Top News
India-Pakistan clash: Rain, Earth Hour to disappoint fans?
Kolkata : Wrapped in layers of security, Eden Gardens is all set to host the high voltage India-Pakistan World Twenty20 clash here on Saturday. But will the weather gods hold up, wonder fans.
At the other end, the Earth Hour celebrations have also caused a buzz. Should you or shouldn’t you switch off lights (and your television sets) for an hour between 8.30 pm to 9.30 pm on Saturday when the match would be on in full swing?
With the sun playing hide and seek and the regional meteorological office forecasting light rain and lightning in the evening, the mega cricket battle between arch-rivals India and Pakistan lies at the mercy of the rain gods.
“There is a possibility of light rain and lightning in the evening. Various places in Kolkata have already witnessed light showers since morning,” a Met official told IANS.
Fans took to Twitter and Facebook expressing apprehension as the rain threatens to play spoilsport.
“Rains have stopped for now in Kolkata though clouds hover above,” chirped a fan.
A section of the twitterati prayed for rain, so that Earth Hour celebrations were not hampered.
“Rain Gods threaten to visit the #IndvsPak match at Kolkata! If it rains, Mauka to celebrate #EarthHour without any guilt :),” tweeted a netizen.
Even megastar Amitabh Bachchan, who is scheduled to render the national anthem of India at the inaugural ceremony, advocated switching off lights.
“Earth Hour is today. Switch off and sign up to make #climatechange history at http://www.earthhour.inA,” he tweeted.
Guilt-tripping or not, come rain or sun, over the week preceding the clash, die-hard fans gave a thumbs-up to the match being shifted to Kolkata from Dharamsala.
“Good that Ind Pak match got shifted to Kolkata for whatever reason. Atleast it wont get abandoned due to rains ! #WCT20,a a spectator tweeted.
The fans’ confidence about the game remaining unaffected by possible rain stems from the Sourav Ganguly led Cricket Association of Bengal overhauling the Eden Gardens drainage system. In the past, Eden Gardens had been notorious for matches being abandoned due to showers.
Top News
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.