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Macron defends Syria strikes in EU debate
Paris, April 17 (IANS) French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday put up a fervent defence of his decision to join a tripartite airstrike campaign in Syria as punishment for the Damascus regime’s alleged use of chemical weapons.
Macron made the remarks as he participated in a debate at the European Parliament in the eastern French city of Strasbourg when he touched upon the strikes conducted by France, the UK and the United States on the night of April 13 that led to a controversy in western politics and sparked anti-war protests, reports Efe news.
“If you believe in multilateralism, if you believe in the force of law and of what is right, then at some point in time you have to decide that you cannot simply cave to the cynicism of those who do not support that,” said the French President.
The airstrikes against alleged chemical weapons factories in Syria came in response to an attack on the Eastern Ghouta city of Douma on April 7 that killed at least 70 people, including 40 apparently showing symptoms consistent with those triggered by exposure to chemical toxins.
Harrowing images of dead and dying children in Douma, which at the time was under rebel control although it has since been recaptured by forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad with the help of Russian firepower, spread quickly on social media.
Macron clarified that no member of the international coalition, a framework already engaging the Islamic State terror group in Syria, had declared war on Assad and insisted that the right to take action against the use of chemical weapons had been adopted by all members of the UN Security Council.
He lamented that Russia had blocked the Security Council from sanctioning action against Assad’s facilities on previous occasions that chemical gas was allegedly used in the war-torn nation.
“We need to stand up, we need to defend our rights, what are we going to say? Our rights just for us, our principals just for us, reality for everyone else? No, no.”
He reiterated that the precision airstrikes on Syria caused no human casualties but had wiped out three alleged chemical plants.
Syria and its main allies Russia and Iran denied any involvement in the Douma attack.
–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.