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Sindhu definitely among Indian badminton greats: Padukone
New Delhi, Aug 7 (IANS) Badminton legend Prakash Padukone has no hesitation in calling four-time World Championship medallist P.V. Sindhu as one of the “greats” among Indian shuttlers even as he hoped that the Hyderabadi will break her silver medal run in major championships.
Sindhu recently returned with a second successive silver medal from the Nanjing World Championships after going down to her old nemesis Carolina Marin of Spain in the summit clash. The Spaniard had also defeated Sindhu at the Rio Olympic Games final.
The 23-year-old has settled for the second spot in four successive tournaments this season — India Open, Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, Thailand Open and the World Championships — with many questioning her inability to win the finals of major tournaments.
However, Padukone, who was ranked World No.1 in 1980 — the same year that he became the first Indian to win the All England title — said performing at the top level with that kind of consistency is not easy.
“She has played quite well, it’s quite creditable that she has reached the second successive World Championship final. The competition at the top isn’t easy, but I think she should aim for the gold next time,” Padukone told reporters after the final of the PNB Metlife Junior championship season 4, here.
“On the whole, I reckon that’s a creditable performance. She beat two good Japanese players (Nozomi Okuhara and Akane Yamaguchi) to whom she normally loses. It’s unfortunate that she couldn’t win the final,” he added.
On being asked if Sindhu can be counted among the greats in Indian badminton, Padukone said: “She is definitely one among the greats. She is still very young, she’s got a long way to go.”
“She’s only 23, I think by the time she retires she will conquer many more milestones.”
While Sindhu has consistently raised the bar in global tournaments, the story of her compatriot and London Olympics bronze medallist Saina Nehwal isn’t quite the same.
Padukone advised the Hyderabad-based star to manage her workload to get back to winning ways.
“Good that she is staging a comeback, she needs to be a little more consistent and manage her schedule a little better. You have to ask the coach, it depends on each individual,” he said.
On India’s chances in the upcoming Asian Games starting August 18, the 63-year-old said it will be tough considering the participation of all the top badminton playing nations.
“It will be tough because most of the top badminton playing nations are in Asia, a lot of them are preparing for the Asian Games.”
“It’s also so close to the World Championships, so it’s difficult for any player to pick in two important events but it’s not impossible. It depends on how they pick that week,” he said.
Padukone conceded that Indian players have started conquering the Asian wall, once dominated by the Chinese, Malaysian and Indonesian shuttlers but at the same time wanted his country’s shuttlers to focus on consistency.
“We have already conquered it, it’s just that we have not been able to put it across in the important events but most of our top players have already beaten the top Asian players in some tournament or the other.
“It’s not that they are unbeatable, it’s just that we need to click at the important events,” he added.
–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.
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