MS Dhoni. (Photo/social media)

The news did not arrive with drama. It did not wait for a farewell match, a final lap around the ground on the shoulders of fellow teammates, or a long speech explaining the moment. It arrived as a press release. No association was allowed to turn the moment into an event. There were no speeches. There was not even a farewell press conference.Without any ceremony, 44 minutes after MS Dhoni finished his post-match press conference following the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the BCCI sent out a press release. The news came an hour after India had managed to draw an away Test — the first time in the previous 14 Australia-India Tests that the visiting team had not lost. It came in the middle of a series. Nothing about the moment suggested an ending. But it was.

Dhoni was batting on 24 when the match was called off early at the MCG. Four overs were left and India still had four wickets in hand. During the customary captain’s press conference at the end of the match, he made no mention of retirement. The announcement followed shortly through a BCCI press release, which cited “the strain of playing all formats” as the reason for his decision.Virat Kohli was named India’s captain for the final Test of the series in Sydney, a series India had already lost.In the months leading up to his retirement, Dhoni had dealt with fitness issues. He missed five One-Day Internationals against Sri Lanka in November due to a hand injury. The same injury ruled him out of the first Test against Australia in Adelaide. Since the start of 2008, counting international matches across formats as well as IPL and Champions League T20 games, Dhoni had played 398 matches. That was the most by any cricketer in that period. Suresh Raina was next with 369 games.Dhoni’s place in the Test side was not under question, but his batting returns dipped in 2014. He averaged 33 from 17 innings that year. India’s overseas results had also suffered under his leadership. From 2011 onwards, India won only two of their 22 away Tests and lost 13.But Dhoni’s Test career was never only about numbers.

From ticket collector to Test captain

Dhoni’s journey to the top of Indian Test cricket had not followed a familiar path. He broke what many saw as a metropolitan hold on the game and carved out a distinct place in India’s Test history. His rise took him from working as a ticket collector with Indian Railways to leading the Indian Test team.His first Test as captain came against South Africa in Kanpur in April 2008, after regular captain Anil Kumble was ruled out due to injury. Dhoni took over the role full-time later that year when Kumble retired after the Delhi Test against Australia in October. Under Dhoni, India reached the No. 1 position in the ICC Test rankings in 2009, a spot they held until the tour of England in 2011.Across his Test career, Dhoni played 90 matches after making his debut in 2005. He scored 4,876 runs at an average of 38, with a highest score of 224 against Australia in Chennai in 2013. As a wicketkeeper, he accounted for 294 dismissals.Long before international success arrived, those close to Indian domestic cricket believed Dhoni was meant for bigger things. Yet, his career nearly took a different turn early on. After not being informed of his selection for the East Zone side, Dhoni accepted a lift to Kolkata airport. The car broke down midway, and he missed the flight. That allowed Deep Dasgupta to play the Duleep Trophy match the next morning. Dhoni was left out. The setback delayed his progress, but did not stop it.He continued to work his way through domestic cricket and finally earned his first Test cap against Sri Lanka in Chennai in 2005. Over time, the city would claim him as one of its own. Dhoni was never seen as a traditional Test cricketer. His methods, both behind the stumps and with the bat, stood apart. For him, the game was as much about decision-making as it was about skill.He did not hide his limitations. Instead, took over an Indian Test side in its twilight and handed it back, just before dawn. In the process, he became India’s most successful Test captain in terms of wins at the time, leading the team to 27 victories. He also presided over India’s 18-month run at the top of the Test rankings between 2009 and 2011.Dhoni’s Test career spanned 90 matches. He scored 4,876 runs at an average of 38, with a highest score of 224 against Australia in Chennai in 2013. Behind the stumps, he completed 294 dismissals, the fifth-highest tally in Test history.Before the Melbourne Test in 2014, the last drawn Test between India and Australia had come in Delhi in 2008. That match marked Anil Kumble’s final appearance in Tests. Six years later, after another drawn Test, Dhoni stepped away.There was no announcement from the podium, no moment set aside for reflection. Just a line in a press release, sent out 44 minutes after a routine media interaction, closing the chapter on one of India’s most significant Test careers.As he did so, the message was unspoken but clear: “Over to you, Virat!”

Filmmaker Sriram Raghavan expressed his admiration for the box office hit ‘Dhurandhar’ by Aditya Dhar, but firmly stated that he would never venture into a similar filmmaking territory. He appreciates the film’s success and compelling performances; however, he feels that its style does not resonate with his artistic vision or the evolving landscape of thriller cinema.

Aditya Dhar’s ‘Dhurandhar’ has been raking in big numbers at the box office. The Ranveer Singh-led movie has received a lot of appreciation and love from all quarters. Amidst the massive buzz around the espionage thriller, Sriram Raghavan, whose next film, ‘Ikkis’, is set to release this week, shared that he would never make a film like the Aditya Dhar directorial. Here’s what he said.

Sriram Raghavan shares his take on ‘Dhurandhar’

In an interview with The Hindu, Sriram Raghavan was asked about how opposite ‘Dhurandhar’ is to the movie he directed, ‘Agent Vinod’. To which Sriram Raghavan said, “It is a well-made film with terrific performances, but it is not our kind of film. We must understand that we are living in different times.”

The filmmaker shared that the old James Bond movies, which starred Sean Connery and Roger Moore, used to be fun; however, the current ones have started to get serious. He added, “Dhurandhar is one movie. It is doing spectacularly well, and it should. But this is not the only format. If I start following it, it will be the silliest thing to do.”In the same interview, Sriram Raghavan shared that he and Aditya Dhar shared a National Award for their films ‘Andhadhun’ and ‘Uri’, respectively.The director shared, “He (Aditya) has a different kind of sensibility and craft, and I love watching his films, but it is not something I would make.”

More about ‘Dhurandhar’

Starring Ranveer Singh, Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, Akshaye Khanna, Arjun Rampal, Rakesh Bedi, and Sara Arjun, the film was released in theaters on December 5, 2025. The movie has raked in Rs 709.65 crore in India, as of now, according to the Sacnilk report. Part two of the movie will release on March 19, 2026.

More about ‘Ikkis’

Directed by Sriram Raghavan, the movie is based on the life of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, who laid down his life during the Indo-Pak War of 1971. He was honored with the Paramvir Chakra, India’s highest gallantry award, posthumously. Agastya Nanda stars as Arjun Khetarpal. The movie also features Dharmendra (his last screen appearance) and Jaideep Ahlawat in pivotal roles. It is set to release on January 1, 2026.

Saudi Arabia’s airstrikes on Yemen’s southern port city of Mukalla this week have exposed a sharp and public rupture inside what was once a unified Gulf-backed coalition. What began as a complex war against the Iran-aligned Houthi movement has now evolved into an open confrontation between partners who once fought on the same side.The strikes followed the arrival of two vessels from the UAE port of Fujairah, which Saudi Arabia says unloaded weapons and armoured vehicles destined for the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC), a separatist force seeking self-rule in southern Yemen. Riyadh described the shipments as an “imminent threat” to its national security and warned that Emirati actions were “extremely dangerous”, language that underscored the seriousness of the fallout.At the heart of the dispute lies Saudi Arabia’s fear that instability in Yemen’s eastern provinces, particularly Hadramout and al-Mahra, could spill directly onto its borders.

What happened in Mukalla

Saudi warplanes struck targets in Mukalla after the Saudi-led coalition accused two ships of arriving without authorisation, disabling their tracking systems and unloading “a large amount of weapons and combat vehicles” to support the STC. Riyadh said the operation was limited, conducted overnight, and aimed at preventing collateral damage.“The crews had the disabled tracking devices aboard the vessels and unloaded a large amount of weapons and combat vehicles in support of Southern Transitional Council’s forces,” the coalition said. “Considering that the aforementioned weapons constitute an imminent threat, and an escalation that threatens peace and stability, the Coalition Air Force has conducted this morning a limited airstrike.”Footage aired by Yemeni state media showed black smoke rising from the port and burned vehicles near the docks. Saudi state media said there were no casualties, though local residents reported damage to nearby homes.

What is the STC?

The Southern Transitional Council (STC) is a separatist movement in southern Yemen that seeks autonomy or independence for the region. It was formed in May 2017 following mass protests in the southern port city of Aden over the dismissal of its leader, Aidarus al-Zoubaidi, who now heads the council.The STC’s stated goal is to “reinstate the Southern State”, referring to the independent country that existed in South Yemen between 1967 and unification with the north in 1990. Support for southern secession has long existed, but gained momentum after Yemen’s civil war erupted in 2014.Backed by the United Arab Emirates, the STC controls key territory in the south, including Aden, and commands armed forces known as the Southern Armed Forces. While it has at times shared power with Yemen’s internationally recognised government, its core demand for southern self-rule remains unchanged.The STC now faces a critical test. It is part of the Presidential Leadership Council, yet its forces have seized swathes of territory from Saudi-backed units. Its leadership insists the UAE remains a “main partner” in the fight against the Houthis and has rejected Al-Alimi’s orders, saying they lack consensus.While the STC has framed its advance as consolidating southern control, defying Riyadh carries risks. Saudi Arabia controls Yemen’s airspace and has made clear it will act to prevent any shift that threatens its security interests.

A ‘red line’ between Saudi and UAE

Saudi Arabia and the UAE were once the twin pillars of the coalition formed in 2015 to restore Yemen’s internationally recognised government after the Houthis seized the capital, Sanaa. While both opposed the Houthis, their long-term goals increasingly diverged.Riyadh has remained committed to a unified Yemen under the internationally recognised government. Abu Dhabi, by contrast, has backed the STC, which seeks to revive the formerly independent state of South Yemen. That divergence has now erupted into open confrontation.Saudi Arabia accused the UAE of pressuring the STC to carry out military operations near its borders, calling such actions a “threat to the kingdom’s national security”. “The Kingdom stresses that any threat to its national security is a red line,” the Saudi foreign ministry said, adding that it would not hesitate to act.The UAE rejected the accusations, saying the shipment “did not contain any weapons” and that the vehicles were intended for Emirati forces operating in Yemen. It condemned any attempt to implicate it in operations threatening Saudi security and called for restraint and coordination.

What the UAE said

The UAE said it was surprised by the Saudi airstrike and rejected allegations that it directed STC military operations.“The UAE categorically rejects any attempt to implicate it in the tensions between Yemeni parties,” its foreign ministry said, calling for restraint and coordination.Abu Dhabi said its presence in Yemen was at the invitation of the internationally recognised government and within the Saudi-led coalition framework. It urged that recent developments be handled “responsibly and in a way that prevents escalation”.Later in the day, the UAE announced that it would withdraw its remaining forces from Yemen.“The Ministry of Defence announces the termination of the remaining counterterrorism teams in Yemen,” a statement from the ministry said, as cited by news agency AFP.

Why the east matters to Riyadh

The focus on Hadramout and al-Mahra is no coincidence. Hadramout borders Saudi Arabia and has deep economic and historical ties with the kingdom. Al-Mahra sits astride key land routes linking Yemen to Oman and Saudi Arabia and controls vital ports and crossings.For Riyadh, large-scale instability in the east is not a distant Yemeni problem but a direct border security issue. Saudi officials fear that unchecked STC expansion could redraw control over resource-rich areas and trade routes, creating long-term insecurity along the kingdom’s southern frontier.This explains why Saudi Arabia warned the STC against advancing into Hadramout and demanded a withdrawal, a call the separatists dismissed.

Yemen’s leadership steps in

The escalation was framed politically through Yemen’s internationally recognised leadership. Rashad al-Alimi, head of the Presidential Leadership Council, cancelled a defence pact with the UAE and ordered Emirati forces to leave Yemen within 24 hours. In a televised speech, he accused Abu Dhabi of fuelling strife by backing the STC.“Unfortunately, it has been definitively confirmed that the United Arab Emirates pressured and directed the STC to undermine and rebel against the authority of the state through military escalation,” he said.Al-Alimi also imposed a temporary no-fly zone and a sea and ground blockade on ports and crossings, except for coalition-approved exemptions, signalling the seriousness of the moment.

Why this matters for Yemen

The escalation risks opening a new front in Yemen’s decade-long war, with anti-Houthi forces turning on each other while the Houthis remain entrenched in the north, including in Sanaa.More than ten years of conflict have already killed over 150,000 people and created one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. Strategic southern regions now at the centre of the dispute hold key ports and most of Yemen’s oil reserves.(With inputs from agencies)

Royal Challengers Bengaluru‘s preparations for IPL 2026 have hit a snag as star finisher Tim David battles a recurring hamstring injury that ruled him out of the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL) season. The Australian all-rounder, retained by RCB after a impactful IPL 2025 stint, suffered a Grade 2 right hamstring strain on December 26, 2025, during Hobart Hurricanes‘ win over Perth Scorchers, forcing him to retire hurt after smashing 42 off 28 balls.

This marks his second such setback in 2025, following a similar issue during IPL 2025 that sidelined him for two months and key playoff matches with RCB. While recovery timelines suggest a 4-6 week rehab for a standard Grade 2 strain—potentially aligning with the T20 World Cup in early 2026—complications could stretch it to 12 weeks, casting shadows over his IPL availability starting late March.​ Franchise scouts are eyeing versatile all-rounders who mirror his skillset—big-hitting batters with bowling utility—to bolster depth amid squad needs like overseas pace backups. ​

IPL 2026: 3 possible replacements for injured Tim David

1. Michael Bracewell

New Zealand all-rounder Michael Bracewell emerges as a seamless fit, having already dazzled in five IPL games for RCB with 58 runs at a blistering 123.40 strike rate and six wickets at an economy of 8.63. Across 44 T20s, he boasts 458 runs at a 138.6 strike rate, including a high of 61, paired with 20 wickets at 17.85 average highlighting his left-handed power and nagging off-spin. Recent Vitality Blast exploits (91 runs, seven wickets) and Major League Cricket hauls (241 runs at 128.19 SR) underline his death-over prowess, making him ideal for RCB’s Chinnaswamy demands.​

Bracewell’s prior RCB stint reduces adaptation risks, and his international pedigree (T20Is vs India, Sri Lanka) adds tactical edge. At a projected base price under INR 2 crore, he offers value amid RCB’s purse constraints, potentially filling overseas slots without breaking the bank.​

Also READ: IPL 2026: 3 players RCB can sign to replace Josh Hazlewood if he misses out

2. Wiaan Mulder

South Africa‘s Wiaan Mulder brings raw T20 aggression, amassing 646 runs at 137.15 strike rate in 33 SA20 games with three fifties, complemented by 10 wickets. His Vitality Blast record (546 runs at 131.25 SR, 12 wickets) showcases consistency, while a brief IPL outing with SRH (9 runs) hints at untapped potential in the franchise format. Mulder’s right-handed batting aligns with David’s finisher mold, and his medium-pace bowling (T20 economy around 9) provides balance, especially useful on turning Indian pitches.​

With IPL 2026 exposure limited, Mulder could be a bargain overseas buy, allowing RCB to retain slots for pacers like Josh Hazlewood backups. His SA20 explosiveness (26 sixes) suits high-scoring venues, positioning him as a high-upside replacement if David falters.​

3. Mahipal Lomror

Indian all-rounder Mahipal Lomror offers a cost-effective, uncapped-like domestic solution, having slammed 527 runs at 141.28 strike rate in 40 IPL matches across RR and RCB teams, including a 54* high and 30 sixes. His left-arm spin (one IPL wicket) adds variety, though batting remains his forte—evident in recent domestic T20s where he thrives as a middle-order accelerator. Lomror’s retention history with RR and brief RCB exposure make him a low-risk, high-reward pick for slots needing Indian depth.​

As an affordable option (likely under INR 1 crore), Lomror frees purse for stars while delivering Chinnaswamy sixes. His ambidextrous skills echo David’s utility, ensuring RCB stays competitive even if the Australian misses the IPL 2026.​

Also READ: Ricky Ponting takes swipe at ₹25.20 crore IPL signing of Cameron Green

Mumbai: The Shiv Sena led by Dy CM Eknath Shinde distributed AB forms to all 90 candidates in the early hours of Tuesday after finalising its seat-sharing formula with BJP late on Monday. The party gave AB forms to almost all former corporators who left the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) and have been with Shinde since 2022. In some wards, they could not be accommodated as the seat was with the BJP. Some former Sena (UBT) and MNS corporators who did not get tickets also jumped ship and joined the Shinde-led Sena late on Monday or on Tuesday morning. Some of them were given tickets at the eleventh hour.Among the former corporators who got AB forms and filed their nominations were Yamini Jadhav (Ward No 209) and Amey Ghole (Ward No 178). “I am proud to receive the honour of receiving the first official candidacy form Mumbai on behalf of Shiv Sena. I will continue to work with unwavering dedication for Wadala and Dadar (East) by fulfilling this trust with greater responsibility. People’s trust — oath of service,” Ghole said in a post on X.In Dadar (West), former Sena (UBT) corporator Priti Patankar joined Shiv Sena after MNS fielded Yashwant Killedar from Ward No. 192. The seat went to MNS. Patankar got an AB form from Sena and filled her nomination. As a result, former MLA Sada Sarvankar’s supporters from the same ward are upset. They pitched for party functionary Kunal Wadekar.Among others who got tickets are Aditi Khursange (Ward No. 11), Parameshwar Kadam (Ward No. 133), Pushpa Koli (Wadala), Ashwini Hande (Bhatwadi-Ghatkopar), and Rajul Patel (Jogeshwari).After a week of hard negotiations, Shiv Sena and BJP finalised a 90-137 seat formula. Until late on Monday, Sena functionaries said there was a dispute over 14 seats and said they put the onus on BJP as the big party in the alliance to take “everyone” along. Political observers said that after a week of talks, Dy CM Eknath Shinde held sway and got BJP to agree to a “respectable” figure.

NEW DELHI: Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh is no stranger to controversies. The former Madhya Pradesh chief minister, who is known to speak out his mind, has triggered several political storms with his remarks. The veteran Congress leader, who has been one of the strongest critics of the BJP and the RSS, has often been accused of insulting the Hindu community to appease the minorities. In fact, such has been some of his remarks in the past that even the Congress was forced to distance itself from them. It is in this context that his latest social media post citing RSS and BJP to highlight the “power of organisation” seems intriguing.The Congress Rajya Sabha member on Saturday shared a 1996 photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with L K Advani and praised the BJP and the RSS for promoting ground workers – alluding to PM Modi – to posts like chief minister and Prime Minister. “I found this picture on the Quora site. It is very impactful. In the way the grassroots swayamsevaks (workers) of RSS and the workers of Jan Sangh @BJP4India sit on the floor at the feet of leaders and become the Chief Minister of the state and the Prime Minister of the country. This is the power of the organization. Jai Siya Ram,” Singh said on X.

As expected, the post created a flutter. The fact that it coincided with the Congress Working Committee meeting and was tagged not just to the party’s top leadership but also to Prime Minister Modi added to the intrigue. Also, the use of “Jai Siya Ram” at the end seemed strange for a leader, who was once in the centre of a storm for using “Osamaji” for Osama bin Laden. Under all round fire then, Digvijaya had clarified that it was a slip of tongue.So, what was the objective of Digvijaya’s post? Was he actually trying to please the BJP and the RSS? Or was he dropping hints about his future plans and sending a message to the top leadership? Or was he targeting leaders within the Congress who are close to the top leadership?While nothing is impossible in politics, it is difficult to believe that Digvijaya would have had a sudden change of heart vis-a-vis the RSS and BJP and would try to please them.So, was the Congress veteran sending across a message to the top leadership? Well, Digvijaya’s Rajya Sabha term ends in July 2026 and the big question is will the Congress nominate him again? If not, how would he react? After all, we have seen another party veteran Ghulam Nabi Azad turn from a loyalist to a rebel and quit the party in 2021 after he was denied a Rajya Sabha ticket. Will Digvijaya follow suit if ignored? Well, we do not know for now.So, that brings us to the third possible reason for Digvijaya’s post. Was the senior Congress leader targeting the top office-bearers in his party responsible for running the organisation and who are very close to the leadership? The fact that many leaders came out in his support on the need to strengthen the organization gives some credence to this possibility.Most Congress leaders, as expected, unleashed a broadside against Digvijaya’s post and rejected the idea of learning anything from the RSS. Congress leader Pawan Khera said, “There’s nothing to learn from the RSS. What can an organisation known for Godse teach an organisation founded by Gandhi?”Congress MP Manickam Tagore asserted that the Congress had nothing to learn from what he described as a hate-driven organisation. “The RSS is an organisation of hatred. It spreads hatred, breeds hatred and carries out propaganda based on hate. There is nothing to learn from the RSS,” he said.However, many others defended Digvijaya and argued that the focus should not be on the example he had cited but on his message for strength and unity in an organization. They cited his commitment to the Congress and also his strong anti-RSS stand in the past.“Look, it is important to pay attention to whose words are being used, what they mean, and in what context they are spoken. No one can even remotely think that whatever Digvijaya Singh says would not be in the interest of the Congress party or that he would speak in a way that goes against the party’s ideology. He is a pillar of the Congress party, and if he has used any particular language, it is necessary to understand what his context was and what his target was what he was trying to do,” Salman Khurshid told ANI.Congress leader TS Singh Deo defended Digvijaya Singh’s remarks and said: “Digvijaya Singh is much senior to me; I cannot comment on his statement. He will be able to explain it better, but as far as strengthening the organisation is concerned, it is a continuous process…In any organisation, whether it is the BJP, RSS, or any other, everyone’s work is reviewed. The BJP certainly reviews the Congress and other parties... So, Digvijaya Singh’s intention was not to imitate anyone, but he spoke about what we can do to strengthen the organisation.”Congress MP Imran Masood said Digvijaya Singh has consistently opposed the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). “Digvijay Singh is a staunch opponent of the RSS. That’s all I know; there’s no need to create so much controversy over this,” he said. Congress leader Rajeev Shukla also defended the former MP CM and said that the matter was being “unnecessarily amplified”.Party leader Udit Raj openly backed Digvijaya’s message and admitted that the grand old party was grappling with serious organisational weaknesses and widespread factionalism. “There is definitely organisational weakness. Is there any doubt about that? For 10 years, we couldn’t even appoint district presidents. Whenever someone was appointed, another group would block it. Factionalism is rampant,” Udit Raj told news agency IANS. “Discussion is part of Congress tradition; we don’t run a dictatorship like the BJP. It is in our tradition to introspect. If there were no organisational weaknesses, would we keep losing elections repeatedly? The positive thing is that we are working to overcome our shortcomings. There is nothing wrong with it,” he added.Candid confession that to some extent justifies Digvijaya’s strong post.However, with his remarks putting the Congress on the backfoot, Digvijaya first issued clarification and then sent out a unity message slamming the BJP. “I am a supporter of the organisation, but an opponent of the RSS and Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi. I have only praised the organisational strength of the RSS. I have always opposed the policies of the BJP and the RSS,” he said as his post raised a storm. Later, he targeted the BJP and said “There is no difference in ideology. We (Congress) are all united, and this Nehru-Gandhi family is a family in which two people have been martyred. I strongly condemn the BJP’s attempts to sow discord within this family.” “Rahul Gandhi has started this initiative (strengthening the organisation) from the district level and below. The process for that is underway. It will be completed soon,” the Rajya Sabha member added.While this clarification helps the Congress counter the BJP attacks, it does little to solve the mystery behind his cryptic message: Was Digvijaya dropping hints about his future plans or was he targeting Congress leadership and the coterie in the party?

Shankh Airlines is likely to begin flight operations in the first half of January with an initial fleet of three Airbus aircraft, focusing on connecting Lucknow with Delhi, Mumbai and other metro cities, Chairman Shravan Kumar Vishwakarma said on Tuesday. The airline will also operate flights to destinations across Uttar Pradesh in its first phase, Vishwakarma said, adding that two more aircraft are expected to join the fleet within the next one-and-a-half months. “At present, the fleet size is limited, but as it grows, we will cover the entire country,” he told PTI Videos, noting that international operations are planned for 2028 or 2029. The 35-year-old entrepreneur said Shankh Airlines’ core objective is to make air travel accessible to middle-class passengers and first-time flyers, and to break the perception that flying is a luxury. “An aircraft is just a means of transport, like a bus or a tempo. It should not be seen as something exclusive,” he said. Recalling the airline’s origin, Vishwakarma said the idea of entering the aviation sector came to him about four years ago. “Once the thought struck me, I began understanding the process, how to get the NOC, what are the rules and how the system works. What started as an idea four years ago has now taken shape,” he said. Coming from a modest middle-class background, Vishwakarma said even dreaming big was once considered unrealistic. “In the circumstances we grew up, just earning a livelihood was seen as enough. Dreaming beyond that was almost unthinkable,” he said. Vishwakarma said his formal education was limited and he had little interest in academics. “I drove autos with acquaintances and tried a few small businesses, many of which failed,” he said, adding his business journey gained momentum in 2014 with entry into the cement trade. This was followed by ventures into TMT steel, mining and the transport sectors. “Today, we have a fleet of over 400 trucks,” he said, describing the growth as gradual and organic. “There was no grand planning. Things evolved with time.” Calling aviation one of the fastest-growing sectors, Vishwakarma said its biggest strength lies in strong cash flow. “There is no credit system in aviation. Many businesses collapse because they depend on credit, but aviation does not work that way.” Explaining the airline’s name, he said, “Our trading firm was already called Shankh, and the name also has a cultural association. That is why we kept the airline’s name Shankh as well.” On funding, Vishwakarma said the airline has full backing from its parent company. “The aircraft have been acquired on lease and finance from external companies. We have no funding constraints,” he said adding the airline was not focused on competitors’ market shares. “We are not concerned about who controls what. Our focus is on improving ourselves.” On fares, Vishwakarma said ticket prices would not be increased during festival seasons, though business-class fares would be priced higher than competitors. He also said the airline would generate employment opportunities for youth. Advising young people, he said, “The first thing they should stop worrying about is what people will say. If someone who once drove a tempo can run an airline, others can also move ahead. The difference is only in mindset.”