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Social message with dose of entertainment reaches more people: Anil Kapoor
Mumbai, Jan 22 (IANS) Popular Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor, who has come on board for a TV show which addresses the issue of sanitation, says every story reaches out to a larger audience much better when it is woven with entertainment.
At the launch of the show “Navrangi Re!” here on Tuesday, the National Award-winning actor said: “I used to visit Raj Kapoor uncle as a kid and he used to say something that I strongly believe in…that if we can offer entertainment with a social message, the cause and awareness on the issue reaches out a number of people. In the show ‘Navarangi Re!’, we have attempted to do that.”
The show is produced by Swastik Productions and it has partnered with Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and BBC Media Action.
It features Aamir Ali, Vaishnavi Dhanraj, Sushmita Mukherjee and Raju Kher among others. Anil is playing a special character in the story.
On the concept of the show, Anil said: “I think cleanliness starts from home and then goes to the society and the world. We all have to work towards building an environmentally friendly world.”
Sharing anecdotes from his childhood, Anil said: “I was born in Chembur and in our building we had proper toilets. That way, I would say that I was privileged. However, when during my summer vacation I visited my grandparents’ place in Delhi, the sanitation system was very different. There was no flush, no running water, and the whole system was bad. On many occasions, the kids of the house used to go out in the narrow lanes and defecate there.”
“I am sure that even in present times, in several rural areas, things are not designed scientifically and people are not aware of the right sanitation. With the show, we are trying to teach people how to use safety tank, how to use flush,” added the actor, who recently met Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The show will be telecast on Rishtey channel from February 2.
–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.