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Cumberbatch finds it ‘strange’ to quit acting for charity

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By Natalia Ningthoujam
Singapore, April 15 (IANS) Benedict Cumberbatch has raised money for cancer charity, highlighted the plight of Syrian refugees and helped children in need. But the Oscar-nominated actor says it would be strange to give up acting for charity work.

The British star, known for donating his own drawings for fundraisers, was awarded the CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in 2015 by the Queen for his services to the performing arts and to charity.

Has “The Imitation Game” actor ever thought of saying goodbye to acting and doing charity work full time?

“No. But I am very happy to use the platform to reach out to people and try and focus people’s attention on worthy causes,” Cumberbatch said in response to a question asked by IANS here.

“I am no expert, not a politician or a policymaker or in the field of charity work. It’s very much about a reaction to something.

“My job is to be an actor. That’s how I got to reach out to people. So, it would be a strange thing to give all that up for that (charity work),” added the son of actors Wanda Ventham and Timothy Carlton.

On the big screen also, the “Sherlock” star is part of a huge gang that will go to great lengths to save planet Earth from any threat – the latest being the mad titan Thanos in the forthcoming superhero film “Avengers: Infinity War”.

Marvel Studios’ 10th anniversary begins with the release of “Avengers: Infinity War”, which will hit the Indian screens on April 27.

“It was too much fun to make it. It was a roller coaster ride. It has been 10 years in the making, 10 years of people’s lives and 10 years of different stories. It’s exciting to be counted amongst them,” said the actor, who joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Doctor Strange.

Apart from having his own standalone film on the powerful sorcerer, he appeared on actor Chris Hemsworth led 2017 Marvel film “Thor: Ragnarok”.

“Avengers: Infinity War” will be his first time with the rest of the Avengers, which include characters played by Robert Downey Jr, Mark Ruffalo and Chris Evans.

“You feel like a tiny square in a huge mosaic. You know you are a small part of a bigger picture,” he said.

But the preparation for his role was no different for him.

“I had absorbed whatever I had to from the films and comic books. All the heavyweight work was done by (Marvel Studios president) Kevin Feige, Joe Russo (one of the film’s directors) and the team. I trust them as far as the script goes,” said Cumberbatch.

(The writer’s trip to Singapore is at the invitation of Disney. Natalia Ningthoujam can be contacted at Natalia.n@Ian’s.in)

–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma

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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.

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