Centuries by Alex Hales and Joe Root powered England to a crushing 186-run victory over the hapless West Indies in the third and final one-day international on Thursday.

Replying to the tourists' total of 328 all out off 50 overs, the home side were bundled out for just 142 off 39.2 overs, suffering their worst margin of defeat ever in a one-dayer against the English and being swept 3-0 by the same opponents for the first time since 1991.

Sidelined for almost two months by a hand injury sustained in India, Hales belted 110 on his return while Root followed up his assured match-winning 90 not out in the second game in Antigua with 101.

Their second-wicket partnership was worth 192 runs, the most for any wicket in a one-dayer at the Kensington Oval.

"This innings was really special because I wanted to get back into the thick of things," said man of the match Hales.

"It was frustrating being on the sidelines and I was desperately keen to perform."

Seeking to avoid a whitewash in the series and needing rankings points to earn automatic qualification for the 2019 World Cup, the West Indies hardly helped their cause by extending the epidemic of dropped catches that afflicted them in the first two matches in Antigua.

Root was missed twice early in his innings, the first lapse by Evin Lewis at midwicket off fast bowler Alzarri Joseph being the easier of the two. They proved very costly.

Joseph, the 20-year-old Antiguan pacer who replaced injured fellow fast bowler Shannon Gabriel, claimed four expensive wickets but looked the most threatening after West Indies captain Jason Holder won the toss for the third consecutive time and chose to put England in.

He accounted for the attacking Jason Roy in just the sixth over of the innings and should have had more early success but for Lewis' costly error.

He came back for an effective second spell though and together with Holder, slowed England's breakneck progress to what looked like being a total well in excess of 350. Holder claimed three for 41 off his ten overs.

However if there was any encouragement from the bit of resistance towards the end of the innings, it all dissipated within the first four overs of the West Indies reply with the top three again succumbing to the England seamers.

Jonathan Carter top-scored with 46 in the middle-order but the match was long over as a contest with man of the series Chris Woakes and fellow fast-medium bowler Liam Plunkett taking three wickets each.

Pacer Steve Finn also played his part in the demolition with two wickets while leg-spinner Adil Rashid finished off the affair in bright afternoon sunshine to the delight of thousands of celebrating England supporters.

"This is extremely frustrating, we just didn't compete in this match," said a disconsolate Holder in reflecting on another embarrassing setback for his team.

"I thought we committed too many errors in the field and didn't bowl consistently well. We can only go forward from this."

Repolling in 28 polling stations across four districts of Manipur began on Firday amidst tight security.

Voters were seen standing in queues before the polling stations to exercise their franchise which has been peaceful so far, an election commission official said.

Polling in Ukhrul, Tengnoupal, Kangpokpi and Senapati districts was held during the second phase of the assembly elections on March 8.

The repoll was ordered following electoral malpractices in these polling stations, the official said.

Repolling began at 7 am.

The Trump administration wants to build a deeper relationship with India, the White House has said, expressing confidence that the two countries will continue to grow their ties.

"I think we are, as talked about during the campaign and the transition, establishing a deeper relationship with Prime Minister Modi and US-India businesses," White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer told reporters yesterday at his daily news conference.

"And I think as we move forward in terms of our foreign policy, we'll have further updates on that. Trump spoke very clearly and frequently about the relationship that we have and hope to continue to grow with India," Spicer said.

Spicer also condemned the killing of a 32-year-old Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla and another injured in an alleged hate crime in Kansas.

"…whether it's the event that happened in Kansas City, other events, the attacks on Jewish community centres that continue to plague us — I guess we saw another report this morning, some unfortunate activity.

"We have got to continue to call it out. We've got to continue to root it out. We've got to continue to engage law enforcement," he said.

Spicer urged Americans to stand up for the principles that unite them while asking all to be outraged and disgusted by such incidents.

"The president spoke so eloquently about during his joint address. He made it very clear that while certain policies may divide us as individuals, there are certain principles that can unite us," Spicer said.

The Trump administration wants to build a deeper relationship with India, the White House has said, expressing confidence that the two countries will continue to grow their ties.

"I think we are, as talked about during the campaign and the transition, establishing a deeper relationship with Prime Minister Modi and US-India businesses," White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer told reporters yesterday at his daily news conference.

"And I think as we move forward in terms of our foreign policy, we'll have further updates on that. Trump spoke very clearly and frequently about the relationship that we have and hope to continue to grow with India," Spicer said.

Spicer also condemned the killing of a 32-year-old Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla and another injured in an alleged hate crime in Kansas.

"…whether it's the event that happened in Kansas City, other events, the attacks on Jewish community centres that continue to plague us — I guess we saw another report this morning, some unfortunate activity.

"We have got to continue to call it out. We've got to continue to root it out. We've got to continue to engage law enforcement," he said.

Spicer urged Americans to stand up for the principles that unite them while asking all to be outraged and disgusted by such incidents.

"The president spoke so eloquently about during his joint address. He made it very clear that while certain policies may divide us as individuals, there are certain principles that can unite us," Spicer said.

The BCCI on Thursday decided to withdraw the complaint against Steve Smith and Peter Handscomb on the controversial Decision Review System (DRS) call issue that led to war of words between the rival teams.

The BCCI had earlier in the day lodged an official complaint trying to press Level 2 charge against Smith and Handscomb for violating spirit of the game.

However, Cricket Australia (CA) chief executive James Sutherland on Thursday met his opposite number Rahul Johri at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai to resolve the issue. It was decided that the two captains would meet in Ranchi to solve the crisis.

"BCCI and CA have resolved to restore focus on the ongoing series amidst the increased attention towards issues which have emanated during the course of the 2nd Test match in Bangalore," a press release stated.

Johri and Sutherland discussed the matters at length, agreed the importance of bringing back the focus to the game and the much anticipated next Test match in Ranchi.

Sutherland said, "A series between India and Australia is bound to generate considerable excitement for fans in both the countries. On the field the two teams are fierce competitors who represent their countries with pride. As we have seen this week in Bangalore, with so much at stake, tensions can bubble over.

"We are half way through what has already been a riveting series – and there is still much to look forward to. In discussing the relevant issues in depth, we have agreed that it is in the best interests of the game to put these differences aside and clear the way for the focus to be on the cricket, and the remaining matches of the series."

Johri on his part said "India has always cherished a contest with Australia and over the years, the performances of both, the teams and the players, are testimony to the level of competitiveness that exists between these two teams.

"While having responded officially to one such incident which happened in the last Test, together, we believe that the focus of the teams and the joy they provide to the fans, should not be diluted and it is imperative to ensure that the rest of the series, which promises a great cricketing contest, not be compromised," he concluded.

The BCCI on Thursday decided to withdraw the complaint against Steve Smith and Peter Handscomb on the controversial Decision Review System (DRS) call issue that led to war of words between the rival teams.

The BCCI had earlier in the day lodged an official complaint trying to press Level 2 charge against Smith and Handscomb for violating spirit of the game.

However, Cricket Australia (CA) chief executive James Sutherland on Thursday met his opposite number Rahul Johri at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai to resolve the issue. It was decided that the two captains would meet in Ranchi to solve the crisis.

"BCCI and CA have resolved to restore focus on the ongoing series amidst the increased attention towards issues which have emanated during the course of the 2nd Test match in Bangalore," a press release stated.

Johri and Sutherland discussed the matters at length, agreed the importance of bringing back the focus to the game and the much anticipated next Test match in Ranchi.

Sutherland said, "A series between India and Australia is bound to generate considerable excitement for fans in both the countries. On the field the two teams are fierce competitors who represent their countries with pride. As we have seen this week in Bangalore, with so much at stake, tensions can bubble over.

"We are half way through what has already been a riveting series – and there is still much to look forward to. In discussing the relevant issues in depth, we have agreed that it is in the best interests of the game to put these differences aside and clear the way for the focus to be on the cricket, and the remaining matches of the series."

Johri on his part said "India has always cherished a contest with Australia and over the years, the performances of both, the teams and the players, are testimony to the level of competitiveness that exists between these two teams.

"While having responded officially to one such incident which happened in the last Test, together, we believe that the focus of the teams and the joy they provide to the fans, should not be diluted and it is imperative to ensure that the rest of the series, which promises a great cricketing contest, not be compromised," he concluded.

For a victory "defined by faith" according to Barcelona boss Luis Enrique, the Catalans rose from the dead inspired by the man who never stopped believing.

"As long as there's a one percent chance, we'll have 99 percent faith," said Neymar before a ball had been kicked in Barca's stunning revival from a 4-0 first leg deficit to beat Paris Saint-Germain 6-1.

A few hours, two goals and a vital 95th minute assist for Sergi Roberto to cap the biggest comeback in the history of the Champions League later, Neymar hailed his display as the "best game" of his career.

"This is the best game I have ever played. For what it meant, for what we experienced," said the 25-year-old.

Neymar hasn't always had the easiest time since swapping Santos for Spain three-and-a-half years ago.

The murky series of contracts that sealed his transfer have seen Neymar, his father and Barcelona dragged through the courts on corruption and tax evasion charges.

Yet, it is for nights like Wednesday that Barca paid millions to recruit and then renew Neymar's contract till 2021 in October.

Pre-match focus had framed the seemingly impossible comeback only realistic if Lionel Messi made it happen.

Instead, three times in a frantic final seven minutes, it was Neymar, not Messi, that took responsibility and dragged Barca back from the brink into a record 10th consecutive quarter-final.

Firstly, he curled home a brilliant free-kick and then took over penalty duty, despite Messi having earlier converted from the spot, to leave Barca needing just one more.

Amid the bedlam of nearly 100,000 voices at the Camp Nou, Neymar then calmly cut inside with Barca's last chance as the seconds ticked down to tease in the perfect cross on his weaker left foot for Sergi Roberto to apply the finishing touch.

"Not even in our wildest dreams could we dreamed the way it happened," Neymar posted on Instagram alongside a celebratory photo of he and Messi.

"The impossible is just a matter of opinion."

Messi and Real Madrid rival Cristiano Ronaldo have ruled the roost as the world's two best players since 2008 – sharing nine straight Ballon d'Or wins.
However, Neymar's display on the biggest stage left many in little doubt he is the heir to their crown in the future.

"A night worthy of the Ballon d'Or," said Spanish sports daily Marca.

"With his speed, skill and powerful strike, PSG folded up against the best version of the Brazilian."

Neymar is used to carrying the biggest burdens.

He took Brazil to the semi-finals of the World Cup on home soil in 2014 before his back was broken towards the end of a bruising quarter-final clash with Colombia.

Some measure of revenge for that blow was taken by scoring the winning penalty as the hosts claimed a first Olympic gold at the Rio Games in August.

Rather than be cowed, Neymar is inspired by the biggest moments when his side need him most.

And he could be the key with a suddenly revitalised Barcelona eyeing a second treble of Champions League, La Liga and Copa del Rey in three seasons.

"We believed before and now even more (so)," added Neymar.

After partying into the early hours of Thursday morning with three-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton, Barca and Neymar travel to Deportivo la Coruna on Sunday looking to avoid a hangover.

"It wouldn't be a bad thing if Barca went out partying," hopeful Deportivo boss Pepe Mel told radio station Onda Cero with his side sitting just five points above the relegation zone. 

For a victory "defined by faith" according to Barcelona boss Luis Enrique, the Catalans rose from the dead inspired by the man who never stopped believing.

"As long as there's a one percent chance, we'll have 99 percent faith," said Neymar before a ball had been kicked in Barca's stunning revival from a 4-0 first leg deficit to beat Paris Saint-Germain 6-1.

A few hours, two goals and a vital 95th minute assist for Sergi Roberto to cap the biggest comeback in the history of the Champions League later, Neymar hailed his display as the "best game" of his career.

"This is the best game I have ever played. For what it meant, for what we experienced," said the 25-year-old.

Neymar hasn't always had the easiest time since swapping Santos for Spain three-and-a-half years ago.

The murky series of contracts that sealed his transfer have seen Neymar, his father and Barcelona dragged through the courts on corruption and tax evasion charges.

Yet, it is for nights like Wednesday that Barca paid millions to recruit and then renew Neymar's contract till 2021 in October.

Pre-match focus had framed the seemingly impossible comeback only realistic if Lionel Messi made it happen.

Instead, three times in a frantic final seven minutes, it was Neymar, not Messi, that took responsibility and dragged Barca back from the brink into a record 10th consecutive quarter-final.

Firstly, he curled home a brilliant free-kick and then took over penalty duty, despite Messi having earlier converted from the spot, to leave Barca needing just one more.

Amid the bedlam of nearly 100,000 voices at the Camp Nou, Neymar then calmly cut inside with Barca's last chance as the seconds ticked down to tease in the perfect cross on his weaker left foot for Sergi Roberto to apply the finishing touch.

"Not even in our wildest dreams could we dreamed the way it happened," Neymar posted on Instagram alongside a celebratory photo of he and Messi.

"The impossible is just a matter of opinion."

Messi and Real Madrid rival Cristiano Ronaldo have ruled the roost as the world's two best players since 2008 – sharing nine straight Ballon d'Or wins.
However, Neymar's display on the biggest stage left many in little doubt he is the heir to their crown in the future.

"A night worthy of the Ballon d'Or," said Spanish sports daily Marca.

"With his speed, skill and powerful strike, PSG folded up against the best version of the Brazilian."

Neymar is used to carrying the biggest burdens.

He took Brazil to the semi-finals of the World Cup on home soil in 2014 before his back was broken towards the end of a bruising quarter-final clash with Colombia.

Some measure of revenge for that blow was taken by scoring the winning penalty as the hosts claimed a first Olympic gold at the Rio Games in August.

Rather than be cowed, Neymar is inspired by the biggest moments when his side need him most.

And he could be the key with a suddenly revitalised Barcelona eyeing a second treble of Champions League, La Liga and Copa del Rey in three seasons.

"We believed before and now even more (so)," added Neymar.

After partying into the early hours of Thursday morning with three-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton, Barca and Neymar travel to Deportivo la Coruna on Sunday looking to avoid a hangover.

"It wouldn't be a bad thing if Barca went out partying," hopeful Deportivo boss Pepe Mel told radio station Onda Cero with his side sitting just five points above the relegation zone. 

In yet another case in a month, an automated teller machine in south Delhi's Amar colony area dispensed a fake Rs.2,000 currency note with "Children Bank of India" printed on it, police said on Friday.

The fake bank note of Rs.2,000 denomination was dispensed from a private bank ATM in front of Sheetla Mata Mandir on Thursday.

"The complainant, Chandan reported the matter through a PCR call. The fake Rs.2000 note bore prints of 'Children Bank of India' and 'Manoranjan Bank' on it," said DCP(south east) Romil Baaniya.

A case has been registered under Sections 489 B (using as genuine, forged or counterfeit currency or bank-notes), 489 E (Making or using documents resembling currency or bank- notes) of IPC at Amar Colony police station.

A senior Delhi Police officer said that the case has been transferred to the Crime Branch for indepth probe in view of recovery of fake notes from south-east Delhi in the past.

In a similar case, a Sangam Vihar resident Rohit Kumar had been dispensed four fake notes of Rs.2,000 denomination, bearing "Churan label" and "Children Bank of India" printed on it, from an SBI ATM in Sangam Vihar in south east Delhi, on February 6.

The complainant Chandan also received a message of withdrawal of money from his money as he was dispensed with the fake note, police said.

Police is trying to get details of the cash management company that was responsible for filling up bank notes in the ATM in question.

In the Sangam Vihar incident, Mohammed Isha, custodian of the Brinks India Pvt Ltd, that worked for the SBI ATM was zeroed in and his liability was fixed by the bank as he was the custodian at the time of the incident.

Isha was detained on February 6 but was released by police. He was finally arrested on February 23 and is currently out of jail on bail, said the officer.

In yet another case in a month, an automated teller machine in south Delhi's Amar colony area dispensed a fake Rs.2,000 currency note with "Children Bank of India" printed on it, police said on Friday.

The fake bank note of Rs.2,000 denomination was dispensed from a private bank ATM in front of Sheetla Mata Mandir on Thursday.

"The complainant, Chandan reported the matter through a PCR call. The fake Rs.2000 note bore prints of 'Children Bank of India' and 'Manoranjan Bank' on it," said DCP(south east) Romil Baaniya.

A case has been registered under Sections 489 B (using as genuine, forged or counterfeit currency or bank-notes), 489 E (Making or using documents resembling currency or bank- notes) of IPC at Amar Colony police station.

A senior Delhi Police officer said that the case has been transferred to the Crime Branch for indepth probe in view of recovery of fake notes from south-east Delhi in the past.

In a similar case, a Sangam Vihar resident Rohit Kumar had been dispensed four fake notes of Rs.2,000 denomination, bearing "Churan label" and "Children Bank of India" printed on it, from an SBI ATM in Sangam Vihar in south east Delhi, on February 6.

The complainant Chandan also received a message of withdrawal of money from his money as he was dispensed with the fake note, police said.

Police is trying to get details of the cash management company that was responsible for filling up bank notes in the ATM in question.

In the Sangam Vihar incident, Mohammed Isha, custodian of the Brinks India Pvt Ltd, that worked for the SBI ATM was zeroed in and his liability was fixed by the bank as he was the custodian at the time of the incident.

Isha was detained on February 6 but was released by police. He was finally arrested on February 23 and is currently out of jail on bail, said the officer.

Riding on exit polls 2017 that predict the BJP emerging as the single largest party in UP and coming to power in Uttarakhand, the BSE Sensex climbed over 146 points in opening trade on March 10 on heavy fund inflows.

Moreover, industrial production (IIP) data for January, scheduled to be released after market hours on March 10, also influenced sentiments.

All the sectoral indices led by consumer durables, IT, metal, realty, bank, capital goods and auto sectors were trading in the positive zone with gains of up to 0.73 per cent.

The 50-share NSE Nifty also rose 48.70 points, or 0.54 per cent, to trade at 8,975.70.

The 30-share Sensex spurted by 146.50 points, or 0.50 per cent, to quote at 29,076.63.

The gauge had gained 27.19 points in the previous session.

Brokers said that sustained capital inflows by foreign funds at the domestic bourses and widespread buying by retail investors after exit polls showed the BJP emerging as the single largest party in Uttar Pradesh as well as Goa and coming to power in Uttarakhand lifted the key indices.

Further, a firming trend in other Asian markets following overnight gains on the US bourses lifted the trading sentiment here, they said.

The BSE consumer durables sector index gained the most, rising 0.73 per cent, followed by IT index 0.70 per cent and capital goods by 1.98 per cent.

Among other Asian markets, Japan's Nikkei gained 1.33 per cent, while Shanghai Composite Index rose 0.04 per cent in early trade today. Hong Kong's Hang Seng, however, shed 0.10 per cent.

The US Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.01 per cent in yesterday's trade.

Riding on exit polls 2017 that predict the BJP emerging as the single largest party in UP and coming to power in Uttarakhand, the BSE Sensex climbed over 146 points in opening trade on March 10 on heavy fund inflows.

Moreover, industrial production (IIP) data for January, scheduled to be released after market hours on March 10, also influenced sentiments.

All the sectoral indices led by consumer durables, IT, metal, realty, bank, capital goods and auto sectors were trading in the positive zone with gains of up to 0.73 per cent.

The 50-share NSE Nifty also rose 48.70 points, or 0.54 per cent, to trade at 8,975.70.

The 30-share Sensex spurted by 146.50 points, or 0.50 per cent, to quote at 29,076.63.

The gauge had gained 27.19 points in the previous session.

Brokers said that sustained capital inflows by foreign funds at the domestic bourses and widespread buying by retail investors after exit polls showed the BJP emerging as the single largest party in Uttar Pradesh as well as Goa and coming to power in Uttarakhand lifted the key indices.

Further, a firming trend in other Asian markets following overnight gains on the US bourses lifted the trading sentiment here, they said.

The BSE consumer durables sector index gained the most, rising 0.73 per cent, followed by IT index 0.70 per cent and capital goods by 1.98 per cent.

Among other Asian markets, Japan's Nikkei gained 1.33 per cent, while Shanghai Composite Index rose 0.04 per cent in early trade today. Hong Kong's Hang Seng, however, shed 0.10 per cent.

The US Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.01 per cent in yesterday's trade.

The festival of colours is celebrated with great pomp and show by not only Hindu communities but by Non-Hindus too. The zeal of the festival can be seen all over India and in some other Asian countries as well. Vrindavan in India is a great option if you want to see and enjoy the finest Holi.

Vrindavan or Braj Bhoomi is the well-known place where Hindu deity Krishna spent his childhood playing with his beloved Radha and other Gopis. There is a story behind this colourful festival associated with Krishna and Radha. Lord Krishna was of dark complexion and Radha was very fair. So, he was always jealous of her and complained his mother Yashoda about this injustice of nature making him black and Radha fair. To pacify him, the doting mother asked him to apply colour on Radha’s face in a playful way and change her colour complexion like himself. Krishna did the same. This prank gained popularity and mass acceptance. It evolved as a tradition and later the festival of Holi.

The festival of colours is here again. So far, you have been celebrating it with your near and dear ones. This year, make your Holi extraordinary special. Celebrating it in a unique way bringing smiles on faces of widows abandoned by their families and living in the temple town of Vrindavan for decades. You will experience gigantic satisfaction – guaranteed.

Vrindavan is known as the ‘abode of widows’ that shelters them. Breaking the age-old Indian traditions where the widows were barred from participating in Holi festivities, the widows of Pagal baba Widow Ashram at Braj started to play Holi with colours and flowers, singing and dancing in the name of Krishna. Although it started only two years ago, many students, scholars, social reformers, widows from Varanasi and tourists across the world joined them with full zest. With the effort of NGO Sulabh International, it has now become a grand four-day-long celebration where about thousands kilos of gulal and flower petals of rose and marigold are arranged for the event. The celebration takes place few days before Holi and is a great tourist attraction.

What to wait for? Do check the dates and make a visit there this time. Encourage your family and friends too to accompany you and spread happiness among destitute. You may take gifts and sweets along. Contribute your bit to serve a social cause. This kind of celebration truly depicts the victory of good over evil that is the real essence of the festival. Happy Holi to all!

The festival of colours is celebrated with great pomp and show by not only Hindu communities but by Non-Hindus too. The zeal of the festival can be seen all over India and in some other Asian countries as well. Vrindavan in India is a great option if you want to see and enjoy the finest Holi.

Vrindavan or Braj Bhoomi is the well-known place where Hindu deity Krishna spent his childhood playing with his beloved Radha and other Gopis. There is a story behind this colourful festival associated with Krishna and Radha. Lord Krishna was of dark complexion and Radha was very fair. So, he was always jealous of her and complained his mother Yashoda about this injustice of nature making him black and Radha fair. To pacify him, the doting mother asked him to apply colour on Radha’s face in a playful way and change her colour complexion like himself. Krishna did the same. This prank gained popularity and mass acceptance. It evolved as a tradition and later the festival of Holi.

The festival of colours is here again. So far, you have been celebrating it with your near and dear ones. This year, make your Holi extraordinary special. Celebrating it in a unique way bringing smiles on faces of widows abandoned by their families and living in the temple town of Vrindavan for decades. You will experience gigantic satisfaction – guaranteed.

Vrindavan is known as the ‘abode of widows’ that shelters them. Breaking the age-old Indian traditions where the widows were barred from participating in Holi festivities, the widows of Pagal baba Widow Ashram at Braj started to play Holi with colours and flowers, singing and dancing in the name of Krishna. Although it started only two years ago, many students, scholars, social reformers, widows from Varanasi and tourists across the world joined them with full zest. With the effort of NGO Sulabh International, it has now become a grand four-day-long celebration where about thousands kilos of gulal and flower petals of rose and marigold are arranged for the event. The celebration takes place few days before Holi and is a great tourist attraction.

What to wait for? Do check the dates and make a visit there this time. Encourage your family and friends too to accompany you and spread happiness among destitute. You may take gifts and sweets along. Contribute your bit to serve a social cause. This kind of celebration truly depicts the victory of good over evil that is the real essence of the festival. Happy Holi to all!

Ace Indian shuttlers P V Sindhu and Saina Nehwal on Thursday stormed into the quarterfinals of the All England Open Badminton Championships after their straight-game victories over their respective opponents in the women's singles event here.

Both Sindhu and Saina are in the top half of the women's singles and if they win their respective quarterfinal matches, they will face each other in a mouth-watering clash in the semifinals.

However in the men's singles, H S Prannoy suffered a 13-21 5-21 loss to seventh seeded Chinese Tian Houwei in 33 minutes to crash out of the tournament.

Sindhu, a silver medallist at the Rio Olympics, dished out a dominating game to trounce Indonesia's Dinar Dyah Ayustine 21-12 21-4 in just 30 minutes.

The sixth seeded Indian will face the winner of the match between World No. 1 Tai Tzu Ying of Chinese Taipei and Japan's Minatsu Mitani in the quarterfinals.

Sindhu and Ayustine were tied at 4-4 initially but after that the Indian broke off and left her opponent far behind to go one game up.

In the second game, Sindhu opened up a 9-0 lead early on and never looked back against her Indonesian opponent to easily clinched her second round match.

London Olympics bronze medallist Saina also notched up a comfortable 21-18 21-10 win over Germany's Fabienne Deprez in 35 minutes. The eighth seeded Indian will face the winner of the match between third seed Sung Ji Hyun of Korea and Yip Pui Yin of Hong Kong in the quarterfinals.

World No. 10 Saina had defeated defending champion Nozomi Okuhara of Japan 21-15 21-14 in the opening round late on Wednesday night.

In the second round match against Deprez on Thursday, Saina opened up a 12-8 lead at one stage but her opponent make a come back by levelling the score to 17-17. Saina, however, held onto her nerves to win the first game 21-18.

In the second game, Saina was ruthless and she surged ahead from 1-1 onwards, never to give her opponent a chance to come back into the match

Ace Indian shuttlers P V Sindhu and Saina Nehwal on Thursday stormed into the quarterfinals of the All England Open Badminton Championships after their straight-game victories over their respective opponents in the women's singles event here.

Both Sindhu and Saina are in the top half of the women's singles and if they win their respective quarterfinal matches, they will face each other in a mouth-watering clash in the semifinals.

However in the men's singles, H S Prannoy suffered a 13-21 5-21 loss to seventh seeded Chinese Tian Houwei in 33 minutes to crash out of the tournament.

Sindhu, a silver medallist at the Rio Olympics, dished out a dominating game to trounce Indonesia's Dinar Dyah Ayustine 21-12 21-4 in just 30 minutes.

The sixth seeded Indian will face the winner of the match between World No. 1 Tai Tzu Ying of Chinese Taipei and Japan's Minatsu Mitani in the quarterfinals.

Sindhu and Ayustine were tied at 4-4 initially but after that the Indian broke off and left her opponent far behind to go one game up.

In the second game, Sindhu opened up a 9-0 lead early on and never looked back against her Indonesian opponent to easily clinched her second round match.

London Olympics bronze medallist Saina also notched up a comfortable 21-18 21-10 win over Germany's Fabienne Deprez in 35 minutes. The eighth seeded Indian will face the winner of the match between third seed Sung Ji Hyun of Korea and Yip Pui Yin of Hong Kong in the quarterfinals.

World No. 10 Saina had defeated defending champion Nozomi Okuhara of Japan 21-15 21-14 in the opening round late on Wednesday night.

In the second round match against Deprez on Thursday, Saina opened up a 12-8 lead at one stage but her opponent make a come back by levelling the score to 17-17. Saina, however, held onto her nerves to win the first game 21-18.

In the second game, Saina was ruthless and she surged ahead from 1-1 onwards, never to give her opponent a chance to come back into the match

One of the major developments in the Indian service sector has been the ever-growing contribution of women in the workforce across various industries. In the last decade, women have reaffirmed their role in the country’s economy, emerging as powerful leaders and managers, either in established organisations or through ventures of their own. However, as you look at the organisational and hierarchical structure of most companies, you would notice that the higher up you go, the fewer women you will find. 

The fact that men largely dominate the travel industry is known to all. Be it in the senior managerial or technical roles, the lack of women in the industry is something that’s hard to miss. It is an issue that must be addressed, considering that research shows women make 70 per cent of all travel-related decisions but almost 75 per cent of all travel agents are men. The disparity between the women selling travel services and the number of women consuming them, and the number of women holding key decision-making positions is disconcerting. It is a major setback in the efforts to make women economically empowered and puts a question mark on the travel industry’s competence as women attempt to gain equal economic power. The key takeaway is that while women are adequately placed in the ground floors, the travel industry needs to enhance its focus on getting women up the ladder.

That said the number of women entrepreneurs in the travel industry is rising gradually. In India especially, the current start-up economy has aided partnerships with women-owned travel companies and agencies, providing a major opportunity to such entrepreneurs to expand their share in the market and create an environment of inclusiveness in the entrepreneurial sector. It is an indisputable fact that increased economic opportunities in executive positions for women is a step towards achieving gender equality. Travel companies in the country as well as the industry as a whole must consciously make efforts to bridge the gender gap.

Besides being a socially responsible decision, it is also a smart business decision for companies to place more women in leadership positions. Research also indicates that companies having more women in top managerial positions perform better as compared to those with fewer female leaders. 

Although, the pursuit of workforce equality in the travel industry requires much greater effort, the current landscape of women entrepreneurs and leaders in the country is changing for the better and presents an optimistic picture of the future.

The writer is Associate Director, Traveltriangle