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UK’s May maintains cabinet balance on Brexit
London, Nov 10 (IANS) British Prime Minister Theresa May has named a pro-Brexit lawmaker to succeed Priti Patel as secretary of international development a day after the latter resigned.
May named Penny Mordaunt on Thursday after Patel resigned on Wednesday over revelations that she held more than a dozen unauthorised meetings with senior Israeli officials, Efe news reported.
To fill the vacancy, the Conservative Prime Minister turned to Mordaunt, a Member of Parliament from Portsmouth North, who has served until now as Minister for disabled people in the Department for Work and Pensions.
Mordaunt, like Patel, is a firm supporter of the idea that the UK should leave the European Union.
May, who was on the Remain side going into the June 2016 referendum on Brexit, committed to carrying out the will of the voters when she replaced David Cameron as Conservative leader following the vote.
Even after the referendum, however, many Conservatives have remained distinctly unenthusiastic about pulling out of the EU.
By choosing the 44-year-old Mordaunt, May has maintained the balance of forces between the pro- and anti-Brexit positions within the Cabinet.
May has been walking a tight-rope since the Conservatives lost their absolute majority in Parliament in the snap election she called five months ago.
Patel’s resignation was announced following a meeting with May on Wednesday at No. 10 Downing Street.
Patel had to interrupt an official visit to Africa after May summoned her for the second time in three days to discuss the meetings in Israel.
She became the second senior official in a week to leave the government under a cloud.
Michael Fallon stepped down as defence secretary last week amid a burgeoning scandal over sexual harassment by politicians.
Earlier this week, Patel was forced to apologise after the Department for International Development confirmed that she held at least a dozen meetings with Israeli officials.
These included one with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss sending UK aid funds to the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) to support unspecified humanitarian operations in the occupied Golan Heights.
–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.