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Modi suggests INA memorial in Myanmar
Yangon, Sep 6 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday suggested the setting up of a memorial to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s Indian National Army (INA) in Myanmar.
“It was in Myanmar that Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose made the clarion call of ‘Give me blood and I will give you freedom’, to which many people responded,” Modi said while addressing a gathering of the Indian diaspora at the Thuwunna Stadium here on the second day of his three-day official visit to Myanmar.
He said that he had the good fortune to meet some of the soldiers of the INA in Myanmar who are now in very advanced stage of age.
“We (India and Myanmar) can together do a survey for an INA memorial here,” he stated to much applause from the gathering.
Stating that people-to-people ties are the strength of India-Myanmar relations, he said that a road project connecting Manipur in northeastern India with Myanmar has been approved.
Estimates vary between 1.5 million and 2.5 million about the number of people of Indian origin living in Myanmar.
Praising the work of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj for Indians abroad, Modi said: “She is sensitive to the concerns of every Indian in any part of the world and is always ready to help.”
The Prime Minister said that all Myanmar citizens wishing to travel to India will get gratis visas. He also announced that 40 Myanmarese fishermen lodged in Indian jails would be released.
Talking about his government’s development initiatives, he said that “we are not merely reforming India but are transforming India”.
“We have pledged to build a new India by the time independent India turns 75 in 2022,” he said.
Stating that development of good infrastructure was necessary for this, Modi said: “Nineteenth century infrastructure cannot work in the 21st century. Good infrastructure is no longer about roads and rail only… it includes several other aspects that bring a qualitative change in society.”
He also spoke about bringing about development in the agricultural sector.
“Infraculture is important. By infraculture I mean quality infrastructure that benefits our farmers,” he said.
Stating that his government has not shied away from taking tough decisions, Modi said: “My government has not hesitated in surgical strikes, demonetisation and GST (Goods and Services Tax). GST is ushering in a new culture across the nation.”
Earlier on Wednesday, Modi and Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi headed delegation-level discussions in Nay Pyi Taw capital city, following which 11 agreements were signed between the two sides.
From Nay Pyi Taw, the Prime Minister went to the ancient city of Bagan where he visited the Ananda temple before coming to Yangon.
Modi reached Nay Pyi Tau on Tuesday on what is his first bilateral visit to Myanmar. He had earlier to this country in 2014 to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean)-India Summit.
–IANS
ab/vt
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
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.