Davis Cup format changes, India's path to qualification to become harder

'It's interesting but obviously, it will be tougher for us. We were always dominant in Asia. The format needed a change so they did it but from India's perspective, every match will be tough,' India's non-playing captain Mahesh Bhupathi told PTI, reacting to the development. The 12 losing nations from the Qualifiers in March next year along with 12 winners from the newly-introduced World Group I Play-offs, will form the World Group I. The 12 losers from World Group I Play-offs and 12 winners of World Group II Play-offs will form the World Group II. The Play-offs will be held alongside the Qualifiers in March 2020 and it continues to be home and away format in two-day ties. 'The expanded structure, which follows extensive consultation with National Associations, will ensure more nations are able to compete on a worldwide basis, with more opportunities for home-and-away ties against a wider variety of opponents,' the ITF said in a statement. It is the second big change, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) has brought about in Davis Cup after introducing the year-end Finals, where 18 teams will fight it out for the title at one place in one week, instead of competing on home and away format. India has been a dominant force in Asia/Oceania Group I for many years as it has consistently reached the World Group Play-offs stage. In the current format, the Indian team competes against the likes of Korea, New Zealand, China, Pakistan, Chinese Taipei, Lebanon and Uzbekistan, who do not have many top players to challenge India but with new format being introduced from 2020, it will not be an easy job for Bhupathi's team. 'When we were playing against New Zealand or Chinese Taipei or Pakistan, Indonesia or Philippines, we were expected to win but that luxury is not going to be there anymore,' Bhupathi agreed. Asked if format required another change like this?, Bhupathi said only time will tell. 'We have wait for about two years to see how the players respond to this. Right now, the players will accept it but we have to see if it works or not.' The line-up for the 2020 Davis Cup Qualifiers and the Play-offs in World Group I and II will be finalised after next week's regional Group I and Group II ties. India, though, will have to wait to see where it is positioned since its tie against Pakistan has already been postponed due to prevailing political tension between the neighbours. There will be no change to the structure of Davis Cup Group III and Group IV, which will continue to be played as week-long regional events on a round-robin basis. 'They are coming up with these changes because there is lot of competition for the Davis Cup now. They want to make Davis Cup more appealing to the world. We have to see how it pans it. It's too early to say whether if it will bring Davis Cup back to limelight,' said India's Davis Cup coach Zeeshan Ali. 'As far as India is concerned, it is definitely more tough now, going forward because as a country we do not have many top players. It affects us as a team. For us to do well now, we always need our top players available for the ties,' he added. DailyhuntDisclaimer: This story is auto-aggregated by a computer program and has not been created or edited by Dailyhunt. Publisher: The Indian Expresshttp://ctendodontists.org/UserProfile/tabid/84/userId/761293/Default.aspx

Landfilling for Metro shed at Aarey altered natural course of Mithi

Gavai had called it a 'damning report about the current condition of the river'. The Aarey Colony site was identified as a hotspot for the protection and rejuvenation of Mithi. 'The state government has land-filled a large area in the Aarey eco-sensitive zone for the development of a Metro yard. As a result of this, the natural course of the river has been altered, leading to an acute 90-degree turn at the edge of the yard,' read the report. On December 3, 2018, the Hindustan Times was the first to highlight the findings of this panel report to the apex court. While Bathena will approach the HC, the SC will be hearing the matter again on September 16. To compensate for the obstruction of the yard, the panel suggested that the state alters the course of the river and create a smooth diversion. However, this was never done. 'Certain natural rainwater gradients in the Aarey are obstructed owing to landfilling for this yard. Such natural channels must be reopened or re-routed to ensure that surface water reaches the river without obstruction,' the report further said. The 243-page report, prepared by a panel appointed by the SC, including experts from India Institute of Technology - Bombay (IIT-B), National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) and two citizens - architect PK Das and Professor Dr AD Sawant — had highlighted how encroachments, reclamation, improper retaining walls (along areas including Aarey), indiscriminate dumping of industrial effluents and solid waste had made the 17.84-km river 'an open drain', and consequently, left the city vulnerable to a deluge, similar to the one on July 26, 2005. 'The report, regarding landfilling at Aarey, leading to an environmental disaster, is absolutely correct, and it was our duty as citizens to point this out to the SC,' said Dr Sawant. 'The construction of this car shed will be a catastrophe not just for trees, but the floodplains of Mithi and the entire biodiversity of Aarey. Nothing has been done to alter the course of the river and if this last buffer zone is lost, Mithi will flood five to six times every monsoon.' Bathena said the frequency of Mithi overflowing had increased significantly between 2015 and 2019. This monsoon, Mithi was flooded on July 2, with 375mm rain, on August 4, with 204mm rain, and on September 4, when 242mm rain lashed the city. 'Every year, the situation becomes worse. The Aarey area is the last floodplains left of the Mithi river. While some portion has already been filled up , we want to highlight to the HC that if the entire area is permanently concretised, there will be floods every time it rains,' said Bathena. Stalin D, petitioner at the SC, said, 'Floodplains are meant to soak excess water, not to sprout Metro car sheds. It is unbelievable that any country with a scientific temperament would set up a red-category hazardous industry (car-shed), which is going to rely on 50,000 litres of groundwater per day, on the banks of Mithi.' The report had called for an immediate need to widen bridges and identified the major problem of Mithi being flooded every year was because of the reclamation of 620 hectares for the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), 54% of the original riverbed lost to encroachments, and declaring 50m on either side of Mithi as no-development zone. DailyhuntDisclaimer: This story is auto-aggregated by a computer program and has not been created or edited by Dailyhunt. Publisher: Hindustan Timeshttps://anotepad.com/notes/2kteb5

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The high season

Served on a banana leaf, the traditional sadya has 27 items, which are served in order. In South Kerala, sadya is tradition-bound and comprises only vegetarian dishes, while in some parts of North Kerala like Kannur, non-vegetarian dishes, especially chicken, are included. Folk art forms Onappottan Onappottan or Oneswaran is a ritual performed by the Malayar community. Onappottan visits houses carrying 'Olakkuda', an umbrella made of palmyra leaves and decorated with tender leaves of coconut tree Where: Kannur and Kozhikode Kummattikali The performers wear colourful wooden masks representing mythological characters and dance to the folk songs in praise of Mahabali. Onathar A traditional folk art performed by members of the Vannan community during Onam season. A boy from Vannan community dresses up as Onatheyyam and visits houses.Where: Kannur and Kasaragod Pulikali Pulikali is a folk art form in which artists paint their bodies with stripes of yellow and black, as that of a tiger, and dance to the rhythm of percussion instrument chenda. Where: Thrissur and Kollam Thumbi Thullal An all-woman dance performance in which women stand in a circle and beat a girl sitting in the centre with thumba plants. Where: Palakkad Onathappan Thrikkakara Appan or Onathappan is a pyramid-like structure made of clay with four faces and a flat top. It is placed on top of figures drawn on the floor using rice flour. A pookkalam or floral carpet is laid around it. Where: Ernakulam Onathallu A martial ritual in which people form two teams and beat members of the opposite team with bare hands. Where: Kottayam, Thrissur Velan thullal Members of Velan community perform Velan Thullal or Onam Thullal on Uthradam and Thiruvonam days. The team performs in front of the local temple and roams around the streets, visiting houses. Where: Kottayam Aranmula Uthrittathi boat race A customary snake boat race in the Pampa associated with Aranmula Parthasarathy temple.Where: Pathanamthitta SOME MORE Pakkanarattom (Central Kerala) Kaikottikali /Thiruvathirakali (South Kerala) Bhairavikali (Central Travancore) Uthradapattu (North Kerala) Flowers Around 25 tonnes of flower flood the markets from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu Rose, chrysanthemum (jamanthi) and vada mulla, different varieties of oleanders (arali), jasmine, tagetes (a marigold variety) and banthi are some of the flowers that decorate the pookkalams of Malayalees Thiruvananthapuram and Palakkad account for around 5 tonnes each Around C25-28 lakh being spent by Keralites each day to make floral carpets Yellow banthi (C80*), orange banthi (C90), pink arali (oleander) (C200), white jamanthi (C350) and tuberose (C200) are some of the other flowers available in the flower market. The price of red and white oleanders is expected to go up to C600 a kg in the coming days. Tagetes, a marigold variety, costs about C70 to C80 a kg, while red oleander and white oleander cost up to C300 per kg. vegetables  Keralites consume around 25 lakh tonnes of vegetables annually The consumption is around 7,000 tonnes per day  The government-run Horticorp provides around 6,000 tonnes of vegetables to market during four days of Onam Alcohol F1,264.69 cr The gross sales figure during Onam month last year State has 306 Bevco outlets and 450 bar hotels C40 cr Average per-day collection Textiles A 10,000 cr The annual business turnover of the sector 30-40% rise in the sale of garments during Onam days Ernakulam, Kozhikode, Thrissur and Thiruvananthapuram account for the bulk of the sale Gold  Per-day sale: 100kg-150kg Onam days: 200kg  F2,000-2,500 crore is the Onam sale in 10 days 500-600 kg gold to be sold during Onam days  10-15% rise in sale during Onam season From flowers to rice, the items needed for celebration of Onam come from our neighbouring states Rice Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Telangana Banana Tamil Nadu, Karnataka Banana leaf Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli, Udangudi (Tamil Nadu) Vegetables Puliyankudi (Tamil Nadu), Coorg (Karnataka) and Andhra Pradesh DailyhuntDisclaimer: This story is auto-aggregated by a computer program and has not been created or edited by Dailyhunt. Publisher: The New Indian Expresshttp://southmainalliance.org/UserProfile/tabid/57/userId/639253/Default.aspx ailyhuntDisclaimer: This story is auto-aggregated by a computer program and has not been created or edited by Dailyhunt. Publisher: Deccan Chroniclehttp://echometer.com/UserProfile/tabid/61/userId/534478/Default.aspx

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After wife Nalini, husband Murugan applies for one month parole

Notably, Murugan's wife Nalini, also a convict in Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, is spending her parole days at a house in Rangapuram in Vellore. She was released on a month's parole from special prison for women, Vellore, on July 25, 2019, to make arrangements for her daughter's wedding. Madras High Court issued orders granting parole after hearing her plea which sought parole for three months.She also got a parole extension for three weeks. Murugan has been imprisoned at Vellore Central Prison. DailyhuntDisclaimer: This story is auto-aggregated by a computer program and has not been created or edited by Dailyhunt. Publisher: The New Indian Expresshttp://websitemarketingdesign.com/UserProfile/tabid/61/userId/90097/Default.aspx

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Stuart Broad has got into David Warner's head, admits Steve Smith

"I think about ways he can play. He's tried a couple different ways and they haven't quite worked." Warner was trapped in front by Broad for his third duck on the trot. Australia have the advantage nonetheless after reducing England to 18/2 and maintaining the deficit of 365 runs going into the final day. If they win the Test, the Aussies will retain the Ashes. "It's been tough with the new ball for both sides," Smith said. "The ball's probably done its most when it's new. When it gets a little bit softer it doesn't do quite as much, it gets a little bit easier. "They've bowled pretty well with the new ball. They're particularly good bowlers to left-handed batters, both Broad and (Jofra) Archer. "It's not been easy for Davey and Marcus but they're trying their hardest," the former skipper added. Smith has been Australia's star batsman so far with his 211 in the first innings of the fourth Test helping the team go within sniffing distance of retaining the Ashes. DailyhuntDisclaimer: This story is auto-aggregated by a computer program and has not been created or edited by Dailyhunt. Publisher: The New Indian Expresshttp://gdempsey.com/UserProfile/tabid/57/userId/200552/Default.aspx

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Bigg Boss 13 new promo: Salman Khan promises major twists, declares finale will be in 4 weeks

Are you ready for #BiggBoss13 with a twist that's super tedha? @vivo_india #BB13 @BiggBoss coming soon!' Television ka blockbuster lekar aa rahe hain the one and only @beingsalmankhan! Are you ready for #BiggBoss13 with a twist that's super tedha? @vivo_india #BB13 @BiggBoss coming soon! Anytime on @justvoot pic.twitter.com/1v9nOehy48 — COLORS (@ColorsTV) September 7, 2019 The makers teased the first promo of the show in August, where Salman turned into a railway station master. In the promo video, Salman, as a station master, can be seen explaining the concept of the game. Salman revealed that the upcoming season would feature only celebrities as contestants and they will get a chance to reach the finale in just four weeks. Adding his quirk to the video, the superstar concluded the clip by saying, 'Yeh season hai mera, bohot hi tedha (This season is mine and quite twisted).' In early September, a second promo was released which featured Naagin actor Surbhi Jyoti and TV actor Karan Wahi, apart from Salman. In the video, we see Salman and Surbhi in a gym. Salman gives Surbhi a bouquet of flowers, telling audiences that only celebs will fight it out this season (the last season's commoners' theme didn't work well). Minutes later, Karan walks in and snatches the bouquet from Surbhi. An angry Surbhi, steps down from the treadmill and both start fighting. Salman, the ringmaster, says the participants will do as he asks them to. As he says 'start and stop' repeatedly, the duo 'begin and stop' in accordance. function catchException() {try{ twitterJSDidLoad(); }catch(e){}} function getAndroidVersion(ua) {ua = (ua || navigator.userAgent).toLowerCase(); var match = ua.match(/android\\s([0-9\\.]*)/);return match ? match[1] : false;}; var versions='4.2.2'; var versionArray=versions.split(',');var currentAndroidVersion=getAndroidVersion();if(versionArray.indexOf(currentAndroidVersion)!=-1){var blocks = document.getElementsByTagName('blockquote'); for(var i = 0; i < blocks.length; i++){blocks[i].innerHTML = '';}}DailyhuntDisclaimer: This story is auto-aggregated by a computer program and has not been created or edited by Dailyhunt. Publisher: Hindustan Timeshttps://www.intensedebate.com/people/reetasignaas

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Ratings of three PSU insurers downgraded

The capital infusion required may be just some Rs 5,000 crore which is indeed small compared to the Rs 70,000 crore reportedly given to PSU banks,' said former IRDA Member KK Srinivasan. The downgrade has come after Budget 2019-20 in July proposed the enabling provision for merger of non-life insurance firms by seeking to amend the General Insurance Business Nationalisation Act. AM Best downgraded the financial strength rating of National Insurance to C (weak) from C++ (marginal) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating to CCC from B. The company's risk-adjusted capitalisation, as measured by Best's Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR), deteriorated to a very weak level at fiscal year-end 2019 due to a combination of significant reserve strengthening for motor third-party liability business and continued large underwriting losses from several other product lines, AM Best said. 'Capital and surplus declined significantly by 51 per cent to Rs 2800 crore as of March 31, 2019, from Rs 5,700 crore in the same prior-year period,' it said. Furthermore, the company's net underwriting leverage and equity investment leverage has surged to a very unhealthy level at 1,091 per cent and 385 per cent, respectively. In the case of United India, AM Best has downgraded the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) to C++ (Marginal) from B (Fair) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating to 'B+' from 'BB+' for United India Insurance Company Ltd. The credit rating reflects the company's balance sheet strength, which AM Best categorises as adequate, marginal operating performance, neutral business profile and marginal enterprise risk management. The rating downgrades reflect a deterioration in AM Best's view of United's balance sheet strength and operating performance fundamentals. Capital and surplus declined significantly by 29.1 per cent to Rs 6,400 crore as of March 31, 2019, from Rs 9010 crore in the same prior-year period. The company repeatedly has fallen short of local minimum regulatory solvency requirements in recent years, AM Best said. The rating firm has downgraded the FSR to B+ (Good) from B++ (Good) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating to BBB- from BBB+ of Oriental Insurance Company. The credit ratings reflect Oriental's balance sheet strength, which AM Best categorises as very strong, marginal operating performance, neutral business profile and marginal enterprise risk management (ERM). DailyhuntDisclaimer: This story is auto-aggregated by a computer program and has not been created or edited by Dailyhunt. Publisher: The Indian Expresshttp://wiznotes.com/UserProfile/tabid/84/userId/256690/Default.aspx