The J&K UT Senior Basketball Championship, organized by the J&K Basketball Association under the aegis of the J&K Sports Council, concluded with fervor at MA Stadium today. Featuring spirited participation from 15 teams—11 men’s and 4 women’s—the championship showcased the talent and passion for basketball across the Union Territory.

In the men’s final, District Jammu clinched a hard-fought victory over STC Jammu, with the game concluding at an exhilarating scoreline of 72-69. The match kept the audience on the edge of their seats, as both teams displayed outstanding skill and determination. Earlier, the battle for third place saw J&K Police defeat Udhampur with a final score of 77-70, securing their place on the podium.

In the women’s category, the Warriors emerged victorious, demonstrating remarkable coordination and strategy to claim the championship title. Reasi district took the runner-up position in a commendable performance.

The championship began with a warm welcome by Dr. Vikram Handa, President of the J&K Basketball Association, who acknowledged the growing popularity of basketball in the region. Chief Guest Nuzhat Gul, Secretary of the J&K Sports Council, graced the occasion and applauded the energy and skill exhibited during the nail-biting matches. She reiterated the Sports Council’s commitment to promoting basketball by assuring the provision of courts in every district of J&K in the near future.

Dr. N.S. Bhutyal, Superintendent of GMC Jammu, served as the guest of honour. Aman Sharma, Secretary of the J&K Basketball Association, presented an annual report on the association’s activities, highlighting its efforts to foster the sport across the region.

The closing ceremony saw several dignitaries in attendance, including Rajeev Sharma, Member of the J&K Sports Council; Kuldeep Gupta, Technical Director of the Kabaddi Federation; Suraj Bhan, Manager of the Indoor Stadium; DSO Baljinder Singh; and Ashok Singh Jamwal, Senior Vice President of JKBA. Also present were Faisal Hameed, Treasurer of JKBA; Sushma Jamwal, Chief Coach of the JK Sports Council; and Shubham Sharma, Mentor of Khelo India. Coaches and officials like Rohan Kundal, Kunal, Manoj Kumar Solanki, Rajesh Bandral, and Harpreet Singh contributed to the smooth execution of the tournament.

The championship provided not only a platform for competition but also an opportunity for athletes to build camaraderie and sportsmanship. With the promise of enhanced facilities and continued support from the J&K Sports Council, the future of basketball in the region looks bright.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma marked the 100th birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee by unveiling a statue of the former Prime Minister in the state capital. The ceremony, held at the Atal Udyan complex in Adabari, was a heartfelt tribute to one of India’s most cherished leaders. Alongside the statue unveiling, Sarma also inaugurated an exhibition dedicated to Vajpayee’s life, achievements, and vision for India.

In his address, Sarma extolled Vajpayee’s unparalleled contributions to the nation as a three-time Prime Minister, a skilled statesman, and an ambassador of peace. “A poet, an orator par excellence, a guiding light for the nation, Atal ji laid the foundation of a strong India and had a special love for Assam and its people,” Sarma remarked.

The Chief Minister reflected on Vajpayee’s transformative leadership, which he said played a pivotal role in shaping modern India. Sarma underscored Vajpayee’s commitment to national unity, his efforts to foster harmony, and his unwavering dedication to India’s integrity. “His enduring legacy will serve as a guiding force for Assam’s growth and development,” he added.

The Atal Udyan complex, now featuring the grand statue and the accompanying exhibition, is envisioned as a place of learning and inspiration for generations to come. Visitors to the exhibition can explore Vajpayee’s life journey, from his early days in politics to his tenure as Prime Minister, during which he spearheaded several landmark initiatives, including the Golden Quadrilateral highway project and advancements in nuclear science.

Earlier in the day, Sarma participated in the ‘Good Governance Day’ celebrations at the BJP headquarters in Guwahati. Speaking at the event, he highlighted Vajpayee’s visionary leadership and the values of transparency, efficiency, and accountability that he championed throughout his political career.

The day-long celebrations also included cultural programs, seminars on effective governance practices, and discussions on Vajpayee’s contributions to India’s socio-economic development. BJP leaders and supporters reiterated their commitment to carrying forward Vajpayee’s vision of a prosperous and inclusive India.

As Assam paid homage to Vajpayee, Chief Minister Sarma’s tribute served as a poignant reminder of the former Prime Minister’s deep connection with the state and its people. “Atal ji’s contributions are not just a chapter in history; they are a living legacy that continues to guide us towards building a stronger, more united India,” Sarma concluded.

New Delhi, Dec 24  – The Indian IT hiring landscape is at a critical juncture, shifting from a challenging year to a promising outlook for 2025. The focus on specialised skills, particularly in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data science, along with a rise in hiring in Tier 2 cities, signals a transformation in the sector.

In 2024, the Indian IT industry saw a 7% decline in hiring compared to the previous year, primarily due to macroeconomic challenges and global uncertainties. However, experts are optimistic that the sector will recover in 2025, driven by improvements in economic conditions and technological advancements.

Sunil Chemmankotil, Country Manager at Adecco India, noted that while Global Capability Centres (GCCs) contributed significantly to the hiring activity, accounting for 52.6% of job openings for tech professionals, they couldn’t fully offset the downturn in the IT services sector. Despite this, there were areas of growth and resilience.

The demand for AI and Machine Learning (ML) roles surged by 39%, reflecting an increasing focus on specialised skill sets. Additionally, hiring in Tier 2 cities grew by 48% in the third quarter of 2024, suggesting a geographic shift towards more diversified job opportunities beyond traditional tech hubs.

Hiring for mid- to senior-level professionals rose by 35%, as companies sought experienced candidates amid market fluctuations. Meanwhile, hiring for fresh graduates remained subdued, with growth rates ranging from 2-15% across various tech sectors, according to TeamLease Edtech data. Many companies delayed onboarding campus hires due to uncertain deal flows, influenced in part by the global political climate surrounding major elections.

Looking ahead to 2025, the outlook for the IT hiring market is promising. According to the ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey (MEOS) for Q1 2025, 53% of the 3,150 employers surveyed in India expect increased hiring, the highest among the 42 countries studied.

Jaideep Kewalramani, COO and Head of Employability Business at TeamLease Edtech, said the delayed hiring of freshers in 2024 is expected to change as large projects are anticipated to return in early 2025. This is expected to benefit large players first, with Tier 2 and 3 companies likely to see an increase in orders as buyer sentiment improves.

As macroeconomic headwinds ease and the results of global elections are finalised, companies are expected to gain confidence in the economic outlook and begin capital investments, stimulating deal flow in early 2025. While initial hiring for fresh graduates may remain subdued, the launch of large projects in early 2025 will likely increase job opportunities for new graduates, Kewalramani added.

Wipro CTO Sandhya Arun emphasized that enterprises will accelerate the integration of AI and other advanced technologies to drive significant business value. “2025 promises to be a year of high-velocity technology disruptions, offering new opportunities and presenting unprecedented challenges,” she said.

The demand for specialised tech roles is expected to surge by 30-35%, driven by increased reliance on emerging technologies. Sanju Ballurkar, President (Experis India), ManpowerGroup India, noted that the shift towards AI and automation in India’s IT sector will continue to impact recruitment, with AI-driven tools and machine learning redefining job roles and creating demand for highly specialised positions.

Overall, the IT sector is expected to rebound with a projected 15-20% growth in job opportunities across various industries, according to Chemmankotil. “Looking ahead, the combined hiring intent from GCCs and IT services will bring much-needed relief to job seekers. Employers are optimistic about recovery and growth as companies adapt to new technological landscapes and market needs,” he said.