Top News
Act tough against those vandalising statues, state governments told (Lead)
New Delhi, March 7 (IANS) Amid a wave of vandalisation of statues across the country, the Centre on Wednesday asked the state governments to make district magistrates and police chiefs “personally” responsible for the law and order situation, investigate the incidents of destruction of busts and act tough against the culprits.
The Union Home Ministry in its second advisory over the issue in a day asked the state governments to investigate such incidents promptly and book the culprits immediately.
The second advisory came in the wake of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s direction to contain vandalism and sternly deal with the culprits.
“Besides calling for close and continuous monitoring of the situation, it (the Home Ministry) has asked the states to take all possible measures to ensure that no such incident should be allowed to happen,” a spokesperson said in a statement.
“The advisory asks the states to make DMs and SSPs personally responsible for ensuring that the law and order situation remains firmly under control in their jurisdiction.
“Intensification of patrolling in sensitive locations, community policing for peace and harmony, check on anti-social elements and preventive measures wherever required are the main elements of the advisory,” the statement said.
Earlier, Modi spoke to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh over incidents of toppling of statues in various parts of the country post the BJP’s victory in Tripura where Communist icon Lenin’s bust was bulldozed on Monday.
The Home Ministry then issued its first advisory to the states asking them to take all necessary precautions to prevent such incidents.
“Incidents of toppling of statues have been reported from certain parts of the country. Union Ministry of Home Affairs has taken serious note of such incidents of vandalism,” a statement said.
Rajnath Singh expressed strong disapproval of such incidents, according to the statement.
“Persons indulging in such acts must be sternly dealt with and booked under relevant provisions of law.”
Violence erupted in various parts of the country, including Tripura and West Bengal, after Russian communist revolutionary Vladimir Lenin’s statue was razed by BJP activists in southern Tripura.
In Tamil Nadu’s Vellore district, iconic Dravidian leader E.V. Ramasamy or Periyar’s statue was vandalised on Tuesday.
A statue of Jana Sangh leader Shyama Prasad Mookerjee was targeted in West Bengal while a bust of Dalit icon Bhimrao Ambedkar was vandalised in Meerut district in Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday.
–IANS
sar/bg
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.