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Karamsad residents’ fast to seek recognition for Sardar Patel’s town
Gandhinagar, April 30 (IANS) A section of residents of Karamsad in Anand district of Gujarat on Monday began an indefinite fast to demand national recognition for the town associated with independent India’s first Home Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
“We have been seeking for long a special status for the town where Patel grew up and even spoken to the central and state governments, but to no avail. All that these governments are doing is make promises,” said Bipin Patel, a member of the Sardar Hit Rakshak Samiti formed by the town residents, on their demand.
In 1995, residents of the town — about 100 km from Gandhinagar — first mooted the proposal. At the same time, another proposal on Porbandar, the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi, was also sent to the authorities. While Porbandar was accorded the status then, Karamsad residents continue to fight for a similar status to their town.
Sardar Patel was born in Nadiad town on October 31, 1875, but got his early education in Karamsad, where his elder brother was settled.
In 2002, the residents met then Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, who allegedly promised national status for Karamsad but things did not move.
“The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has only used Sardar Patel’s name to seek votes but does not seem interested in our demand. Even questions raised by Modi as Chief Minister do not seem to be eliciting any answers from him as Prime Minister,” remarked Paresh Dhanani, Leader of Opposition in the Gujarat Assembly.
Dhanani was referring to the questions raised by the then Chief Minister against the “injustice” meted out to Gujarat by the then United Progressive Alliance government at the Centre.
“You always fight someone who is opposed to you. But, we are not fighting anyone. We are just trying to raise our demand, as one does within a family,” said a protester Ramesh Patel.
Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel said that both the state and the central governments had done quite a bit for a monument to house the memorabilia of Sardar Patel in the town.
“The Urban Development Department has done good work in Karamsad. We have refurbished the building and maintain it quite well,” 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
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.