Mumbai's dabbawalas mourn Queen Elizabeth's demise, recall breakfast with her
Mumbai (PTI): Mumbai's famed dabbawalas on Friday said they were grieving with the royal family and people all over the world after the demise of Queen Elizabeth.
The dabbawalas operate a globally renowned lunchbox delivery and return system that supplies hot lunches from homes and restaurants to people at work.
"On behalf of all the dabbawalas of Mumbai, I pay my heartfelt condolences to the royal family, said Raghunath Medge, an office bearer of the Nutan Mumbai Tiffin Box Suppliers Association.
Dabbawalas were unknown to the world but became famous due to Queen Elizabeth and the royal family, he said.
Medge and another association office-bearer Sopan Mare attended the royal wedding of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker-Bowles in April 2005.
Recalling his eight-day visit to London for the royal wedding, Medge said they had breakfast with Queen Elizabeth and other members of the royal family at Windsor Castle.
"We had breakfast twice at Windsor Castle with the royal family and the Queen was present," said Medge. He said they did not get an opportunity to interact with her due to language barrier, but she treated them very humbly.
Medge said Queen Elizabeth had enquired about them when Mumbai was attacked by Pakistani terrorists in November 2008.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Iran's sports minister says country can't take part in World Cup because of US attacks
Dubai (AP): Iran's sports and youth minister said it's “not possible” for the country to take part in the World Cup after the United States killed its supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in its ongoing war.
Iran was expected to take part in the World Cup that will be held across North America in June, but Iranian Sports and Youth Minister Ahmad Donyamali told state television that his country's soccer team players are not safe in the US, according to a video of the interview posted Tuesday.
“Due to the wicked acts they have done against Iran — they have imposed two wars on us over just eight or nine months and have killed and martyred thousands of our people — definitely it's not possible for us to take part in the World Cup,” he said.
Iran is scheduled to play in Inglewood, California, against New Zealand on June 15 and Belgium on June 21 before finishing group play against Egypt in Seattle on June 26. The US is hosting the tournament with Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.
FIFA said Tuesday night that it anticipates Iran's national team will be allowed to come to the United States.
Last week, US President Donald Trump said “I really don't care” if Iran takes part in the 48-nation tournament.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said he met with Trump on Tuesday night “to discuss the status of preparations” for the tournament and received assurances that Iran would be permitted to come to the US.
