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Afghan President visits violence-hit Ghazni city

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Kabul, Aug 17 (IANS) Afghan President Ashraf Ghani visited Ghazni city on Friday to assess the security situation following a Taliban offensive to capture the city last week.

Last Friday, hundreds of Taliban fighters had launched an attack on Ghazni, the capital of the Ghazni province, leading to five days of clashes between the rebels and the security forces that killed nearly 500 people, including 326 Taliban fighters, and over one hundred members of the security forces.

“President Ashraf Ghani arrived in Ghazni province to visit and evaluate the security situation of Ghazni,” the presidential palace said in a statement.

Ghani visited different parts of Ghazni city and talked to citizens and officials and allocated $20 million as an emergency fund for the reconstruction of government buildings and mosques destroyed in the offensive, Efe news reported.

Ghazni Governor Wahidullah Kalimzai briefed the President about the state of public services, including the water distribution system, electricity and telecommunications that were restored but needed more work to make them fully functional.

A week into the offensive, however, Afghan forces were still busy clearing areas around the city and along the highway in the province, where rebels were still fighting with the security forces.

“The clearance operation is ongoing according to the plan in Ghazni. (…) the security belt around Ghazni is reinforced and strengthened,” Army Chief General Sharif Yaftali said.

Ghani also ordered the country’s intelligence agency, the National Directorate of Security, to probe the attack and boost security in the area.

He also criticized neighbouring Pakistan for not taking action to prevent Taliban activities on its soil.

“Dear General Bajwa! (Pakistani Army Chief) You signed document with us, you repeatedly told me on phone… you will pay special attention (to the Taliban activities on Pakistani soil). Give me answer, from where they came (militants who attacked Ghazni)? Why they are getting treatment in your hospitals?” Ghani said.

This has been the worst Taliban offensive on a provincial capital since the brief occupation of the western city of Farah in May.

In 2015, the Taliban had seized the northern city of Kunduz for several days, in what was its greatest military achievement since the US invasion in 2001.

In 2016, the Taliban surrounded and managed to enter Trinkot, capital of the Uruzgan province and Lashkargah, capital of Helmand, but retreated after a few days.

According to the US, the Afghan government controls about 56 per cent of the country and the Taliban 11 per cent, while the rest of the territory is under dispute.

–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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