The Born Spectator

Football, F1, Indian

[Fabrizio Romano @FabrizioRomano]

91 year old legendary Argentinian journalist Macaya Márquez was in press conference, covering his 18th (!) World Cup 🐐

“Let me ask you… will Messi play against Jordan or not?” 😬

“I’d never reply to any journalist on this topic now… but it is coming from you, and so I tell you: Messi will not start” 👏🏼

“I respect you too much, I’m proud to see you here”, added.

Scaloni then went to hug Márquez and took a picture 🫂🥹

Two absolute legends. ��𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚 𝐠𝐮𝐲. 👏🏼

🎥 @okdobleamarilla

[The Sacred Scroll @SacredScroll]

📅 JUNE 18 DAY 24 | YOGENDRA SINGH YADAV 19 YEARS OLD, 15 BULLETS, TIGER HILL

The youngest recipient of the Param Vir Chakra was just 19 years old.

He was shot at least 15 times on a vertical ice wall at 16,500 feet. He was temporarily left for dead. He woke up, kept climbing, killed four enemy soldiers in close combat, and silenced a vital bunker. He had volunteered to be the lead climber, securing the ropes that allowed his elite platoon to follow him up into the frozen darkness.

He survived to tell the story. But his survival was such a miracle that his medal was originally announced posthumously.

The Young Soldier
Grenadier Yogendra Singh Yadav was born on May 10, 1980. He enlisted in the Indian Army at just 16 years old. By the summer of 1999, the 19-year-old was assigned to 18 Grenadiers one of the infantry units tasked with the impossible: capturing Tiger Hill.

The Night of July 4, 1999
The Tiger Hill assault was assigned to a Ghatak platoon of 18 Grenadiers a small, elite unit of highly trained commandos.
The assault began before dawn on July 4. The approach required scaling a 60-foot, nearly 90-degree cliff face with ropes, in the freezing dark, under heavy fire. Halfway up, Pakistani forces detected the team. They opened fire, killing the team commander and two leading soldiers. The assault was in danger of collapsing.

Yadav was hit by multiple bullets in his groin, shoulder, and arm. Believing him dead, the enemy temporarily ceased fire. Instead of falling, Yadav ignored his shattered body, climbed the remaining distance, and lobbed a grenade into the enemy bunker. He then charged the position, killing four soldiers in hand-to-hand combat and securing the foothold.

He shouted down to his platoon to follow the ropes he had secured. They did. The assault was renewed, and Tiger Hill fell.

After the Battle
Yadav’s wounds were so catastrophic that the Indian Army officially announced his Param Vir Chakra posthumously, unable to fathom that anyone could survive that level of trauma. It was only later discovered he was fighting for his life in a military hospital.

Against all odds, he recovered to receive the PVC in person one of only two Kargil veterans, alongside Rifleman Sanjay Kumar, to live to see their award.

He went on to serve a full, distinguished career in the Army, eventually retiring as an Honorary Captain. He carries the scars of that cliff face physical and otherwise every single day.

When asked about his actions, he insists he didn't do anything special. He says he just did his duty.

A 19-year-old boy, shattered by 15 bullets on a frozen cliff at 16,500 feet, who simply refused to stop.

That's not ordinary. That's not even extraordinary.
That's something for which we don't quite have a word.

🇮🇳 #Kargil27 #KargilVijayDiwas #ParamVirChakra

[LestWeForgetIndia🇮🇳 @LestWeForgetIN]

27 years of #Kargil

#LestWeForgetIndia🇮🇳 Captain Deepak Guleria, Sena Medal, 3 RR Sec HQ/ASC and his supreme sacrifice #OnThisDay 18 June in 1999.

The #IndianBrave rescued civilians and soldiers injured in an IED blast on the Srinagar-Kargil highway during #OpVijay before laying down his life.

Capt Guleria was functioning as staff captain to 3 RR Sector HQ and was closely involved with all operations of the battalion. On 18 June 1999, terrorists engineered an IED blast on the Srinagar-Kargil highway, injuring many soldiers and civilians.

The #IndianBrave responded immediately and swung into action with his troops.

Capt Guleria formed a rescue team and supervised the evacuation of the injured civilians and soldiers. They were taken to a nearby helipad to be taken to the hospital by air. When he was about to return to the base, a second IED blast took place, injuring him seriously.

Capt Guleria was hit by a barrage of shrapnel and sustained multiple injuries. After administering first aid, he was taken to the base hospital at Srinagar. However, he succumbed to his injuries on the way.

The gallant Brave was conferred with the Sena Medal posthumously.

Remember Capt Guleria - his courage, leadership, comradeship, and supreme sacrifice in service of the nation at the age of 31 years. 🏵️

#RememberingKargil

[The Born Spectator @DBornSpectator]

Fabinho is still the "out of nowhere" signing for me. This comes a very close second though

[Neat Excel @AdewoluAre]

Richard Hughes and Michael Edwards have turned Liverpool into football's silent killers.

While everyone was tracking other deals, Liverpool had medical staff at Spain's World Cup camp, completed the medical, and locked Víctor Muñoz into a 6-year contract.

No drama. No leaks. No bidding war.

Just another hijack completed before rivals knew what hit them.

Be honest, Reds, is this the most ruthless Liverpool transfer team we've ever seen?

[Jyoti Gokhale Pendse 🇮🇳 @priority_n]

A Braveheart must have sensed his death. Hours before he sent a picture to their family group saying,
“MAY BE THIS IS MY LAST PICTURE.”

By evacuating he saved 4 jawans, killed 1 terrorist, injuring 2 in the exchange of fire at Anantnag on Jun 17, 2019.

Homage to
MAJOR KETAN SHARMA
19 RR/57 ENGINEERS
SENA MEDAL
on his Balidan Diwas today.

#KnowYourHeroes

[Kush Maini @kmainiofficial]

Big weekend for us in Barcelona, claiming top step in the Sprint.
Massive thanks to @artgp_official for the car and reminding me of why I love this sport.
Back to work for Spielberg👊Always an honor to see the Tricolor fly high in a foreign land 🇮🇳 Thanks for all the support ❤️🙏

[SSBCrack @SSBCrack]

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Thiru S. Joseph Vijay felicitated Kirti Chakra awardee Lance Naik A. Meenatchi Sundaram and presented him with a cheque of ₹48 lakh on behalf of the state government.

The recognition celebrates the soldier’s extraordinary courage, unwavering dedication and exemplary service to the nation.

His bravery continues to inspire millions across the country. 🎖️

[The Born Spectator @DBornSpectator]

@kunalashah @FanCode @F1Niharika Way to go!

[Kunal Shah @kunalashah]

LOVE to see the first Indian broadcaster reporting from the Formula 1 paddock.
Kudos to @FanCode.

Lots of manifesting has led to this & I'm excited by what FanCode is building for the Indian audiences; and happy to play my part.

You've earned your stripes, @F1Niharika.

[The Born Spectator @DBornSpectator]

@DesiRacingco Absolute domination on a proper European track. So good to see this.

[The Born Spectator @DBornSpectator]

@IAF_MCC Om Shanti 🙏

[Maj Digvijay Singh Rawat, Kirti Chakra (Retd) @Dig_raw21]

JCO saab won in life !!

[SANATAN @Eternaldharma_]

NSG Commando Surjan Singh Bhandari: The Warrior Who Fought Death for 600 Days

NSG Commando Surjan Singh Bhandari displayed extraordinary courage during the terrorist attack on Akshardham Temple in Gujarat and continued fighting for his life for nearly 600 days before making the ultimate sacrifice for the nation.

A native of Rano village in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, Surjan Singh Bhandari was serving with the National Security Guard (NSG) on deputation from the Garhwal Scouts. On 24 September 2002, when terrorists attacked the Akshardham Temple in Gujarat, he was among the elite commandos deployed as part of Operation Vajra Shakti to rescue innocent civilians and neutralize the attackers.

During a close-range firefight with the terrorists, Bhandari was struck by a bullet in the head. The bullet became lodged in his brain stem, leaving him critically injured. Despite his condition, the NSG operation successfully eliminated both terrorists and saved hundreds of innocent lives.

Following the attack, he was admitted to Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, where doctors performed multiple surgeries. Later, at his family’s request, he was shifted to AIIMS, New Delhi for advanced treatment. He remained on ventilator support and in a coma for nearly 600 days, battling between life and death.

Recognizing his exceptional bravery, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee awarded him the Kirti Chakra, India’s second-highest peacetime gallantry award, while he was still in a coma. The honor was formally conferred by President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam.

His sacrifice drew national attention. Then Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi reportedly ensured extensive medical support for his treatment. Senior leaders, including Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Sushma Swaraj, also visited him during his prolonged struggle.

After fighting courageously for almost two years, Surjan Singh Bhandari passed away on 19 May 2004 at AIIMS Delhi, with the Indian tricolor placed beside him. He was only about 25 years old. Even today, his story remains an enduring symbol of courage, duty, and sacrifice for the NSG, the Indian Armed Forces, and the nation.

Surjan Singh Bhandari did not fall on the battlefield that day. He continued his battle for 600 days, refusing to give up until he had given everything in service of India. His sacrifice will forever be remembered as one of the most remarkable examples of devotion to duty and love for the nation.

[Liverpool FC @LFC]

Divock Origi has announced his retirement from professional football.

Congratulations on a brilliant career and enjoy your retirement, Divock ❤️

[Kumar-Risid🇮🇳🚩🇮🇳 @Risid001]

This is the story of Lt. Col. Rishi Rajalakshmi (Nair), the man they call "India's Most Fearless."

THE NIGHTMARE IN PULWAMA (2017)

🔥It was March 4, 2017. Tral, Pulwama. Intel confirmed that terrorists were fortified inside a civilian house. It was a death trap. Sending men in was suicide; bombing it from afar would kill civilians.
🔥Major Rishi (then with 42 Rashtriya Rifles) made a choice that defies human instinct. He didn't order his men to go. He volunteered to go himself.
🔥His mission was to plant an IED to bring down the specific section of the house hiding the terrorists.

THE IMPACT

As he crawled into the kill zone, all hell broke loose.
🔥Bullet 1: Grazed his helmet.
🔥Bullet 2: Tore through his nose.
🔥Bullet 3: Shattered his jaw completely.
🔥Most men would die from the shock alone. Others would collapse. Rishi? He kept firing.
🔥With his face mutilated, blood pouring out, and unable to speak, he refused to evacuate until the terrorists were neutralized and his team was safe. He didn't just survive; he ensured the mission was a success.

THE RESURRECTION

🔥The aftermath was brutal. *28 major surgeries* . A face reconstructed from bone grafts and metal plates. A permanent loss of normal speech and eating abilities.
🔥The Medical Board prepared his discharge papers. " *You've done enough, soldier. Go home* ."
🔥But Lt. Col. Rishi had other plans. He didn't want a pension; he wanted his uniform. He rehabilitated himself with a ferocity that scared even his doctors.
He returned to active duty.

THE WAYANAD SAVIOR (2024)

🔥Years later, when the devastating landslides hit Wayanad, Kerala, who was leading the rescue on the ground?

🔥The Masked https://t.co/wZycQytPkd. Col. Rishi Rajalakshmi was there, wading through mud and death, pulling his own people out of the debris* . From fighting terrorists in Kashmir to saving civilians in Kerala, his war for India never ended.

WE HAVE FAILED HIM

🔥We live in a society that will make a stranger/anti nationals like Cockroaches famous for a 15-second dance reel or their anti national statements , yet we scroll right past the man who literally sacrificed his face to keep us safe. We feast on hollow entertainment while he eats through a tube.
🔥That mask isn't a choice; it’s the receipt for our freedom, and the fact that we don't know his name is our collective shame.
_Lt. Col. Rishi Rajalakshmi is not just a soldier; he is a living testament to the fact that the_ Indian Army is not made of flesh and blood, but of iron and will.
Jai Hind 🫡🇮🇳🫡
वंदे मातरम्🙏💐
Salute to our all braves who are protecting us 24x7

[Liverpool FC @LFC]

We can confirm Andoni Iraola has agreed a deal to become the club’s new head coach ahead of the 2026-27 season 🤝

[Charles Leclerc @Charles_Leclerc]

Here to stay ❤️ @ScuderiaFerrari

[Elite Predators @elitepredatorss]

Shaurya Chakra awardee Amit Kumar Rana, a MARCOS commando of the Indian Navy, has passed away in a road accident.

In Op Danna, he neutralized a terrorist at extremely close range while providing cover to Lt Cdr Mahesh Kumar, who neutralized another terrorist. In Op Shok Baba, Rana sir volunteered to advance under heavy enemy fire and place an IED on a fortified terrorist hideout, leading to the elimination of three terrorists.

Rest in peace, warrior. Your service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.

[ZEE @ZEECorporate]

‘Z’ partners with FIFA to bring 39 global football events including FIFA World Cup 2026™, FIFA World Cup 2030™ & FIFA Women’s World Cup™ 2027 for Indian fans!

Click here to read more: https://t.co/ikr5nUF1Ck

#FIFAWorldCup #WorldCup2026 #FIFAonZ

[Liverpool FC @LFC]

James Milner has announced his retirement from football. Congratulations on an incredible career, James ❤️