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Goa BJP differs with Modi, Shah assurance on Mhadei dispute
Panaji, May 10 (IANS) The Goa BJP on Thursday begged to differ with the recent “pro-Karnataka” comments made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP President Amit Shah over the Mhadei issue during the poll campaign in Karnataka.
Addressing a press conference at the party’s state headquarters in Panaji on Thursday, state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson and South Goa MP Narendra Savoikar said the Goa BJP had faith in the inter-state water dispute tribunal which is currently adjudicating the dispute.
When asked to react to Shah’s comment at a poll rally in Karnataka’s Hubbali region, where the BJP President promised to resolve the Mhadei dispute in six months and that waters from the multi-state river would flow into Karnataka, Savoikar said: “He (Shah) has said, the issue will be solved immediately after (BJP comes to power). So far, as we are concerned, the matter right now is before the Tribunal… We will rely on the Tribunal award. Both states have placed their say before the Tribunal”.
Savoikar also said Shah had only promised to “resolve” the issue in his speech, while also accusing the Congress party of having double standards on the Mhadei issue.
When asked if the BJP’s Goa unit would be raising the Mhadei issue with Shah, during the latter’s one-day visit to Goa on Sunday, and expressly pitch for Goa’s case, Savoikar said: “The party president is visiting the state as a part of the organisational side. What the agenda will be, how much time will he give us…”
Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra are currently contesting parties before the Mhadei inter-state water disputes tribunal over the controversial Kalsa-Bhandura dam project across the Mhadei river, through which Karnataka aims to divert water from the Mhadei basin to the nearby basin on the Malaprabha river.
The Tribunal hearing the dispute is expected to deliver a verdict in a few months.
Mhadei, also known as the Mandovi river, is considered as a lifeline in the northern parts of the coastal state.
It originates in Karnataka and meets the Arabian Sea in Panaji in Goa, while briefly flowing through Maharashtra.
The river’s course is 28.8 km in Karnataka, and over 50 km in Goa.
–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.