Category Archives: Leaders

INTERNATIONAL: WEST ASIA: EAM to attend first India-GCC foreign ministers meet in Riyadh on September 8-9

Jaishankar will travel to Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, on September 8-9 to attend the first India–Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Foreign Ministers’ meeting. During the visit, he is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with Foreign Ministers from GCC member countries.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, will be in Saudi Arabia, Germany and Switzerland from September 8 to 13, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Saturday.

Jaishankar will travel to Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, on September 8-9 to attend the first India–Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Foreign Ministers’ meeting. During the visit, he is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with Foreign Ministers from GCC member countries.

The Ministry of External Affairs said that “India and the GCC enjoy a deep and multifaceted relationship, in areas including political, trade & investment, energy cooperation, cultural and people – to – people ties. The GCC region has emerged as a major trading partner for India and is home to a large Indian expatriate community, numbering around 8.9 million. The Foreign Ministers meeting will be an opportunity to review and deepen institutional cooperation between India and the GCC across various sectors.”

On the second leg of the visit, Jaishankar will travel to Berlin, Germany for a 2 – day visit from 10 – 11 September. This will be his 3rd visit as Minister to Berlin.

“Both India and Germany share a robust Strategic Partnership and Germany is one of India’s prominent trading partners and among the largest Foreign Direct Investors,” the MEA said.

During the visit, MEA said that Jaishankar will meet the German Federal Foreign Minister as well as the leadership and other ministers from the German government with an objective to review the entire gamut of bilateral relations between India and Germany.

The External Affairs Minister will thereafter travel to Geneva, Switzerland for an official visit on September 12-13.

source/content: indianexpress.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: HEALTH & MEDICINE: CANCER RESEARCH: President Murmu launches India’s first home-grown gene therapy for cancer -‘CAR-T cell therapy’

President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday launched India’s first home-grown gene therapy for cancer at IIT Bombay.

Describing the newly-launched treatment, named “CAR-T cell therapy,” as a beacon of hope, President Murmu expressed confidence that the therapy will provide a new lease of life to countless cancer patients.

CAR-T cell therapy, considered a groundbreaking advancement in medical science, has long been available in developed nations. However, its prohibitive costs have rendered it beyond the reach of many.

President Murmu said that the therapy is not only accessible but also the world’s most affordable CAR-T cell therapy.

She applauded the collaborative efforts between the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, Tata Memorial Hospital, and industry partner ImmunoACT, highlighting the indigenous therapy as an example of the ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiatives.

source/content: ddnews.gov.in (headline edited)

NATIONAL: SPACE FRONTIERS : India’s first National Space Day: August 23rd, 2024 – PM Modi and ISRO chief reflect on India’s space milestones

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday extended his greetings to the nation on the occasion of the first National Space Day. In a message shared on X, the Prime Minister expressed immense pride in India’s remarkable achievements in the space sector.

“Greetings to everyone on the first National Space Day. We recall with great pride our nation’s achievements in the space sector. It is also a day to laud the contributions of our space scientists,” Prime Minister Modi said.

Highlighting the government’s commitment to advancing the space sector, the Prime Minister said, “Our government has taken a series of futuristic decisions relating to this sector, and we will do even more in the times to come.”

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman S. Somanath praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his role in strengthening India’s space ecosystem.

Speaking to ANI, Somanath highlighted recent policy reforms and initiatives under the leadership of PM Modi toward advancing the space sector.

The ISRO chief said that PM Modi’s leadership has been crucial in several key policy interventions in India’s space sector. “As Prime Minister, Modi has not only created but also implemented policies through the governmental system,” he said.

Underscoring three major initiatives, the ISRO chief said, “After the space sector reforms, we worked on a space policy. This new policy clearly defines the roles and responsibilities of the Department of Space, ISRO, and NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), paving the way for greater private sector involvement in space activities.”

“A foreign direct investment policy has also been announced, allowing private and foreign investments in the space sector with certain controls and regulations that were not possible earlier. The third initiative, undertaken by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), involves the geospatial policy. This policy makes all geospatial and satellite data freely available up to a five-meter resolution, creating secondary effects,” he added.

Reflecting on recent milestones, Somanath recalled the Prime Minister’s live participation in the Chandrayaan-3 moon landing event. “I remember our Prime Minister Modi watching the live transmission and taking a moment from the BRICS summit to join us,” he said.

Somanath also recounted Modi’s visit to the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, where he showed keen interest in the Gaganyaan mission and other space projects.

“We were asked to prepare a long-term roadmap, a vision for space 2047 in the Amritkaal. The Prime Minister was delighted with our presentation on future space missions, including the Gaganyaan program and plans for a space station,” Somanath said.

M. Sankaran, Director of the U R Rao Satellite Centre (URSC), also recalled the Prime Minister’s visit to the space center after the success of Chandrayaan-3.

“When he was talking, he was a bit emotional, thanking all of us for our efforts and appreciating everyone’s contributions. He was very clear that we need to involve other government agencies in space activities, which eventually led to the space sector reforms,” Sankaran said while speaking to ANI.

Following the successful landing of Chandrayaan-3, PM Modi declared August 23 as National Space Day and named the landing site ‘Shiva Shakti Point,’ while designating the Chandrayaan-2 landing site as ‘Tiranga Point.’

This historic achievement made India the fourth country to land a rover on the Moon and the first to do so in the Moon’s southern polar region. The celebration aims to inspire future generations and foster interest in space exploration across the nation.

The theme for National Space Day 2024 is “Touching Lives while Touching the Moon: India’s Space Saga,” reflecting the impact of space achievements on everyday life and the nation’s ambitious space endeavors.

source/content: ddnews.gov.in (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL: HEALTH SCIENCE – PSYCHIATRY: Australia’s ‘Illawarra Indian Doctor’s Association’ honours Dr Naveen Chandra in Sydney for psychiatric services

The Illawarra Indian Doctor’s Association held a special oration on August 23, 2024, to honour Dr Naveen Chandra for his significant contributions to psychiatric services in the Illawarra region.

Dr Naveen Chandra, a pioneering figure in the field, was the first Director of the Illawarra Psychiatric Services. He played a crucial role in organizing hospital and community services in the area and served as a Consultant Psychiatrist in Wollongong for 35 years. His dedication to his profession and his community has made him a well-respected figure in the field of psychiatry.

The event was attended by approximately a hundred local doctors and a few of Dr Chandra’s friends. The gathering began with a one-minute silence in memory of a doctor who was tragically murdered in Calcutta. During the ceremony, Dr Chandra was presented with a shawl, a plaque, and a lifetime achievement award certificate by senior doctors from the Association. Professor Nagesh Pai spoke extensively about Dr Chandra’s achievements, highlighting his contributions to psychiatry not only in Australia but also in India, Fiji, and Myanmar.

Following the award presentation, the oration featured a lecture on Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder by Prof Pai and a talk on community facilities by Dr Jayachandra. The event was graced by the presence of CEOs from both public health services and a private psychiatric hospital, who spoke highly of Dr Chandra’s contributions to the field of psychiatry.

Dr Naveen Chandra Shetty’s distinguished career is marked by several notable achievements:

  • Dr Naveen Chandra established the Illawarra Psychiatric Group in the early 1980s, playing a crucial role in developing psychiatric services in the region.
  • In the late 1980s, he convened a meeting with senior psychiatrists of New South Wales at his home to establish the Australian Indian Psychiatric Association.
  • At the request of Fiji’s Health Minister, he, along with four other international psychiatrists, provided guidance on starting community services and a postgraduate diploma in psychiatry in Fiji.
  • He established three free rural psychiatric centers in three villages in India and worked there for 12 years, significantly enhancing mental health services in these underserved areas.
  • During his tenure, he organized three international conferences in Nitte, fostering knowledge exchange and collaboration in the field of psychiatry.
  • Dr Chandra was a founding member of the Institute of Australasian Psychiatrists and served as Vice President and CPD assessor for several years, contributing to the development and recognition of the institution.
  • He was invited by the superintendent of Myanmar Psychiatric Hospital to evaluate their psychiatric services, offering his expertise to improve their mental health care system.
  • In 2011, he received the ‘Initiative in Psychiatric Service’ award from the Federation of Asian Psychiatric Associations in Melbourne, recognizing his innovative contributions to psychiatry.
  • In 2012, he was awarded a fellowship by the British College of Psychiatrists, honoring his extensive contributions to the field.
  • In 2003, he was awarded a fellowship by the Australasian Psychiatric Association, further cementing his reputation as a leader in psychiatry.

The ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks, reflecting on Dr Chandra’s legacy and his impact on psychiatric services in Illawarra and beyond. His pioneering work continues to inspire many in the field of psychiatry.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL: SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY: Indian American Deblina Sarkar. The girl who flew away on the wings of her mind. Boss of the Nano-Cybernetic Biotrek research lab at MIT, Boston, and harvester of a dozen awards in the past year alone

Boss of the Nano-Cybernetic Biotrek research lab at MIT, Boston, and harvester of a dozen awards in the past year alone. And yet, bet you didn’t know that she comes inspired from a bereft corner of Bengal.

Deblina Sarkar is not keen to tell her story. She is not disinterested either. Over a Zoom call from Boston, US, she comes across as matter of fact, pleasant and rooted in her work — she cannot wait to be done with this interview and return to the lab.

The story of her journey from rural Bengal to Boston is full of silences — studied, not awkward — and shorn of specifics as if she has already measured the distance she wants to maintain between her story and audience.

But when she does talk, she doesn’t do platitudes. When I ask her what it is she wanted to do as a girl, she replies, “I wanted to create knowledge, add to the production of knowledge rather than just implement what already exists.” She says it simply, self-assuredly and in a non-self-important tone. If I slip into Bangla, she too replies in her mother tongue, but switches to English whenever she is discussing her work and the specifics of it.

And, yes, the only time she shows emotion and smiles a wide smile that rises to her eyes is when she talks about her parents, Barid Baran and Asima, and nephews Qubit and Quitron.

Barid Baran and Asima are far more animated when it comes to telling the story of Deblina’s journeying. Which is why, Deblina’s story is best told with them in the role of chief narrators.

“When she was only three, she threw a tantrum because she wanted to go to school,” says Barid Baran. Indulging her would mean quite the long commute. It meant walking two kilometres to the Nangi train station and then getting off at Tollygunge and walking some more to reach the school itself.

It was not very different from Barid Baran’s own story from his student days. In 1960s Bengal, there was no school in his village. So he trekked two miles on foot to go to the nearest school. He wanted to be a scientist, so when the time came to go to college he shifted to the nearest town with one.

Deblina was happy — no, delighted — to go to school. “I am lucky, my parents never treated me and my brother differently,” she tells me. As Asima tells it, if there was anything that made Deblina unhappy as a child, it was the teacher’s red pen. “She couldn’t bear to have anything in her notebook stricken off with a red pen.” Asima narrates a fond tale about the time Deblina was learning her English alphabet. Something about her mother saying “P” should be written in a certain way, and the little girl insisting her way was also correct.

In 1972, Barid Baran took the entrance test for the IITs and could not clear it. But the scientist in him continued to be, dabbling in inventions of his own. Deblina recalls watching her father build a washing machine that ran without electricity, a pulley that could lift heavy objects to the roof of the house.

Do dreams come coded with the DNA or does one contract them from close contact? Who can say? When she was in Class IX, Deblina started preparing for the Joint Entrance Examination. “Even the day before her Class X history exam, she was sitting with her physics texts,” says Asima. “I had to tell her, how will you go to IIT if you don’t pass your boards,” adds Barid Baran.

In 2004, Deblina joined what is today known as IIT Dhanbad. When news got around, the neighbours said, “Now she will be able to pay for her own dowry.” Deblina laughs at the memory. Thereafter, Deblina left for the US — a PhD in nanoelectronics at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

One might think it was a big leap, a big deal, and yet neither Deblina nor her parents make it sound that way. Instead they talk about how she comes home every year and behaves as if she never left, wears her old clothes, enjoys her mother’s maan kochu bata and machher jhol. And how they join her every time she has a conference in a new country — “She sends us tickets,” says Asima.

All three of them are more eloquent when it comes to holding forth on the nuts and bolts of life. Deblina talks about nanoelectronics like she is chatting about the weather. “Nanoelectronic devices consume a large amount of energy etc. etc.” So she started exploring other low-powered computational systems. She says, “If you think about it, the human brain is the most energy-efficient computational system.”

I am not sure if I am following the science talk, when she provides the answer herself. It was this line of inquiry that brought her to a territory she had vowed to never enter. Biology.

There were risks in making a transition this steep, but her mind was made up. To the question of what it feels like to be a woman in STEM, she just shrugs. “If I was ever discriminated against, I would not know,” is her answer.

What she and her team are doing today is this — trying to come up with a non-invasive, wireless nanoelectronic device that can coexist within the brain. They aim to treat diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and even brain cancer using this method. She says with a smile and a nod, “We are hoping to start the clinical trial within the next two years.”

And yes, she is thinking of starting a scholarship for girl-students who need it back home to encourage them to be able to study science in high school.

source/content: telegraphindia.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL: INDIA – POLAND : When India Gave Refuge To 5,000 Polish War Orphans, About Jam Saheb of Nawanagar, Kolhapur Memorials In Warsaw

PM Modi will visit the Jam Saheb of Nawanagar Memorial in Warsaw during his Poland visit. The memorial was built by the Polish government to honour Jam Saheb Digvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji of Gujarat who gave shelter to around 5,000 Poles during World War II.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will pay respects to the Jam Saheb of Nawanagar Memorial in Warsaw on Wednesday during his two-day visit to Poland. He will also visit the Monte Cassino Memorial and the Memorial to Kolhapur Family.

The landmark visit, first by an Indian Prime Minister in 45 years, comes at the invitation of his Polish counterpart, Donald Tusk.

The Indian Ambassador to Poland, Nagma Mohamed Mallick, confirmed the significance of this visit, and stated, as quoted by ANI, “He will be the first Prime Minister to pay respects at all three memorials.” She also mentioned that Prime Minister Modi will address the Indian community in Poland during his visit, which is anticipated to be a “rousing meeting.”

What Do We Know About Jam Saheb of Nawanagar Memorial?

The Jam Saheb of Nawanagar Memorial honors Jam Saheb Digvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji, the former Maharaja of Nawanagar (modern-day Jamnagar) in Gujarat. Revered as the ‘Good Maharaja,’ he is remembered for his extraordinary humanitarian efforts during World War II.

During the war, he provided refuge to hundreds of Polish children fleeing the atrocities of the USSR. The memorial, located in Poland, stands as a testament to his legacy of compassion and generosity.

Who Was Jam Saheb Digvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji?

Jam Shri Digvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji Jadeja was born in Saroda in 1895, and pursued his education at Rajkumar College, Malvern College, and University College London. His early career was marked by military service.

In 1919, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the British Army, eventually serving with the 125th Napier’s Rifles (later the Rajputana Rifles). Over his two-decade military career, he rose through the ranks, ultimately achieving the honorary rank of lieutenant-general in the Indian Army.

Upon the death of his uncle, the legendary cricketer KS Ranjitsinhji, Digvijaysinhji succeeded him as Maharaja of Nawanagar in 1933. He ruled until 1948 and was also the longest-serving President of the Governing Council of the Rajkumar College, Rajkot, holding the position from 1939 until his death in 1966. His contributions to society were recognised when he was knighted in 1935.

Why was His Memorial Built in Warsaw?

Jam Saheb Digvijaysinhji’s most enduring legacy lies in his role in the World War II when he provided shelter to more than 1,000 Polish children who had been evacuated from the Soviet Union in 1941.

These children, many of whom were orphans and refugees, found a safe haven under the care of the ‘Good Maharaja,’ who ensured they received food, shelter, education, and opportunities for cultural enrichment.

In 1942, he established a dedicated Polish children’s camp in Jamnagar-Balachadi, which included facilities such as a kindergarten, schools, a hospital, and a library. The Maharaja personally oversaw the camp’s operations, ensuring the children were provided with not only basic needs but also opportunities for artistic and cultural development. His efforts were instrumental in helping 5,000 Polish children survive the war years in India.

In 2011, he was posthumously awarded the Commander’s Cross of the Order of Merit by President Bronisław Komorowski, acknowledging his significant contribution.

The Polish parliament established the ‘Jam Saheb of Nawanagar Memorial’ in March 2016. Additionally, a school in Warsaw bears his name, honoring his contributions.

The Polish children’s camp in Jamnagar-Balachadi continued to operate until 1945, after which the children were relocated to Valivade, near Kolhapur, Maharashtra. Today, the site of the former camp is part of the 300-acre campus of the Sainik School in Balachadi.

How Valivade-Kolhapur Became Symbol of India-Poland Bond

Valivade is a village in Maharashtra where around Polish refugees took refuge from the Soviet repression during the World War II. These refugees included women, children, and the elderly who had endured tremendous hardship.

By 1943, Valivade was chosen for its favourable climate, located about 500 km south of Mumbai. This site was intended to provide a better living environment to Polish refugees compared to the harsher conditions in other regions.

Valivade was developed into a fully functional Polish settlement, equipped with various amenities including a church, community centre, multiple schools, a college, a post office, a theater, and even a cinema. The infrastructure aimed to replicate a typical Polish town, fostering a sense of community and normalcy for the refugees.

Polish children participated in scouting and physical activities, while religious and national holidays were observed with great enthusiasm.

After the Polish refugees left between 1946 and 1948, Valivade’s significance was preserved through memorials. A cemetery in Kolhapur, restored in 2014, honors the Polish individuals who died while in India. Additionally, an obelisk in Mahavir Garden Park, dedicated by the Association of Poles in India, stands as a testament to the enduring friendship between Poles and Indians.

The Association of Poles in India 1942-1948 was established in 1990, and has been instrumental in preserving the history and fostering connections between former refugees and their Indian hosts.

The Kolhapur Memorial is situated next to the Monte Cassino Memorial in Warsaw.

PM Modi’s Poland Schedule

His two-day visit to Poland from August 21 includes the following schedule:

9:30 am (IST): Departure from India for Warsaw

5:30 pm: Arrival at Warsaw Military Airport

7:55 pm – 8:20 pm: Wreath laying at Jam Saheb of Nawanagar Memorial

8:30 pm – 9:00 pm: Wreath laying at Monument to the Battle of Monte Cassino and Kolhapur Memorial

11:20 pm – 11:55 pm: Community event at Hotel Sheraton

After his Poland visit, PM Modi will depart for Ukraine on August 22 and arrive in Kyiv on August 23. During his brief visit, he will spend around seven hours in Ukraine and hold discussions with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He will then return to Poland.

source/content: news18.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: INDIAN ARMY – FIRSTS: Lt-Gen Sadhna Saxena Nair takes charge as Army’s first woman DG of medical services

Military doctors, once inducted into the Army Medical Corps, can be seconded to any service.

 Lt Gen Sadhna Saxena Nair has become the first woman to be appointed as the Director General Medical Services (Army). She has other firsts to her name: she was the first woman to hold the post of DG Hospital Services (Armed Forces) on promotion to the rank of Air Marshal.

Nair began her journey in the forces in December 1985 after graduating from the Armed Forces Medical College, Pune, with a distinguished academic record and was commissioned into the Army Medical Corps.

Her other academic and professional qualifications include a postgraduate degree in family medicine and diplomas in maternal & child health and healthcare management. She has undergone a two-year training in medical informatics at AIIMS, New Delhi.

She was trained in chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear warfare with the Israeli defence forces and in military medical ethics with the Swiss Armed Forces in Spiez. She is also the first woman Principal Medical Officer of Western Air Command, and Training Command, Indian Air Force.

Military doctors, once inducted into the Army Medical Corps, can be seconded to any service. They wear the rank and uniform of the service they are with.

Lt Gen Nair was nominated as an expert member of Dr Kasturirangan Committee for drafting a part of the medical education component of the National Education Policy.

For her meritorious service, she has been awarded the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Air Command and Chief of the Air Staff Commendations as well as Vishisht Seva Medal by the President.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL: U.K / INDIAN HERITAGE : Sojan Joseph of Labour Party Wins Ashford Seat, Celebrations Erupt in His Native Kottayam Village

Lights at the home of Sojan Joseph in the sleepy village at Athirampuzha near Kottayam were not switched off on Thursday night as the entire household was anxiously waiting to hear the result from Ashford, one of the constituencies in Kent in the United Kingdom.

Sojan Joseph’s father burst into tears and clapped his hands when his son, the Labour Party’s candidate, won with a margin of 1,779 votes defeating Damien Green of the Conservative and Unionist party.

“Of course , I am really happy and excited with my son’s victory . We have been waiting to hear this right from the time my son told me he is going to contest the polls,” said his beaming father.

The house was full of Joseph’s relatives and friends and soon came the sounds of crackers being burst.

His brother’s wife said that Joseph and his six siblings and their children are all in the UK.

“He is a nurse in the psychiatry department of the National Health Service. After he finished college in Kottayam, he went to study nursing in Bengaluru. Now for the past 23 years he is working in the NHS. We were expecting that he will win,” said his sister – in –law.

A sister of Joseph said while he was in college here he was never into politics.

“ It was after he reached the UK, that he developed an interest in politics and now his and our dream has come true. Now we are just waiting for him to come to his village,” said the sister.

Joseph is currently a borough councillor representing Aylesford and East Stour ward. –IANS

source/content: theweekendleader.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: DEFENCE SERVICES: For the First time in Indian Military History, 2 classmates to be Chiefs of Indian Army and Navy together

Hailing from the Sainik School Rewa in Madhya Pradesh, Admiral Tripathi and Lt Gen Dwivedi were together in the school from class 5.

For the first time in Indian military history, two classmates, Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi and Admiral Dinesh Tripathi, will be service chiefs of Indian Army and Navy.

Hailing from the Sainik School Rewa in Madhya Pradesh, Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Tripathi and Army Chief Designate Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi were together in the school from class 5th-A in the early 1970s.

The roll numbers of the two officers were also around each other, as Lt Gen Dwivedi’s roll number was 931 and Admiral Tripathi’s was 938.

Their bonding was strong from the initial days in the school and they remained in touch all along, even though they were in different forces.

A defence official who knows both the officers said that strong friendships among the senior leadership in the military matter a lot in strengthening the working relationship between the forces.

“This rare honour of nurturing two prodigious students, who would go on to lead their respective Services 50 years later, goes to Sainik School, Rewa, in Madhya Pradesh,” Defence Ministry Spokesperson A Bharat Bhushan Babu said in a tweet.

The appointments of the two classmates have also come around the same time, in a gap of around two months.

Admiral took over the command of the Indian Navy on May 1, while Lt Gen Dwivedi would be taking over his new appointment tomorrow.

Lt Gen Dwivedi has had a long tenure as the Northern Army Commander where he has had long exposure to the ongoing operations in the military standoff on the LAC in eastern Ladakh.

Born on July 1, 1964, Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi was commissioned into the Jammu & Kashmir Rifles of the Indian Army on December 15, 1984. (ANI)

source/content: hindustantimes.com (headline edited)

GLOBAL: SPORTS / CRICKET: Stats – India FIRST Team to Win the men’s T20 World Cup unbeaten

India also joined West Indies and England as the only sides with two men’s T20 World Cup titles in the bag.

1 – India became the first team to win the men’s T20 World Cup without losing a game all tournament. India won all eight matches they played in the tournament, and had one washout: the first-round game against Canada.

India’s eight consecutive wins in completed games is the joint-longest winning streak for any team in the men’s T20 World Cup. Australia won eight successive games across the 2022 and 2024 editions, while South Africa was on an eight-match winning streak before Saturday’s defeat.

8-1 – Win-loss record of the teams winning the toss in the finals of the men’s T20 World Cup. The only team to lose a final despite winning the toss was Sri Lanka against Pakistan in 2009.

It is only the third instance of a team winning a men’s T20 World Cup final while defending a total. India against Pakistan in 2007 and West Indies against Sri Lanka in 2012 won the final while batting first.

2 – India is now the third team to win the men’s T20 World Cup for the second time, having won the inaugural 2007 edition. West Indies were the first team with two titles, having won in 2012 and 2016, while England won in 2010 and 2022.

9 – Players to be part of two men’s T20 World Cup final wins – Rohit Sharma was added to the list on Saturday. Eight West Indies players were part of their both title wins – Daren Sammy, Marlon Samuels, Chris Gayle, Johnson Charles, Dwayne Bravo, Samuel Badree, Andre Russell and Denesh Ramdin.

176 for 7 – India’s total against South Africa on Saturday is the highest by any team in the final of the men’s T20 World Cup. Australia’s 173 for 2 in a run chase against New Zealand in 2021 was the previous highest. The 345 runs scored in Bridgetown is the joint-highest aggregate for a men’s T20 World Cup final.

23 – Balls Heinrich Klaasen needed for his fifty against India, the fastest in any men’s World Cup final. The previous quickest was off 31 balls by Mitchell Marsh against New Zealand in the 2021 T20 World Cup final.

16.95 – Per cent of the target that South Africa needed at the start of the 16th over with six wickets in hand – 30 runs out of 177. It is the second-lowest percentage of the target runs any team failed to chase in the last five overs (16-20) of a men’s T20I with six or more wickets in hand, where ball-by-ball data is available.

New Zealand needed 15.06 % of their target at the start of the 16th over – 141 for 3 chasing 166 against South Africa in 2012. They ended up losing by three runs, finishing on 162 for 7.

16 – Player-of-the-Match awards for Virat Kohli in the T20I format – the most for any player in men’s T20Is, surpassing Suryakumar Yadav’s 15. Eight of Kohli’s 16 match awards have come in the men’s T20 World Cup, while no one else has more than five.

37y, 60d – Rohit’s age on Saturday, making him the oldest captain to win a T20 World Cup. He is also the second-oldest captain to win an ICC tournament final, behind Imran Khan, who was 39 year and 172 days old when Pakistan defeated England in the 1992 ODI World Cup final.

8-0 – Rohit’s win-loss record as captain in T20 finals – six with Mumbai Indians and two for India. Only MS Dhoni has won more men’s T20 finals as captain than Rohit, nine out of 15.

This is also the 11th T20 final where Rohit was part of the winning side of the 12 he has played. Only Dwayne Bravo (17), Kieron Pollard (16) and Shoaib Malik (15) have more men’s T20 final wins than Rohit.

49 – Wins for Rohit as captain out of the 62 T20Is where he led India, the most for anyone in men’s T20Is, surpassing Babar Azam’s 48. India have lost only 12 T20Is under Rohit’s captaincy, while another game ended in a tie, which India went on to win in the Super Over.

2 – Number of players, including Kohli, to be part of the winning team in the finals of all three ICC white-ball events (ODI World Cup, T20 World Cup and Champions Trophy). MS Dhoni was the first to be part of all three, and he did it as a captain.

source/content: espncric.info.com / Sampath Bandarupalli (headline edited)