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Nearly 70 killed in attacks in Afghanistan
Kabul, Oct 21 (IANS) Nearly 70 people were killed on Friday in a two suicide attacks on mosques in Afghanistan’s capital and in the western province of Ghor, officials said.
A suicide bomber detonated explosives inside a mosque in a neighbourhood of Kabul predominantly populated by the Shiite Hazara minority, Public Health Ministry spokesman Mohammad Ismail Kawusi told Eef.
The blast occurred as worshipers gathered for prayer inside the Imam Zamam mosque at around 6.00 p.m.
The bomber was standing among the congregation when he detonated the explosives, police spokesman Basir Mujahid told Efe.
Thirty-nine people were killed and 45 others wounded, Interior Ministry spokesman Najib Danish said on Twitter.
The Hazara, a ethnic group thought to be of Mongolian origin, are mostly adherents of Shiism, the second-largest branch of Islam. The vast majority of Afghans are Sunni Muslims.
About an hour before the blast in Kabul, a suicide attacker detonated explosives at the Khwajagan mosque in the Du-Layna district of Ghor province.
The attack occurred as an important anti-Taliban militiaman, Fazal Hayat Khan, and his men were praying inside, said the provincial governor’s spokesman, Abdul Hai Khatabi.
Khan and several of his men were among the roughly 30 people killed, according to Ghor police spokesman But Iqbal Nezami.
While no group claimed responsibility for Friday’s attacks, the Taliban said they were behind strikes this week on military and police that left 91 people dead.
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani condemned the mosque attacks as “crimes against humanity”.
“The criminal terrorists who use Islam as a tool to pursue their objective put in danger the security of people, especially the faithful, which represents an attempt to divide the people of Afghanistan,” he said in a statement.
The Afghan government has been losing ground to the Taliban over the last two-and-half-years and now controls only 57 percent of the country, according to the office of United States Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction.
–IANS
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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.