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23 August 2024 at 4:29:04 pm

Olympic Speed Climbing Champion Sam Watson to Visit Mumbai

Mumbai: When Sam Watson sprints up a 15-metre wall, the world seems to slow down. The 19-year-old American speed climber, an Olympic medallist from Paris 2024 and current world-record holder at 4.64 seconds, has become the face of one of the world’s fastest-growing sports. On November 2, he will trade competition arenas for Mumbai’s High Rock in Powai, offering a rare day of workshops and conversations with India’s burgeoning community of climbers. Speed climbing, once a fringe pursuit of...

Olympic Speed Climbing Champion Sam Watson to Visit Mumbai

Mumbai: When Sam Watson sprints up a 15-metre wall, the world seems to slow down. The 19-year-old American speed climber, an Olympic medallist from Paris 2024 and current world-record holder at 4.64 seconds, has become the face of one of the world’s fastest-growing sports. On November 2, he will trade competition arenas for Mumbai’s High Rock in Powai, offering a rare day of workshops and conversations with India’s burgeoning community of climbers. Speed climbing, once a fringe pursuit of mountaineers, now stands as one of the Olympics’ most electrifying disciplines. The sport demands not just power and agility but precision measured in hundredths of a second. Watson, often hailed as the greatest speed climber of all time, has repeatedly rewritten the record books. His visit marks a milestone for India’s fledgling climbing scene. High Rock, the city’s first commercial climbing facility, opened its walls in December 2024 and has since drawn more than 10,000 enthusiasts. It represents the country’s growing fascination with vertical sports and a reflection of a global shift toward adventure and athleticism fused with technology and training science. During his visit, Sam Watson will conduct Masterclasses for both Kids and Adults, offering a rare opportunity for amateur climbers to learn directly from a global champion and experience his unmatched energy and technique up close. Watson will be joined by Matt Groom, the Official Lead Commentator for the International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC). Known as the voice of IFSC World Cups and World Championships, Groom will host a 30-minute talk at High Rock on ‘The Evolution of Climbing in Competitive Sport.’ His insights promise to provide a deep look into the transformation of climbing from niche adventure to Olympic spectacle. Event: Sam Watson, Olympic Medalist and current World Record holder at High Rock Date: November 2, 2025 Location: High Rock, Powai, Mumbai

Over Systemic Bias

The Waqf Bill is more than legislation—it marks a turning point from divisive ideologies to inclusive development and national unity, impacting marginalised communities the most.

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After passing from both houses of Parliament, the Waqf Amendment Bill is now going to the President for the purpose of making a law. This bill, the second and biggest and most important after the Universal Common Civil Code, can be said to be the victory of ideology over the working system of a particular person. In our country, different views prevail from time to time regarding ideology. The working style of a political party and the ideology of a person of the same party may be different.


From the time India became independent to the time of the partition of the country, the thinking of the people has been seen to be diverse many times in the entire timeline. From the class considered the devotees of the Father of the Nation, Gandhiji, to the society considered prestigious today, the journey of this ideology has been continuous.


The ideological threads are connected all the way back to the French Revolution. In our country, the most controversy and discord have been noted between the lefties and the right wings, but between these two electric currents flows the society that has been most affected the Dalit society. There have been cases in our country where the entire society has often been victimised in the battle of ideology. Due to the ideology of the Left, it was the turn of suffering, efforts against injustice and justice fell short. After 2014, when the politics of development started, the quality of life of Dalits improved due to their basic needs. In particular, accurate and fruitful work was done on employment, primary facilities, and untouchability.


When one thinks before drinking water from home, a saint like MorariBapu proves that everyone is equal and harmonious in the country. Gandhiji also had special respect for Haribandhu. The policy of divide and rule was not only of the British. The Lefties had disrupted the flow of the ideology of harmony many times by making false announcements. Where there is a question of national interest, there should be no category. Prime Minister Shri Narendrabhai Modi has proved this.


The changes brought about by the ease of employment, transparency, and necessary schemes, not only in the Dalit community. There was also a big change in the lives of families living in border areas. The last village of the state or the country became the first village. This was a communication of a positive ideology. Not only Dalits but every society accepted it and showed agreement on the path from public interest to national interest. From the sweeper to the sanitary inspector, from the administrative branch to trade and commerce, the benefits of development and the changes made from the ground up have benefitted everyone, which was not the case under the rule of the Lefties.


There is a big difference between talking and doing effective work during elections. The work starts with the system and the results obtained through joint efforts. have also become much easier now. While expanding the scope of the issue of relaxation, Modi ji gave a new direction to the youth by giving importance to their talent. After that, no matter what class you belong to. Not from Dalit or minority class, if you have skills, this world is yours. The Modi government started providing basic infrastructure, resources, and necessary space.


The time after the year 2016 became like a golden age for art and people with a special style of work. Handicraft fairs were started so that the families running Gujarat from home industries in rural areas could sell their products on a global scale. In which the participation of states increased, geographical limitations did not become a hindrance to any particular art. A new ideology for local to global encouraged every class. In which the youth got a big opportunity. Got big work. Thus changing the quality of life of a family.


Instead of ideological battles, it is an initiative to walk on the path of development through dialogue and peace. Which is not limited to any one society. Where it is a matter of explaining to people who do wrong politics on the issue of religion through legal reforms, it is not right to make society a shield. A country is built through the organisation of society. A country develops when a society develops. Instead of separating into small pieces, the aim of every society should be to come together and contribute to nation-building.


(The author is a professional based in Ahmedabad. Views personal.)

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