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Sudha, other athletes rue poor course management in TSK 25K
Kolkata, Dec 16 (IANS) Asian Games gold medallist Sudha Singh was among the elite athletes who rued the poor finishes in the Kolkata 25 kilometres road race, saying the organisers should change the elite section flag-off timing so that it does not clash with the open section.
Sudha added that there were no marshals for the second pack as they were also left in the lurch.
“I am not complaining but it’s a request to get it corrected. You all know how the Delhi Half Marathon or Mumbai Full Marathon are conducted,” Sudha told reporters after the run here.
The Tata Steel Kolkata 25K (TSK 25K) run saw elite 25 km runners struggle to finish and the pace getting affected due to open category participants coming in their way.
Competing in her first event since winning a silver in the 3000 metre steeplechase, two-time Olympian Sudha finished eighth overall, second among Indians, with a timing of 1:29:11.
“In the last stretch, we had all the people walking, jogging along the way and there were even bottle sprayers. It creates a big problem,” Sudha expressed.
“It’s not a new problem here, but persisting since the inaugural edition 2014. I’ve been saying this for last three years and I hope they get it corrected in 2019,” she said adding: “There were also no marshals for the second pack so it was difficult for us to find the route. We even took a wrong route. It’s just a request to get it corrected.”
Sudha added that she was satisfied with the timing as she returned after a rest period following the Asian Games in Indonesia.
“This will help in endurance. I will run next in the Mumbai Marathon next month,” said Sudha, who is eyeing the World Championship and Olympics qualifying marks.
Services runner Avinash Sable, who finished first among the Indians in the men’s section, echoed Sudha, saying even the international runners suffered.
“There was a lot of disturbances from the open category. Cameramen were coming in front and it slowed down the race. If Elite section is flagged off early from next year onwards, the quality of race will improve hugely. Common racers in the last 5 km really affected the timing of the international runners as well,” Sable opined.
–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.