Every alternate day in the morning Mr Balaji would knock on the doors, seeking to know, whether all at home are health – he would check the temperature and the oxygen/pulse too .. .. organized couple of medical camps in the vicinity [this month he has stopped coming perhaps Govt feels there is no more need with relaxations of lockdown !] – there was another Gopi, a Corporation worker, who organized feeding poor and mendicants placing them in a nearby community center. For sure, there are Balajis & Gopis in every area not hogging limelight but doing great service to others, especially those afflicted by Covid. Ever heard of one such Paritosh Pant ??
Do you watch IPL ? – do you follow twitter ?? – IPL 2020 has had a grand beginning. A great match win by CSK against MI in the last over and a tie in the 2nd match between KX1 & DC.One may enjoy calling them chokers – there would be lot of comments on him being a over-hyped player in IPL not able to help his team win the team the title – yet today, I salute him – nay, not for his 8765 runs in Tests (22 tons) and 9577 ODI runs (25 centuries) and 1672 T20I runs .. the man, ABD.
Every IPL season, the Royal Challengers Bangalore seems to be the hardest team to beat, or so at least on paper. They invariably have plenty of superstars, their supporters are filled with hope and all eyes are fixed on them. So far, there have been 12 seasons without a trophy, though. But the Sunrisers Hyderabad are in some ways the opposite of that. They don't generate as much chatter, but they have been in the playoffs every year since 2016, when they even won the title, before finishing runners-up in 2018. The Royal Challengers come into this edition having tried to sort the issues that plagued them in the last two seasons: an over-dependence on Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers, and leaking runs at the death. Thus, they have added Aaron Finch - who will most likely open the batting for them - and paid a big sum to get allrounder Chis Morris. They also bought back Dale Steyn, who briefly gave their bowling the spark it had been missing in 2019 but was then injured.
This is not exactly an IPL or Cricket post but a tribute to a great Cricketer – AB de Villiers.ABD was named as the ICC ODI Player of the Year three times during his 15-year international career. His name was also featured in Wisden Cricketers of the Decade at the end of 2019. De Villiers began his international career as a wicket-keeper-batsman, but he has played most often solely as a batsman. He batted at various positions in the batting order, but predominantly in the middle-order. Noted as one of the most innovative and destructive batsmen in the modern era, De Villiers is known for a range of unorthodox shots, particularly behind the wicket-keeper.
Right from the start six months ago, Covid-19 has remained a dreaded word for patients, but there are great shining examples where patients ranging from a 17-day-old infant to a 90-year-old woman recovered from the infection. Doctors emphasize early detection and taking precautions like stringent isolation to keep oneself and others safe, based on the experiences of these Covid warriors.From doctors, lab technicians, health workers, who have been at the forefront of the battle against the coronavirus disease, those providing food and other essentials, public who have taken care of families of covid victims, to members from the police force that played a crucial role in the enforcement of lockdown restrictions, individuals from different organs of the administration and departments Have risen high during pandemic times and rightly, Covid warriers were recognised by the Government for their efforts in curbing the spread of Covid-19 on the occasion of Independence Day.
I salute Paritosh,who started ‘Project Feeding from Far’ with Pooja & fed meals 2 needy during the lockdown. I wear his name on my back this season 2 appreciate their challenger spirit~tweet from a famous person whose twitter account now bears the name ‘Paritosh Pant’ – the man, ABD.
IPL team Delhi Capitals on Friday said its players will don jerseys bearing the message “Thank You COVID Warriors” during the entire tournament in UAE, calling the initiative a “small token of gratitude” towards the frontline workers fighting the pandemic. Delhi Capitals’ senior India pacer Ishant Sharma, spinner Amit Mishra and assistant coach Mohammad Kaif interacted with a few frontline workers, including doctors and police officers, in a virtual meet apart from sending them personalised team jerseys under the ‘Salaam Dilli’ initiative. “To all the sanitation workers, doctors, security forces, blood donors, social workers, drivers, and their respective families - this small token of thanks from our team is testament of your service towards humanity,” Ishant was quoted as saying in the DC press release. The workers honoured by the franchise included those who distributed home-made masks for free, installed mask-vending machines in public places, donated personal savings to buy air tickets for migrant workers and ran a plasma donation network.
When the virus first struck, the initial shock and disbelief at the horrifying turn of events gave way to fear. It consumed us and snatched our sleep. We lapped up information both true and false, ready to do anything to escape its clutches. Every single bit of news was avidly read and spread; every type of preventive measure adopted; every new remedy was discussed in detail. As the number of cases grew exponentially, fear gave way to apathy. While cases are on the rise, many can do nothing but helplessly await our fate and get on with the living. But how long can one remain in isolation with empty bellies?
Like the wildebeest which sacrifices themselves to hungry crocodiles while migrating en masse to greener pastures, people began to venture out to earn livelihood though who would live to reap the fruit of their endeavour remains to be seen. Who knew a few months back that masks would become the latest fashion accessory and new words like ‘social-distancing’, ‘work from home’, ‘the new normal’, ‘corona warriors’, would be suddenly added to our lexicon.
Do not follow politicians, cine actors, cricketers or any body else – salute those who serve the Nation – the Armed forces, and those tireless social workers – the breed called ‘Covid-warriors’.They are the real heroes, they are the people, who risk their lives to save others. Salute, Doctors, medicos, nurses, medical assistants, ward boys, assistants, medical shops, social workers, sanitation and health workers and every one on the street fighting covid. .. .. more important, ensure that we remember them long after this is gone too ..
That way I today salute ABD for the support he is putting up for Covid warriors – Paritosh Pant
Regards – S. Sampathkumar
21.09.2020
