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HarperCollins presents ‘THE DISRUPTOR: How Vishwanath Pratap Singh Shook India’ by Debashish Mukerji

An engaging account of the life of a former Prime Minister who struck Indian politics with the force of a tornado

NEW DELHI, Nov. 13, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — HarperCollins India presents A richly detailed narrative of Vishwanath Pratap Singh’s extraordinarily eventful life, told in the context of his times, releasing on 8th December, 2021.

The Disruptor book cover

Order Now: bit.ly/VPSinghBook

‘An extremely impressive work … Impossible to put this book down’

KARAN THAPAR

‘An admiring and admirable account of the life of a very complex public personality’

JAIRAM RAMESH

A SNEAK PEEK INTO THE BOOK

Part 4, Chapter 3: The rivalry with Amitabh Bachchan, pp. 248 to 250

Part 4, Chapter 2: As Finance Minister, V.P. Singh’s ‘raid raj’ against corporate corruption, pp. 222 to 230; Taking on Reliance, pp. 230 to 238; pp. 250 to 252

Part 5, Chapter 1: V.P. Singh–Rajiv Gandhi fallout and his dramatic resignation as Defence Minister, pp. 237 to 260; pp. 265 to 268; pp. 276 to 279

Part 5, Chapter 3: Defamatory campaign against V.P. Singh by the Congress, pp. 253 to 256; pp. 265 to 266; pp. 276 to 279; pp. 301 to 303

Part 6, Chapter 2: V.P. Singh curtailing his own security cover, accused of reducing Rajiv Gandhi’s, pp. 350 to 352; pp. 430 to 431

India could have gone nuclear but V.P. Singh chose not to, pp. 357-358

Biggest airlift evacuation in world history, pp. 358-360

Steps initiated by V.P. Singh’s government, but completed and claimed by later governments: RTI Act, Lok Pal Act, OROP, MNREGA, pp. 360 to 363

Part 7, Chapter 1, Implementing the Mandal Commission Report, pp. 386 to 405

Author Debashish Mukerji says, “By bringing together a divided Opposition to usher in an era of coalition governments at the Centre, as also by implementing the Mandal Commission report which provided job reservations for the Other Backward Classes, Vishwanath Pratap Singh permanently altered India’s political landscape. A politician ambivalent about pursuing power, and obsessed with financial integrity, he was also an extremely complex human being. The main issues he confronted – caste disparities, communal tensions and corruption – continue to bedevil the country even today. All these reasons prompted me to attempt this biography, which sets V.P. Singh against the context of his turbulent times.”

Siddhesh Inamdar, Executive Editor, HarperCollins India, says, “V.P. Singh was Prime Minister of India for just about eleven months, and yet his short time in office proved immensely consequential in shaping the country. As a leader who took on a party with an overwhelming majority in Parliament, his career is also relevant in the context of the politics of today. For all his achievements, V.P. Singh remains an understudied former Prime Minister. November marks the anniversary both of his death (in 2008) as well as of the fall of his government (in 1990), and this meticulously researched biography by a seasoned journalist will throw much-needed light on Singh’s extraordinary life and times.”

ABOUT THE BOOK

Vishwanath Pratap Singh, India’s seventh Prime Minister, struck Indian politics with the force of a tornado. Primarily remembered for implementing the recommendations of the Mandal Commission report, which provided reservations in Central government services for the first time to the Other Backward Classes, he deserves a place in history for much more—from conducting raids on the biggest business houses of his time when he was finance minister to investigating murky defence deals as defence minister (which cost him his job); from bringing together a divided Opposition to form an unlikely coalition government at the Centre comprising the BJP and the communist parties to spearheading the biggest airlift evacuation in Indian history—of Indians stranded in Kuwait during the first Gulf War.

V.P. Singh weathered repeated crises during his eleven-month prime ministerial tenure: the rise of insurgency in Kashmir, starting with the kidnapping of his home minister’s daughter by terrorists; L.K. Advani’s rath yatra in support of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, which led to communal riots; and, above all, the backlash that followed the Mandal Commission report’s implementation.

Known for his integrity and honesty, V.P. Singh ended up antagonizing both the Congress and the BJP—perhaps one of the reasons he has not been given the posthumous attention he deserves. The Disruptor is a richly detailed account of his extraordinarily eventful life, told in the context of his times.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

DEBASHISH MUKERJI was a journalist for nearly forty years, working with numerous publications, including Hindustan Times, The Week and Business Today. He has written extensively on Uttar Pradesh and on national politics.



PRAISE FOR THE BOOK

‘The Disruptor is an extremely impressive work. It brings together all the important but often-forgotten facts about V.P. Singh’s life and career, and fits them into a convincing and comprehensive argument and analysis, which is then presented in an engaging and readable style. Once you start reading, it’s almost impossible to put this book down. This is not simply a biography—it is a serious work of history.’

Karan Thapar

Journalist, Television Anchor and Author

‘This is an admiring and admirable account of the life of a very complex public personality. V.P. Singh commands our attention because he became a pivotal figure in Indian politics between 1987 and 1990; his brief tenure as Prime Minister was both consequential and controversial; and because he played an important role in the formation of the United Front and UPA governments.’

Jairam Ramesh

Member of Parliament, Author and Former Union Minister

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Santokbaa Humanitarian Award 2026 Marks 20 Years of Compassion and Service

SURAT, India, June 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Santokbaa Humanitarian Award 2026, instituted by Shree Ramkrishna Knowledge Foundation (SRKKF), the philanthropic arm of Shree Ramkrishna Exports (SRK), marked 20 years of honouring individuals who have made a lasting difference through compassion, service and leadership. The awards were presented recently in Surat.

This year’s Santokbaa Humanitarian Award was conferred on Padma Shri Dr. Gullapalli N. Rao, renowned Indian ophthalmologist and Founder-Chair of the LV Prasad Eye Institute, and Padma Shri Smt. Reema Nanavaty, development worker and Director of the Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA). Their work has touched millions of lives through healthcare, empowerment and community development.

In a significant addition this year, SRKKF introduced the Social Entrepreneur Award to recognise leaders who combine business excellence with measurable social impact. The inaugural award was presented to Shri Srikanth Bolla, Founder of Bollant Industries, a sustainable manufacturing company known for disability-inclusive employment and environmentally responsible practices.

The event was graced by Chief Guest Shri Harivansh Narayan Singh, Hon’ble Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and Guests of Honour Shri Harsh Sanghavi, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat; along with several other distinguished personalities.

Established in 2006 by Shri Govind Dholakia, Founder & Chairman Emeritus of Shree Ramkrishna Exports Pvt. Ltd. and SRKKF, the award reflects the legacy of compassion and selfless values embodied by his mother, Santokbaa. Over the past two decades, it has become a platform to honour individuals whose lives and work continue to inspire society.

The awardees are selected through a rigorous and transparent process led by an independent jury comprising leaders from diverse fields. The 2026 jury included Shri Govindan Rangarajan, Director, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru; Shri A.S. Kiran Kumar, Former Chairman, ISRO; Admiral R. Hari Kumar (Retd.), Former Chief of the Indian Navy; Shri Rishabh Shroff, Partner, Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas; and Shri Shreyans Dholakia, Entrepreneur and Brand Custodian, SRK.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Guest Shri Harivansh Narayan Singh said that the SRK Foundation is carrying forward Santokbaa’s legacy to the next generation by celebrating service, sacrifice and compassion over wealth or fame. He added that the family’s effort to connect this legacy with social entrepreneurship reflects the values of nation-building.

Shri Harsh Sanghavi said the Santokbaa Award reminds us that true achievement lies not only in personal success, but in bringing light and happiness to others. Shri Govind Dholakia said his mother Santokbaa spent her life guided by truth, love and compassion, and that her values continue to inspire the family’s work. He added that the award’s 20-year journey is a tribute to changemakers whose efforts have strengthened communities across the country.

Speaking on the honour, Dr. Gullapalli N. Rao said it was a privilege to receive the recognition on behalf of all those working to expand access to quality eye care. He said restoring sight restores dignity and opportunity, and praised SRK’s world-class operational systems. Smt. Reema Nanavaty said the award belonged to the millions of women whose resilience and entrepreneurial spirit continue to inspire SEWA’s mission. She noted that when women are empowered, they become agents of change for their families and communities. Shri Srikanth Bolla said his journey has shown that limitations often exist more in perception than reality, and that the award is a reminder that with the right support, every individual can contribute meaningfully to society.

Over the past 20 years, the Santokbaa Humanitarian Award has honoured 20 of India’s most distinguished humanitarian and social leaders, including Shri Ratan Tata, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Dr. Sudha Murty, Dr. Cyrus Poonawalla, Shri Shiv Nadar, Dr. Abhay Bang and Dr. Rani Bang, Dr. Verghese Kurien, Shri Kailash Satyarthi and Shri A.S. Kiran Kumar. With the introduction of the Social Entrepreneurship Award in 2026, the milestone celebration reaffirmed the importance of empathy, service and purposeful leadership in building a better future.

About Santokbaa Humanitarian Award:

Over the past 20 years, the Santokbaa Humanitarian Award has honoured 19 of India’s most distinguished humanitarian and social leaders, including Shri Ratan Tata, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Dr. Sudha Murty, Dr. Cyrus Poonawalla, Shri Shiv Nadar, Dr. Abhay Bang and Dr. Rani Bang, Dr. Verghese Kurien, Shri Kailash Satyarthi and Shri A.S. Kiran Kumar, among other eminent personalities. In 2026, SRKKF also instituted the Santokbaa Social Entrepreneurship Award, with Shri Srikanth Bolla becoming its inaugural recipient.

As the Santokbaa Humanitarian Award completed a remarkable 20-year journey, the milestone celebration reaffirmed the enduring importance of empathy, service and purposeful leadership in shaping a better future. The journey endures, contributing to nation-building through compassion, innovation and service to humanity.

For more information, visit: https://srk.foundation/honours

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Osstem Implant Accelerates Innovation in India with ‘Denall TV’, a Digital Dental Education Hub

  • Over the past two years since its launch in April 2024, Denall TV has become a core platform for digital dental education in India.
  • Opened a dedicated Denall Studio in India in July 2025, strengthening live hands-on and professional training programs.
  • Supporting the professional growth of clinicians through practical content, including ‘Master Courses’ and ‘Product Reviews’.

NEW DELHI and MUMBAI, India, June 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Osstem Implant announced that its specialized dental education platform for the Indian market, ‘Denall TV’ (https://in.denall.com), is gaining significant traction among local practitioners, establishing itself as a vital hub for digital dental education in India.

The thumbnail for the ‘Implant System Introduction’ lecture, the most-watched content on Denall TV India
  •  Building a Comprehensive Digital Clinical Education Environment

Since launching its first content in April 2024, Denall TV has continuously evolved to meet the needs of Indian clinicians. To provide more immersive and high-quality education, Osstem Implant established a dedicated Denall Studio in India in July 2025. This facility has enabled the creation of a systematic digital clinical education environment, overcoming geographical limitations for dentists across the country.

  • Providing High-Quality, Practice-Oriented Clinical Content

The platform focuses on promoting ‘Digital Dentistry’ through specialized ‘Digital Surgery’ education and providing accurate product information. Denall TV consistently uploads essential clinical content, including: Live Hands-on sessions, Practical Master Courses, Expert product reviews featuring items such as the T2 Plus and 122 Taper KIT, helping clinicians make informed decisions for their practices.

  • Strengthening Trust as a Strategic Education Partner

Professional clinical courses have become a major topic of interest among local medical professionals. Notably, the ‘Implant System Introduction’ lecture has surpassed 25,000 views, proving the platform’s high influence. This achievement signifies that Osstem Implant has successfully established itself as a trusted education partner in the Indian market, going beyond its role as a manufacturer.

  • Bridging Global Trends and Improving Educational Accessibility

Osstem Implant connects local practitioners with global academic networks. The platform provides timely content from global academic events such as the ‘2026 Osstem World Meeting in Bangkok’, sharing the latest implant trends and technological advancements with the Indian dental community. By offering online access, Denall TV effectively bridges the educational gap for dentists in regions where offline seminars are difficult to attend.

An official from Osstem Implant India stated, “Denall TV serves as a key bridge, delivering world-class clinical knowledge to local dentists. We will continue to strengthen our real-time interactive webinars to provide deeper clinical insights.” The official added, “We are committed to driving both the quantitative and qualitative growth of the Indian dental implant market through the continued provision of high-quality educational content.”

Moving forward, Osstem Implant plans to enhance its B2C PR strategies centered around the Denall TV platform and lead the popularization of digital dental treatment in India through close communication with local practitioners.

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Deutscher Cricket Bund (DCB) announces an exciting 2026 season to showcase Germany as the leading European cricket nation, building world-class cricket IP’s

ESSEN, Germany and MUMBAI, India, June 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — After the tremendous success of the recently concluded ‘5 match T20 International event – ‘Austria Tour of Germany,” DCB is all set to kick off its ambitious domestic set of events for 2026.

German Super League – Berlin edition starts at Mayfeld – next to the iconic OlympiaStadion from the 8th of June.

With a fixture of 43 T10 matches, 10 best clubs from the Berlin region will compete to be crowned champions. Legendary English umpire, Billy Bowden, will be the special guest, and will be officiating the final match.

Mr. Severin Weiss, the president of DCB, said, “In order to have a robust system, we need to have a strong domestic structure. It’s not about just having premier leagues and international contests, but building bottom up. And that’s what our core focus and mission is.” He added that for cricket in Europe and particularly in Germany to flourish, they need to attract more natives to take up the sport. Organizing good quality events, that are properly produced at the domestic level, will ensure they achieve this in the years to come.

The team at DCB is working methodically to achieve the stated mission.

Mr. Dieter Voight – DCB CEO – shed more light on the calendar events and stated, “In 2026, with strong collaboration and support of our regional partners, we have plans to conduct up to 8 domestic tournaments with about 300 matches. Add to this, we have 4 international events, the biggest being the Nordic Cup in August.”

The Nordic cup will see 5 women’s teams battle it out in August. The hosts will be joined by the Nordic national teams of Finland, Sweden, Denmark as well.

Germany will also host two more bilateral events, the next one being against Switzerland women’s in July.

Germany hopes to soon break into the top 30 men’s T20 ICC rankings. They won 4-1 against Austria and hope to continue their dominance on the field.

Donovan Miller has been appointed the head coach. Donovan brings in rich experience of working with English Counties, and top franchise tournaments. Coach along with the captain Musadiq Ahmed, who was sensational with the bat against Austria and was adjudged Man of the series, has the full trust and support of DCB to lead the team to achieve grander cricketing success.

With a robust domestic and international calendar in place, DCB is focussed on marketing the events and positioning German cricket as one of the most serious cricket destinations in Europe.

The important aspect is to reach as many people as possible, includes a strategic multi-media plan, which includes digital marketing as a key corner stone.

Dr. Vignaesh Sankaran, Vice President of the DCB, added: “Live broadcasting is only one part of the equation. Equally important is how we market our events, players, coaches, and sponsors to a wider audience. We do not want to miss this opportunity to grow the game and create value for all our stakeholders. The Austria–Germany international series generated more than five million impressions across all platforms. Together with our partners, SMW Global, we invited German influencer Liz Laz, whose content introduced German cricket to new audiences and significantly expanded our reach.

Germany is among the first European Associate Members to embrace this approach at scale, combining elite cricket with digital storytelling and influencer engagement. Through these efforts, we have achieved over 150% growth in viewership and now attract some of the largest cricket audiences in Europe.

Germany’s reputation for strong governance, professionalism, and high-quality event delivery also makes it an increasingly attractive market for sponsors and commercial partners. We will continue to build on this momentum and further strengthen Germany’s position as a leading cricket market in Europe.”

The Deutschland Cricket Board (DCB) has officially entered into a strategic partnership with SMW Global Media, with a long-term vision for collaboration. SMW Global Media will serve as the exclusive commercial rights partner, overseeing event production, ground branding, and sponsor asset delivery, while also supporting the DCB in developing consistent digital content and event promotion across platforms.

Azhan Ahsan, executive director – SMW Global Media, said, “The aim is to produce clean, high quality broadcasts, in decent budgets, allowing our federation partners the flexibility to produce more matches professionally. Consistent supply will expand the reach and grow commercial values of German cricket organically.” He added, “Germany is perhaps the only country in Europe that can on its own produce good quality cricket in such high volumes. Sponsors and media partners love it when there is a proper structure and a plan. And if we can add further value for all stakeholders by adding some spice on the digital content front, we can fast track brand Germany to newer markets and audiences. We are committed to that.”

The last event was broadcast LIVE worldwide on multiple platforms – FanCode, Action Sports, Unbeaten +, Unbeaten Prime, SportVot, Cricket Lounge TV, and German cricket’s official YouTube channel. It was also covered by all major data and scoring partners including ESPN, and Olympics.com.

About Deutscher Cricket Bund (DCB)

The Deutscher Cricket Bund is the governing body for cricket in Germany and is responsible for the development, promotion and organization of cricket activities across the country, including domestic, youth and international cricket structures.

For more information, please visit https://www.cricket.de/

About SMW Global Media

SMW Global Media is an international full-service sports agency that serves some of the major leagues, federations, teams and broadcasters in the world. With a global reach, they have been involved in projects in over 41 countries, annually distributing, selling and producing thousands of hours of live sports and work with over 100 broadcast partners. Their four core areas of expertise include Rights Management, Production Services, Streaming Solutions and Sponsorships. For more information, please visit, smwglobalmedia.com

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