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Kolkata celebrates Christmas with great enthusiasm

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Kolkata, Dec 25 (IANS) Decked with beautiful chains of fairy lights, Christmas trees and colourful paraphernalia, the aroma of cakes filled the air as the eastern metropolis celebrated Christmas with fervour on Tuesday.

Both Christians and non-Christians soaked in the the Yuletide spirit thronged the churches and streets dotted with embellished Christmas trees and decorations.

At the stroke of midnight, St. Paul’s Cathedral in Kolkata and churches across the state festooned with lights, paper stars, streamers, Christmas trees and candles, drew huge crowds cutting across religious lines.

Daylong prayers were held in all the churches since midnight.

India’s iconic British-era Park Street hosted thousands of revellers from across the world. The arena decorated with twinkling lights, streamers, light displays of Santa Claus on a sleigh, the ceremonial giant Christmas tree, looked no less than a fairyland.

The 8th edition of the Kolkata Christmas Festival had begun on December 21. Christmas carols, choir performances, bands, Kolkata Police band are staples at the Allen Park at one end of Park Street.

Food stalls are another highlight of the festival.

This year’s highlight was the buskers (street musicians) regaling the audience for the first time outside Allen Park.

A smaller version of the celebration supported by the state government has been extended to Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Kurseong, Jalpaiguri, Bandel, Chandannagar and Krishnanagar for the first time.

Children and adults, sporting red Santa Claus caps and other Christmas paraphernalia took a much-needed break and indulged in the joyous celebration.

The city’s famous heritage address – Bow Barracks, inhabited by Christians and Anglo-Indians, bustled with activity and the aroma of home-brewed wines and cakes.

Victoria Memorial, Indian Museum, Science City, Nicco Park, the Eco Park and city’s Zoo were tourist hotspots. The city dwellers and visitors from the outskirts gathered in these places and made merry.

Mother House – the global headquarters of the Missionaries of Charity founded by Mother Teresa — also witnessed a huge footfall.

Belur Math, the headquarters of the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, ushered in Christmas at midnight with prayers and carols as devotees gathered around a Christmas tree.

Highlighting the festival of Park Street, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee tweeted: “I wish all my brothers and sisters around the world #MerryChristmas. In #Bengal we celebrate #Christmas in a grand manner. Do visit Park Street for the @KolChristmas Festival. Spread the message of peace and joy to the world”.

–IANS
bnd/dm/prs

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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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