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Using headgear to signify identity could be bigotry: Ansari

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New Delhi, July 9 (IANS) A skull cap does not add to identity and suggesting it does may be a misperception or “perhaps a reflection of bigotry”, former Vice President Hamid Ansari said on Monday.

Speaking at the launch of book “Of Saffron Flags and Skullcaps: Hindutva, Muslim Identity and the Idea of India” written by veteran journalist Ziya Us Salam, he also recounted his lone experience of wearing a skullcap when he was India’s Ambassador to UN.

“During a prayer at a dinner by my Israeli counterpart, everyone put on their caps on their heads. I did likewise. A gentleman said I need not have done that. I said I didn’t see the problem. It doesn’t in anyway impinge on my identity,” said Ansari.

Citing it to be a “very seriously and carefully written book” with an innovative approach, he said the writer has woven “happenings, episodes, practices” into a pattern.

The book, published by Sage Publishing, takes a dispassionate look at how majority communalism is sought to be passed off as nationalism and explores “how the new notions of nationalism are removed from the principles of our Constitution”.

“Having discerned that there are two dominant patterns in our society, he comes back to the third most important pattern, which is India, and the idea of India,” said Ansari who was recently in news for his book “Dare I Question”.

Salam’s book attempts to “trace the growth of the Hindutva ideology from the time of V.D. Savarkar and M.S. Golwalkar to the contemporary age, and how it precedes any talk of Muslim appeasement”, said the publisher.

The author’s “Till Talaq Do Us Part” — a study of various divorce options available in Islam — was released earlier this year.

The book launch was followed by a discussion with Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar, CNN-News 18 Political Editor Marya Shakil, JNU Professor Aditya Mukherjee, Aligarh Muslim University Professor Mohammad Sajjad, DU Professor Apoorvanand Jha and SAGE CEO Vivek Mehra, as panelists.

–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

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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.

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