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Felt like an outsider in Trinamool: Bhaichung Bhutia
New Delhi, April 26 (IANS) Around two months after quitting Mamata Banerjees Trinamool Congress (TMC), former Indian footballer Bhaichung Bhutia on Thursday announced he had joined the new regional ‘Hamro Sikkim Party’, saying that he felt like an outsider in TMC.
“With TMC, I was more like a celebrity than a candidate dropped from the top. There was an outsider tag when I fought elections from Darjeeling. Even if I went for a seat outside my state, I would feel like an outsider,” Bhutia said while addressing a media conference at the Press Club.
In February, Bhutia announced on Twitter his resignation from TMC which he had joined in 2013.
“I could not commit fully towards my party because I was travelling for professional purposes. I think it was unfair for me to be in a party where I could not give my full commitment. And politics is all about being with people and now I can do that,” the Arjuna Award recipient added.
The difference between Bhutia and TMC deepened during the 104-day Darjeeling strife. Bhutia had gone against the party and extended his support for the separate state of Gorkhaland.
“I did not agree with TMC’s stand on Gorkhaland issue and that is my personal decision. I stand with what I have said,” Bhutia, who used to play for East Bengal club, noted.
In 2014, Bhutia contested the Lok Sabha elections from Darjeeling but lost to BJP’s S.S. Ahluwalia. In 2016, he contested the Assembly elections from Siliguri and was defeated by CPI-M’s Ashok Bhattacharya.
Asked what made him join a new political party, Bhutia said he wanted to contribute in developing the state and realised joining a regional party will be the best step.
“I want to work for the people of Sikkim. I hope my joining politics will inspire a lot of youth, not just in Sikkim but across the country,” he said.
The Padma Shri winner also highlighted that Sikkim was overshadowed by corruption and that one of the major focus of the newly-formed party would be demanding CBI probes.
“The state is overshadowed by corruption and as per law, CBI cannot carry any investigation in Sikkim. Unemployment is another major issue. We are claiming to be an organic state but we are losing our land to pharmaceutical companies. Our target is to bring some solutions to these issues,” he stated.
Bhutia also said that he was not bothered about becoming the chief ministerial candidate nor eyeing the party presidentship.
“It’s too early to say whether I will contest or not. If the party tells me I will contest,” he mentioned.
Apart from Lok Sabha elections, Sikkim will also hold Assembly elections in 2019.
–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.