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Amid unprecedented security, Amarnath Yatra to begin from Wednesday
Jammu, June 26 (IANS) The two-month-long annual Amarnath Yatra, for which 1.96 lakh pilgrims from different parts of the country have registered this year, will begin from Wednesday amid unprecedented security arrangements.
The first batch of pilgrims have already arrived at the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas here, and will leave for the Kashmir Valley early on Wednesday in an escorted convoy amid multi-layered security.
Although extraordinary security arrangements have been witnessed during the Yatra ever since the ongoing armed separatist struggle started here in early 1990s, even by those standards, the heightened security to ensure smooth Yatra this year is unprecedented.
In addition to the existing number of security personnel deployed on overall security in the Valley, additional 213 companies of paramilitary forces have been brought in this year to secure the Yatra.
For this first time, radio frequency tagging of Yatra vehicles, surveillance through drones and motorcycle squads of commandos are being employed to assist hundreds of army, paramilitary and police personnel deployed along the Yatra route.
Electronic and human surveillance through intelligence sleuths in plain clothes are included, for the first time, in the special arrangements made for this year.
Around 40,000 security personnel from the army, paramilitary forces, state police and the National Disaster Response Force have been deployed on Yatra duty.
Hundreds of security personnel have been deployed on security at the Baltal (north Kashmir) and the Pahalgam (south Kashmir) base camps of the Yatra.
The Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), headed by Governor N.N.Vohra, which manages the affairs of the annual Yatra, has this year decided to restrict at 7,500, from each route, the daily number of Yatris to be allowed to proceed towards the Cave Shrine each day.
This however does not include those pilgrims who will use helicopter services from the two base camps to the Cave Shrine.
Situated at 12,756 feet above the sea-level, the Himalayan Cave Shrine houses an ice stalagmite structure that waxes and wanes with the phases of the moon.
Devotees believe the ice stalagmite structure symbolizes the mythical powers of Lord Shiva.
Pilgrims using the 36-km-long uphill Pahalgam route take four days to reach the shrine with stopovers at Chandanwari, Sheshnag and Panchtarni, while those using the 14-km-long uphill Baltal route return to the base camp the same day after offering prayers at the Cave Shrine.
The Yatra will conclude on August 26 coinciding with the Shravan Purnima festival.
–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.