Tendulkar meets Jammu and Kashmir para cricket team captain, calls him a 'real hero, an inspiration'
Srinagar, Feb 24: Jammu and Kashmir Para cricket team captain Amir Hussain Lone is a 'real hero and an inspiration', legendary Sachin Tendulkar said on Saturday after he met the differently-abled sportsman during his trip to the valley.
Tendulkar posted a video of his interaction with Lone on his social media accounts and wrote, "to Amir, the real hero. Keep inspiring! It was a pleasure meeting you".
Tendulkar invited Lone to his hotel where he greeted him with a hug and also gifted him his autographed bat.
Tendulkar told Lone that after he watched his video, which had gone viral last month, he wanted to meet the para cricketer.
"I never lost hope in my life. I always thought and kept in mind that I have to fulfil my dream," Lone told Tendulkar.
Lone narrated his journey to Tendulkar, calling the former international cricketer his inspiration. "Where I am today is all because of you sir. You have been my biggest inspiration," he said.
Tendulkar told Lone, "What you have achieved cannot be achieved by anyone else".
"When an eight-year old child suffers from such a trauma, overcoming that and then later in life becoming an inspiration for others, is a huge achievement," Tendulkar said, adding "perhaps, you do not know what you have done".
Tendulkar gifted him an autographed bat, saying "you may perhaps like it".
The bat had a message which said "Amir, the real hero. Keep inspiring".
He then asked Lone to show his batting stance which the differently-abled obliged.
Later, Tendulkar met Lone's family and told them he was very happy to have met the J&K para cricket team captain.
He also posed for a photograph with Lone's family and friends.
Last month, after his video went viral, Tendulkar said on X that he wanted to meet Lone.
"And Amir has made the impossible possible. I am so touched watching this! Shows how much love and dedication he has for the game. Hope I get to meet him one day and get a jersey with his name. Well done for inspiring millions who are passionate about playing the sport," he posted on X.
To Amir, the real hero. Keep inspiring!
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) February 24, 2024
It was a pleasure meeting you. pic.twitter.com/oouk55lDkw
And Amir has made the impossible possible. I am so touched watching this! Shows how much love and dedication he has for the game.
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) January 12, 2024
Hope I get to meet him one day and get a jersey with his name. Well done for inspiring millions who are passionate about playing the sport. https://t.co/s5avOPXwYT
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17 dead in massive fire near Hyderabad's Charminar, PM announces ex-gratia
Hyderabad: At least 17 people have died after a massive fire broke out in a building near Hyderabad’s iconic Charminar early Saturday morning, NDTV reported. blaze broke out in a commercial-cum-residential building located in the densely populated Gulzar House area, which is known for its row of jewellery shops.
Preliminary reports suggest that a short circuit may have triggered the fire, though the exact cause is yet to be confirmed. According to fire department officials, they received an emergency call at around 6:30 am and immediately dispatched 11 fire engines to the site. Several individuals sustained injuries and were rushed to nearby hospitals.
Union Minister G Kishan Reddy, who visited the site, confirmed that the victims included members of a family living above their shop. "Such incidents are extremely tragic. Though I am not blaming anyone, there is a need to strengthen our police, municipal, fire, and electricity departments. I have been informed that firefighters initially lacked proper equipment. I will speak to the Prime Minister and request central support for the affected families," he said.
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy expressed deep shock over the tragedy. He directed officials to intensify relief measures and ensure that the injured receive the best possible treatment. State Minister Ponnam Prabhakar added that all the bodies have been recovered and shifted to hospitals, and the government will soon release further details.
The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) also issued a statement on X (formerly Twitter), expressing grief. "Deeply anguished by the loss of lives due to a fire tragedy in Hyderabad, Telangana. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon," the statement read. The PMO announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs. 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) to the next of kin of each deceased, and Rs. 50,000 for the injured.
Rescue operations have since concluded, and an investigation into the incident is underway.
