VADODARA’S men in khaki found themselves face-to-face with the men in blue on Friday, in an encounter with Irfan Pathan and Munaf Patel at the Pratapnagar police ground. The two pacers were invited by the district police top brass to give the Vadodara police cricket team some bowling tips.

Before the duo arrived, the constables and sub-inspectors donned in cricket whites instead of uniforms, waited expectantly around the pitch with military patience in contrast to the boisterous youngsters who had gathered there for a glimpse of their heroes.

Pathan was the first to arrive and was greeted with much enthusiasm from both, the policemen and public. After shaking hands with the entire team, Pathan was led straight to a tent where he was to share his knowledge about fitness and bowling with the policemen.

The Baroda speedster stressed on the importance of fitness, especially since conditions in most parts of Gujarat are hot and dry. ‘‘Fitness is the most important aspect of cricket, because it directly affects the player’s performance,’’ Pathan advised.

Speaking to the cops about his expertise—bowling, he said, ‘‘Gripping the ball is an integral part of bowling, the grip can neither be too tight nor too loose,’’ he professed to the avid team members. He then went on to explain the intricacies of swinging the ball with a demo.

He drilled into their minds, ‘‘Follow-through after a delivery is the key to achieveing good swing.’’

Munaf Patel arrived just after the swinging session and was also greeted uproariously. Instead of taking his seat in the tent, Patel made a beeline for some players near the pitch, where he gave them tips on arm action. He was soon joined by Pathan after which the duo, dressed casually in jeans and t-shirts, proceeded to bowl a couple of deliveries to demonstrate arm action and follow-through. C S Cyan, member of police team, commented after the duo left, ‘‘We are all really happy to be getting tips from players in the Indian team. We are great fans of theirs.’’

Source: Expressindia.com

CHIEF Minister Narendra Modi completes five years in office on Saturday. In October 2001, Modi had become Chief Minister replacing the then CM Keshubhai Patel.

Five years of governance set the stage for the BJP and Opposition Congress to inflict charges and counter charges on the achievements and failures of the Modi Government in the last five years.

Terming the government as “total failure,” GPCC spokesperson Shaktisinh Gohil said that Modi has succeeded in creating dictatorship in the state and splurging taxpayers’ money to earn “cheap” publicity for himself.

“On the rest of the front, the Modi Government has failed miserably,” he said, adding, “The party, which had asked votes in the name of Ram, had failed to protect Ramsevaks, which led to one of the most brutal carnages, witnessed by independent India.”

He added that none other than the BJP Prime Minister Atal Behari Bajpayee had to remind Modi of his “rajdharma” while the Apex Court had observed that “if you cannot protect your citizens, then quit”.

Flaying the Government, Gohil said that it is being controlled by a handful of corporate houses.

Refuting the charges of Congress, BJP spokesperson Parshottam Rupala said that the state has witnessed “golden period’ under the leadership of Modi. “Instead of making allegations against the “popular” Modi Government, Congress should introspect as to why it has remained out of power for last 16 years in the state,” Rupala said adding that people of Gujarat have repeatedly rejected Congress and its policies in the state.

Taking a dig at the raging controversy on the clemency of Mohammad Afzal, convicted in the Parliament attack case, Rupala said, “Congress government is considering a pardon to traitors like Afzal. No terrorist outfit has dared to look at Gujarat in Modi’s tenure and history sheeters have fled from the state.”

Source: Expressindia.com