Top News
Trinidad pays tribute to Nobel laureate Naipaul
By Paras Ramoutar
Port-of-Spain, Aug 12 (IANS) People in this Caribbean nation on Sunday mourned the death of their national-icon and Nobel laureate V.S. Naipaul, with many calling him “one of greatest gifts to the world”. Naipaul, born in Chaguanas town of Trinidad, died on Saturday evening.
Three newspapers gave prominence to Naipaul’s death with front page articles as his death was announced on Saturday.
He was just a few days shy of his 86th birthday, and Prime Minister Keith Rowley highly praised the late author.
“He was unwavering in his resolve to tell his stories as he saw fit. Moreover, his strength of character was responsible in no small part for his renowned success”.
Rowley said: “This proud son of Trinidad and Tobago established himself as an icon in the literary arts on the global stage and his world renowned achievements caused his birthplace to shine in a positive light.”
Naipaul’s career commenced in the 1950s and he quickly distinguished himself as a writer of considerable skill and during the 1970s his writings focused on post colonial culture in the Caribbean.
Former Minister of Finance and Foreign Affairs feels that Naipaul’s work should be a focus of study in the subject of international relations as his writing demonstrated his concerns on colonialism and neo-colonialism.
“This should be the focus for further and advanced studies as the whole concept of international relations has taken new paradigms and awareness.
Jerome Teelucksingh, senior lecturer in University of the West Indies, described Naipaul as a “genius”.
“Naipaul had certain talents and certain gifts and sometimes he came across harsh, crude, he had idiosyncratic behavior, some people saw him as eccentric or odd, but we have to remember that sometimes being a genius comes with certain flaws. We have to recognize the genius and also recognize the flaws within the genius,” Teelucksingh said.
Naipaul went to study at Oxford University, having won a scholarship, and was knighted by Her Majesty, the Queen in 1990, and in 2001 he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature. He also received this country’s highest award, the Trinity Cross.
–IANS
paras/ahm/sed
Top News
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.