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TRS puts up huge show of strength for assembly poll victory
By Prashant Sood
Hyderabad, Sep 2 (IANS) The ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) put up a huge show of strength on Sunday ahead of likely declaration of early assembly polls with its workers converging in lakhs at a rally on the outskirts of the city on call of state Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao to signal their preparation for the elections.
Rao’s cut outs dotted the rally ‘Pragati Nivedana Sabha’ spread over 500 acres with another 1500 acres was reserved for parking.
Pink, the colour of TRS flag, was the flavour of the day with many women wearing pink sarees. Some party loyalists had painted their vehicles pink.
The massive mobilisation included over 12,000 tractors, 15,000 buses including those belonging to schools and state roadways, 30,000 cars and jeeps besides other vehicles from all parts of the state decked with party posters and flags.
There were Rao’s cut outs, billboards and posters along the roads from Hyderabad to the venue of rally at Kongara Kalan in Ranga Reddy district.
Telangana folk songs, linked to the agitation for creation of separate state, were sung from stage and some women in the crowd danced to express their joy.
The rally was billed as the largest in the country and some TRS leaders estimated that over 12 lakh people were present and about two lakh stuck on the roads. The party leaders were expecting 25 lakh people to attend the rally.
Besides being a show of strength for the assembly polls, the rally is being seen as an effort by Rao to project his presence on the national political stage for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
Rao is keen to forge a federal front of non-BJP, non-Congress parties and play a pivotal role in government formation after the 2019 elections.
TRS leadership appears keen that the assembly polls are held by December along with elections to four other states as it would give it time to strategise for Lok Sabha polls.
The term of assembly ends in June and elections in normal course will be held along with next year’s general elections.
Party leaders feel that the opposition Congress is not adequately prepared for an early election and the holding the election in November-December will keep the narrative firmly on the development work done by KCR government.
If assembly polls are held with Lok Sabha polls, the narrative may also be impacted with national issues.
Party leaders talked of the work done by the government in the last over four years after formation of Telangana following bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh. Pamphlets highlighting the work of the government were distributed among the people present at the rally.
The party had made huge logistic arrangements for the rally including food and water for lakhs of people who came.
The rally caused severe traffic disruptions around with people stuck for hours on the roads.
(Prashant Kumar can be contacted at [email protected])
–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.