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Vijayan fumes as Centre talks directly to Kerala protesters
New Delhi/Kannur, Aug 3 (IANS) A fuming Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday slammed the Central government for not taking into confidence the state before holding talks with a group of protesters opposing a particular National Highway alignment in Kannur district.
The protesters are demanding a change in the proposed re-alignment, since the plan in present shape threatens to take away around 12 acres of paddy field, in which they have been cultivating since generations. The protest has received all-round support, but from the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M).
Slamming the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) for playing “dirty politics”, Vijayan told the media in Delhi — where he is attending a meeting of his party — that the Centre has made a wrong move by deciding to interfere with the development of highway.
“The Centre has done a wrong thing by inviting those opposing the particular NH alignment while the state government was not invited to this meeting. This is the game plan of the RSS. What is even more surprising is that a Union Minister from Kerala (K.J. Alphons) was also present in the meeting,” said an angry Vijayan.
He lashed out at the government as soon as he came to know that Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, had met the delegation comprising members from “Vayalkilikal” (the protesters), along with senior state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders and Union Minister of Tourism Alphons.
They assured the visiting protesters’ team that a team of experts will soon visit the disputed site to find ways for a possible new alignment.
Vijayan is upset over the Vayalkilikal’s protests seeking a change in the alignment plan, as he also hails from the district and most of the protesters were hardcore CPI-M activists. But they did not listen to their party leadership, and as a result, they has got alienated from the party.
State CPI-M Secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan also slammed the move by the Central government and charged that this is a grave violation of the accepted norms in the Centre-state relations that the state government was not invited to this crucial discussion.
“This is being done purposely by the Centre,” alleged Balakrishnan.
What appears to have irked Vijayan most is that this issue was not discussed with him when he had recently met Gadkari.
–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.