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CWG: Manika wins gold; Men’s doubles medals for Sharath-Sathiyan, Harmeet-Sanil (TT Roundup)
Gold Coast, April 14 (IANS) Manika Batra became the India’s first women’s singles paddler to win a gold, while the men’s doubles pairs of Achanta Sharath Kamal and Gnanasekaran Sathiyan, and Harmeet Desai-Sanil Shankar Shetty bagged the silver and bronze medal respectively on the 10th day of the Commonwealth Games here on Saturday.
Manika outplayed Mengyu Yu of Singapore 4-0 (11-7, 11-6, 11-2, 11-7) to clinch the gold medal while Sharath and Sathiyan lost in the final. Other Indian pairing Harmeet and Sanil defeated Singapore’s Pang Yew En Koen and Poh Shao Feng Ethan in the bronze medal match.
In the mixed doubles category, where the Indian pair of Sharath and Mouma Das went down to Singapore’s Gao Ning and Yu Mengyu in the first semi-finals, will play bronze medal match with compatriots Manika and Sathiyan.
In men’s singles category, Sharath also lost his semi-final match on Saturday and will play in bronze medal match on Sunday. The World No.48 lost 0-4 (10-12, 9-11, 9-11, 7-11) to the World No.26 Nigerian Quadri Arunain a gruelling semi-final at the Oxenford Studios here.
After losing the close first game, Sharath failed to find the momentum throughout the contest as he went on to lose the other three games with a narrow margin.
The lone gold medal-winning paddler of the day was Manika. The 22-year-old Delhi girl outplayed Mengyu Yu of Singapore 4-0 (11-7, 11-6, 11-2, 11-7) to clinch the gold medal.
“I feel very proud to have won and even more prouder to have won for India. My aim was to win a gold medal for the country and I could do it,” said Manika.
Manika, who played a huge role in India’s women’s team gold medal win, also admitted that she had played the best table tennis at the Games.
“I have never played better. In the first game I was down 1-6. I said to myself I can recover and win and I did,” she added.
In the men’s doubles event, Sharath and Sathiyan lost to England’s Paul Drinkhall and Liam Pitchford 2-3 (5-11, 12-10, 11-9, 6-11, 8-11) to settle for silver.
The Indian pair committed several errors on length of serve and shots which resulted in their loss.
Harmeet and Sanil bagged the bronze medal in the men’s doubles category. The Indian duo outclassed Singapore’s Pang Yew En Koen and Poh Shao Feng Ethan 3-0 (11-5, 11-6, 12-10) at the Oxenford Studios here.
Despite winning the first two games with ease, Harmeet and Sanil faced a stiff challenge in the third game however, the Indians once again overcame their opponents.
In mixed doubles semi-finals, Sharath and Mouma went down to Singapore’s Gao Ning and Yu Mengyu 2-3 (8-11, 11-9, 11-9, 7-11, 7-11).
Other pair, Sathiyan and Manika also lost 2-3 (8-11, 10-12, 11-5, 11-8, 13-15) to Pitchford and Ho Tin-Tin in the semi-finals.
–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.