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LGBTQ community celebrates SC order with enthusiasm in Delhi
New Delhi, Sep 6 (IANS) A few hours after the Supreme Court on Thursday announced its historical judgment on Section 377 by decriminalising homosexuality, members of the LGBTQ community gathered here along with their supporters to celebrate the landmark decision.
About 100 people — mostly young — became part of the celebrations at Jantar Mantar here on a rainy Thursday evening, singing, dancing and raising slogans of freedom. Several men wore attires which are generally considered to be feminine.
People clicked pictures with the flag, comprising six different colours, which is used to represent the diversity of the LGBTQ community.
“I could sense so much of happiness and enthusiasm when I walked in here to join the queer group in celebrating their day,” Augustin Hose, who works with a production house here told IANS.
“As an ally to the people of this community, I feel a sense of relief though this is just the first step and there is a long battle ahead for other rights,” he said.
He also said with the Narendra Modi-led central government in power, he was unsure whether the society will be sensitised towards the LGBTQ rights.
“With the current government in power, we can’t really say if the society is sensitised and if they will now start accepting these people as a part of them.”
Saatvik Singhania Rehani, an undergraduate student at Ambedkar University, expressed how “liberating” the top court’s verdict was for him as a member of the LGBTQ community.
“We still don’t have the legal rights to marriage and adoption but the fact that we are not criminals anymore is liberating.
“It feels like the country has come to senses and we are progressing towards a better life,” the 19-year-old said, adding that he has struggled a lot in his life so far because of his sexual identity.
“I have been implicitly and also explicitly targeted because of it at various occasions, been physically abused. With this order, I can just hope that by the time I enter a workplace the degree of discrimination will be lesser,” said Rehani.
A student of Lady Shri Ram College, Katyayni Sharma, a member of the community said that she and others, who joined the celebrations, were not prepared and they will have a major pride march in the coming week.
“There weren’t any colours or posters because we were not prepared and also because it rained, but soon we all will gather to celebrate this epic verdict.”
–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.