New year will bring new hope for Indian women's hockey: Drag-flicker Deepika
New Delhi (PTI): After a challenging year marked by injuries, inconsistent performances and missed opportunities, Indian women's hockey drag-flicker Deepika Sehrawat is confident the new season will bring renewed hope and momentum for the national team.
The 22-year-old forward, who is set to return to action for Delhi SG Pipers in the Women's Hockey India League (WHIL) after a five-month injury layoff, said the past year had been difficult for the national side.
"Many things will change in the new year. The World Cup qualification will be our first challenge, and then there are the Asian Games,” Deepika told PTI Bhasha.
She was ruled out of the Asia Cup in August after slipping during a practice session before the team's departure, a setback she described as one of the toughest phases of her career.
"The five months away from hockey were very difficult. I used to get angry and cry, wondering why I was out of the team. My preparation was very good. Now that I am fit, I don't want to leave any stone unturned," said the Hockey India's Best Emerging Player award winner for 2025.
The national team endured a disappointing season, finishing last in the FIH Pro League and getting relegated to the second-tier Nations Cup. It also missed out on direct qualification for the World Cup after losing to China in the Asia Cup final.
Closer to the end of the year, the side was caught in turmoil when head coach Harendra Singh had to resign following allegations that his coaching style was "outdated and dictatorial".
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India will now have to secure their place through the World Cup qualifiers in Hyderabad in March, where England, Scotland, Korea, Italy, Uruguay, Wales and Austria will also compete. The top-three teams will qualify for the tournament to be hosted by Belgium and Netherlands in August.
"We have to show that the Indian team is second to none. We need to bring back the momentum that women's hockey gained after finishing fourth at the Tokyo Olympics," Deepika said.
Deepika, who made her senior team debut in 2022 during the Pro League in Bhubaneswar, believes that repeated mistakes and lack of communication hurt the team last year.
"We should have focused more on correcting recurring mistakes. The same errors that led to our exit from the Pro League were repeated in the Asia Cup. Better communication within the team was also needed," she added.
She also emphasised the importance of mental fitness, crediting her HIL franchise for supporting her comeback.
"If a player is mentally relaxed, physical fitness comes naturally. When we are happy, our performance improves. I wanted to make my comeback through the HIL, and after the national camp ended, the franchise arranged a 15-day camp for me in Jaipur and showed faith in me. That helped me return fit," she said.
Deepika stayed alone in Jaipur for the rehab, took a gym membership and trained at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium.
Deepika said she had resumed drag-flicking and feels physically stronger than before.
"There have been many changes in our team in the league, but there is very good coordination. We learn a lot from foreign players. Hopefully, our performance will be better this year," said the Rohtak-born player.
Coming from a family of wrestlers, Deepika revealed that her father initially wanted her to follow the family tradition, but her heart was always set on hockey.
"I used to go for wrestling practice, but there was a hockey field on the way and I was drawn to it. My family wanted me to choose wrestling, but I chose hockey. Now I want to prove my decision was right," she said.
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Rajnath Singh chairs IGoM meet, urges constant vigil over West Asia crisis
New Delhi (PTI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday emphasised the need for round-the-clock monitoring of the West Asia conflict and called for a calibrated response to deal with any eventuality to ensure that national interests remain protected.
Singh made the comments while chairing a high-level meeting of the Informal Group of Ministers (IGoM) set-up to monitor the situation in West Asia.
The meeting was attended by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Power Minister Manohar Lal, Chemicals and Fertilizers Minister J P Nadda, Consumer Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi and Minister of Railways, Information and Broadcasting, Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw.
In view of the "uncertain situation", the defence minister underlined the importance of round-the-clock monitoring of the situation and the need to respond in a calibrated manner to deal with any eventuality, an official readout said.
He stressed on the need to leave no stone unturned to ensure that the people of the country face the minimum effect of the conflict, it said.
It was the second meeting of the IGoM after it was set up last month.
The IGoM was apprised of the measures being taken by the government in the wake of the ongoing West Asia conflict, Singh said on social media.
"We also deliberated upon the next steps to be taken by the government to mitigate any adverse impact arising due to the ongoing conflict," he said.
The defence ministry said in the readout said, "In the meeting, the seven empowered groups of secretaries briefed the IGoM on the steps being taken to tackle the situation."
"The IGoM was apprised about measures undertaken by the Ministry of Finance to address concerns arising due to global trade disruptions and provide relief and support to the industry, especially manufacturing, and bolster investor confidence," it said.
It listed measures including notification issued on Wednesday on full customs duty exemption on 40 critical petrochemical products till June 30.
The ministry also mentioned announcement of a special one-time relief measure for eligible units in SEZs to sell manufactured goods in Domestic Tariff Area (DTA) at concessional customs duty rates to be effective from April 1 to March 31.
It also noted another notification issued by the Department of Revenue clarifying that the provisions of GAAR (General Anti Avoidance Rules) will not be invoked in respect of investments made prior to April 1, 2017.
"These measures will reduce cost pressures on downstream sectors including textiles, packaging and pharmaceuticals, facilitate supply stability in the country and provide requisite clarity for investors contemplating investments in India," the readout said.
Defence Minister Singh appreciated the government's decision to impose a 25 per cent cap on the monthly increase in aviation turbine fuel prices for domestic operations, with effect from April 1.
This step will help protect the people from sudden increase in fares, he said.
The government has accorded highest priority to domestic LPG supply, with refinery production enhanced to fully meet consumption requirements, according to the readout.
"The IGoM was informed that there have been no reports of dry-out at LPG distributorships, and delivery of domestic LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) cylinders continues as per the normal schedule. The temporary supply concerns arose due to instances of hoarding and black marketing, which triggered panic buying in certain areas," it said.
The ministers were informed that strict enforcement action is being undertaken, with raids being carried out across multiple states and Union territories to curb hoarding and black marketing of LPG, the ministry said in the readout.
Action has also been taken against some LPG distributors who engaged in malpractices, it said.
"To support migrant labour and low-consumption households, the government is ensuring adequate availability of 5 kg free trade LPG cylinders, and since March 23, over 4.3 lakh such cylinders have been sold. Special focus is being given to states where demand is higher," it said.
The IGoM was apprised that industrial requirements dependent on commercial LPG are being met, with over 80 per cent of pre-crisis supply levels being maintained to ensure continuity of operations.
"Special meetings have been held with ministries and stakeholders of different industries to understand their demand and meet their needs. Oil PSUs are ensuring continued supply of Auto LPG across the country," the readout noted.
"However, some supply constraints are being faced by private operators due to their procurement challenges, which is why lines are being observed at PSU auto LPG pumps. Wherever the autos are dual feed and can use petrol, they are being encouraged to use petrol," it said.
