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As scheduled, the rally started from the residence of the victim in North 24 Parganas district. The rally would end at Esplanade in central Kolkata, where seven junior doctors are on fast-unto-death agitation in support of their demands over R.G. Kar rape-murder case.

At the time of filing this report, the mega rally was underway. It is being expected that the rally would reach the final destination at Esplanade later on Sunday night, covering a total distance of around 26 km.

Although the organisers of the mega rally were representatives of the medical fraternity in the state, they also requested the common people to participate in the rally.

The rally started from the residence of the victim with the doctors and other members of the medical fraternity at the forefront and thousands of common people from different walks of life following them.

Many people also joined the rally midway and as the rally proceeded towards the destination, its size (in terms of human count) grew in numbers.

The protesting junior doctors are scheduled to address the gathering at the end of the rally at Esplanade and also announce their future course of action.

"As we have always maintained, the common people are the source of our strength. Today, the rally proves again how the common people have spontaneously extended their support towards our justified movement," said a junior doctor who participated in the rally.

Earlier on Saturday, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had issued an appeal to the junior doctors on hunger-strike to withdraw their protest and return to duty.

A crucial meeting between the Chief Minister and the representatives of West Bengal Junior Doctors' Front (WBJDF), the umbrella body spearheading the movement in the matter, is scheduled on Monday at 5 p.m.

On Friday night, the protesting junior doctors had already cautioned the state government that they will be compelled to return to total cease-work mode from Tuesday unless their demands in the matter are fulfilled by the state government by Monday.

--IANS

“It felt really good to score a century for my country, fulfilling a childhood dream,” Sarfaraz told reporters at the end of the day’s play on Saturday. “It won’t be easy for New Zealand. The pitch has its challenges; the ball is moving and cutting unpredictably, and there will be turn. If we can get breakthroughs early tomorrow, they might find themselves in a similar spot as we did,” he added.

Sarfaraz’s century, in just his fourth Test appearance, marked a major milestone for the 26-year-old. “It felt really good to score a century for my country, fulfilling a childhood dream,” he said with a smile.

India had found themselves in a precarious position after being bundled out for just 46 in the first innings. But Sarfaraz’s 177-run partnership with Rishabh Pant breathed life back into their campaign. Both players, who were part of India’s 2016 U-19 World Cup squad, combined caution and aggression to put New Zealand under pressure. Their partnership turned the tide for India before another lower-order collapse left the visitors chasing 107. While Sarfaraz scored 150, Pant went on to miss a ton, getting out for 99 overall.

“Batting with Pant is enjoyable; runs come quickly when he is on strike. We’ve known each other a long time, and there’s good communication out there,” Sarfaraz said, reflecting on their fruitful collaboration at the crease.

The day was not without lighter moments, including a comical misunderstanding between Sarfaraz and Pant while running between the wickets. As they scrambled for a second run, Sarfaraz’s sudden jump to prevent a collision with Pant, who was nursing a knee injury, sparked amusement and quickly became viral fodder for social media.

Explaining the incident, Sarfaraz said, “We knew Rishabh was in pain, so we agreed to be careful with running. I recalled his condition mid-run and reacted instinctively. Thank God, he survived that moment.”

Sarfaraz’s innings was remarkable not just for the runs but for the manner in which they were scored. He avoided playing through the traditional ‘V’ until his 115th run, instead finding runs creatively elsewhere on the field.

Asked about this unconventional approach, he said, “It wasn’t a deliberate plan. They bowled a lot outside off, making it easier to score elsewhere. I wasn’t consciously avoiding the middle; I was just focused on scoring, however, it came.”

Despite making his Test debut in 2023 and scoring three half-centuries against England, Sarfaraz has spent much of his young Test career on the sidelines. Reflecting on how he stayed motivated, he said, “I stick to my routines and focus on what I can control. I continue doing what has worked for me over the years, keeping up with my practice, and fulfilling my team’s expectations. Conversations with my father also keep me motivated. Nothing changes in my approach.”

--IANS

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BJP state President Babulal Marandi has been fielded from Dhanwar constituency, while former Jharkhand CM and former JMM leader Champai Soren has been made the candidate from Saraikela.

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) had announced its seat-sharing arrangement for the Jharkhand Assembly elections, according to which, the BJP will contest 68 seats in the 81-member Assembly. Out of 68 seats allotted to the BJP, the party has already declared candidates for 66 seats.

BJP’s key allies, the AJSU, the Janata Dal-United (JDU), and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) (LJP), have been allotted 10, two, and one seats.

Sita Soren, who recently switched to the BJP, is in the fray from Jamtara, while Geeta Koda has been fielded from the Jaganathpur constituency.

Lobin Hembrom will contest from Boria constituency, while Tara Devi has been fielded from Sindri, as per the list released by the BJP.

The party has left candidates for two seats undeclared. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has mentioned that the seat-sharing agreement was reached through discussions with all parties, though minor adjustments to one or two seats may be made by mutual consent.

The Election Commission of India on Friday issued a notification for the first phase of Assembly elections, marking the beginning of the nomination process. In the first phase, elections will be held in 43 of the 81 Assembly constituencies on November 13.

--IANS

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