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Alabama governor apologises for police attack on Indian
New York: In an unusual gesture, Alabama Governor Robert Bentley issued a public apology for the attack by police on an Indian man that left him partially paralysed.
“Please accept our sincere apology for this tragic incident to your government, (Sureshbhai) Patel and the citizens of India who live and work in this state,” the Republican governor wrote in a letter to Ajit Kumar, the Indian consul general in Atlanta. The letter was publicised by Bentley’s office Tuesday.
The attack on 57-year-old Patel, who was visiting his son in Madison, was captured on a video camera on a police vehicle.
Officer Eric Parker, who responded to a neighbour’s complaint that a “skinny black guy” was loitering around, is seen slamming him to the ground after Patel, who does not speak English, could not answer his questions. Patel is partially paralysed after the attack.
Bentley said that he has instructed the director of the state’s Law Enforcement Agency to conduct an investigation into the incident and gave the assurance that “we will see that justice is done”.
“I deeply regret the unfortunate use of excessive force by the Madison Police Department on Sureshbhai Patel and for the injuries sustained by Patel,” Bentley said in his letter. “I sincerely hope that Patel continues to improve and that he will regain full use of his legs.”
Although disdained by many as a socially backward and conservative state, Alabama’s reaction to the racially-charged incident involving a white police officer and a person of colour stands out in contrast to the way recent police attacks on minorities have been handled elsewhere.
Bentley took responsibility for the incident, ordered an inquiry and apologised.
Officials in Madison dismissed the officer, Eric Parker, filed assault charges against him and arrested him.
In New York, a police officer choked an unarmed African American man to death in an incident caught on camera by a passerby.
However, he was allowed to stay on the force while grand jury failed to bring charges against him.
In Ferguson in Missouri, an African American teenager was shot dead by police and that officer also remained on the force and a grand jury cleared him. The Ferguson case led to several days of rioting by an enraged public.
However, Parker also found support among some people who set up crowd-funding initiative for him on Indiegogo.com. It had brought in $3,301 as of Tuesday night.
Parker who surrendered at a local jail, and was out on bail, entered a not guilty plea Tuesday, his lawyer Robert Tuten, was quoted in local media.
Meanwhile, an Internet fundraiser on Gofundme.com to collect contributions for Patel’s medical treatment has raised $189,102 by Tuesday night against a target of $100,000.
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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.