Sunita Williams Celebrates 59th Birthday, Second In Space

The operation was a joint effort involving the Indian Air Force, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the Indian Army, and local administration.

Chamoli's Disaster Management Department received an alert from the Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF) Thursday evening, notifying them that two mountaineers -- one from the US and the other from the UK -- were stranded at an altitude of 6,015 metres on Chaukhamba Peak. Following the alert, all relevant agencies were mobilised.

On Friday, the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority, along with Chamoli's Disaster Management Department, coordinated a rescue mission with the Indian Air Force and SDRF.

Despite numerous challenges, continuous efforts were made to safely evacuate the climbers, and both mountaineers were successfully rescued Sunday.

The operation faced numerous difficulties in ensuring the safe evacuation of the mountaineers, according to the officials.

Relief swept through the district administration, SDRF, NDRF, and the Uttarakhand government as the operation concluded successfully.

The two foreign climbers had obtained permission from the Indian Mountaineering Association for a trekking expedition to Chaukhamba-Three, a peak rising to 6,995 metres, which is regarded as highly challenging. Their expedition, which began on September 11, was planned to conclude on October 18.

During their ascent on October 3, the climbers were stranded on the snow-covered Chaukhamba Peak. After contacting their respective embassies through a pager, the Chamoli district administration requested the Indian Air Force to initiate a search and rescue operation.

On Friday morning, two Chetak helicopters from the Sarangpur (Saharanpur) airbase were dispatched, and an extensive search began near Badrinath, culminating in the successful rescue.

(IANS)

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Like every year the Ajmer Municipal Corporation in Rajasthan's Ajmer district will celebrate Dussehra with the grand Ravana Dahan event at the city's Patel Ground, where Ravana's effigy will be burned.

With Dussehra approaching, preparations are in full swing.

Shabbir Ahmed Farooqui, a resident of Fatehpur Sikri in Agra, has been creating these effigies for the last 30 years. He first came to Ajmer in 1993 to make Ravana's effigy and has been doing so ever since.

Farooqui mentioned that a team of 15 artisans, including his family members, are involved in building the effigies.

"This year, Ravana’s effigy will stand at 65 feet, while those of Kumbhkaran and Meghnath will be 45 feet tall. A replica of Lanka is also being constructed," he told IANS.

For the creation of these effigies, materials such as bamboo, waste paper pulp, rope, fabric, colours, coconut husk, jute, and crackers for the explosions are being used.

Shabbir Ahmed further informed that this year’s Ravana will feature special effects: it will blink its eyes, wave a sword with its hands, emit flames from its mouth, and have a spinning chakra in its navel. Moreover, Ravana’s 10 heads will fly off one by one, controlled by a remote."

Shabbir’s brother, Shakeel Ahmed Farooqui, added that the Ajmer Municipal Corporation has allotted them Rs 4 lakh to make the effigies of Ravana, Meghnath, and Kumbhkaran. Due to the late issuance of the contract by the corporation, the team has been working around the clock to complete the effigies on time.

This year, Dussehra will be celebrated on October 12. As Saturday marks the fourth day of the Navratri festival, with limited time remaining for Dussehra, artisans are racing to complete the effigy before the deadline.

(IANS)

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Dhoni captained India in a whopping 200 ODIs and won 110 matches out of those. India lost 74 ODIs under his leadership, while 16 games ended up as a no-result. He had led India to victory in three major International Cricket Council (ICC) trophies: the ICC T20 World Cup in 2007, the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2011, and the ICC Champions Trophy in 2013.

Moreover, Dhoni has played most international matches as captain 332 across all formats. Under Him, India won 178 matches while losing 120. In the IPL, he led Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to five titles.

"Dhoni has been the most successful captain for India. The guy has actually set the trend and overall, Rohit Sharma did his job well and Virat Kohli did his job pretty much," Gayle told IANS.

Speaking about the toughest bowler he faced in his career, Gayle cheekily replied, "The toughest bowler, is he born or is he still alive? I'm not sure. So, all bowlers are tough because every bowler tries and gets a chance to pick a wicket."

"Every baller can actually just take one ball to get here, but at the same time, it's fun going up against some quality top-class fast bowlers and spinners as well. Every bowler is pretty much tough, but the 'Universe Boss' is just tougher," he added.

Gayle, who is currently playing for Gujarat Giants in the Legends League Cricket, also shared his thoughts for the tournament and expressed his joy at sharing a dressing room with former India opener Shikhar Dhawan.

"I've been around for a month now and this is my first game. I joined the tournament late, but it was actually good fun last year and a bit of rain interrupted the tournament this year as well. So, I've been a setback with a wicked as well, low scoring as well; I want to see more entertainment. Hopefully they can work on that but overall, there are some quality retired places.

"So, it's fantastic to actually be a part of this once again and to share a dressing room with the likes of Shikar Dhawan. Legends League is actually making up movements," he said.

As the LLC enters its third leg, starting Sunday at the Maulana Azad Stadium in Jammu before moving to Srinagar for the final, Gayle expressed his excitement about visiting Kashmir—a place in India he has never visited before.

"I've never been to Srinagar. It's going to be my first time so that's another tick on my list in India, one more state that I'm actually going to visit. So I'm actually looking forward to Srinagar. Is quite close to Kashmir... I think I'm looking forward to it because I've never been to that side of India. I'm really excited," said Gayle.

The West Indian, who holds the record for the most sixes in IPL history, also expressed his desire to be part of an IPL franchise as a mentor or coach to share his knowledge and experience with young players.

"That'd be cool to be in the IPL. I'd like to be among a team, you know; that'll be something cool. I've got loads of experience to share; I've been someone who has been dominant as well. I would love to be a part of it without a doubt to share my knowledge and my experience in the IPL.

(IANS)

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