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Jehan Daruvala becomes first Indian to win F2 race

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Jehan Daruvala becomes first Indian to win F2 race

Promising Indian driver Jehan Daruvala created history when he became the first Indian to win a Formula 2 race during the Sakhir Grand Prix on Sunday.

A thrilling battle against F2 champion Mick Schumacher and Daniel Ticktum saw the 22-year-old Indian emerge on top in the support race of the season-ending Formula 1 Grand Prix.

Jehan, driving for Rayo Racing, had a good launch from second on the grid and was up alongside pole sitter Daniel Ticktum.

Ticktum squeezed Jehan on the inside which allowed Schumacher to go around the outside of both of them.

Eventually, Ticktum emerged in the lead, followed by Schumacher and Jehan in third. A few corners later, Jehan made a good move to pass Schumacher and get into second position.

A few laps later, Schumacher passed Jehan, to relegate him to third.

Jehan, however, did not give up. A thrilling battled ensued and eventually the Indian got past Schumacher once again, to reclaim his second spot.

Jehan then reeled off a series of quick laps to catch the race leader. However, he was unable to overtake.

The battle for the lead intensified as Ticktum seemed desperate to win the last race of the season.

Jehan, however, kept his cool and maintained the pressure. His excellent race craft forced the race leader to start making mistakes, but Jehan found it tough to get past Ticktum.

Eventually with less than 10 laps to go, Jehan made another fantastic move to get past Ticktum and grab the lead.

Thereafter, Jehan drove well to slowly start opening up a gap and finally took the chequered flag to win his maiden FIA Formula 2 race.

His Japanese teammate Yuki Tsunoda was second, over 3.5 seconds behind Jehan, while Ticktum was third.

“Motorsport is pretty big in India. We obviously have a lot of people, so I have a big fan base back home, and my goal at the end of the day is to do myself and my country proud. (I have) to prove to people from back home that even though we don’t have the same facilities and stuff that guys have in Europe, as long as you can work hard you can fight right at the sharp end of the grid,” Jehan said.

Mick Schumacher, the son of F1-legend Michael Schumacher, wins the F2 title

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Mick Schumacher, the son of F1-legend Michael Schumacher, wins the F2 title

Mick Schumacher, the Formula One-bound son of seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, clinched the Formula Two drivers’ championship title on Sunday. Despite finishing 18th in the final race of the season at the Bahrain International Circuit, ahead of Sunday’s later Sakhir Grand Prix, he took the title by 14 points ahead of nearest rival Briton Callum Ilott, who finished 10th. Jehan Daruvala won the race, taking his first F2 victory after Schumacher had flat-spotted a tyre on the first lap in his Prema car.

Schumacher was third on the grid alongside Ilott and took second at the start, but fell back and after a pit-stop for new tyres had to rely on others finishing ahead of the Briton.

Ilott, who needed to finish second to retain a title bid, fell down the order and finished 10th.

Schumacher ended the season on 215 points and Ilott on 201.

Nikita Mazepin, his future team-mate at the Haas F1 team next year, finished fifth in the title race.

Schumacher said it was going to take time to sink in that he had won the title.

“I don’t really understand I am champion yet.

“It would sound a lot better if we did a good race today. Nevertheless, we are champions and people will forget this race and remember the good times this year.”

On Wednesday Schumacher said his childhood dream had come true with the announcement that he would follow his father into F1.

“I’m happy it’s been decided — I have been chasing this dream since I was three years old.”

Schumacher and Mazepin replace Haas’s current driver pairing of Romain Grosjean — who escaped a fiery crash in Sunday’s Bahrain Grand Prix – and Kevin Magnussen.Listen to the latest songs, only on JioSaavn.com

Schumacher has shone in Formula Two this season after achieving 10 podium finishes and feature-race victories at Monza and Sochi.

He will get a taste of what is needed at the elite level when he takes part in Haas’ free practice ahead of the 2020 season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on December 11 before participating in testing a few days later.

Controversy continues on Centre’s decision to give Golwalkar’s name to new RGCB campus

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Controversy continues on Centre’s decision to give Golwalkar’s name to new RGCB campus

The controversy in Kerala on Central Government’s decision to name new Rajiv Gandhi Centre of Biotechnology campus after RSS ideologue MS Golwalkar continues. The LDF and Congress have lashed out against the union government’s decision, saying that it is a part of the BJP’s plan to communalise everything.

Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala strongly criticised the Centre’s move saying that naming the campus after Golwalkar is not acceptable and added that he had written to the prime minister requesting that the decision be withdrawn. “Before giving his name Modi government should explain to the people of Kerala about the contributions made by Gowalkar to our nation, ” Chennithala said.

Congress leader and Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor questioned Golwalkar’s contribution to science other than promoting the disease of communalism.

“Are there no BJP icons who’ve a minimum of tried to do the identical factor?” Tharoor tweeted. “What is MSG’s contribution to science other than promoting the disease of communalism?” he asked.

Another congress MP, T.N. Prathapan wrote a letter to the Prime Minister demanding the repeal of the decision. He later posted a note in his Facebook page asking ‘how an advanced institution of science and reason on health studies be named after an Indian Nazi?’

Condemning the decision, CPI-M Politburo member MA Baby said “This is a plan hatched by the RSS to make inroads into Kerala by dividing the society. The democratic society of Kerala should oppose this move together.”

CPI-M state secretary A Vijayaraghavan said the BJP is attempting to bring communal elements to the forefront. “As part of this plan, they decided to name the new campus of the RGCB after Golwalkar,” Vijayaraghavan said

Senior CPI leader Mullakkara Ratnakaran suggested the name of Dr Palpu, a famed bacteriologist and social reformer for the institute. Sashi Tharoor also suggested the name of DrPalpu, saying that he (Palpu) was an expert in serum therapy and tropical medicine

While addressing the curtain raiser session of the sixth edition of India International Science Festival (IISF), scheduled for December 2225, held online and organised by the RGCB, health minister Dr. Harshvardhan announced on Friday that the second campus will be named ‘Shri Guruji Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar National Centre for Complex Disease in Cancer and Viral Infection.’

The debate over naming the new campus of Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB) after RSS ideologue M S Golwalkar is still refusing to die down with more political leaders expressing opposition to the move and BJP leaders backing it fiercely. Union minister V Muraleedharan on Sunday asked the critics whether the Nehru Trophy Boat Race was named after Jawaharlal Nehru because the first prime minister was a sportsman.

Responding to MP Shashi Tharoor’s demand that the RGCB campus be named after Dr P Palpu, he said: “Let Tharoor first say why Palpu’s name was ignored when the Perinthalmanna college was named after Pookoya Thangal.” He said the BJP state committee had no role in the naming and the decision was taken by the governing council of the RGCB.

K Surendran, BJP state president, said the naming of the second campus of RGCB after Golwalkar has become a straw of hope for the “left and right fronts” who are grappling with various issues. Addressing mediapersons in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday, Surendran said the controversy over the naming of the campus is unnecessary.

Farm Bills: Bharat Bandh from 11 AM-3 PM tomorrow

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Farm Bills: Bharat Bandh from 11 AM-3 PM tomorrow

Amid growing support from unions and Opposition parties for tomorrow’s “Bharat Bandh” call, some services could get affected in Delhi – now the epicentre of farmers’ protests – and the rest of the country. The farmers have called for a “peaceful” nationwide shutdown on December 8, a day ahead of the sixth round of talks with the government for repeal of contentious farm laws.

“The protest is to show that we don’t support some government policies,” Bharatiya Kisan Union Spokesperson Rakesh Tikait said. Farmers reiterated they won’t give space to any political party and said their protest is “peaceful and will continue that way”. However, the centre has issued a nationwide advisory suggesting “tight security” for “peace” and ensuring Covid-19 guidelines are followed.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India has rescheduled to December 13 the Chartered Accountants Foundation Examination paper-1 that was to be held tomorrow. Admit cards issued will remain valid; candidates are advised to keep checking the website.

In Delhi, fruits and vegetables could be in short supply. “Most of our traders are supporting the Bharat Bandh call. Hence, mandis at Ghazipur, Okhla and Narela will be heavily impacted,” said Adil Ahmed Khan, Chairman of the Azadpur Mandi – Asia’s largest wholesale market.

Commuters in Delhi and Tamil Nadu may face problems as some cab and taxi unions, including those associated with app-based aggregators, have decided to back the shutdown. But autos and those offering last-mile connectivity would continue to ply, unions said. Government said arrangements have been to ensure people can commute easily during the bandh.

Farmers urged people to extend their support non-violently and said their protest was not meant to “cause problems for the common man”. “Tomorrow’s Bharat Bandh is from 11 am to 3 pm. It is a symbolic protest. We will begin at 11 am so everyone can reach office on time… Services such as ambulance, even weddings, can go on. People can show their card and leave,” Bharatiya Kisan Union Spokesperson Rakesh Tikait said.

The Bandh is likely to be most well-observed in Punjab, which has extended its full support. Sit-in protests, some by opposition parties supporting farmers, are likely in Delhi, Karnataka, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Telanaga and northeastern states of Tripura and Assam, besides others. This is likely to create traffic congestions, and states are set to issue travel advisories. Gujarat has said it would act against those who try “to close shops and other establishments forcefully”.

Dilli Chalo: Cabinet Ministers hold meeting with unions in Delhi

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Dilli Chalo: Cabinet Ministers hold meeting with unions in Delhi

Union Cabinet ministers and farmers on Tuesday evening began talks in Delhi as protests against new agricultural laws continued outside Delhi. Thirty-five farmers’ representatives are meeting Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar and Railway Minister Piyush Goyal. The Centre today expressed confidence that it will reach a solution after discussing issues raised by protesting farmers.

Farmers have come to Delhi for a decisive battle and will continue their stir against the new farm laws, their leaders say, even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi continues to defend the legislation and accuse the Opposition of playing tricks on farmers again through misinformation.
Meanwhile, the opposition parties have stepped up pressure, asking the Centre to “respect the democratic struggle” of the farmers and repeal the laws.
Peaceful sit-ins by farmers, mostly from Punjab and Haryana, continued for the sixth day at the Singhu and Tikri borders with no untoward incident reported. Long queues of vehicles choked the roads as the Delhi Police kept the Singhu and Tikri borders closed and heightened checking at others.
Many protesters said that they have come prepared for a long haul with rations and other necessities.

Dilli Chalo: Will protest until demands are met, say unions

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Dilli Chalo: Will protest until demands are met, say unions

A day after the agitating farmers threatened to block all entry points to the national capital, the Delhi Police on Monday enhanced security deployment at all the borders points connecting the city with neighbouring states of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. Rejecting the Centre’s offer to hold talks once they move to the Burari ground, the farmers protesting against the new agricultural reform laws have been staying put at Tikri, Singhu and Ghazipur borders. 

“Delhi Police has strengthened its presence at various border points in the wake of the farmers protest. All internal and outside forces have been mobilised to the maximum,” a senior police officer said. Delhi Police Commissioner S N Shrivastava visited Singhu border to take stock of the security arrangements. “They (farmers) have been given an offer and the arrangements are better at the Burari instead on the road. On the road, there are issues for commuting. Here, there is no toilet or water, whereas the arrangements in Burari are better. The police have made good arrangements and we are ready for any situation,” he said.

Meanwhile, Case registered against unknown persons on 27th November at Alipur police station in connection with the clash between farmers and police at Singhu border (Delhi-Haryana) in which public properties were damaged: Delhi Police.

Strengthening the protest, Dadri MLA Sombir Sangwan resigned as Haryana Pashudhan Board Chairman in support of ongoing farmers movement. Tomorrow morning at 10 am, all members of Sangwan Khap will proceed to Delhi & we will support protesting farmers till the very end.

Questioning how the farm laws were formulated without consulting the farmers, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Monday urged the people of the country to raise their voice in support of the protesting farmers.

The Congress leader, taking to Twitter, also alleged that the farm laws only benefit the billionaire friends of the Central government.

“Name is farm law, but only billionaire friends get all the benefit. How can farm laws be made without consulting the farmers? How can farmers’ benefits be ignored? The government has to listen to farmers. Come, let us raise our voice in support of the farmers together,” she tweeted in Hindi.

LJP’s Jallikattu selected as India’s official entry to Academy Awards 2021

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LJP’s Jallikattu selected as India’s official entry to Academy Awards 2021

Malayalam feature Jallikattu, directed by Lijo Jose Pellissery, has been selected as India’s official entry for the International Feature Film category at the Oscars, the Film Federation of India (FFI) announced on Thursday.

The film, which was unanimously chosen from 27 entries across Hindi, Odiya, Marathi, and other languages, follows a bull that escapes from a slaughterhouse in a hilly remote village and the entire village men gathering to hunt down the animal.

Jallikattu is based on the short story Maoist by Hareesh and stars Antony Varghese, Chemban Vinod Jose, Sabumon Abdusamad, and Santhy Balachandran.

“There were a total of 27 films that had entered the race from Hindi, Malayalam, Oria, and Marathi. The film which has been nominated by the jury to represent India at the Oscars is the Malayalam film Jallikattu. It is a film that really brings out the raw problems which are there in human beings, that is we are worse than animals,” filmmaker Rahul Rawail, Chairman, Jury Board, Film Federation of India, told reporters in an online press conference.

Calling Pellissery a “very competent director”, known for several critically acclaimed films like Angamaly Diaries and Ea Ma Yau, Rawail said Jallikattu is a production that country should be proud of.

“The whole film talks about an animal that has run amok in a butcher’s shop… The film has been depicted wonderfully and it has been shot very well. The emotion that comes out really moved all of us to have it selected,” the chairman said.

Jallikattu had its premiere on 6 September, 2019 at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival and received widespread critical acclaim.

Pellissery also won the best director trophy at the 50th International Film Festival of India last year.

In 2019, Zoya Akhtar’s Gully Boy, starring Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt, was India’s entry to the Oscars.

Kerala brings Police Act (118 A), faces wide criticism

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Kerala brings Police Act (118 A), faces wide criticism

Governor Arif Mohammed Khan has signed the controversial Kerala Police Act amendment ordinance, which the government claimed was intended to prevent cyber attacks against women and children but criticised for curbing freedom of expression. Various organisations including the CPI, a member of the ruling LDF government, had opposed the amendment that covers mass media also.

Amidst the increasing criticism, the Chief Minister of Kerala Pinarayi Vijayan said the state had a duty to protect individuals’ liberty and dignity, but that no action would be taken against the media or critics who stay “within the limits of the Constitution”.

“The new amendment will in no way be used against free speech or impartial journalism. Apprehensions to the contrary are unfounded,” the Chief Minister’s Office said.

“Along with ensuring freedom of press, the Government also has the responsibility of upholding a citizen’s individual freedom and his/her dignity, as enshrined in the Constitution. The popular idea that one’s freedom ends where the other’s nose begins needs to be respected. However, there have been instances of this idea being repeatedly violated,” the CMO statement added.

The opposition was swift to express its concern, with the Congress’s Shashi Tharoor, the MP from Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram, called it “troubling” and pointing out that the ordinance was “so loosely drafted it could also be used against political opponents”.

“This law can and will be challenged in the courts, because any political attack on social media against a party or “class of persons” (eg ‘sanghis’ or ‘libtards’) could attract its provisions. It must be revised to narrow its application to flagrant cases of abuse and threats only,” he said.

Union Minister V Muraleedharan hit out at the “draconian” ordinance and said it threatened freedom of speech. In his tweet the minister from Kerala said the ordinance was a sign of the Pinarayi Vijayan government “loosing confidence”.

NDA retains Bihar in a close fight, RJD the single largest party

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NDA retains Bihar in a close fight, RJD the single largest party

After weeks of bitter campaigning, three phases of voting, over 15 hours of counting, and allegations of cheating, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) was announced as winner of the Bihar election in the (very) early hours of Wednesday. Boosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rallies, the NDA eased past the majority mark of 122 in the 243-member Assembly. The BJP won 74 seats to emerge as the senior member in its alliance with Nitish Kumar’s JDU, which won just 43. The opposition, led by the RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav, put up a strong fight but eventually fell short. However, with 75 seats the RJD is the single-largest party. The Congress, viewed by many as the reason for the opposition’s failure to go all the way, contested 70 seats but won only 19. Chirag Paswan’s LJP, which was the source of much frustration for Nitish Kumar, won just one seat.

The ruling JDU-BJP touched the majority mark at around 3 AM after a closely-fought race. The BJP finished with 74 seats and the JDU 43. Two smaller members – former Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi’s Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular), and the Vikassheel Insaan Party – won four each. The BJP is now the big brother in its relationship with the JDU – something it has never been and which could impact the choice of Bihar’s next chief minister, with some in the party of the opinion that Nitish Kumar can no longer call the shots.

The opposition began the day well, surging into an early lead before being pegged back and overhauled by the NDA. Tejashwi Yadav, whose masterminding of the RJD’s campaign announced him as a worthy successor to his father Lalu Yadav’s throne, produced an impressive result for his party – with 75 seats, the RJD emerged as the single-largest party. By contrast the Congress, whom many have suggested is at fault for the opposition’s failure, flopped (again) and won just 19 of 70 seats; eight fewer than it managed in 2015. The three Left parties claimed 16 seats between them, with 12 going to the CPI (Marxist-Leninist).

Shortly before the results were confirmed, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah both tweeted and thanked the people of Bihar for “backing the NDA’s development agenda”. PM Modi said the NDA would “work for the balanced development of every person, every region” of the state. Mr Shah said: “Every section of Bihar has… backed the NDA’s development agenda” and added: “This is a win for the double-engine development of PM Modi and Nitish Kumar”.

Campaigning for the Bihar polls was fierce and unrelenting, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Nitish Kumar and Yogi Adityanath (his UP counterpart) and BJP President JP Nadda among the big names in action for the NDA. For the opposition, Tejashwi Yadav was often the sole voice in attack; Rahul Gandhi addressed a handful of rallies but nobody else from the Congress made an appearance in Bihar.

The election highlighted growing fissures in the JDU-BJP relationship. The apparent distancing triggered opposition barbs, with both Tejashwi Yadav and the LJP’s Chirag Paswan pouncing. The BJP’s handling of Mr Paswan further infuriated Mr Kumar; the LJP broke away from the NDA to contest independently and relentlessly targeted him. JDU leaders felt this was happening with the BJP’s tacit approval because Mr Paswan was seen as an effective counterweight to Nitish Kumar and a way to keep him in check.

Mumbai Indians beats Delhi Capitals, wins its fifth IPL title

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Mumbai Indians beats Delhi Capitals, wins its fifth IPL title

Mumbai, the most successful team in IPL history, chased 157 with eight balls to spare as captain Rohit Sharma hit 68.

Trent Boult took 3-30 for Mumbai, including Marcus Stoinis with the first ball of the match in Dubai.

Delhi were 22-3 before captain Shreyas Iyer made 65 not out – he added 96 with Rishabh Pant – but Mumbai ensured their total was never enough.

The defending champions were always in control of their chase after Rohit and Quinton de Kock plundered 45 from the first four overs.

Rohit was caught at deep mid-wicket with 20 needed from 23 balls and, although Kieron Pollard and Hardik Pandya soon followed, Ishan Kishan’s unbeaten 33 off 19 balls took Mumbai to victory.

It follows their IPL wins in 2013, 2015, 2017 and 2019 and means they have won the world’s premier domestic Twenty20 competition at least twice more than any other team.

This year’s tournament was held in the United Arab Emirates without fans and delayed from the spring because of the coronavirus pandemic.

England pace bowler Jofra Archer was named as the most valuable player. He took 20 wickets and scored 113 runs, including 10 sixes, for Rajasthan Royals.

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