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Kovind to go on 3-nation tour of Central Europe

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New Delhi, Aug 31 (IANS) President Ram Nath Kovind will go on an eight-day three-nation tour of Central Europe from September 2 which will cover Cyprus, Bulgaria and the Czech Republic, a senior official said on Friday.

Briefing the media, Ruchi Ghanashyam, Secretary (West) in the External Affairs Ministry, underlined the geostrategic location of the three countries.

While Cyprus is an island nation in the Eastern Mediterranean, Bulgaria is in southeastern Europe on the Black Sea while the Czech Republic is a neighbour of Germany.

Ghanashyam said that what makes the visit important is that all three countries are members of the European Union which is a crucial trade, economic and technological partner of India.

“The three are growing at the rate of over 3.5 per cent,” she said.

While India enjoys good relations with the three nations, each of them cooperates closely with India on multilateral forums.

Ghanshyam said Kovind will reach Cyprus on September 2 and will address members of the Indian diaspora. Cyprus has a 7,000-strong Indian diaspora.

Apart from his meetings with the Cyprus leadership, Kovind will address the House of Representatives and deliver a lecture at the Cyrus University.

Cyprus is the eighth largest investor in India and bilateral trade stands at around $8.2 billion, Ghanashyam said.

Kovind’s visit to Cyprus comes nearly eight years after then President Pratibha Patil’s trip in 2009.

Kovind will be in Bulgaria from September 4 to 6 and will address members of the small Indian community of around 250.

This will be the first presidential visit from India to Bulgaria in 15 years.

Apart from his meetings with the Bulgarian leadership, Kovind will deliver a speech at Sofia University on “Education as an instrument of shared prosperity” on September 5, which is celebrated as Teachers Day in India.

He will also attend an India-Bulgaria business forum in which around 250 business representatives are expected to participate.

Bilateral trade between India and Bulgaria stands at around $350 million.

From Bulgaria, Kovind will go to the Czech Republic where he will hold meetings with the Czech President, Prime Minister and the head of the Chamber of Deputies.

He will also participate in an India-Czech business meeting which will be attended by 60 business representatives from each side.

The Czech Republic is the fastest growing Central European country. Bilateral trade between India and the Czech Republic stands at $1.07 billion.

Ghanashyam said that a number of deliverables are being worked out across different sectors with each of these three countries but declined to give details.

Ashok Malik, Press Secretary to the President, said that this will be Kovind’s first state visit abroad in the second year of his tenure in office.

In the first year after becoming President in July 2017, he made state visits to 10 countries.

The President will be accompanied by Minister of State for Panchayati Raj, Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Parshottam Rupala, Rajya Sabha member Ram Shakal and Lok Sabha member Sunil Kumar Singh.

–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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