Weightlifter Lovepreet claims bronze on CWG debut
Birmingham, Aug 3: India's Lovepreet Singh won a bronze in men's 109 kg to continue the country's medal rush in weightlifting at the Commonwealth Games here on Wednesday.
The 24-year-old son of a tailor from Ludhiana lifted a personal best of 355 kg, including a new national record of 192 kg in clean and jerk, to finish third on the podium.
A steady Lovepreet improved from 157kg to 163kg in his final attempt of snatch to be joint second with Canadian Pierre-Alexandre Bessette. However, the intense competition got the better of him in the clean and jerk, as he slipped to third position.
"I could not have been happier. This was my first big competition at the International stage and I produced my best ever show to return with a medal," said the former Commonwealth junior champion.
Junior Nyabeyeu of Cameroon claimed the gold medal with a total lift of 361 kg, while Jack Opeloge of Samoa bagged the silver by lifting 358 kg in the event.
Lovepreet could have joined his father's business, but his family wanted to make him a sportsperson, and his journey began at the age of 13 by training at the DAV Ground.
"Like every other athlete I too faced a lot of hardships, including financial constraints, but my parents ensured that I kept going."
Life changed after the heavyweight lifter joined Indian Navy in 2015, and then moved to the national camp at Patiala.
He went on to win the 2017 Commonwealth Junior Championship, and in the same year, bagged a bronze at the Asian Junior Championship.
In his maiden CWG, he had successful lifts in all his attempts in both snatch and clean-jerk, displaying his composure.
"This was my first major competition so obviously I was under pressure. But nerves settled after my first lift as I gradually kept on improving," he said.
Asked about missing the silver by three kilograms, he said: "I fought for it but the competition was tough. This has been my best ever show so I couldn't have been happier."
"We have National Games next and the next major competition is the Asian Games, but I don't have a category there. They have a weight category of 102kg there, so we will take a call," the lifter said.
"This medal is dedicated to all my coaches, family, parents and fellow countrymen," he added.
India have so far won nine medals in the weightlifting arena at the National Exhibition Centre, including three gold, to lead standings in the discipline. They have two more events lined up.
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K’taka Additional Chief Secretary LK Atheeq responds to Mohandas Pai’s doubt on GST growth rate
Bengaluru: In a recent statement made by the Ministry of Finance on Wednesday, May 1, it was announced that the Goods and Services Tax (GST) revenue collection for April 2024 has reached an unprecedented high, soaring to Rs 2.10 lakh crore. The GST collections breach the landmark figure of ₹2 lakh crore for the first time. The data revealed a 12.4% year-on-year growth in gross revenue, with net revenue (after refunds) standing impressively at ₹1.92 lakh crore, showcasing a notable 17.1% year-on-year growth.
The news sparked a conversation on social media platforms, with Indian businessman TV Mohandas Pai expressing concern over the apparent slowdown in the growth rate of GST in Karnataka. In a tweet directed at Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and other key figures, Pai highlighted the worrisome trend and called for a review by the Government of Karnataka (GOK).
Responding to Pai's apprehension, the additional Chief Secretary to the Karnataka government, LK Atheeq, offered a clarifying perspective. Atheeq contested Pai's assertion, emphasizing that the figures cited by Pai pertain solely to the month of April 2024 compared to April 2023. He further provided data, presenting a comparative analysis of Karnataka's GST collection growth rate in the fiscal year 2023-24. According to Atheeq, Karnataka has witnessed an 18% growth rate in GST collection, outperforming the national average of 12%. He also juxtaposed Karnataka's growth with other states such as Maharashtra and Gujarat, both recording growth rates of 18% and 10% respectively.
Atheeq stated that when viewed in the context of the preceding fiscal year, the growth rates appear lower for all states due to the exceptionally high growth witnessed during the COVID-affected year of 2021-22.
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— ಎಲ್ ಕೆ ಅತೀಕ್ L K Atheeq (@lkatheeq) May 2, 2024
So, the GST collection in Karnataka is not slowing down.
When compared to 2022-23 the growth rates are lower for everyone because 2022-23 growth is over the COVID year of 2021-22 & hence it is very high. @TVMohandasPai
👉 #GST revenue collection for April 2024 highest ever at Rs 2.10 lakh crore
— Ministry of Finance (@FinMinIndia) May 1, 2024
👉 #GST collections breach landmark milestone of ₹2 lakh crore
👉 Gross Revenue Records 12.4% y-o-y growth
👉 Net Revenue (after refunds) stood at ₹1.92 lakh crore; 17.1% y-o-y growth
Read more… pic.twitter.com/Ci7CE7h35o
@CMofKarnataka @siddaramaiah @DKShivakumar @lkatheeq Worrisome sign, after long time Growth rate of GST slowing down in Karnatak. GOK needs to review https://t.co/AMktMCeHhk
— Mohandas Pai (@TVMohandasPai) May 1, 2024
