Monthly Archives: November 2017

Dutch expertise for UP to increase milk productivity, conserve water

Agriculture, Business & Economy, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Lucknow :

Dairy farmers and workers at Kanpur leather clusters will now learn methods to increase milk productivity and conserve water respectively, by the technology and expertise being brought in by the Dutch government. As a continuation of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed between Netherlands and the Uttar Pradesh (UP) government in 2016, two new projects were launched by the Dutch Ambassador on Monday.

The Dutch delegation including ten companies with an investment interest in the state will be meeting up with chief minister Adityanath Yogi in Lucknow on Tuesday.

n a joint co-operation between Dutch company PUM, and Tasty Dairy in Kanpur, a centre of excellence will be set up, targeting an increase in processing of butter, cheese and ghee.

“Currently India processes only 10% of its milk into products and we hope to train the industry in increasing that to atleast 30% which will increase employment and economy,” said Dutch ambassador Alphonsus Stoelinga, in a press interaction.

The second project launched on the day is a public-private partnership to clean up Ganges where methods for conservation of water both at source and in the processing of leather, will be shared with workers. “Atleast two workers in around 5000 tanneries will be given the skills that will indirectly affect around 2,50,00 people,” said ambassador Stoelinga. He added, “A lot of water is wasted in cleaning the animal hide off salt before processing can be done. If this is just rubbed off like powder,water can be saved.”

Pre-treatment of water before it reaches the treatment plant that would cut down on the toxic elements released into the river and using the process of electrolysis making lime usable and reusable for treating animal hide, are also part of the skills to be enhanced. Supported by the Sustainable Water Fund Programme (FDW) with a grant of over Rs 2.3 million euros, the private partner from NEtherlands is a chemical company, Stahl which will work with Indian partners including Ganga Pollution Control Unit, Central Leather Research Institute and the local industry association.

Netherlands also inaugurated the Consulate for Kingdom of Netherlands and appointed Sharat Thadani as the first Dutch Honorary Consul in Lucknow on Monday. Dutch ambassador Alphonsus Stoelinga termed Netherlands as the first country to have its consulate in Uttar Pradesh. “This is a big state with tremendous potential and issues with water, agriculture and environment that Netherlands with its expertise can help ease out,” Stoelinga said.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News> City News> Lucknow News / by Yusra Hussain / TNN / November 13th, 2017

Lucknow University declares medal list, 84% in girls’ kitty

Education, Records, All

Lucknow :

Girls once again roost the rule in Lucknow University’s medal tally, with Ayushi Kapoor, MSc Mathematics student sweeping with 12 medals.

In the list of 179 medals released by LU on Friday, 84% winners who will awarded on the convocation ceremony to be held on December 9 are in girl’s kitty.

According to the list, 150 medals have gone to 74 girls while 22 boys have won only 29 medals. LU will award around 192 medals at its convocation. Remaining medal winners are expected to be announced after November 25.

Securing 96.62% in MSc Mathematics, Ayushi Kapoor has won the maximum of 12 medals. With 67.54% marks, LLb student Asha Tiwari will be awarded nine medals.

Four students – Prasansha Mishra who scored 80.27% in MSc Physics, Megha Walecha who scored 76.23% in MCom, Ankita who secured 67.90% in MA Political Science and Gulshan Jahan who secured 67.95% in MA History – won six medals each.

Students can raise objections, if any, in the medal list, till November 21. According to university officials, applications for the award of Chancellor’s medal and Chakravarti medal have already come, and interviews with the students are most likely to be held after November 25.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News> City News> Lucknow News> Schools & Colleges / by Isha Jain / TNN / November 17th, 2017

Poet of luminous silences

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Leaders, Records, All

Kunwar Narain’s passing is also the loss of a whole literary world. He was of a generation of Hindi writers that confidently understood that in genuine culture and thinking there cannot be any boundaries.

Kunwar Narain, one of the greatest poets India has produced, was a poet of silences. In one of his notebooks, Dishaon Ka Khula Akash, he described silence not as the mere absence of noise. It was a place where one heard different sounds and echoes, perhaps more piercingly than what passes off as sound. One of these echoes is the echo of the eternal/the endless (anant). But these internal sounds of silence, while resonant, can also be unbearable, in his words, like a “black hole capable of absorbing anything.”

It would be impudent to try and describe Kunwar Narain’s varied and magnificent corpus of work. But every single line he wrote had that power to take you to that place where you heard the sound and the echoes of what our normal sounds render inaudible. It was as if you could hear the humming of all of existence inside you, in that silence he created.

This was true of his two great masterworks, Atmajayi and Vajshrava ke Bahane. They are based on the Kathopnishad. But they are not interpretations. They resonantly use Nachiketa as the eternal seeker, yet also our contemporary. Nachiketa questions Yama on Death and Existence. He questions his father on attachment and renunciation. You follow Nachiketa in his meditative questioning. And like Nachiketa, you literally feel the circle of your consciousness expanding till you hear the sounds of all that is immeasurable.

I suspect Nachiketa fascinated Kunwar Narain because of his fundamental honesty; an honesty that tames both Yama and Vajshrava. What strikes you most about Kunwar Narain’s work is exactly that trustworthy and luminous honesty. He was part of many literary movements, and his early work was included in “Teesra Saptak,” a modernist literary movement. He had strong values, often openly acknowledging the influence of the great Buddhist Socialist thinker Narendra Dev.

But what marks him out was that while he assimilated many trends and ideas, he never became a slave to any, nor deeply identified with them. Literary movements, like ideologies, construct the world through their own prism. Once they identify their respective hammers, the whole world begins to look like a nail to them. Kunwar Narain’s honesty was to understand insights, but to always be open to the world in its particularity. In his work you feel the world prodding you into reflection; not the world as an extension of your ideological, literary or aesthetic ego.

This quality sparkles not just in the range of poems on particular emotions and things, laughter, trees, rivers, language, time. It is evident in his elegiac historical tributes. This includes an extended poem on Kumarajiva, the man who literally transformed a whole culture through translation. It is at its striking best in his political and social poems — “Aaj ka Kabirdas,” “Lucknow”, “Gujarat” and many others written in the midst of communal violence and the Ramjanmabhoomi movement. But even in these poems, with their stunning literary qualities, Kunwar Narain successfully gets you to that point of silence, what Shrilal Shukla called his “wordlessness,” where you actually begin to think.

This is the point where language does not bewitch you. Kunwar Narain had strong values, beautifully articulated. But he never confused a display of values with the need to think. He always got you to the point where you began to hear all those inner echoes that the din of conventional politics had obscured. Some might argue that his poems are not, as is true of many Hindi poets, a call to arms. They are performances in controlled contemplation. But this quality also saved him in the end from so much of the misanthropy that creeps in through a superficial engagement with politics.

It is hard not to feel that Kunwar Narain’s passing is also the passing away of a whole literary world. He was of a generation of Hindi writers that confidently understood that in genuine culture and thinking there cannot be any boundaries. He was at home in European literature, and his last published work is translations of European poets. He wrote about European cinema with as much insight as he wrote about Indian classical music. He insightfully drew a series of contrasts between Kumar Gandharva and Pandit Jasraj.

The contrast he drew was this: The former blew the universe away with his rendition of Kabir; the latter probably the best exponent of Surdas. Kumar Gandharva gave you access to an almost blinding incandescence; Jasraj, through sur and the focus on the sagun form, had to perforce, take on the aesthetic world in its particulars. In a way, Kunwar Narain’s great gift was to inhabit, if one might say, the sagun and nirgun entry points into the universe. It paid unusual attention to all aesthetic detail, at the same time as it prepared the ground for a moment where you could transcend it.

This was also a Hindi world radical in its aspirations. The Hindi literary world was always fractious. But it still managed to hold onto deep ambitions. These days it is intellectually fashionable to say writers combined tradition with modernity, or the vernacular with the cosmopolitan, or identity with plurality. But the deeper radicalism was to take you to a point where these categories begin to reveal their limitations.

The aspiration was to liberate you from the trap of categories that mutilate out possibilities. One way or the other, we insist on dividing literature into sects and warring parties; literary criticism is defined more by its resentments than its power to reveal the world. Kunwar Narain always held onto one sign of true literary greatness: He was always unhoused in any of these distinctions.

For those do not read Hindi, Apurva Narain’s No Other World is a splendid bilingual text of his father’s poems. This volume is important because it sets new standards of translating poetry.

The Hindi world has suffered from the lack of good translators. Since Hindi literary production is scattered, the anthologies put together by Yatindra Mishra are also immensely valuable. He has been to Kunwar Narain what Henry Hardy was to Isaiah Berlin, tirelessly putting together everything Kunwar Narain wrote or said. That labour gives the picture of the poet as a whole.

These works will resonate. But it is difficult not to feel a sense of silence that his passing away brings. This is not the silence Kunwar Narain brought you to, where new voices become accessible to us. This silence has, more, the foreboding of darkness.

The author is vice-chancellor, Ashoka University. Views are personal

source: http://www.indianexpress.com / The Indian Express / Home> Opinion> Columns / by Pratap Bhanu Mehta / November 18th, 2017

Royal Orchid Hotels Enters Kanpur Market

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Records, All, Travel

Situated at the heart of the city, “Regenta Central The Crystal” is just a 45 minutes drive from Kanpur airport, 6 KM from railway station and situated in close proximity to the main shopping destinations.

ROYAL ORCHID Hotels announced the opening of a hotel in Kanpur‘Regenta Central The Crystal” and taking the number of properties under Royal Orchid group to 45.

Situated at the heart of the city, “Regenta Central The Crystal” is a blend of modern amenities and traditional Indian hospitality. The hotel is just a 45 minutes drive from Kanpur airport, 6 KM from railway station and situated in close proximity to the main shopping destinations.

The hotel offers affordable luxury stays with multiple dining options to choose.“Regenta Central The Crystal” offers an array of F&B options to chose like Red Olive – an all day dining restaurant serves sumptuous delicacies from around the globe, 360 Degreeze – is a roof top lounge which serves fusion food and offers breathtaking view of the city and Gravity – our upscale discotheque where people unwind to thumping rhythm and foot–tapping beats.

Chander K. Baljee, Managing Director, Royal Orchid Hotels said, “We have added four properities –Mysore, Ahmedabad, Dehradun and Kanpur – in the current financial year. We are on target to take the number of properties to 50 under the Royal Orchid Group before the end of this financial year. We will continue to pursue our model of management contracts to build our hospitality business”.

source: http://www.bwhotelier.businessworld.in / BWHotelier.com / Home / by BW Online Bureau / November 17th, 2017

Old beauties rally for a cause

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders
Navniet Sekera (BCCL/ Aditya Yadav)

In a bid to spread the message of ‘Don’t Drink and Drive’ and ‘Drive Safe and Phone Later’, a vintage car rally was organised by a city club recently. The rally was flagged off by Navniet Sekera, IG 1090, from 1090 crossing and concluded at a five-star hotel in Gomti Nagar.

Rati Narain and Aditi (BCCL/ Aditya Yadav)

Chief guest Arvind Kumar, principal secretary Home, UP, welcomed the participants at the end point. “A lot of accidents happen on a daily basis in Lucknow because of drunk driving and also because of people using mobile phones while driving. Together, we need to spread awareness among people regarding following the traffic rules and regulations,” said Kumar while addressing the participants.

Paritosh Chauhan (R) Sona and Alka (BCCL/ Aditya Yadav)

The vintaged beauties attracted a large number of spectators, both at the starting and end point. Several people took selfies with the vintage cars, while their owners were spotted protecting their cars from any kind of scratches during the process.

Paritosh Chauhan (R) Sona and Alka (BCCL/ Aditya Yadav)

Sandeep Narain came with his three priceless beauties – 1947 MG, 1936 Packard and 1961 Fiat Pininfarina. However, due to some technical fault, his 1961 Fiat Pininfarina stopped midway creating a small traffic congestion. Interestingly, Captain Paritosh Chauhan came with six of his vintage cars.
— By Prachi Arya

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News> City News> Lucknow News / TNN / November 16th, 2017

Kaydence Media to promote Benares Artist Punam Rai globally

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Nri's / Pio's, World Opinion

In an endeavor to promote Indian talent globally, Dubai – based Kaydence Media signed one of India’s talented and upcoming artists Punam Rai.

Dubai [UAE], (ANI-NewsVoir):

In an endeavor to promote Indian talent globally, Dubai – based Kaydence Media signed one of India’s talented and upcoming artists Punam Rai.

“My life is a miracle. I am today living, moving and painting because of the blessings of God. I want my voice to be heard all over the world through my paintings. I am a victim of the evil of dowry and have lived for 15-years bed-ridden with no hope of survival. I found my strength, my voice and my life back in my art. I want to tell the world – do not let others paint your life, you are the artist of your life,” said Punam.

Kaydence Media over the next two years have planned four exhibitions in India and Middle East to showcase the artworks of Rai.

“Punam Rai is an icon for all women not only in India but across the world. Life handed her a tragedy and she has overcome it with the beauty of art. We are humbled to represent her and her artwork in India and on a global stage. We believe that her artwork is exquisite, captivating and priceless. Her artwork can compete with the best artist in the world,” said Myrtle Rodrigues, CMO, Kaydence Media.

Punam Rai recently won the World Records India, Most Unique faces created in Canvas Record on August 10, 2017. (ANI-NewsVoir)

This is published unedited from the ANI feed.

source: http://www.india.com / India.com / Home> News> Agencies / by ANI Feeds / November 09th, 2017

The Chikan Chronicles

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, World Opinion

Paola Manfredi’s recently-launched book Chikankari – A Lucknawi Tradition is a rare document on the history, growth and beauty of the craft

It is a labour of love and the result of painstaking research. Chikankari – A Lucknawi Tradition by Paola Manfredi, an Italian, is a book that shows her close and long association with the craft.

Lucknow’s chikankari is known across the world yet very little research or documentation has been done. Articles or features have appeared off and on but this book is amongst the first of its kind, which aims to document the vast treasure called Chikan.

What makes the book extremely interesting is that unlike other books that tend to rely on second hand material, with exhaustive references and quotes, Paola Manfredi has filled her tome with passionate grass-roots level research. The narrative more in the nature of a personal journey, with all the quirks and street-smart practicality, makes the book refreshing. As Paola says in the book, it is not a scholarly or academic research but more of a documentation of the world of chikankari.

Paola questions the use of chikan as a word for embroidery, highlighting that it has a broader connotation encompassing haute couture, the fine art of making a garment, embroidering it and finishing it with finesse. She is no stranger to chikankari having worked with SEWA and several craftsmen. Her love for white on white embroidery also found a calling in chikan.

Paola came to India to work in textile exports and as she says, “If you like textiles … India is a heaven, an inexhaustible treasure trove.”

Travelling through Lucknow

Fascinated, she stayed on, researching, adapting and understanding. She has walked the bylanes of Lucknow, spending hours meeting nearly all the families of master craftspersons and talking to block makers, exporters and commercial businessmen dealing with chikan, Government agencies, NGOs. These interactions come through in her writing. Nowhere has the process of printing the design for embroidery been dealt with in so much detail. “I have barely scratched the surface,” she says. One perceives such humbleness throughout the book. The tone is that of a seeker — a person trying to find the nuances of the embroidery, the origin, the history and the answers to whys, hows and wheres. It comes to light in the documentation of the stitches as she wonders about the number of stitches that make up each piece of chikan work?

Each master craftsperson has his or her repertoire. After a lot of field work, she questions herself in trying to define the boundaries of the craft with its number of stitches and whether she is actually right in trying to pin it down? She has listed the various stitches with their common names in Hindi. The book also features jalas — the technique of creating lattice-like work on fabric.

She has dealt in detail the finishing techniques of daraz and turpai. Quilted chikan, rarely seen, has been illustrated with some beautiful pieces. She says, “I have seen a white coat made in this fashion, which has not been included in the book.” This work was popular in Bhopal.

She has also painstakingly sourced images. There is a beautiful painting from V&A of a woman embroidering what looks like chikankari. Also the superb work done on fine muslin is a sight to behold. The creation is so fine that capturing it on camera is difficult. But to her credit, it has been shot meticulously. The women who were the unsung part of this tradition and now make up a large majority have been given their due in the book.

Paola has touched upon every aspect related to the craft, even the dhobis, who wash the finished garments. The book is worth its weight in gold for the exceptional research.

How did your tryst with India begin?

I first visited India in 1978, and came to work in textiles export at the end of 1981. Indian textiles have such a long history. They reached far and wide in the world and are expressions of most amazing aesthetics and techniques. I have met many artisans, men and women, incredibly skilled in different needlecraft and soon realised that they could interpret and execute my concepts and designs.

Why did you choose to focus on chikan?

Since its inception, SEWA-Lucknow produced very fine needlework with a rather unique repertoire of motifs and stitches. I was particularly intrigued by chikankari that reflected the Lucknawi ethos. The mystery of its origin made it more interesting for me.

Searching for references on it, I was surprised to find almost none. This led me to look for old pieces in museums in India and abroad, in private collections and with antique textile dealers. The search led me to unexpected and exhilarating findings that strengthened my resolve to go deeper and deeper.

Are the traditional craftpersons still committed to pursuing this art that requires immense patience ?

Most of those doing chikankari are women living in rural areas, for them this is a good source of income, however meagre. To prevent them from giving up the craft, we need to support them. It is important to make them aware of their exceptional skill and be proud of their tradition. We also should equip them with modern knowhow to understand the demands of changing times.

How easy was it to work with the craftspersons?

It was a fulfilling experience. They not only gives a peek into the aesthetic process but also the challenges. Working with them was a constant learning experience. It was a journey of discovery of the many possibilities that one can’t even imagine.

Is there a regular team of craftspersons you coordinate with?

I closed my ari workshop in 2008, when I shifted too far to follow it up. When I began working on the book in 2012, I felt that I had not involved myself in any design and production activity to avoid misinterpretation and facilitate the research and access to the documentation I was looking for.

Your favourite chikankari stitch?

Difficult to say, as the textural complexity, typical of chikan, stems from the combination and permutation of different stitches.The craft’s vocabulary is amazing and each stitch has a part to play in different compositions.

Is the book a culmination of all your efforts or a beginning to do more on it?

I would say both. The book was important as it was like marking my first step. However researching on it brought up different questions and issues, not all of which could be addressed in this book. Not sure if there will be another book, but certainly I would like to answer some of those questions.

Anything particular about the book that is special to you?

There have been many special moments and I met some exceptional people while working on the book. I experienced an emotional undercurrent in their narratives. An incident that I will cherish is when I was presented a few old children chikankari kurtas, damaged, but precious craft pieces. I would like to emphasise the need to document craft traditions.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Society> History & Culture / by Chitra Balasubramaniam / October 26th, 2017

Lucknow youth launches Sports Literacy Mission

Sports

A survey establishes that our country has more or less poor sports literacy. This is also a pointer as to why we are lagging behind in medal tally despite having such a vast population in our country.

Sports Literacy Mission was launched at the Indian Habitat Centre in Delhi in the presence of 25 Arjuna Awardees, Olympians and Dronacharya Awardees on Tuesday by an NGO, ‘Sports: A Way of Life’ founded by a Lucknow lad, Kanishka Pandey, 25.

Speaking on the occasion, Pandey said his NGO had recently conducted a nationwide survey to gauge the public mood vis-a-vis participation in various sports activities. The survey proved to be an eye-opener. According to the findings, less than 5% people have interest in sports whereas less than 2% females were interested in sports.

“This survey establishes that our country has more or less poor sports literacy. This is also a pointer as to why we are lagging behind in medal tally despite having such a vast population in our country,” said Pandey.

He further said that his NGO’s main objective is to promote the ‘gurukul tradition’ of education wherein education and sports moved hand in hand. His organisation emphasises on developing primary schools as nursery for sports from early stage of children’s life. “We want to create an environment for growth of sports from the very beginning,” he added.

Kanishka Pandey urged retired players to encourage children who have been deprived of playing any game and provide them training.

He further said sports have several values that help in grooming individuals.

“So far no one has made any effort to draw the attention of people towards benefits of sports and no one has used sports values to encourage people in participating games,” he added.

source: http://www.hindustantimes.com / Hindustan Times / Home> Cities> Lucknow / Rajeev Mullick, Hindustan Times, Lucknow / August 26th, 2017

Aam Ladki spreads Lucknow’s charm with the power of the web

Business & Economy, Inspiration / Positive News and Features

This ‘aam ladki’ is unleashing the power of web to spread Lucknowi charm across the globe .

The road to entrepreneurship isn’t easy. Supreet Bhatia knew this but she was determined that nothing could deter her from achieving her entrepreneurial dreams. She aspired to become her own boss, and take on the world of e-retail by storm, and she took her first steps in 2014. She left her career in Marketing Communications and founded Lucknowi Andaaz , an online apparel store, for spreading the magic of Lucknow’s exquisite hand- embroidered Chikankari apparel.

Today, in a span of just 3 years, she has established her online portal as a brand, which is well known for its quality handcrafted products and timely delivery not just in India, but across the world.

When we asked Supreet what motivated her to give up her initial fears and drive towards her ambitious project, here is what she had to share.

When did you decide that you want to sell online?

I was an avid online shopper since the onset of online retail culture in India. I started off with a blog where I shared my online shopping experiences to break stereotypes, which eventually led to the business idea of online retail. I was looking for trusted ecommerce builders to help me create the online presence for my business and found a partner in GetMeAShop ; they took over my digital challenges and created my digital shop, while I focused entirely on sourcing the best Lucknowi collections.

Was there a moment when you considered giving up?

No. The undying spirit is what makes for a successful entrepreneur, and I think of myself as one. Yes, there were times I wanted to handle all roles myself but I never thought of giving up. In fact, I decided to delegate tasks and opted and formed right partnerships, and this made my journey in the business world smoother.

What has been your greatest reward which kept on inspiring you?

Independence to take my own decisions, to make my own mistakes and learning from them. Another greatest reward is customer satisfaction. Happy customers inspire me to leave no stone unturned when it comes to providing the best. In Feb 2016, I got the opportunity to share my brand’s story through Facebook India to encourage local marketers to sell online, and I consider it a big achievement for the 27-year-old-me.

Keeping in mind the social and cultural bondages which generally trim down the freedom, confidence and boldness of women, what advice do you have for small business woman entrepreneurs from small towns & cities?

Stop thinking, start acting and take charge. Become self dependent. You want to be treated equal to men, then start acting the same way. Take your own responsibility, work hard and don’t give up. Women have greater courage, intelligence and a knack for entrepreneurship; they just have to stop underestimating themselves. I’m from a small town myself and have always given maximum priority to my work, and I am happy about it.

Where do you see yourself and your business (es) in the next 5 years?

5 years is a long time to plan ahead. I take one day, one challenge at a time. I’m quite spontaneous that way. When an idea strikes, there’s nothing stopping me so who knows what’s in store for Lucknowi Andaaz in the time to come.

Press Release by GetMeAShop via Brandwire.in

source: http://www.economictimes.indiatimes.com / The Economic Times / ET Home> News> BrandWire> Technology> Internet & Apps / Brand Story by GetMeAShop / Brandwire / May 22nd, 2017

UP lad to represent India in arm-wrestling

Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Sports
Recalling a moment when he was in Class VIII, he how he tamed a tall fellow who used to fight with his friends for sitting in the front row in the classroom

Lucknow :

Being restricted to the wheelchair couldn’t stop 23-year-old Surya Pratap Sharma from flexing his muscles. This UP lad, who has an MBA degree under his belt, aims to bring laurels for the country by competing for the Armwrestling World Cup for Disabled to be held in Poland from November 17-21.

Sharma, who hails from Deoria, told TOI that since an early age he had an inclination towards sports. “I used to watch children of my age play cricket and football, while I had to be on a wheelchair. But this did not discourage me from venturing into sports. I had enormous strength in my arms and thought I could capitalise that to the maximum,” said Sharma.

Recalling a moment when he was in Class VIII, he how he tamed a tall fellow who used to fight with his friends for sitting in the front row in the classroom.

While, 2014 was a water-shed moment for him when Sharma enrolled for BCom course at Shakuntala Misra National Rehabilitation University in Lucknow.

“Some seniors guided my strength into arm-wrestling and teachers kept mentoring me to keep moving. I first entered in a championship in 2014 at New Delhi and since then has never looked back,” said Sharma. My hero is Saju an arm-wrestler from the state of Kerala.

With a shine in his eyes Sharma said his family has been very supportive especially his elder brother Onkar Nath, who works as an HR in a private company in New Delhi. “I will surely bring laurels for my country,” said Sharma.

Sharma was given a cash reward of Rs 50,000 by the Lucknow SSP as a token of encouragement. Lucknow SSP Deepak Kumar said that schools and colleges must include sports in curriculum to encourage children who have sportive bent of mind.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News> City News> Lucknow News / Schools & Colleges / TNN / November 11th, 2017