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Putin to seek re-election as an independent
Moscow, Dec 14 (IANS) Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on Thursday that he would run for re-election as an independent candidate, banking on the support of numerous political parties and the popular vote while casting doubt on the competence of his opposition.
Putin was giving his annual press conference at the WTC Congress Centre in Moscow — his first major public appearance since announcing he would seek a new six-year term in the March 2018 elections, Sputnik news agency reported.
“I’m going to be self-nominated, but of course I do hope for the support of the social forces, be that parties or social organisations that share my views on the development of the country and I do hope for the broad support of our citizens,” Putin said.
The President has long been associated with the United Russia political party, whose big-tent nationalism lays claim to three-quarters of the seats in the State Duma.
At the helm of the Kremlin for the last 17 years, Putin acknowledged that there were problems to be addressed in Russian society but began his conference praising a list of government achievements, ranging from higher average life expectancy to strong armed forces and sweeping tax reductions, Efe news reported.
He also cast doubt on the credibility of his political opposition. “I think the most important question for the opposition is how to come up not just with a noisy agenda but a realistic agenda, something to gain the trust of the people,” Putin said.
Russian lawyer and anti-corruption activist Alexei Navalny has emerged as one of Putin’s most prominent challengers, although his ability to run in the presidential elections is uncertain due to criminal convictions.
Putin was appointed as acting Prime Minister in 1999 as Boris Yeltsin stood down. He later became President in 2000 and has since alternated between the roles until the current day.
He also accused opponents of his US counterpart Donald Trump of harming Washington by “inventing stories” about contacts with Moscow.
The Trump presidential campaign is being investigated for collusion with Russia and US intelligence agencies have concluded that Russia tried to sway the 2016 election in favour of Trump, but Putin denies the allegations.
“It’s all invented by those in opposition to Trump to make his work seem illegitimate,” Putin said.
Talking about Pyongyang, Putin said that “the US had already used nukes unreasonably in Japan, no need for that in North Korea”. He stressed that the consequences of a strike on Pyongyang would be catastrophic.
The Russian President is known for his marathon performances at his press conferences where he frequently uses hard-hitting, colourful language. The record for a Putin news conference was set in 2008, at four hours 40 minutes.
This year’s conference, which is still going on, has also set a record, with 1,640 journalists said to be accredited for the event.
–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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