At 25, Indian Army goalkeeper Senthamizh Arasu has not given up on his dream of playing for the senior Indian hockey team. The native of Arcot town in Vellore, who won bronze with the Junior India team at the 2017 Sultan of Johor Cup, is still waiting for an opportunity to prove himself at the highest level.

“I keep playing, trying to give my best at all National-level tournaments. I’m waiting, working hard and practising every day,” he said on the sidelines of the 97th All-India MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup hockey tournament here on Friday.

“I am ready for the opportunity whenever it comes. Even an opportunity for the National team trials would do. I’m only 25, I still have a lot to do.”

Arasu, whose heroics in the penalty shootout against Karnataka helped Tamil Nadu win bronze at the 2023 senior Nationals, said he learnt a great deal from former Ireland goalkeeper David Harte at the Accord Tamil Nadu Dragons camp in HIL.

“I have watched David Harte since childhood, and learnt a lot from him in HIL. He taught me about quick reactions and, more importantly, the mindset. When we concede a goal, we sometimes dwell on it. He taught me that the team keeps playing and we must be ready for the next ball,” he said.

A regular at the Murugappa tournament, Arasu is determined to overcome a familiar stumbling block.

“We have lost in the semifinals for three consecutive years. This is my fourth season, and we will see what happens this time. We are ready,” he said, hoping the tournament would bring him closer to his long-cherished India dream.

Manvanth Kumar plays cricket with freedom and flair. He rarely tucks his shirt in, is loose-limbed, bowls and fields with frantic energy, and loves the big hits.

Against Saurashtra recently, in only his second First Class match, the 22-year-old conjured up an awe-inspiring 135 (214b, 11×4, 6×6) after coming in at No. 9, with the score at 187 for seven.

Karnataka collected just one point from the match, and has a lowly two from its opening two Ranji Trophy fixtures, but Manvanth’s emergence — 223 runs in four innings — has been a breath of fresh air.

Interestingly, Manvanth first made a mark as a fast bowler. With 22 wickets, he was the leading wicket-taker in Hubli Tigers’ title-win in the 2023 Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20. In Karnataka’s 2023-24 Col. C.K. Nayudu (U-23) Trophy triumph, he took five for 36 in the final against Uttar Pradesh.

In a wonderful co-incidence, R. Vinay Kumar, Karnataka’s current head coach, was Manvanth’s mentor at Hubli Tigers. R. Smaran, under whom Manvanth made his First Class debut in Andhra ten days ago, captained him during the C.K. Nayudu triumph.

Manvanth Kumar of Karnataka in action against Saurashtra during the Ranji Trophy Elite cricket match at the Aluru Cricket Stadium in Bengaluru on Sunday, October 18, 2026.
| Photo Credit:
SUDHAKARA JAIN

“He’s one of few players in the current crop who can make it big,” said Vinay. “He is a stroke-maker, and my message to him is clear — express yourself. The kind of strength and reach he has, he can score those big 100s.

“He’s a very good bowler too, and can easily touch 135-plus. We don’t have that many good fast-bowling all-rounders in India. This guy can be there,” the former India pacer added.

Like Vinay, Manvanth too hails from a modest background. He grew up in Mysuru, and his father was a Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) bus driver, who now runs a travel agency.

Manvanth Kumar of Karnataka in action against Saurashtra during the Ranji Trophy Elite cricket match at the Aluru Cricket Stadium in Bengaluru on Sunday, October 18, 2026.
| Photo Credit:
SUDHAKARA JAIN

Two years ago, Manvanth shifted to Bengaluru, lock, stock and barrel, having discontinued his studies at Maharaja’s College, in pursuit of his cricketing dream.

“I never wanted to be in a comfort zone,” Manvanth said. “I always wanted to build a career in Bengaluru. I have no distractions now. Cricket is the only thing on my mind.”

Come Monday, he will line up against Tripura at the SDNR Wadiyar Stadium inside the University of Mysore campus. Aged 12, Manvanth had started his sporting journey at the Mysore University Colleges Sports Council (MUCSC) under coach Mansoor Ahmed. There couldn’t have been a better homecoming.

MP and former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has urged the State government to announce the State Advised Price (SAP) for sugarcane without delay and evolve a permanent formula for price fixation in consultation with farmers and sugar factories.

Speaking to presspersons in Hubballi on Saturday (October 17), he said a committee formed to examine the issues faced by sugarcane growers would meet on Monday (October 19) and hold discussions with farmer leaders, with a solution expected within a week.

He suggested the formation of a technical committee comprising farmers and factory representatives to assess sugar recovery rates through laboratory tests and establish a transparent mechanism for determining prices and weight. He also urged the government to prevent sugarcane grown along the Maharashtra border from being diverted to factories in the neighbouring State.

Sting operation

On the alleged sting operation involving Ministers, Mr. Bommai demanded a comprehensive investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). He alleged that the State-level probe was progressing slowly.

Mr. Bommai also called on the Union government to act against what he alleged as the use of foreign funds for activities against India and sought stricter scrutiny of foreign contributions to non-governmental organisations.

Criticising Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on democracy during overseas visits, he said they presented an inaccurate picture of democratic freedoms in India.

On Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s demand for an all-party meeting before implementing women’s reservation, Mr. Bommai said a meeting would be held before the special session of Parliament.

In a step towards strengthening its international research and innovation ecosystem, a delegation from JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research (JSS AHER), Mysuru, led by its Pro-Chancellor, Prof. B. Suresh, recently visited the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) in Tsukuba, Japan.

AIST is one of Japan’s leading public research organisations and is internationally recognised for its contributions to advanced scientific research, technological innovation, and the translation of research discoveries into practical applications that benefit industry and society, JSS AHER said in a press release.

The delegation was received by Yasunori Chiba, executive officer and director-general, Department of Life Science and Biotechnology, along with Motomichi Doi, deputy director, and Hyonchol Kim, director, Collaboration Promotion Office of Life Science and Biotechnology.

The discussions focused on identifying areas of mutual research interest and developing a structured framework for future cooperation between JSS AHER and AIST, the release added.

Six weeks ago, Karun Nair’s exclusion from the Duleep Trophy semifinal and final had set tongues wagging.

If the 699 runs in Karnataka’s run to the 2025-26 final had fetched Karun a place in the South Zone squad, he was not deemed good enough to be in the starting XI.

But with a sublime, unbeaten 155 against Andhra in this season’s opener, the 34-year-old has seemingly moved past the disappointment.

Not only did last week’s innings rescue a point, but it allowed Karnataka to push for an improbable win on day four. Leaner and fitter than ever, Karun is eager to carry Karnataka forward.

“I felt like I was becoming too heavy and didn’t feel good last season,” he said after the Andhra encounter. “I wanted to do something to feel better on the field and be more agile.

“Whenever I get time, I work on my fitness. This time, it was more of a conscious effort. I have to credit Sai Prasanna and Punith Naidu of A3 Performance,” the India batter added.

Karun’s batting returns will be crucial if Karnataka has to end its decade-long Ranji Trophy drought. With K.L. Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal and R. Smaran part of the National set-up, Karun has the responsibility to hand-hold a relatively inexperienced line-up alongside Mayank Agarwal.

“It’s a great opportunity for whoever plays,” Karun said. “Those who are waiting for opportunities should be eager to play in these kinds of games. I’m sure the performances will come.

“One thing we need to work on is starting both innings better. [We] can’t be losing two-three wickets every single time,” he added.

Sugarcane growers blocked roads at various places in Dharwad, Gadag and Haveri on Tuesday (October 13), demanding a higher price for sugarcane and a revision of the minimum selling price (MSP) of sugar.

The protests followed failure of talks between farmers’ representatives and Union Ministers in New Delhi on Monday (October 12) that failed to yield an immediate solution. The growers are seeking a remunerative price for sugarcane that covers production costs, an increase in the MSP of sugar and other measures to protect their interests.

The road blockages on national highways were held at Yarikoppa Cross and Tegur near Dharwad, Gabbur Cross and Noolvi Cross near Hubballi, Bankapur in Haveri district and Mulagund Cross, Halligudi Cross and Hitnal Toll in Gadag district. Although the call was for blocking the highways from dawn to dusk, most of the the blockades were cleared by afternoon, but extended beyond Sunset at few places.

The road blockage near Yarikoppa Cross on Pune-Bengaluru national highway began as early as 9 a.m. and continued till late in the evening. Several farmer leaders reached Yarikoppa protest venue in the evening and addressed the protestors. subsequently the road blockade continued beyond 7 p.m.

As a precautionary measure, the police had deployed personnel at the spot, while the Hubballi-Dharwad traffic police diverted vehicles to minimise disruption. Hubballi-Dharwad Police Commissioner Bhushan Borase and Superintendent of Police of Dharwad district Gunjan Arya visited the protest venues to take stock of the situation.

On account of the road blockades, vehicles entering Hubballi from the Narendra bypass were advised to travel via the University of Agricultural Sciences, the new bus stand, the old Superintendent of Police office circle and Jubilee Circle in Dharwad.

Light motor vehicles travelling from Dharwad towards Karwar and Bengaluru were diverted via Hosur, Vani Vilas, M.T. Mill and Indi Pump Circle, while heavy vehicles were directed through Gokul Road and the Tarihal underbridge.

Additional diversions were announced on account of blockades by farmers and motorists were guided by the police personnel. While light motor vehicles were diverted through alternate routes, heavy vehicles had a difficult time because of the protest.

Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has “insulted” 7.4 crore Kannadigas by “pushing out” Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar during a protest rally in Delhi, Chief Whip of the Opposition in Legislative Council N. Ravi Kumar alleged on Tuesday. However, Mr. Shivakumar has said that he was never “pushed” as claimed.

“I am making this statement notwithstanding the political and ideological differences we have with the Chief Minister because Mr. Shivakumar represents the collective honour, dignity and self-respect of 7.4 crore Kannadigas,” Mr. Ravi Kumar said in a statement issued in Bengaluru.

He accused Mr. Rahul Gandhi of showing “crudity and brazenness” by rudely pushing Mr. Shivakumar during the protest march. This is a proof of Mr. Rahul Gandhi’s utter disrespect for his own party Chief Minister, he maintained.

Meanwhile speaking in Delhi, Mr. Shivakumar said, “Mr. Rahul Gandhi did not push me. He only showed concern by suggesting that I should board the vehicle that was following us as there was too much rush”.

““The BJP loves me a lot, and hence, they are indulging in such a propaganda,” he said.

Later in the day, the Chief Minister also shared a picture of him with Mr. Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadhra during the high tea hoasted by Mr. Gandhi in Delhi.

Various individuals and organisations representing Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes communities in the State expressed deep disappointment with the Karnataka High Court verdict that struck down the enhanced reservation.

Basavaraj Kowthal, convener of Forum for Justice for Scheduled Castes, criticised that it is unfair to sacrifice the share of SC/ST communities in reservation to maintain a 50% ceiling. “Because of political equations, OBCs have been given 32%. It could be reduced to 27% and the SC/ST share could be increased to 24%,” he suggested.

The Karnataka Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Reservation of Seats in Educational Institutions and of Appointments or Posts in the Services under the State) Act, 2022, was introduced by the Basavaraj Bommai-led BJP government in the State in 2023. However, the law was not added by the Central Government to the Ninth Schedule, which would have provided it some shielding from being challenged in courts.

“The BJP took pride in its double-engine sarkar, and the Union government brought in the constitutional amendment providing 10% EWS reservation. Why, then, did they not do this? It shows how anti-Dalit they are,” Mr. Kowthal criticised.

He also criticised the Congress government, saying that while previous Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had written to the Union government seeking the inclusion of the law in the Ninth Schedule, the government should have exerted more pressure on the Union government.  

Grave injustice

V.S. Ugrappa, former MP and Congress leader, pointed out that the 2011 Census puts the SC population in Karnataka at around 17.1% and the ST population at 7%. “Both the reports of Justice Nagmohan Das and Justice Subhash B. Adi have indicated that SCs, STs and OBCs are inadequately represented in employment and education. None of these aspects has been considered by the court,” he said. 

“There are only two possible remedies for a permanent solution. First, the law must be included in the Ninth Schedule, as was done in Tamil Nadu. Second, the Karnataka government must challenge the order by filing a special leave petition before the Supreme Court,” he said.

Joint effort

D. Chandraiah from The Karnataka State SC/ST Employees’ Association said that legal experts, senior advocates, and the government are being consulted to ensure that a unified, strong legal challenge is mounted in the Supreme Court against the HC verdict.

According to him, the association will implead itself as a party/litigant in the Supreme Court proceedings. The association will also submit a joint memorandum on Thursday to the Cabinet Sub-Committee on backlog vacancies. 

“The 10% EWS did not violate the 50% cap, but adding a 6% hike for SC and ST was deemed a violation by the court. This is inconsistent,” he said.  

Mr. Chandraiah criticised the government for failing to convince the High Court using available empirical data regarding the backwardness of SC/ST communities across key sectors, including education, healthcare, land ownership, industry, commerce, and so on. He added that the court also failed to adequately consider whether the report findings constituted the “extraordinary circumstances” under which reservation could exceed 50%.