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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

Trump's Win Could Be India’s Gain

Trump's Win Could Be India’s Gain

The U.S., known for innovation, has a high demand for skilled IT professionals. Indian IT experts, valued for their skills and work ethic, are highly sought after in the U.S. As more U.S. companies rely on technology, demand for talent in development and support roles is likely to increase under Trump. This presents a strong opportunity for Indian IT professionals who not only contribute to U.S. businesses but also strengthen U.S.-India relations. Trump may prioritise American workers, but Indian professionals, known for flexibility and resilience, may still find opportunities.


Currently, most large IT professionals are legal immigrants and should not face any issues. Companies have figured out how to navigate this issue for a long time. They have a mix of hiring, including employees who work with clients in Global Capability Centres, or GCCs, based out of India in US shift time to serve US clients. Hence, there will be no impact on hiring, and it’s cheaper for companies to get remote support than hiring locals in the US.


In recent years, the U.S. has shared defence equipment and technology with India, including plans to manufacture jet engines and drones domestically. India’s push in trade and energy investment should further strengthen ties under Trump. The U.S.-India partnership in AI, fueled by India’s ambitious youth, is expected to create more job opportunities in India. As for trade between the two nations, Trump's previous tenure as President offers valuable insights.


During Trump’s first term, he fostered strong ties with PM Modi, including lower tariffs for U.S. companies. A second term could bring a beneficial free trade agreement for India.


The White House’s welcome of Modi last year underscored joint efforts to counter China’s influence, as global challenges require India-U.S. collaboration. Modiji is seeking to raise the status of India, the world’s most populous young country and the fifth-largest economy, as the world’s manufacturing and diplomatic powerhouse. This is the reason why the USA announced a few deals, some aimed at diversifying supply chains to reduce dependence on China. While others are aimed at cornering the market with advanced technologies that may feature on the battlefield of the future.


While Trump’s win is expected to benefit the IT sector and trade, it may bring challenges for IT professionals, particularly of H1B visas and immigration laws. Trump’s return could mean stricter scrutiny on visa applications, though H1B visa allocations are not expected to be reduced. With proper documentation and strong professional skills, visa stamping should remain achievable, despite heightened scrutiny.


According to last year’s data, about 80,000 IT professionals in the U.S. are unemployed and are keen on staying in the country. However, the shift towards remote work has enabled IT companies to support remote delivery, potentially expanding job opportunities for professionals in India. With Trump’s policies, the job market may open further, creating more remote roles for IT workers in India.


India maintains strong relations with both Democrats and Republicans, so strengthening ties between the two countries should not face any major obstacles.


Trump’s firm stance on business, trade, and tariffs could pose challenges, but his tough approach to China aligns with India’s efforts to counter China’s influence. Additionally, Trump may work to ease tensions between Canada and India, potentially boosting trade opportunities between these countries.


Globally, a Trump victory could boost trade and foreign direct investment from the U.S. to India. His policies will likely promote peace in the Middle East, stability in Asia, and expedited approval for key projects. Additionally, his core team members have maintained a positive stance towards India, with no known affiliations to anti-India positions. These factors could contribute to India’s growth, strengthened further by the friendship between Trump and Prime Minister Modi.


(The author is IT professional. He has written a book, USA Calling.)

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