Krishnan makes history
A new chapter in the history of Indian tennis was written to-day [December 6] when Ramanathan Krishnan defeated Thomas Koch of Brazil in one of the most grimly contested matches ever by three sets to two here [Calcutta] to take India into the Davis Cup Challenge Round for the first time. When Krishnan trailed by two sets to one yesterday [December 5] and 2-5 in the fourth set this morning [December 6] India’s chances of beating Brazil in the inter-zone final appeared hopelessly bleak. But Krishnan displaying artistry and craft reeled off five games in a row to claim the set and then sailed into an unassailable 4-0 lead in the vital fifth set before defeating Koch 3-6, 6-4, 10-12, 7-5, 6-2 and giving India a well-deserved 3-2 victory over Brazil. And so India will meet Australia in Melbourne on December 26, 27 and 28. Here indeed was a magnificent victory claimed after much sweat and toil not merely because it went to five sets. The tall left-handed Koch took such a firm grip on the fourth set this morning [December 6] that India’s position seemed hopeless. Koch coming in with his deadly angled service and crisp down the line shots dictated the course of play and Krishnan was in serious trouble. If Koch had persisted with these tactics he might have continued to be the master, but to Krishnan’s luck he changed his tactics and decided to play from the baseline. Thus while slowing down the game he played into Krishnan’s hands and the latter finding his touch and pitching his returns on a good length began slowly to turn the tide. Finally when Koch in sheer desperation realised it was time to attack the net it was all too late.
Soviet credit for Fourth Plan
The Indo-USSR agreement of Soviet aid on the Fourth Plan will be signed here [New Delhi] on December 10. The agreement is expected to provide for new State credits totalling 300 million roubles (about Rs. 275 crores). The total Soviet aid during the Fourth Plan period inclusive of spill-over from the Third Plan, Bokaro steel project and commercial credits will be over 900 million roubles. The talks between the official teams of both sides have been proceeding smoothly, according to official sources, but the postponement of the signing of the agreement which was scheduled for tomorrow [December 7] is to facilitate the preparation of the agreements in both English and Russian.
Gang of railway saboteurs
A gang of saboteurs specialising in removal of fish plates from rails and placing bombs on rail tracks is believed to be operating in the eastern States of the country, according to the Central Crime Bureau of the Railway Board. Intensive combing operations, launched by the Bureau’s squad headed by its Deputy Director, Mr. K.K. Puri, has led to the arrest of seven members of the gang, with the help of West Bengal and Bihar police. The squad’s operations began immediately after the accident to a military train near Siliguri in North Bengal on November 11 in which 14 military personnel were killed and 35 injured. Within two days of the accident the squad was able to nab seven persons at Nayagaon (Bihar) and Calcutta who were stated to be making bombs and placing them on rail tracks, besides indulging in other types of sabotage activities. The squad also foiled the gang’s attempt to blow up a track near Nayagaon station on November 13. According to the Bureau the gang is well organised and is supported by anti-national elements. The squad which has spread its net wider in these two States, which are believed to be the main operational field of the gang, expects to make more arrests soon.
