Odisha: Alleging rise in crimes against women under BJP govt, Cong announces mega protest on Mar 10
Bhubaneswar (PTI): The opposition Congress in Odisha announced a state-wide protest on March 10, alleging a rise in crimes against women after the BJP came to power here in June last year.
State Congress president Bhakta Charan Das alleged that there was "no governance" in the state after the BJP formed the government and women were the worst affected by this "lawlessness".
"At least seven women are subjected to some form of humiliation in the state every day. Had there been the rule of law, the situation would have been different," he said, attacking the Mohan Charan Majhi government.
Das said Congress workers will demonstrate in every district headquarters town on March 10 to protest the rise in crimes against women.
In a statement, the state Congress claimed that 1,600 women-related cases have been reported in the last eight months, and of them, 54 are of gang rape.
"This shows how the women are safe in the state. Therefore, the Congress will certainly stage agitation across the state over the matter," it said.
Senior state Congress leader Jaydev Jena said, "After 77 years of Independence, the BJP has come to power in Odisha for the first time. They are only eight months in the government and cannot run it properly. The people are not feeling the existence of a government here."
Rejecting the Congress's allegations, the chief minister had on Monday claimed the number of crimes against women in the state has declined after the BJP came to power, and that his government will soon publish a White Paper on the issue.
Referring to the Congress's demonstration on the issue near his residence on March 1, he said, "Let the Congress target the government. Congress is a sinking party, and it is doing these (agitations) in order to come to the limelight. It is making baseless allegations."
Majhi said Congress should raise such issues in the assembly, during the Question Hour, Zero Hour, or through Adjournment Motions.
Reacting to the CM's statements, Das said, "Let the people decide if Congress is a sinking party. If the Congress is sinking, why does he react to its agitation on women's safety? This means the CM cannot ignore the Congress's presence in the state."
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Akeal Hosein bosses powerplay overs with 'skill and mental fortitude'
New Delhi (PTI): For a spinner who bowls majority of his overs in the powerplay, Chennai Super Kings' West Indian import Akeal Hosein relies as much on mental fortitude as his skills to excel in the most unforgiving phase of the game.
With just two fielders in the deep in the first six overs, the margin for error is miniscule and the pressure is sky high.
However, Hosein thrives in that tense environment. The left-arm spinner returned with frugal figures of 3-0-15-1 in the powerplay to play a crucial role in his team's eight-wicket win over Delhi Capitals in an IPL match here on Tuesday.
"You need both of them (skill and mental toughness). Especially when you come upon pitches that aren't conducive to spin and it's just about being disciplined as well," he said.
"Having two fielders out in the power play. It's not a job that you can go searching for wickets or you can be too greedy. It's just about sticking to the plan," he explained.
Hosein got the all-important wicket of an in-form K L Rahul, who was foxed by the West Indian as he stepped out to smash him for an inside out six.
Hosein's inclusion in the playing eleven after not being picked in the initial phase of the tournament has allowed CSK to win more games. On Tuesday, the pitch offered him a bit of help and he ended up dominating the batters.
After the win over DC, Hosein was asked about his recipe for success in the powerplay.
"...it's a bit scripted because you only have two guys out so it's just about being disciplined and trying to do the job for the team. At the end of the day if you don't get wickets and you bowl economically in the power play, that's a damn good job you've done for the team," said Hosein.
He has taken seven wickets in five games at an impressive economy rate of 7.25.
Fully aware that the batter is a mere couple of hits away from putting the pressure back on him, Hosein says practising for high-pressure situations helps him stay in the present.
"I think homework is very important. You want to have that head-start when you come up against whichever batter you're going to face. And like I say it's just about making assessments as quickly as possible.
"You might come up on a pitch that is spinning. You might come up against one that isn't spinning. Thankfully I can spin the ball. So it's just about picking which deliveries will give you the most success on a particular day and against a particular batter," said Hosein.
He got rid of Rahul first ball from the other end, something that was decided by captain Ruturaj Gaikwad. Post powerplay, Noor Ahmad took over the mantle from Hosein and maintained the pressure on DC batters.
"Getting the opportunity to bowl first for me is just about again making that assessment as quickly as possible and then passing on that information to Noor or even to the seamers as well if it was a bit of spin or if it's gripping or whatever the case is.
"So conversations with myself and Noor have been fantastic. Really happy for him that he's getting some success," he added.
