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US committed to work with India on diversity issue: White House
Washington: Amid the flak generated by President Barack Obama’s recent comments about religious intolerance in India, the White House has said it’s committed to working with India to reaffirm the principle of diversity around the world.
The reiteration came in an official White House response to an online “We the People Petition on Religious Freedom in India.” Urging Obama to “Question Modi ‘WHY Indian constitution labels ‘Sikhs’ as Hindus?’ while attending Constitution Day events on January 26.”
It also asked Obama to raise the issues of “Sikh Genocide”; and “Sikhs’ Right to Self-determination”.
The response came after the petition initiated by Sikh For Justice (SFJ), a US based rights group, on Dec 1, 2014 gathered 125,050 signatures. To receive a response a petition must reach 100,000 signatures within 30 days.
“During his recent trip to India, the President discussed the importance of religious freedom and tolerance in India on January 27 during his speech at Siri Fort in New Delhi,” the White House noted.
President Obama, it said “underscored that India’s success depended on the nation not being ‘splintered along the lines of religious faith.'”
Obama had also welcomed Prime Minister Narendra “Modi’s February 17 condemnation of religious-based violent acts, and his assurance that his government will give equal respect to all religions,” the White House said.
The response recalled that Obama in his January 27 speech in New Delhi had said: “In both our countries, in India and in America, our diversity is our strength.”
“We are committed to working with India to reaffirm this principle not just within our own countries but around the world,” it said.
The petition noted that Sikhism, with over 30 million followers, is the world’s 5th largest religion.
“On January 26, 1950 Constitution of India was enforced without the consent of Sikhs who refused to sign it because Explanation II to Article 25(b) of the Constitution labels ‘Sikhs’ as ‘Hindus,'” it suggested.
“January 26, 2015 marks the 65th year of Sikhs’ struggle for right to self-determination, for which Sikhs have been subjected to “Genocide” with impunity,” the petition said.
It listed these as “June 1984, Military action against Golden Temple;
November 1984, Organized killing of over 30,000 Sikhs; and 1984-98, Extra-judicial killing of over 100,000 Sikhs.
“White House’s response to Sikh group’s petition is yet another reminder to PM Modi that India’s success depends on giving all religious communities freedom and right to profess, practice and propagate their faith without the fear of persecution,” SFJ said commending Obama.
“While Obama in his speech in India clearly affirmed the equal status for Christians, Muslims, Sikhs, Jains and Budhists in America, PM Modi in his February 17 response on religious tolerance failed to address the issue of Article 25(b) which labels ‘Sikhs’ as ‘Hindus’, SFJ legal advisor Gurpatwant Singh Pannun said.
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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.
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