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Nehru’s contributions, India’s cultural heritage to highlight AKLF
Kolkata: Enlightening discussions and literary walks centred on India’s cultural heritage, as well as commemoration of the 125th birth anniversary of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, will be the highlights at the sixth edition of Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival (AKLF) beginning Jan 14.
Spanning five days, the literary forum will host eminent personalities from various fields including Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, British playwright Hanif Qureishi, conservationist Saad Bin Jung of the Pataudi royal family, British journalist John Elliot and American travel writer Michael Buckley.
Noted authors from Norway, Sweden, Australia, France, Pakistan and Bangladesh will engage audiences on a variety of topics, the organisers told a media meet Monday.
In line with its tradition of holding the sessions at iconic monuments across the city, the inaugural session on cultural heritage will be conducted at the Indian Museum in sync with its bicentenary celebrations.
The concluding session Jan 18 will be at the National Library revolving on “Has India kept her tryst with Destiny?”
“The themes of cultural heritage will run through the entire festival,” said festival director Anjum Katyal.
Woven in between are discussions on history of Bangladesh, Indian masterpieces, wildlife tales, Indian and China’s fragile ecosystems, crime writing and Bollywood.
Prominent book launches include the release of “Honour and Fidelity: India’s Military Contribution to the Great War” by Captain Amarinder Singh while Tharoor will unveil his book “India Shastra”.
Indian speakers include actress Tisca Chopra, author David Davidar, Upamanyu Chatterjee, Pia Padukone, stand-up comedian Sorabh Pant and writers from northeast.
On the sidelines will be a separate literary event for school goers.
A literary heritage walk will take one through some historically important spots in British-era Chowringhee and Park Street.
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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.