Category Archives: World Opinion

HT Archives: 140-year French rule ends, Pondicherry merges with India – November 01st, 1954

On November 1, 1954, over 300,000 residents of former French enclaves in India were officially integrated into India, ending 140 years of French rule.

Pondicherry 

More than 300,000 people inhabiting “what used to be French enclaves in India” rejoined their mother country, India, at dawn on November 1, 1954, ending 140 years of unbroken French rule over the four settlements — Pondicherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yenam.

In a brief but solemn ceremony, at Government House, M Pierre Landy, of the French Foreign Office, handed over the seals of authority to Kewal Singh, Indian Consul-General and Commissioner-designate of the settlements, exactly at 6.54am and the two officials signed on behalf of their respective Governments the Instrument of Transfer negotiated between India and France.

From 7am, French rule over the four settlements ceased although sovereignty over them vests in France legally, till de jure transfer.

“A part of India separated from the Motherland is coming back to us of its own free will,” said Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, in a message welcoming the people of what used to be French enclaves in India “as nationals of the Republic of India”.

“I offer felicitations also to the Government and the people of France on this occasion. I am happy that Pondicherry will be a cultural link between the Republic of India and France,” Nehru added.

President Dr Rajendra Prasad welcoming the people of Pondicherry and other settlements, in his message said: “We shall be equal partners in a common endeavour to work for the progress and prosperity of India.”

The President hoped the spirit in which the friendly negotiations for the transfer were carried on would serve “as a shining example to other nations faced with similar problems of colonialism which is now an anachronism”.

Soon after the ceremony of signing the agreement, which lasted about 10 minutes, the Indian Tricolour was unfurled over Government House to the tumultuous ovation by thousands of people gathered at the Government House lawn.

THE CEREMONY Precisely at 6.45am, Kewal Singh drove from the Consulate to Government House. He was received at the gates by M Pierre Landy. Singh, after inspecting a guard of honour provided by a platoon of French police, was conducted to an anteroom where, to the glare of flashlights, the two officials signed the historic document of Instrument of Transfer to the booming of guns fired by the artillery.

M Landy then warmly shook hands with Singh and introduced French Indian officials to him and other Indian officials.

The Instrument of Transfer, which in French ran into six lines, read:

“In the year 1954 on the first of November at 6-54 a.m. according to the agreement signed on October 21 at Delhi between the Government of France and the Government of India. M. Pierre Landy, diplomatic consular representative of the Government of the French Republic, handed over to Mr Kewal Singh, representing the Government of the Indian Republic, the powers relating to the administration of French establishments in India.

“The handing over of the different services according to regulations contained in letter No. 3 appended to the, above agreement has been noted down for each service in a separate brochure.

“Done at Pondicherry the same day in six copies and signed by the two representatives. P. Landy and Kewal Singh.”

Soon after the transfer of power to India, RK Nehru, India’s foreign secretary, announced at a public meeting general amnesty to political prisoners in the settlements. He also announced the extension of the Five-Year Plan to these areas. The government of India, he said, proposed to extend civil rights guaranteed under the Indian Constitution to the people of these areas.

The foreign secretary, who conducted the two-year-long negotiations with the government of France for the transfer of the settlements, then unfurled the Indian Tricolour at the Customs House.

Thousands of people cheered, and a 21-gun salute was fired as the National Flag went up. Children from Aurobindo Ashram sang Jana Gana Mana.

From early morning people lined along the beach to witness the Indian national flag go up the Metal flag-mast. Leaders, including Messrs EG Pillai, Muthukumarappa Reddiar, Muthu Pillai and Subbiah, on arrival at the meeting ground were cheered by the waiting crowd.

NEHRU’S MESSAGE PM Nehru, in his message to Pondicherry, said: “I am far from India on this day but my thoughts are at Pondicherry where an event of great significance is taking place. A part of India long separated from the Motherland is coming back to us of its own tree will and this change is taking place as a result of friendly agreement with France. The French settlements in India were small in area but they raised difficult problems it is never easy to solve problems which involve the interests and prestige of different countries. It is thus a matter of peculiar satisfaction that both India and France have succeeded in solving this question with grace and goodwill. In doing so they have set an example of tolerance, good sense and wisdom. which if applied to other problems in the world might lead to successful results.

“I congratulate the people of what used to be French enclaves in India and welcome them as nationals of the Republic of India. I offer felicitations also to the Government of France under the wise leadership of its Prime Minister and the people of France on this occasion. I am happy that Pondicherry will continue to be a centre of the French language and culture and will be a cultural link between the Republic of India and the Republic of France. The settlement of this problem is a justification and vindication of the policy we have pursued in such matters. That policy is of peace and patient perseverance. Some people have thought that it was slow in achieving results. But the way of peace though it might appear long is always the shortest and most satisfactory. That way we shall continue to pursue, holding always to what we consider to be right and yet ever ready to be friends with even those who might oppose us. Jai Hind.”

source/contents: hindustantimes.com (headline edited)

Prabhakar Raghavan, IIT-Madras Alumnus Appointed as Google’s Chief Technologist

Prabhakar Raghavan, an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IIT-Madras), has been appointed as Google’s Chief Technologist. He was previously the Senior Vice President at Google, responsible for overseeing a broad spectrum of products including Google Search, Assistant, Geo.

Prabhakar Raghavan, an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IIT-Madras), has been appointed as Google’s Chief Technologist. He was previously the Senior Vice President at Google, responsible for overseeing a broad spectrum of products including Google Search, Assistant, Geo, Ads, Commerce, and Payments. His new role marks a significant shift in Google’s leadership, especially as the company undergoes core business restructuring.

Early Career and Education

Educational Background:

  • BTech in Electrical Engineering from IIT-Madras (1981): Raghavan’s educational journey began at IIT-Madras, one of India’s most prestigious engineering institutions. He graduated with a degree in electrical engineering, which laid the foundation for his illustrious career in technology.
  • MS and PhD from the University of California: He continued his academic pursuits at the University of California, Berkeley, earning his MS in 1982 and completing his PhD in computer science in 1986. His doctoral work in computer science solidified his expertise in areas such as algorithms, data mining, and machine learning.

Academic and Professional Achievements

Prabhakar Raghavan is a highly respected figure in the global tech community. He has received numerous accolades for his contributions to computer science and technology:

  • Member of the US National Academy of Engineering: This prestigious title is awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to engineering research, practice, or education.
  • Honorary Doctorate from the University of Bologna, Italy: In recognition of his achievements in technology and leadership.
  • UC Berkeley Distinguished CS Alumnus Award: Acknowledging his outstanding contributions as an alumnus of the University of California, Berkeley.
  • Fellow of the IEEE and ACM: These fellowships are awarded to individuals with exceptional accomplishments in electrical and computer engineering, as well as computing machinery

Career Before Google

Before joining Google, Prabhakar Raghavan had already established a stellar career, holding leadership roles in some of the world’s top tech companies.

  • Yahoo! Labs: Dr. Raghavan founded and led Yahoo! Labs, where he spearheaded major advancements in search and ad ranking algorithms. He played a pivotal role in ad marketplace design and served as Yahoo’s Chief Strategy Officer.
  • CTO at Verity: Raghavan also served as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Verity, a leading company in enterprise search technology.
  • 14 Years at IBM: During his long tenure at IBM, Raghavan worked extensively on algorithms, data mining, and machine learning. His work at IBM solidified his reputation as an expert in developing technologies related to data management.

Career at Google

Raghavan joined Google in 2012 and has since held various key roles within the company. His journey at Google is marked by leading teams that have developed and managed some of the company’s most critical in-house products:

  • Google Cloud and Google Apps: Raghavan initially managed Google Cloud and Google Apps, overseeing vital tools like Gmail and Google Drive. His leadership contributed to the growth and success of these products, making them integral to Google’s broader ecosystem.
  • Google Search and Related Products: As Senior Vice President, Raghavan was responsible for overseeing Google Search, one of the company’s most essential products, along with Google Assistant, Geo, Ads, Commerce, and Payments. His efforts helped improve the functionality and relevance of these products, enhancing Google’s role as a global leader in technology and innovation.

Transition to Chief Technologist

In October 2024, Google CEO Sundar Pichai announced in an internal note that Prabhakar Raghavan would take over the position of Chief Technologist. This shift in leadership came at a crucial time for Google, which is currently undergoing significant business restructuring to address increasing competition and changes in user behavior.

Raghavan’s role as Chief Technologist will focus on driving technical innovations, overseeing key strategic initiatives, and guiding the company through the evolving landscape of technology.

  • Nick Fox will take over Raghavan’s previous role, leading Google Search, Assistant, and related products.

Importance of His Appointment

Raghavan’s appointment as Google’s Chief Technologist is a testament to his decades of experience in computer science, leadership, and technical expertise. His deep knowledge in areas like machine learning, data mining, and algorithms is expected to further enhance Google’s technological capabilities and strategic direction.

This leadership transition also highlights Google’s commitment to innovation and technical excellence, ensuring that the company remains at the forefront of global technology advancements.

source/content: currentaffairs.adda247.com / Adda247 (headline edited)

PM Modi, Spanish counterpart to inaugurate Tata aircraft complex for manufacturing C-295 aircraft, making it India’s 1st Private Sector final Assemly line for Military Aircraft.

The Prime Minister’s Office, in a statement, said this will be the first private sector final assembly line for military aircraft in India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Spanish counterpart, Pedro Sanchez, will inaugurate the Tata aircraft complex in Gujarat’s Vadodara on Monday for manufacturing C-295 aircraft by Tata Advanced Systems.

The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), in a statement on Saturday, said this will be the first private sector final assembly line for military aircraft in India.

During the visit to his home state, Modi will also launch development projects worth more than Rs 4,900 crore in Amreli.

The PMO said 40 aircraft will be built in the Vadodara facility as part of the agreement, while aviation behemoth Airbus will deliver 16 aircraft directly.

Tata Advanced Systems is responsible for making these 40 aircraft in India and this facility will be the first private sector final assembly line (FAL) for military planes in India.

It will involve the full development of a complete ecosystem, from manufacture to assembly, test and qualification, to delivery and maintenance of the complete life cycle of the aircraft, the statement said.

Apart from the Tatas, leading defence public sector units, such as Bharat Electronics and Bharat Dynamics, as well as private micro, small and medium enterprises will contribute to this programme.

Modi had laid the foundation stone for the Vadodara final assembly line in October 2022.

In Amreli, the prime minister will inaugurate the “Bharat Mata” Sarovar in Dudhala. This project was developed through a collaboration between the state government and the Dholakia Foundation under the public-private partnership (PPP) model.

Various rail, road, water and tourism projects, among others, to be inaugurated by Modi will benefit the citizens of Amreli, Jamnagar, Morbi, Devbhoomi Dwarka, Junagadh, Porbandar, Kachchh and Botad districts of the state, the statement said.

Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by The Telegraph Online staff and has been published from a syndicated feed.

source/content: telegraphindia.com (headline edited)

India launches fourth nuclear-missile submarine as a leap in maritime defence, says report

The launch of India’s fourth SSBN, S4*, at Visakhapatnam boosts its nuclear deterrence. 

India launched its fourth nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) this week at the Ship Building Center (SBC) in Visakhapatnam, enhancing its nuclear deterrence capabilities against potential adversaries, Hindustan Times reported.

The country’s second SSBN, INS Arighaat, was commissioned by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on August 29, 2024, while the third SSBN, INS Aridhaman, is set to be commissioned next year. Additionally, on October 9, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approved plans for the Indian Navy to construct two nuclear-powered attack submarines, aimed at bolstering deterrence in the Indo-Pacific region.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said in a message to the neighbouring countries who share maritime boundaries with India that maritime security is a collective effort and inviting “outside forces” to the doorstep would dent efforts for unity, PTI reported.

“Maintaining peace in the Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean Region should be top priority. Cooperation of India’s friendly nations is essential in this effort, as even if one country is left out, the nation’s security wheel breaks,” Singh said.

Hindustan Times reported that the newly launched S4* SSBN features nearly 75% indigenous content and is armed exclusively with K-4 nuclear ballistic missiles, which have a range of 3,500 km and can be launched through vertical systems. In contrast, the first submarine of its class, INS Arihant, carries K-15 nuclear missiles with a range of 750 km.

The report further noted that the newer submarines are upgrades, exclusively equipped with K-4 missiles. These SSBNs have unlimited range and endurance, limited only by food supplies, crew fatigue, and maintenance needs. Both INS Arihant and INS Arighaat are currently on deep-sea patrols, and a Russian Akula-class nuclear-powered attack submarine is expected to join the fleet on lease in 2028.

India’s first leased nuclear attack submarine, INS Chakra, was designated as S1, leading to the naming of subsequent submarines: INS Arihant as S2, INS Arighaat as S3, and INS Aridhaman as S4. The newly launched submarine is designated S4*, with its formal name yet to be announced. Future classes of Indian SSBNs are expected to have a displacement of 6,000 tons, double that of the Arihant class, and will carry nuclear missiles with ranges exceeding 5,000 kilometers and beyond, reported Hindustan Times.

source/content: livemint.com (headline edited)

India surpasses China to become largest two-wheeler market globally

India has surpassed China to become the largest two-wheeler market in the world, driven by rising demand in rural areas, supported by favourable monsoon conditions and government initiatives for rural development, a report showed on Friday.

Globally, two-wheeler sales grew 4 per cent (year-on-year) in the first half of 2024, according to Counterpoint Research.

Although India, Europe, North America, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa saw growth, China and Southeast Asia (SEA) experienced a decline.

Senior analyst Soumen Mandal said that India’s two-wheeler market saw a remarkable 22 per cent YoY growth in the first half this year.

“This strong performance allowed India to surpass China and become the world’s largest two-wheeler market,” he mentioned.

Two-wheelers saw strong double-digit growth (year-on-year) in the second quarter of this fiscal in India.

In China, two-wheelers under 125cc remain popular, but consumers are increasingly opting for e-bicycles over motorcycles and scooters for daily commuting. This shift has led to a temporary slowdown in the Chinese two-wheeler market, particularly in the electric segment.

In South East Asia, major markets such as Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Thailand, and Malaysia saw a decline in two-wheeler sales due to geopolitical trade tensions, stricter lending criteria, and cautious consumer spending amid economic uncertainty.

The top-10 global two-wheeler manufacturers captured over 75 per cent of sales during H1 2024.

Honda maintained its leading position in the global two-wheeler market, followed by Hero MotoCorp, Yamaha, TVS Motor and Yadea.

TVS Motor was the fastest-growing brand (up 25 per cent YoY) among the top-10 brands while Yadea declined the most (down 29 per cent YoY), slipping to fifth position.

Neil Shah, Vice President of Research, said that electrification is on the rise, and by 2030, we expect four out of 10 two-wheelers sold to be electric.

“This shift is also accelerating the adoption of embedded cellular connectivity in the two-wheeler segment. As the automotive industry advances toward C-V2X technology, the two-wheeler segment will follow suit,” he noted.

source/content: business.ians.in (headline edited)

GLOBAL: Indian Dr Venkatesh Karthikeyan Elected As Publications Director Of World Medical Association

Dr Venkatesh Karthikeyan, a distinguished figure in the field of medical science has been recognised for his outstanding contributions in health care.

The World Medical Association (WMA) has elected Dr Venkatesh Karthikeyan as the new Publications Director of the WMA Junior Doctors’ Network. The appointment took place during the recent WMA General Assembly in Helsinki, Finland.

Dr Venkatesh Karthikeyan, a distinguished figure in the field of medical science and public health, has been recognised for his outstanding contributions and leadership in health care. With a robust background in Community and Family medicine, Dr. Karthikeyan will oversee the publication activities of JDN aimed at shaping the future of medical science globally.

The World Medical Association, now encompassing 114 member countries, is dedicated to the highest standards of medical education, science, and ethics, ensuring quality health care for all people worldwide. Dr Karthikeyan’s election as Publications Director underscores his formidable reputation as a leader capable of steering the international medical community towards these lofty goals.

In addition to his new role at WMA, Dr Venkatesh Karthikeyan is already serving as the National Convenor for Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) at the Indian Medical Association. This election  signifies India’s rising prominence as a global leader in healthcare.

The World Medical Association (WMA) is an international organization representing physicians. It was founded on 17 September 1947, when physicians from 27 different countries met at the First General Assembly of the WMA in Paris. The organization was created to ensure the independence of physicians, and to work for the highest possible standards of ethical behaviour and care by physicians, at all times. This was particularly important to physicians after the Second World War, and therefore the WMA has always been an independent confederation of free professional associations. 

source/content: ndtv.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL: SAUDI ARABAI: Over 20 mn Indians contributing to our society: Saudi Arabia minister

Al-Ghamdi’s statement comes after Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Media launched the ‘global harmony’ initiative in Riyadh.

Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister of Media Khalid bin Abdulqader Al-Ghamdi has lauded the contribution of Indians residing in the country.


Al-Ghamdi’s statement comes after Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Media launched the ‘global harmony’ initiative in Riyadh as part of the “Quality of Life” Program to attain its Vision 2030 objectives.The Riyadh season started on October 13.

The events and activities in the Riyadh season represent the cultures of 11 countries including – India, the Philippines, Indonesia, Pakistan, Yemen, Sudan, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Bangladesh, and Egypt over 45 days. The activities include concerts, cultural, entertainment and family events, traditional foods, and various handicraft exhibitions.

There are 2.6 million Indians currently living in Saudi Arabia. Highlighting the contribution of Indians in the Saudi Society, the deputy minister said the relationship with India is important.

“The relationship between our countries is witnessing improvement, witnessing so many new arenas of cooperation including economics, cultural or all the aspects and these will be aligned to vision 2030 or its counterpart long-term projects in India. There are 2.6 million Indians in Saudi Arabia which shows how much they are contributing in our society,” he said.

The Saudi deputy minister also highlighted the previous visits made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the year 2016 and 2019 and said, “It is one manifestation of how strong the relationship between both the countries is. It is leadership and political aspects for all the relevance of the relationship between the two countries and are all together moving toward future based on our vision 2030 and long term vision of India relationship.”

The Ministry of Media, in partnership with the General Entertainment Authority, has organised events in the city that feature cultural, artistic, and folkloric activities and shows.

“This is an initiative by Ministry of Media. It is one of the initiative of the Vision 2030 and program on quality of life of Saudi Arabia. It aims to show how residents are living in harmony in the society of Saudi Arabia,” Al-Ghamdi added. 

source/content: business-standard.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL / NATIONAL: DEFENCE: India, US sign Rs 32,000-crore deal for 31 Predator drones

The development comes less than a month after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden held talks about the acquisition of the Predator drones on the sidelines of the Quad Leaders’ Summit held in Delaware. 

In Short

  • Total cost of the deal could rise to Rs 34,500 crore
  • Deal includes MRO facility establishment in India
  • 15 drones for Navy, rest for Air Force and Army

India has signed a deal with the US for the procurement of 31 Predator MQ-9B High Altitude Long Endurance UAV manufactured by General Atomics. The development comes less than a month after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden held talks about the acquisition of the drones on the sidelines of the Quad Leaders’ Summit held in Delaware.

The two countries signed a deal worth Rs 32,000 crore for the acquisition of 31 predator drones, along with the establishment of a maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility in India.

This deal will enhance the surveillance capabilities of the Indian armed forces. According to reports, the total value of the deal could rise to Rs 34,500 crore.

The project was cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) last week under which the Indian Navy will receive 15 Sea Guardians, while the Indian Army and Air Force will each acquire eight Sky Guardians.

Along with the UAVs, the deal encompasses advanced weaponry, such as 170 AGM-114R Hellfire missiles, 16 M36E9 Hellfire training missiles, 310 GBU-39B/B laser-guided Small Diameter Bombs (SDB), and eight GBU-39B/B LSDB guided test vehicles with live fuses.

India has been discussing the deal with the US for many years, but the final hurdles were cleared a few weeks ago at the Defence Acquisition Council meeting as it had to be cleared before October 31 as the validity of the American proposal was till that time only.

India would be basing the drones at four possible locations, including INS Rajali near Chennai, Porbandar in Gujarat, Sarsawa and Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh.

WHAT ARE THE FEATURES OF THE MQ-9B DRONES?

The US had approved the sale of 31 MQ-9B drones to the Indian military at an estimated cost of $3.99 billion in February.

The key characteristic of the MQ-9B Predator is its whisper-quiet operation. The drone stands out from the rest because of its stealth feature. The drone can fly as close to 250 metres from the ground without the target even having an inkling it is there unless spotted.

With a maximum speed of 442 km/h, the drone can soar at an altitude of around 50,000 feet, higher than that of a commercial airplane.

The drone’s capacity to be sent on extended missions in any kind of weather is another noteworthy feature. The drone has the option to be fitted with air-to-ground missiles in addition to air-to-air missiles.

The MQ-9B drone can fly 2,000 miles without refueling and carry up to 1,700 kg of cargo, which includes four missiles and about 450 kg of bombs. The drone’s manufacturer, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, claims that it can fly nonstop or hover over targets for up to 35 hours.

source/content: indiatoday.in (headline edited)

NATIONAL: India successfully built best digital economy, finance architecture in world: Nobel winner Spence

Noting that India is a major economy with the highest potential growth rate right now, Nobel laureate economist A Michael Spence said the country has successfully developed by far the best digital economy and finance architecture in the world.

Spence, who was awarded the Nobel prize in Economic Sciences in 2001, shared his views during an interaction with students and faculty at the Bennett University in Greater Noida on Monday.

“The major economy with the highest potential growth rate right now is India. India has successfully developed by far the best digital economy and finance architecture in the world. It is open, competitive and delivers services of an inclusive kind to a vast array of territory,” the Nobel laureate said, according to a statement issued by the varsity.

Spence also pointed out that the world is experiencing a “kind of regime change in the global economy”.

Tracing the evolution of the global economy after World War II, Spence said that the 70-year-old global system is “breaking down” due to pandemics, geopolitical tensions, climate shocks, etc.

Emphasising that the global system — built on economic criteria like global supply chain centred around efficiency and comparative advantage considerations — is undergoing a rapid transition, he pointed out that “in a shock-prone world, it doesn’t make sense to have single sourcing”.

With the centre of gravity shifting steadily towards the East, there is a fundamental change in the global economy whereby supply chains are getting diversified and global governance is becoming more complicated than ever before, he added.

Despite the challenging time, he said what gives optimism is the affirmative answer to the question: whether we have counter-measures to enhance human welfare? He also outlined the enormous progress in science and technology which can contribute to enhancing human welfare, including generative AI, revolutions in biomedical life sciences and massive energy transitions.

He cited the example of competitive pricing of solar energy and quoted the cost of DNA sequencing having reduced from USD 10 million dollar earlier to USD 250 now. However, he added there is downside to this technological growth, and emphasised on its availability to both big and small businesses alike.

“We now have incredibly powerful scientific and technological tools that, if we use correctly, can be used to essentially deliver wellbeing and opportunity to a wide range of people,” said Spence, who was recognized for his analysis of markets with asymmetric information. PTI KIS TIR TIR

This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.

source/content: theprint.in (headline edited)

REGION-ASIA: SPORTS – TABLE TENNIS : 2024 Asian Table Tennis Championships, Astana: Ayhika-Sutirtha Secure India’s 1st-Ever Women’s Doubles Medal, Win Bronze

Ayhika and Sutirtha have become the first-ever all-India women’s doubles pair from India to win a medal at the competition.

Ayhika and Sutirtha have become the first-ever all-India women’s doubles pair from India to win a medal at the competition.

India’s top-ranked women’s doubles pair of Ayhika Mukherjee and Sutirtha Mukherjee made history, securing a historic bronze medal, the country’s first-ever medal in the category, at the Asian Table Tennis Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan on Sunday.

Ayhika and Sutirtha have become the first-ever all-India women’s doubles pair from India to win a medal at the competition. Back in 1952, Gool Nasikwala secured a gold medal in the women’s doubles competition alongside Japan’s Yoshiko Tanaka in the inaugural edition of the tournament, as per Olympics.com.

The Mukherjees, the world number 15th pair in women’s doubles rankings, were defeated by the Japan’s world number 33 duo of Miwa Harimoto and Miyuu Kihara with a 3-0 (4-11, 9-11, 9-11). The losing semifinalists are awarded the bronze medals in this competition.

Ayhika and Sutirta did have a four point lead against their opponent in the second game. However, Miwa, who was the part of Japan’s silver medal winning Paris Olympics 2024 team and Miyuu, a three-time World Championships medalist, staged a brilliant comeback to deny any further chance of a comeback to India.

The Mukherjees made history during the Asian Games last year, by securing India’s first-ever medal in their category, a bronze. In Tunis last year, the duo became the first Indians to win a World Table Tennis (WTT) Contender women’s doubles title.

India ends the Asian Table Tennis Championships with three medals, all bronze. The Indian women’s team opened up the tally with a historic bronze, the country’s first in women’s team category since 1972 when Asian Table Tennis Union (ATTU) started organising the competition, following a loss to Japan. It was followed by the Indian men’s team repeating the feat and getting a bronze.

Overall, the country’s tally across all Asian Table Tennis Championships stands at eight, all of them being bronze medals.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

source/content: sports.ndtv.com (headline edited)