Month: June 2026

India Women made a strong statement in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, defeating arch-rivals Pakistan Women by a convincing 64-run margin at Edgbaston on Sunday. Powered by a magnificent half-century from Smriti Mandhana and a match-winning five-wicket haul from Deepti Sharma, India delivered a dominant all-round performance to kick off their campaign in style.

After winning the toss, Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur chose to bat first on a surface that looked ideal for batting. However, Pakistan’s bowlers struck early, removing Shafali Verma and Jemimah Rodrigues within the powerplay to put India under pressure. With the score at 38/2 after six overs, India needed a steady partnership to rebuild the innings.

Smriti Mandhana rose to the occasion with a classy knock of 68 runs from just 44 deliveries. The stylish left-hander timed the ball beautifully, finding boundaries with ease and anchoring the innings when her team needed stability. Alongside captain Harmanpreet Kaur, she stitched together a crucial partnership that shifted momentum back in India’s favor.

Pakistan had opportunities to contain India but costly dropped catches allowed Mandhana to continue her innings. She made the most of those chances, accelerating in the middle overs and putting pressure on the Pakistani bowlers. Harmanpreet also contributed valuable runs before falling while attempting to increase the scoring rate.

Despite regular wickets in the latter stages, India managed to post a competitive total of 170/6 in 20 overs, thanks to useful contributions from the middle order and a late flourish that ensured Pakistan faced a challenging target.

Pakistan’s chase began positively as openers Gull Feroza and Muneeba Ali found boundaries early and moved confidently against the Indian pace attack. The opening partnership raised hopes for Pakistan supporters, but India’s experienced spin unit soon took control of the contest.

Veteran all-rounder Deepti Sharma produced a masterclass in spin bowling. Mixing her pace and lengths intelligently, she repeatedly outfoxed the Pakistani batters. Her first breakthrough came when Gull Feroza miscued an attempted attacking shot, and from there Pakistan’s innings began to unravel.

Muneeba Ali fought hard with a determined 41 off 35 balls and tried to keep Pakistan in the hunt. However, the lack of support from the other end proved costly. As wickets continued to fall, the required run rate climbed steadily, placing immense pressure on the middle order.

Young spinner Shree Charani complemented Deepti brilliantly, picking up three important wickets and ensuring Pakistan never regained momentum. India’s fielding was equally impressive, highlighted by a sharp run-out involving Deepti Sharma that removed the dangerous Muneeba Ali at a crucial stage.

Pakistan’s batting lineup collapsed under sustained pressure from the Indian bowlers. Deepti Sharma completed a memorable five-wicket haul, wrapping up the innings as Pakistan were bowled out for 106 runs. Her spell proved to be the defining performance of the match and underlined her importance to India’s World Cup ambitions.

The victory further strengthened India’s dominance over Pakistan in Women’s T20 Internationals. India now holds a commanding advantage in head-to-head encounters and once again showcased their ability to deliver on the biggest stages against their traditional rivals.

With a balanced performance featuring quality batting, disciplined bowling, and sharp fielding, India has sent a strong message to the rest of the tournament contenders. The defending champions will look to build on this momentum as they continue their quest for another ICC title.

Match Summary:
🏏 India Women: 170/6 (20 overs)
⭐ Smriti Mandhana – 68 (44)

🏏 Pakistan Women: 106 all out
⭐ Muneeba Ali – 41 (35)

🎯 Deepti Sharma – 5 wickets
🎯 Shree Charani – 3 wickets

🏆 India Women won by 64 runs

A Journey of Community, Sustainability, and Traditional Wisdom

In a world increasingly driven by fast-paced lifestyles, processed food, and industrialized systems, many people are searching for healthier, more sustainable, and meaningful ways of living. It is from this need that Mulam Santha was born—a community-driven initiative that encourages people to reconnect with nature, traditional knowledge, local artisans, and sustainable living practices.

Organized jointly by CSR Memorial Foundation and Grama Bharathi, Mulam Santha has successfully completed two years of continuous service to the community. What began as a small effort to support farmers and traditional producers has now evolved into a vibrant platform that brings together farmers, artisans, natural farming practitioners, millet entrepreneurs, khadi makers, eco-conscious consumers, and nature lovers.

A Market with a Purpose

Unlike conventional marketplaces, Mulam Santha is more than a place to buy and sell products. It is a movement that promotes healthy living, sustainable consumption, and direct connections between producers and consumers.

One of the unique aspects of Mulam Santha is that it is held on the Second Saturday of every month, creating a consistent and reliable platform for both vendors and visitors. For the past two years, this monthly gathering has become a much-awaited event where people come together to learn, share, support local producers, and celebrate traditional ways of life.

Every Second Saturday, Marri Krishna Hall in Tarnaka transforms into a vibrant space filled with natural products, traditional foods, handmade crafts, educational conversations, and inspiring stories from people who are working towards a healthier and more sustainable future.

Supporting Farmers and Artisans

Over the last two years, Mulam Santha has provided opportunities for numerous farmers, artisans, self-help groups, and small-scale producers to directly reach consumers without intermediaries.

This direct interaction not only helps producers receive fair value for their products but also enables consumers to understand the story behind what they buy. Every product showcased at the Santha represents hard work, traditional knowledge, sustainability, and a commitment to quality.

Visitors can meet the people who grow their food, weave their clothes, create handmade products, and preserve age-old traditions.

Products that Reflect Nature and Tradition

Mulam Santha proudly showcases a wide variety of products rooted in sustainability and traditional wisdom, including:

✅ Bio Enzymes
✅ Healthy Cold-Pressed Oils
✅ Cow-Based Natural Products
✅ Panchagavya and Ayurvedic Herbs
✅ Clay Pots and Handmade Jewelry
✅ Jute Bags and Eco-Friendly Alternatives
✅ Khadi and Handloom Clothing
✅ Native Seed-Based Healthy Foods
✅ Traditional Millet Products
✅ Natural Farming Produce
✅ Literature, Handicrafts, and Rural Innovations

Each stall contributes to the larger vision of building a society that values health, sustainability, and local economies.

Building a Back-to-Roots Community

Over time, Mulam Santha has grown beyond a marketplace and developed into a strong community platform. Through interactions, discussions, workshops, and shared experiences, it has inspired many individuals and families to adopt more conscious and environmentally responsible lifestyles.

The initiative promotes:

🌿 Natural and Sustainable Living
🌾 Natural Farming Practices
🐄 Cow-Based Rural Economy
🏺 Traditional Crafts and Indigenous Knowledge
🧵 Khadi and Handloom Promotion
🍲 Healthy Food Habits and Millet Consumption
♻️ Eco-Friendly Alternatives for Everyday Life

The accompanying Mulam Community – Back to Roots network continues to connect people who believe in preserving traditional wisdom while creating sustainable solutions for the future.

Two Years of Impact

As Mulam Santha celebrates its second anniversary with the 24th edition, it reflects on an inspiring journey marked by:

🌱 24 successful monthly markets
🌱 Two years of uninterrupted community engagement
🌱 Hundreds of participating farmers, artisans, and producers
🌱 Thousands of visitors and supporters
🌱 Growing awareness about natural living and sustainable choices
🌱 Stronger connections between producers and consumers

These achievements have been possible because of the collective efforts of farmers, artisans, volunteers, organizers, visitors, supporters, and community members who have believed in the vision of Mulam Santha.

Looking Ahead

The completion of two years is not just a milestone—it is the beginning of a larger journey.

Mulam Santha aims to continue creating opportunities for farmers and artisans, promoting healthy lifestyles, preserving traditional knowledge, and encouraging communities to embrace sustainable living.

As we celebrate this special occasion, we invite everyone to be part of this growing movement and help build a future that is healthier, greener, and more connected to our roots.

🌿 24th Mulam Santha – 2 Years Celebration

📅 Date: 13 June 2026 (Second Saturday)
📍 Venue: Marri Krishna Hall, Tarnaka
⏰ Time: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM

“Back to Roots is not a trend—it is a way of life.”

Thank you to every farmer, artisan, volunteer, supporter, and visitor who has been part of this incredible two-year journey.

Together, we are growing roots, building community, and creating a sustainable future.

Hyderabad: In a late-night operation, a young woman IPS officer led an undercover verification exercise that culminated in a surprise raid on a popular pub in Hyderabad’s Kukatpally area, exposing alleged immoral activities and multiple regulatory violations.

The operation was spearheaded by DCP Kukatpally Riti Raj, a 2018-batch Telangana cadre IPS officer, in the early hours of Sunday. Acting on credible intelligence regarding suspicious activities, the officer personally conducted a discreet assessment before leading a raid on Kings and Queens Pub, popularly known as Club Masti.

According to police officials, preliminary findings suggest that the establishment was allegedly facilitating solicitation and prostitution. Investigators also found several violations, including failure to prevent the entry of minors into a liquor-serving venue, operating beyond permitted hours, serving food and liquor in contravention of regulations, and functioning without a valid police No Objection Certificate (NOC).

Police stated that prima facie evidence indicates women were allegedly being used to attract male customers and generate inflated bills for wrongful financial gain. Authorities further suspect that the pub management was facilitating immoral activities and procuring women for customers.

During the raid, nine staff members—including four women and five men—were detained and shifted to KPHB Police Station for further legal proceedings.

Police records reveal that the pub had previously been booked in multiple criminal cases during 2025. Despite earlier enforcement actions, authorities allege that violations continued.

A fresh case has been registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Prevention of Immoral Trafficking Act (PITA). Officials said further investigation is underway.

About DCP Riti Raj

Riti Raj is an alumna of Delhi Public School, Patna, graduating in 2010, and later earned a law degree from the National Law University, Delhi, in 2016. She cleared the Civil Services Examination and joined the Indian Police Service in 2018.

Over the years, she has served in several key assignments, including the Cyber Crimes Wing and the Madhapur Zone of Cyberabad Police, before taking charge as DCP Kukatpally. She is also currently heading the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the case involving Bandi Bhageerath Sai, son of Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar.

Police officials emphasized that the raid was conducted based on evidence gathered during the operation and that a detailed investigation is continuing.

Hyderabad: In a major enforcement drive aimed at curbing vehicle-related violations and criminal activities, Hyderabad Police seized more than 2,100 vehicles during a citywide operation named ‘Operation Kavach’ conducted on Thursday night.

According to police officials, a total of 2,149 vehicles were seized for using tampered, fake, or unauthorized number plates. The seized vehicles included 2,046 two-wheelers, 52 four-wheelers, and 51 autorickshaws.

The special operation was launched to identify vehicles carrying manipulated registration plates, a practice that authorities say is increasingly being used to evade law enforcement and conceal criminal activities. Multiple checkpoints were established across Hyderabad, with police teams conducting intensive inspections throughout the night.

Hyderabad Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar personally visited several checkpoints across the city, reviewed enforcement measures, inspected vehicles, and interacted with motorists. During the operation, he issued a stern warning to vehicle owners against tampering with registration plates.

Sajjanar emphasized that altering or displaying fake number plates would not be treated as a routine traffic violation. Instead, offenders could face serious criminal charges, including cheating, forgery, and other relevant sections of the law.

Police officials explained that fake or modified number plates pose a significant threat to public safety and law enforcement efforts. Criminals often use such vehicles to avoid identification while committing offenses. In addition, manipulated registration numbers can result in innocent vehicle owners receiving traffic e-challans or even being wrongly associated with criminal investigations.

Authorities stated that the operation is part of an ongoing effort to strengthen road safety, improve surveillance capabilities, and ensure accurate vehicle identification across the city. The police have urged motorists to comply with registration norms and avoid any alterations to vehicle number plates.

Officials indicated that similar drives will continue in the future as part of Hyderabad Police’s broader strategy to crack down on traffic violations and criminal misuse of vehicles.

The successful execution of Operation Kavach highlights the department’s commitment to maintaining law and order while leveraging strict enforcement measures to deter offenders and protect law-abiding citizens.