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Indian-American Senator Kamala Harris says she’ll run for President (Lead)

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By Arul Louis
New York, Jan 21 (IANS) Kamala Harris, a Senator of Indian descent, announced on Monday that she is running for President in the 2020 elections branding herself a “fighter” for the American people.

As the daughter of an Indian mother and an African-Jamaican father, she claims both heritages and chose to declare her candidacy on the day that is observed as Martin Luther King Day, honouring the slain African-American civil rights leader who was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s message of ‘satyagraha’.

She made the announcement on a national TV programme and simultaneously released a campaign video on social media with a call to “fight for American values”.

“The American public wants a fighter and they want someone that’s going to fight like heck for them and not fight based on self-interest and I’m prepared to do that,” she said.

Harris was elected to the Senate in 2016, the same year President Donald Trump, whom she has been fighting, was elected. She became the first person of Indian-American descent elected to the Senate and the second woman of African-American descent.

Harris will have to first win the Democratic Party nomination next year battling several candidates, including Tulsi Gabbard, the first Hindu elected to Congress, Senator Elizabeth Warren and former Housing Secretary Julian Castro.

A lawyer, Harris was elected California State Attorney-General before coming to the Senate.

Her role in law enforcement has drawn criticism from some in the Democratic Party and the New York Times published a scorching op-ed denouncing her as “often being on the wrong side of history” because of her tough anti-crime policies and not progressive enough on criminal justice reform.

But that could also be a plus for her, strengthening her credentials as more of a centrist who could appeal to a broader voter base while also advancing a progressive agenda.

Her tough prosecutorial background was on display on the Senate the Judiciary Committee when she grilled Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who had been accused of sexual harassment by several women, when his nomination to the top court was under consideration.

And if she were to ultimately run against Trump in 2020, she would need all toughness she can muster.

Harris is campaigning on universal healthcare, providing government health insurance for all and large tax cuts for the middle class. She is an advocate for immigrant rights and a campaigner protecting women’s rights.

Her campaign said that it would not accept donations from political action committees set up by corporations to fund candidates.

Harris’ mother, Shyamala Gopalan, was a cancer researcher from Chennai and her father, Donald Harris, is a Stanford University economics professor.

(Arul Louis can be reached at [email protected] and followed on Twitter @arulouis)

–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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