Virat Kohli gets special mention during armed forces briefing on Operation Sindoor
Mumbai: In an unprecedented moment during a high-level military media briefing, Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai invoked the name of cricket legend Virat Kohli, shortly after the former Indian skipper announced his retirement from Test cricket.
The joint media briefing, held by top military officials from the Army, Navy, and Air Force, detailed the successful execution of Operation Sindoor, a coordinated Indian military strike on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
While explaining the depth and coordination of India’s military grid system, Lt Gen Ghai made a cricketing analogy involving Kohli and iconic Australian bowlers Jeff Thomson and Dennis Lillee. “Back in the 70s, during the famous Ashes series between Australia and England, two of Australia’s legendary fast bowlers—Jeff Thomson and Dennis Lillee—wreaked havoc on the English batting line-up. Their dominance was so overwhelming that the Australians came up with a saying: ‘From ashes to ashes and from dust to dust, if Thommo don't get you, then Lillee surely must,’” he said.
Drawing a parallel to India's multilayered military grid, he added, “If you look closely at the layers, you’ll understand what I mean—even if you manage to get through all of them, one layer of this grid system is bound to catch you.”
Calling Virat Kohli his “favourite cricketer,” Lt Gen Ghai said he was watching the cricketer’s emotional farewell to Test cricket just before the briefing. “Like many Indians, he is my favourite cricketer,” he noted.
VIDEO | Special Defence Briefing on India-Pakistan military action: Referring to Indian cricketer Virat Kohli's retirement from Tests earlier in the day, DGMO Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai drew a parallel between cricket and military operations. Here's what he said:
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Earlier in the day, Virat Kohli officially announced his retirement from the longest format of the game via a heartfelt message on Instagram. “It’s been 14 years since I first wore the baggy blue in Test cricket. Honestly, I never imagined the journey this format would take me on. It’s tested me, shaped me, and taught me lessons I’ll carry for life,” Kohli wrote.
He added, “There’s something deeply personal about playing in whites. The quiet grind, the long days, the small moments that no one sees but that stay with you forever.”
Kohli’s decision comes days after Rohit Sharma’s own exit from Test cricket, sparking widespread speculation over the future of India’s senior players. His retirement marks the end of an era for Indian Test cricket, which he helped redefine with his aggressive approach and match-winning performances both at home and overseas.
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Karnataka Health Dept bars leave for staff amid ASHA workers’ strike starting Aug 12
Bengaluru, Aug 11 (PTI): In response to a planned three-day strike by ASHA workers starting August 12, the Karnataka Health Department on Monday issued a notice prohibiting all officers and staff from taking leave during the protest period, except in cases of medical emergencies.
Accredited Social Health Activists workers are demanding the fixed honorarium of Rs 10,000 promised by the state government in January. They have announced a continuous state-level protest from August 12 to 14.
The notice stated, “Information about ASHA workers absent from duty within district limits will be collected daily from primary health centres, compiled at the district level, and submitted to the commissionerate by 3 pm during the protest.”
The Health Department also urged community health officers, primary health protection officers, health inspectors, and Anganwadi workers to cooperate in ensuring that health services to the public remain uninterrupted.
