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Mevani to support Hardik’s protest next month, but advises sit-in, not fast
Gandhinagar, July 9 (IANS) Firebrand Gujarat Dalit activist and legislator Jignesh Mevani on Monday expressed his support to Patidar leader Hardik Patel, who is set to launch a fast unto death next month to press for his demand for reservations to his community, but appealed to him to go in for an indefinite ‘dharna’ (sit-in) instead.
“I will definitely be supporting Hardik Patel for his demand for reservation for his community. Every citizen has a right to demonstrate his demand which is constitutionally valid. I think his demand is valid, without affecting the present reservation for the Scheduled Castes, Tribes and Other Backward Classes,” he told reporters here.
“Hardik will be starting his fast on the 25th next month and I will be there to support him the next day,” he said.
“But I appeal to Hardik that he shouldn’t be sitting on a fast but should go for an indefinite dharna…. even if you go hungry the cold-blooked BJP leaders won’t be moved. So I suggest he should go for dharna,” the Vadgam legislator added.
Mevani was here to meet Education Minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama to raise issues of the mid-day meal scheme employees.
Patel, the young leader from the Patidar community, had launched his agitation for reservations to his community under the OBC category on August 25, 2015, with a massive rally and went on to make a huge dent into the strongest Patel votebank of the ruling BJP. He plans to revive his moment on the same date next month.
Terming this as the last-ditch attempt, Patel, in a video address to his supporters, said: “The fight for reservation has entered the last phase. I don’t mind giving up my life for the community. I am not going to eat anything till we get reservations in government jobs and educational institutions. I need everybody’s support in this.”
–IANS
desai/vd
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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.