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India have a good chance to win in Australia: Azharuddin
Kolkata, Nov 2 (IANS) Former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin on Friday said India have a good chance to win in Australia although they will have to push hard for every inch as it won’t be easy Down Under.
“India have a good chance Down Under. They are a good side and I fancy them winning there. Of course it won’t be easy. It never is in Australia. But this team can do it,” Azharuddin said on the sidelines of Jagmohan Dalmiya Annual Conclave at the Eden Gardens here.
Azharuddin’s comments echoed Sachin Tendulkar and Harbhajan Singh, who also said recently that this is India’s best chance to win in Australia.
The Australians will be without regular captain Steve Smith and experienced opener David Warner as the pair are serving a one-year ban due to their roles in the ball tampering scandal in March this year.
Along with Azharuddin, West Indies batting legend Brian Lara, former India captain Sourav Ganguly and former skipper Carl Hooper were present and took part in a panel discussion celebrating the silver jubilee of the 1993 CAB Jubilee Tournament: the Hero Cup.
Former South Africa captain Graeme Smith, who delivered a lecture on Dalmiya, was also part of the discussion, during which all of them went down memory lane.
Azharuddin was also asked about the Kookaburra ball which will be used in Australia and the share of criticism it copped from Smith during his speech. Smith said “the Kookaburra ball is letting people down” as it does not swing for a long period of time resulting in “boring” draws.
Tendulkar also recently reckoned that once the Kookaburra ball loses its hardness it will become extremely good for shot-making in Australia, something that should suit the Indians.
“I think different balls are used in different countries and you can’t do much about the rules. Yes with the Kookaburra ball, it doesn’t swing a lot but in England they use the Dukes ball, in India SG, so that’s how it is.”
Azharuddin has an extraordinary record at Eden and he signed off by saying that the stands have changed since the time he played here and the grounds looks lovely.
“The stands were made of cement then. Now it has chairs. The ground is always special to me.”
–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.