Bharati, Varshita and Deekha claim gold medals at ASMITA rowing

O Bharati Devi bagged the gold, while G Viday Sri and Laya Vinoj came second and third respectively in the U-19 W1X category at the ASMITA Rowing Hyderabad City League held at the Telangana Water Sports Centre, Hussain Sagar, on Tuesday.

In the SJG 1X category, A Varshita won gold, while Devendramma and Ch Dhatri got silver and bronze respectively. Deeksha K claimed gold in the Open 1X category. She was followed by Th Priya Devi and A Mahalakshmi.

Telangana Sports School, Telangana Tribal School, Telangana Police and Hyderabad city rowers took part in the meet.  Rajlakshmi Singh Deo, vice-president IOA, Col CP Singh Deo, former president RFI, AP Mithun Kumar Reddy, president TRA, Sai Kumar secretary TRA, Babu John, treasurer TRA, Mamata, OSD Telangana Sports School and Jyoti, Sports Officer Tribal school gave away the medals.

Results:  U-19 W1X: O Bharati Devi gold, G Vidya Sri silver, Laya Vinoj bronze. SJG 1X: A Varshita gold, Devendramma silver, Ch Dhatri bronze. Open 1X: Deeksha K gold, Th Priya Devi silver, A Mahalakshmi bronze. Open W2: Udaybhanu & M Sravya gold, Sangeeta & Naina silver, B Hemalatha & K Bharati bronze. Open 2X: Anjani & Deeksha K gold, A Mahalakshmi & Priya Devi silver, Udaybhanu & Anuradha bronze. U-19 2: Vaiga Prakash & Devananda gold, Laya Vinoj & Mitrananda silver, V Divya & Bharati bronze.  U-19 2x: Mitrananda & O Bharati Devi gold, Vaiga Prakash & G Vidyasri silver, J Shailaja & V Pravalika bronze. SJG 2: Lavanya & N Arushi gold, Devendramma & M Nithya silver, R Tharuni & G Gangotri bronze. SJG 2X: A Varshitha & Ch Dhatri gold, K Niharika & V Vyshnavi silver, Neethu & V Akshitha.

Ganesh Kumar Tirubelli, Head (Operations & Marketing) The Premia Academy School, K Srinivasa Raju, organising secretary with the winners and runners-up of the Pragathi Chess tournament

Ritesh and Aadyareddy bag U-15 boys’ and girls’ chess titles

Ritesh Maddukuri won the Under-15 boys title at the Pragathi Chess All India New Year Children Chess Trophy at Premia Academy International School in Attapur, Hyderabad. Shaik Abdul Mannan and Kenith Urla came second and third respectively. In the Under-15 girls’ section, Aadyareddy Konda bagged the top place. She was followed by Hyma Sanvitha and Sai Medha Sree.

Results: Under–15 boys:  1. Ritesh Maddukuri, 2. Shaik Abdul Mannan, 3. Kenith Urla. Girls: Aadyareddy Konda, 2. Hyma Sanvitha, 3. Sai Medha Sree. Under-12 boys: 1. Aarush, 2. Hithesh Sai Saketh, 3. Jella Guru Gnaan. Girls: 1. Ridhima Singh, 2. Zaara Arrooshi Shaik, 3. Varnika. Under-10 boys: 1. Vignesh, 2. Velvendhan, 3. Shyamak Reyansh. Girls: 1. Kavya A N S S, 2. Tanishi Sharma, 3. Saanvika Pallam Reddy. Under-8 boys: 1. Yuvan Rodda, 2. Mungi Grahith Vivaan, 3. Advait Sharma. Girls: 1. Shrivishishta, 2. Aishwarya, 3. Nainika.

Senior Urdu journalist Rahim passes away

Rahim MA

The world of Urdu journalism on Tuesday lost one of its most distinguished voices as senior journalist MA Rahim passed away following a prolonged illness. Rahim was a veteran in the field of journalism, widely respected for his lifelong dedication and professional integrity. His demise has left the journalistic community in deep mourning, with many describing it as an irreparable loss to the fraternity.

The funeral prayer (Namaz-e-Janaza) will be offered on Wednesday (January 7), after the Zuhr prayers at 1:15 pm at the Jama Masjid, AC Guards (near Mahavir Hospital), Hyderabad.

VBYLD–2026 state winners meet Telangana governor

Telangana governor Jishnu Dev Varma on Tuesday interacted with a delegation of 68 youth representatives selected from the state to participate in the Viksit Bharat Young Leader Dialogue (VBYLD) 2026, scheduled to be held in New Delhi from January 9 to 12. The interaction and send-off programme was held at the Darbar Hall, Raj Bhavan, where the governor congratulated the young leaders and wished them success at the national-level event.

The youth representatives, who emerged as state-level winners through a rigorous selection process under VBYLD–2026, shared their innovative ideas, leadership experiences, and vision for nation-building with the governor. The interaction focused on youth participation in governance, innovation, social responsibility, and the role of young leaders in achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.

The governor appreciated the enthusiasm, commitment, and forward-looking ideas of the young leaders. Emphasizing the importance of youth leadership, he stated that platforms like VBYLD play a crucial role in nurturing future leaders of the nation and encouraged the participants to continue contributing meaningfully to society and public life.

Telangana governor Jishnu Dev Varma on Tuesday interacted with a delegation of 68 youth representatives selected from the state to participate in the Viksit Bharat Young Leader Dialogue (VBYLD) 2026

Senior officials including Dr Sonibala Devi, director of Youth Services, K Venugopal Rao, MD, SETWIN, and other officials from the Youth Services Department were present during the interaction. The programme concluded with an exchange of mementoes.