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Thousands march in Harare for Mugabe’s ouster (Night Lead)
Harare, Nov 18 (IANS) Tens of thousands of Zimbabweans took to the streets of Harare on Saturday demanding the resignation of President Robert Mugabe, in what could spell the political end for the 93-year-old leader who has ruled the country for nearly four decades.
Waving placards with slogans like “Go, Go, Our General” and “No to Mugabe Dynasty”, the atmosphere on the streets of the capital was electric, just days after the Army put Mugabe under house arrest and detained some of his key political allies.
Protests turned to a celebration of the Army’s role in ending Mugabe’s grip on power. “It’s like Christmas,” said one marcher, Fred Mubay. He said Zimbabweans had been suffering for a long time and were now, finally, happy.
The rally, supported by the military, was deemed as a “solidarity march”. People waved Zimbabwean flags while others ran alongside Army tanks and hugged soldiers to show their gratitude, the Guardian reported.
One had a poster with a message for the President: “Leave Zimbabwe now!!!” while a vendor at an intersection held up a newspaper with the headline: “Mugabe cornered”.
The Army staged a takeover on Wednesday but Mugabe was still refusing to step down on Saturday, an official with direct knowledge of the ongoing negotiations between the President and the military said.
Mugabe was meeting Army Chief General Constantino Chiwenga to discuss what happens next, reports said. Chiwenga is pushing for Mugabe to step down and an interim President to take over.
The military and senior officials within the ruling Zanu-PF party now appear set on forcing Mugabe out within 48 hours.
A man arriving at the rally said: “As Zimbabweans, we are saying to our Army: “Thank you very much for the peaceful intervention.”
“For us, it’s about the end of authoritarian rule and we are going to take our Zimbabwe back,” he said. Protesters headed towards Mugabe’s office, the State House, to urge him to step down.
Some people staged a sit-down protest at the State House in front of a line of troops while opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai addressed the crowd to cheers.
By late Friday afternoon, all 10 of the country’s provincial Zanu-PF branches had passed motions of no-confidence in the President. This could lead to Mugabe being stripped of his office of President of the party by Sunday, one official told the Guardian.
The party branches were also calling for the resignation of the President’s wife, Grace Mugabe, as the women’s league leader.
Earlier on Friday, Mugabe, who had been confined to his luxurious residence in the upscale Harare neighbourhood of Borrowdale since the military takeover, attended a university graduation ceremony on the outskirts of the capital city.
His wife was not present. It had been thought she had left the country but it emerged later that she was in her husband’s Harare residence.
Saturday’s march was organised by the powerful associations representing veterans of the former British colony’s liberation wars.
The military’s intervention came after weeks of political turmoil in which Mugabe sacked his powerful Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa, clearing the way for his wife to succeed him.
Mugabe has led Zimbabwe since it gained independence from Britain in 1980.
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson urged a quick return to civilian rule, but said the crisis was an opportunity for Zimbabwe to set itself on a new path.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said Beijing was hoping for stability and a peaceful “appropriate” resolution to the situation.
UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson warned against a transition from “one unelected tyrant” to another.
–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.
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
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