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Important to stand by women in #MeToo movement: Ponnappa

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Kolkata, Oct 29 (IANS) Seasoned doubles shuttler Ashwini Ponnappa on Monday said it’s important to stand by the women in the #MeToo movement.

Her 2010 Commonwealth Games gold medal winning doubles partner Jwala Gutta has been a ‘victim’ and Ponnappa said women need to be understood and heard.

Jwala alleged ‘mental harassment’ by a national coach and spoke about what she had to go through as a player and how she was ‘thrown out’ of the national team.

“In a nation like India, you need to be tough and careful as well. It’s important to stand by them, listen to them and give them strength and courage. It’s not easy to speak up and voice your opinion,” Ponnappa told reporters on the sidelines of the the inaugural Badminton Express League launch.

The #MeToo movement against sexual abuse had taken social media by storm.

Ponnappa along with Jwala had formed a formidable pair and they went on to win a bronze at the 2011 World Championships, a bronze at the 2014 Asian Championships and silver in the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

However, the duo decided to part ways after they failed to win a single game at the Rio Olympics 2016.

Ponnappa added that she was “lucky and blessed” that nothing of that sort has happened to her.

“It’s quite unfortunate with all the things I have read and that’s happened. But all I can say is that I am fortunate in that respect that I don’t have much to complain about or say. I am grateful for that,” she said.

The Badminton Express League will have six teams with 14 players each as they will compete for top honours at the Ordnance Club from November 28-December 2.

Talking about the massive upset she and her current doubles partner N.Sikki Reddy inflicted in the recent Denmark Open ousting seventh seed Lee So Hee and Shin Seung Chan of South Korea to make the quarter-finals, Ponnappa said: “It’s important to understand that when you play doubles, you win and lose together. Sikki and I had a great quarters match and that has given me a lot of confidence that we are going in the right direction.”

“In the quarters match (in the Danish Open) against the Japanese we tried doing the same as we did against the Koreans. It did not work.”

“That’s something we need to work on that we cannot have the same game style against everyone. We need to get better in a few tactical shorts too. It’s important to have something special so that we work it towards the end,” she added.

With the 2020 Olympics in two years time, Ashwini said they are hopeful and working extremely hard to get better.

“We are stretching the top players and it’s about time we start winning. Satwik (Satwiksairaj Rankireddy) and Chirag (Shetty) have had a great run.”

“Sikki and I have had great matches, Satwik and I have had great matches. We are going to do everything we can to qualify and to well a medal,” Ponnappa said.

–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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