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Karnataka seeks US consulate in Bengaluru
Bengaluru, May 31 (IANS) Karnataka Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Thursday urged the US to open its consulate in this tech city at the earliest.
“The US should open its consulate in Bengaluru at the earliest to facilitate, among other things, granting of its visas to the citizens of our state,” Kumaraswamy told US Ambassador to India Kenneth Juster who called on him here.
The US has consulates in Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai and Hyderabad besides its embassy in New Delhi but not in India’s technology hub.
“The Chief Minister has assured Juster infrastructure, including land, building and support system to enable the US set up a consulate in the city, which has the largest number of American firms,” said the Chief Minister’s office in a statement.
Referring to the warm and long-standing relations between Karnataka and the US, the Chief Minister told the US envoy that hundreds of Kannadigas were working at top positions in the US and a growing number of citizens from across the state visit America as tourists through the year.
“A consulate with facilities to process and issue visas will help our people to save time, energy and cost as most of them go to Chennai or Hyderabad for visa interviews and collecting their passports or travel documents in person,” the statement said.
Responding to the Chief Minister’s plea, Juster said he would convey the state’s request to the US Administration for setting up a consulate in Bengaluru soon.
“About 370 US companies operate from Bengaluru and contribute significantly to the state’s economy. They, however, face infrastructure problems in the city, which needs to be addressed on priority,” Juster told Kumaraswamy.
The Chief Minister directed the officials concerned to meet the heads of US firms and resolve the issues at the earliest.
Chennai-based US Consul General Robert G. Burgess, US Economic Officer Joseph Bernath and US Public Affairs Officer Lauren Lovelace participated in the meeting Juster had with Kumaraswamy at the state secretariat in the city centre.
State Chief Secretary Ratna Prabha briefed the US delegation on the measures taken to improve the city’s infrastructure, including signal-free traffic movement, extension of the metro rail system and building elevated express highways for high-speed movement of vehicles across the tech hub.
–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.