Kashmir's Wonder-girl

Tajamul (kissed by parents) studies for free at an Army-run school "I was nervous before going to Italy but my coaches encouraged me. I thought about the image of Kashmir and India and ultimately, I made it," Tajamul said smilingly. At a time when the Kashmir valley was in the news for the heartless burning of schools, an unknown eight-year-old girl was training in Delhi before going on to win a gold medal in the sub-junior world boxing in Italy. When Tajamul Islam, an amazing bundle of energy now no longer unknown, returned home in Bandipore, the place erupted in joy. Taking time off her buay schedule to interact with little Tajamul was her state's chief minister Mehbooba Mufti in Jammu.
Daughter of a truck driver, Tajamul attends an Army-run school in Bandipore which sadly was also a witness to the torching of schools. Spotting her special talent, army instructors developed her skills in a sport which is a mix of boxing and kicking.
Last year she won the gold medal in the sub-junior category in the national competition. The army then sponsored her visit to Italy where she won new fame for herself, her state and the country. In appreciation of her achievement, the Army presented her with an award of Rs.1 lakh, with the state's government granting R.50,000.

A dream journey

Hockey in Jammu and Kashmir may has little to boast of, but one of the state's sons, Narinder Batra, has risen to head FIH, the world body. After the victories in the Asian under-18 tournament in Bangladesh and the Asian Champions Trophy for men and women in Malaysia, and Singapore, respectively. it is another notable achievement for Indian hockey in recent months. For all the fabled past of Indian hockey, this is first time that an Indian has risen to become the president of the international body.

From treasurer in 2009, secretary in 2010 and president of Hockey India in 2014 to FIH chief in 2016 it has been a dream journey for the businessman who, as a student of Srinagar's Amar Singh Law College, played inter-university hockey for Kashmir University. He also represented his state for a few years. As president of Hockey India Batra has brought money into the domestic game.

Visiting over fifty countries during his election campaign he had vowed to spread the game worldwide, a promise he has reiterated after being voted to head the world body at the FIH meeting in Dubai last month. It remains to be seen how successful he will be in achieving that aim.

Laudable gesture

Mj. (Dr.) Leisram Jyotin Singh In a laudable gesture earlier this month the Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports, Patiala , installed a bust of Mj. (Dr.) Leisram Jyotin Singh, the soldier-doctor who died fighting terrorists who attacked the Indian embassy at Kabul on Feb.16, 2010. Maj. Singh, 38, who was posthumously awarded the Ashok Chakra, the highest peacetime gallantry award at the Republic Day parade on January 26, 2011 for his bravery, was a student of sports medicine at the Patiala institute. He was the first officer from Army Medical Corps (AMC) to receive the award,
One of the terrorists blew himself up at the main entrance killing three guards to make way for another attacker to enter the complex. The terrorists targeted a room in which five unarmed officers had taken shelter. Maj. Singh rushed out charged bare-handed at the suicide bomber and pinned him down to the ground. Unable to escape, the militant detonated his explosiveladen vest, killing himself as well as the brave doctor.

Drug debate

As the list the Russian athletes banned for drug abuse keeps getting longer – hammer thrower Tatyana Lysenko was stripped of her 2012 London Olympic gold medal ollowed by weightlifter Apti Aukhdov losing his silver after retesting of stored doping samples – Russian President Vladimir Putin keeps reiterating his stance that the use of TUEs (therapeutic use exemptions) gives an unfair advantage to athletes; such athletes should be asked to perform in a special category rather than the general one.

As many as 1,000 samples from the 2012 Olympics and the 2008 been re-tested. Urine samples are stored for 10 years

One case highlighted was Tour de France winner Bradley Wiggins who used three steroid injections of an anti-inflammatory drug for asthma and allergy issues, although Wiggins argues that the steroid just helped him compete at par with the other healthy athletes.

On the other hand, US Anti- Doping Agency CEO insisted Putin's stance was laughable and showed a clear misunderstanding of the rules if not yet another attempt to avenge the uncovering of the Russian statesponsored doping system. The debate goes on.

To run or not

Eliud Kipchoge It's up to the people to participate or not in the Delhi half marathon, said the Supreme Court while dismissing a PIL urging authorities to postpone the race because of the prevailing pollution. As the High Court left it to the Delhi government to issue an advisory cautioning the people about the quality of the air in the city, the medical director of the event issued a note of caution and advised potential participants with respiratory conditions not to run this year.
Nevertheless, an amazing number - 35,000 by popular estimates - found it worthwhile taking part in the USD270,000 prize money Airtel half marathon. Those who eventually decided to take up the challenge saw doctors, physiotherapists and nurses all along the route, armed with nebulisers and inhalers.
One hopes in future editions the authorities will take the required steps to clean the environment and make "Swatchh Bharat" a reality. For the record, reigning Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya, running his first competitive race after his victory, won the Delhi half marathon in 59 minutes and 44 seconds. The women's race was won by Ethiopia's Worknesh Degela in 1min. 7.4sec For the all fears of Delhi's polluted air, they were none the worse for it.

For peace

For once it was a cleanly fought match, the final of the Asian Champions Trophy between India and Pakistan at Kuantan, Malaysia. For all the old rancorous rivalry, there was not a single occasion for the umpires to show any player a card. The game will also be remembered for the rare act of sportsmanship by Indian defender Virendra Lakra when Pakistan claimed a penalty corner award in the tense dying moments, settling matters by admitting it was he who had footed the ball, with India leading 2-1.

At the end of it all, Pakistan coach. Khwaja Junaid Ahmed showed his appreciation by warmly embracing Lakra. It was hockey for peace, as one who saw it all put it..



		EDITOR'S MAIL MATTERS OF PUBLIC POLICY DEMONETISATION DEMONETISATION DEMONETISATION DEMONETISATION DEMONETISATION ALARMING SIGNALS REALPOLITIK CONGRESS PROSPECTS STATE OF BUREAUCRACY LEARNING FROM HISTORY HITS & MISSES KASHMIR WATCH HOCKEY'S RENAISSANCE HOCKEY'S RENAISSANCE FRANKLY SPEAKING AMERICAN DIARY TRUMP VICTORY SINO-INDIAN TIES INDO-JAPANESE TIES PAKISTAN TODAY BOOK BAZAAR BOOK BAZAAR SIGNS OF THE TIMES YOGA IN DAILY LIFE-VIII A SUCCESS STORY CHANGE FOR THE BETTER ART OF LIVING Issue:December' 2016 Subscribe Now	HITS & MISSES Kashmir's Wonder-girl Tajamul (kissed by parents) studies for free at an Army-run school "I was nervous before going to Italy but my coaches encouraged me. I thought about the image of Kashmir and India and ultimately, I made it," Tajamul said smilingly. At a time when the Kashmir valley was in the news for the heartless burning of schools, an unknown eight-year-old girl was training in Delhi before going on to win a gold medal in the sub-junior world boxing in Italy. When Tajamul Islam, an amazing bundle of energy now no longer unknown, returned home in Bandipore, the place erupted in joy. Taking time off her buay schedule to interact with little Tajamul was her state's chief minister Mehbooba Mufti in Jammu. Daughter of a truck driver, Tajamul attends an Army-run school in Bandipore which sadly was also a witness to the torching of schools. Spotting her special talent, army instructors developed her skills in a sport which is a mix of boxing and kicking. Last year she won the gold medal in the sub-junior category in the national competition. The army then sponsored her visit to Italy where she won new fame for herself, her state and the country. In appreciation of her achievement, the Army presented her with an award of Rs.1 lakh, with the state's government granting R.50,000. A dream journey Hockey in Jammu and Kashmir may has little to boast of, but one of the state's sons, Narinder Batra, has risen to head FIH, the world body. After the victories in the Asian under-18 tournament in Bangladesh and the Asian Champions Trophy for men and women in Malaysia, and Singapore, respectively. it is another notable achievement for Indian hockey in recent months. For all the fabled past of Indian hockey, this is first time that an Indian has risen to become the president of the international body. From treasurer in 2009, secretary in 2010 and president of Hockey India in 2014 to FIH chief in 2016 it has been a dream journey for the businessman who, as a student of Srinagar's Amar Singh Law College, played inter-university hockey for Kashmir University. He also represented his state for a few years. As president of Hockey India Batra has brought money into the domestic game. Visiting over fifty countries during his election campaign he had vowed to spread the game worldwide, a promise he has reiterated after being voted to head the world body at the FIH meeting in Dubai last month. It remains to be seen how successful he will be in achieving that aim. Laudable gesture Mj. (Dr.) Leisram Jyotin Singh In a laudable gesture earlier this month the Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports, Patiala , installed a bust of Mj. (Dr.) Leisram Jyotin Singh, the soldier-doctor who died fighting terrorists who attacked the Indian embassy at Kabul on Feb.16, 2010. Maj. Singh, 38, who was posthumously awarded the Ashok Chakra, the highest peacetime gallantry award at the Republic Day parade on January 26, 2011 for his bravery, was a student of sports medicine at the Patiala institute. He was the first officer from Army Medical Corps (AMC) to receive the award, One of the terrorists blew himself up at the main entrance killing three guards to make way for another attacker to enter the complex. The terrorists targeted a room in which five unarmed officers had taken shelter. Maj. Singh rushed out charged bare-handed at the suicide bomber and pinned him down to the ground. Unable to escape, the militant detonated his explosiveladen vest, killing himself as well as the brave doctor. Drug debate As the list the Russian athletes banned for drug abuse keeps getting longer – hammer thrower Tatyana Lysenko was stripped of her 2012 London Olympic gold medal ollowed by weightlifter Apti Aukhdov losing his silver after retesting of stored doping samples – Russian President Vladimir Putin keeps reiterating his stance that the use of TUEs (therapeutic use exemptions) gives an unfair advantage to athletes; such athletes should be asked to perform in a special category rather than the general one. As many as 1,000 samples from the 2012 Olympics and the 2008 been re-tested. Urine samples are stored for 10 years One case highlighted was Tour de France winner Bradley Wiggins who used three steroid injections of an anti-inflammatory drug for asthma and allergy issues, although Wiggins argues that the steroid just helped him compete at par with the other healthy athletes. On the other hand, US Anti- Doping Agency CEO insisted Putin's stance was laughable and showed a clear misunderstanding of the rules if not yet another attempt to avenge the uncovering of the Russian statesponsored doping system. The debate goes on. To run or not Eliud Kipchoge It's up to the people to participate or not in the Delhi half marathon, said the Supreme Court while dismissing a PIL urging authorities to postpone the race because of the prevailing pollution. As the High Court left it to the Delhi government to issue an advisory cautioning the people about the quality of the air in the city, the medical director of the event issued a note of caution and advised potential participants with respiratory conditions not to run this year. Nevertheless, an amazing number - 35,000 by popular estimates - found it worthwhile taking part in the USD270,000 prize money Airtel half marathon. Those who eventually decided to take up the challenge saw doctors, physiotherapists and nurses all along the route, armed with nebulisers and inhalers. One hopes in future editions the authorities will take the required steps to clean the environment and make "Swatchh Bharat" a reality. For the record, reigning Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya, running his first competitive race after his victory, won the Delhi half marathon in 59 minutes and 44 seconds. The women's race was won by Ethiopia's Worknesh Degela in 1min. 7.4sec For the all fears of Delhi's polluted air, they were none the worse for it. For peace For once it was a cleanly fought match, the final of the Asian Champions Trophy between India and Pakistan at Kuantan, Malaysia. For all the old rancorous rivalry, there was not a single occasion for the umpires to show any player a card. The game will also be remembered for the rare act of sportsmanship by Indian defender Virendra Lakra when Pakistan claimed a penalty corner award in the tense dying moments, settling matters by admitting it was he who had footed the ball, with India leading 2-1. At the end of it all, Pakistan coach. Khwaja Junaid Ahmed showed his appreciation by warmly embracing Lakra. It was hockey for peace, as one who saw it all put it..