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Jail Bharo by AIKS on Thursday
New Delhi, Aug 8 (IANS) Around 20 lakh people across the country will protest against “anti-farmer”, “pro-corporate” policies of the Narendra Modi government on August 9 on the occasion of ‘Quit India Day’ and, subsequently, court arrest, left-affiliated All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) said on Wednesday.
Addressing a press conference here, AIKS General Secretary Hannan Mollah said the anti-farmer, anti-people and anti-national policies of Modi-led government had proved to be a “disaster” for the country.
“The government has failed in all sectors. Farmers, workers, employees are unhappy. Even ex-servicemen are agitated as Modi government has failed to keep its promises. But corporates, corrupt, lynchers are happy,” Mollah said.
“The protesters would be from various sections of the society with majority comprising farmers, labourers, dalits, and ex-servicemen, who will participate in ‘Jail Bharo’.”
He said the protest will be held in around 400 districts and on the Parliament Street in the national capital.
Crop loan waiver, remunerative crop prices through Minimum Support Price (MSP) based on the recommendation of Swaminathan commission, land reforms and halting forced land acquisition are among the major demands, he said.
Renowned agricultural economist M.S. Swaminathan has backed the protest, Mollah said.
In a letter to AIKS, Swaminathan reiterated the demand of MSP 1.5 times the input cost, a favourable procurement policy along with effective implementation of the Food Security Act, school noon meal programme, Mollah said.
“I support the demands of the farmers and request the government to listen to them,” Swaminathan has said in the letter.
Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) is among the major organisations that have extended their support to the move.
CITU General Secretary Tapan Sen said Modi should quit as Prime Minister if he could not take care of poor farmers, labourers and workers.
Mollah also asked the BJP and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to clear their stand on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) as entry of multinational retail stores would have negative impact on farmers and small traders.
He asked if the RSS had given up its Swadeshi slogans forever.
–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.