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Priyanka Chopra is an incredible role model: ‘American Idol’ contestant

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By Sugandha Rawal
New Delhi, June 30 (IANS) Indian-origin singer Alyssa Raghunandan, who was one of the contestants on the singing reality show “American Idol” season 16, says she wants to be a role model for young girls just like Indian actress Priyanka Chopra.

Raghunandan, 15, didn’t make it to the top 14 of the singing reality show, aired in India on Zee Cafe. But she impressed Grammy nominee and judge Katy Perry with her talent. She says she wants to use her fame for some good.

“I want to go forward by being a role model for young girls. To make sure that they know that they don’t have to show skin or don’t have to do what they don’t want to. They can be smart and they can go to school and do what they love regardless of what it is,” Raghunandan told IANS over the phone from Florida.

“I feel a lot of young women need that and I want to be the role model to show that,” added the 15-year-old.

How did you develop this goal?

“I think because of the way my parents brought me up. It is really important to be respectful towards others and I think a lot of celebrities are kind of missing that.”

Talking about people who inspire her, she said: “I like Beyonce. She is amazing. I want to be like her, and I want to be like Priyanka Chopra. I feel she is an incredible role model and that is why I want to be like her. They have inspired me very much.”

Priyanka is on a global high, and scaling new heights with each move. After making a place for herself in the west with her musical skills, the actress got more popular when she got into the foreign television space with “Quantico”. She then ventured into Hollywood with “Baywatch”.

Raghunandan loves Priyanka, and would like to sing with her.

“That is my dream. If I ever had that opportunity, I think my life would be set. I will be the happiest girl in the world,” she added.

Looking back at her love for singing, she said: “I realised that I want to be a singer when I started performing as a kid. I really liked the reaction that I got from the audience. I realised that I love how I make people happy.

“‘American Idol’ gave me a big opportunity…I can’t believe that it happened to me…Dreams really come true.”

Raghunandan, who has never been to India despite being connected to the country, says her father Dennis Raghunandan has been her pillar of strength in her life.

“My dad is my best friend. He goes with me everywhere. He helps me, drives me for all my performances. He is such a great person. He is the person who challenges me the most when it comes to making music, singing and gives me honest feedback.”

Raghunandan, whose great-grandparents were from India, will be skipping a grade.

“My studies were great and my grades were perfect so my school said that I can graduate early. It is about balance. I feel I can do both at the same time if I put in my effort and make sure that I give it my all.

“Being smart is important and being educated is very important. If I have to follow this stream, I have to be both,” said Raghunandan, who is inundated with offers to perform at several places — all thanks to her stint in the reality show.

(Sugandha Rawal can be contacted at [email protected])

–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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