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Varun Chakravarthy Breaks Record for Most Wickets in a Bilateral T20I Series for India

Varun Chakravarthy, India’s emerging spin sensation, has etched his name in history by setting a new record for the most wickets taken by an Indian bowler in a bilateral T20I series. This remarkable achievement came during India’s recent T20I series against South Africa, where Chakravarthy’s wicket of Aiden Markram in the third T20I secured him the record, surpassing R. Ashwin’s previous milestone. Known for his unique blend of off-spin and mystery spin, Chakravarthy’s precision and control have transformed him into one of India’s most effective T20 bowlers, a critical asset in this high-stakes series.

Chakravarthy’s impactful performance was vital to India’s success as they clinched a 2-1 lead in the series. In challenging South African conditions, Chakravarthy consistently put the opposition batsmen under pressure with his accuracy and unpredictable deliveries. His success can be attributed to his ability to mix his variations effectively, making him a formidable opponent for South Africa’s top order. Notably, Chakravarthy dismissed key players like Reeza Hendricks and Markram, restricting the South African batting lineup in crucial moments and playing a pivotal role in India’s wins.

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In the current T20I setup, India has been experimenting with new bowlers to build a strong attack for future international tournaments, and Chakravarthy’s breakthrough performance has solidified his position. His bowling not only adds depth to India’s spin department but also strengthens their chances in major tournaments, where spin plays a vital role. Chakravarthy’s success is particularly encouraging as India prepares for the upcoming ICC events and other challenging international series.

With the likes of Chakravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, and Axar Patel showcasing strong performances, India’s bowling unit appears promising and ready to face tougher opponents. As the T20 format continues to evolve, India’s reliance on its bowlers in critical match situations is becoming increasingly apparent, making Chakravarthy’s record-breaking feat a significant milestone in India’s T20 journey.

Muskaan Dwivedi, Web Team C6N

Delhi Court Orders Release of AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan in Waqf Board Case Due to Lack of Prosecution Sanction

In a significant decision, Delhi court has ordered the release of AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan in a money laundering case tied to alleged irregularities in the Delhi Waqf Board. The court concluded that, despite sufficient evidence to continue proceedings, the lack of prosecution sanction prevents a formal trial. Special Judge Jitendra Singh’s verdict on November 14, 2024, declined to take cognizance of the charges against Khan, mandating his release on a bail bond of Rs.1 lakh with surety.

Serving as Okhla’s MLA in Delhi, Amanatullah Khan was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on September 2, 2024, following allegations of financial misconduct linked to the Delhi Waqf Board during his chairmanship from 2016 to 2021. The ED filed a 110-page supplementary prosecution complaint on October 29, 2024, which accuses Khan of laundering money and exploiting his position for personal gain. The agency claims that these actions resulted in financial losses to the exchequer and alleges that Khan laundered ₹36 crore through multiple transactions with his associates.

While the ED’s chargesheet also named Mariam Siddiqui, the court found insufficient evidence against her and dismissed any summons. Khan’s counsel, Rajat Bhardwaj, expressed that the court’s decision to release Khan reflects the absence of sanction, which is essential for moving forward with the prosecution.

This ruling follows a recent trend in high-profile cases where prosecution sanction has played a crucial role in court decisions. As Khan resumes his role in the Aam Aadmi Party, the case raises further discussion on procedural requirements in prosecuting elected officials.

Dominica to Confer Highest National Honor on PM Modi at India-CARICOM Summit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will receive Dominica’s highest national honor, the Dominica Award of Honour, recognizing his significant contributions to the Caribbean nation, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dominica’s President Sylvanie Burton will present the Dominica Award of Honour to Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the India-CARICOM Summit in Georgetown, Guyana, from November 19 to 21, 2024. This distinction acknowledges India’s support for Dominica, including a 2021 shipment of 70,000 AstraZeneca vaccines and initiatives in healthcare, education, and climate resilience under Modi’s leadership. Modi’s commitment to deepening India’s engagement with CARICOM, especially in addressing developmental challenges and disaster resilience, has also strengthened India’s diplomatic ties within the region ongoing collaboration with Caribbean nations aligns with Modi’s wider foreign policy vision, promoting sustainable development globally. This honor adds to Modi’s recent recognition in other countries, like Papua New Guinea and Fiji, for his contributions to global South-South cooperation.

Apple Overtakes Samsung in India’s Smartphone Market as Sales Surge

Apple’s market share in India has surged in Q3 2024, growing by 58.5% year-over-year, while rival Samsung saw a significant decline of 19.7%. According to data from IDC, Apple’s share rose to 8.6%, up from 5.7% in the previous year. Apple attributed its growth to strong sales of the iPhone 15 and iPhone 13 models, positioning itself as the second-largest player in online sales.

Meanwhile, Samsung’s share fell to 12.3%, down from 16.2% during the same period last year. India’s smartphone market itself grew by 6% in Q3, with 46 million units shipped. Online shipments saw an 8% rise, now making up 51% of total sales.

The surge in sales was fueled by significant discounts, financing options, extended warranties, and cashback offers across both online and offline channels, according to IDC’s Upasana Joshi. New 5G smartphones also drove demand, and sales of flagship models from both Apple and Samsung benefitted from attractive e-commerce discounts.

Motorola showed the highest growth rate, recording a 149.5% increase, but still held a relatively small market share of 5.7%. Vivo, on the other hand, remained the market leader with a share of 15.8%, showing a growth of 20%. In contrast, OnePlus saw a steep decline of 39.3%, resulting in a reduced share of 3.6%.

Looking ahead, IDC predicts a cyclical dip in demand after the festive season, with 2024 ending with low single-digit growth. For 2025, analysts expect the market to focus on affordable devices and the growing importance of Gen AI features in smartphone marketing.

Violence Erupts in Tonk, Rajasthan During By-Polls; 60 Arrested After SDM Assault and Arson

Violence broke out in Rajasthan’s Tonk district on Wednesday following an alleged assault on Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Amit Chaudhary by Independent candidate Naresh Meena. The altercation occurred at a polling station in Samravata village during the Deoli-Uniara by-polls. After the incident, clashes between Meena’s supporters and the police escalated, with stone-pelting, arson, and vandalism.

Sixty individuals were arrested as police struggled to control the situation, which involved the torching of over 30 vehicles. Meena, who denied responsibility for the chaos, claimed district authorities were to blame. The authorities have assured that legal action will be taken against Meena. The situation remains tense, with increased police presence to maintain order in the area.

Tulsi Gabbard Criticizes Pakistan and Highlights Hindu’s Plight in Bangladesh

Tulsi Gabbard, the first Hindu U.S. Congresswoman and newly appointed Director of National Intelligence (DNI) under President Donald Trump, has been a staunch advocate for the protection of Hindu minorities in South Asia. Throughout her political career, Gabbard has spoken out against the oppression of Hindus and other religious groups in Pakistan and Bangladesh, calling attention to their historical and ongoing struggles.

Gabbard’s advocacy for religious minorities stems from her own Hindu background. Raised in a Hindu family, Gabbard raised awareness about Hindu persecution, introducing a 2021 resolution urging protection in Bangladesh.

In her resolution, Gabbard highlighted atrocities committed during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, accusing the Pakistani military of mass killings. She pointed out that up to 3 million people, many Hindus, were targeted by the Pakistani army. Gabbard has also criticized Pakistan for harboring terrorism and allowing militant groups to operate against India. As co-chair of the Congressional India Caucus, she condemned Pakistan’s support for such groups and pushed for reduced U.S. military assistance.

Gabbard co-sponsored the “Stop Arming Terrorists Act” to end U.S. funding to countries supporting terrorism, including Pakistan. She has also raised concerns about rising violence against religious minorities in India. Gabbard urged U.S. authorities to address hate crimes and protect minority communities both at home and abroad.

Her appointment as DNI brings her advocacy for human rights and national security to the forefront of U.S. foreign policy. Gabbard’s knowledge of South Asian issues and personal commitment to Hinduism positions her to influence U.S. relations with Pakistan, Bangladesh, and India.

(By Ankita Singh, Web Team at C6N)

Pregnant Woman Escapes Narrowly as Ambulance Explodes on Maharashtra Highway

A pregnant woman and her family had a miraculous escape when an ambulance exploded on a national highway in Jalgaon, Maharashtra, on Wednesday. The incident took place near Dadawadi, and the explosion’s shockwave shattered nearby house windows. Fortunately, no one was injured.

The ambulance, carrying the woman from Erandol Government Hospital to Jalgaon District Hospital, caught fire after the driver noticed smoke coming from the engine. He immediately evacuated the passengers and alerted bystanders. Moments later, the fire spread to the oxygen tank, causing a massive explosion.

The incident, caught on video, has gone viral online. In a similar event, an ambulance in Pratapgrah, Uttar Pradesh, also exploded last month, injuring a passerby.

Priyanka Gandhi’s Wayanad Bypoll Sees Record Low Voter Turnout

Wayanad, a key constituency where Priyanka Gandhi Vadra made her election debut, saw a historic low in voter turnout during the bypoll held on Wednesday.

The turnout recorded at just 64.72% marked the lowest since the seat’s formation in 2009. The by-election followed Rahul Gandhi’s decision to vacate the seat in favor of focusing on his Rae Bareli constituency.

Priyanka Gandhi, campaigning against CPI’s Sathyan Mokeri and BJP’s Navya Haridas, received support from Congress leaders, including KC Venugopal and VD Satheesan. Despite Congress’s goal for a 5-lakh vote majority, the turnout was lower than in nearby Chelakkara, attributed to reduced enthusiasm in CPI(M)-dominated areas.

The election followed a devastating landslide that claimed 231 lives in Wayanad, affecting voter participation. Authorities arranged special provisions for the survivors to ensure they could cast their votes.

Despite the low turnout, Congress leaders downplayed concerns, insisting it wouldn’t impact their projected margin for Priyanka.

Break in Pimpri-Chinchwad’s Legacy of Independent Candidates in 2024 Maharashtra Assembly Polls

For the first time in over 15 years, Pimpri-Chinchwad will head into the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections without a dominant independent contender. Historically, this region has been a stronghold for independent candidates who have captivated voters through local connections, social work, and political acumen.

This year, no independent candidate has made the same impact as in previous elections. In Chinchwad, NCP (Ajit Pawar) leaders asked Nana Kate, a potential independent candidate with strong local support, to withdraw his nomination. Similarly, Ravi Landge, a former corporator who had been planning to run as an independent in Bhosari, has agreed to step back after joining the Shiv Sena (UBT). This marks a significant shift, as both major alliances in Maharashtra—Mahayuti (BJP, Shiv Sena under Eknath Shinde, and NCP under Ajit Pawar) and Maha Vikas Aghadi (Congress, NCP (SP), Shiv Sena under Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray)—have been successful in managing dissent and appeasing rebel candidates.

The tradition of independent victories dates back to 2009, when Laxman Jagtap, then a BJP MLA, triumphed from Chinchwad as an independent, defeating Shiv Sena’s Shrirang Barne. The momentum continued in 2014 when Mahesh Landge emerged victorious in Bhosari, and in 2019, both Rahul Kalate (Chinchwad) and Vilas Lande (Bhosari) came close to victory as independents. Despite their strong showings, none have been able to secure a decisive victory, reflecting the growing influence of party-backed candidates.

This year, the absence of a dominant independent candidate reflects changing political dynamics in the region. In addition to candidates from the two alliances, senior corporator Bhausaheb Bhoir will contest as an independent from Chinchwad, though political analysts doubt his chances of success.

Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024: Telangana CM Reddy Slams BJP Over Broken Promises

Telangana Chief Minister K. Revanth Reddy has termed the upcoming Maharashtra assembly elections a battle between “gaddars” (traitors) and “honest people.” Reddy, who was campaigning in Mumbai for the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for failing to fulfill his 2014 promise of creating 2 crore jobs annually. Instead, Reddy accused Modi of giving “employment” to figures like Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, whose loyalty, according to Reddy, lies with the BJP, not the people.

At a public meeting in Sion-Koliwada, Reddy highlighted the contrasting governance in Telangana, where the state Congress government created 50,000 jobs in just 10 months, challenging the BJP-led government to match these achievements. He further took aim at Shinde for the Maharashtra government’s pre-election welfare schemes, questioning how the state would fund these promises. In contrast, Reddy boasted that his government in Telangana had waived off ₹17,869 crore in farm loans, benefiting over 2 million farmers.

Reddy’s remarks were part of his broader campaign strategy to strengthen MVA’s position in Mumbai, particularly among the significant Telugu-speaking community. He visited the Tirupati Balaji Temple and participated in a roadshow supporting Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Aaditya Thackeray. Reddy’s message was clear: support Congress candidate Ganesh Yadav, and the voters will have the combined leadership of both Yadav and Reddy working for them.

Additionally, Reddy visited Dharavi, where Congress candidate Jyoti Gaikwad is contesting, continuing his outreach to the local community and further solidifying MVA’s foothold in the region. His efforts have helped rally local support, reinforcing his call for transparency, job creation, and welfare-driven governance.

This narrative of “traitors” versus “honest governance” is expected to resonate with voters as the election date draws near, framing the contest as a choice for a prosperous and accountable future in Maharashtra.