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Myanmar accuses Bangladesh of delaying repatriation of refugees
Bangkok, Nov 1 (IANS) Myanmar has accused Bangladesh of delaying the repatriation of refugees to its territory due to the millions of dollars of aid it is receiving to build refugee camps, official media reported on Wednesday.
Around 600,000 members of the Rohingya Muslim minority and thousands belonging to other minorities have fled Rakhine state in Myanmar and entered Bangladesh in the last few months following a wave of violence, reports Efe news.
“On our side, we have been ready to accept (the refugees) anytime,” U Zaw Htay, the spokesperson for Myanmar’s de-facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi, said during a visit to Rakhine state, the official daily Global New Light of Myanmar reported.
U Zaw Htay did not make a specific mention of the Rohingyas, who are denied citizenship by Myanmar and have been victims of alleged ethnic cleansing by the Myanmar army according to the UN.
U Zaw Htay said Myanmar was ready to accept the refugees after a process of verification and added that the cause of the delay was the construction of huge refugee camps in Bangladesh with international donations.
“Currently, they have got nearly $400 million. Over their receipt of this amount, we are now afraid of (them) delaying the programme of deporting the refugees,” the spokesperson said.
More than 1 million Rohingyas lived in Rakhine before the current crisis, although they have faced alleged growing persecution since the outbreak of sectarian violence in 2012 that killed at least 160 people and drove 120,000 into resettlement camps.
Last year, around 85,000 Rohingyas fled from Myanmar after an attack by a rebel group, the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army, on border security posts, leading to a retaliatory offensive by the Myanmar army.
The current exodus started after a military campaign carried out in response to another attack by the ARSA on multiple security posts on August 25.
Bangladesh has recognized only around 30,000 Rohingyas as refugees.
–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.