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Fitness is everything, whether you are sportsperson or not: Hardik Pandya
By Sugandha Rawal
New Delhi, Dec 9 (IANS) Hardik Pandya’s back injury is keeping him off the field. And, naturally, the national team cricketer says his priority is get fully fit and play for the country again.
“I am just focusing on getting fit as soon as possible,” Pandya told IANS in an interview over phone from Mumbai.
In September, the all-rounder was stretchered off the field following a lower back injury during the match against Pakistan in the Asia Cup. A statement released by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said Pandya suffered an “acute lower back injury”.
At the moment, Pandya — who, with earnings of Rs 28.46 crore, was the highest gainer (in percentage terms) in the 2018 Forbes India Celebrity 100 list — is working on his fitness.
“I want to get back in the field whenever I can. That is my only priority — to get fit and come back and play for the country,” added the cricketer, who has been announced as the brand ambassador of EUME’s built-in massager backpack.
Talking about the importance of fitness in his life, he said: “Fitness is everything… no matter if you are sportsperson or not. It should be a priority in your life because it keeps you healthy. For example, if the youth doesn’t focus on health, they won’t feel any difference right now. But with age they will know… so that is why it is important for youth to be fit.”
Pandya’s all-round ability helped him attain an important place in Indian cricket scene. And he says his journey has been “quite amazing”.
“To be honest, it has been a roller-coaster ride for me. There were ups and downs. And that is what you expect from life. Your life keeps on changing.”
Off the field, he is considered a youth icon by many, and Pandya says the tag doesn’t come with any pressure.
“I like to live how I live my life. It is not that I get pressured by it. But generally, it is pretty important — as people call me a youth icon — to set a good example, which generally is good for life. Even if I was not a youth icon, I would like to live a good life which is healthy and be a good person.”
When it comes to brand endorsements, Pandya is very selective, and he likes to get associated with people who are excited about their endeavour.
On his association with EUME, he said: “I was using their product even before I met them. I really loved it. The reason being that it is the first massager backpack. You generally don’t see that in the market. The best thing about that is that it has great practicality.
“As I am travelling every second day, I need something which can cover everything. My bag can charge my phone, give me a massage, carry everything I want. I was really impressed with it and then we decided to join hands.”
(Sugandha Rawal can be contacted at [email protected])
–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.