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Now, Goa BJP speaks out against ‘Monument Mitra’ scheme

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Panaji, May 4 (IANS) Amid opposition criticism of the NDA government’s decision to privatise maintenance of heritage structures including the Red Fort in the national capital, now even the Goa unit of the BJP has expressed unhappiness over the “Monument Mitra” initiative.

Under fire from the Congress, the Aam Aadmi Party and various regional parties for selecting the Old Goa Church complex and other heritage sites for privatisation, state BJP president Vinay Tendulkar on Friday said that before taking such a decision, the central government should have taken local stakeholders into confidence.

“Stakeholders should be taken into confidence before going ahead with such decision. Affecting the sentiments of people is not a good thing,” Tendulkar told reporters at a press conference at the state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) headquarters in Panaji.

Tendulkar’s comments come two days after Goa’s Archives and Archaeology Minister Vijai Sardesai said the state government was not taken into confidence by the central government while selecting heritage sites for the Monument Mitra scheme.

The opposition in Goa has alleged that private adoption of the centuries-old Bom Jesus Church in the Old Goa Church complex near Panaji amounts to hurting the sentiments of Catholics in Goa.

The structure is endorsed by Unesco and is home to one of the most popular feasts of St. Francis Xavier, a Spanish saint, whose relics are still preserved in the Church complex.

In Goa, two companies — Drishti Marine, a private beach management agency, and V-Resorts, a hospitality major — have been shortlisted for participation in the scheme, which aims to develop monuments and heritage sites with the help of private parties for five years.

Drishti Marine is set to adopt key heritage areas like the Old Goa Church complex, Aguada, Cabo de Rama and Chapora Fort, a lighthouse and Morjim beach, famous for Olive Ridley turtle nesting sites. V-Resorts has been shortlisted to adopt the Basilica of Bom Jesus church, which is several centuries old.

–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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