HYDERABAD: By torchlight in deep forest camps, a shadow surgeon once cut close to a beating Maoist heart, fingers steady as a bullet lay lodged centimetres away. For years, the man they called Dr Rafiq worked unseen. Little about him surfaced beyond intelligence files.Now, through surrendered Maoists and security officials, a detailed portrait is emerging of Rafiq alias Mandip — an MBBS from Punjab who joined CPI (Maoist) and spent years building a medical system across Dandakaranya in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar.Surrendered Maoist M Venkatraju alias CNN Chandu described Rafiq as the only formally trained doctor to have joined the movement. He treated cadres and Adivasis, performed emergency surgeries with scarce resources, trained paramedics and documented medicine. He wrote manuals standardising treatment for bullet wounds, malaria, snakebites, gastroenteritis, and battlefield trauma under forest conditions. Chandu told TOI, “He trained locals and cadres in first aid, stitching sutures when a bullet hits, and how to remove the bullet.”Intelligence officers said he moved from Dandakaranya to Jharkhand in 2016, where he remains at large. Rafiq first surfaced in 2013 through confessions of arrested cadres, described then as a “mystery doctor” capable of surgeries and leading Dandakaranya’s medical wing. Police inputs in 2018 referred to “Rinki, wife of MBBS Dr Rafiq”, who allegedly treated senior Maoist commander Prashant Bose.

According to Chandu, Rafiq worked from Maad, the Maoist headquarters zone in Abujhmarh. “The doctor is revered as a god by locals,” he said. “People came from far away just to see him.”Forest villages with little or no access to formal healthcare relied on Rafiq for everything from fever treatment to trauma care. Several underground medics, known as “doctors” despite lacking degrees, were trained through Rafiq’s system. Each dalam had at least one trained medical aide, Chandu said. Medical continuity survived even after Rafiq left Dandakaranya.Rafiq also documented herbal medicine knowledge passed down by Adivasi vaddes or pujaris and incorporated it into Maoist man-uals. “Malaria is most common,” Chandu said. “People believed illness meant God was angry. We told them even if they do puja, they should also take medicine.” Prayer and pills coexisted in those manuals, which still circulate in interior areas.While security forces tracked weapons and movement, Rafiq quietly built medical capacity — a parallel health network shaped by war, forests and necessity. As surrenders rise, his trail remains elusive.

Rithvik Sanjeevi and Surya Charishma Tamiri (Agency Image)

Surya Charishma Tamiri and Rithvik Sanjeevi emerged as the new women’s and men’s singles champions respectively at the Senior National Badminton Championships, sealing their titles with composed performances on Sunday. In the women’s singles final, 19-year-old Surya, hailing from Vijayawada, recovered from a slow start to defeat Tanvi Patri 17-21, 21-12, 21-14 in a contest that stretched close to an hour. Tanvi had the early upper hand, dictating play midway through the opening game and forcing Surya into a series of unforced errors to take the first game.

A key moment arrived early in the second game at 6-5, when Surya struck a service return into the net. She was handed a lifeline when the service judge called a height fault, allowing her to stay in the rally. Capitalising on the reprieve, Surya raised her intensity and rattled off seven straight points to seize control of the game and level the match. The deciding game turned into a test of endurance. Surya dragged Tanvi into extended rallies, and the physical toll soon became evident. Tanvi tried to stay in touch, but her movement slowed as the game progressed. From 15-14, Surya shifted gears and closed out the contest by winning six consecutive points to clinch the title. In the men’s singles final, Rithvik Sanjeevi leaned on his solid defence and calm temperament to outplay Bharat Raghav. Rithvik claimed the opening game comfortably, but the second game proved more challenging as Bharat surged ahead to a 9-5 lead. The 2024 Odisha Masters champion responded with a run of six straight points to swing the momentum back in his favour, appearing set for a straightforward finish. However, a couple of poor judgement calls allowed Bharat back into the contest, and he even reached game point. Rithvik held his nerve, stayed true to his tactics, and sealed the match in 39 minutes. The doubles finals also produced clear winners. In women’s doubles, seasoned campaigners Shikha Gautam and Ashwini Bhat K claimed the title with a straight-games victory over second seeds Priya Devi Konjengbam and Shruti Mishra, winning 21-14, 21-18. Top seeds Hariharan Amsakarunan and R Ruban Kumar lived up to their billing in the men’s doubles final, defeating Mithileish P Krishnan and Prejan 21-17, 21-12. In mixed doubles, second seeds Sathwik Reddy K and Radhika Sharma caused an upset by beating top seeds Ashith Surya and Amrutha P 21-9, 21-15 to lift the championship trophy.

NEW DELHI: Over the past two decades, Supreme Court has protected the Aravalis from activities that can harm ecologically sensitive zones, including in 2002 when it banned mining and pumping of groundwater within 5km of the Delhi border, and subsequently banned illegal mining in Haryana and Rajasthan.Even the PMO, on two occasions in April 2014 during the Manmohan Singh government and even last year, stepped in to stop the dilution of provision of 0.5% restriction on construction and other non-forest activities in Natural Conservation Zone (NCZ) in NCR which largely includes Aravalis and water bodies.“From 2002, SC has consistently passed orders restricting non-ecological activities in Aravalis. The PMO has also stepped in from time time to time to stop dilution of environmental norms. Surprisingly, the report submitted by the environment and forest ministry in the current case before the court seems to facilitate mining rather than conservation,” said M D Sinha, former principal chief conservator of forests in Haryana government.The series of SC orders from 2002 to 2019 shows that the court did not allow mining activities and even put Haryana’s PLPA Act, which would have resulted in large tracts of the Aravalis and Shiwaliks losing the legal forest tag, in abeyance.Activists fighting for protection of Aravalis said there had been consistent efforts by government entities, particularly in Haryana, to allow non-forest and real estate activities in the guise of creating recreational facilities. In 2014, then Haryana government’s push to relax the construction limit in Aravali beyond 0.5% during mid-term review of the NCR Regional Plan 2021 was stopped after the PMO directed the NCR Planning Board to take the environment ministry’s concerns on board.Again in 2022, Haryana pushed for doing away with mention of Aravali and NCZ in the Draft Regional Plan 2041 with a less restrictive “Natural Zone”, the provision that would remove this mandatory conservation requirement. When the matter came before the PMO and a Group of Ministers, they directed the housing and urban affairs ministry not to dilute the provision of NCZ and Aravali.

Salman Khan celebrated his 60th birthday with a lavish midnight bash at his Panvel farmhouse on December 27, joined by close friends, family, and film industry colleagues. The night featured an lavish feast, meticulous guest arrangements, and non-stop festivities stretching into the early morning.

Standout food lineup

According to a Hindustan Times, special attention was given to the food served at the gathering. Salman had an elaborate food menu for the guests. Koti kebabs, dahi kebabs, aloo tikki broccoli kebabs were served in vegetarian starters while there were five varieties of non-vegetarian kebabs in the menu. In vegetarian main course, there were several types of assorted breads, two types of daal, paneer gravy and rice. For desserts, gajar ka halwa, gulab jamuns, rabri, ice creams and malai dessert were served. There was also a counter of a popular Paris dessert brand stationed there. The menu included pastries, assorted macarons pyramids, almond Bostock and French toast – classic and tiramisu.

Luxury guest arrangements

Reportedly, Salman had also called for vanity vans for every single actor, who stayed back overnight at the birthday party at his farm. A lot of his friends from the fraternity had left thw farm around 6-7am on December 27. The actor also had a sundowner on Saturday afternoon that was attended by his close friends and family. For the decor, the farm was decorated with white roses all over. The DJ played ‘subah hone naa de’ song on loop.

Salman Khan’s casual style

For the occasion, Salman wore a simple black T-shirt, blue jeans, and stayed clean-shaven for his birthday. The actor cut his cake outside with paparazzi and shared slices with them.

Star-studded guest list

Several celebrities joined the bash, like Maniesh Paul, MS Dhoni, Aditya Roy Kapur, Huma Qureshi, Rakul Preet Singh, Mika Singh, Sangeeta Bijlani, and Bina Kak. Salman’s family showed up too, with nephews and nieces Arhaan Khan, Nirvaan Khan, and Alizeh Agnihotri among them.

Congress’ Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge during 140th foundation day celebrations of Indian National Congress at Indira Bhawan in New Delhi

NEW DELHI: Party president Mallikarjun Kharge asserted that “Congress is an ideology and ideologies never die”, as Indian National Congress marked its 140th foundation day on Sunday.The event at Indira Bhawan headquarters of Congress in New Delhi to mark the occasion was attended by Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, K C Venugopal, Ajay Maken and other party functionaries and members.On X, Rahul said that Congress is not just a political party, but the voice of India’s soul that has stood with every weak, deprived and hardworking person. “The resolve is to fight even more strongly the battle for truth, courage, and to protect the Constitution against hatred, injustice and dictatorship,” he said.Addressing the gathering, Kharge said that “to those who say ‘Congress is finished’, I want to tell them that our power may be less, but our spine is still straight”. “We have not compromised – not with the Constitution, not with secularism, and not with the rights of the poor. We may not be in office, but we will not bargain,” he said.He took the opportunity to urge Congress workers across country to unite and reach out to people at grassroots level to build a mass movement for restoration of MGNREGA, calling it a “vital lifeline for the poor and vulnerable”.Calling for a united fight to ‘save the democracy’, Kharge said the Constitution and democracy are under grave threat. “This fight is not merely electoral. It is a battle for the soul of India. If Congress does not fight, who will protect the Constitution and democracy?” he asked.Kharge alleged that in past 11 years, BJP-led govt has systematically weakened institutions built by Congress.

After being left out of Team India’s squad for the T20 World Cup, Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill has decided to return to domestic cricket to improve his game. The right-hander has been spending time training at the PCA Stadium in Mohali and is set to play two matches for Punjab in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

Gill will have a massive white-ball phase ahead, including an ODI series against New Zealand, the Indian Premier League 2026, and a subsequent limited-overs tour of England. Gill will lead the Men in Blue in the three-match ODI series against New Zealand, which is set to begin on Sunday, January 11, in Vadodara.

Shubman Gill’s Poor T20I Form Led to His Exclusion From India’s T20 World Cup Squad

Shubman Gill’s exclusion from India’s T20 World Cup squad came after a prolonged struggle for form in the shortest format. The selectors and team management took a tough call and decided to leave Gill out of the World Cup squad.

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Gill returned to the T20I setup during the Asia Cup 2025, where he scored 127 runs in seven matches at an average of 21.16 and a strike rate of 151.19. The opening batter’s inconsistency raised concerns over his place in the playing XI. India then toured Australia for a five-match T20I series.

Gill made 132 runs from five games at an average of 44.00 and a strike rate of 136.08. He also failed to make a strong impact in the subsequent series against South Africa. Since his return to the T20I side, Gill has managed 291 runs from 15 innings at an average of 24.25, without scoring a single half-century.

Shubman Gill Turns to Domestic Cricket After T20 World Cup Snub

Shubman Gill’s exclusion from India’s T20 World Cup plans came as a surprise to many, given his role in the leadership group across formats. The decision was influenced by his lack of form in T20 cricket, with three selectors and the captain opting to move away from him ahead of the tournament.

Following the omission, Gill is set to return to domestic cricket as part of his comeback plan. The Test and ODI captain will represent Punjab in the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy.

Officials from the Punjab Cricket Association have confirmed that Gill will feature in Punjab’s group matches against Sikkim (January 3) and Goa (January 6). Both fixtures are scheduled to be played at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur.

Shubman Gill Focuses on Preparation After T20 World Cup Omission

According to RevSportz, Shubman Gill was informed just minutes before the squad announcement, while he was still with the T20I group in Ahmedabad. This lack of clarity proved disappointing for Gill, who has consistently spoken about the importance of transparent communication.

Despite sharing a good working relationship with Gautam Gambhir, there is a sense of disappointment over how the situation was handled. Gill has since shifted his focus fully to preparation, putting in long batting sessions at the PCA Stadium to work on his basics and discipline.

The opening batter has also increased his focus on fitness, an area that has troubled him at key moments in recent times. He will look to regain momentum in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, having finished 2025 as the leading scorer across formats with 1,764 runs.

Also read: Virat Kohli Vijay Hazare Trophy participation: Return date and opposition revealed

Four-time major champion Aryna Sabalenka reacts during the Battle of the Sexes match against Nick Kyrgios. (AP)

When Billie Jean King played – and beat – Bobby Riggs in the iconic Battle of the Sexes in 1973, women’s tennis was struggling for relevance. The complexion of the sport is much different now. There is equal pay at all four majors, with that win for BJK playing a crucial role in the formation of the WTA, the governing body for women’s tennis. Unfortunately, the modern rendition of the Battle of the Sexes, between World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and World No. 671 Nick Kyrgios, was an own goal that hurt women’s tennis and veered towards a circus act.Kyrgios, who has won just one competitive match since the end of 2022, triumphed 6-3, 6-3 against four-time major champion Sabalenka with the likes of Ronaldo, Kaka, Peter Crouch and more celebrities watching on. Without getting into the men vs women biological debate, Kyrgios — despite looking absolutely exhausted from the middle of the first set onward — cantered to victory on the back of some nifty kick serves, lots of spin and more consistent groundstrokes.

“It was a really tough match,” Kyrgios said in the on-court interview after. “She is a hell of a competitor. It could have gone either way.”From the very onset, the rules for the contest in Dubai were comical. In an attempt to level the playing field between Kyrgios, a former Wimbledon finalist, and Sabalenka, the Belarusian’s side of the court was 9% smaller, and both players were limited to one serve per point.In practice, these rules looked bizarre. Sabalenka’s shortened court, by 3.5 feet, meant she was standing well behind the baseline while serving, to make it resemble a regular court. Additionally, the court’s proportions would have been challenging even for professional athletes, as was clear by Sabalenka’s rising unforced error count.

Aryna Sabalenka walks to the court for her Battle of the Sexes match against Nick Kyrgios in Dubai. (AP)

Sabalenka walked onto the court between the fans, with “Eye of the Tiger” playing in the background, wearing a silver sparkly jacket as if a WWE superstar entering the ring. Throughout the exhibition, she did entertain as one would expect of a WWE wrestler. She smiled, she laughed, and she did the Macarena during a time-out in the second set. On the tennis front, she looked uncomfortable against Kyrgios’ choppy forehands, unconventional shotmaking and failed to capitalise on any momentum.This was suitable for those who have a passing interest in tennis and a couple of hours to waste. It won’t be the ‘Drive to Survive’ moment for tennis. Even for an exhibition, this was a laughably poor idea from the beginning. Any attempts at converting the naysayers failed, despite what Kyrgios, Sabalenka and their management agency (both represented by Evolve) would like the rest of the world to believe.“This is a great stepping stone for the sport of tennis. Of course I was nervous. This was all the world was talking about for six months. Aryna was up for the challenge. I was under the pump there.”Sabalenka, despite the criticism that has come her way for weeks, insisted that she would like a rematch. “I felt great,” she said. “I feel I put on a great fight. He was struggling, he was getting really tired. I hit a lot of great shots. I really enjoyed the show. I feel like next time I play him, I know the tactics and his strengths and weaknesses.”

Former Brazil striker Ronaldo (centre) was in attendance for the Battle of the Sexes tennis match between Nick Kyrgios and Aryna Sabalenka. (AP)

Billie Jean King’s high-stakes win against Riggs did more to help tennis than a regular match would have. It brought about equality, fairness and social justice for women’s tennis. Fifty-two years later, Sabalenka’s agreement to play this charade did more damage than good.“I was intrigued to see the battle of the sexes. It is a just an exhibition and pointless. Not sure this helps tennis. Kyrgios underarm serve, drop shot ,etc,” posted former British No. 1 Greg Rusedski.Either way this contest went, it was destined to be a bad look for women’s tennis. By manner of design, Sabalenka, and women’s tennis by extension, were bound to be attacked by sexists and misogynists.“Women’s tennis got EXPOSED in Dubai. Kyrgios (not even top 500 men) straight-sets Sabalenka 6-3 6-3, toyed with the “World No.1” like a child. Court rigged: his side smaller, one serve only, still demolished her.“Battle of the Sexes? More like a massacre. Reality doesn’t lie,” wrote one user on X.

Nick Kyrgios (R) beat Aryna Sabalenka (L) 6-3, 6-3 in the Battle of the Sexes match in Dubai. (AP)

Another opined: “What a crock. Kyrgios toying with Sabalenka on a heavily disadvantaged court to hit into, whilst he feeds her half-speed shots was an embarassment [sic]. What a horrible watch that was.”2025 was a stellar year for women’s tennis. Sabalenka reached three of four major finals, winning one. Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Amanda Anisimova, Elena Rybakina and Madison Keys all had great career arcs and women’s tennis had many fascinating stories to tell. This attention-seeking, money-grabbing act shouldn’t take away the sheen from that.