India to play against Australia in CWG Games hockey final

IT CAN be said that it was an unforgettable Tuesday when Indian men's hockey team stole the heart of all their fans. They were looking perfect, they were in rhythm and they dominated at the Dhyan Chand National Stadium. India defeated England by 5-4 in the tie-breaker to reach into the finals of the Commonwealth Games 2010.

During the 70 minutes of the game, both India and English team were 3-3. Once Indian team were behind 3-1 at the fully packed Dhyan Chand National Stadium. Fans were cheering for India and in the last 15 minutes of the play India never gave any chance to their opponent and scored two goals.

In the extra time both India and England were not able to score any goal. In the tie-breaker India's goal keeper Bharat Chetri saved Glenn Kirkham's penalty shot and secured the berth for final against defending Commonwealth Games champion Australia on October 14.

Meanwhile, on the ninth day of the Commonwealth Games 2010, Indian shooters Heena Sidhu and Annuraj Singh won 31st gold for the country in Women's 10m Air Pistol (Pairs) event, whereas, in the Women's 4×400m (Relay) event, Manjeet Kaur, Sini Jose, Ashwini Akkunji, & Mandeep Kaur bagged 32nd gold for the country.

In the Women's 50m Rifle Prone (Singles) event, Tejaswini Sawant and in the Men's 25m Standard Pistol (Pairs) event, Samresh Jung and Chandrasekhar Chaudhary won silver medals for the country.

In the badminton event, world third seeded badminton player Saina Nehwal reached into the women's single final. In the Women's Doubles event, Ashwini Ponnappa and Jwala Gutta also qualified for the gold medal event at the Commonwealth Games 2010.

The verdict is out: CWG Delhi is a safe food destination

THE 2010 Commonwealth Games is seeing athletes and tourists from more than 70 countries come to the magnificent city of Delhi for the Games. But other than the sporting extravaganza guess what is keeping these visitors busy?

It is mouthwatering Indian food and delicacies! To ensure that the food is of the highest standards, the Food Safety & Standards Authority of India has launched an initiative called Safe Food Destination (SFD) in various parts of the city.

The XIX Commonwealth Games has come as a big boost to Brand India. Delhi is all geared up welcoming the world serving its unique hospitality on platter. The SFD is a great initiative launched in coordination with standards devised by the government’s Food Safety & Standards Authority of India enabling serious restaurateurs to be at par with international standards of food safety and hygiene so that they are able to cater to both national as well as International tourists.

SFD is a wholesome package that offers – testing of the food products, training of the staff, auditing and consulting.

With the aim to establish India as a safe food destination (SFD) CWG Organizing Committee is adhering to food safety norms at all the food serving establishments and at home, making them cognizant of food safety and health hygiene.

The SFD initiative has turned into a huge success with the help of food quality giant TQS Global Management System (UK). TQS has used the services of its “Mobile Testing Van” to assure quality in food and services across various parts of the city. SFD has launched a two day program together with PFA, MCD and NDMC starting a walkathon and a food safety run at different prominent locations all over the capital. To name a few, places like Khan Market, Dilli Haat, Chandni Chowk and Karol Bagh were under the scanner inculcating world class quality consciousness.

N.L.B Pantulu, Vice President Operations, said "Mobile lab is a lab on wheels, where we conduct quite a number of food safety tests for food products. This lab is equipped with GPS tracking systems and wireless connectivity platforms with high security servers on board. It can conduct almost 18 to 20 adulteration tests, for ex. adulteration in milk, adulteration in paneer and khoya and many more. It is also equipped to conduct antibiotic residue tests, pesticide residue test alergen monitoring tests, water tests and a few microbiological tests, etc. I believe this is the first fully integrated Mobile laboratory (lab on wheels) of the country.”

The Organizing Committee of Commonwealth Games have hired the catering services of AFP Manufacturing Pvt Ltd, who are providing food packets to the workforce of CWG, including OC staff, volunteers and security personnel. This contract is worth Rs. 8.75 crore. While TQS GMS is also providing SFD program to one hundred and fifty outlets which is displayed during CWG at the games village.

With three levels of quality and nutritional auditing of food, beginning from the supply of raw material itself to food preparation and cleanliness, there is no scope for compromise making sure that it adheres to international standards.

India wins record 31st gold in Commonwealth Games

ON THE ninth day of the Commonwealth Games 2010, Indian shooters Heena Sidhu and Annuraj Singh won 31st gold for the country in Women's 10m Air Pistol (Pairs) event at Karni Singh shooting range. India has now broken their record of maximum golds ever won by the country in the Commonwealth Games.

India had won 30 golds in Commonwealth Games 2002, held in Manchester in England. India has now won 26 medals including 14 golds in Commonwealth Games 2010 shooting events.

Meanwhile, in the most awaited event on day nine of Commonwealth Games 2010, India is scheduled to play against England in the Men's hockey semi-final at the Dhyan Chand National Stadium. Two days earlier, India thrashed Pakistan in a do-or-die match in Pool A  to secure the semifinal berth by 7-4 at the same venue. India and England second semifinal in the men's hockey event will start at 5:30 pm. In the first semifinal, defending Commonwealth Games champion Australia will take on New Zealand.

On the eighth day of ongoing Commonwealth Games 2010, India secured one gold, one silver and six bronze medals. The biggest upset of the day was Olympic bronze medalist Indian boxer Vijender Singh's loss in the Middle Weight (75kg) Men Semifinals bout against Anthony Ogogo of England.

In the Women's Discus throw event,  Krishna Poonia won the gold medal with a throw of 61.51 metres. She is the first Indian to win a gold medal in track and field events after Milka Singh, who won one it 52 years back. She is also the first woman to win a gold medal in track and field events of Commonwealth games. In the same event, Harwant Kaur won silver and Seema Antil secured bronze medal.

In the boxing event, India won four bronze medals in Commonwealth Games 2010 on day eight. Amandeep Singh, Jai Bhagwan, Dilbagh Singh and Vijender Singh bagged bronze medals. Tejaswini Sawant and Meena Kumari won bronze medal in Women's shooting 50 metre rifle prone pairs event.

Full Medals Tally On >> Commonwealth Games 2010 Medal Tally

Release of CWG coins by RBI has come too late

RESERVE BANK of India (RBI) has announced its decision to release new CWG 2010 coins now on October 10, one week after the start of games that too without indicating any date of release of new coins. Is it a proper way to commemorate an important event?

These coins should have been issued on the day of opening ceremony itself with plenty of coins and coin-sets available for foreign players and delegates at Games Village. Even higher-priced silver-alloy and gold coins could have been minted for the very special occasion.

Coin-sets should be made available at all RBI offices, philately counters and selected bank-branches (both private and public) right from date of release of new coins abolishing cumbersome and costly procedure of advance-booking of coin-sets that too after some years of release of coins thereby killing very purpose of commemorating an occasion. For simplicity only one highest-priced ‘Proof’ category of coin-sets comprising of all denominations of new-released coins should be there abolishing other categories including ‘uncirculated’ one.

All new coins including higher-priced silver-alloy coins should be available at face-value right on date of release itself from such convenient centres. Popularising coin-collection on lines of philately, will give net revenue-earning because such coin-sets never come in actual circulation. Educational institutions and others can be motivated to give coin-sets as prizes in functions instead of trophies and momentos.

Nigerian athlete first to test positive in Commonwealth Games

IN THE first case of doping at the Commonwealth Games 2010 in Delhi, Nigerian athlete Osayemi Oludamola, the 100 m gold medalist has reportedly tested positive for Methylhexaneamine, a banned substance. She won the event as Sally Pearson of Australia was disqualified for making a false start. However, her B sample is yet to be tested.

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria has said the positive result is the result of the prescription medication she took for a toothache, which led to her failed drug test.

"I regret to announce that a positive dope case has come out. Nigeria's Osayemi Oludamola has tested positive for methylhexaneamine and under anti-doping rules of the Games, she has been handed a provisional suspension," Fennell said at his customary media conference.

"Under anti-doping procedures she has been notified and she has requested for a 'B' sample testing. The 'B' sample testing will be done today and her hearing will also be held today," he added.

It is the first positive drop test of the Games. Nigerian athlete finished behind Pearson in 11.32 seconds before the Australian was disqualified along with England's Laura Turner, who was allowed to run but finished last.

In yesterday's race, Oludamola competed in the 200m semis but failed to qualify for the finals.

Full Medals Tally On >> Commonwealth Games 2010 Medal Tally

India one short of winning maximum golds in Commonwealth Games

INDIAN COMMONWEALTH contingent is just one gold away to break their record of maximum golds ever won by India in the Commonwealth Games. India had won 30 golds in Commonwealth Games 2002, held in Manchester in England. However, India has already crossed the mark of maximum 69 medals which were also won in Manchester eight years back.
On seventh day of Commonwealth Games 2010, Indian bagged 15 medals including five golds, five silvers and five bronze medals. Country's top seeded tennis player Somdev Devvarman won gold medal in Men's Singles event. He defeated Gerg Jones of Australia straight by 6-4 6-2.  
2008 Beijing Olympics bronze medalist in the Men's 66kg Freestyle Wrestling event, Sushil Kumar won gold medal in the finals in the 66 kg freestyle wrestling category in the Commonwealth Games 2010. He defeated Heinrich Barnes of South Africa. Indian wrestlers Joginder Kumar and Anuj Kumar won silver medal in Men's freestyle 120 kg and Men's freestyle 84 kg events.
India won their 13th gold in shooting as shooter Harpreet Singh won gold medal in Men's 25m centre fire pistol Individual event. In the Archery event Indian archers Deepika Kumari and Rahul Banerjee won golds in Women's recurve individual and Men's recurve individual event on Sunday October 10.
In the most important game on Sunday at the jam-packed Major Dhyan Chand Stadium, India thrashed Pakistan by 7-4 in a Pool A match of the Commonwealth Games Men's hockey event. With this victory, India confirmed a semifinals berth against England at the Commonwealth Games.

Full Medals Tally On >> Commonwealth Games 2010 Medal Tally

Citizen Journalism: Democratising the media

THE WORLD Press Freedom Day will be celebrated all across the globe on May 3 and rich tributes will be paid to the journalists, who lost their lives in the line of fire or those suffering at the hands of the authorities for showing defiance.
This day reminds us of the fact that there are many places in the world, where journalists are being hounded for not toeing the official or unofficial line. While there has been a vast improvement in the conditions, in which journalists work, there are many more challenges yet to be overcome. In many countries, they still face censorship, arrests and even death in extreme cases.

However, more than the freedom of journalists, this May 3, brings another important issue to fore. And that is the freedom of the Media as a whole in wake of the failure of the traditional news industry as a business and a keeper of the national conscience.
As a consequence, a new from of journalism and media based on the concept of participatory journalism has evolved and is slowly broadening its horizons.
The advent of Internet and interactive web technologies has given rise to a new breed of citizen journalists, who are contributing and making news as the mainstream media.

These new media professionals, bloggers and photographers have charted territory, which is beyond editorial and corporate control. Many a times, serious news and articles published on Citizen Journalism websites and New Media have brought issues, which have been stomped over by the mainstream journalists.

In the wake of this development, it is important that this May 3, the contribution of the emerging concept of Citizen Journalism and New Media is also acknowledged and these brave guys are also given their due share under the sun.

Whether one is writing for a top news paper or writing his own blog or contributing on a citizen website should not make any difference, if some lies are exposed and truth is brought out.

It is also important that correct role of the media is clearly identified, who owns it and for whom it works. Is the media answerable to the stock holders, who are interested in the profits they line up at the end of the day or it has a larger role to play in the society.

The role of the new media and the alternative it gives to the common citizens is also to be analysed. Will Citizen Journalism replace mainstream media or will it work as an adjunct and coexist in the larger media framework is for posterity to decide.
But right now, Citizen Journalism is an evolving concept and the World media needs to nurture this concept and reinforce the idea on this World Press Freedom day.
The more people understand the process of journalism, the more they will realise the problems faced by a practitioner, thus bringing in more respect for the profession and the industry.