Gifts galore for kids who abstained from toffees to buy football
Malappuram: The 13 kids from Nilambur who held a formal meeting to discuss ways to purchase a football and jerseys have won many hearts. Moved by their act, many kindhearted persons have come forward sponsoring footballs and jerseys for the kids.
Social worker Sushanth Nilambur posted the video of the kids holding a meeting on social media on Wednesday and it went viral. So far, it has been viewed by 2.5 million people and 54,000 viewers have shared it on Facebook. In the video, the kids are seen huddled in a meeting under the auspices of president Athin and secretary Arjun to buy a football costing Rs 400 and adequate number of jerseys by saving Rs 2 everyday.
The meeting was held in the village ground and Athin and Arjun are seen seated on plastic chairs on stage. They made a makeshift microphone using the stem of a coconut leaf and a stick. In the speech, Arjun urged the kids to contribute `10 every week to purchase the football and jerseys. “From now on, stop eating chocolates. Anyway, the habit causes tooth decay. Better save that money and contribute it to the cause,” he said.
The meeting was held in a democratic way. After announcing the decision, the president asked the other members if they had any objection and gave everyone a chance to convey their opinion. All of them, including the lone girl in the team, Ananya, agreed with the decision.
“The football which we bought from the funds collected previously was damaged and that is why we need a new one. I will contribute `10 every week and we should purchase a football immediately,” she said. After the video went viral, the kids did not have to wait for months to realise their goal. First, a team from Wake Up Football Academy with their Spanish coach Prieto De Prada Celestino came there to donate two footballs.
“The effort of the kids to purchase a football really touched us. So we decided to donate footballs to encourage them. We are also ready to give them coaching,” said Nasar Kappur, managing director of the academy. Actor Unni Mukundan also made the children happy by donating jerseys. Kerala Blasters management, inspired by the kids, invited them to their camp in Kochi and offered to give them what they deserved.
Kids with coach Prieto De Prada Celestino and members of WAKE UP Football Academy | Express“An official from Kerala Blasters management contacted them after seeing the video and offered passes for the match,” said Sushanth Nilambur, who posted the video on Facebook. Though the children were really happy by the offers they received after the video went viral, this one made them really excited, said Sushanth.
“This is the first time they are watching a football match live. They had the chance to watch the match from Kerala Blasters’ box, which doubled the excitement,” he added.
Courtesy: www.newindianexpress.com
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EAM Jaishankar meets Jamaican PM, gifts over 10 BHISHM Cubes
Kingston (PTI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday met Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness and discussed ways to further deepen "political, economic and people-to-people cooperation."
Jaishankar also conveyed greetings from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Holness.
"Pleased to call on Prime Minister @AndrewHolnessJM in Kingston. Conveyed the greetings of PM @narendramodi," Jaishankar posted on X.
"Discussed deepening our political, economic and people-to-people cooperation. Value his commitment towards further strengthening India-Jamaica relations," the post further read.
Also, the external affairs minister handed over 10 BHISHM (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita & Maitri) Cubes as a gift to Jamaica.
"Formally handed over 10 BHISHM Cubes as a gift from India to Jamaica, in the presence of PM @AndrewHolnessJM, Health Minister @christufton and FM @kaminajsmith," Jaishankar posted on X.
"The BHISHM Cube mobile hospital system, designed for rapid deployment, will help Jamaica during disasters and emergencies. The gift of these cubes is a statement of friendship, a commitment to disaster preparedness, and an outcome of innovation," the post said.
Jaishankar arrived in Kingston on Saturday evening, marking the first leg of his nine-day tour of Jamaica, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago, aimed at further strengthening India's strategic and cultural ties with the Caribbean nations.
Earlier in the day, he interacted with the Indian diaspora and discussed India's ongoing transformation in infrastructure, human development and technology-driven governance and entrepreneurship with them.
He also highlighted the cricket bond between both countries as India gifted a scoreboard to Jamaica.
A scoreboard was dedicated at Sabina Park in Kingston. It is the home of the Jamaica cricket team and is the only Test cricket ground in the Caribbean island nation.
The minister expressed hope that the new scoreboard would witness many memorable innings, including those symbolising the enduring friendship between the two countries.
Cricket has long been a strong cultural bridge between India and Jamaica, which is part of the West Indies cricket team.
Jamaican players, including Chris Gayle, Courtney Walsh and Michael Holding, have played a major role in shaping the legacy of West Indies cricket in the international arena, contributing to its dominance in earlier decades and its continued global appeal.
