India women's team cricketer Priya Punia loses mother to COVID-19
New Delhi, May 18: India international cricketer Priya Punia, who is part of the UK-bound women's cricket squad, has lost her mother to COVID-19.
The 24-year-old cricketer wrote a heartfelt post on social media after her mother succumbed to the deadly virus.
"Today I realised why you always told me to be strong. You knew that one day I would need the strength to bear the loss of yours. I miss you so mom! No matter the distance I know you are always there with me. My guiding star, my mom.. Love you always," Punia wrote on Instagram.
"Some truth in life are hard to accept. Your memories will never be forgotten! Rest In Peace Mom. Please follow the rules and take precautions. This virus is very dangerous," she added.
The Indian squad will assemble in Mumbai on May 19 and, subsequently, undergo a hard quarantine before its departure with the men's team in the first week of June.
The team plays a Test, its first in seven years, in the UK besides three ODIs and as many T20s.
Another India player Veda Krishnamurthy, who has not been picked for the UK tour, lost her mother and sister to COVID-19.
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Karnataka Minister Satish Jarkiholi triggers debate over change of Congress state president
Bengaluru, Jan 15: Karnataka Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi on Wednesday sparked a debate within the ruling Congress over the change of the state president, saying a full-time leader was needed to devote more time to the party in the state.
Currently, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar holds the post.
“It’s not about whether this person or that person should become the party president. The person should give their full time to the party. That’s the only demand, and nothing else,” Jarkiholi told reporters here.
According to him, while there is a lot of discussion happening at the lower levels, it should also take place at the top level.
“It’s not about someone’s adamant posture. We want someone who works, that’s it,” the minister said.
Noting that the decision is up to the party's high command, whether to allow the incumbent to continue or bring in someone new, Jarkiholi emphasised that a discussion at the top level was needed.
The minister added, “The organisational work has decreased since all of us became ministers. We are busy with the work of our portfolios and our districts. We are not going anywhere, and we are not able to devote time to the party.”
He further explained that earlier, Congress leaders were all active in the party organisation, but after becoming ministers, the pressure to handle district-level work left them with little time for the party.
“Our only concern is that the speed with which we worked in 2023 is no longer there,” he said.
Jarkiholi also claimed that the party leadership had intended to change the state president after the Lok Sabha elections, but this has not happened.
“There was talk, and also a written note with K C Venugopal’s signature, stating that the post should be given up after the Lok Sabha elections. So now, they need to clarify whether the same person will continue, or they should gather the leaders and decide on a new president,” he said.
According to him, a few people from the backward community are ready to take up the job.
Reacting to this, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah told media in New Delhi that the party high command’s decision was supreme.
When he was told about Jarkiholi’s claim regarding Venugopal’s written letter for a change of the Congress state president, he said, “You better ask him.”
Congress state working president and MLA Tanveer Sait said Jarkiholi had raised this issue in the recent Congress Legislative Party meeting, where it was discussed in detail.
“There is no such information with us regarding a cabinet reshuffle or change of the party president,” he told reporters in Mysuru.
