyle. He dedicated the finish to the athletes and sports persons of the country who go through intense training and hard work to bring laurels for India.

Speaking after the race, Surya said, “The Ironman 70.3 Goa, known for attracting athletes from over 50 countries, has become a premier event for fitness enthusiasts in India and across the World.”

“The challenge is the ultimate test of one’s endurance and physical and mental fitness. Over the last 4 months, I have trained rigorously to improve my fitness and am glad to have completed this challenge!” the BJP MP stated.

Additionally, he credited the Fit India initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the motivator to take up the challenge.

“The inspiration itself goes back to the #FitIndia initiative kickstarted by PM Narendra Modi ji, which helped me reflect on my fitness goals. As a young nation chasing big ambitions, we must nurture our physical fitness and become a healthier nation. An endeavour to become fit also makes you more disciplined and confident, which improves chances of your success in any venture that you undertake,” Surya added.

The BJP MP said, “#FitIndia movement goes a long way in increasing this awareness and bringing more people on to fitness routines, that’s so essentially needed for our nation!”

He urged other youngsters to take up any form of fitness activity or sports and focus on leading a healthy lifestyle.

Surya said, “As a finisher in this daunting challenge, I can attest to the young folks that fitness goals really push your boundaries, and make you a better individual. I appeal to all fence sitters and perpetual planners to hop onto this journey and make progress!”

Olympic swimmer Sajan Prakash also participated in the IRONMAN 70.3 Goa relay on Sunday along with teammates Sirish Govardhan (cycling) and Soumya Rout (running).

The IRONMAN 70.3 Goa event gives strength to the Modi government’s Fit India movement as it encourages and inspires GenNext to participate in the programme and adopt an active and healthy lifestyle. Tejasvi Surya’s participation in the Ironman challenge only spread the message of why developing physical courage and endurance should become part of citizens’ daily lives.

Notably, the FIT India Movement was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 29, 2019, with a motive to make fitness an integral part of daily life. The mission of the Movement is to bring about behavioural changes and make the citizens move towards a more physically active lifestyle.

--IANS

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