PM Modi Extends His Wishes To Pilgrims On Commencement Of Amarnath Yatra

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by Shambhu Datta Mishra

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

The annual pilgrimage to the Amarnath shrine began Saturday and the 52-day-long pilgrimage would culminate August 19

New Delhi, June 29: Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his heartfelt wishes to the pilgrims embarking on the holy Amarnath Yatra Saturday.

The annual pilgrimage to the Amarnath shrine began Saturday. This year, the 52-day-long pilgrimage would culminate August 19.

"My heartfelt best wishes to all the pilgrims on the commencement of the holy Amarnath Yatra. This yatra associated with the darshan and worship of Baba Barfani infuses immense energy in the devotees of Lord Shiva. I wish that all the devotees may prosper with his blessings. Jai Baba Barfani!" PM Modi wrote on X.

Earlier, the first batch of Shri Amarnath Yatra pilgrims reached Baltal base camp in Jammu and Kashmir's Ganderbal Friday.

A pilgrim at Baltal base camp said, "Being in the first batch gives us the opportunity of first darshan. Local Kashmiris and Security Forces personnel here are very helpful."

Another Amarnath Yatra pilgrim at Baltal base camp said that it is difficult to express the happiness he feels about being selected in the first batch of pilgrims.

"The arrangements for pilgrims done by local police, local Kashmiris, and the Security Forces are very good," he said.

The pilgrims who have arrived here from different parts of the country said, "There are good arrangements for pilgrims here. We also want to thank the personnel of the Security Forces."

Lieutenant Governor (LG) of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha attended a meeting with civil society members, organised by the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Srinagar at SKICC During the meeting, discussions regarding the arrangements for the Amarnath Yatra and Muharram was done.

The Lieutenant Governor (LG) of Jammu and Kashmir said, "A discussion was done regarding the yatra."

Amarnath Yatra involves a challenging trek to the Amarnath cave shrine in Jammu and Kashmir. The yatra attracts hundreds of thousands of devotees each year, making security a critical concern.

The annual yatra, which lasts for about 45 days, is a major concern of the government amid recent terrorist attacks in Jammu and Kashmir.

The administration is leaving no stone unturned to ensure the safety and well-being of the pilgrims, amidst heightened security concerns and the challenging terrain of the route.

(ANI)

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One-Off Test: Shafali, Smriti And Sneh Propel India To 10-Wicket Victory Against South Africa

by Shambhu Datta Mishra

Chennai, July 1: India women's team defeated South Africa by 10 wickets in the one-off Test at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium Monday. Chasing the target of 37 runs, Indian openers Shafali Verma (24 not out) and Shubha Satheesh (13 not out) took the hosts to a comfortable victory to continue their domination in the multi-format bilateral series.

South African batters demonstrated exceptional mental resilience, fighting back against a formidable Indian bowling attack to stay in the game as they finished the third day of a one-off women's Test against India at 232 for 2 but only to get bowled out early in the fourth and final day on 373.

Chasing the target of 37 runs, India closed the game in half an hour as Shafali and Sateesh took the hosts to a 10-wicket victory. For her 229 runs in the match -- a maiden double century in the first inning helped Shafali to secure the 'Player of the Match' award.

Sneh Rana, who claimed eight wickets in the first inning went on to take two more to become only the second Indian bower after Jhulan Goswami to finish with 10 wickets in a women’s Test. Deepti Sharma and Rajeshwari Gayakwad picked up two wickets apiece.

Earlier, India declared their first inning at a mammoth 603/6, placing immense pressure on South Africa. After being put on the back foot, South Africa showcased their tenacity, thanks to Sune Luus and Marizanne Kapp who helped Africa cut down the deficit and set up an intriguing final day.

On the second day, their partnership held firm, helping South Africa reach 236/4 at stumps. Yet, on Sunday morning, Sneh Rana's sensational spin bowling turned the game on its head.

Rana, exploiting the turn and bounce from the pitch, decimated the South African lineup, adding five more wickets to her tally from the previous day. She finished with figures of 8-85, orchestrating a collapse that saw South Africa lose six wickets for just 30 runs to bowled out for 266.

India enforced the follow-on with a significant lead of 337 runs, putting South Africa under immense pressure. They faced an early setback when

Deepti Sharma trapped Anneke Bosch lbw in the first over. However, South Africa's fighting spirit shone through as Laura Wolvaardt and Sune Luus stitched together a monumental partnership. The duo batted through 66 overs across the second and third sessions, building a 190-run stand—the highest partnership for any wicket in South

African women's Test history. Wolvaardt scored 122 runs off 314 balls with 16 fours before Rajeshwari Gayakwad accounted for her wicket. Harmanpreet Kaur got the crucial wicket of Luus, who chipped in with a handy 109-run knock.

The pitch slowed down as the day wore on, and the South African pair grew more accustomed to the low bounce. Luus, after 234 minutes on the field, reached her maiden Test hundred, becoming only the second South African woman to score a century in India.

The struggle for South Africa also continued on the fourth day as they lost wickets early in the day. Nandine De Klerk’s late resilience of 61 helped the Proteas set India a target of 37 runs.

Brief scores:

India 603/6 decl & 37/0 (Shafali Verma 24 not out, Shubha Satheesh 13 not out) beat South Africa 266 & 373 (Laura Wolvaardt 122, Sune Luus 109, Nadine de Klerk 61; Rajeshwari Gayakwad 2-55, Deepti Sharma 2-95, Sneh Rana 2-111) by 10 wickets.

(IANS)

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"We Maybe Scarred But Not Scared": Hina Khan Shares Motivation Note Amid Her Breast Cancer Battle

by Utkalika Mohanty

Mumbai, July 1: After being diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer, actor Hina Khan gave an insight into her journey and penned a motivational message for all the men and women fighting this tough battle.

Hina took to Instagram story on Sunday and wrote, "A window to my journey. This is to all those courageous women and men who are fighting this tough battle... I wish my journey can be courageous and motivating enough for people out there to turn a page in their own stories for good. And remember we may be SCARRED but we MUST not be SCARED. #Scarrednotscared."

On Saturday, Hina reacted to the outpouring of support from fans and celebs by expressing that this phase will pass.

(ANI)

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ONDC adds 300 sellers, 400 women entrepreneurs to its network

by Utkalika Mohanty

New Delhi, July 1: The government-run Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) on Monday announced empowering 300 sellers and 400 women entrepreneurs, by adding them to its e-commerce network.

The 300 sellers were from six clusters across India, including Lucknow (Chikankari), Moradabad (Brassware), Kanchipuram (Kanchipuram sarees), Varanasi (Benarasi Sarees), Khurja (Pottery), Bargarh (Sambhalpuri sarees), and were activated on the digital network with partnership from the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI).

While most sellers are first-time digital players, they made a significant milestone in their digitalisation journey. An example is the 9 Kanchipuram sellers, who within 10 months of onboarding, made sales of Rs 21 lakh, from 180+ orders collectively, which was previously 10-12 orders monthly, ONDC said.

“If the majority of participating artisans, women entrepreneurs, and social enterprises are getting into the digital e-commerce ecosystem for the first time ever, it simply points out the gaps in the existing infrastructure and its opportunities that are accessible to only a few,” said T. Koshy, MD & CEO of ONDC.

The Open Network also made concerted efforts to empower women entrepreneurs by onboarding approximately 400 women-led businesses across India. These businesses collectively support livelihood opportunities for over 50 lakh women.

These include some home-grown brands like Kudumbashree, Jharcraft, UBUNTU Consortium, SEWA Federation, Mann Deshi Foundation, Tea Trunk, Cinnamon Closet, Tamul, Creyo, Shwet India, Anubhuthi Experiences, Sarmaya, Satmya, Amrutam, and Rangasutra support women artisans.

In addition, individual artisan clusters like the Kanchipuram cluster from Tamil Nadu and the Chikankari Cluster from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, also joined the Network.

Recognising the importance of social enterprises in promoting sustainable development, ONDC Network also onboarded over 30 social organisations in the last year, including Itokri, Okhai, Rangsutra, Gulaab Jaipur, Very Much India, Gaon Se, Kalapuri, and Iraaloom among others.

Further, 50 Geographical Indication (GI) tagged social sector sellers from the GI pavilion at the India International Fair Trade have been integrated into the ONDC Network, further amplifying the reach and impact of these socially conscious businesses.

“The Open Network taps such gaps effectively by creating a level playing field for all sellers, regardless of their size or background. We are driving economic empowerment with equitable distribution of growth opportunities as our anchor,” Koshy said.

--IANS

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PM Modi Extends His Wishes To Pilgrims On Commencement Of Amarnath Yatra

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