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Police stop Christmas eve ball at midnight in Goa, state Congress cries communal

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Panaji, Dec 26 (IANS) The Congress on Wednesday accused the BJP-led coalition government in Goa of being “communal”, after police, early on Christmas eve, stopped a traditional Christmas eve gala dance at Nuvem village, citing absence of permission.

Addressing a press conference in South Goa’s Margao town on Wednesday, state Congress president Girish Chodankar said that traditional dances and Christmas eve balls have been a common practice for generations and that it was for the first time that the police, allegedly on the instructions of Agriculture Minister Vijai Sardesai, had cracked down on an event linked to one of the state’s most popular festivals.

“There is no rule of law in Goa. Worse still, this was a communal act to stop a traditional dance on Christmas eve. Our party condemns this. Sardesai is responsible for pressurising the police and district administration to stop the event,” Chodankar said.

Christmas eve balls are commonplace in Goa, which has a 26 per cent Catholic population, where folks head to after the midnight mass to usher in Christmas.

Over 500 guests were present on Christmas eve at the traditional ball at Nuvem, located 30 km from Panaji, when police stopped the event.

Chodankar said that the office of the South Goa District Collector had failed to give any reason for stopping the traditional dance event.

“Such dances are a part of our custom. The Collector first sat on the request for permission for several days, before rejecting it without citing any reason,” Chodankar said.

Rejecting the charge, Sardesai said that he had no role in the decision taken by the district administration to halt the dance and also questioned the Congress’ concern about a commercial event, with ticketed entry.

“When the organiser of the event is not complaining, why is the Congress taking up an issue related to a commercial event, with ticketed entry? The oldest party in the country has come down to the level of taking up cudgels on behalf of a commercial event!” Sardesai said, while accusing Chodankar of unnecessarily targeting him.

While South Goa District Collector Tariq Thomas was unavailable for comment, an official requesting anonymity said that the police were forced to stop the event because it had no formal permission from the district administration, and there was opposition from the local community residing near the venue.

–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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