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Retrieving the idea of India biggest challenge for next polls: Rahul
Dubai, Jan 12 (IANS) Accusing the Narendra Modi government of pushing intolerance, Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said retrieving the ‘idea of India’, which is tolerant, was the biggest challenge in the next Lok Sabha polls.
Interacting with students at the IMT University here, the Congress President also gave a glimpse of his vision vis-a-vis the future of India wherein he said that healthcare, air transport and agriculture were some of the key areas where Indian leadership would have to think “strategically” to transform them.
“When someone asks me ‘what do you mean by being an Indian’, my response is that India has taught me to look at a point of view which is totally different from mine, which I might even dislike, yet I respect it,” Gandhi said.
“Tolerance is embedded in our culture. And it is quite sad to see what is going on back home in last four-five years — a lot of intolerance, anger, divisions between communities. I think it stems from the mentality of people who are leading. India generally tends to be tolerant. We need to go back to that because it is what has made us strong,” he added.
Gandhi, who is on a two-day visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), half-jokingly said that even though a separate Ministry of Tolerance was “not a bad idea”, but it was not going to work as long as the leader at the top was unreceptive of a diverse viewpoint.
He said that a large number of states have been living in the political and economic union with complete harmony, so much so that most people take it for granted.
“You realise its power when it is not there. That is what we are trying to fight and change. We don’t like an India which is divided, an India where people are beaten up and killed for what they say, where journalists are shot dead. That’s not the India we are used to.
“That’s the main challenge in the next elections. And a large number of people are not happy with what is going on,” he said.
The Lok Sabha elections are due in April-MAy this year.
–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.