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Bidar (Karnataka): A routine ride turned fatal when a nylon kite string slit the throat of a 48-year-old motorcyclist in Karnataka’s Bidar district, claiming his life in a chilling reminder of the deadly threat posed by banned kite-flying materials.

The victim, identified as Sanjukumar Hosamani, was riding near the Talamadagi Bridge when a taut kite string stretched across the road cut deep into his neck, causing profuse bleeding. Critically injured, Hosamani collapsed from his motorcycle but managed to place a final phone call to his daughter.

A disturbing video circulating on social media shows Hosamani drenched in blood, struggling to dial his daughter’s number as life ebbed away.

A passerby attempted to help by pressing a cloth against the wound to stop the bleeding. Locals said an ambulance was called immediately, but it arrived too late. Hosamani succumbed to his injuries before he could be taken to a hospital.

Family members have blamed the delay in emergency response for his death, alleging that timely medical assistance could have saved his life.

Following the incident, Hosamani’s relatives and local residents staged a protest at the accident spot, demanding strict action against the use of nylon kite strings and urgent improvements in emergency medical services.

Police have registered a case at Manna Ekhelli Police Station and said an investigation is underway.

Kite flying during Makar Sankranti is a long-standing tradition across many parts of India. While cotton strings coated with powdered glass were once common, they have increasingly been replaced by cheaper and more durable nylon strings. This durability, however, has proven lethal, as nylon can slice through skin with ease.

Commonly referred to as Chinese manjha, these strings pose a grave danger to two-wheeler riders, who often fail to notice the nearly invisible lines stretched across roads and flyovers.

The Karnataka incident is the latest in a series of such deaths reported across the country. Just this week, a 45-year-old man in Indore died after a kite string slit his throat. Delhi has witnessed multiple fatalities in recent years, including the deaths of a 22-year-old businessman in 2025, a biker in 2022, and a seven-year-old child in 2023.

Despite periodic raids and seizures by authorities, the recurring deaths underline serious gaps in enforcement, raising questions about whether current measures are sufficient to prevent further loss of life.

Cricket’s popularity in India goes far beyond packed stadiums and television ratings. It is a sport that lives on even when no match is being played, through conversations, memories, data, and daily habits. The reason cricket commands such loyalty lies not just in the game itself, but in how deeply it has become part of India’s social and cultural rhythm.

1. A Game That Is Easy to Play, Easy to Love

Cricket’s mass appeal begins at the grassroots level. Unlike many other sports, it doesn’t require specialised infrastructure. A small open space, a bat, and a ball are enough. For decades, children across cities and villages have grown up playing informal games, learning rules instinctively, and developing an early emotional connection with the sport. This early familiarity makes cricket less of a spectacle and more of a shared experience.

2. Players Who Became Cultural Icons

Indian cricket has been shaped by players whose influence extends far beyond the boundary line. Sachin Tendulkar inspired an entire generation with his consistency and humility, becoming a symbol of aspiration in the 1990s. MS Dhoni defined leadership with calm decision-making and led India through some of its most memorable victories. Today, Virat Kohli represents intensity, fitness, and modern professionalism, resonating strongly with younger fans.

These players didn’t just win matches, they shaped conversations, attitudes, and even personal identities. Their journeys are discussed as much as their performances, keeping fans emotionally invested year-round.

3. Storytelling That Extends Beyond the Match

Cricket thrives on narratives. Rivalries, comebacks, and turning points are replayed endlessly in discussions long after a series ends. A close loss or dramatic win often becomes a reference point in everyday conversations. This storytelling culture ensures cricket remains relevant even during breaks in the international calendar.

4. Technology and the Rise of the Second-Screen Fan

Digital platforms have changed how fans follow the sport. Live score apps, ball-by-ball commentary, analytics dashboards, podcasts, and social media debates allow fans to stay connected continuously. Many viewers now watch matches with a second screen in hand, tracking statistics or participating in discussions while the game unfolds.

As engagement has evolved, so have the ways fans interact with the sport off the field. Some analyse data, some play fantasy leagues, while others explore platforms that offer structured prediction-based engagement. In this wider ecosystem, fans may come across curated resources discussing the best cricket betting sites, often as part of broader research into how digital platforms are reshaping cricket-related participation.

5. Cricket as a Social and Cultural Event

Major matches in India are rarely solitary experiences. Families plan gatherings around key games, cafés and offices stream live action, and entire neighbourhoods pause during crucial moments. Cricket aligns naturally with festivals, weekends, and national moods, turning matches into shared social rituals rather than just sporting events.

6. Media That Never Lets the Game Pause

Even when no series is underway, cricket dominates news cycles. Team selections, player fitness, and upcoming tours are analysed continuously by sports media. International developments are closely followed through organisations like the International Cricket Council (ICC), keeping Indian fans connected to the global game.

7. A Sport That Offers Something for Everyone

Perhaps cricket’s greatest strength is its flexibility. Casual viewers enjoy the drama, data enthusiasts dive into numbers, tacticians analyse strategies, and long-time fans follow players’ careers closely. The sport accommodates every level of interest, making it easy for people to engage in their own way.

In India, cricket is not confined to the field of play. It lives on through players, platforms, stories, and shared experiences, long after the final over is bowled. That enduring presence is what truly makes cricket the most followed sport in the country.

The National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) has announced that admissions to undergraduate programmes in physiotherapy and occupational therapy will henceforth be conducted exclusively through the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET).

In a press release issued by Prof. U. T. Iftikhar Ali Fareed, Chairman of the Karnataka State Allied and Healthcare Council, stated that the NCAHP has clarified the category-wise degree nomenclature and admission criteria for allied and healthcare undergraduate programmes, effective from the academic year 2026–27.

According to the notification, admissions to the Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT) – Category 3 and Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (BOT) – Category 6 will be conducted only through NEET, in accordance with the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions Act, 2021.

All Vice-Chancellors of public, private, and deemed-to-be universities in Karnataka have been asked to ensure strict compliance with the NCAHP guidelines and to disseminate the information widely among affiliated colleges, faculty, and students.

Prof. Ifthikar Ali emphasized that universities must take necessary steps to implement the admission procedure for the academic year 2026–27 and subsequent years.