QWrap: Celebrating Women’s Cricket Team; Reliance JioPhone Decoded

Find the top headlines from the day in QWrap.

The Indian women’s cricket team. 

(Photo: Reuters)

1. Forget Defeat, It’s Time to Celebrate Indian Women’s Cricket Team

From just one win and an early exit in the last edition of the Women’s World Cup in 2013, Mithali Raj’s team has come a long way.

Riding on a 16-match ODI winning streak that ended in February 2017, this young team has proven itself time and again in the last three weeks. From an opening fixture win against favourites England, to a must-win game against New Zealand, and even a big victory over defending champions Australia – this team accomplished a lot since the start of the tournament. A tournament in which they weren’t even given a direct entry.

Read more here.

2. Farewell Pranab Mukherjee, the President Who Spoke His Mind

June 2012. Pranab Mukherjee was the most unlikely candidate for President. Although he’d emerged unscathed from a turbulent tenure as Finance Minister in the 2G scam-hit UPA, Pranab was expected to play his role as Congress’ go-to troubleshooter ahead of Modi’s advent in the 2014 general election.

This was despite the fact that his small frame and gentle demeanor did not make for an election slayer. A Rajya Sabha member since 1969, Mukherjee won only two Lok Sabha elections, 2004 and 2009, from Jangipur, West Bengal. That too, with a margin that was that nothing to write home about.

Read more here.

3. JNU VC Jagadesh Thinks an Army Tank on Campus Will Inspire Students

Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) Vice Chancellor M Jagadesh Kumar on Sunday made an unusual request for an Army tank that can be displayed prominently on the campus.

As the university – which was at the centre of a controversy for alleged anti-India slogans last year – came together to observe 'Kargil Vijay Diwas', Kumar appealed to Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, and former Army chief Gen VK Singh, MoS for External Affairs, to help JNU “procure an Army tank”.

“The presence of an Army tank will constantly remind students of the great sacrifice and valour of the Indian Army and defence forces,” Kumar said.

Read more here.

4. An Irresponsible Director: Rishi on Anurag Basu Post Jagga Debacle

Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif’s Jagga Jasoos hasn’t been shining too brightly at the box office. It raked in approximately Rs 430 million (Rs 43.12 crore gross) till 23 July, according to Box Office India – it was made with a budget of Rs 1.1 billion. And Ranbir’s father, Rishi Kapoor, is not at all happy with director Anurag Basu. Kapoor senior has lashed out against the Jagga Jasoos director for not showing the film to producers before releasing it – Ranbir is one of the co-producers.

Not one to mince words, Rishi Kapoor, in an interview to Mid-Day, accused Anurag Basu of being irresponsible with other people’s time and money. According to him, the director was mixing the film till Wednesday, with the release due the next day. He said music director Pritam didn’t submit his music on time either.

Read more here.

5. Decoded: Stunning Numbers Behind Reliance JioPhone

Reliance JioPhone, announced at the company's AGM on 21 July, could prove to be a huge disrupter in the market because of the offers it comes with. The phone, according to Reliance Chairman Mukesh Ambani, is effectively free as it comes with a refundable deposit of Rs 1,500.

This deposit can be claimed after three years, once the instrument is returned. But how many would really return the instrument? The investment may not seem like much for a smart feature phone, but if you look at the numbers Reliance is planning to roll out, the figures are staggering.

Read more here.

(We all love to express ourselves, but how often do we do it in our mother tongue? Here's your chance! This Independence Day, khul ke bol with BOL – Love your Bhasha. Sing, write, perform, spew poetry – whatever you like – in your mother tongue. Send us your BOL at [e-mail] or WhatsApp it to 9910181818.)