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There is a saying in Bengali: pithey bendhechi kulo, kaaney diyechi tulo. It means: I have tied a winnowing basket on my back and put cotton wool in my ears. What it implies is that these protective measures not only make a person immune to physical or verbal assaults, but also somewhat shameless in the process.

The newly-formed Indian Secular Front (ISF) by Pirzada Abbas Siddiqui, a radical Islamic cleric of Furfura Sharif, may hold the key to the formation of West Bengal’s next government in May. Siddiqui’s ISF is expected to grab at least 30 seats in the 294-member assembly and help the latest political alliance among the Left, Congress and ISF bag another 50 seats where Muslims account for almost 50 percent of voting population. As in Kerala, Muslims constitute almost 30 percent of West Bengal’s population. They could be a deciding factor in as many as 110 seats.

The theme for this year is “Choose To Challenge”. A rather provocative and thought-provoking theme. A world that is consumed in turmoil and seen the resurgence of fundamentalist tendencies is rather instinctive, unlearning the struggles of women. It has seen the emergence of more nuanced and amplified forms of discrimination. The crimes against women remain ever-pervasive. Celebrated feminist writer Geena Dunne Anderson remarked: “Feminism isn’t about making women stronger. Women are already strong, it’s about changing the way the world perceives that strength.”

The unprecedented displacement of people across the country following the pandemic has challenged us with a new set of priorities. COVID-19 has shown that population density, lack of access to clean water and sanitation and other urban realities combine with the inadequate risk management capacities to create conditions for an outbreak to become an epidemic, a pandemic – and, ultimately, a economic and social catastrophe. India has been facing a mounting housing crisis for very long and it has been procrastinating reforms at its own peril. If we were blind to these faults before, it is hard not to see them now.

New Delhi: Ace runners Srinu Bugatha and Sudha Singh expectedly clinched the men and women's title easily winning the 6th edition of the Ageas Federal Life Insurance New Delhi Marathon here on Sunday.

Bambolim, Goa: Mumbai City after securing the League Winners Shield for the first time, is hoping to make it to the finals of the Hero ISL when they face depleted Goa in the second leg of their semi-finals at the GMC Stadium, Bambolim on Monday.

New Delhi: Manish Kaushik was the only gold medal winner as eight other Indian Pugilists failed to clear the final hurdle and settled for silver medals at the Boxam International Tournament in Castellon, Spain.

New Delhi: The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI), on Saturday, accepted the National Sports Code in its entirety, except one, 'where a practical relaxation has been made'.

Vasco, Goa: Idrissa Sylla's stoppage-time header enabled NorthEast United hold Mohun Bagan to a 1-1 draw in the first-leg playoff win in the Hero Indian Super League at GMC Stadium, on Saturday.

Antwerp (Belgium): Striker Simranjeet Singh's late equalise enabled India to hold Great Britain to a 1-1 draw in their third match of the Europe Tour in Antwerp on Saturday. For Great Britain, Alan Forsyth scored in the 2nd quarter.