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STUDENT EDITION
➤➤Intriguing
An educator tells to
questions us ➤ Generative AI tools everyone ➤ A photo round-up of
how you
keep to inculcate
guessing self should know about table tennis in the year SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2024
TODAY’S regulation
PLUS: skillseditorials
Handpicked in our PLUS: Five most expensive 2024
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Education

EDITION dailythe
from lives anduniverse
Times the cities in the world HOW TO

Clean gold
importance of it
PAGE 2 PAGE 3 PAGE 4

CLICK HERE: PAGE 1 AND 2 JEWELLERY

Pics: Istock
MIND MATTERS
like war and oppression can feel Acts of connection tionships, even on a small scale,
overwhelming and abstract, but had powerful implications for
the abstract becomes real when shift attitudes reducing large-scale tensions.
you connect to someone you care Numerous studies support the In another study, re-
about. So, does this hold up when power of individual acts searchers examined
it comes to real-world data? of connection to drive Small prejudice toward what
Small acts of kindness and larger-scale change.
One interpretation
acts of connec- psychologists call an
out-group: a group
SEVEN ACTS OF tion, after all, are acts
connection really can of these findings is
that the more peo-
of strengthening rela-
that you don’t be-
long to, whether
KINDNESS
change the world, according 1. Saying thank you
ple demonstrate to
each other, act by
tionships, which strength- based on ethnicity,
en communities, which political affiliation  CLEAN REGULARLY: Use a solution
to psychology research It teaches gratitude. Learn to act, that they are
loyal friends and com-
influence societies or just preference
for dogs versus cats.
of 10 parts warm water and 2 parts dish
thank on a daily basis soap to clean your jewellery regularly.
munity members who They asked partici-
2. Donating SOAK IN SOLUTION: Soak the jew-

Kindness
want to prevent harm to oth- pants to reflect on the posi- 
Donations is a great way learn ers, the more they might soften tive qualities of someone they ellery for 15–20 minutes in the pre-
thankfulness for what you have large-scale social and political knew, or on their own positive
disagreements. characteristics. When partici-
pared cleaning solution.
3. Making gifts Even more convincingly, an- pants wrote about the positive  GENTLY BRUSH: Use a soft-bristled
Making gifts for people teach- other study found that Hungar- qualities of someone else, rather

MATTERS
brush, like an old toothbrush or jeweller’s
es you appreciation for others ian and Romanian students — than themselves, they later re-
people from ethnic groups with ported lower levels of prejudice brush, to gently scrub your jewellery to
4. Spreading cheer a history of social tensions — toward an out-group. Here, mov- clean it. You can also use a light scrape
Volunteering for a good cause, who said they had strong friend- ing toward appreciation of the to remove dirt from recessed areas.
visiting an elderly or lonely ships with each other also re- other was an effective way to
neighbour or picking flowers ported improved attitudes to- transform preconceived beliefs.  RINSE AND DRY: Rinse your jewel-
ward the other group. Again, So, small acts of connection lery under cool water and lay it flat so
can spread cheer

P
olitical chasms, wars, can have a real impact on liefs don’t line up. For ex- nurturing the quality of rela- can shift personal attitudes. that it can dry completely.
oppression… it’s global change when ample, imagine two 5. Love an animal
easy to feel hopeless these acts are collec- people who like each Loving and caring for  BUFF IT OUT: Buff your jewellery
and helpless watch- tive. This is true at In 2016, US other. One believes
animals makes you
But can it really with a microfiber cloth or jewellery
ing these dark forces multiple levels: Federal Trade that fighting cli- affect socities?
play out. Given the scale of the between individ- Commission issued a mate change is sensitive towards polishing cloth to add shine. If you
world’s problems, it might feel uals, between US$50 million penalty to crucial, and the all species Every human being is don’t have a jewellery polishing cloth,
like the small acts of human con- people and insti- other believes 6. Doing chores embedded in their own you can use a chamois cloth or another
nection and solidarity that you tutions, and be-
Lumosity (a brain-training that climate network with the people
app) for misleading Helping anybody soft cloth. TNN
do have control over are like put- tween cultures. change is a politi- and world around them,
ting Band-Aids on bullet wounds. This relational mi- claims cal ruse. Cognitive who might need a what psychologists call
It can feel naive to imagine that cro-activism is a power- dissonance occurs: hand around the their social ecology. Compas-
small acts can work. ful force for change – and They like each other, but house improves sionate change at any level of mance-based cognitive assessments.
Popular musician Hozier serves as an antidote to hopeless- they disagree. People crave cog- someone’s social ecology — The study found that cognitive process-
said at a performance this year: ness because unlike global-scale nitive balance, so the more these empathy internally, interpersonally ing speed improved during check-ins when
“The little acts of love and soli- issues, these small acts are with- two like each other, the more 7. Praise or structurally — can af- participants reported being physically active
darity that we offer each other in individuals’ control. motivated they will be to hear others fect all the other levels, in prior to the check-in. These improvements
can have powerful impact …I each other out. a kind of positive feed- happened regardless of whether the activity
believe the core of people on the According to this model,
Giving peo- back loop, or up- was of a lighter intensity or moderate-to-
whole is good – I genuinely do. Abstract becomes then, the more you strengthen ple random ward spiral.Sim- vigorous intensity, leading researchers to
I’ll die on that hill.” real via relationships your relationships through acts
of connection, the more likely
compliments ply put, science
supports the
conclude that movement, whether it took the
form of intentional exercise or part of a
helps instil
Theoretically, the idea that small, you’ll be able to empathise with idea that mov- daily routine, was the essential ingredient.
The science interpersonal acts have large- those other individual perspec- values like ing toward
agrees with him scale impact is explained by tives. When these efforts are col- appreciation and each other in
what psychologists call cognitive lective, they can increase under- kindness TNN small ways can WHY IT MATTERS
Research shows that individual dissonance: the discomfort you standing, compassion and com- be transforma- While research on exercise and living a
acts of kindness and connection feel when your actions and be- munity in society at large. Issues tional. THE CONVERSATION healthy lifestyle has demonstrated the
Expert: Liza M Hinchey, Wayne State Univ longterm cognitive and brain health benefits
of remaining physically active, much of this
HEALTH NEWS FITNESS work has focused on the

WALK AWAY
moderate to vigorous in-
tensity physical activity. AP
A new study pinpoints
the reasons for why When
teens are not active children travel without
Even a short walk can help reverse cognitive decline direct adult supervision, they
LIGHT EXERCISE IS develop critical skills like risk

E
veryday physical activity,
like going for a short assessment, social competencies,
walk or playing with STILL EXERCISE environmental knowledge,
your friends in the park, Researchers studied 204 adults to
may provide short-term check in five times per day for a pe- problem-solving, and
benefits for cognitive health, equiv- riod of nine days. Participants were decision-making abilities
alent to reversing four years of cog- asked about their mood, dietary SOURCE: ‘PSYCHOLOGY TODAY’
nitive ageing. This was a key find- choices and whether they had en-
ing in a new Penn State study pub- gaged in any physical activity in the
lished in the journal ‘Annals of last three hours. Participants were
Behavioural Medicine’. also asked to complete a few perfor-
FESTIVE FOOD

P 2
oor access to Further, fewer than 30 per  The authors wrote in the
parks could be de- cent of adolescents in In- study published in the ‘In-
terring teens in dia and Bangladesh reported ternational Journal of Be-
countries such as having a personal social me- havioral Nutrition and
India and Bangla- dia account, compared to Physical Activity’: “Having
desh from being active, countries of higher socio- social media accounts
whereas in rich countries economic status, where the emerged as a major con-
social media could be a hin- figure was over 90 per cent. tributor towards seden-
drance, a study has found.

THE STUDY
3 Parents of teens in Aus-
tralia reported high ac-
cess to parks, while those in
tarism in adolescents.”
 They added that teenagers
around the world are possi-
For the study, the research- Nigeria reported no access bly spending eight to ten
ers used accelerometer data and those in Bangladesh and hours a day performing sed-
JOULUTORTTU
U LLINZER

A
from nearly 4,000 adolescents India reported poor access. entary activities, such as lfajores, hato sabure,
FINLAND ALFAJORES C
COOKIE
aged 11 to 19 years. FYI, ac-
celerometer data can be ac-
cessed by third-party apps
4 While traffic was found to
be a concern among par-
ents in Brazil, Malaysia,
watching television and
playing video games, an ex-
cess of which is linked to
cuccidati or choco chip
– these are all names of
different types of cook-
A Finnish Xmas sta- ARGENTINA
With dulce de
AUSTRIA
ple, this cookie is Filled with raspberry jam, the linzer
without user permission in Bangladesh, India, and Is- multiple disorders, includ- ies. From filled, drop,
traditionally made leche (cara-
many mobile devices and rael, concerns related to ing obesity, diabetes and moulded and no bake to pressed,
cookie is often known as the “per-
with ricotta puff malised milk)
has been used to infer rich crime were high in the first mental ones. rolled or sandwich, there’s an entire fect holiday cookie”. Made with
pastry in star or generously
information about users three countries.  Girls living in neighbour- world of cookies to pick from. Cele- almond flour, the buttery, nutty
based on the recorded mo- hoods that encouraged phys- brate these baked delights by getting pinwheel shape. It filled between
baked delight comes in star, round
tion patterns. Survey data on WHAT WE NOW KNOW ical activity were less likely to know at least four types of cookies is filled with prune two cookies,
or floral shapes.
sedentary behaviour from  Adolescents reporting to perform sitting activities. that are made especially during the jam at the centre. this sandwich
over 6,300 participants from less screen time lived in Christmas time. cookie is covered COOKIE TRIVIA
across 14 geographically and walkable neighbourhoods. THE CONCLUSION with powdered sugar,
culturally diverse countries  Concerns related to traffic Together, parents, policy- BRIGADEIROS chocolate, glaze or  The word cookie comes from
were also analysed. and crime too were found to makers and technology com- BRAZIL g
grated coconut.
influence a teenager’s chanc- panies can work together to The most popular des- Dutch word koekje (little cake)
THE FINDINGS es of being active. reduce access to screens, sert of Brazil, these  Toll House Inn in Massa-

1 Teenagers in India
had an average of
1.2 electronic
limit social media en-
gagement and pro-
mote more physical
fudgy chocolate
balls (made
chusetts, US invented the
choco-chip cookie in 1930
devices in the activity, thus using sweet-  Oreo is the best-selling
bedroom and helping adoles- ened condensed cookie of the 20th century
0.5 personal cents develop milk, butter and  In 2019, a survey found
devices, while healthier hab-
cocoa powder) are that Cookie Monster was
in Denmark, its and reduce
average was their risk of rolled in a variety of the most popular Sesame
4.2 and 2.3, re- chronic dis- sprinkles and served
Street character in the US.
spectively. eases. PTI in cupcake liners.
 02 “I was gratified to be able to answer promptly, and I did. I said
I didn’t know.” — MARK TWAIN QUIZ
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2024

WORLD
 What is the primary objective of Global
Strategy for Resilient Drylands (GSRD) ini-
tiative launched at UNCCD COP16?
a) Promote industrial development in
dryland regions
b) Enhance food security, conserve biodiversi-
ty, and build resilient livelihoods in drylands
c) Develop new irrigation technologies
d) None of the above
and build resilient livelihoods in drylands
Ans: b) Enhance food security, conserve biodiversity,

KNOW MORE: The Consultative Group on International

Agricultural Research (CGIAR) launched its 2030 Global
Strategy for Resilient Drylands (GSRD). The initiative is
led by CGIAR centers International Center for
Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) and
International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid
Tropics (ICRISAT). The initiative focuses on food securi-
ty, biodiversity conservation, and resilient livelihoods.

 Which word has been selected as

Oxford Word of the Year 2024?
BIODIVERSITY KNOW MORE: Oxford

WHAT... WHEN...WHO... WHY...

University Press
 Sonai-Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary is named ‘brain rot’ as
located in which state? the Oxford Word of
a) Assam the Year 2024. It
describes cognitive
b) Manipur
c) Mizoram
d) Nagaland
QUIZ AND TELL decline caused by
consuming trivial
social media content.
The term gained pop-
Answer a) Assam a) Brain Rot ularity amid trends
like digital detoxes to
KNOW MORE: The Assam Forest Department captured the first
photographic evidence of a Royal Bengal Tiger in Sonai-Rupai Wildlife
FROM THE TIMES OF INDIA b) Dumpster counter mental
fatigue. It reflects
Sanctuary. The park, located in Assam, spans 175 sq km and was c) Heat dome concerns about tech-
established in 1998. Situated at the foothills of the Great Himalayan
Range, it features diverse landscapes and rich biodiversity.
Published on: December 10, 2024 RELEVANT FOR GRADE 9 ONWARDS d) Neuro spicy
nology’s impact on
human thought and
Answer a) Brain Rot
habits.

 Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary has been declared

the 8th Tiger Reserve of which state? AYATOLLAH AFTER ASSAD  Which country won the Men’s Hockey
Junior Asia Cup 2024 title in Muscat,
a) Kerala

T
he fall of Assad ushers in a new Oman?
b) Madhya Pradesh stage of competition for power in
a) India
Syria and the region. Everyone is
c) Odisha trying to claim they’re winning. But Iran b) China
d) Uttarakhand and Russia have both suffered a major
Answer b) Madhya Pradesh blow with the loss of one of their key c) Pakistan
allies. Iran, in particular, will be assess- d) Malaysia
KNOW MORE: Madhya Pradesh officially declared Ratapani ing how it can respond to a number of Answer a) India
Wildlife Sanctuary as a Ratapani Tiger Reserve under Chief
Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav. Ratapani, now the state’s eighth tiger
internal and external security risks —
from a Sunni Islamist group in charge of KNOW MORE: The Indian Men’s Junior Hockey team
reserve, has an estimated 90 tigers. It spans Raisen and Sehore
defeated Pakistan 5-3 in the final of the 11th Men’s
districts, serving as a critical tiger habitat linked to the Satpura a neighbouring country, to the chance
Hockey Junior Asia Cup 2024, held in Muscat, Oman,
ranges. Encroachments and lack of prey led to tiger-human that Assad’s fall could embolden Israel on December 4, 2024. India won the Junior Asia Cup
conflicts, increasing the need for conservation. to attack Iran again, and the morale title for a record fifth time. This year has been suc-
boost that Assad regime’s sudden cessful for Indian men’s hockey, with a bronze medal
 Which international organization recently collapse is likely to give to the at the 2024 Paris Olympics and a fifth win in the
LISTEN MORE HERE: HTTPS://TIMESOFINDIA.INDIATIMES.COM/BLOGS/TOI-EDIT-PAGE/AYATOLLAH-AFTER-ASSAD/ Asian Men’s Hockey Champions Trophy. The tourna-
declared West Bengal as a top destination for Iranian opposition.
ment was organized by the Asian Hockey Federation
heritage tourism? WHAT YOU CAN DO Make a list of at least 5 such words. and hosted by Oman.
Write an essay and send it
 Read the entire article  Use AI to research more on the
to us at toistudent@
 Look for keywords in the article.
geography of the region
timesofindia.com  Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has been
elected as the first female president of
which country?
ONCE UPON MY TIME: ON LUCKY a) Cameroon

a) World Bank TIMES SPECIALS TALISMANS & LETTING GO b) Malawi

b) United Nations Educational, Scientific, and For grades 9 and up c) Namibia

D
Cultural Organization (UNESCO) iscover the magic within: true power d) Botswana
lies in oneself, not talismans. Believe,
c) United Nations World Tourism Organization
Answer c) Namibia
transcend, and embrace personal
(UNWTO)
growth. There are many traditional teach- KNOW MORE: Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Namibia’s
d) International Air Transport Association (IATA) ing stories in different cultures that tell vice president, has been elected as the country’s
KNOW MORE: UNESCO has recognized West Bengal as a top about the extraordinary effects of lucky first female president, securing 57% of the votes.
destination for heritage tourism. Chief Minister Mamata She defeated Panduleni Itula of IPC, who received
charms and talismans. But most often, the 26%, and SWAPO continues its 34-year dominance.
Banerjee highlighted the state’s progress in religious, heritage, lesson for personal growth is that the real
and tea tourism. This recognition has boosted tourism and cre- Nandi-Ndaitwah’s victory ensures SWAPO retains
power Iies within oneself, and that we power since Namibia’s independence in 1990.
ated thousands of jobs for youth.
need to be brought to this understanding.
Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
Answer b) United Nations Educational,  Which state set a Guinness World
 ‘Hanukkah’ is a festival associated Record in 2024 for the most number of
people performing Surya Namaskar
CULTURE  What is the name of the newly declared district
in Uttar Pradesh for the management of the 2025
with which religion?
simultaneously at 108 venues?

 Tikhir Tribe is primarily found in which state? Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj?

KNOW MORE: Uttar
Pradesh government
declared Maha Kumbh
Mela area in Prayagraj
as a new district on
KNOW MORE: Hanukkah is KNOW MORE: Gujarat set a
December 1, 2024. This
Judaism’s “festival of lights.” On Guinness World Record on the first
decision, led by Chief
day of 2024 for the largest num-
Minister Yogi eight consecutive nightfalls, Jews
ber of people, exceeding 50,000,
Adityanath, aims to gather with family and friends to
performing Surya Namaskar
KNOW MORE: The Tikhir tribe of Nagaland held streamline management light one additional candle in the
its first-ever Log Drum Pulling Ceremony during for the Maha Kumbh a) Sangam Nagar simultaneously at 108 different
a) Assam a) Christianity menorah — a multibranched cande- a) Maharashtra venues. This feat was recognized
the 25th Hornbill Festival 2024. The Tikhir tribe Mela 2025. The district labra. The holiday marks the reded-
b) Maha Kumbh Mela b) Islam as a significant cultural achieve-
b) Manipur is an indigenous Naga tribe from Nagaland, with ensures smooth admin- ication of the Temple in Jerusalem b) Gujarat ment and hailed by Prime Minister
some members living in Myanmar. They speak istration for the grand c) Triveni Nagar in the 2nd century BC, after a small
c) Sikhism Narendra Modi, who emphasised
c) Mizoram Naga Yimchungru, a Tibeto-Burman language, religious event from group of Jewish fighters liberated it c) Karnataka the special significance of the
and were once headhunters. January 13 to February d) Mela Puri d) Judaism from occupying foreign forces. d) Rajasthan number 108 in Indian culture.
d) Nagaland Answer d) Nagaland 26, 2025. Answer b) Maha Kumbh Mela Answer d) Judaism Answer b) Gujarat
 CLICK HERE: PAGE 3 AND 4
ALL IN ONE
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2024
“As more and more artificial intelligence is entering into the world,
more and more emotional intelligence must enter into leadership.”
AMIT RAY, AI SCIENTIST 03
AI-INCLUSIVE STAY POSITIVE

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WEBSTORY 5 most expensive cities in the world READ THIS

MY INVENTIONS: AUTOBIOGRAPHY
The Economist Intelligence Unit has come up with a list of 10 most expensive cities in the world based on several factors such as cost of
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Discover the remarkable life and brilliant mind of
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SINGAPORE, OSAKA, JAPAN: unveils the visionary ideas, groundbreaking
SINGAPORE: Osaka is a prime
inventions, and relentless pursuit of innovation
Topping the charts is economic and cultural
Singapore! The city has hub in Japan. The city’s that defined one of history’s greatest inventors.
consistently ranked as high demand for housing, Nikola Tesla’s personal account of his life,
one of the most and the cost of food, inventions, and discoveries offers a unique glimpse into the mind
expensive cities globally healthcare, and other
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given its high living
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economy. Expensive Though it can be more readers gain insights into Tesla’s groundbreaking contributions,
items include housing, affordable compared to including his pioneering work on alternating current, the induction
transportation, and food. Tokyo. motor, and wireless communication.

HONG KONG, NEW YORK CITY,

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Why doesn’t the weight of

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exists a pressure that is exerted by the THE ATMOSPHERE ACTUALLY
atmosphere, made up of a vast layer of PUTTING ON US? The primary reason why we can bear such a pressure is the
internal pressure of our bodies. The fluids and gases that com-
gases, known as the atmospheric pressure. As per experts, the total mass of Earth’s pose the human body exert an equal and opposite force out-
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 04 I just knew if it could be done, it had to be done, and I did it.
GERTRUDE EDERLE, American Swimmer
SIMPLY SPORTS
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2024

India’s table tennis

REWIND 2024
players shone in 2024
with Manika Batra’s rise in
world ranking, Sharath
India this year:
Hits and misses
Kamal’s stellar performances,
and emerging youth talents
excelling. The national team
Photo: Getty Images

Harmeet
dominated events, while
individuals triumphed at
Terrific performances Elevate National Pride Desai
A
Photo: Getty Images

continental championships, Sreeja Akula

n Arjuna awardee, three-
time Commonwealth

boosting the sport’s growth Games medallist, Desai

was selected for the men’s

A
two-time national champion, she currently holds the top rank in Olympic team in Paris 2024. In
and participation in domestic women’s singles in India. In June 2024 she became the first 2024, Harmeet Desai won the
Indian table tennis player to win a WTT Contender title, triumph- men’s singles and mixed dou-
circuits. ing in Lagos, Nigeria. In January 2024 she won her won maiden inter- bles titles at the WTT Feeder
national singles title at the WTT Feeder Corpus Christi in Texas (USA). Caracas. He was the first pad-
At Paris 2024, Akula blanked Sweden’s then world No. 58 dler from Gujarat to win both
Photo: Getty Images
Christina Kallberg of Sweden 4-0 in the round of 64 and then 52nd- titles
ranked Zeng Jian of Singapore in the round of 32. Sreeja reached her
career-best ranking of No.21 in the world after her campaign in the
Paris Olympics 2024. She also attained the highest ranking by an
Indian table tennis player.
Akula and Batra became the first table tennis players from the
country to reach the round of 16 at the Olympics in individual events. Table Tennis veter-
an Achanta Sharath
Kamal made his fifth
Olympic appearance at
Paris 2024 at the age of 41.
India’s most decorated play-
ers, thus set a new bench-
mark for longevity and con-
sistency in Indian table
tennis. He feels his best is
yet to come and will be
on tour again, apart
from helping with
training.

Manika Batra
A Manav Thakkar
Commonwealth Games gold medallist, a two-time Olympian
and winner of multiple other honours, Manika Batra is one of
the true stars of Indian table tennis.

T
At the 2024 Summer Olympics, Manika made history as the first hakkar had a standout 2024, marked by significant
Indian table tennis player to reach the round of 16 in the women’s achievements and performances. IN the Paris 2024
singles event. At the Saudi Smash 2024, Manika Batra upset the Olympics, he represented India, competing against
People’s Republic of China’s Wang Manyu, a former world champion some of the world’s best players. Although he did not
world No. 2. However she lost in the quarter finals. In Asian Table secure a medal, his participation at this prestigious event
Tennis Championships 2024 Manika advanced to the pre-quarterfi- was a major milestone in his career. He won the men’s
nals in the women’s singles event. doubles title at the World Table Tennis (WTT) Contender
The Indian women’s team won a bronze medal after losing to Japan event in Lagos, Nigeria, alongside Harmeet Desai. This
in the semifinals. victory highlighted his skill and teamwork in the doubles
format. He was also part of the Indian team that compet-
ed in the 2024 Asian Table Tennis Championships held in
Astana, where the team delivered commendable perfor-
Photo: Getty Images
mances. He has received the Khel Pratibha Puraskar, an
award recognizing his contributions to sports at the
national and international levels. This was a testament to
his consistency and impact in the sport.

Sutirtha Mukherjee
& Ayhika Mukherjee
Sutirtha Mukherjee hit a career-high
when she beat India No. 1 Manika Batra in
the Asian qualifiers to make it to her
maiden Olympics at Tokyo 2020. Ayhika
and Sutirtha won India’s first medal in the
women’s doubles at the Asian Games
2023, a bronze.
Sutirtha Mukherjee and Ayhika Mukherjee
Archana Kamath won India’s first-ever women’s doubles
bronze medal at the Asian Table

A
Tennis Championships in Astana,
former national champion, Archana finished a
Kazakhstan. They defeated South
respectable fourth at the 2018 Youth Olympics
Korea’s Kim Nayeong and Lee
in Buenos Aires. She also won the women’s
Eunhye in the quarterfinals.
doubles titles at the 2021 WTT Contender Lasko
However, they lost to Japan’s
with Manika Batra and the 2024 WTT Contender
Miwa Harimoto and Miyuu Kihara
Lagos with Sreeja Akula.
in the semifinals.
Archana Kamath played a crucial role in
Sutirtha Mukherjee and Ankur
helping the Indian women’s table tennis team
Bhattacharjee emerged champi-
reach the quarter-finals at the Paris 2024
ons at the UTT National
Olympics. However, India’s campaign came
Ranking Table Tennis
to an end after suffering a 3-1 loss to
Championships in Goa
Germany
recently.
Archana has quit competitive
Ayhika has built a reputation
sport to join the Michigan
of being a giant killer having
University for a post graduate
beaten world no 1. Sun Yinghsa
degree in public policy.
from China at the World Team
Championships earlier this year.

Sharath Kamal
K
amal has won multiple medals in the with the Khel Ratna, Padma Shri, and Arjuna awards.
Commonwealth Games and Asian Games and is a Sharath Kamal, was India’s flag bearer at the opening
ten-time national champion. He has been honored ceremony in Paris 2024, along with Sindhu.

Photo: Getty Images