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Afghanistan offers Taliban political recognition, peace talks
Kabul, Feb 28 (IANS) Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani outlined a new peace map on Wednesday during an international meeting, which is aimed at finding negotiated settlement to the country’s lingering crisis.
“The Afghan government offers peace talks to the Taliban without any preconditions,” Ghani told participants at the Kabul Process for Peace and Security Cooperation meeting, Xinhua reported.
The Afghan President said the new measures for the peace and reconciliation efforts include a ceasefire, recognition of the Taliban as a political party, making efforts for a transitional trust building process as well as holding free and fair elections.
“If we did not have the confidence and assurance that a peaceful and stable future is within our grasp, we might have lost the will to forge ahead in the face of such brutality that is being waged against our people,” Ghani said.
However, the President noted the government was seeking “to strike a truthful and sustainable peace deal with conciliatory Taliban,” and the armed apposition who have had links with international or regional terror groups will not be accepted.
“To support an Afghan vision for peace, the strongest commitment of regional partners and key stakeholders is now needed more than ever,” he said.
Ghani also said that in efforts to reach a peace settlement, the Afghan government was ready for amendment in the country’s constitution based on the articles of the constitution.
Measures must be taken to reintegrate the armed opposition members, who renounces violence and joins peace process, and the refugees who return from neighbouring countries, he noted.
Releasing Taliban prisoners and removing some Taliban leaders’ names from international sanction lists as well as opening an office for Taliban in Kabul or other Afghan cities were also included in the new peace map, according to Ghani.
The announcement came one day after the Taliban said it was ready to talk with the US over Afghan crisis but not with the Afghan government or its peace council.
Over the past years, the insurgent group has categorically rejected the peace offer, saying there will be no talks until foreign troops leave the country.
Since 2015, Afghan security forces have assumed the full security mission from NATO and US forces, but around 16,000 foreign troops have remained to train and assist local security forces in their fight against the insurgents.
The Wednesday’s meeting was the second of such conference held in Kabul over the past one year. The previous Kabul conference was held in June 2017.
Delegates from more than 20 countries and international organisations attended the Kabul conference.
The latest move for peace comes as scores of security force members and civilians have been killed in strings of deadly terror attacks across the country.
–IANS
ahm/hs
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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.