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Two-month-long Sabarimala festival begins amid tight security

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Sabarimala , Nov 16 (IANS) The two-month-long festival season at the famed Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa temple in Kerala kicked off on Friday with the opening of the temple doors at 5 p.m amidst unprecedented security and new guidelines from the police for the pilgrims.

The new season would take a three-day break on December 27 and the temple doors would be closed on January 20.

The temple town last month and early this month witnessed protests by Hindu groups and temple management following the September 28 Supreme Court verdict that allowed women of all ages to enter the temple that hitherto banned girls and women aged between 10 and 50.

The apex court on Tuesday refused to stay its earlier verdict, making things more complicated and forcing the Kerala government to reiterate its earlier stand that they would have no other option but to abide by the verdict.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swyamsevak Sangh (RSS) have already announced that they will go to any extent to protect the traditions of the temple.

Around 5,000 police personnel have been posted in and around the temple town and all pilgrims will be put through stiff security checks, before they are allowed to walk through the pathway that leads to the temple, located at a hill top.

The sanctum santorum of the temple was opened on Friday after the customary pujas performed by the temple tantri and chief priests.

The new guidelines that the police have issued include that no pilgrim would be allowed to stay back at the temple premises after the doors of the temple close every day at 10 p.m.

All the shopkeepers in and around the temple and those located on the pathway have been asked to down their shutters when the temple closes at night every day.

The Pathanamthitta district administration has now clamped prohibitory orders in and around the temple town for seven days.

Leader of the Opposition in Kerala Assembly Ramesh Chennithala said following the floods that hit the temple town in August and September, lots of damages took place but the state government has failed to restore the facilities necessary for a smooth pilgrimage.

“The only thing happening in Sabarimala is tough security checks and new guidelines have been brought in…never seen before. What’s most painful is that due to the strict security issues, certain rituals which the pilgrims were able to do freely till now, will no longer be possible. Things are bad in the temple town,” said Chennithala.

But State Minister for Devasoms, which looks after temples, Kadakampally Surendran, while speaking to the media at the Nilackal base camp near the Sabarimala temple on Friday said they have set up the best facilities for the pilgrims, given the limitations.

“After the floods, there has been a ban on construction and despite that they have been able to put up all the required facilities. We request all to cooperate to make the pilgrimage season a success,” said Surendran.

Meanwhile, around 800 women in the hitherto banned age group have registered for temple visit and now all eyes are on how the police deal with those opposed to breaking the temple traditions.

–IANS
sg/nir

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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma

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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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