Top News
Hope #MeToo movement in India doesn’t get dissolved: Rakul Preet
By Sugandha Rawal
New Delhi, Oct 15 (IANS) Actress Rakul Preet is happy with the #MeToo movement gaining momentum in India, but feels it is important to differentiate between sexual harassment and sexual misconduct and deal accordingly.
“A conversation of somebody forcing or somebody raping or somebody saying that ‘you will get the project only if you sleep with me’ and someone misbehaving are two different things. I feel that how we draw a line here and how we figure out what really happened and what didn’t happen, is something that we need to look into,” Rakul told IANS over the phone.
“It shouldn’t happen that the girls who have been really harassed and have been suffering for years… All their issues get dissolved just because there is too much happening,” she added.
The actress is happy that women have a voice “finally thanks to the social media”.
“I hope that something is done. I just hope it doesn’t get dissolved.”
Rakul continued: “I am very happy with the way the movement has gained momentum. These things have existed. I have been very lucky in my life that I haven’t faced it. But then you have heard of stories and I am glad that people are coming out and talking about it because it takes a lot of courage to do that.”
But she hopes that people don’t misuse the movement.
“My only request is to people not to misuse it because finally there is a voice for women and people are listening to them and an action can be taken, workplace can be made into a safer place. They should not misuse it.”
The actress, who is working with Luv Ranjan on his production “De De Pyaar De” with Ajay Devgn, was shocked when accusations against the filmmaker emerged.
Ranjan has been accused by an anonymous actress of making her uncomfortable while giving an audition for his film “Pyaar Ka Punchnama”. She claims Ranjan asked her some personal questions. He denied the sexual misconduct allegations against him, saying he has never misbehaved with a woman.
Talking about it, Rakul said: “It did come as a shock to me. I am not saying anyone is right or wrong here. But I remember the first day when I met him to do this film… I went back home and called my mom and said, ‘They are such amazing people’.
“The moment I saw the accusation, I called him and said ‘Sir, whatever happens, I know you and we all know you’. My experience with him has been amazing. I look up to him as a mentor. He is somebody with whom you can share anything whether it is some personal issue or professional.”
The actress emphasised that she doesn’t think that the actress, who has made the accusation about Ranjan, is lying.
“I don’t know who the anonymous person is. But I can speak for my experience and I have had the most amazing experience with this team.
“That is why if you see all his actors have already spoken. Nobody else has spoken for anybody. The way they have come out in support for him,” said the actress, who has featured in Telugu and Hindi films.
In Bollywood, Rakul has done “Yaariyan” and “Aiyaary”.
(Sugandha Rawal can be contacted at [email protected])
–IANS
sug/rb/bg
Top News
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.