In 1983-84, West Indies toured India for a test series of 6 matches with a squad consisting of no front-line spinner and won the test series 3-0, a feat that now seems impracticable on turning Indian pitches.

Back then, the West Indies bowling attack consisted only of pacers who conquered the world with their intimidating pace. That was the era of Malcolm Marshall, Andy Roberts, Joel Garner and Michael Holding.

This was only about the bowling attack of the West Indies.

Have you ever heard about the batting prowess of Vivian Richards, Desmond Haynes, Clive Lloyd and Gordon Greenidge? The lineup that would rip apart the best of bowlers on any day.

Vivian Richards, the most dreaded batsman whom the bowlers feared the most as he could rip apart the best of bowlers on his day. He was a complete batting maestro, a run-machine, part-time off-spinner and an energetic fielder.

Gordon Greenidge-Desmond Haynes were the most fearsome opening pair of 1980’s having the record of highest ever opening partnership of 298 in test cricket.

From winning two consecutive ODI World Cups to thrashing Australia and England in tests in their own dens, this team made headlines throughout the period of 1975-1995 before most of these players retired.

Post their retirement the golden era of Caribbean Cricket also became history. The quality of West Indies declined from then onwards with only Brian Lara being the ray of hope.

Brian Lara did live up to the title “Prince of Cricket” scoring nine double centuries including the highest ever individual score of 400 not out before hanging up his boots in 2007.

Thereafter started the never-ending downfall of West Indies cricket.

2002 and then 2007 was the last instance when West Indies won a test series at home against India followed by a test win in South Africa. Since then, West Indies have failed to win a single test against these two nations.

West Indies also failed to qualify for ICC tournaments – 2017 Champions Trophy, 2022 T20 World Cup and 2023 ODI World Cup.

What has led to this?

Here is my analysis for the reasons of downfall of West Indian Cricket:

Sponsorship disagreement between Board and Players

The problem has its roots in 2005 where West Indies Cricket Board added a clause stating that all sponsorship rights of the team will be handled by the Board.

The Board bought Digicel as sponsor though most of the players had a contract with Cables & Wireless.

This resulted in loss of revenue for players.

This was also the main reason behind West Indies players backing out of the India tour of 2014 midway leading to severe losses for BCCI for which they sued WICB.

The West Indies Cricket Board is the 9th richest cricket board in the world, with a net worth of $15 million ahead of New Zealand Cricket Board that has a net worth of $9 Million.

Despite being ahead of New Zealand, WICB saw a loss of revenue that led to rapid decline in their performance.

Their only major source of revenue is broadcasting rights from the CPL (Caribbean Premier League), which started in 2013.

Despite having a lower revenue, the New Zealand cricket has made rapid progress.

Playing two consecutive ODI World Cup finals, winning the first edition of World Test Championship, winning two consecutive test series in Pakistan.

How did the New Zealand Cricket Board despite being the poorest among the top 10 manage to overcome their crisis?

While West Indies being ahead of New Zealand cannot even properly compensate their players compelling them to prefer franchise cricket over their country?

 Lack of Clarity on the Brand of Cricket they Should Play

West Indies are known to play aggressive cricket with all the great players from Vivian Richards to Brian Lara having played attacking cricket.

Swashbuckling players like Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo, Kieron Pollard made West Indies an intimidating side when it came to T20.

It was due to them that the West Indies managed to win two T20 World Cups in 2012 and 2016.

Playing aggressive cricket is what suited them for so many years.

Then why did they stop playing their original brand of cricket despite having some of the best T20 players.

Why the approach that could have improved West Indies cricket’s fortunes is not being followed?

Sub-Optimal Management and Talent Scouting

There was no dearth of talent ever within the West Indies with players like Chris Gayle, Darren Bravo, Marlon Samuels, Kieron Pollard, Andre Russell, Sheldon Cottrell.

Chris Gayle started his career with a bang and seemed like an all-format player for the Windies. His powerful knock of 317 (483) balls against South Africa is a testimony of that. Unfortunately, his career was plagued by recurring injuries that affected him.

Marlon Samuels who always stepped up during crucial games like the 2012 T20 World Cup where due to his fighting knock of 78 West Indies reached a decent total winning the finals against Sri Lanka.

The above is enough evidence to show how important he was for the West Indies team.

Kieron Pollard was one of the most feared batsmen as his casual flick was powerful enough to send the ball out of the stadium. He was also a handy fast bowler.

He was considered only a limited-overs format player by many including former England captain David Gower.

So many T20 players like AB De Villiers and Brendon McCullum (to name a few) became all-format players due to support from their management.

The same could have been the case for Pollard had WICB given an opportunity to him.

His first-class stats of 1584 runs in 44 innings with an average of 37.71 (his highest in any format) strengthens his case further.

Andre Russell is another case. Fortunately, he got the opportunity to make a debut in red-ball game in Sri Lanka where he picked the wicket of the Sri Lankan great Tillakaratne Dilshan for 0 on a pitch not offering much to fast bowlers.

Yet he was dropped with his debut test being his last as he never played the long format game again.

Over the years, Russell has proved how lethal he is with the ball along with the bat for Kolkata Knight Riders.

It would not be wrong to imagine how much of an impact he would have made in SENA countries with his sheer pace in test cricket.

Sheldon Cottrell a left arm pacer who performed spectacularly in the 2019 ODI World Cup finishing as the highest wicket-taker for the Windies with 12 scalps in 9 games.

In an age where left arm fast bowlers are in big demand especially in the longest format of the game, he is busy playing cash-rich leagues.

Should he be given a second chance in the red ball cricket? It’s up to the West Indies selectors.

Huge Pay-Disparity

In the current era where T20 style batting is taking predominance in red ball games, Jason Holder the former West Indies captain and one of the greatest all-rounders of the present generation shares his insights on the Bazball approach.

“There are only three teams in the world that can play ‘Bazball’ and that’s England, Australia and India. Those are the teams that play the most cricket.

Those are the teams that have more to fall back on if players don’t succeed at that level. They are the three nations with the best structures and the best resources.”

It is worth mentioning that Holder has been around for as long as Joe Root while the latter has played 128 tests, Holder has not played 100 tests till now highlighting the fact that there is less opportunity for players to improve.

According to Holder the pay disparity is what compels the players to prefer franchise cricket over International.

It is to be noted that some players cannot play franchise cricket so they depend on the white ball format.

Getting less opportunities and the fear of failure might be the factor deterring them from playing their natural game.

Lack of Motivation

New Zealand spinner Ajaz Patel was dropped after he created history by taking all 10 wickets against India in a single innings.

Ignoring his exclusion, he stated that pitches there do not offer much to spinners but he is still very motivated to make spin bowling a part of the big picture in New Zealand cricket.

He wants to play more test cricket as the hunger within him and the fire within his belly has grown further.

It is this sheer determination and strong will to do well that the West Indies players need.

Too Much Dependency on Tailenders

West Indies have relied more on their bowlers more so than their batsmen when it comes to scoring runs as has been the case with Darren Sammy and Jason Holder.

There have been numerous instances where their bowlers have helped the team reach respectable totals in the game. Be it in the 2011 tour of India, 2013, Champions Trophy or the 2015 ODI World Cup.

Darren Sammy and Jason Holder were the ones who rescued them after batting collapses.

It is enlightening as well as disappointing to see West Indies bowlers scoring more runs than their batting line-up.

Why did their bowlers have to double up and play as all-rounders?
It makes it important to ask why the batsmen could not perform the role they were assigned.

The West Indies themselves can answer these questions.

Actions Speak Louder than Words

Former West Indies captain Darren Sammy at the post-match presentation of the 2nd Test against India at Mumbai was extremely disappointed after his team’s dismal performance leading them to losing two games within three days.

In the post-match presentation, he said “In Rohit’s [Sharma] debut Test series, we gifted him two centuries. Mohammed Shami made his debut and his gifts were gifts, 11 wickets in the series.”

The next step should have been to figure out the errors and improve those areas to reach to the level of top 4 nations, which didn’t happen.

The only hope of rewriting their fortunes in white-ball cricket came in 2017 where they managed to win a test at Headingley chasing a mammoth target of 321 courtesy of twin hundreds by Shai Hope.

Yet they could not build on that momentum. They only performed in patches and it took them nearly 5 years to recreate something like that again when Kyle Mayers played an innings of 210 in the fourth innings against Bangladesh.

Before the start of the series in England in an exclusive interview their captain Kraigg Brathwaite on having so many inexperienced youngsters in the batting order said “My advice to all the younger boys in the group, like Mikyle making his debut, is don’t just expect to play for West Indies, expect to be the first to score 30 hundreds.”

It’s a very good message to inspire fresh blood but a good captain himself needs to lead from the front like Virat Kohli and Steve Smith did for India and Australia.

Kraigg Brathwaite is different from current set of players as he prefers taking his own time batting all day long.

While it’s true that every player has his own style of playing, it’s equally vital to keep the scorecard moving as runs makes the most difference in the end.

That doesn’t mean hitting boundaries on every ball or playing at a strike rate of 100 and above.

The Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara played Bazball at times in his career without playing a single lofted shot.

This is because he had that much range of grounded shots under his belt which very few players have these days.

While encouraging his players to make 30 hundreds the captain should also score 30 hundreds first.

 Strategies they can adopt to overcome their precarious situation:

Taking 2-3 month break to decide on the kind of pitches that suit their players they want to play on.

Pitches in West Indies assist both spinners and pacers which shows the lack of clarity within the board and management.

SENA and Asian countries have fixed structure when it comes to pitch curation and that has what made them successful in their home turf.

All the top teams like Australia, India and England have been successful in their home series due to which they stand where they are now.

West Indies needs to become undefeatable at home first if they want to compete for WTC.

• Developing an intimidating pace quartet

West Indies have always lagged a formidable bowling attack that can take 20 wickets anywhere across the globe.

They don’t have a fast bowler who can bowl at 150KPH which is the main reason they struggle when touring SENA countries.

Currently, South Africa has the best pace attack in the world with Anrich Nortje who is a gun bowler, Ngidi has different variations, Rabada gets the ball to swing and Marco Jansen being a left-arm pacer.

The above quartet destroyed the Indian batting order in 2021-22 series akin to what New Zealand did in 2020.

West Indies does have some good prospects in Alzarri Joseph, Jayden Seales and Shamar Joseph.

It’s important to groom them motivating them to become better.

Virat Kohli during his captaincy days encouraged the bowlers to improve themselves which led to India having the strongest bowling attack in the world.

At the start of his career, Siraj wasn’t that efficient as he is today. Due to proper grooming by the management he has become one of the pillars of India’s pace attack.

A Shuffled and Reformed batting Line-up with a new Captain

West Indies needs a player as a captain who will lead from the front and serve as a role model for the remaining guys and that player currently is none other than Shai Hope.

Ever since he has taken over as a ODI captain, his batting has improved and he has started scoring more runs which is exactly what they need.

Shai Hope has it in him to come into the list of top 10 greatest cricketers of the decade. His twin hundreds in England getting his team over the line is a testament of that.

Mike Louis and Alick Athanaze are their future stars and they should retain their place in the playing 11.

In a time when aggressive batting is becoming the predominant force in White-ball cricket why not West Indies give chance to someone like a Shimron Hetmyer and Nicholas Pooran.

Hetmyer can play the role Rishab Pant and Travis Head play for their countries which he has done in the past when he used to play Test Cricket before being dropped.

Players like Gill, Jaiswal, Pant and Travis Head don’t do blind hitting. They do the same thing that Hetmyer used to do before being dropped from the test side.

The next thing is to have a batting all-rounder who can be the 5th bowling option like England has Ben Stokes and Australia has Cameron Green.

From a long term point of view, Sherfane Rutherford is a good prospect with his all-round skills especially in subcontinent giving West Indies an option of fielding an extra spinner.

Justin Greaves can be a lower order tailender who can score vital 30-40 runs in important occasions and can take wickets. He should be brought back to strengthen both the departments.

The ideal playing 11 and the 15-member squad that can challenge any team and win series outside the Carribean Islands:
1)  Shai Hope (C)
2)  Brandon King/ Mike Louis
3)  Alick Athanaze
4)  Shimron Hetmyer
5)  Kavem Hodge
6)  Sherfane Rutherford/Roston Chase
7)  Nicholas Pooran (VC) (wk)
8)  Justin Greaves/Romario Shepherd
9)  Shamar Joseph
10) Alzarri Joseph
11) Jayden Seales

Kevin Sinclair, Gudakesh Motie, Joshua Da Silva, Kirk Mckenzie, Oshane Thomas, Akeal Hosein, Keemo Paul and Akeem Jordan should be kept as reserves.

The above team can surely win a test series outside West Indies and become the No. 1 test team in the world.

The beginning of a new year provides PR professionals with a valuable opportunity to reflect on the previous year’s performance and set strategic goals for the months ahead. A meticulously crafted communications strategy is the bedrock of any successful PR plan. The foundation of any effective strategy lies in thorough research, which uncovers audience preferences, competitor actions, and market trends. By aligning these below given insights with the client’s objectives, PR campaigns can address pain points while delivering measurable outcomes. A diversified approach to engagement, including leveraging digital tools like social listening, SEO optimization, and influencer collaborations, ensures outreach remains impactful and relevant.

Below are the essential steps to develop and execute a robust framework:

Step 1: Aligning with Client Objectives

• Engage Key Stakeholders: Initiate comprehensive discussions with the Corporate Communications Head, CEO, and departmental leads (HR, IT, Marketing, Branding) to ensure alignment with their strategic priorities.
• Define Clear Goals: Develop short- and long-term objectives segmented into quarterly plans. Take into account timelines, spokesperson availability, and travel schedules to ensure realistic planning.

Step 2: Conducting In-Depth Research

• Industry Analysis: Stay updated on the latest industry trends, competitor activities, and regulatory developments that could impact the client’s business.
• Macro Environment Insights: Collaborate with Public Affairs teams to identify relevant policy changes, economic indicators, or significant milestones such as budgets and monetary policies. Leverage these insights for targeted media interactions.

Step 3: Mapping Influencers and Gauging Perceptions

• Identify Influencers: Map key stakeholders, including partners, vendors, suppliers, academia, government entities, NGOs, and media professionals.
• Perception Analysis: Conduct surveys or focus groups to understand the current perception of the client among these influencers. Use the findings to shape the communications strategy.

Step 4: Building the Strategic Framework

• Define the Roadmap: Establish clear objectives, desired perceptions, positioning, target audiences, key messages, and geographies. Integrate upcoming milestones for seamless planning.
• Holistic Approach: Extend the strategy beyond media relations to include diverse stakeholder engagements.

Step 5: Crafting Tactical Plans

• Creative Brainstorming: Ideate around key messages, upcoming events, editorial calendars, and observance days.
• Tool Selection: Utilize a mix of bylined articles, concept notes, case studies, media interviews, and non-media activities like industry event participation or NGO collaborations.
• Amplify on social media: Plan and execute live sessions, panel discussions, and influencer collaborations to enhance digital visibility.

Step 6: Establishing Metrics for Success

• Measurable Outcomes: Move beyond traditional metrics like Advertising Value Equivalent (AVE). Define KPIs such as:
  • Coverage in target media tiers
  • Inclusion of key messages
  • Spokesperson visibility
  • Exclusive stories and proactive outreach
• Transparent Evaluation: Implement point-based systems to ensure clarity and realism in goal-setting.

Step 7: Reviewing and Refining the Plan

• Regular Reviews: Schedule periodic evaluations with clients to highlight successes, address challenges, and refine strategies.
• Feedback Integration: Actively incorporate client feedback to build stronger collaboration and trust.

Executional Tools and Activities

Media Relations Tools

• Press Releases: Craft concise, factual, and timely announcements to maximize media pick-up. Optimize for SEO and consider issuing alerts for events or major speeches.
• Interviews: Prepare spokespersons comprehensively to ensure impactful and aligned messaging across all formats (in-person, telephonic, or video).
• Bylined Articles: Establish thought leadership through insightful, industry-relevant content.
• Trend Stories: Collaborate with journalists on multi-company narratives to enhance credibility.
• Press Conferences: Organize impactful events for major announcements, with careful preparation of messaging and spokesperson readiness.

Non-Media Activities

• Event Participation: Showcase expertise through active engagement in trade shows, industry summits, or panel discussions.
• CSR Initiatives: Strengthen brand reputation and community ties by supporting meaningful social causes.
• Digital IP Creation: Develop unique digital content, such as webinars, podcasts, or video series, to position the brand as a thought leader.

Engagement Strategies

• Guest Speaking Opportunities: Secure speaking slots at academic institutions, industry forums, or centers of excellence.
• Interactive social media: Host live sessions and panel discussions to foster deeper connections with stakeholders.
• TV Panel Appearances: Leverage televised discussions to amplify visibility and demonstrate subject matter expertise.

A robust communications strategy is the cornerstone of successful PR campaigns, providing a structured approach to achieving organizational goals while addressing dynamic market demands. By integrating data-driven insights with creative storytelling, PR professionals can craft narratives that resonate with diverse audiences and cut through the noise of crowded media landscapes.

Equally critical is adaptability—monitoring campaign performance through real-time analytics allows PR teams to refine strategies, ensuring they stay aligned with audience expectations and emerging trends. This iterative process fosters agility, helping brands pivot, when necessary, without losing momentum.

Moreover, storytelling is amplified when it is purpose-driven, weaving in the brand’s values to forge emotional connections with stakeholders. This creates authenticity and trust—qualities highly valued in today’s reputation-driven environment. Effective communication frameworks also prioritize proactive reputation management, equipping brands to navigate crises with resilience while maintaining transparency.

Ultimately, a comprehensive communications strategy combines foresight, innovation, and stakeholder-centric storytelling. Share your experiences: What methods have proven most effective in crafting communications strategies that drive impact and build trust?

-Hemchandra Shetty

About Hemchandra Shetty

Hemchandra Shetty is a seasoned PR expert and Strategic Communications consultant, renowned for his ability to drive brands toward constant evolution in response to changing audience expectations. With nearly two decades of experience, he has mastered the art of leading reputation management initiatives for top consulting firms, skillfully navigating complex projects across national landscapes. Hemchandra excels in aligning communication strategies with business objectives, delivering impactful results through a collaborative approach in media relations, marketing, and Digital PR. His expertise lies in crafting compelling narratives that significantly enhance organizational standing within the industry and society. Committed to excellence in the dynamic field of Strategic Communications, Hemchandra continues to pioneer new dimensions in the profession. Passionate about trends, movies, books, and outings, he brings a creative edge to his writing and professional endeavours.

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Progility Technologies, a leading provider of Unified Communications, Collaborations, Data and Cyber security solutions, is proud to announce that it has been awarded a contract by Cochin International Airport Ltd. (CIAL) to supply and install state-of-the-art communications and audio-visual equipment. This strategic project will position CIAL as one of India’s most technologically advanced airports, providing passengers with an elevated travel experience while streamlining airport operations.

Key Features of the Project:

• Flight Information Display System (FIDS):
  The state-of-the-art displays will provide real-time flight status updates, including arrivals, departures, gate changes, delays, and baggage claim information. This system is designed to improve passenger experience by ensuring timely, accurate, and easily accessible flight information throughout the airport.
• Centralized Content Management System (CMS):
  The CMS will manage and distribute real-time content (about flight schedules, security waiting times, local amenities, and any emergency alerts) across all digital displays, ensuring passengers are kept informed all the details UpToDate. The system will enable CIAL to update all screens from a single platform in real-time, facilitating smooth communication and improved operational efficiency.

Julian Wheatland, CEO of Progility Technologies said, “Cochin International Airport is a valued and important customer who we have been working with over the last 8 years on various projects. This was a very competitive tender, and we are delighted to have won the contract. It is testament, not only to Progility’s commitment to deliver value to our customers, but also to our determination to provide the highest levels of customer satisfaction and success. We are proud to be part of the next phase of CIAL’s digital transformation and of the trust that has once again been placed in us. This technology represents the future of air travel, by seamlessly delivering an enhanced passenger experience, stronger operational efficiency and new revenue opportunities.”

Santhosh S, GM and Head of IT & Communication at CIAL, shared, “Building on the success of our previous collaboration with Progility Technologies in Unified Communication, we are upgrading Terminal 3 with state-of-the-art flight information displays and a robust content management system for commercial displays. This initiative will not only boost operational efficiency and elevate the passenger experience but also reflects our team’s commitment to delivering the highest technology standards for our passengers.”

About Progility Technologies:

Progility Technologies Pvt Ltd is an established multi-domain solution provider and IT & digital systems integrator in India. Progility Technologies focuses on customised solutions to improve business and productivity across a wide variety of organisations.

Progility Technologies has a robust portfolio of solutions that excels in the development, implementation, and management of unified communications solutions, data network infrastructure, and video conferencing and security solutions.

Progility serves clientele across industries spanning banking, financial services, insurance, government, healthcare, IT/ITES, manufacturing and automotive. With a national footprint in markets throughout India, Progility offers a diverse array of services and advanced solutions to cater to the ever-changing technology needs of modern businesses.

Deepak brings over 25 years of rich experience in business development, revenue growth, and strategic leadership having worked in global organisations such as Black Box India, Sify Technologies, and Consilum Software among others. Deepak has managed multiple cross-functional teams and has extensive experience in driving profit growth, market share, and business transformations.

In his new role, Deepak will oversee the company’s revenue generation activities, with a focus on expanding the customer base and developing new business opportunities. He will work closely with the marketing and customer support teams to maximise revenue and business growth. His experience working with both global conglomerates and high growth companies will prove invaluable as Progility fortifies its position as most valued and trusted technology innovation partner to government and corporate customers.

Commenting on the appointment, Mr. Julian Wheatland, Chief Executive Officer, said, “We are thrilled to have Deepak join our leadership team. His proven track record in driving business growth and his strategic approach to managing diverse portfolios align perfectly with our vision for the future. We are confident that his leadership will help propel Progility to new heights”.

Wayne Bos, Chairman, expressed his delight at Mr Mallick’s appointment saying, “Deepak’s appointment is another demonstration of our commitment to ensuring that Progility Technologies Pvt. Ltd. is a major player in India’s fast growing technology sector. His appointment further strengthens the Progility management team and our Board extends a warm welcome to him”.

On his appointment, Deepak Mallick said, “I’m very excited to be joining Progility Technologies at this pivotal moment of growth. I look forward to collaborating with the team to build on the company’s success, focusing on delivering value to our customers and driving innovation across our services and solutions”.

Deepak holds a Masters in Business Management from the Institute of Management Technology, Ghaziabad, and has completed the executive program in entrepreneurship from London Business School. His leadership experience and forward-looking vision, will play a key role in driving the company’s future growth.

About Progility

Progility Technologies Pvt Ltd is an established multi-domain solution provider and IT & digital systems integrator in India. Progility Technologies focuses on customised solutions to improve business and productivity across a wide variety of organisations.

Progility Technologies has a robust portfolio of solutions that excels in the development, implementation, and management of unified communications solutions, data network infrastructure, and video conferencing and security solutions.

Progility serves clientele across industries spanning banking, financial services, insurance, government, healthcare, IT/ITES, manufacturing and automotive. With a national footprint in markets throughout India, Progility offers a diverse array of services and advanced solutions to cater to the ever-changing technology needs of modern businesses.

To mark Teachers’ Day, Mr. Shashi Kiran Shetty, Chairman, of the Board of Governance, IIM Mumbai, and Founder and Chairman, of Allcargo Group, inaugurated the commencement of the new facilities, underscoring the institute’s commitment to fostering innovation and excellence. Mr. Shetty emphasized the institute’s dedication to providing students with an optimal environment for exploring Artificial Intelligence (AI) and technology.

IIM Mumbai proudly acknowledges the distinguished presence of Dr. Satheesh Reddy, President of the Aeronautical Society of India, Former Secretary of DDRND, Chairman, of DRDO, and Scientific Adviser to Raksha Mantri, who played a significant role in the inauguration of IIM Mumbai’s INR 800 crore campus enhancement project. Dr. Reddy, known for his groundbreaking contributions to India’s defence sector, attended the Bhumi Pujan ceremony, where he laid the foundation stone for the new development phase of the campus. IIM Mumbai is honored to have Dr. Reddy’s support and is excited about the new opportunities this project will create for students and researchers alike. His contribution to the event exemplifies the institute’s commitment to bridging the gap between academia and real-world technological advancements.

Commenting on the occasion, Mr. Shashi Kiran Shetty, Chairman, Board of Governance, IIM Mumbai and Founder and Chairman, Allcargo Group said, “This occasion will go down in the history of IIM Mumbai as a key milestone which marks the journey of this premier institute towards becoming one of the best B-schools in the world. The initiative to upgrade the campus is a part of our goal to develop a 21st-century infrastructure capable of exceeding global standards. Thanks to the prestigious IIM tag and the strategic location of the campus in Mumbai, the institute has started attracting faculty and students across the world. With state-of-the-art infrastructure, excellent faculty, and best-in-class pedagogy, IIM Mumbai will emerge as the best management institute in the world, producing the best in quality leadership and entrepreneurship.”

The forthcoming facilities will include the sprawling net zero campus of the future with world-class residential accommodation for faculty & students, startup ecosystem development, Management Development Programs, and a large auditorium. Additionally, the facility will include an Innovation Center focused on banking, finance, and fintech, an AI-based research hub, and a state-of-the-art library connecting students with global resources. The campus will host a prominent Management Training Center, offering certification courses and serving as a focal point for industry leaders.

Formerly known as NITIE, IIM Mumbai has a strong legacy in industrial and engineering education. Since its transition to an IIM, the institute’s climb to 6^th position this year in national rankings underscores the benefits of this change. Situated in India’s financial hub, IIM Mumbai is a significant development for the mega city.

Prof. Manoj K Tiwari, Director, IIM Mumbai, shared insights into the institute’s future direction, highlighting the introduction of new courses benefitting students and professionals. He also mentioned multiple partnerships with Indian and international communities, aimed at enriching the mission of knowledge sharing and global engagement.

Established in 1963 as NITIE, this institution has become a cornerstone of management education in India. A 65-acre campus surrounded by scenic landscapes with lakes on three sides, the institute hosts more than 1,200 students and is ranked among India’s top B-schools. The leadership of Mr. Shashi Kiran Shetty, Chairman of IIM Mumbai’s Board of Governors, and Prof. Manoj K Tiwari, Director, has been instrumental in advancing Logistics and Supply Chain Management and supporting the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan. Known for its industry-aligned educational programs, IIM Mumbai contributes to national policies, reflecting the vision of Naya Bharat.

“We are confident that this project will continue to receive strong support from leading companies through their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds. It is poised to set new benchmarks in educational infrastructure, fully aligning with IIM Mumbai’s vision of becoming a global leader in innovation and sustainable development. This effort underscores the respected role of Indian leadership in driving progress within the country and on the world stage.” Added Mr Shetty.

About – Indian Institute of Management Mumbai (IIM):

Formerly known as NITIE, Indian Institute of Management Mumbai (IIM Mumbai), established by the Government of India in 1963 in the financial capital of the country, has been consistently ranking among the top B-schools in India. With around 1,200 students across various programs, IIM Mumbai is a leader in management education in the country and ranked 6^th in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) for 2024 among Management institutes across India. IIM Mumbai is committed to creating skilled professionals in diverse functional areas like Operations Management, Analytics, Finance, Marketing, Project Management, HR, Information Technology, and Sustainability Management. For more information, please visit: https://iimmumbai.ac.in/

Tribeca Developers has sold all 228 luxury apartments for over Rs 1,000 crore in its new Mumbai project, ‘The Edge.’ In collaboration with Tejukaya Group, the firm launched the first phase of 228 units priced between Rs 4 crore to Rs 12 crore. The project aims to develop around 400 units in total.

एकनाथ शिंदे शिवसेना 22 से 30 पर
अजित पवार एनसीपी 12 से 17 पर
कांग्रेस 52 से 62 पर
उदधव ठाकरे 48 से 55 पर
शऱद पवार एनसीपी 22 से 32पर
निर्दलीय कम से कम 18 पर

The results of the first national survey to investigate research integrity in India, a collaboration between National Academy of Sciences, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) – National Physical Laboratory and publisher Springer Nature, indicate broad support for mandatory in-person research integrity training across researcher demographics. The survey found that whilst 53% of respondents stated that their institution offered research integrity related training, 87% felt that research integrity training provided by their institution is effective, and 62% support mandatory training on research integrity for postgraduate students and early career researchers.

Key findings from the survey include:

• When asked to describe Research Integrity, including practices related to it, 85% of the responses focused on positive research traits, the most popular being honesty, ethical, trustworthy, and This is consistent with the survey findings from the UK and the USA.
• 53% of respondents stated that their institution offered research integrity related training, though only 2 out of 3 researchers indicated that their integrity training was mandatory. Further, 70% of post graduate students stated that they have mandatory research integrity training, while only 30% undergraduate students take integrity
• Current training in India has greater focus on foundational elements such as importance of research integrity, authorship guidance, defining research integrity and ethics This contrasts with data related trainings being sought by researchers in the UK, USA and Australia, which aren’t higher up in priority for Indian researchers.
• 80% of respondents feel they are able to provide feedback on training materials, but 9% feel that feedback is not reviewed and 75% of STM researchers feel that training providers in India aren’t given feedback on the quality of research developed.
• For those who had access to training, 64% of Indian respondents reported that the training was mandatory. Most respondents from India agreed that training at some stage in a researcher’s career should be

Dr. Ed Gerstner, Director, Research Environment Alliances at Springer Nature, commented: “I’m really encouraged by the fact that over half of the respondents in our survey of Indian researchers told us that their institutions provided training in research integrity. Although there is room for institutions to do more, this is no small feat for a country that is the third largest producer of scientific research globally today, behind only China and the US. As a publisher, Springer Nature is committed to accelerating solutions to the world’s urgent challenges by supporting our communities. Research integrity is a prime importance to us and a crucial component to foster a healthier research environment. Our survey findings across Australia,

US, UK, India and Japan indicate that researchers everywhere feel that formal training on research integrity will not only help them create a transparent and ethical environment, but will also ensure publishing of more accurate, trustworthy and unbiased work. And it is clear from the results that the Indian research community understands the importance of integrity training and feels that while a lot is being done, much more can and should be done to enhance research output from the country.”

Respondents from India also indicated that they would like more training on the importance of researcher integrity, authorship, issues around statistics, reproducibility, and ethics approval. Whilst these are important as indicated in the survey findings from the US, UK and Australia, the emphasis in these geographies has been on trainings in management and sharing of research data.

The Indian survey was conducted between July and October 2023 as part of Springer Nature’s commitment to support good practices internationally by providing insights into research integrity training and needs. Questions were addressed to both institutional management and researchers/faculty members to deliver a baseline review of perceived levels of training in research integrity and good research practices at research institutions, including training in statistics, data management, data sharing and mentorship. 600+ responses, including from most top institutes and universities in India, were received and analysed.

About Springer Nature:

For over 180 years Springer Nature has been advancing discovery by providing the best possible service to the whole research community. We help researchers uncover new ideas, make sure all the research we publish is significant, robust and stands up to objective scrutiny, that it reaches all relevant audiences in the best possible format, and can be discovered, accessed, used, re-used and shared. We support librarians and institutions with innovations in technology and data; and provide quality publishing support to societies.

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पीटरमैरिट्सबर्ग से डरबन तक 87 किलोमीटर (लगभग 54 मील) की आश्चर्यजनक दूरी तय करते हुए, कॉमरेड्स मैराथन एथलीटों का शारीरिक और मानसिक दोनों तरह से परीक्षण करती है। इसे व्यापक रूप से दुनिया के सबसे कठिन अल्ट्रा मैराथन में से एक माना जाता है। इस भीषण दौड़ को पूरा करने में आनंद लोंढे की उल्लेखनीय उपलब्धि से भारत का नाम दक्षिण आफ्रिका में रोशन हुआ है। आनंद ने महज १०:२७:४९ सेकण्ड में ख़तम किया।

इस बार कॉमरेड्स रन में अप हिल होने के कारण ३८ किलोमीटर की ठोस चढ़ाई सामिल थी. इस साल २३००० स्पर्धको ने इसमें हिस्सा लिया भारत की तरफ से सबसे कम उम्रवाले रनर बने आनंद का कहना है की पिछले ६ महीने से वह इस रेस के लिए ट्रेनिंग ले रहे थे। इसके लिए उन्होंने दो बार लोनावला में ५० किलोमीटर और ६५ किलोमीटर का प्रेक्टिस रन किया.,अब तककी यह उनकी सबसे लम्बी रेस रही है। साथ ही पहली इंटरनेशनल रन। आनंद का कहना है की २० साल की उम्र में विश्व की सबसे कठिन मेरेथॉन में दौड़ने का अनुभव सुखद रहा। वही आनंद के पिता दीपक लोंढे का कहना है की पिछले ६ महीने से आनंद की ट्रेनिंग चल रही थी। कभी नहीं सोचा था की वह इतनी कम उम्र में कॉमरेड्स रन करेगा कॉमरेड्स मेरेथॉन पहली बार 24 मई 1921 को हुई थी तब से लेकर आजतक ये मेरेथॉन जारी है, विश्व की सबसे पुरानी रेस में से यह एक है द्रितीय विश्व युद्ध के दौरान एक ब्रेक के साथ -साथ कोविड-19 महामारी से प्रभावित 2020 और 2021 को छोड़कर, हर साल यह मेरेथॉन हुई है । आज तक, 300,000 से अधिक धावक दौड़ पूरी कर चुके हैं। इस मैराथन के दौरान जो माहौल होता है, वह धावकों के लिए एक बड़ा आकर्षण होता है। रेस के दौरान स्थानीय लोगों द्वारा टेंट लगाए जाते हैं। जहां वह खाने पीने की सामग्री मुहैया कराते है। जिससे धावकों को रेस पूरी करने में सहूलियत हो। मैराथन के दौरान रास्ते में किसी को चक्कर आने की हालत में तुरंत का मदद पहुंचाने का पूरा बंदोबस्त होता है।