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Classical dance exponent announces campaign on toilet use education

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New Delhi, Nov 19 (IANS) Bharatnatyam exponent Geeta Chandran on World Toilet Day on Monday announced an educational campaign she will undertake on responsible toilet use, followed by a dance tribute to her first guru.

The event was attended by Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.

The campaign, announced at the Kamani Auditorium here, will aim at “changing the way we approach and use toilets”.

“For the 40 years that Geeta has been a dancer, she has been travelling all over India. She finds it extremely demeaning, that no matter where you go — in a flight or train, a school, a community centre — we as a nation just do not know how to use toilets.

“We are building toilets, there are first-generation toilet users in millions, but nobody is focussing on teaching how to use a toilet,” Chandran’s husband and UN National Information Officer for India and Bhutan, Rajiv Chandran told IANS.

The dancer, also a 2007 Padma Shri recipient, dismisses that a classical dancer can only talk of “love and shringara”, her husband said, adding they too can raise issues like hygiene and toilet training.

Chandran’s war cry? “Everyone has the right to a clean toilet, but the person coming after you also has the right to a clean toilet.”

It’s a construct of right and duty, he said.

How will the campaign play out?

“She’s going to be writing and talking about it across media, cultural institutions, wherever she goes. She’s going to utilise her physical presence and the social media. In every performance and lecture, Geeta’s going to begin by saying that this is the new thing to start.

“There is going on be on-ground activity as well. We’ll talk to police stations, post offices, the places which have a national presence. We’re going to have them begin talking about the toilet culture that’s it not dirty but essential, and has to be a place of dignity,” Chandran said.

The announcement was followed by an hour-long solo dance tribute — “Swarna” — to her first Bharatanatyam guru Swarna Saraswathy, who taught Chandran since she was five.

Speaking at the event about Chandran’s performance, Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said, “Today’s the occasion for me to gently request the creative community of India, all those who’ve been part of the guru-shishya parampara, to bring out the contribution of your late gurus, whose dedication makes India a centre of profound creativity.”

–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

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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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