India needs numerical strength and quality in badminton to break the hegemony of the European and Asian countries. The results in the World Championship have to be put down as very disappointing, with the sole consolation being the refreshing display by the women’s doubles pair of Gayatri Gopichand and Teressa Jolly. The Thomas Cup win in 2022 ought to have triggered significant enthusiasm and interest, leading to exponential growth. India has never been a force in the Uber Cup, which China has won 16 times. Clearly, the current system has not been working well to produce champions consistently. Prakash Padukone, Pullela Gopichand, Saina Nehwal, and P V Sindhu beat all odds and covered themselves with glory, winning the All England Openn Badminton Championships, World, and Olympic medals. A vibrant ecosystem needs to be created to get the best out of singles players like Lakshya Sen and Ayush Shetty, the doubles pair Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, and budding women’s talents like Unnati Hooda, Tanvi Sharma, Ashmita Chaliha, and a handful more in the top-50. The Nagoya-Aichi Asian Games in September-October will be far from a cakewalk for the Indians; China, South Korea, Japan, Indonesia, Chinese Taipei and Malaysia will be in full force. Former India player and coach Uday Pawar would like to see three or four more National Centres of Excellence set up across the country. He believes the NCOE in Assam has shown glimpses of developing bright talent. The LA 28 is less than two years away, and those in the top 30 or thereabouts should get the best. Sen had a great chance to topple the top seed in Paris in 2024 and in the bronze medal playoff; he will be keen and eager to make amends at LA28.

The 1968 Tamil film Edhir Neechal (Swimming against the tide) starring Sowcar Janaki was talked about for long, after release. Director K Balachander had that magical creativity which could grip audience interest, even with the simplest of stories …middle class ethos and characters straight out of life. A simple theme was immortalised by Sowcar Janaki by her talent for emoting, comedy, drama and expressions …no director was needed for Janaki to live her roles. But the conversational song and drama, Aduthaathu Ambujam turned out to be an all-time hit, with Janaki comparing her budget driven life to her neighbour Ambujam’s lavish indulgence …Pattu Mami and Kittu Mama belting out the eternal middle-class conundrum…female aspirations and male practicality. Hero Srikant, a newbie (who worked at the U.S. Consulate) was not intimidated by Janaki’s talent, turned out to be an effective foil. Her very first film, L V Prasad’s Shavukaru got her the title ‘Sowcar’ …how appropriate Janaki had a commanding presence of the well-heeled. Till her end, Janaki who acted in over 400 films led an elegant life, dressed impeccably. It was K Balachander who cast her in all his classic entertainers …Neerkumizhi, Baama Vijayam, Iru Kodugal, Thillu Mullu, Kaviya Thalaivi.  In Pudiya Paravai an all-time iconic thriller of 1964, Janaki stood out in that formidable casting –Sivaji Ganesan, Saroja Devi and M R Radha. They don’t make films like these any more…Shahukars of the Janaki mould … rare.

Actor Shweta Tiwari has raised serious questions about the culture of Maharashtra following the abuse showered on her in filthy language. A lifelong Mumbaikar, her missive to Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray over the alleged online abuse by social media users has gone viral within minutes. Tiwari has shared a series of posts on Instagram, taking exception to the abusive language used against women. She is disturbed by the comments, especially those coming from the people appearing to belong to respectable families. Tiwari is currently seen in the second season of the reality show ‘The Traitors.’ She became famous after her role in ‘Kasautii Zindagii Kay.’  In one post, Tiwari wondered that such abuse can come from people of different ages, professions and backgrounds. Tiwari also shared a screenshot of the Instagram profile of one of the abusers. She said that the man is a doctor and has pictures of his wife and child on his social media account. Questioning how someone could speak about another woman in such a way while having women in his own family, Tiwari also referred to the person’s alleged support for Raj Thackeray and MNS. Tiwari then spoke about her own connection with Maharashtra, saying that she was born and brought up in Mumbai and has lived in the state all her life. She asked Raj Thackeray if such behaviour was acceptable from the people who support him or MNS.

Former Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan is inviting derision following his so-called ‘disclosures’ over the past weeks. A Congress leader who could not save his own assembly seat in 2024, Chavan is blamed for the defeat of the then Congress-NCP government headed by him in the 2014 election. Nowadays, he has been repeatedly claiming that he was instrumental in installing the 2019 Maha Vikas Aghadi combine in power under Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray. According to Chavan’s latest assertion, an MVA formula could have come into existence in 2014 itself, but he had rejected such an idea out of hand. However, he explained that it was he who had advocated formation of MVA in 2019 since then chief minister Devendra Fadnavis had weakened the opposition considerably. “Such erosion of the Congress party in Maharashtra was not acceptable. Hence I advised the high command to form a government with Uddhav and Sharad Pawar,” according to Chavan’s latest claim. It is not taken seriously since Chavan was hardly in a position in 2019 to play any significant political role. For the NCP, moreover, his name was anathema since it held Chavan responsible for the 2014 rout in the assembly election. Leaders like Supriya Sule have cryptically said that only Congress supremo Sonia Gandhi will be able to throw light on the comment. Incidentally, Chavan was among the 23 senior Congress leaders who had expressed dissatisfaction over the way the party was proceeding and had later mended his ways to stay over in the principal opposition party.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge is anguished over the way his own party members have reacted to a casteist incident concerning him that happened earlier this month. Kharge spoke about what he felt during the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting held on August 19. Kharge referred to the “purification” ritual organised in Uttarakhand’s Haldwani after his visit and expressed dissatisfaction with the party’s response. The incident happened on August 10 at Haldwani’s Ramlila Maidan, two days after Kharge had addressed a rally at the venue. A group called ‘Shri Ram Sena ’ performed a ‘shuddhikaran’ (purification) ritual at the rally venue, with many pointing out that it was a casteist gesture aimed at the Congress leader. Insiders said Kharge declared he was “hurt” that CWC members did not openly condemn the incident. Though he did not name anyone, he reportedly expressed pain that the “good-looking people” who get space in the media did not speak about the incident. Who was he referring to? Jairam Ramesh or Shashi Tharoor. However, Congress general secretary KC Venugopal, briefing the media, touched on the “purification” issue and stressed that the party had raised it and condemned it. Kharge who is also LoP in Rajya Sabha had raised the issue in the House on August 13. Kharge said “I do not want to turn this into a political issue. I have never told anyone that I am Dalit – protect me – nor have I begged in front of anyone. But in Haldwani, the purification of the stage made me feel the sting of untouchability and humiliated me. My demand is that a case should be registered under the Untouchability Act against those who purified the stage in Haldwani.”  Leader of the House J P Nadda had promised to look into it. On its part, the Ram Sena justified the ceremony.

At the Asian Junior and Girls Championship held at the ITC Maratha Sheraton, Mumbai what cried out was the urgent need for generous support for the 64-square board game featuring white and black pieces and young, talented minds. The absence of a corporate logo was particularly noticeable and unexpected, especially considering that nine countries and 85 boys and girls are taking part in the event. Indians are aiming to become a future Viswanathan Anand and join the bandwagon of Grandmasters, with India significantly reducing Russia’s dominance in the FIDE rankings. The multi-day tournament, which includes Rapid, Blitz, and Classical chess, is expected to cost around Rs 2.5 crore— a substantial sum. Fortunately, the Sports Authority of India backed the event, easing the organisers’ worries. However, the Maharashtra Chess Association has struggled to garner sufficient corporate support. Additional backing from industry leaders could have signalled genuine interest in a sport that secured gold medals at the 2024 Chess Olympiad and produced young stars like Dommaraju Gukesh who won the World title. Upcoming weeks will highlight Indian chess’s progress, especially with the national teams competing at the Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, and Gukesh along with Vaishali participating in the 2026 FIDE World Championship finals. India is also nearing the milestone of 100 Grandmasters, continuing a legacy dating back to Anand’s victory at the Asian Juniors in 1984, with the Indian boys and girls winning 24 Asian Junior titles. A growing sport like chess needs wholehearted support from the industry and Corporate honchos. Grandmaster Abhijit Kunte, who coached the Indian women’s team that won the Chess Olympiad two years ago, believes that corporate support is imperative for the sport to prosper across the country. Unfortunately, it is lacking at the ongoing Asian Junior Championships at a Mumbai suburb.

What is the purpose and significance of the timing of Sonia Gandhi’s forthcoming memoir, titled Belonging: A Journey of Love? Is it to give a boost to Rahul Gandhi, who is now very confident that he will be the next PM and replace Narendra Modi? To be published by Alfred A Knopf on November 10, the book comes with an unusual burden of expectation. Sonia, who has kept her life story out of focus, now feels that she must break the silence and tell it all. That should give a boost to the Congress’ prospects in Uttar Pradesh and four other states that go to polls in early 2027. Sonia believes that the focus will return to how great the Gandhi family is and garner sympathy. Personal memoirs may help shape public legacy and connect with party loyalists, but their direct impact on Rahul Gandhi’s immediate political fortunes is questionable, say some Congress leaders. Voter behaviour is typically driven by economic issues, local governance, and electoral strategy rather than biographical retrospectives. The book highlights Sonia’s personal tragedies—the assassinations of Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi—and private struggles. By revisiting key historical moments—like her decision to decline the prime ministership in 2004. Rahul Gandhi has supported his mother’s storytelling projects, which paint a picture of family resilience and unity, which plays well in traditional cultural contexts. Of course, Rahul’s political opponents will likely use elements of the memoir to revive historical debates rather than concede political ground, meaning the book will reinforce existing partisan views rather than swing undecided voters. At 544 pages, the memoir promises to travel from her childhood in post-war Italy and her meeting with Rajiv Gandhi in Cambridge to life inside India’s first political family.

When Tamil Nadu chief minister C Joseph Vijay announced plans to purchase premium cars for the newly minted MLAs of TN, the cheering drowned out the hushed shock of the protestors. His justification, to give his lawmakers more access to the constituents, serves them better. The debt-ridden state which already has a mind boggling debt of Rs 13 lakh crore may groan under the weight of this plan. The most vociferous reaction comes from Naam Thamizhar Party leader Seeman who ripped into Vijay’s plan. “190 MLA’s already have cars. At Rs 30 lakhs per car, Rs 70 crore would be needed, whose tax money to be squandered? As it is his wealthy party bigwigs, Adav Arjuna and Marie Wilson are prosperous. Vijay can spend from his own funds or party funds for such extravagant schemes.” Seeman predicts that such popularity and ‘captive’ schemes would silence even justified protests. Apart from the fiscal profligacy of such populist schemes, the buzz is that Vijay is buying insurance to cushion the perceived threat of a walkout by the Congress? Even as Vijay received Home Minister Amit Shah at the airport, a raucous Congress anti-BJP protest was played out at the Egmore Rajarathinam stadium. Whispers of “fake influencer Hindi videos projecting Vijay as a future PM “spread like forest fires. The HM is presiding over the Southern Zonal Council meet at Kovalam near Puducherry. Vijay as the chief convenor, turned into a happy coincidence that brought the TVK and BJP closer. Is Vijay looking for his GPS on a Lonely Planet? This film has had a 100 days run.   

Opposition parties are puzzled and disappointed that U.S. President Donald Trump is now praising India. First, he lauded the way the Indian Election Commission has issued identity cards to crores of voters. And now, the U.S. ambassador to India Sergio Gor, during his visit to Kashmir Valley said, “Jammu and Kashmir is an important part of India and an incredibly beautiful place.” Apart from the Congress party, Pakistan Foreign Office was livid. It summoned the U.S. Charge d’Affaires Natalie Baker and lodged a “strong demarche” over Gor’s remarks. Gor is also the Trump administration’s Special Envoy to South and Central Asia. PM Modi’s aides say they are not surprised, nor do they look to the U.S. for validation. In Srinagar, Sergio Gor took a ‘shikara’ ride at the famous Dal Lake before meeting Lt Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Later, Gor, at a joint media briefing with Omar Abdullah, said, “New Delhi (Centre), the chief minister here, the government here, have taken some incredible steps to keep this area safer and make it safer. We will be looking at whether the travel warning that is imposed and recommended by the US should be downgraded because Kashmir is a beautiful area. I think a lot of Americans would enjoy coming here and seeing the beauty and the opportunities that exist here.” This is the first visit to the Valley by an American ambassador since ‘Operation Sindoor’. Gor also visited Ladakh, the first visit by any foreign diplomat since the Galwan Valley clash with the Chinese army. No doubt, the American ambassador’s visit and remarks send a clear message to China and Pakistan. Gor is one of Trump’s close confidantes. He worked as Director of the White House Presidential Personnel Office before he was appointed envoy to India.

Kuldeep Yadav as a ‘Chinaman’ tweaker will be utterly disappointed and felt weakened by his bowling analysis of 14-0-65-1 and 11-0-38-0 in the first Test against Sri Lanka at Galle. That the two finger spinners, tyro Manav Sutar (10 wickets) and Ravindra Jadeja, both of the left-arm variety, bagged 14 of the 20 wickets itself showed the left-arm wrist spinner in poor light. Thanks to an acrobatic effort by skipper Shubman Gill in a close-catching position, Yadav was able to fill the last column in the first innings with the lowest number, but otherwise his bowling was nothing. Seen as a specialist spinner, Yadav has been around for a decade, turning up in whites in 19 Tests (80 wickets at 23.36 and conceding 3.45 an over). Galle was his fifth Test overseas, with two five-wicket hauls in an innings against Bangladesh at Chittagong and against Australia at Sydney. He took 4 for 40 in his first bowling effort against Sri Lanka at Pallekele in 2017. After his debut some 10 years ago, Yadav has not featured in 70 Tests, and India’s success percentage was 50 in these matches, but in the 19 he has played, the percentage shows a healthy 73.68. The Indian team management will not be inclined to write him off for the second Test in Colombo, but the likes of Head Coach Gautam Gambhir, skipper Gill and senior players will mull over giving off-break bowler Saransh Jain a first chance in the second Test. For the first time, Yadav’s average has shot over 100, and his strike rate shows a dismal 150! Yadav will be among the spin group for the five-Test home series against Australia early next year. The Indian team may not disturb the winning combination, but a deflated Yadav will bowl with anxiety in Colombo, if retained!