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PKL: Bengal aim to win three games to secure playoff berth
Kolkata, Dec 20 (IANS) Bengal Warriors skipper Surjeet Singh feels their first aim should be to secure qualification for the playoffs as they begin their home run of six matches in the last leg of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL), starting Friday at the Netaji Indoor Stadium here.
The Warriors, who are now placed fourth in Zone B with 48 points from 16 matches, have reached the playoffs twice including last year.
The city-based outfit take on wooden spooners Tamil Thalaivas in their first game followed by Patna Pirates and inter zone wild card opponent Dabang Delhi.
“The first three matches are very important for us. If we win the first three games, our qualification is secured,” right cover Surjeet told IANS on the eve of their first match.
“That is the first aim. Then we need to also keep in mind that if we manage to win all six games, we will top the group and get the advantage of playing an extra match if we lose,” he said.
The top two teams from each pool will qualify for the knockouts with group winners playing each other for a direct place in the final.
The second best team will take on the winner of the second semi-final played between the two second ranked teams in both the groups.
Surjeet stressed that they cannot get ahead of themselves and think about winning all six games just now and think about one match at a time.
“We will have to improve on a few areas and we have worked on that. We cannot think of topping the group just yet as we have a job to do from tomorrow. We need to focus on each match individually as one slip up can cost us,” Surjeet added.
Coach Jagdish Kumble urged the local crowd to get behind the team as they are playing at home the last in the caravan league format and are craving for home comfort.
“We want the people of Kolkata to come in large numbers and get behind us. We have missed support as we have been on the road for far too long. We have seen Tamil Thalaivas get huge support and other teams too. We are seeking home comfort,” said Kumble.
There are no injuries in the side, captain Surjeet further said, adding they need to improve on their raiding and defending going into the last six matches.
The Warriors will depend heavily on star raider Maninder Singh, who has 141 raid points from 15 games so far while experienced all-rounder Ran Singh will have to shoulder a lot of responsibility to balance the team.
South Korean raider Jang Kung Lee, who has been with the side since the first season, will also be tasked with garnering raid points and helping the youngsters.
–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.