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Taking a break, Priya Dutt opts out of 2019 electoral race
Mumbai, Jan 7 (IANS) High-profile Mumbai Congress politicians and former MP Priya Dutt on Monday announced that she will not contest the upcoming 2019 Lok Sabha elections, as “it was time to take a break from active politics”.
Dutt, 52, said there was lot of speculation about her plans to stand for the 2019 polls, especially after she was recently dropped as an AICC Secretary, but she had discussed the issue with Congress President Rahul Gandhi a couple of months back on her plans to “step out for a while”, as she had made it clear in 2005.
Priya — daughter of the late actor couple Sunil Dutt and Nargis, and sister of Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt – joined politics after her father’s demise in May 2005 and was elected to the 14th and 15th Lok Sabha, before facing defeat in 2014.
“When I agreed to enter electoral politics in 2005, I was clear that I would contest three terms and step out for a while. There is more to life than politics and I also wanted the freedom to experience and explore other aspects of my life,” Dutt said.
She said she never envisioned herself as being only a politician or “owning the permanent right to be the only INC contestant from the Mumbai North-Central parliamentary constituency”.
“This constituency never belonged to my father, to me or for that matter any one person; it belongs to the people who make it. We come in and are chosen by the people as caretakers and must give opportunity for fresh and new ideas,” said Dutt.
After remaining in electoral politics for nine years (2005-2014) and fighting three general elections, she said “it was time” and also working within the system all these years, it became clear that she could “either work within it or outside it” and there are other ways to serve the people.
“To all those in the party that I have had disagreements with, I hope they understand it was never personal,” she added, urging the people of her constituency to vote discerningly.
However, although promising to work for the Congress and its candidate, she made it clear she would not support anyone her conscience does not permit.
Dutt expressed deep gratitude to her mentor Sonia Gandhi and described Rahul Gandhi as “extremely committed and sincere”.
“The Congress is a party of great minds and young blood. Our country needs a good human being and a compassionate leader, which I truly believe he (Rahul) is,” she concluded.
Her latest move, in the air since sometime, was reportedly provoked by severe factionalism in the Mumbai Congress, presently headed by Sanjay Nirupam, and other related issues.
Dutt lives in Bandra, Mumbai with her husband, Owen Roncon, and sons Sumair and Siddharth.
–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.