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With Gandhi on focus, R-Day Parade 2019 to feature 22 tableaux
New Delhi, Jan 22 (IANS) Themed around 150 years of the ‘father of the nation’ Mahatma Gandhi, 22 larger-than-life tableaux will descend on the Rajpath on Saturday for the 70th Republic Day Parade, each opening a new window to the iconic figure’s life.
Along with cultural performances, tableaux from 16 states and Union Territories, and 6 ministries and Central departments will participate in the parade function, a Defence Ministry spokesperson said on Tuesday here.
“In some way, Mahatma Gandhi is associated with each state. That’s why we have given this central theme, but other cultural aspects of each state are showcased as well. We are definitely hoping that this will be a crowd-puller and have an impact,” the Ministry spokesperson told IANS.
With many of them bearing mammoth sculptures of Gandhi, the participating tableaux are on various sub-themes pertaining to him, including his role with the Andamanese prison inmates (Andaman and Nicobar Islands), the historical Dandi March (Gujarat), his adoption of the iconic loincloth after seeing farm workers in Tamil Nadu and the Quit India Movement in Maharashtra.
The parade will see enthusiastic participation from the northeastern states Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Sikkim and Tripura. As per the official, the tableau of Manipur had to be dropped due to delay in arrival here.
Other participants include Delhi, Goa, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. Punjab’s evocative presentation on the 100 years of Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, a watershed moment in the independence struggle, will also feature in the program.
From the ministries and Central departments, the participants will be Ministries of Agriculture, Power and Drinking Water and Sanitation, for tableaux titled ‘Kisan Gandhi’, ‘Saubhagya: New Indian Raushan India’ and ‘Swachh Bharat Mission’ respectively.
To be also presented are offerings on the 50 glorious years of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF); floral tributes to Gandhi by Central Public Works Department (CPWD) Horticulture; and an anecdotal tribute to him by Indian Railways, which recalls the racial discrimination he suffered in a South Africa train.
The Indian Railways tableau is titled ‘Mohan se Mahatma’ and will focus on his transformation the nation still cherishes.
–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.