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Opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan is Armenia’s new PM
Tbilisi, May 8 (IANS) Armenia’s Parliament on Tuesday elected opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan as the country’s new Prime Minister, two weeks after massive anti-government protests led to his predecessor Serzh Sargsyan’s resignation.
Pashinyan, who leads the liberal Yelk (“Way Out”) coalition, spearheaded weeks of protests which brought an end to 10 years of rule by Sargsyan, the BBC reported.
He received 59 votes from his fellow lawmakers in the National Assembly, six more than the minimum needed to become head of government.
Minutes after his election, Pashinyan vowed to bring “big changes” to the small Caucasian nation of barely 3 million inhabitants.
Pashinyan, who led what has become known as Armenia’s “Velvet Revolution”, promised MPs that human rights would be protected and that corruption and election-rigging would end.
“All people are equal before the law. There will be no people enjoying privileges in Armenia. That’s it. Full stop,” he said.
Armenia is dependent on Russia for its security and has a Russian military base on its territory. Its peaceful uprising against single-party rule is seen as unprecedented for a former Soviet state, the BBC said.
Pashinyan told MPs that relations with Moscow would be a priority, particularly military co-operation. Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomed Pashinyan’s success, looking forward to continuing “friendly relations”.
Pashinyan promised snap elections as soon as “the conditions are right for a legitimate vote to take place”. He said he had no intention to cling to power but will first have to persuade Parliament to approve his Cabinet.
Last Tuesday, Parliament — controlled by the rival Republican Party — had rejected his candidacy to replace Sargsyan.
Protesters rallied against what they said was a “corrupt, oligarchic and nepotist government that had burdened them with a lack of opportunities”.
Pashinyan, 42, is a former journalist and editor who in 2013 co-founded the political party Civil Contract, which went on to join forces with the parties Bright Armenia and Republic to form the centrist Yelk alliance that obtained only nine assembly seats in the 2017 parliamentary elections.
–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.