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Will be returning to power in Assam in next assembly polls: Tarun Gogoi
Kolkata, Dec 17 (IANS) Former Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Monday said that he would be returning to power in the state by winning the next assembly elections and will ensure that none of the “genuine Indian citizens” are left out from the National Register of Citizens. (NRC)
Accusing the BJP government in Assam of “improper implementation” and politicisation of the NRC, the veteran Congress leader said the saffron outfit is depriving several Indian citizens of their citizenship rights.
“I will come back to power in Assam in the next assembly elections and we will make sure that, according to the Assam accord, the names of all genuine Indians are listed in the NRC. We will implement the NRC in a proper way,” Gogoi told reporters here on the sidelines of a panel discussion on ‘NRC, Genocide and Suicide of present time in Assam’.
“BJP is playing the division card in the name of implementing NRC. Be it between the Hindus and Muslims, the Assamese and Bengalis…they are indulging in divisive politics. Today they are in power. The BJP-government in Assam is depriving genuine Indian citizens of citizenship,” he alleged.
Gogoi also said those who have had their names listed in the voters list for the 2014 general elections, should be included in the citizens’ list, as voting right is a proof of one’s citizenship in this country.
“If someone’s name is in the voters list he/she should be included in the NRC. Having someone’s name in the voters list proves that he is an Indian citizen. The Election Commission is a constitutional body while the NRC is not. So you tell me which is more important?
“Earlier, I had submitted an affidavit in the Supreme Court that the 2014 voter list in Assam should be taken into account while preparing the NRC. How can you question somebody’s citizenship when that person already has a voter card?” he asked.
Accusing the BJP of trying to give the NRC in Assam a communal angle by creating a division between Hindus and Muslims, Gogoi said the exercise was originally aimed at identifying non-Indians.
The leader also said that Assam has been more tolerant towards the refugees than Bengal and claimed that the natives of Assam have no issues with the Bengalis staying there.
“Bengalis are living in peace in Assam. There are two languages in Assam – Assamese and Bengali. The Bengalis living there can study their mother tongue. The Assamese language is not imposed on anybody,” he added.
–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
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.