Top News
Maratha chieftains meet, trigger speculation
Sindhudurg (Maharashtra), Dec 3 (IANS) It took just one phone call from Konkan strongman Narayan Rane to make Maharashtra titan Sharad Pawar rush to meet him at his home in Kankavali here on Monday, setting political tongues furiously wagging.
Once a bitter political foe of Pawar, Rane, the Maharashtra Swabhiman Party (MSP) President, is now an ally of the ruling NDA at the Centre and state.
But that didn’t stop the aggressive Rajya Sabha MP (Rane) from giving his senior colleague (Pawar) in the Upper House of Parliament a warm welcome at his home here this afternoon and taking him to a closed door rendevouz.
As tense media-persons and party activists of NCP and MSP waited, after nearly half an hour, the two emerged with smiles – but with nothing to report.
“There was no political discussion — I have nothing to inform the media,” said Pawar with a sly grin, while Rane stood beside him without offering comment.
However, Rane Jr, Nitesh was more forthcoming and said all political parties and their leaders know Narayan Rane’s power and influence over the entire coastal Konkan region.
“There’s no need for any political discussions. What has transpired between them would be for the good of the state and the country. Let’s wait and see how things unfold,” Nitesh Rane, a Congress legislator, told IANS.
NCP state spokesperson Nawab Malik remained guarded in his response and said, “Anything can happen in politics.”
“The 2019 Parliament elections are coming. It will be crucial for all. Anything can happen in politics,” Malik told IANS.
Pawar has been touring Konkan since Sunday and was slated to pass via Kankavali to Ratnagiri, when Rane’s call came, inviting him for a tete-a-tete over tea, according to Nitesh Rane.
The meeting assumes significance coming barely days after the Maharashtra government announced 16 per cent quota for the politically-influential Marathas, and the upcoming elections to both Lok Sabha and Maharashtra Assembly in 2019.
A former Shiv Sena Chief Minister, Rane had joined the Congress and was the chairman of a committee which had made recommendations on the Maratha reservation issue in 2014, and in October 2017, he launched the independent MSP political party.
–IANS
qn/prs
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.