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Protests rock Assam a day after cabinet expansion
Guwahati, April 27 (IANS) A day after Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal expanded his cabinet, dissidence arose among the state BJP, with supporters of ignored party legislators on Friday calling for a shutdown or indulging in acts of vandalism.
While supporters of BJP legislator from Morigaon, Ramakanta Deuri called a 12-hour dawn to dusk Assam bandh, supporters of BJP legislators like Prashanta Phukan and Aminul Haque Laskar also staged protests at Dibrugarh and Silchar on Friday.
A group of agitated supporters of Deuri took to the streets in different parts of Morigaon in Central Assam protesting against his non-induction as minister and blocking the national highway as well as state highways affecting vehicular movement and causing immense woe to people.
The agitators also vandalized commercial establishments who refused to shut down and stoned vehicles that tried to ply. The shouted slogans against the BJP led government, Chief Minister and the Central BJP leadership holding them responsible for not inducting Deuri in the cabinet.
Similarly, supporters of Phukan, the legislator from Dibrugarh took out a silent procession in Dibrugarh town in Upper Assam on Friday demanding a cabinet birth for him.
“Phukan has been a vocal MLA of the BJP and he has been retaining the Dibrugarh seat since 2006. Besides he is a senior legislator who had kept the BJP flag flying in Dibrugarh during the Congress regime,” said one of the supporters.
Supporters of Laskar, the legislator from Sonai constituency in Barak Valley, also protested in Silchar and other adjoining areas in Barak Valley alleging deprivation on the part of the Chief Minister and said that there are not enough representatives from Barak Valley in the cabinet.
On the other hand, Bodoland Peoples’ Front legislator Pramila Rani Brahma, who is a minister in the Sonowal cabinet, lamented that the Forest and Environment portfolio was taken away from her.
Meanwhile, the All Assam Gorkha Students Union has also condemned the decision of the Chief Minister not to have any representation from the Gorkha community in the cabinet and set a deadline of 72 hours for him to review the decision, otherwise, “all the Gorkhas will resign from the BJP in Assam”.
–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.