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Newly married paddler Ghosh eyes comeback after off-court controversy
Kolkata, Aug 6 (IANS) His life thrown out of gear by a rape allegation, one of Indian table tennis’ shining lights Soumyajit Ghosh on Monday said he is eager to return to the fold as soon as possible, though admitting that the road to redemption won’t be easy.
In March, Ghosh was accused of raping an 18-year-old girl after promising marriage but later shying away from the commitment. Ghosh, 25, is married to her now and desperate to return to the table.
The off-court controversies had come at a time when he was positioned at career-best 58 in the International Table Tennis Federation rankings.
“I had a troublesome four months. I have gained weight. It won’t be easy, but I want my India jersey back. My target is 2020 Olympics but before that I have to get back to where I was,” Ghosh said on the sidelines of his wedding reception here.
The two-time Olympian, scheduled to play in the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Australia’s Gold Coast, was suspended by the Table Tennis Federation of India pending police investigation. He was also axed from the Ultimate Table Tennis league.
His wife said that she would do whatever is good for Ghosh’s cause and once the dust settles down, they will resolve the matter amicably.
“I want him to get back to where he was. Whatever differences we had have been sorted out. Now, we need to sit with lawyers to resolve the matter amicably,” said Ghosh’s wife.
Ghosh, India’s youngest-ever national champion, was playing in Germany when he heard about the FIR filed against him by the teenager in Barasat, West Bengal.
“I will go back to my club once everything is sorted out here. I have not picked up a racket in these four months. It is so hard for me.”
Ghosh will end up missing the Asian Games as well.
“I am at least happy that we got married and everything is falling in place now. I can regain my focus and concentrate on my game and fitness,” added Ghosh, who qualified for the London and Rio Olympics.
–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.