Top News
Trump visits Pearl Harbor ahead of Asia visit (Lead)
Washington, Nov 4 (IANS) Before embarking on his first official visit to Asia, US President Donald Trump flew to Hawaii, where he and First Lady Melania Trump visited Pearl Harbor, the site where American forces came under surprise attack from the Japanese in 1941.
Trump will reach Japan on Sunday, the first stop on the five-nation, 11-day trip during which he will also visit South Korea, China, Vietnam and the Philippines. His tour comes at a time of heightened tensions with North Korea over its nuclear programme and missile tests.
In Hawaii, the President and First Lady made a solemn visit to the USS Arizona Memorial where they tossed flower petals into the water above the battleship’s sunken hull, the US media reported.
The memorial, which is accessible only by boat, straddles the wreckage of the battleship on which more than 1,000 Navy personnel lost their lives during the attack that drew the US into World War II.
More than 2,300 sailors, soldiers and Marines died as a result of the attack, as did 68 civilians, according to the National Park Service.
During his stop in Hawaii, Trump was expected to meet with the US Pacific Command to discuss the escalating threat from North Korea.
He was also scheduled to meet with the Governors of Alaska, Hawaii and Pacific US territories, which are all relatively close targets if North Korea opts for a missile strike against the US.
Trump’s visit will be the longest tour of Asia by a US President in 25 years. He is expected to show a united front with South Korea and Japan while pressing China to take a stronger line with Pyongyang.
From Japan, the President and the First Lady will head to South Korea (November 7).
Trump will visit Camp Humphreys, a US military complex south of Seoul but would not go to the heavily fortified demilitarised zone (DMZ) on the border between the South and North.
After South Korea, Trump will arrive in China on November 8 where he will participate in a series of events with his counterpart Xi Jinping, the BBC reported.
In Vietnam (November 10-11), Trump will attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation summit in Danang and make a state visit to Hanoi.
His final engagement will be a summit of South-East Asian nations in Philippine capital Manila (November 12-13).
The last time a US President made such a marathon trip to Asia was when George H.W. Bush visited the region in late 1991 and early 1992.
–IANS
soni/
Top News
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.