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Was the first one to know about Chappell’s mail against Sourav, reveals Sehwag
Kolkata, April 20 (IANS) Virender Sehwag was the first to know about then coach Greg Chappell’s infamous e-mail against Sourav Ganguly during the 2005 Zimbabwe tour, the dashing former India opener revealed on Friday.
“I used to take rest while fielding. I need a break of minimum five overs. I always told the umpire that I had a bad stomach and used to leave the field.
“So Greg was writing his email and I was sitting next to him. I saw he was writing something to the BCCI and I went and told Dada about it. I told him he is writing something to the BCCI and it’s something serious,” Sehwag said during the launch of Boria Majumdar’s book “Eleven Gods and A Billion Indians” at the Fannatic Sports Museum here.
Appointed coach of the Indian cricket team in May 2005, Chappell’s tenure was riddled with controversies, starting with the dropping of Ganguly during a tour of Zimbabwe later that year.
Other famous Indian cricketers too have spoken of Chappell’s tenure as coach.
Sachin Tendulkar’s autobiography “Playing It My Way” included an uncharitable passage about Chappell and Harbhajan Singh once said that he “destroyed Indian cricket to such an extent that it required at least three years to again get back on track”.
Zaheer Khan was quoted as saying that Chappell “had agendas and was getting personal”.
Sehwag was asked to recall his most memorable moment as a cricketer.
“My first test hundred,” said the 39-year old. Sehwag scored 105 against South Africa on debut in Bloemfontein way back in 2001.
“When I played ODIs, people said I can’t play tests and can only score in white-ball cricket. So when I scored my first test hundred and hugged Sourav Ganguly as he gave me chance to play in Tests. I wanted to prove myself,” said Sehwag who has a rare feat of hitting two triple hundreds in Tests. He has played 104 Tests for India and 251 ODIs in a career spanning more than a decade.
Sehwag further added that when he was asked to open the batting in the one-dayers, he was surprised but then skipper Ganguly and coach John Wright pushed him to do that.
“I asked them Sachin opened the batting always and Sourav also started as an opener. So why me? Let me bat in the middle order. But Sourav and John would say then you have to sit out as that is the only place for you in the team.”
About the new captains in the Indian Premier League, Dinesh Karthik of Kolkata Knight Riders and R. Ashwin of Kings XI Punjab, Sehwag who is Punjab’s mentor, said: “Dinesh has done captaincy in all formats for Tamil Nadu. Ashwin had the brain and he’s very smart. As a bowler, he can understand the psychology of a bowler.”
–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
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.