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AIFF to reschedule Real Kashmir vs Minerva I-League tie
New Delhi, March 5 (IANS) The All India Football Federation (AIFF) on Tuesday decided to reschedule and relocate the I-League match between Minerva Punjab FC and Real Kashmir FC which was supposed to be held in Srinagar last month.
The match was abandoned after Minerva refused to play in Srinagar following the Pulwama terror attack on February 14 which led to the martyrdom of at least 40 CRPF soldiers.
Minerva had even approached the court demanding a rematch at a different venue. On Tuesday, the AIFF’s emergency committee, which met at the federation’s headquarters here, decided to accept the Punjab club’s demand.
“The committee firmly believes that football is apolitical and must continue to be a humane expression of conciliation and solidarity with everybody affected by terrorism. The best way to do that is by playing, albeit in a safe and secure environment, allowing the players to express themselves best,” the AIFF said in a statement after the meeting.
“With the current situation in Kashmir not conducive to conduct a match, and keeping in mind the current extraordinary situation as well as the desire of teams to play football on the field, the match stands rescheduled to be held after March 6, 2019, at a time and location feasible for AIFF, and the participating teams,” it added.
“The committee has deliberated on the recommendation of the league committee, and the provisions of the I-League regulations 2018-19, and also taken note of the situation prevailing in Kashmir since February 14.”
Welcoming the AIFF’s decision, Minerva Punjab owner Ranjit Bajaj reiterated his stance that the current security situation in the Kashmir valley is not suitable for visiting teams.
“Minerva had always maintained their stance that security was the main concern regarding the team’s decision to not travel to Srinagar for the match against Real Kashmir. The club were not provided written security assurances from responsible departments despite repeated requests which led to their decision.
“Minerva had refused to forgo the three points and had filed a writ petition in the Delhi High Court citing the same but Justice Vibhu Bakhru asked the club to wait for a verdict of the AIFF league committee’s meeting. The league committee then referred the matter to an emergency panel. The club’s stance has now been vindicated by the committee’s decision,” Bajaj said in a statement.
Hitting out at Football Sports Development Limited (FDSL), the body which runs the Indian Super League (ISL), Bajaj alleged that the controversy is the latest attempt to target his club.
“We are vindicated once again, first by the security forces asking AIFF not to conduct matches in Kashmir, then by (Real) Kashmir themselves requesting to move their game against East Bengal and now by the AIFF league committee and the emergency committee. The whole episode once again highlights the targeting of Minerva Punjab by the FSDL,” Bajaj asserted.
–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.