With things looking bright for the crisis-hit Commonwealth Games, a song was released in New Delhi on Wednesday encouraging the youth of India to create a positive atmosphere around the Games.
Mani Shanker Aiyer, after having been told by the Congress leadership to desist from making statements against the Commonwealth Games, has now taken to writing letters to register his point.
As the month-long countdown for the Commonwealth Games begins, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and Organising Committee chief Suresh Kalmadi, in the line of fire for tardy preparations, voiced confidence that 'hitches' will be overcome and the event will be a great success.
Reacting to Azim Premji's statement that investment on events like the Commonwealth Games is a waste of money, the Minister of Sports Dr M S Gill said that the government has decided to give awards to those companies which invest in promotion of sports.
CJI Gogoi said the conduct and sensitivity displayed by Justice Sikri as a judge will continue to inspire the young.
It will be a smooth ride for tourists and citizens during the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi as Delhi government estimates that around 15,000 radio taxis will be on the roads by October.
Indian Olympic Association secretary general Randhir Singh on Monday said India should bid for the 2019 Asian Games else the lavish infrastructure built for this year's Commonwealth Games (CWG) will remain unutilized after the October 3-14 mega event.
British Prime Minister David Cameron on Thursday showed his dexterity with the cricket bat as he played out a few deliveries bowled to him by the legendary Kapil Dev. Kapil, India's only World Cup-wining captain, sent down a few balls to the British premier when he visited the National stadium on his tour of the Commonwealth Games venues.
The continuing construction work might present a grim picture but Sports Minister M S Gill today asserted in the Parliament that 16 of the 18 venues for the Commonwealth Games are "complete".
The infighting in the 2010 Commonwealth Games Organising Committee on Tuesday took a more acrimonious turn with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Vijay Goel accusing chairman Suresh Kalmadi of "rampant corruption" and seeking Prime Minister's intervention in the matter.
The government is worried about the pullout of star players from the Commonwealth Games but the Organising Committee (OC) says one or two withdrawals would not make any difference.
Embattled shuttler Jwala Gutta moved the Delhi high court on Wednesday against the Badminton Association of India after its disciplinary committee recommended a life ban on her for an alleged code of conduct breach in the Indian Badminton League.
There is a split in the United Progressive Government over Prime Minister Manmohan Singh attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting on November 15 in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Some Union ministers including Finance Minister P Chidambaram want the PM to skip the session, said sources.
Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs, headed by Dr MS Gill, has officially released the details of the money sanctioned by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh to train coaches, athletes both in India as well as abroad and giving exposure to the athletes in various international events in order to prepare them for 19th Commonwealth Games that was held in New Delhi from October 3-14.
There might have been delays and lapses in the run-up to the Commonwealth Games, but External Affairs Minister S M Krishna says the troubled event will be "off to a flying start" once A R Rahman renders the welcome song on October 3.
Union Home Minister P Chidambaram has finally got accreditation for the Commonwealth Games.
Australia Foreign Minister Stephen Smith has expressed satisfaction with the security measures for foreign athletes during this year's sporting events in India in the wake of the recent terror threat by a militant group.
Home Minister P Chidambaram on Saturday, sought to allay apprehensions on the security arrangements for next year's Commonwealth Games, giving a categorical assurance that "fool-proof security" would be in place and that no one needed to worry on that count.
Mike Fennell, the President of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), has expressed satisfaction with the Indian government's assurances of support to ensure a successful holding of the event.
Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President Narinder Batra made the announcement during the send-off ceremony in New Delhi on Monday.
The Centre on Tuesday admitted in the Rajya Sabha that diversion of funds meant for the welfare of Scheduled Caste/ Scheduled Tribes to Commonwealth Games projects by the Delhi government was 'wrong' and efforts would be made to bring them back to the SC/ST Fund. "In my view, using Rs 678.91 crore out of the Schedule Caste Sub Plan to contribute for CWG appears to be wrong," Home Minister P Chidambaram said.
Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal's revelations came just a few days after India has been placed at the third spot in worldwide dope violation in 2014 in a report published by World Anti-Doping Agency.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is expected to articulate his concerns on the terrorism emanating from Pakistan during his meeting with President Barack Obama in Washington on November 24. Dr Singh is also expected to tell Obama that India wants Pakistan to dismantle the terrorism infrastructure operating on its soil and ensure that its land is not used to launch acts of terror against India.
The Bharatiya Janata Party's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi on Friday attacked External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid for his criticism of the Election Commission and the Supreme Court, accusing him of denigrating the country's two most respected institutions on the foreign soil.
Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron led the tributes by referring to the Queen as a "rock of strength.
Australia on Wednesday said it has apprehensions over security arrangements for the Commonwealth Games to be held in New Delhi next year but maintained that India has assured all necessary precautions will be taken.
Delhiites, change the way you behave. This was the message Home Minister P Chidambaram gave to Delhiites on Tuesday ahead of the Commonwealth Games next year.
Commonwealth Games Organising Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi has catapulted to the top position in the SportzPower List 2009, while the once-powerful Lalit Modi and number one in 2008 dropped to fifth position. Union Sports Minister M S Gill dropped two spots in 2009 and is placed fourth. He is replaced by former Board of Control for Cricket in India president Sharad Pawar in the second place.
Summary of sports events and persons who made news on Thursday.
Modi flew to Jaffna by an Indian Air Force chopper after brief visits to the holy town of Anuradhapura where he offered prayers at the sacred Mahabodhi tree and Talaimannar where he flagged off a train service.
Banned from competition for a year, Asian Games bronze medallist L Sarita Devi said she would utilise the period by taking corrective measures in her technique so that she can be ready for the 2016 Rio Olympics.
BJP's Colonel Rajyavardhan Rathore and Congress's Krishna Poonia face each other on Jaipur seat.
The meeting between Dr Singh and Sarkozy on climate change assumes significance as it came just ten days before the Copenhagen Summit on the issue.
United Kingdom Prime Minister David Cameron, who is on a one-day visit to India, said he was open to meeting all elected leaders including Gujarat Chief Minister and BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi. Speaking to IBN18 Editor-in-Chief Rajdeep Sardesai, Cameron explained why he was not meeting Modi during this visit.
A 350-member team has been put in place to prepare for the Commonwealth Games in Delhi.
Seeking to strengthen Indo-UK economic ties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday arrived in Britain on his first visit to the country during which he will have a hectic schedule that will start with talks with his British counterpart David Cameron.
India's Sports Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar participated in the anniversary celebrations of London winning its bid to host 2012 Olympics
Swedish Prime Minister Lofven lauded India as 'global power' and said the two countries are a 'perfect match'.
In another 2-3 weeks, coronavirus will chariot India to overtake the United States. In March, Modi had exhorted the nation to celebrate India's impending success over the virus by clanging metal plates. Make no mistake, India is losing this momentous war under his captaincy, notes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.
"Today the country is moving forward from women development to women-led development," Modi said.
