Top News
BAI, IOA downplays Saina’s threat to pull out of CWG
New Delhi, May 5 (IANS) Badminton Association of India (BAI) President Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday ruled out any disciplinary action against Gold Coast Commonwealth Games (CWG) gold medallist Saina Nehwal, who threatened to pull out of the event after her father was denied accreditation.
Praising Saina as the “pride of the country”, Sarma downplayed it as an one-off incident which is done and dusted.
“Saina is the pride of the country. Despite all her feats, she is a humble girl and such incidents can happen to anyone… Let’s not make it a huge issue,” Sarma told IANS on the sidelines of the BAI’s felicitation ceremony for CWG medallists.
Indian Olympics Association (IOA) President Narinder Batra, who came as chief guest at the awards ceremony was also non-committal on the issue.
“Let’s not discuss all such things today. It’s a happy moment for the country, as all our shuttlers made us proud with their performances in the CWG,” Batra said.
Earlier, Batra along with Sarma handed out cash rewards to the medallists of last month’s Commonwealth Games.
While Saina was presented a cheque of Rs 20 lakh for the individual women’s singles gold medal, P.V. Sindhu — who lost to her in the final — was given Rs 10 lakh.
Sarma also clarified that all pending dues of the shuttlers are gradually being cleared and assured them of all support from the federation for the upcoming Asian Games.
“All pending dues are being gradually cleared, there is no dearth of money. We are ready to spend on whatever facilities the shuttlers want.
“With all due respect to their performances in the CWG, the Asian Games won’t be any cakewalk. We need to back our skills and be well prepared for the challenges that lie ahead when we compete with countries like China, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan,” he said.
–IANS
tri/nir
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.