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Sabarimala ruling exposes political, caste groups: CPI-M
New Delhi, Oct 11 (IANS) The opposition to the Supreme Court ruling allowing women in the 10-50 age group to enter the Sabarimla temple in Kerala has “exposed the hypocrisy and patriarchal worldview of some political parties and caste organisations”, the CPI-M has said.
“The RSS had taken a stand in 2016 that women should have the right of entry to all temples. But this position has been reversed as far as the Sabarimala temple is concerned,” said an editorial in the CPI-M journal “People’s Democracy”.
“RSS General Secretary Suresh Joshi has claimed that restriction of women’s entry to Sabarimala is a matter of tradition and faith of millions of devotees, whose ‘sentiments’ cannot be ignored.
“In Kerala, the RSS chief Gopalankutty stated that the Sangh would honour the judgement but the very next day they made an about-turn,” said the Communist Party of India-Marxist.
The editorial said the protests by “devotees” being organised by the BJP and RSS against the Supreme Court ruling have been joined by the Nair Service Society, the erstwhile royal family of Pandalam who were earlier custodians of the temple and the hereditary family of priests at the temple.
“The stance adopted by these forces of social conservatism could be expected. But what was not anticipated was the hypocritical and opportunist stance adopted by the Congress in Kerala,” said the editorial.
It said that while Congress spokesman Randeep Surjewala in New Delhi said the party wholeheartedly welcomed “this progressive and far-reaching decision” of the Supreme Court, the Congress took an opposite stand in Kerala.
“Kerala, thus, presents the curious spectacle of the Congress subscribing to the upper caste and patriarchal notions of the RSS-BJP combine. If the Congress thinks that such an opportunist stance will help it to gain Hindu votes, they are sadly mistaken,” it said.
“Pandering to socially regressive Hindutva views will only strengthen the hands of the BJP and the RSS with the Congress being seen in the company of those who want to turn the clock back in Kerala society.
“The forces who are at the back of the protests by ‘devotees’ are those who are not reconciled to the social changes and progressive reforms in Kerala.”
–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.