National

Classic Elegance Shines at The Statesman Vintage Rally Pre-Judging

Published

1 year ago

March 1, 2025

In anticipation of the highly awaited 58th edition of The Statesman Vintage and Classic Rally taking place this Sunday, a pre-judging event for participating vehicles was conducted today at Modern School, Barakhamba Road. Over 100 vintage and classic cars were carefully assessed over two days, celebrating the rich history and craftsmanship of automobiles.

The rally will commence from Statesman House in Connaught Place, covering a total of 44 kilometers before concluding at the National Stadium, where a prize distribution ceremony will follow.

Among the notable entries was Daman Thakore’s 1950 MG YT convertible, affectionately named “Lal Pari” by his family. Thakore, a businessman from Gujarat, described his remarkable 73-day journey from Ahmedabad to London in 2023, during which he traveled 12,000 kilometers through 12 countries, including Croatia, Italy, and Turkey. The car even made a stop in Abingdon, Oxfordshire—home of MG’s origins.

“This car is a rare artifact from history,” Thakore stated. “Only 900 were made, and currently, there are about 150-200 still in existence worldwide.”

Another impressive entry was Gurpreet Singh’s 1928 Rolls Royce Phantom 1 Open Tourer, once owned by the Maharaja of Bhavnagar. Singh, a 68-year-old architect, recounted how the car was nearly turned into a fire engine until he stepped in to restore it. “This isn’t just a car; it represents our Indian heritage,” he remarked, emphasizing his pride in retaining its original registration with the Gujarat Commissionerate of Transport.

Although these classic vehicles draw admiration, concerns about their waning popularity were discussed. Judge Gyan Sharma highlighted the need for government support to preserve vintage car culture. “Restrictions on driving and maintenance issues are discouraging young enthusiasts. It used to be a passionate hobby, but now only a few remain dedicated. Kudos to The Statesman for promoting this tradition,” he noted.

Pramod Bhasin, another judge, elaborated on the judging criteria, which evaluates cars based on originality, maintenance, paint condition, upholstery, and the authenticity of parts.

As the grand rally draws near, the passion of vintage car owners and their commitment to preserving automotive heritage continue to energize this historic event.

National

Ex-IAS Officer Dhanendra Kumar Dies in Delhi House Fire

Published

1 week ago

May 29, 2026

Namma Kudla

New Delhi: Former IAS officer and the first chairman of the Competition Commission of India (CCI), Dhanendra Kumar, died after a fire broke out at his house in Delhi’s Hauz Khas area on Thursday night. He was 80.

According to police, the fire was suspected to have started after an air conditioner blast inside the house. At the time of the incident, five people, including family members and domestic staff, were present in the house.

Firefighters and police teams rushed to the spot and rescued the people trapped inside. Dhanendra Kumar and his son were taken to a nearby hospital. Kumar died during treatment due to smoke inhalation. His son suffered injuries and is now out of danger.

Police said no foul play is suspected in the incident. The house was badly damaged in the fire.

Dhanendra Kumar was a 1968 batch IAS officer. During his long career, he served in several important positions in the central and Haryana governments. He worked in ministries such as Defence, Road Transport, and Culture.

He also served as the first chairman of the Competition Commission of India from 2009 to 2011. He played an important role in strengthening competition laws and economic reforms in the country.

Even after retirement, he remained active in public policy and corporate affairs.

National

Woman Found Dead Six Months after Marriage

Published

2 weeks ago

May 27, 2026

Namma Kudla

Lucknow: A young woman was found hanging at her in-laws’ house just six months after her marriage in Lucknow. The deceased has been identified as Shweta Singh.

According to her family, Shweta married Bhupendra Singh on November 22, 2025. Her father, Umesh Kumar Singh, alleged that her husband and his family harassed her regularly for dowry and demanded a car. He also claimed that Shweta faced mental torture from her husband and in-laws after marriage.

The incident took place at her in-laws’ house in the Thakurganj area of Lucknow. Shweta was rushed to a hospital, but doctors declared her dead.

Her parents suspect murder and alleged that the family tried to present the death as suicide by hanging the body. Based on the complaint, police registered a case against Shweta’s husband and his family under Sections 80 and 85 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Dowry Prohibition Act.

Police said the accused family members are absconding, and a search operation is underway. The body has been sent for post-mortem examination, and further action will be taken after the report arrives.

National

Army Helicopter Crashes In Ladakh, All Three Officers Injured But Safe

Published

2 weeks ago

May 23, 2026

Namma Kudla

National: Three Indian Army officers survived after their helicopter crashed in the Tangste region near Leh in Ladakh. The accident took place on May 20. Officials confirmed the incident on Friday.

The helicopter belonged to the Army’s ageing Cheetah fleet. A Lieutenant Colonel and a Major were flying the chopper. Major General Sachin Mehta, General Officer Commanding of the 3rd Infantry Division, was travelling as a passenger.

All three officers suffered injuries in the crash. However, they survived the accident in the difficult mountainous region. A selfie clicked by Major General Mehta after the crash has now gone viral on social media. The photo showed the three officers sitting on rocks near the badly damaged helicopter.

Many people called their survival a miracle because of the harsh terrain and the risks involved in flying the old Cheetah helicopters in high-altitude areas.

The Indian Army has ordered an official inquiry to find out the reason behind the crash.

The incident has once again raised concerns over the safety of the Cheetah helicopters. These helicopters were introduced in the 1970s and have been used for decades in difficult operations, including Operation Meghdoot in Siachen Glacier in 1984.

In recent years, several accidents involving the Cheetah fleet have been reported. The helicopters are now being slowly replaced by the indigenous Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.

The Army has reportedly ordered six limited-series-production LUHs. The new helicopters can fly at a top speed of 220 kmph and have an operational range of 350 km.

Despite its age, the Cheetah helicopter is still considered one of the best helicopters for high-altitude flying operations.