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Trump visits Texas, but keeps empathy at bay (Lead)

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Washington, Aug 30 (IANS) US President Donald Trump visited Texas to survey the widespread damage caused by Hurricane Harvey, but was slammed for not meeting or mentioning any storm victims.

The President and First Lady Melania Trump on Tuesday visited Corpus Christi, where Hurricane Harvey first made landfall on Friday. Trump later went to Austin for meetings with government officials and to survey the damage, as search-and-rescue operations were in full swing across the state, CNN reported.

Trump will not be visiting Houston, the White House said as he did not want his visit to “disrupt” the emergency response. The catastrophic natural disaster has so far claimed 20 lives and forced tens and thousands of people to flee deluged homes, media reports said.

Trump pledged to mount the best ever relief and recovery effort, surrounded by grim-faced state authorities in Austin. “Probably there’s never been anything so expensive in our country’s history,” Trump said at a subterranean command centre.

“There’s never been anything so historic in terms of damage and in terms of ferocity.” Trump called the storm “epic” and said he wanted the relief effort to stand as an example of how to respond to a storm. “We want to do it better than ever before.”

The President, though, dispensed no hugs or displays of compassion to victims of the storm, whom he did not meet.

There were questions ahead of Trump’s trip about whether he would convey empathy for a region in crisis — and a few critics thought he failed to deliver, the Hill magazine reported.

Trump’s responses were more focused on the power of the storm and his administration’s response than on the millions of Texans hit by the devastating storm. As of late Tuesday local time, Trump had yet to mention those killed, visit those affected or call on other Americans to help or directly encourage donations to relief organisations.

“There was something missing from what President Trump said, that’s the empathy for the people who suffer,” Ari Fleischer, former President George W. Bush’s press secretary, told Fox News.

The President was also criticised for remarking on the “turnout” and size of the crowd that gathered for his meeting in Corpus Christi — though the hundreds gathered clapped and cheered his appearance.

The white “USA” hat the President wore (which is advertised for $40 on his site) during the address prompted a backlash from those who accused him of gratuitous marketing.

Hurricane Harvey’s damage was expected to run well into the tens of billions of dollars, making it one of the costliest US natural disasters. City officials were preparing to temporarily house some 19,000 people, with thousands more expected to flee the area.

The mayor of Houston announced an indefinite 12 a.m. to 5 a.m. curfew amid reports of looting, armed robberies and people impersonating police officers.

–IANS
soni/bg

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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma

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World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.

Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.

During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.

On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”

Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.

It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.

Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.

Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”

On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”

The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.

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