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Duterte ordered probe against detained Australian nun

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Manila, April 19 (IANS) Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday said he personally authorised an investigation against an Australian nun who was detained in the country earlier this week after being accused of political activity that breached her visa.

Sister Patricia Fox, 71, was held by immigration authorities in Manila on Monday for “violating the conditions of her stay by attending protest rallies and engaging in political activities”, the BBC reported.

The nun, who has been working in the Philippines for the past 27 years, was released on Tuesday without charge and has denied any wrongdoing. She is also the mother superior of a local Catholic order.

Duterte accused her of “disorderly conduct”, warning that foreign critics of his government faced being deported.

“You insult me under the cloak of being a Catholic priest and you are a foreigner. Who are you? It is a violation of sovereignty,” he said at an armed forces ceremony in Manila.

“The Philippines laws provide that I can deport you or refuse you entry, if you are an undesirable alien.”

Her temporary detention sparked protests from supporters in the largely Catholic country.

Sister Fox is accused of participating in partisan rallies in Mindanao, a restive island in the country’s south that is under martial law. However, she denied that her activism was political.

“I have been joining pro-human rights rallies for the farmers — for their land rights — (and) to release political prisoners… I would call it part of our duty as a religious (group) that we support the poor,” she said.

In his speech, Duterte suggested that Sister Fox should instead scrutinise Australia. “You nun, why don’t you criticise your own government, the way you handle the refugees, hungry and dying and you turn them back to the open sea?

“You do not have that right to criticise us. Do not insult my country. We never did that to Australia. We never did that to (a) European country,” he said.

–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

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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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