Cyclone Thane renders people starving, shelterless in Tamil Nadu coast
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CHENNAI/CUDDALORE/NAGAPATTINAM: Hundreds of families have been forced to bear the burnt of cyclone Thane in the coastal regions of Tamil Nadu as they were rendered homeless by the cyclone.
Hapless people were seen wandering on Saturday in search of shelter and food at various locations of cyclone hit areas in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.
Cyclone Thane struck the coast of Cuddalore in Tamil Nadu on Friday, with heavy rains lashing several areas and causing extensive damage to the property.
At least 33 people were reported dead when the cyclone hit coast of south India near the former French colony of Puducherry, officials said.
Apart from rendering hundreds of families homeless, the cyclone damaged road links, buildings and power lines.
Krishnamurthy, a resident of Cuddalore, said cyclone victims have not got food since yesterday.
“After the rain water entered into the villages, people, both men and women, fled to the safer places. And from yesterday night we have been literally starving, struggling to have a morsel of food,” lamented Krishnamurthy.
Cyclone Thane hit southern Tamil Nadu on Friday with winds of up to 135 kmph and tidal surges of up to 5 feet.
About 6,000 coastal villagers were forced to seek safety in relief shelters. Hundreds of people from fishing communities along north Tamil Nadu coast, and neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, had to move in to the schools, set up as relief centres until the weather system passed.
Fishermen have been advised not to venture out as the cyclone has ravaged the shores and the trends are still expected to prevail on the high seas.
The Regional Meteorological Observatory at Chennai informed that though the cyclone has weakened gradually, chances of heavy rainfall in the state still persist.
Trees were uprooted and roads damaged along a 40 kilometres stretch of coast that includes the township of Auroville, known for its avant-garde architecture and yoga activities.
The storm quickly lost strength over land and on Saturday morning and the weather office said it was only a now a depression that would bring some heavy rain across the south.
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For God’s sake, get rid of street-smart people around you: Digvijaya Singh to …
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Govt committed to a strong Lokpal: PM’s New Year message
New Delhi: Wishing to put behind a “very difficult” year, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday acknowledged that concern about corruption has moved to the centre stage and vowed to personally work to provide an “honest and more efficient government”.
In his New Year message to the nation, he noted that corruption was a serious problem that needs multi-dimensional response of which Lokpal and Lokayuktas are an important part. (PM’s New Year message: Full transcript)
He said it was “unfortunate” that Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill could not be passed by the Rajya Sabha but said the government was committed to enactment of the effective law.
“The year that has just ended was a very difficult year for the world,” Dr Singh said, citing the economic crisis, socio economic tensions, “political upheavals in many developing countries” and “a revolution of rising expectations fostered by the extraordinary reach of the electronic media and the connectivity provided by new social networking platforms.”
These issues kept governments around the world “on their toes”, he said, adding that “we in India have had our share of problems.”
Talking in the context of India specifically, Dr Singh said the economy slowed down, inflation edged up and “concern about corruption moved to the centre stage”.
Counselling against despondency, he said, “we must address the new concerns that have arisen while remaining steadfast in our commitment to put the nation on a development path which ensures rapid, inclusive and sustainable growth.
“I want to assure you all on this New Year’s day that I personally will work to provide an honest and more efficient government, a more productive, competitive and robust economy and a more equitable and just social and political order.”
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Otago win despite Brendan Taylor ton
Otago‘s top order fired to negate Brendan Taylor’s century and take their team to a comfortable seven-wicket win over Wellington at the Queenstown Event Centre. Otago paced their chase of 171 well. Opener Aaron Redmond played the anchor role and stuck around till the 16th over. His opening partner, English import Dimitri Mascarenhas, provided the early impetus with a 25-ball 41. Brendon McCullum then kept the run-rate around the 9-an-over mark with his 36 off 20 balls. McCullum and Mascarenhas both hit four sixes each while Redmond gathered runs at around a run-a-ball. When Redmond was dismissed for 48, Otago were well on course for a victory and Craig Cumming took them home with eight balls to spare.
The impressive batting performance from Otago meant Zimbabwe captain Taylor’s 101 off just 58 balls went in vain. Wellington were hampered by a sluggish start: their openers failed to get going, then James Franklin hung around for 20 balls to score just 10, and when he was dismissed Wellington were 46 for 3 in 8.4 overs. The next 11.2 overs yielded 124 runs to help them get to a competitive total. Taylor, coming off a half-century in Wellington’s last game, hit five sixes and eight fours in his hundred, the first of this season’s HRV Cup. Grant Elliott scored 49 off 31 balls from the other end but the recovery was not enough to beat Otago.
Weather reduced the match at Blake Park to a five-over affair, and some quick runs from Brendon Diamanti and tight bowling from their bowlers gave Canterbury a 16-run win over Northern Districts. Diamanti’s 29 not out off 13 balls formed the bulk of Canterbury’s score of 49 for 4 from their five overs. Daniel Vettori was the best of Northern District’s bowlers, taking two wickets and conceding just six runs in his over. Vettori, though, started too slowly while opening the batting in the chase, and when he was dismissed for 5 off 10 balls, Northern Districts were left with 30 to get off the last over. Diamanti followed up his batting effort by conceding just one run in his over.
Article source: http://www.espncricinfo.com/hrv-cup-2011/content/story/547537.html?CMP=OTC-RSS All Images and Article Content Copyright own by Same Source Owner.
Mohsin defends Misbah’s safety-first approach
Mohsin Khan, the acting Pakistan coach, has come out in defence of captain Misbah-ul-Haq’s tactics that have been perceived as defensive by some, saying that his safety-first approach is due to the fear of failure. Misbah, 37, was handed the reins after the spot-fixing controversy, and while his methods did not always make for attractive cricket, they shephered Pakistan through one of their most successful years across formats.
“I think you have to understand that at his age he still worries about the fact that if he fails in one or two matches the critics will be after him and he could be dropped,” Mohsin said in an exclusive interview with television channel Geo Super. “That is why he at times tends to play it safe. But he has gained in confidence as a captain, and I have been trying to tell him to not think about these things and just focus on doing what he is doing best at the moment: leading the team by example.”
Misbah’s stint as captain began with a tough Test assignment late last year against South Africa in the UAE. Few gave the depleted Pakistan side – sans Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif – a chance, but they held South Africa to a creditable 0-0 draw. Misbah then oversaw a 1-0 Test series win in New Zealand, and played an integral part in the ODI series triumph on the same tour, under Shahid Afridi’s captaincy.
Pakistan exceeded expectations to reach the World Cup semi-finals, and continued with their winning ways in the West Indies, though Shahid Afridi had a fall-out with the team management. Pakistan won the one-day leg and came back to square the Tests 1-1. After that tour, Misbah was handed the reins of the limited-overs side as well, and led Pakistan to victories in all formats against Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
The winning run in Tests was set up by the solid, if unexciting, methods of Taufeeq Umar, Younis Khan, Azhar Ali and Misbah himself, with Mohammad Hafeez the only free-flowing scorer in the top order.
Mohsin was full of praise for Misbah’s leadership methods. “I think Misbah is an intelligent player and composed captain, and he communicates well with the players. He has also quickly picked up the confidence to push for victories, plus he is batting extremely well. I tell him to just go out and get runs and don’t waste any innings. He has served Pakistan cricket very well.”
Mohsin also explained that his role as coach was to focus on the mental aspect of the game and ensure he got the maximum out of the side, rather than spoon-feed his players on the skills front. “I think I have got along well with the players in the team. People need to understand that nowadays the job of a coach is to mentally make his players stronger, and just guide them and discuss strategies with them. A coach is a planner. I don’t think you can teach anything more in batting terms to Misbah or Younis at this stage.
“I have told the players that being professionals we are also supposed to deliver; no compromises on that. My mantra is to give your 100% on the field; win or lose, that is part of the sport. Millions of people pray for our success and we shouldn’t let them feel we let them down or didn’t try hard enough.”
Article source: http://www.espncricinfo.com/pakistan-v-england-2012/content/story/547542.html?CMP=OTC-RSS All Images and Article Content Copyright own by Same Source Owner.
Dickie Bird, Giles Clarke handed Honours
Dickie Bird, the former international umpire, ECB chairman Giles Clarke and the captain of England’s deaf cricket team, Umesh Valjee, have been given honours in the New Year’s Honours List.
Bird, who umpired his final Test between England and India at Lord’s in 1996, has been awarded an OBE for services and charity, having previously been given an MBE. Overall Bird officiated in 66 Tests and stood in three World Cup finals during a 28-year career as a first-class umpire. Meanwhile Clarke, chairman of the ECB since 2007, gets a CBE for services to cricket.
Valjee captained England’s deaf team to victory in a Twenty20 triangular series in Australia earlier this year and has been awarded an MBE.
“This has been a marvellous year for cricket at all levels with the England team becoming the world’s No.1 ranked Test side, a memorable finish to our county season and a 5% growth in participation at grass-roots level in our national network of ECB focus clubs,” Clarke said.
“The entire game will be pleased to see that the excellent work which is being done to promote disability cricket has been acknowledged and, of course, that one of our most popular and best-loved umpires has received further national recognition. These awards are a tremendous accolade for cricket in this country and will provide a real boost for all those who work tirelessly to promote our national summer sport.”
Article source: http://www.espncricinfo.com/england/content/story/547543.html?CMP=OTC-RSS All Images and Article Content Copyright own by Same Source Owner.
New Year's Wishes for Manny Pacquiao, Mayweather Jr. and Other Top Boxing Stars
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New Year's Wishes for Manny Pacquiao, Mayweather Jr. and Other Top Boxing Stars
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