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For a change, Onam brings cheer in relief camps (Roundup)

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Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 25 (IANS) Survivors of Kerala’s worst floods in a century on Saturday set aside their misery, even if only temporarily, to celebrate Onam in numerous relief camps across the state, relishing the traditional Onam “sadya” or lunch.

The second day of the harvest festival, called Thiru Onam, fell on Saturday.

Camp officers ensured availability of vegetables and other commodities after men and women in the camps insisted they would cook the sadya themselves instead of accepting what was being offered by NGOs and clubs.

Of course, not all the 26 dishes that constitute the sadya could be readied but people appeared to be happy with what they could prepare.

State Ministers, Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala, superstar Mammootty and hugely popular singer K.S. Chithra were among those who had the sadya with the people in various camps across the state.

Children managed to gather whatever flowers were available in and around the camp sites to prepare floral carpets.

Ever since monsoon rains began lashing Kerala on May 29, a total of 417 people have died. This month, unprecedented floods caused widespread destruction and forced more than a million people to flee their homes to take shelter in relief centres.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday evening said over 6.05 lakh people are still sheltered in 1,822 camps, big and small.

“We refused a sponsored Onam sadya. Our own lunch turned out to be a huge success,” said Parvathy, a middle-aged woman who has been in a camp in Alappuzha for the past five days.

At a camp supported by a state-run engineering college, student volunteers joined the Onam celebrations.

In Kottayam, residents of Aymenem and Kumarakom said the Onam sadya provided them huge relief after unending stories of human suffering.

“The bonhomie lit up our lives especially when we prepared our own sadya,” said a woman who was getting ready to return to her home.

Added Devika, at a camp in Kozihikode: “The tragedy has helped us learn many things which we never ever thought we would learn. We feel we have passed the litmus test.”

Bringing solace to a relief camp in Kodungalloor on Saturday was superstar Mammootty, who urged everyone to keep a positive frame of mind.

“You are going to rebuild your lives. Remember, many of you were saved by people who never knew you. Likewise, while a million people were affected by the floods, 30 million Keralites were not. Just like you were saved by unknown people, similar unknown people from across Kerala will come to your rescue when you rebuild your lives.

“Also, the Kerala government is there with you. Just be positive,” he said and served lunch at the camp and then had his lunch too.

At a relief camp in Alappuzha, state Finance Minister Thomas Isaac, along with Chitra, shared the table where Issac said in the next few days, an army of people are going to see that each and every house in Kuttanadu is set right and the people in these camps are put back in their homes.

Chitra sang a song and said that this sort of oneness at a time by the very people who have suffered so much is something that shows how people have faced their tragedy.

State PWD Minister G. Sudhakaran while sharing the table at a camp run by Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) general secretary Vellapali Natesan said this sort of bonhomie is the first step to rebuild Kerala and it will be done.

Chennithala had his lunch at a camp in a college near Haripad, while state Health Minister K.K. Shailaja had hers at a relief camp in Wayanad.

–IANS
sg/nir

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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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