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US okay with n-deal understanding but firms will decide

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Washington: From the US perspective, the “breakthrough understandings” on the India-US civil nuclear deal can advance it towards commercial opportunities, but the industry will have to make its own decisions, according to a senior US official.

“I think that we had a major breakthrough in advancing the civil nuclear cooperation” deal during President Barack Obama’s India visit, Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Nisha Desai Biswal told foreign reporters Thursday.

The two sides were exchanging information on understandings reached between the US and the Indian governments on issues of nuclear liability, she said noting the Indian side has offered additional information and clarifications on their interpretations.

“We believe, at the end of the day, that industry will have to draw their own conclusions and make their own decisions with respect to the commercial opportunities that exist and the parameters under which they’re ready to start down that path,” Biswal said.

“But we believe that India has clarified its compliance within the Vienna Convention on Supplementary Compensation, and that that has provided an understanding on which we believe this can move forward,” she said.

“They’ve also put forward additional information with respect to insurance pools that can also, I think, provide additional risk mitigation.”

“And so I think that from our perspective, these understandings are important in being able to advance civil nuclear cooperation and move towards commercial opportunities,” Biswal said.

“So in that sense, we do believe that this was a significant breakthrough.”

The contact group launched during Prime Minister Naraendra Modi’s September visit to the US met half a dozen times over the run-up to Obama’s visit, but it will continue to meet to engage and to address any outstanding issues, she said.

“A very big” and “very successful visit” by Obama “was not only a very important symbolic visit, not only very important in terms of all of the very positive atmospherics and the opportunity to convey deepening of the relationship”, Biswal said.

It was also important because both Obama and Modi “committed not only in these agreements and outcomes, but were very focused on ensuring that these agreements and outcomes are operationalised and implemented”, she said.

In response to a question on Islamic State terror group, Biswal said they “certainly had very robust discussions between our two governments, including at the leader level, about the threat that violent extremism poses, and specifically the threat posed by ISIL”.

“Whether India decides to formally join the coalition to combat ISIL or whether India takes other steps is for India to determine,” she said.

In response to a question about Obama’s speech on religious intolerance in New Delhi, Biswal described it as “a very powerful speech” that “speaks about shared values, frankly, that define our partnership and our relationship”.

Not only in Delhi but subsequently, Obama has “talked quite compellingly about the need for all of us to be perfecting our own societies, our own democracies, as we seek to create a more perfect union, as he put it”, she said.

Asked if the speech was addressed as much to the US itself, Biswal said Obama’s words were “compelling on these issues that confront all communities, all societies, all countries around the globe”.

Biswal said she could not claim credit for inclusion of a Shah Rukh Khan dialogue in his speech as “the president has his own long and deep personal history, interest, and engagement on India” which “far predates even his political career”.

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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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