At least 21 people killed in suspected Russian raids on two hospitals and a school in provinces of Aleppo and Idlib.
![MSF's destroyed hospital in Idlib [Syria Civil Defence]](https://i0.wp.com/nasheman.in/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Syria2.jpg)
MSF’s destroyed hospital in Idlib [Syria Civil Defence]
by Al Jazeera
At least 21 people have been killed and dozens others injured in air strikes and rocket attacks on a school and two hospitals in separate locations in northern Syria, Al Jazeera has learned.
In the deadliest incident, at least 14 people were killed and about 30 injured when air strikes and rocket artillery damaged parts of a hospital in the town of Azaz in Aleppo province, the media office at the rebel-controlled Aleppo local council said on Monday.
In the same raid, a school where refugees were sheltering was also hit. No death toll has been confirmed.
Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said in a news conference in Kiev on Monday that a Russian balistic missile hit the school and hospital in Azaz.
The head of the media office, Abu Thaer al-Halabi, told Al Jazeera that a section of a highway that facilitates the main supply line for humanitarian aid to the region was destroyed in the raids.
Halabi also said the strikes were carried out by Russian fighter jets.MSF hospital hit
MSF hospital hit
Meanwhile, air strikes also targeted a hospital run by Doctors Without Borders (MSF) in the town of Maaret al-Numan in Idlib province, killing at least seven people, the charity’s France president said on Monday.
“There were at least seven deaths among the personnel and the patients, and at least eight MSF personnel have disappeared, and we don’t know if they are alive,” Mego Terzian told Reuters, adding that he believed Russia or Syrian government forces were behind the attack.
The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said nine people, including a child, had been killed in the “presumambly Russian” raids.
A spokesman for the Syria Civil Defence in Idlib confirmed that the hospital was hit but said four people were killed.
“At least four people have been killed while several others have been injured. We expect the death toll to rise. There are doctors and MSF staff missing,” Radi said, without stating his full name.
At least 13 people were reportedly injured in the strikes, as rescue workers were trying to reach several people buried under the rubble.
“Extreme damage has been caused to the hospital. Six floors have been almost reduced to rubble. This hospital is located in an area previously surrounded by restaurants and has no rebel strongholds. It has been functioning for over a year now,” Radi said.
MSF condemned the attack in a report released on Monday.
“This appears to be a deliberate attack on a health structure, and we condemn this attack in the strongest possible terms,” said Massimiliano Rebaudengo, MSF’s head of mission.
“The destruction of the hospital leaves the local population of around 40,000 people without access to medical services in an active zone of conflict,” Massimiliano said.
Al Jazeera’s Zeina Khodr, reporting from the Turkish town of Gaziantep near the Syria border, said:
“This is not the first time a hospital or a health facility has been targeted in Syria.
“What we understand is the facility in Idlib that was hit this morning was serving up to 40,000 people who live in what MSF called an active zone of conflict, so they will be denied health services,” she added.
“The health system in Syria as a whole really has all but collapsed and undoubtedly a very grim situation.”
India beat Sri Lanka by 9 wickets, win series 2-1
Vishakapatnam: Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin bamboozled the Sri Lankan batsmen in a mesmerising opening spell as India clinched the T20 series 2-1 with an authoritative nine-wicket victory in the third and final match, here on Sunday.
After bowling out the visitors for 82 in the series-decider with Ashwin finishing with astonishing figures of 4-1-8-4, the hosts cruised to the target in 13.5 overs. Shikhar Dhawan and Ajinkya Rahane were unbeaten on 46 and 22 respectively, as India finished on 84/1.
Earlier, Ashwin opened the attack for the hosts and took four wickets in a magical three-over opening spell to break the back of the Sri Lankan batting order. The off-spinner was unplayable as he returned his career-best figures in T20 cricket.
Sri Lanka could not even bat full 20 overs and were all out for their lowest total in Twenty20 cricket in 18 overs. Suresh Raina also shone on a helpful ACA-VDCA Stadium pitch by scalping two batsmen and giving away just six runs in his two overs.
Ppting to field, India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni handed the new ball to Ashwin and he responded with two wickets in the first over of the match. Ashwin had Niroshan Dickwella (1) stumped when the batsman charged down the track but was completely beaten and the Indian captain had an easy stumping to do.
In the last ball of the over, Ashwin trapped Tillakaratne Dilshan (1) and when he retuned for his second over, he had Dinesh Chandimal caught by Hardik Pandya as the rival skipper tried to cut loose but miscued a shot. The Sri Lankan innings was in complete shambles losing their first three wickets with only 12 on the board.
In his third over, Ashwin got rid of debutant Asela Gun-aratne and soon the Lankans were gasping at 21/5 with left-arm paceman Ashish Nehra taking the fifth wicket.
Such was the dominance of the home bowlers that only six shots to the fence were played in seven overs. It was only in the eighth over that Sri Lanka found sixes through Dasun Shanaka (19), who whacked Yuvraj Singh twice.
SCOREBOARD
Sri Lanka: N. Dickwella st Dhoni b Ashwin 1, T. Dilshan lbw b Ashwin 1, D. Chandimal c Pandya b Ashwin 8, D. Gunaratne c Raina b Ashwin 4, T. Siriwardana b Nehra 4, D. Shanaka b Jadeja 19, S. Prasanna (run out) 9, T. Perera c Jadeja b Raina 12, S. Senanayake c Dhoni b Raina 8, D. Chameera (not out) 9, D. Fernando b Bumrah 1. Extras: (lb2, w3, nb1) 6. Total: (in 18 overs) 82.
FoW: 1-2, 2-3, 3-12, 4-20, 5-21, 6-48, 7-54, 8-72, 9-73.
Bowling: Ashwin 4-1-8-4, Nehra 2-0-17-1 (1w), Bumrah 3-0-10-1, Jadeja 4-1-11-1 (1w), Yuvraj 1-0-15-0 (1nb), Pandya 2-0-13-0 (1w), Raina 2-0-6-2.
India: R. Sharma lbw b Chameera 13, S. Dhawan (not out) 46, A. Rahane (not out) 22. Extras: (lb 3) 3. Total: (for 1 wkt, in 13.5 overs) 84
FoW: 1-29
Bowling: Senanayake 4-0-22-0, Fernando 2-0-7-0, Chameera 2-0-14-1, Prasanna 1-0-3-0, Siriwardana 1-0-9-0, Gunaratne 2.5-0-22-0, Dilshan 1-0-4-0
(IANS)
Southern Films Round Up
Dulquer Salmaan’s New Heroine Is Shaun Romy
Dulquer Salmaan has got a new heroine in his upcoming movie directed by Rajeev Ravi. Titled Kammatti Paadam the movie is all about the transformation of Kochi from a small town into a metro city. This is a period drama set in the 80s. Shaun Romy was suggested for the role by Rajeev Ravi’s wife Geethu Mohandas who was impressed with her modelling profile. Shaun Romy is excited to be playing Dulquer’s pair in the film and says that he is a very patient & understanding person.
Dinesh Reveals Details About His Character In Kabali
Young actor Dinesh is basking in the glory of unanimous praise being showered on his latest film Visaranai and his performance in the Vetrimaran directed flick.
Dinesh who debuted as the lead actor with director Pa. Ranjith’s Attakathi has bagged a role in Ranjith’s upcoming mega project Kabali with Superstar Rajinikanth in the lead role. Dinesh has just revealed that the name of the character he has played in the film is Jeeva. He further said that he does not know the story of the film and he just acted as per instructions of Ranjith on the shooting spot. Produced by Kalaipuli. S. Thanu, Kabali is expected to hit the screens on 1st May, 2016.
Suriya’s 24 Unlikely To Clash With Vijay’s Theri
Kollywood movie buffs are expecting for a big clash on the Tamil new year day as Ilayathalapathy Vijay’s Their & Suriya’s much anticipated sci – fi flick 24 are expected to release around the same festival period. However trade sources are apprehensive about the same as the 2 biggies releasing on the same day will be detrimental to the stakeholders of both the films. But Now Suriya who has also produced 24 under his 2D Entertainment’s banner has said that such a clash is not possible as it is not possible to release 2 biggies on the same day. He further said that either of the 2 films will only be released on 14th Apr, 2016 and also hoped that it is 24.
Anirudh & Vignesh Sivan Team Up Again After Naanum Rowdy Dhaan
Young music director Anirudh Ravichander who is musically far away from his local audience due to continuous foreign concerts for the past couple of months, is now back with the “Avalukkenna” shingle track which was released on Valentine’s Day as a dedication for lovers. And now it has also been revealed that young director & lyricist Vignesh Sivan and also a good friend of Anirudh has directed this shingle as an album featuring Anirudh. This is the 2nd time teaming up of the duo which tasted huge success with the recent super hit Naanum Rowdy Dhaan. The teaser of the above mentioned album was also released earlier.
Nampally Criminal Court issues summons to Rajamouli
Ace director SS Rajamouli has been issued summons in a land case by the Nampally Criminal Court. One Bhuvaneshwar, a film producer, had moved the court alleging that Rajamouli reneged on a commitment to sell off his land to him. In the event, the maker of Baahubali did not honour his commitment. Upon finding the accusation to be true based on preliminary reports, the Court has issued summons to Rajamouli, asking him to be be present in the Court on 24th Feb, 2016.
Anjali Turns A Crooner
Actress Anjali is going to don the avatar of a crooner for the 1st time in her upcoming horror – drama Chitrangadha. The actress has recently crooned a song along with Sela Swaminathan, son of music composer Selva Ganesh for this film. The film produced by Gangapatnam Sridhar is a bi – lingual in Telugu & Tamil. The Tamil version is titled Yaar Nee. The film is the story of a transgender and is set in USA backdrop. Anjali has shed a few kilos to get into the skin of the character and will be seen sporting a different look. Ashok of Pilla Zamindar fame is directing this film which is likely to hit the screens in the summer of 2016. The teaser of the film released recently has evoked thumping response from movie buffs.
Allu Arjun To Make His Debut As A Crooner
Stylish star Allu Arjun is all charged up to entice his fans in a new avatar in his next outing Sarrainodu. The 32 year old actor is going to croon for an EDM track for the Boyapati Sreenu directorial shortly. Music composer SS Thaman has already completed composing the song at his recording studio in Chennai. The final version is going to be recorded once Allu Arjun wraps up the climax portion of the film. Thaman, who has got the knack of convincing the superstars for a crooning debut, has made fruitful attempt to unleash the crooning talent of Allu Arjun. “The song is definitely the one we have been waiting for. It’s really tough to score tunes for wonderful dancers like Allu Arjun and imagine if he croons that song, then the excitement doubles up. With the actor coming on board, it made Thaman to augment his work.” avers the source.
Samantha Shrugs Off The Rumours
Days after it was rumoured that Samantha had left the Brahmotsavam unit in a lurch by whizzing off to Chennai mid – way during an important schedule, the star actress has clarified that nothing of that sort happened. It was believed by many, following unfounded rumours, that she had accepted a Tamil film opposite Raj Kumar (Devayani’s husband) without consideration to the makers of Brahmotsavam to whom she had given the call sheets. However, when asked whether there is a modicum of truth in the gossip, Samantha shrugged off the rumour saying that she had been shooting for the film at Ramoji Film City. Besides this film, Samantha has A.. Aa.., Janata Garage, Theri (with Vijay) & 24 (Suriya starrer) lined up for release this year.
Shourya To Be Released Overseas By Supreme Movies LLC
Supreme Movies LLC, USA has bagged the overseas screening rights of the most anticipated thriller movie Shourya. It is a romantic thriller film directed by K. Dasaradh & produced by Malkapuram Siva Kumar, under the banner of Suraksh Entertainments. The film stars Manchu Manoj & Regina Cassandra in the lead roles along with Prakash Raj, Shayaji Shinde, Subbaraju, Brahmanandam et al. The film is being directed by K. Dasaradh, who has earlier directed hit movies like Santosham, Mr. Perfect et al and the music is being composed by Veda K. The film is all set to hit the silver screen worldwide on 3rd Mar, 2016.
School Bus Begins At Kochi
Rosshan Andrrews’ next titled School Bus has begun rolling. The movie got underway at Kochi recently. The director himself had announced the movie’s start. School Bus is based on real life incidents and is told from the perspective of 2 children. It is through the eyes of these 2 kids that the adult world is shown. Kunchako Boban too plays a pivotal part in the movie. He plays a police officer. Certain law issues pertaining to the events that unfold is where Kunchako Boban’s role comes in. The movie has been scripted by Bobby – Sanjay.
Yash & Radhika Team Up Again
The rocking star Yash and dream girl in Kannada cinema Radhika Pandit yet another combination for K Manju production is titled as Maanja. This film went on the floors in the absence of Radhika Pandit. Mahesh Rao, the director of this film was looking for a catchy title to suit the masses and fans of Yash. The super success of Mr And Mrs Ramachari with Yash & Radhika is continued in this Maanja. The popular screen pair commenced from Moggina Manasu and later acted in Drama a runaway hit film in Yogaraj Bhat’s direction. One of the senior producers in Lakshmi Art Combines, K Manju is roping in Yash after Raaja Huli. It is commencing shoot soon says K Manju.
Manamanthana Gets U Certificate
It is the return of distinct maker Suresh Heblikar in Kannada cinema front after 15 year’s gap as a director. An environmentalist Suresh Heblikar has picked the concept from Dr Ashok Pai and directed in the banner of Manasa Arts of Ashok Pai.
The regional censor board has sanctioned a clean U certificate for the film recently. The film is heading for release soon. This film is having a right message for the younger generation. Ramesh Bhat in the father’s character has done a unique role. P. Rajan is handling the camera, Prvin D. Rao scores the music, MN Swamy will be handling editing, screenplay lyrics, direction are handled by Suresh Heblikar. He also appears in a psychiatrist role. Kiran Rajaputh, Arpitha, Sangeetha, Suman, Sridhar, Lakshmi Gopinath et el are in the cast of Mana Manthana.
“Direct Ishq is an action packed romantic comedy”: Rajeev S. Ruia
Director Rajeev S. Ruia, hailing from Rajasthan, had received an instant limelight and recognition with the release of his film My Friend Ganesha. And now he is ready with a diametrically opposite film namely Direct Ishq.
To set the ball rolling in your court tell us what is your upcoming film Direct Ishq all about?
My upcoming film Direct Ishq cannot exactly be termed as a triangular love story. Rather it is an engaging story about 2 boys Kabir Bajpai (Arjun Bijlani) and Vicky Shukla (Rajneish Dugall) both of whom falls for the same girl Dolly Pandey (Nidhi Subhaiah). But yet the trio’s love story is zara hatke.
Can you elaborate?
Well! Actually speaking Vicky Shukla (Rajniesh Duggall) is a local boy from Banaras. A president of the Kaashi Vidyapeeth, Vicky is a rough and tough, aggressive boy who believes in always having a revolver with him, because he is always up for a fight. But this boldness turns into complete shyness when interacting with girls. He soon meets Dolly Pandey (Nidhi Subhaiah), who is bubbly, mischievous and doll like, and falls in love with her. On the other hand Kabeer Bajpai (Arjun Bijlani) is a smart and good looking boy born in a rich family of Banaras but educated in Mumbai and works there doing music shows and events. His grandmother wants to fix him up with her friend’s daughter, but instead Kabeer Bajpai meets Dolly Pandey and also falls in love with her, while helping her make a career as a professional singer.
Don’t you think this rather sounds like a clichéd love story?
To be very frank it is not always the subject matter which lures the audience to a theatre. But a film really promoted well that catches an audience fancy and then it’s the directorial treatment that attracts the audience and keeps him hooked throughout the running time of the movie. In the long run if you go to see there are hardly a few storyline and then it is up to the script writer who weaves the plot in an interesting manner. Then the director takes over and it is up to the director who directs and presents the script in such a manner that the film becomes an interesting watch and really catches the audience fancy.
What according to you are the highlights of Direct Ishq?
I would say that Direct Ishq is an action packed romantic comedy with melodious songs, and besides it has been shot in the beautiful locales of the holy city of Benaras, wherein the river Ganges gets beautifully decorated in the evenings with varied lights and flowers placed there to please the Gods. The uniqueness of the holy city lies in their language, their culture and even their songs, which I have been lucky enough to film it. That apart all my lead actors will really capture the heart of the audiences in characters that they have never before done. And of course I would also like to make a special mention of Arjun Bijlani’s introductory scene, Nidhi Subhaiah’s biking experiences and Rajniesh Dugall’s daringly different cowboyish looks in Direct Ishq, and over and above all a special song “Ganga Maiyya” as a tribute to river Ganges.
So what will be your next movie after the release of Direct Ishq?
My next film after Direct Ishq will most probably be My Friend Ganesha 4 and Flame which has already bagged 16 National and International awards in the festival circuits. Then my soon to go on the floor films are Saansein – The Last Breath a horror film in 3D and over and above all a mythological film titled Love U Shankar.
A trustworthy investigation, from HCU to JNU is the way out to save the country from the constitutional crisis: Adv. Sharfuddin Ahmad, SDPI
New Delhi: SDPI has presented a Memorandum to the President of India demanding a thorough investigation into the reigning controversy branding the HCU and JNU as Centers of anti-national activities and targeting the students having dissenting voice in false cases of sedition to divert the attention of the country from real issues.
SDPI took strong offence against the statement made in a hurry by the Home Minister Rajnath Singh casting aspersions upon the integrity and patriotism of the students of JNU, who have been fighting in a democratic way against the denial of justice. SDPI demands that after the opinion expressed by the Home Minister, it is incumbent that the issue must be thoroughly investigated either by a joint parliamentary committee or a judicial commission headed by sitting judge of Hon’ble Supreme Court, so that the country may be saved from the constitutional crisis.
Adv Sharfuddin Ahmad said, Home Minister Rajnath Singh teaching the country ‘to understand the reality’ connecting the democratic agitation as anti-national and at the instance of the enemies of the country in JNU on the basis of an alleged tweet on behalf of Hafiz Saeed justifying the arrest of the President of JNUSU Kanhaiya Kumar, is of grave concern and need further investigation. It has been reported that the tweet on which the statement of Home Minister is based is fake and manufactured with ill-intention to support the charge under which drastic and unproportionate action was taken by the police at the instance of Home Minister curtailing the civil rights and suppressing the civil liberties, guaranteed under the Constitution of India.
Since the formation of the NDA Govt., the country has been facing fake controversies based on manufactured issues to subjugate the democratic attitude and ethos. The leaders of RSS, VHP & BJP have been drumming up false issues as love Jihad, Ghar Wapsi, etc. to widen the communal cleavage and promote the mindset of hatred and intolerance. HRD Minister Smriti Irani called a press conference to impress the country that Rohit Vemula was not a Dalit and whole of the intelligence machinery was deployed to make the untruth true. It is to be noted that the Home Minister Rajnath Singh made a statement in hurry on the basis of a fake tweet connecting the activities of JNU with Hafiz Saeed of Pakistan only to convince the country that the arrest and the filing of the cases against the students of JNU are acts of unpatriotic and anti-nationalistic. The genesis of statement of the Home Minister has been exposed by media investigation and this also requires a deep investigation of the whole issue (from the charges thrust upon HCU to JNU). The charge of the treason and sedition have been imposed with a view of character-assassination of the students who have a deep democratic understanding and sense of duties in a democratic polity. The students’ leaders and political activists who have been vanguard against the RSS ideology are being targeted illegally by invoking the laws pertaining to sedition.
The NDA Govt. has been sensationalizing the country by concocting issues and now a constitutional crisis is being developed. There is a high increase in communal mindset. The caste terror is being promoted where the children of Dalits are being set afire. The statement of Home Minister in such a situation is only a symptom of the dangerous mindset as well as an indication of the future, the country is heading to face where the democracy of the country is itself at stake.
So, the scale of the challenge demands that all the secular forces should come together to fight out and save the secularism and democracy of the country by formulating united actions.
JNU students and teachers attacked in court, cops just watch
New Delhi: At least six persons, including students and mediapersons, were thrashed today by a group of men in lawyer’s robes inside and outside a Patiala House court where the sedition case against JNUSU President Kanhaiya Kumar was to be heard.
A scuffle broke out before the court took up the hearing, as some men, said to be lawyers, entered the court room and allegedly started pushing out students and teachers, mostly from JNU, and media persons, asking them to leave the premises.
“You (JNU) produce anti-nationals and terrorists. You should get out of the country. Long live India, shut down JNU,” they shouted and then pushed the students and teachers out.
“When the proceedings were going on, some people wearing lawyers’ gowns first started hurling abuses at us. And then suddenly some of them, without any provocation, started beating us badly. They pushed us and beat us up including women students,” AISF President Waliullah Qadri told reporters.
A BJP MLA, who had come to the court complex in connection with the hearing in the defamation case filed by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, allegedly roughed up Ameeque Jamai, said to be a CPI activist.
The students and teachers refused to go out of the court room and said they have a right to attend the proceedings as it was an open court hearing. At least three students were thrashed by the group of men.
The group also began to check the identity cards of media persons and asked them also to leave the court room. The media persons objected to their demand and refused to move out of the court room when they were attacked by the men, who accused the media persons of being JNU supporters and accused them of wrong reporting.
Two print and electronic media reporters were injured. There was heavy police deployment in the court complex, but the students alleged that they did not take any action against this group.
The policemen later drove all the students, teachers and mediapersons out of the court complex.
(Agencies)
Shah Rukh Khan’s car damaged by VHP miscreants in Gujarat
Ahmedabad: Shouting slogans against actor Shah Rukh Khan, members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad or VHP threw stones at a parking lot of a luxury hotel in Ahmedabad early on Sunday damaging his car.
The attack was reportedly against the shooting of his upcoming film “Raees” in Gujarat over his earlier remarks on “intolerance”.
The film’s crew members are staying in the hotel but the 50-year-old actor was not there at the time of the incident as he arrived in Ahmedabad only this afternoon.
After an FIR for rioting and damaging property was filed in this regard in the evening, at least seven persons, claimed to be associated with the VHP, were detained, police said.
According to Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) BU Jadeja, eight to 10 people threw stones in the open parking lot of Hyatt Regency Hotel on Ashram Road, where Mr Khan’s vehicle was parked, this morning and fled from the spot.
“As per the complaint lodged by the Security Officer of the hotel, eight to 10 persons came on bikes and threw stones on cars parked in the open parking lot early this morning. Due to the stone pelting, windscreen of Shah Rukh Khan’s car got damaged,” said Mr Jadeja.
“We have learnt that Shah Rukh Khan was not there in the hotel when incident took place. Some of his crew members, who have come here for shooting, were staying in the hotel. Shah Rukh landed in the city this afternoon for the shoot,” he added. The shooting is taking place in Bhuj.
Meanwhile, a video showing unidentified persons throwing stones inside the hotel also surfaced on social media sites. In the video, they can be seen shouting slogans against Mr Khan and fleeing on bikes after throwing stones.
Gujarat unit of VHP claimed responsibility for the incident. The outfit’s State spokesperson Raju Patel said the detained persons are associated with VHP and threw stones on Mr Khan’s car as part of their ongoing protests against the actor.
Around 20-30 VHP activists had last week handed over a memorandum to Bhuj district officers and demanded withdrawal of the permission given for the shooting of the film. They protested outside the district Collector’s office pressing for the same demand and shouted slogans against the actor and also burnt and tore his posters.
In November last year, Mr Khan sparked a debate when he said during an interview that there was “growing intolerance” in India.
However, the actor later statements just a few days later, claiming his comments had been misconstrued.
(Agencies)
Leopard captured after entering school escapes from enclosure in Bengaluru
Bengaluru: The leopard that was captured last week after it had entered a private school here and injured three forest department personnel has escaped from the enclosure in Bannerghatta Biological Park, where it was caged.
A senior official said it could have escaped late in the night and the incident came to light only this morning. An operation is on to track and recapture it.
“We will come to know about it only after investigation… Once the probe is over, we will fix the responsibility and initiate action,” he said.
The leopard had entered a private school near Varthur here on February 7 causing panic in and around the area.
However, it was tranquilised and captured after a day-long operation, during which it had attacked three forest personnel.
Meanwhile, speaking to reporters in Mysuru, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said he would seek information from forest department officials about the leopard’s escape.
“I will seek details of the animal’s escape. I will talk to the forest department officials and find out the reason,” he said.
Officials said there were three layers of barriers and it was difficult (for the animal) to escape by itself.
“We will get to how the leopard escaped only after a thorough investigation,” they said.
(Agencies)
India beat Sri Lanka by 69 runs in 2nd T20I
Ranchi: India produced an all-round performance to outclass Sri Lanka by 69 runs in the second T20 International at the Jharkhand International Stadium here on Friday to level the three-match series 1-1.
Opener Shikhar Dhawan (51 off 25) scored a quick-fire half century as India posted a challenging total of 196/6 in 20 overs.
In reply, the visitors could manage only 127/9 in 20 overs.
Ravichandran Ashwin (3-14), Jasprit Bumrah (2-17), Ravindra Jadeja (2-24), Ashish Nehra (2-26) were the pick of the bowlers for India.
India earlier lost the first match by five wickets.
Chasing a challenging target of 197, the visitors got off to a worst possible start losing experienced Tillakaratne Dilshan (0) in the first over itself off the bowling of Ashwin.
In the next over, Sri Lanka suffered another blow when Danushka Gunathilaka (2) was caught off an outside edge off the bowling of Ashish Nehra and the side was reduced to 3/2 in 1.1 overs.
Next up, some tight bowling by both Indian pacers and spinners saw the visitors lose wickets at regular intervals.
Seekkuge Prasanna (1) being out in the fourth over saw the team struggling at 16/3.
From there on skipper Chamara Kapugedera (32) and Dinesh Chandimal (31) held on to score some quick runs but in the 12th over, Jadeja produced the much needed breakthrough for the hosts to get Kapugedera out to thus put more pressure on Sri Lanka.
With wickets falling in clusters it became difficult for the middle and lower order batsmen to pile on the huge runs which were needed and eventually surrendered to the Indians.
Earlier on, put into bat, the home side got off to an explosive start with both openers Rohit Sharma (43) and Dhawan taking the initiative to go all out at the Lankan bowlers.
With good number of boundaries and sixes, the team scored 70 runs in the powerplay as Dhawan brought up his 50 in just 22 balls.
But in the final ball of seventh over, Dhawan, looking to help the ball over the wicket-keeper’s head off the bowling off Chameera, was cramped for room and the ball got to the glove of Dinesh Chandimal who accepted it gleefully. India were 75/1.
Incoming batsman Ajinkya Rahane (25) gave good support to Rohit as the duo scored at a good pace to bring up India’s 100 in the 11th over itself.
But as Rohit was looking to take on the bowlers, the visitors got the second breakthrough as Chameera clinched a stunning diving catch off his own bowling to reduce India to 122/2 in 13.1 overs.
Soon after the dismissal of Rohit, India received double blow when Rahane looking too pull it too early got the top edge and which lobbed straight to Tillakaratne Dilshan at cover point. India were 127/3 in 14.2 overs.
From there on two new batsmen Suresh Raina and Hardik Pandya took on the bowlers striking boundaries and sixes at regular intervals to take India score to a handsome total.
In the 19th over, Thisara Perera (3-33) got rid of Pandya, Raina and Yuvraj Singh in three consecutive balls to clinch a hat-trick.
(IANS)
Our son victim of Hindutva politics, say parents of JNUSU president
Patna: A day after the president of Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union Kanhaiya Kumar was arrested on the charge of sedition, his parents in Bihar said their son is not anti-national and is being victimised for his opposition to Hindutva politics.
“My son is not anti-national. There is no question of his following an ideology of anti-nationalism. He is a nationalist like hundreds of thousands of youths of his age,” Kanhaiya Kumar’s father Jaishankar Singh, who is suffering from paralysis, said on Saturday.
Kanhaiya’s mother Meena Devi said her son is a nationalist, but not a supporter of RSS-BJP’s Hindutva politics.
“We are proud of his Left ideology. There is nothing wrong in it. He has been fighting against right wing politics and now being targeted for it,” she said.
His parents live at Bihar Maslanpur village in Begusarai district, considered a stronghold of the Left wing or communist politics in the state. There was a time when Begusarai was known as ‘Leningrad’ of Bihar, but no more.
Singh said his son was arrested under a conspiracy by his political rivals. “My son is a Left party activist and rivals of Left ideology are playing dirty politics.”
Meena said that she is confident and sure that his son will win the battle against Hindutva politics.
Most of the villagers of Kanhaiya’s native place are sad over his arrest on the charge of sedition.
“We had celebrated last year when Kanhaiya was elected JNU students’ union president. It was a proud moment for us. But now we are upset at his arrest. It is a matter of disbelief for us to accept that he is anti-national,” a village youth Santosh Kumar said.
Another villager Ramchander Singh supported Santosh’s view and said Kanhaiya cannot be anti-national. “Our soil has produced only nationalists so far.”
Kanhaiya Kumar was arrested on Friday allegedly for raising anti-India slogans at an event organised by students on JNU campus to commemorate the death of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru, who was executed in 2013.
(IANS)
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