Veteran pacer Ashoke Dinda announces retirement from all forms of cricket
Kolkata, Feb 2: Veteran India and Bengal pacer Ashoke Dinda on Tuesday announced his retirement from all formats of cricket, bringing the curtains down on a career spanning one and a half decade.
The 36-year-old, who had featured in 13 ODIs and nine T20Is for India, had moved to Goa at the start of this season after facing disciplinary action after playing only one Ranji Trophy match in 2019-20.
For Goa, he played three three Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy matches before realising that his body was not supporting him anymore.
"Today, I am retiring from all formats of cricket. I have sent the mails to BCCI and GCA to this effect," Dinda said during a media interaction at Eden Gardens.
Dinda thanked BCCI president and former India captain Sourav Ganguly for going out of his way and giving him a debut against Maharashtra at Pune in the 2005-06 season.
Dinda also represented Delhi Daredevils, Kolkata Knight Riders, Pune Warriors, Rising Pune Supergiants and Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League.
In 78 IPL games, Dinda picked up 68 wickets at a strike rate of 22.20 and an economy rate of 8.22, with his best figures being 4/18.
"There have been several people who have helped me throughout my career whom I would like to thank beginning with my parents.
"Then it's Dada (Sourav Ganguly). It was because of him that I got to play for Bengal. I was not in the squad but he included me as a 16th member and handed me a debut," Dinda remembered.
One of the most consistent pacers in Indian domestic cricket in the recent past, Dinda, who has 420 wickets from 116 first-class matches, is the second leading wicket-taker for Bengal after former left-arm spinner Utpal Chatterjee.
He was presented with a silver plaque and a bouquet and was thanked for his contribution by Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president Avishek Dalmiya, secretary Snehashis Ganguly and joint secretary Debabrata Das.
"The contribution of Dinda is enormous. He is one of the best fast bowlers we have produced. He will be remembered for his ability to take wickets and win matches, bowl long spells and his never-say-die spirit," Dalmiya said.
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Maha Kumbh begins in Prayagraj, nearly 60 lakh devotees take holy dip
Mahakumbh (UP) (PTI): The fog was thick, the cold intense and the waters freezing as the Maha Kumbh, the world’s largest gathering, began on Monday with tens of lakhs of people taking a dip in the Sangam in their quest for ‘moksha’ and the belief it will cleanse their sins.
Spirituality and faith, culture and religion, tradition and modern-day technology… it all fused into one in the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and the mystical Saraswati in Prayagraj. More than 40 crore people are expected over 45 days in the mela, being held after 12 years. Besides, seers claim the celestial permutations and combinations for the event are taking place after 144 years, making the occasion even more auspicious for the faithful.
And as the famed mela formally began on the occasion of ‘Paush Purnima’ to the sound of conch shells and bhajans, the excitement was palpable in the sprawling Sangam area as devotees -- mostly in groups -- walked towards the waters chanting 'Jai Ganga Maiyya'.
"Till 9.30 am, around 60 lakh pilgrims had taken a dip," the Uttar Pradesh government said in a statement.
"A very special day for crores of people who cherish Bharatiya values and culture! Maha Kumbh 2025 commences in Prayagraj, bringing together countless people in a sacred confluence of faith, devotion and culture. The Maha Kumbh embodies India’s timeless spiritual heritage and celebrates faith and harmony," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on X.
Ash smeared sadhus from their abode in the Himalayas, the religious from across the country and abroad and those just curious to take in the sights and sounds of the biggest religious spectacle of all… the 45-day Maha Kumbh beckoned them all.
Thirteen Akharas of seers from different sects are participating in the Maha Kumbh.
"I practise yoga in Brazil, I have come here for 'moksha'. This one is very special, once in 144 years. I am very lucky to be here. India is like spiritual heights of the world. I have four days to get 'moksha' (laughs). Sanatan Dharma is my mission of life and it changed my life, it changed the way I see the world, my family… Jai Shri Ram,” a devotee from Brazil said.
"It is very special for me to be with you all Indians here. I am feeling grateful for this opportunity to dive into the sacred river here at the sacred point. I am fulfilled with bliss at this moment, " added Julie from Spain.
Chants of 'Jai Shri Ram', 'Har Har Mahadev' and 'Jai Ganga Maiyya' chants could be heard as the pilgrims moved towards the bathing area in groups.
A group of women from Uttar Pradesh's Siddharth Nagar was busy singing folk songs. And there was a team of YouTubers from South Korea capturing various shots of the Maha Kumbh as was a team from Japan.
Contingents from states across India were seen too at various ghats of Prayagraj.
Appreciating the arrangements made for the devotees, Kailash Narayan Shukla from Hamirpur in Himachal said, “Good arrangements were made for the pilgrims and we had no problems in taking the holy dip".
"Where there is a confluence of cultures, there is also a confluence of faith and harmony. Maha Kumbh-2025 is giving the message of 'unity in diversity', Prayagraj is providing an encounter with Sanatan along with the welfare of humanity," Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on X.
It is a massive logistical exercise for the government.
"Spanning 10,000 acres, the event will set an exemplary standard for cleanliness, security, and modernity. To enhance the convenience of devotees, a digital tourist map will facilitate monitoring the cleanliness of toilets, while an AI-powered security system integrated with smartphones will ensure safety," the chief minister said earlier.
Mahakumbh Nagar is the world’s world's largest temporary city, accommodating 50 lakh to 1 crore devotees at any given time, Adityanath said.
According to Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh, more than 55 police stations have been set up along with 45,000 police personnel being deployed for the fair. Projects have also been sanctioned to monitor social media continuously to guard against any mischief, he said.
As many as 30 pontoon bridges, both in the Sangam area and Phaphamau, have also been readied to facilitate the movement of people from one end of the confluence to the other.
Huge gates have also been installed at some of the entry points to welcome the devotees into the holy city.
In the digital era, Maha Kumbh is also trending on social media, with devotees sharing their experiences by posting videos and pictures, with many offering their families virtual ‘darshan’ of Ganga via video call.
