Month: February 2022

** Vridhi Kumari punching her way to success

Chennai’s Vridhi Kumari is the only Indian woman to win a medal at the recently concluded IMMAF 2021, in Abu Dhabi

In the cage, as she braced for the fight, Vridhi Kumari could only think of her mother’s words ‘Don’t give up.’

The 21-year-old from Chennai threw her best punches and kicks to win a bronze medal in the Atomweight Category (Seniors) at the recently concluded IMMAF (International Mixed Martial Art Federation) World Championship 2021 at Palms Sports Arena, Abu Dhabi. With this, she became the first Indian woman to win a medal for the country in this category at IMMAF.

** Jio invests $15 million in Silicon Valley-based Two Platforms for 25% stake

Two is an Artificial Reality company with focus on building interactive and immersional AI experiences

Jio Platforms Ltd. has announced an investment of US$ 15 million in Two Platforms Inc., a Silicon Valley based deep tech startup founded by Pranav Mistry, for a 25% equity stake on a fully diluted basis.

Two is an Artificial Reality company with focus on building interactive and immersional AI experiences. After text and voice, it believes the next chapter of AI is visual and interactive.

The founding team at Two has several years of leadership experience in research, design and operations with leading global technology companies, Jio said in a statement. “Two will work collaboratively with Jio to fast-track the adoption of new technologies and build disruptive technologies such as AI, metaverse, and mixed realities,” it said.

** Alishan Sharafu feeling ‘blessed’ ahead of UAE’s U19 World Cup campaign

UAE captain Alishan Sharafu in action against Pakistan during the Under 19 Asian Cup at the ICC Academy, Dubai, in December. Chris Whiteoak/ The National

The Covid-enforced dearth of international cricket in 2021 was keenly felt by all of UAE’s leading players, but none more so than CP Rizwan.

The Kerala-born batsman must have thought he had finally cracked international cricket when he scored an uplifting century in a one-day international against Ireland a year ago.

Kerala / UAE

** Mihir Patel to captain Canada cricket team at the ICC 2022 Men’s U-19 World Cup

The 19-year-old from Toronto has experience at the competition, scoring a notable 90 off 105 balls in a loss to the United Arab Emirates at the 2020 Under-19 World Cup where the young Canadians finished 13th.

Dec 2021

** Watch | First pod hotel at Mumbai Central

A video on the first Japanese-style capsule hotel in India

The recently inaugurated ‘pod hotel’ at Mumbai Central Railway Station is the first of its kind in India.

It was introduced by the Indian Railways as an inexpensive stay option for travellers.

The ‘pod’ or a ‘capsule hotel’, was first developed in Japan. It features a large number of small, bed-sized rooms known as capsules.

** This scientist cycled more than a thousand kilometres to explore Kerala’s lighthouses

Ayyappan Nair covered the Kerala coast on a bicycle to visit and photograph the lighthouses in the State

After more than a thousand kilometres on a bicycle, covering the coastline of Kerala later, Ayyappan Nair is raring to hit the pedal again.

Discussing how he photographed 20 of 21 lighthouses in the State, Ayyappan says he was was overwhelmed by the warmth of strangers he met on the way. “The trip has motivated me to learn about the heritage and syncretic culture of the State, which has drawn traders from Egypt, ancient Arabia, China and East Asia,” he said

Kerala

** The man who built a forest: Jadav Payeng

Jadav Payeng, known as ‘The Forest Man of India’, takes us through his journey of grit that saw a desert turning into a forest. His story has inspired a trilingual film starring Rana Daggubati

I take a 20-minute boat ride from the Baghmora camp site in Jorhat, Assam, followed by a 45-minute trek to meet ‘The Forest Man of India,’ Jadav Payeng.

Assam

** Winner of UNICEF Photo of the Year 2021 on the changing face of the Sunderbans

Supratim Bhattacharjee, whose photograph from his Sinking Sundarbans project was chosen, shares why he chooses to be a visual storyteller of humanitarian crises.

The photograph was chosen among thousands as the winner for 2021 by UNICEF Germany, which once a year awards photo reports that document the personality and living conditions of children around the world. This year both first and second place have been awarded to Indian photographers.

The photograph was chosen among thousands as the winner for 2021 by UNICEF Germany, which once a year awards photo reports that document the personality and living conditions of children around the world. This year both first and second place have been awarded to Indian photographers.

Mumbai

** Neeraj nominated for Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year award

India’s Olympic gold medal-winning javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra was on Wednesday nominated for the prestigious Laureus ‘World Breakthrough of the Year’ award, making him the first Indian to be featured in the short-list for this category. He was clubbed alongside tennis stars Daniil Medvedev and Emma Raducanu among others.

The 23-year-old Chopra last year became only the second Indian to win an individual Olympic gold medal and first in track and field in Tokyo with a throw of 87.58 metres in his second attempt. The performance catapulted him to superstar status in India and also brought him worldwide acclaim.