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By:

Quaid Najmi

4 January 2025 at 3:26:24 pm

Bhujbal’s chopper lands in Pune parking lot

Mumbai : In what is suspected to be a breach of aviation protocols, a chartered helicopter ferrying Food & Civil Supplies Minister Chhagan Bhujbal from Mumbai to Pune skipped a designated helipad and landed in a vehicle parking lot almost a km away.   The shocker happened in Purandar taluka, where Bhujbal was slated to attend a function marking the 200 th  birth anniversary of the social reformer Mahatma Jyotirao Phule in his home village Khanwadi.   As crowds of bewildered people watched...

Bhujbal’s chopper lands in Pune parking lot

Mumbai : In what is suspected to be a breach of aviation protocols, a chartered helicopter ferrying Food & Civil Supplies Minister Chhagan Bhujbal from Mumbai to Pune skipped a designated helipad and landed in a vehicle parking lot almost a km away.   The shocker happened in Purandar taluka, where Bhujbal was slated to attend a function marking the 200 th  birth anniversary of the social reformer Mahatma Jyotirao Phule in his home village Khanwadi.   As crowds of bewildered people watched from around the sprawling parking lot, the helicopter appeared to drop speed in its flight, flew over some overhead high-tension electric cables, and descended gingerly into the parking lot - raising a thick dust-storm in which it disappeared for seconds - before touching the ground.   Moments later, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) senior leader Bhujbal and others stepped out of the chopper, looked around in the unfamiliar territory before several vehicles and police teams rushed there. Minutes before there was chaos and confusion with some locals shouting warnings at the ‘wrong landing’.   Eyewitnesses said that the chopper’s powerful rotors created a thick dust storm and sparked alarm among the people in the vicinity, and many scrambled to the spot to check what exactly was going on in the parking lot.   Later, the Pune Police said that a designated helipad was available for the chopper landing but were at a loss to explain how the pilot missed it and veered off quite a distance away in the vehicle parking space. Subsequently, they asked the pilot to fly it to the correct landing spot.   Shaken and angry local NCP leaders questioned how a pilot flying a VIP on an official trip could mistake a parking lot for a helipad when the weather and visibility was clear. They demanded to know whether the helipad was improperly marked or it was a question of communication or sheer negligence.   The Pune Police indicated that they would report the matter to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) which may take action against the errant pilot and the helicopter company.   “There was no accident. We all emerged safely. The helicopter pilot landed wrongly in a parking lot because the helipad was not visible. All of us are fine and there is nothing to worry,” said Bhujbal, before he was whisked off by his security team.   “There are many faults in numerous airplanes and helicopters, including maintenance issues and other problems. That's why I keep saying consistently that VIPs must exercise caution while flying. Fortunately, an accident was averted today, but that doesn't mean the authorities should be negligent. We expect the government to take urgent precautions.” Rohit R. Pawar, MLA, NCP (SP)

Squash gains momentum as global spotlight

Abhay Singh and Anahat Singh
Abhay Singh and Anahat Singh

Mumbai: As squash prepares to make its long-awaited debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, India’s position on the global map of the sport received a significant boost with the successful staging of the JSW Indian Open 2026 in Mumbai. The tournament, held on the Professional Squash Association World Tour circuit, not only showcased elite talent but also underlined the growing importance of corporate partnerships in nurturing emerging sports.


Adding to the event’s stature, K Raheja Corp Homes joined as the Official Partner, marking its first foray into sports sponsorship. The association reflects a broader trend of non-endemic brands recognising the potential of niche yet globally governed sports like squash, especially at a time when Olympic inclusion has dramatically elevated its profile.


The JSW Indian Open, classified as a PSA Copper-level event, holds substantial competitive significance. It offers crucial ranking points that directly influence global standings, seeding positions and qualification pathways for marquee events, including the 2028 Olympics. For Indian players, such tournaments provide rare home-ground exposure against international competitors, bridging a critical gap in high-performance experience.


Speaking on the association, a spokesperson for K Raheja Corp Homes said, “The JSW Indian Open is a high-calibre platform that reflects the kind of performance, discipline and global competitiveness we strongly identify with. Our association is a natural extension of our commitment to aligning with credible, international-standard ecosystems that are shaping India’s presence on the global stage.”


Echoing the importance of corporate backing, Karan Yadav, Chief Commercial Officer at JSW Sports, emphasised the role of partnerships in scaling such events. “Partnerships play a crucial role in shaping events like the JSW Indian Open and we are pleased to have K Raheja Corp Homes come on board this year. As their first association with sport, it reflects a considered and forward-looking approach towards supporting emerging platforms like squash. Their partnership has helped us further strengthen the overall tournament experience for both Indian and international players,” he said.


On the court, the tournament delivered high-intensity action, with Abhay Singh and Anahat Singh clinching the men’s and women’s titles respectively. Their victories underline the steady rise of Indian squash talent, which has been gaining traction on the global stage but still requires consistent exposure to top-tier competition.


Beyond the winners, the tournament served as a vital competitive platform for players to accumulate ranking points and enhance their global standings. With squash now firmly on the Olympic roadmap, such events are no longer peripheral, they are central to an athlete’s progression and international relevance.


The significance of the JSW Indian Open also lies in its role as a catalyst for ecosystem development. India, traditionally overshadowed by squash strongholds like Egypt and England, is increasingly emerging as a viable host for global events. This shift is being driven by improved infrastructure, professional tournament management and rising audience engagement.


Corporate participation, as demonstrated by K Raheja Corp Homes, is a critical piece of this puzzle. The partnership signals a strategic pivot in brand engagement—from conventional advertising to purpose-led platforms that intersect sport, lifestyle and aspiration. By aligning with a globally recognised sporting event, the company extends its brand narrative into a domain defined by excellence and international competitiveness.


As India deepens its integration with global sporting circuits, platforms like the JSW Indian Open are becoming indispensable. They not only provide athletes with the competitive exposure required at the highest level but also help build a sustainable sporting culture backed by institutional and corporate support.


With squash set to enter the Olympic arena, the need for such high-quality tournaments in India has never been greater. The success of the JSW Indian Open 2026 demonstrates that the country is not just participating in the global squash movement—but is poised to play a defining role in its future trajectory.

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