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I-League: Mohun Bagan eye comeback against upbeat Kashmir (Preview)

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6 years ago

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Kolkata, Jan 5 (IANS) City football giants Mohun Bagan will look to get back to their winning ways when they take on high-flying Real Kashmir FC in an I-League fixture at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan here on Sunday.

The hosts will be bolstered by the return of a fit-again Sony Norde who missed four consecutive matches due to muscle injury.

Norde, who has helped Mohun Bagan win the I-League, was seen training in full flow and was named in the 18-member squad.

Mohun Bagan won back-to-back matches against Minerva and Shillong Lajong FC after losing the Kolkata derby but faltered against Neroca FC in their previous encounter to slip to sixth position on the table.

“Sony is fit now and will be in the 18-man squad. Our target is to get three points at any cost,” Mohun Bagan coach Shankarlal Chakraborty told reporters on the eve of the match.

Riddled by a long injury list which has the likes of Pintu Mahata, Sukhdev Singh and Sourav Das, the return of Norde will be a big relief for the team who have won only one from six matches at home.

With Norde back, the Mohun Bagan coach may look to bench last season’s leading scorer Aser Dipanda, while giving a central role to Henry Kisseka.

In the first leg, Real Kashmir lost to Mohun Bagan by a solitary goal and since then the debutants are on a unbeaten run from six matches.

“The first leg match was different. It was a different ground, different conditions. Currently they are ahead of us so we have to focus on the game,” the Mohun Bagan coach said.

“I have told everyone to forget about what we did in the first phase. We have to focus on the second leg. Currently we are concentrating on Real Kashmir game.

“Real Kashmir are a good side, they are in good form at the moment and are very consistent. They have very good foreign players. The Indian players are also supporting them. We have to be very cautious against them. They did well against East Bengal,” he added.

Real Kashmir have scored five points which include a win over leaders Chennai City to remain in title contention.

In the standings, the David Robertson-coached side lie on third place with a six-point deficit against leaders Chennai City FC who have played one match extra.

“It’s good to be here. Halfway into the season, this is the longest gap we had. We have all enjoyed,” Robertson said.

Asked about their first leg defeat, he said: “We did our bits. But it’s a different ball game playing here in a bigger ground. We have done well against EB hopefully my players will do well against Mohun Bagan.”

Robertson further said the pressure would be on the home side Mohun Bagan who lost their last match.

“MB lost the last game, so there is of course a lot of pressure. Playing in front of home crowd so many fans is difficult. They have not been great at home,” he remarked.

Real Kashmir will be boosted by the return of defender Mason Robertson who missed against East Bengal due to food poisoning.

“Norde is a good player but he is not the only player. He didn’t play in the first leg. Defensively we have been good. We create chances in every game. We have to be focused for 90 minutes. Against Kolkata clubs you have to be focused for 90 minutes,” the Kashmir coach said.

They may be in the midst of a dream run in their debut season but coach Robertson said “We have to be realistic.”

“The expectations increased after the first leg. But my first target is to save relegation. We are a new club and playing against big teams. We want to finish as high as we can. We know we won’t win the league. It’s a great honour to play against teams like MB and EB — the results of which would determine where we would finish,” he added.

–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

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3 months ago

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September 3, 2024

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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.

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