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

Gagan creates history with fourth Commonwealth gold medal

ACE INDIAN shooter Gagan Narang scripted history by winning the fourth gold medal at the Karni Singh Shooting Range in New Delhi on Saturday. He bagged the gold in the Singles 50 m Rifle 3 Positions (Men) event and took India's gold medals to 22. At the rate at which Narang has been performing in the Commonwealth, India can expect few more such medals in the coming days.

Meanwhile, shooters Harpreet Singh and Vijay Kumar too clinched gold medals in men's 25-metre centre fire pistol pairs event. The Commonwealth Games has brought to the fore some incredibly talented athletes and sports persons. In athletics, Harminder Singh secured a bronze medal in men's 20 km walk. Another feat was achieved by Kavita Raut on Friday when she created history by winning bronze medal in women's 10,000 metres.

Other possible events, where India can expect gold is in women's individual recurve event in which India will be represented by archers Dola Banerjee and Deepika Kumari. In the men's segment, Jayanta Talukdar and Rahul Banerjee may fetch another gold in men's recurve event.

In wrestling, all hopes are pinned upon Sushil Kumar in men's freestyle wrestling. Yogeshwar Dutt (60kg), Anuj Kumar (84kg) and Anil Kumar (55kg) are the others, who will represent India in different categories.

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.

Sania Mirza to play for gold medal in Commonwealth Games 2010

INDIA SLIPPED to the third place on Day six in the Commonwealth Games 2010. The English team with 21 golds, 37 silvers and 20 bronze medals pushed India into the third place. India have also won 21 golds, but their silver and bronze counts are behind England. Indian Commonwealth contingent has won 16 silvers and 16 bronze medals so far.

Australians are far ahead from their nearest rival in medal tally. Till now Australia have won 102 medals including 48 golds, 27 silvers and 27 bronze medals.

Today, India won their 21th gold in Shooting event. Vijay Kumar and Harpreet Singh won 11th shooting gold medal in Men's 25m centre fire pistol Pairs event. Shooter Suma Shirur and Kavita Yadav also won a bronze medal for the country in Women's 10 m Air Rifle Pairs event.

Indian men's Table Tennis team clinched a bronze medal in Men's team event. Yesterday, Women's Table Tennis team won silver medal in team event. In the Athletics, Harminder Singh won bronze medal in Men's 20 kilometres walk event.
This evening women's Tennis single final will be played at RK Khanna Tennis Complex, India's top seeded player Sania Mirza will play against Australian opponent Anastasia Rodionova.

In Wrestling, India's Yogeshwar Dutt, Narsingh Pancham Yadav and Anil Mann will be fight for gold medal in the Freestyle 60-kg, Freestyle 74-kg and Freestyle 96-kg finals (Men's) respectively, whereas, Monika Devi and Srishti Singh will be competing in the 75 kg Women's category.

Full Medals Tally On >> Commonwealth Games 2010 Medal Tally