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Tributes pour in for former UN chief Kofi Annan
Madrid, Aug 18 (IANS) Tributes to former UN Secretary-General and Nobel Prize Laureate Kofi Annan started to pour following the announcement of his death on Saturday.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres lamented the death of his 80-year-old predecessor, describing him as “a guiding force for good”, as well as a good friend and mentor.
“He provided people everywhere with a space for dialogue, a place for problem-solving and a path to a better world,” Guterres said in a statement.
“In these turbulent and trying times, he never stopped working to give life to the values of the UN Charter,” he added. “His legacy will remain a true inspiration for all of us.”
India also expressed condolences to the former Ghanaian diplomat’s family and the UN community as a whole. “Sorry to learn of the passing of former Secretary General of the UN Kofi Annan,” the official Twitter handle of the Indian President said.
UN Human Rights chief Zeid Raad al-Hussein said he was “grief-stricken” over the news of the Ghanaian politician’s death. “Kofi was humanity’s best example, the epitome, of human decency and grace,” he said.
UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, said in a tweet he was “learning with deep sadness of the passing of Kofi Annan,” who he went on to describe as an “international leader, wise mentor, valuable adviser, good friend and role model.”
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro S�nchez tweeted: “Today we lose a great humanist. Former UN Secretary General and Nobel Peace Laureate Kofi Annan has left us, but we still have his legacy to continue working for peace, security and to reinforce the defence of human rights.”
UK Prime Minister Theresa May said Annan was “a great leader and reformer of the UN, he made a huge contribution to making the world he had left a better place than the one he was born into.”
French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted that France paid tribute to Annan: “We will never forget his calm and resolved gaze, nor the strength of his fight.”
Annan passed away died in a hospital in the Swiss city of Bern after a short illness, with his wife and three children by his side.
He was the first black African to take up the role of the world’s top diplomat, serving two terms from 1997 to 2006. He received the Nobel Peace Prize along with the UN in 2001 for revitalizing the UN and making human rights a priority.
He also led a UN commission to investigate the Rohingya refugee crisis in Myanmar.
–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.