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Mumbai Marathon all set to begin
Mumbai: Mumbai Marathon is all set to be commenced from tomorrow with Kenya’s Evans Ruto and his countrymen including Henry Sugut and Luke Kibet, will face stiff competition from three Ethiopian challengers at the $360,000.
Last year the Kenyans completed a clean sweep, clinching the top three places, but this year their party could be ambushed by the Ethiopians, who are led by the experienced Dereje Debele, Shume Hailu and Tesfaye Abera.
The 29-year-old Debele, who has a personal best time of 2:07:48, has not had a very impressive 2014, but this time around he is expected to produce a strong run. Hailu comes into this race with wins in Marathon des Alpes-Maritimes and Rome Marathon, both with timings of a little over 2:09.
However, the 30-year-old Ruto, who finished in 2:09:33 last year and narrowly missed the course record, is set to defend his title. Ruto also has a promise to fulfil as he said last year that he would return and try to finish the race in 2.07 or 2.08. So with a personal best of 2:07:47, he has a promise to keep.
Besides Sugut, who returns after an injury layoff and Kibet, the other Kenyan runners are Jacob Cheshari, Filex Kiprotich, Michael Chege, Benard Rotich, Peter Kosgei, Silas Kipruto and Bernard Kihanya.
Meanwhile, the women’s defending champion Dinknesh Mekash will spearhead a strong field of seven runners from Ethiopia and with just two Kenyans in the fray, they are expected to dominate the event. The 30-year-old Mekash, who trains in Addis Ababa, will have to watch out for Kenya’s Gladys Kipsoi if she hopes to retain her title.
Kenya’s Kipsoi, who finished second to Mekash last year, had said that she wants to win the race and has trained hard and would give her best to emerge a clear winner.
Indian category defending champions Karan Singh and three-time winner Lalita Babar are the faces of the Indian challenge in the men’s and women’s categories. But this time Karan, of Army Sports Institute, will face strong competition from seasoned Ram Singh Yadav, who has vast experience in long distance running.
Rashpal Singh of the Sikh Regiment, who finished second last year, and Ratiram Saini from Rajasthan are the others who could stop Karan from defending his title.
Meanwhile, veteran Kerala athlete O.P. Jesha will pose a major threat to Babar and prevent the Maharashtra runner from extending her reign. The Keralite, who is making her marathon debut, had earlier said that she has nothing to lose and would go all out to push for a first place finish.
From this year there is an added incentive for Indian participants as IT firm TCS will sponsor the top two elite Indian (male and female) runners, who finish in the first and second positions at the New York City Marathon.
The weather will play a big role. If the temperature drops, then the people of Mumbai will witness a great race.
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.