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CPI-M mouthpiece shut in Tripura, BJP blamed (Lead)
Agartala, Oct 2 (IANS) A 40-year-old CPI-M newspaper in Tripura, “Daily Deshar Katha”, has been ordered closed by the government on technical grounds, leading the Marxists to accuse the state’s BJP government of committing an “illegal” act.
The West Tripura District Magistrate passed an order closing down the Bengali daily, alleging discrepancies in the changeover of the management.
Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader and the newspaper’s founder editor Gautam Das on Tuesday said the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) “pressurised the District Magistrate to do the illegal work as the newspaper was critical to the state government’s misgovernance and ruling party’s undemocratic ways”.
The BJP denied the allegations.
The District Magistrate and Collector, Sandeep Mahatme, after conducting four hearings between September 12 and October 1, passed an order on Monday night to suspend publication of the newspaper which began publication in 1978.
Das said that since the BJP-IPFT (Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura) government came to power in March, massive attacks had been unleashed on Left leaders and cadres.
The circulation of “Daily Deshar Katha” fell to 45,000 per day, leaving 1,000 vendors and hawkers jobless.
“The BJP government tried to stop issue of government advertisements to the newspaper but they could not do so due to an order of the Gauhati High Court,” Das said.
The newspaper was originally owned by CPI-M. In 2012, the ownership was handed over to a registered society. Last month it was transferred to a newly formed trust.
“All the procedures have been done and everything was conveyed to the Registrar of Newspapers through the District Magistrate,” he added.
Terming the Monday action as a “black day” for the Indian media, Das said that even during the Emergency in 1975-77 no newspaper was forcibly closed down.
“At the behest of BJP, the DM has done the most undemocratic and illegal act. The DM even violated the judicial procedure,” the Left leader said.
He said the management of the newspaper would soon seek justice from the appropriate forum. He said over 200 journalists and non-journalists would now become jobless.
BJP spokesman Mrinal Kanti Deb said the BJP had no hand in the District Magistrate’s action.
“The CPI-M had hidden facts about the management. They have cheated the people. The DM has only curbed the illegality of the management of the newspaper,” Deb told the media.
In New Delhi, the CPI-M said: “This is a brazen attack on the freedom of the press. It is a sad day that (the daily) has stopped publication on October 2, Gandhi Jayanti.”
–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.