17-year-old Melbourne cricketer dies after being struck by ball during practice
Melbourne: In a tragic incident, a 17-year-old Australian cricketer, Ben Austin has died after being struck by a ball during practice at the Wally Tew Reserve in Ferntree Gully.
The teenager was training in the nets on Tuesday afternoon, facing deliveries from an automatic bowling machine, while wearing a helmet, he was hit in the head and neck area, according to local reports. Paramedics rushed him to Monash Medical Centre, where he succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday, after remaining in critical condition.
According to a report published by the Times of India, Ben’s father, Jace Austin, confirmed the heartbreaking news in a statement. Jace said, “We are utterly devastated by the passing of our beautiful Ben, who died earlier on Thursday morning. This tragedy has taken Ben from us. But we find some comfort that he was doing something he loved, spending yet another summer afternoon at the nets with his mates.”
He also extended support to Ben’s teammate who was bowling at the time of the incident, saying, “This accident has impacted two young men, and our thoughts are with him and his family as well.”
The Ferntree Gully Cricket Club, where Ben played, described his death as an unimaginable loss. “We are absolutely devastated by the passing of Ben, and the impact of his death will be felt deeply across our cricket community,” the club said in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family- Jace, Tracey, Cooper, and Zach, and all who knew Ben and the joy he brought.”
Besides representing Ferntree Gully, Ben also played for the Mulgrave and Eildon Park cricket clubs and was part of the Waverley Park Hawks junior football team.
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K'taka govt, Taiwan's Allegiance Group sign MoU to establish industrial technology innovation park
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka government on Friday signed an MoU with Allegiance International Co Ltd of Taiwan to establish an Indo-Taiwan Industrial Technology Innovation Park (ITIP) in the state, with a proposed investment of around Rs 1,000 crore.
The MoU was signed by Rahul Sharanappa Sankanur, Director, Department of Electronics, IT, BT and Lawrence Chen, VP, Allegiance Group in the presence of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Minister for Electronics, IT & BT Priyank Kharge, and senior officials.
The project will be undertaken by the Allegiance Group with a proposed investment of around Rs 1,000 crore, leading to the creation of about 800 direct jobs via the companies setting up operations in ITIP over a period of 5 years, the IT&BT Minister's office said in a statement.
The ITIP will serve as a dedicated hub for Taiwanese companies in electronics and semiconductors, fostering advanced manufacturing, R&D, and innovation. This collaboration aims to strengthen Karnataka's position as India's leading destination for Electronics System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM) and accelerate the growth of the semiconductor ecosystem in the state.
Key highlights of the MoU include establishment of a world-class industrial park to house Taiwanese firms in electronics and semiconductor sectors; development of a robust supply chain ecosystem for components, PCBs, and chip design; creation of high-value jobs and skill development programmes in collaboration with academic institutions; and promotion of technology transfer and global best practices to enhance India's competitiveness in electronics manufacturing.
CM Siddaramaiah said this partnership marks a significant step towards realising Karnataka's vision of becoming a global hub for electronics and semiconductor innovation.
"The ITIP will attract cutting-edge technology and investments, creating opportunities for our youth and strengthening India's position in the global value chain," he said.
Minister Priyank Kharge said Karnataka has led India's technology revolution and continues to dominate in innovation, deep-tech talent, and semiconductor design.
"This partnership will accelerate our efforts to build a robust electronics and semiconductor ecosystem. We are committed to creating a level playing field and ensuring that Karnataka remains the preferred destination for global investors in advanced technologies," he said.
Lawrence Chen said, "We are excited to collaborate with Karnataka, a state known for its technology leadership. The ITIP will be a catalyst for Taiwanese companies to expand in India and contribute to the growth of the semiconductor and electronics ecosystem."
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