Gentleman Genius Bids Adieu to Cricket

Thus drawing the curtains on a sparkling 18 year career, Anil Kumble, captain of India and one the country’s greatest Test cricketers bid adieu to cricket as he hung up the blue cap, his 132nd. after the third test against Australia ended in a draw at the Ferozshah Kotla in New Delhi on Sunday.

The Bangalore lad, known as Jumbo to his friends, is one of the three cricketers to have earned over 600 scalps in the history of the game, he ends his career with an elephantine haul of 619 wickets.

“It’s certainly tough making the decision to retire when you have played for 18 years,” said Kumble, addressing the media during an emotional press conference on Sunday evening.

“Delhi has been special for me as a player and for the team, but my body was telling me that it was time to go. It had been constantly asking questions of me, and although I tried taking pain killers and was managing to play, the injury I had on the third day helped me make my decision.”

On the third day of the test Kumble hurt a finger on his left hand, the wound took eleven stitiches.

“Eventually it was an injury to the hand that told me it was time,” said Kumble. “The stitches would have been out on November 8, which would have been the third day of the fourth Test, and I don’t want to go into the Test less than a 100 per cent fit. I didn’t want to hurt India’s chances, and I made the decision last night.”

Team mates lifted him up as he took a lap of honor around the ground Sunday evening.

Ricky Ponting, the Australian captain, later called his counterpart one of the finest competitors he has played against.

Legends of the game applauded Kumble’s contribution to the game. Experts saluted him following are a few excerpts.

Chief selector Krishnamachari Srikkanth summed up the reactions, saying he was an extraordinary cricketer and a role model not only for youngsters but also for future generations. "He must have decided (to retire) during the course of the day. He spoke to me during tea time and said that he has decided to call it quits. It's the end of an era," he said.

"A lot of players in the team, I cannot tell you the names, were in tears when he told them his decision. “It was an emotional moment for the team and me. He was an extraordinary cricketer, a great role model, not only for the youngsters but also for the future generations," Srikkanth said.

'Jumbo's resilliance and courage always featured at a high pedestral in experts opinion. Cricket Expert Boria Majumdar believed that the Kumble's decision comes not because of any sort of pressure from former players, but due to injury woes.

Former wicketkeeper Syed Kirmani said, "It is a great decision from Anil Kumble. He has retired on a high note, which is the right decision. He has been of tremendous value for the game and I think this is a timely decision."

Expressing himself was also fromer cricketer Arun Lal who said, "He is passing off an era. He is one of the greatest sportsperson from India. It is unfortunate that he has these injuries."

Turning down speculations that pressure from former players comments led to this decision, former cricketer Bishen Singh Bedi said, "Kumble is too strong a personality to let any other factors distract him. It is injuries that has forced him to quit. However, I was hoping that he will complete the Nagpur test and end his career on a series victory note."

Bedi went on to add, "This was a writing on the wall. I could feel this was coming. But he has done a great job and has made India proud. I wish him a happy and good retirement. He should however, not detach himself from Indian cricket and should continue to contribute off the field."

G Viswanathan, another Bangalorean who made his mark in Indian history, also expressed himself on Jumbo's decision and said, "It is a sad news if any cricketer retires. However, he has served the nationa for 18 years and he is the only Indian to claim 600 wickets for India."

Former pacer and commentator Atul Wasan saluted Kumble's character and said, "He has been a role model for many and it is absolutely unlucky that he got injured in this match. But he has been a perfect example for budding cricketers."

Also applauding Anil Kumble's contribution to international cricket was former Indian skipper Kapil Dev who said, "He has been an ambassador of the game and the country. He was a true fighter and left his mark wherever he went. He played at the best of his abilities and will be remembered for the way he played the game."

Kapil added, "Kumble has played the game in the most finest way. There are very few people like him in the cricketing world, who played the game with utmost perfection. He exuded professionalism in whatever he did on and off the field."

Former chief selector and Indian stumper Kiran More also felt that Kumble's decision had nothing to do with the criticism he faced and it was a 'honest' decision to say good bye to Test cricket.

Legendary off-spinner EAS Prasanna described Kumble as one of the finest spinners that India produced. "He is a thorough gentleman, very strong minded, man of integrity and one not to be influenced by external forces," Prasanna said.

Former cricketer TA Sekar described Kumble as the best exponent of spin and the greatest spinner that Indian had produced.

W V Raman, who had played alongside Kumble and is currently coaching Tamil Nadu Ranji team which is playing their opening game of the season from tomorrow, said, "Kumble is the greatest ambassador of the game and for the country. He has created a huge vaccum by announcing his retirement now and it will take a long time for cricketers to replace him."

Palin Duped By Canadian Pranksters

US vice-presidential hopeful Sarah Palin fell victim to a prank phone call by a Canadian comedian posing as French president, Nicolas Sarkozy. Marc Antoine Audette convinced the Alaska governor she was speaking to Sarkozy during a six-minute chat aired on a Montreal radio programme.

The chat ranged from Sarkozy's beautiful wife, supermodel Carla Bruni, to the prospect of a joint hunting trip.

The Palin campaign says she was "mildly amused" by the prank.

At one point during the phone call, aired three days before the US election, Audette told Palin he could see her as president one day.

"Maybe in eight years," replied the Republican candidate laughingly.

Stirring environmentalists, Audette said he would be keen to join her on a helicopter hunting trip.

"I just love killing those animals. Mmm, mmm, take away life, that is so fun," he said in an exaggerated French accent.

"I'd really love to go, so long as we don't bring along Vice-President Cheney."

In 2006, Cheney had shot and injured a hunting partner while quail-hunting in Texas.

Audette and fellow comedian Sebastien Trudel present a programme on the radio station CKOI Montreal.

Calling themselves the Masked Avengers, the duo have already duped Nicolas Sarkozy himself, former French President Jacques Chirac, and the music star Britney Spears with their prank calls.

Pro-Nano Activists Attack Trinamool Supporters in Singur

On a rampage, scores of Nano Bachao Committee (Save Nano Committee) members on Sunday attacked and damaged vehicles carrying Mamata Bannerjee’s supporters, on the Durgapur Expressway, as they were going to attend a Trinamool Congress in Singur, a party official said.

The rioting mobs are reported to have damaged the red beacon car of Opposition Trinamool Congress leader Partha Chattopadhyay and also stopped the vehicle of other senior party leaders, including Mukul Roy and Madan Mitra, near Ratanpur area enroute to the rally site.

"Our vehicles were attacked by the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M)-backed hooligans who were agitating under the banner of the Nano Bachao Committee. We declared our programme to hold a public meeting at Singur last week and got all required permissions from the district administration," said Trinamool Congress general secretary Mukul Roy.

He alleged that the vehicle belonging to Chattopadhyay was totally damaged in the attack.

He alleged that the policemen deployed in the area remained mute spectators to the vandalism of the activists.

According to police officials, the Save Nano Committee activists blocked the Durgapur Expressway at several points, holding placards that read "Go Back Mamata Banerjee".

The firebrand Banerjee had earlier declared plans to launch a fresh agitation by holding a public meeting in Singur on November 2, to press for the return of acquired land to its original owners.

(Update)

Violent clashes erupted between Trinamool Congress workers and Pro Nano activists in the evening on Sunday.

15 people were reportedly injured in violence that saw Trinamool activists thrashing Save Nano activists to avenge for the violence indulged I by them at the Durgapur Exressway in the morning.

Two More Arrested, SIT Takes over Assam Investigations

The Special Investigating Team (SIT), constituted to look into Thursday's serial blasts in Assam, on Sunday began its probe and is likely to explore HuJI-ULFA links in the orchestrated serial blats in Assam that left 81 dead and hundreds of others injured and scarred for life. The SIT is said to be working round-the-clock to ascertain the identities of those involved in the bombing.

The team is headed by IGP (Special Task Force) R Chandranathan.

"Last night, we handed over all the papers and clues ascertained so far to the SIT which has started investigations," IGP (Law and Order) Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta said.

Sources in the SIT said the investigations were on to explore the HuJI-ULFA links in the blasts and the authenticity of the SMS sent to a private satellite channel by so-called Islamic Security Force (Indian Mujahideen) claiming responsibility for the bombings.

Police said so far five persons have been arrested and several others detained. Meanwhile, Principal Secretary (Home) Subhas Das said police have got vital clues during investigations.

Refusing to divulge details, Das was hopeful that the police would soon zero in on the culprits responsible for the blasts.

Arrests

Two people were arrested in connection with the blasts on Sunday, taking the total number of arrests to five.

The accused Muzamul Haque and Anwarlul Haque were arrested from Lakhimpur following clues gathered from the detained persons, police said.

The two are said to have been involved in a car theft racket and are allegedly connected to the vehicles used for the blasts in Guwahati and Bongaigaon, they added.

The accused are being brought to Guwahati for interrogation by the SIT.

Three persons were arrested on Saturday.

In New Delhi, hundreds of Assamese people residing in New Delhi, staged a peace rally and condemned the bombings.

The rally commenced at the Assam Bhawan in Chanakyapuri and concluded at Gyarah Murti on SP marg, Sunday evening, participants raised slogans 'Terrorism - down, down', 'We want peace', 'Terrorists - Hang them' and 'This country is ours' rent the air.

The participants condemned the terrorists' strikes and demanded safety of the people in Assam and other parts of the country.

Another rally was organised by Assamese students at Delhi University campus. Few more such rallies are being organised at Jantar Mantar and India Gate.

In the deadliest terror attacks in Assam, at least 81 people were killed and over 400 injured in 13 near-simultaneous blasts in Guwahati and Kokrajhar, Bongaigaon and Barpeta districts.

Gilani for Talks with Talibani Non-Militants

Pushed into a political ‘tight spot’ the Pakistan government Sunday said it was ready to initiate dialogue with Taliban elements willing to lay down arms. Prime Minstr Gilani said that the government would now resort to armed action against the militants as a last resort.

"We should have dialogue with non-militants," Gilani said in an interview to the leading Turkish daily, Zaman.

Well aware of the far reaching implications of his pronouncements, Gilani was quick to clarify that there was no room for dialogue with militants. And his government was only talking with those that have denounced terrorism, decommissioned themselves or those that have surrendered according to tribal customs.

Gilani’s statement came in response to queries on whether Pakistan would seek talks with the Taliban. The US describes Pakistan's northwestern tribal areas as a safe haven for militants since coalition forces drove away the Taliban from Afghanistan.

The US-led forces have carried out a series of missile strikes on militant bases in Pakistan’s restive north-west and on at least one occasion US soldiers have carried out a unilateral ground action against militants on Pakistani soil.

The spiraling US attacks inside Pakistani territory have strained Islamabad’s relations with Washington and placed before the world US doubts over Pakistan’s commitment to the ongoing war on terror.

Gilani criticizes the US attacks saying, they would not help the counter terror initiative in his country, crediting US doubts he added that his government was committed to giving priority to peaceful measures.

Gailani however failed to clarify as to how the talks would non-militants or surrendered militants would help, as it was the ‘unreformed’ militants that were the actual threat to his country and the region.

Gilani also reiterated commitment to the development in the poverty-stricken tribal areas, describing poverty as a "root cause" of terrorism.

Advocating a talk-fund-fight policy he said, the third element of his policy was the use of force, which should be the last resort and not used all the time.

Paswan Blasts Raj, NCP Echoes MNS Sentiments

Reiterating a demand he first aired at a recent meeting of the Union Cabinet, Union Minister and LJP boss Ram Vilas Paswan Sunday accused MNS boss Raj Thackeray of instigating violence against north Indians in Maarashtra and called for his arrest under provisions of the National Security Act (NSA).

Paswan also blasted the Maharashtra government of failing to ensure the safety and security of northerners during the recent MNS attacks.

He was speaking to the media at the foundation stone laying ceremony for the 10 million tonne steel plant of belonging to JSW Bengal Steel in Salboni.

He said that Thackeray should be handed over to the Jharkhand government as there were six complaints against him at various police stations in the state. Of these, three were in Jamshedpur and one each in Jamtara, Garwah and Dhanbad.

A UPA ally himself Paswan was critical of th Congess-NCP Maharashtra government, that he said was "not properly maintaining law and order in the state. We want law and order to be maintained properly."

Meanwhile in Pune, Senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal said the party leadership did not subscribe to the “bullet for bullet” statement expressed by state Home Minister RR Patil in respect of handling of the recent encounter in which a Bihari youth was shot dead.

"What Patil said is not the NCP stand and he is not prompted or supported by party president Sharad Pawar. Those are his personal opinions on the matter," Bhujbal told reporters in Pne late on Saturday.

He, however, said the issue raised by Raj Thackeray in support of employment opportunities to Marathi youths too cannot be ignored.

Similar sentiments were echoed by Union Minister and NCP leader Praful Patel. In an interview to Karan Thapar for the programme ‘Devil’s Advocate’ on CNN IBN Pael said there was need for “redrawing balance” between Maharashtrians and others, failing which “the people will themselves do it.”

Buddha, Paswan Survive Landmine Blast in WB

West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan had a narrow escape Sunday, when a landmine exploded in the Maoist-infested west Midnapore district, wounding six policemen, minutes after their convoy passed through the area.

Confirming the incident, police say, a 'directional landmine' blast took place at Baroa, 17 km from Salboni, from where Buddhadeb, Paswan, state Industry Minister Nirupam Sen and industrialist Sajjan Jindal were returning after laying the foundation stone of Jindal Steel Works plant.

The dignitaries escaped unhurt but, six policemen sustained injuries in the blast, the condition of at least one is being reported as critical.

The impact of the powerful blast snapped an overhead high tension line which fell on one of the spare pilot cars and as a result the vehicle was partially burnt, say police officials.

Senior police officials say a Maoist hand in the blast is highly probable, as the district is known to be a Maoist stronghold.

The attack once again underlines the growing impunity of the rebels, as it came despite a huge presence of CPM and DYFI volunteers.

Refusing to confirm it as a lapse in the Chief Minister’s security senior police officials say they will be able to comment on the matter after initial investigations are completed.

Dalai Lama Hints Shift in Tibetan Strategy

After a lifelong struggle to seek an amicable middle path of regional autonomy with Beijing the Dalai Lama said Sunday his faith in ongoing negotiations was shrinking and added that the situation in Tibet is deteriorating, the exiled spiritual leader was speaking to the media in Tokyo.

Exiled Tibetans seek autonomy that would allow them to freely practice their culture, language and religion. With China repeatedly stonewalling Tibetan efforts the Dalai Lama has grown increasingly frustrated and vocal about the lack of progress, despite the departure of two of his envoys for new talks with China last week.

"Now my faith in the Chinese government is becoming thinner, thinner, thinner," he was quoted as saying by the Associated Press on Sunday.

He added that conditions in Tibet were going from bad to worse despite his efforts to negotiate with Beijing.

"Inside Tibet, the situation is worse," he said.

A symbol of perseverance the monk is in Japan to deliver a series of lectures to students and fellow Buddhists. Though friendly towards the monk, Japan, despite the Dalai’s repeated visits to the country, is in no mood to disturb a precarious regional balance by holding official meetings with him.

The spiritual leader’s pronouncements follow similar statements he made in Dharmsala, Himachal Pradesh last week.

On the occasion he said, he had "given up" on persuading China to accept his middle path approach.

He also called a special meeting of Tibetan exile communities and political organizations due to take place later this month. Th convention may well turn out to be the venue of a marked shift in the Tibetan strategy for engaging Beijing, which has governed the Himalayan region since Communist troops occupied it in the 1950s.

The announcement of the current talks with Beijing came after he called for that meeting.

The Dalai Lama fled to India amid a failed uprising in 1959. Tibetan groups say the Chinese government cracked down on the region earlier this year killing 140 and detaining nearly a thousand others.

Money, Muscle Impediments on Poll Process, CEC

Amid elaborate security arrangements being put in place for the upcoming Assembly elections in six states, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) N Gopalaswami on Sunday said muscle and money power were becoming an impediment on free and fair elections in the country.

Referring to the massive security deployment required in poll-bound states, Gopalaswami said that India, being a large and old democracy, should be able to do away with the need for security arrangements during elections.

"Today muscle and money power are a big concern for free and fair elections. To deal with the muscle, we have to deploy more police and security forces, so that voters can use their (right to) franchise in peaceful manner," the CEC was quoted as saying by the PTI, he was speaking at a function organised by International Goodwill Society of India in New Dew Delhi.

Recalling Uttar Pradesh assembly polls last year, Gopalaswami said the commission had to mobilise nearly 4.55 lakh security personnel to ensure peaceful and fair polls.

The CEC, however, noted that compulsion of holding elections under excessive security arrangements was not a good sign for a democratic country like India.

"Conducting an election at gun point does not really give credit to our democracy, but it has happened," he said, adding that things were improving gradually.

He, meanwhile, said that the elaborate force deployment has also helped in controlling the election-related crimes and infused a sense of security among the voters.

Expressing anguish over the declining polling percentages, he said the trend weakened people's authority to choose a representative in a constituency.

He suggested that 50 per cent of votes should be compulsory polled by a candidate to be declared the winner.

"The voting percentage in several states is as low as 50 per cent. That too is divided among candidates, leading to a situation, where only 15 to 20 per cent of votes are needed by a candidate to win the election," he observed.

"How does one claim to represent the voters, after bagging only 15 per cent of votes to win in a constituency," the CEC said.

He also rued the growing indifference of educated voters towards the electoral process he said that the more educated a person is the less inclined he is towards exercising his franchise.

The CEC said the commission was committed to the free and fair conduct of elections in Madhya Pradesh, Chhatisgarh, Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan and Mizoram.

Trouble Brewing in Delhi BJP

In what may well have been considered unimaginable in the BJP a few years ago. Supporters of those denied party tickets for the Delhi Assembly cast serious aspersions on the nomination of ‘outsiders’ and raised slogans against the party leadership I New Delhi on Sunday.

The protesters raised anti-party slogans outside the residence of senior BJP leader and chief ministerial hopeful, VK Malhotra on the Bishambar Das Marg in New Delhi.

The agitated rank and file, of what was once considered to be the most disciplined cadre on the country’s political scene, accused the party leaders of indulging in fovouritism by refusing tickets to deserving candidates.

Many in the crowds also insinuated a ‘sell out’ on part of the senior leaders.

The protesters were demonstrating to press for party nominations for Jagbir Singh Solanki, Rajesh Yadav and Karan Singh Yadav.

Malhotra, however, was not moved by the protest. He said "there is no use to adopt such tactics as the party will not be moved. However we will certainly give a thought to their demands."

The incident in New Delhi sent shock waves in the BJP that had barely recovered from the impact of similar incidents that rocked several cities of Madhya Pradesh where party men miffed over denial of tickets burnt effigies and protested against party leaders in Beora, Sihora and Bhopal Saturday night.