#difficulties discus thrower

[myroyallikes]

Prince and Princess of Wales will visit Brynawel Rehabilitation Centre, Aberavon Leisure & Fitness Centre, and Wales Air Ambulance on Feb. 28 2023.

Prince and Princess of Wales's foundation announces new project to help create therapy gardens offering mental health support

The Prince and Princess of Wales's foundation has announced a new project to help create therapy gardens offering mental health support. 

William and Kate are set to visit the site where the first garden will be developed at Brynawel Rehabilitation Centre, near the town of Pontyclun, in Wales, on Tuesday to mark the announcement of the social enterprise partnership.

Their charitable organisation is working with Life at No.27 - a horticultural therapy and mental health counselling provider - to scale up its gardening mission, with six gardens eventually being created across south Wales.

William and Kate will be shown plans for the Brynawel garden, which includes a collection of allotments where people can have their own space to learn and grow produce. 

They will also be a communal sensory and herbal garden, a mud kitchen and an interactive learning space.

Annabelle Padwick, founder of Life at No.27, said gardens are vital in offering a safe environment for those facing mental health difficulties.

'As the founder I have seen first-hand how working with therapy gardens can dramatically improve self-belief and your own mental health,' she said.

'Our unique therapy allotments and gardens are vital as they offer a safe environment for those experiencing mental ill health, to process and explore difficult experiences with trained therapists while at the same time learning new skills.'

Ms Padwick added: 'Working with The Prince and Princess of Wales is so important as their support enables us to collaboratively raise awareness of the work we do, the growing vital need that we aim to meet and how much the experiences and relationships we have can shape our future.'

The Brynawel Rehabilitation Centre - a leading residential site for the treatment of alcohol and drug dependencies - will offer free and low-cost gardening therapy and mental health support sessions for its service users and their families.

Residents from the wider community, who are experiencing mental ill health, low confidence or isolation, will also eventually be given access to the garden through GP referrals.

The Royal Foundation has brought together national and local organisations to support the design and build, and provide funding, tools, plants, seeds and materials for landscaping.

It said the initiative was part of a series of projects designed to leave a 'lasting impact' in the communities William and Kate visit on royal engagements.

Amanda Berry, chief executive of The Royal Foundation, said: 'Their Royal Highnesses are passionate about creating a lasting impact in the communities they visit, playing an instrumental role in bringing together local stakeholders to amplify the work of organisations, and ensure support reaches those who need it most.'

She added: 'Their Royal Highnesses continue to prioritise our society's mental health and spending time in nature is known to have a range of benefits, including reducing depression and anxiety.'

Kate has long hailed the importance of spending time outdoors, and creating a Back to Nature garden at the Chelsea Flower Show in 2019.

The couple will hear about the work the centre does to help those struggling with the effects of drug and alcohol addiction, including a programme for people with alcohol-related brain damage.

The pair will also visit a leisure and fitness centre in Aberavon, meeting Welsh athletes, discus thrower Harrison Walsh and sprinter Hannah Brier and tour the headquarters of the Wales Air Ambulance charity in Llanelli.

#prince and princess of wales #february28 2023

[liveindiatimes]

Puneet Issar on playing Duryodhan in Mahabharat: ‘My body turned black and blue after climax fight scene with Bheem’ - tv

https://www.liveindiatimes.com/puneet-issar-on-playing-duryodhan-in-mahabharat-my-body-turned-black-and-blue-after-climax-fight-scene-with-bheem-tv/

Puneet Issar, known for playing the lead antagonist Duryodhan in BR Chopra’s Mahabharat, is one of the very few actors who actually got to play his dream role in the hit mythological show. While many had to settle like the show’s Krishna, Nitsh Bhardwaj, who actually wanted to play Abhimanyu, Puneet got the role he wanted. However, the 6 feet 3 inches tall Puneet was cast as Duryodhan on one condition — the makers should be able to find an actor taller than him to play Bheem. They found their ideal Bheem in athlete Praveen Kumar, who left Puneet bruised and battered in the climax fight scene.

In an interview with Hindustan Times, Puneet opened up about his journey from the Coolie accident where his punch left Amitabh Bachchan battling for his life to being beaten up by two-time gold medallist Praveen Kumar on the sets of Mahabharat.

Excerpts:

Why the makers were intent to cast you in the role of Bheem?

I was 6’3’’, super fit guy with a well-built body and Chopra saab thought I was perfect for the role of Bheem. Since I had read Mahabharat, I wanted to play Duryodhan. He agreed to cast me as Duryodhan but on a condition that if they are unable to find a man with a bigger body than mine for the role of Bheem, I will have to take up the role. I recommended Praveen Kumar, the Asian Games gold medallist who was 6’8’,’ and finally breathed easy when he was finalised for the role of Bheem. I had recited the Jayadrath Vadh in front of Chopra saab and they were convinced with my powerful speech.

Mukesh Khanna was also considered for the role of Duryodhan but he didn’t want to play an antagonist. He wanted to play Arjun and but was signed for the role of Dronacharya. Vijayendra Ghatge was cast as Bhishma but he wasn’t ready to sport a white beard and had to be dropped. Then, Mukesh was finalised for Bhishma.

Puneet Issar (second from right) in Mahabharat.

Why did you want to play the antagonist in Mahabharat?

There was a proper character arc of Duryoydhan. He was shown as an innocent child who thought his parents were wronged and should get justice. He thought that his parents didn’t get what they deserved so it’s his duty to get them what they deserved. He said ‘my father was blind but I am not blind’. As an adult, he started taking his own decisions, which were often under the influence of Shakuni. From the day he was insulted by Draupadi to the end (40th episode to 100th episode), the character of Duryodhan was the highlight of the Mahabharat.

Did you face the rage of the audience for playing Duryodhan?

I was called ‘dusht (evil)’, people hated me but I took it as a compliment. There were many cases off sets when people refused to call me saying that I was ‘dusht’.

What difficulties did you face during the making of Mahabharat?

We faced a lot of difficulties. Assembling real elephants and horses and making them stand in a line was a task. Nowadays, a big army is portrayed by shooting in front of a green backdrop. We shot with 50-60 elephants and running with them in chariots was a challenge. A single shot used to take a lot of time. The climax scene alone was shot over 15-25 days. We had to do real action. Earlier there was no cable work and we had to jump by ourselves without any stunt double. Injuries were common and I remember many injured their eyes amid flying arrows.

Also read: Mahabharat: Juhi Chawla bowed out as Draupadi, Puneet Issar was looking for work after Coolie accident

Do you recall a particular fight scene?

My fight with Praveen Kumar was a tough experience. He wasn’t an actor, he was a two-time gold medallist discus thrower at the Asian Games. Duryodhan had a blessing that he couldn’t get hurt and when I used to recite the dialogue “aur balpurvak (with more strength)”, Praveen would beat me up with even more strength. Also, the mace in those days used to be very heavy, unlike the foam mace used at present. My entire body used to turn black and blue after the shot. The fight in the climax scene was shot over 18 days. I had bruises all over my body. But as they says ‘you can’t make an omelette without breaking an egg’.

How was the ‘cheer-haran (disrobing of Draupadi)’ scene filmed?

BR Chopra had contacted a mill to provide hundreds of metres of cloth with no visible joints or change in shade or texture. Now it is all done through VFX.

How do you compare BR Chopra’s Mahabharat to the latest mythological shows?

Content is king. If it is not written well and the performances are not up to the mark, you cannot do anything. I agree VFX is much better these days and the way a scene is mounted is done in a much better way than it was done in the 80s. The Mahabharat on Star Plus had very good CGI work. But BR Chopra’s Mahabharat was written very well. We had air-conditioned studios where we used to shoot from 9 to 9. We used to shoot one episode in a week and that quality is visible. Until BR Chopra wasn’t entirely convinced with each dialogue, he wouldn’t move ahead. We used to have long shots and that made performances stand out in a natural way.

  Also read: Ramayan’s Sita Dipika Chikhlia turns 55, says ‘When I am no more, my body of work shouldn’t only be Ramayan’

Post the Coolie incident, you were not getting much work? How did you get Mahabharat?

I was getting some work but it wasn’t up to my expectations. I delivered a few superhit films in the meantime. My 1983 horror film Purana Mandir was an iconic film. It had its platinum jubilee at the theatres. I also did Palay Khan and Zakhmi Aurat and both were hits at the box office. When I heard BR Chopra was making Mahabharat, I approached him and said that I wanted to audition for the role of Duryodhan.

That was my destiny. Those four years was a period of introspection, I had to work harder. Bhagya se adhik aur samay se pahle kisi ko kujh nahi milta (no one gets more than his destiny and before the right time). I was destined to get Mahabharat in 1988. Before that, it was my struggling period but I utilised the time to work on my body, my voice and my acting.

How much time did it take to complete the casting for the show?

We were signed in 1986 and the casting process continued for two years. When I was initially selected for the role of Duryodhan, I started reading about him in scriptures. I had six-pack abs but had to stop kung fu karate to gain weight for the character of Duryodhan. I gained 22 kilograms over 2 years and reached 108 kgs in order to match up to Praveen Kumar. So much preparation and planning makes it look irreplaceable even today and made all the difference.

(Author tweets @ruchik87)

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[liveindiatimes]

From Joginder Sharma to Gagan Ajit Singh: Former India athletes on COVID-19 frontline - other sports

New Post has been published on https://www.liveindiatimes.com/from-joginder-sharma-to-gagan-ajit-singh%e2%80%89former-india-athletes-on-covid-19-frontline-other-sports/

From Joginder Sharma to Gagan Ajit Singh: Former India athletes on COVID-19 frontline - other sports

Former boxer Akhil Kumar was sitting in his official vehicle on the Delhi-Jaipur highway when he noticed a family of migrant workers walking with their luggage on their heads. Apart from the luggage, the man was also carrying his daughter in his arms. “I stepped out of the car and offered them some biscuits and water—whatever I had at that point of time,” says Kumar, who is now an Assistant Commissioner of Police (traffic) in Gurugram. “In no time, I saw hundreds more coming towards me. I didn’t know who to help or who not to.”

Kumar, a 2006 Commonwealth Games champion, is one of the many former athletes who is on frontline duty in India during the three-week lockdown period due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“I have never seen such scenes in my life. It has been difficult,” says Kumar. “I have tried to help people but how do you help a migrant worker who has no choice but to walk 600km to his home?”

An Olympian, Kumar has also been busy since the lockdown began, sealing the Delhi-Haryana border. “Initially there was a lot of difficulty. Some cooperated but some didn’t. There are always some people who don’t abide by the rules.”

Like Kumar, Joginder Sharma is also employed with Haryana Police. Currently posted in Hisar, Sharma bowled the final over of the 2007 World T20 which the MS Dhoni-led Indian team won.

Till recently, Sharma had no problem giving an autograph or posing for a selfie during duty. But now things have changed with social distancing becoming the new norm.

“I have to patrol the city a lot. There have been many occasions when I am briefing people on how to tackle coronavirus and they have taken out mobiles and started taking selfies,” says Sharma. “I discourage it and ask them concentrate on what I am saying.”

Battling the situation has its risks as the police have to be available 24×7. “The patrolling duty has increased. Earlier I was involved in investigation, maintaining security in public meetings. Now that has stopped,” says the former all-rounder. “We now have to inform people about this medical emergency. While we have the responsibility of spreading awareness, we have to save ourselves too.”

Former Indian hockey team’s star forward, Gagan Ajit Singh, employed with Punjab Police in Amritsar, has been busy in enforcing law and order in his area; he is also been distributing food parcels to the needy.

“The risk is high but duty comes first. We are taking all necessary precautions,” says Gagan.

Gagan’s former captain Rajpal Singh, also with Punjab police and posted in Mohali district, had his hands full during the initial days of the national lockdown.

“We had a tough time in making people understand the difference between lockdown and curfew,” Rajpal says. “At times we had to impound vehicles.”

Like Gagan, Rajpal has also been involved in arranging food and essential items for the slums in his district. “Many hockey players approached me and said that they want to contribute in providing food to the underprivileged. We have identified 30 families that will contribute funds to feed the needy,” says Rajpal.

Harwant Kaur, former discus thrower who has participated in the Olympics and is also a Commonwealth Games medallist, is with the women and child cell in Patiala. Kaur helped a girl travel from Punjab to Haryana, despite the state borders being sealed, to attend to her ailing mother.

“Her mother was dying,” Kaur says. “So I arranged her travel with the help of my colleague, who coordinated with the Haryana Police,” says Kaur. “I also got calls from elderly couples whose kids are settled abroad. They panicked about the limited stock of ration. I delivered them the grocery items they required.”

Harendra Singh, who has coached both the men’s and women’s national teams in hockey, is today the Air India General Manager at the New Delhi International Airport. Harendra was also a part of Air India’s twin rescue operations from Wuhan, China. All ground related preparations and logistical arrangements were planned and executed under his leadership.

Once those flights reached a remote bay of the airport in end February and early March, Harendra — wearing a hazmat suit — was in charge of the safe disembarkation of passengers and luggage.

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