Women's Junior Asia Cup 2023: India gear up for Japan challenge in semifinals

by Hemanta Pande

New Delhi, June 9: The Indian junior women's hockey team takes on Japan in the semifinals of the Women's Junior Asia Cup 2023 in Kakamigahara, Japan on Saturday with the winner getting an opportunity to earn a place in the upcoming FIH Junior Women's World Cup 2023.

India confirmed their place in the last four with a resounding 11-0 victory over Chinese Taipei on Thursday. The impressive victory also meant that India finished the tournament's group stage unbeaten and atop the Pool A table.

Now, India prepare to face Japan in the semifinals on Saturday, with the winner advancing to the tournament's final and also confirming their berth in the upcoming FIH Junior Women's World Cup 2023.

Notably, the top three teams in the Women's Junior Asia Cup 2023 will earn automatic qualification to the FIH Junior Women's World Cup 2023, which will be held in Santiago, Chile from November 29 to December 10, 2023.

Ahead of the crucial match, captain Preeti expressed confidence and said, "As one of the leading teams in Asia, it is crucial for us to excel in the Junior Asia Cup. Our performance thus far has been commendable, and we aim to maintain this momentum going into the Semifinals."

"Also, we are aiming to qualify for the FIH Junior Hockey Women's World Cup 2023 and we are just one win away from accomplishing it, hence, the team will give its all in the semifinal against Japan," she added.

Notably, the Indian team displayed their dominance during the Pool stage, remaining undefeated throughout. They started their campaign with a resounding 22-0 victory against Uzbekistan, followed by a 2-1 win over Malaysia. In a thrilling encounter against Korea, they secured a 2-2 draw. They concluded the group stage with a convincing 11-0 triumph over Chinese Taipei, topping Pool A.

On the other hand, Japan have demonstrated strong form throughout the tournament, with notable victories against Hong Kong China (23-0) and Indonesia (21-0). Despite a 0-1 loss to China, they bounced back to defeat Kazakhstan 8-0, securing the second spot in Pool B. (IANS)

Read: sports News

Pradhan Participates 'Mo Mati Mo Desh' Campaign At Freedom Fighter Bika Naik's Birthplace In Angul

by Hemanta Pande

Angul, Sept 25: Union Minister for Education, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday participated in 'Mo Mati Mo Desh' campaign at freedom fighter Bika Naik's birthplace in Odisha's Angul district.

Speaking on the occasion, the Union Minister said that the country is proud and safe today because of the sacrifices of freedom fighters like Bika Naik of Chandrabil area in Angul district, who was martyred in the Prajamandal movement in Talcher.

ଅନୁଗୋଳର ଚନ୍ଦ୍ରବିଲ ଠାରେ ଆୟୋଜିତ #MeriMaatiMeraDesh କାର୍ଯ୍ୟକ୍ରମରେ ଦେଶ ପାଇଁ ଜୀବନ ଦେଇଥିବା ବୀର ଶହୀଦଙ୍କ ସ୍ମୃତିଚାରଣ କରିବା ସହ ସେମାନଙ୍କ ପରିବାର ସଦସ୍ୟଙ୍କୁ ସମ୍ବର୍ଦ୍ଧିତ କଲି । ଶହୀଦ ବିକା ନାୟକଙ୍କ ଭଳି ସଂଗ୍ରାମୀ ଏବଂ ଅନେକ ଯବାନଙ୍କ ତ୍ୟାଗ ଓ ବଳିଦାନ କାରଣରୁ ଦେଶ ଆଜି ସ୍ୱାଭିମାନୀ ଓ ସୁରକ୍ଷିତ ହୋଇଛି । pic.twitter.com/L5lrtXHBnX — Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) September 25, 2023

Pradhan today paid homage at the memorial pillar of Martyr Bika Naik at the High School campus in Badatrivida. He then went to Chandrabil village and collected holy soil from Martyr Naik's house in 'Amrit Kalas'. After that, the Union Minister went from house to house and collected soil.

Later, the Minister honoured the family members of the martyrs in a meeting, took 'Panch Pran' pledge with the villagers and participated in the Mo Mati Mo Desh campaign.

The gathering at the village read out the Panch Pran, together with the Union Minister-"We pledge to make India developed and self-reliant by 2047, we pledge to remove any trace of colonial mindset, we pledge to celebrate our heritage, we pledge to strengthen unity and respect those who protect the country and we pledge to perform the duties of a citizen.”

The Minister also unveiled a memorial plaque, paying tribute to the "heroes" who made supreme sacrifices for the country, at Chandrabil village. He also planted a sapling to mark the occasion.

On this occasion, the Union Minister said that the holy village of martyr Bika Naik is a place of pilgrimage for him. "I feel fortunate to be involved in the 'Mo Mati Mo Desh' campaign, launched by the Prime Minister, at Bika Naik's birthplace Chandrabil. It is my privilege to visit the birthplace of this martyr and honour his family members. On September 21, 1938, this region gave birth to the great son and inscribed his name in golden letters on the pages of Indian history. Naik always tried for the upliftment of the downtrodden and downtrodden people of the society," Pradhan said.

"When there was a revolt against the tyranny of the king and the British. At that time, Naik disobeyed the British order and was martyred. In order to remember and honour those martyrs, the Prime Minister has decided to collect the soil of brave fighters from all over the country under the 'Mo Mati, Mo Desh' campaign. In this context, the soil of Martyr Bika Naik's birthplace will go to Delhi. Amrit Batika will be created. This nation will always remember the sacrifice of Martyr Bika Naik," he added.

Pradhan also called upon one and all to take responsibility to make Chandrabil village a national pilgrimage site.

Earlier, the Minister also paid homage to the statue of one of the great freedom fighters of Odisha Prajamandal movement, Pabitra Mohan Pradhan, at Kaniha Santribida village.

Read: Odisha News

This Is what Hrithik Roshan Eats While Travelling For Shoot

by Hemanta Pande

Actor Hrithik Roshan has shared what he eats while he travels for a shooting schedule. The 'Fighter' actor took to Instagram and posted a selfie with his 'cold pre-packed home cooked healthy meals'.

Mumbai, Sept 25: Actor Hrithik Roshan has shared what he eats while he travels for a shooting schedule. The 'Fighter' actor took to Instagram and posted a selfie with his 'cold pre-packed home cooked healthy meals'.

He revealed that he has to make a sacrifice to eat cold pre-packed home home-cooked healthy meals while traveling for his shooting schedule.

He also said that he bought 6 boxes and each meal was around 130gm protein + veggies. He has to eat one meal every 3 hours.

He wrote, "Eating cold pre-packed home-cooked healthy meals while traveling for a shoot sched is a sacrifice I choose to make. I’m hungry. But sometimes you gotta “stay hungry”.

He added, "Packed 6 boxes in my carry-on luggage. Each meal was around 130gm protein + veggies. One meal every 3 hours. "What sacrifices did you guys make today towards your goals?" he concluded.

Recently, Hrithik was spotted at the airport and reportedly, left for Italy to complete the shooting of his upcoming film, 'Fighter'.

Earlier, Hrithik unveiled an intriguing motion poster of his upcoming film 'Fighter' featuring Deepika Padukone and Anil Kapoor's first look as Indian Air Force pilots.

Helmed by Siddharth Anand, 'Fighter' also stars Karan Singh Grover and Akshay Oberoi. The film is scheduled to release in theatres on January 25, 2024.

'Fighter' is an aerial action film. The film marks Hrithik's first on-screen collaboration with Deepika.
Apart from 'Fighter', Hrithik will also be seen in the action thriller film ‘War 2’ alongside Jr NTR and Kiara Advani. (ANI)

Read: Entertainment News

Maharashtra: Youth Self Immolates After Setting Girlfriend's Mom And Brother Ablaze

by Hemanta Pande

Amravati, Sept. 25: Angry at being separated from his girlfriend, a youth in Amravati allegedly killed her mother and brother by setting them ablaze, before committing suicide in Vandli village, the police said here on Monday.

The 25-year old accused, identified as one Ashish Thakre, was reportedly upset after being separated from his girlfriend a few months ago following a fight.

They were in a live-in relationship for over three years, but after the brawl she left him and returned to her mother's home.

When Thakre repeatedly visited her home and tried to convince and bring her back, her mother and brother prevented her from returning with him.

Read: Sexual Assault Case: Lookout Notice Issued Against Vlogger Shakir Subhan In Kerala

In a fit of rage, Thakre planned a revenge on the girl's mother Lata S. Bhonde (45) and the brother Pranay (20) by setting their home ablaze at around 1 a.m. on Sunday.