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Kovind, Modi pay tributes to Guru Ravidas
New Delhi, Feb 19 (IANS) President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday paid tributes to mystic poet-saint of the Bhakti Movement Guru Ravidas on his birth anniversary that has crossed over six centuries.
“Greetings and good wishes to all fellow citizens on Guru Ravidas Jayanti. His teachings and message of equality, unity and social harmony continue to inspire our society,” the President tweeted.
He said, Guru Ravidas made people aware of the evils of discrimination and urged overcoming them. The President appealed to the countryman to follow his teachings, and strive to strengthen the virtues of humanity and social equity.
Venerated as a guru in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh the devotional songs by Ravidas in the 14th, 15th and 16th century have made a lasting impact.
Modi also took to Twitter saying the Guru has left an indelible message of harmony that continues to motivate us.
“I bow to the Guru Ravidas on his birth anniversary. The precious and indelible message for harmony, equality and social empowerment given by him will continue to motivate us forever,” Modi wrote in Hindi.
Ravidas Jayanti is celebrated on the day marking the saints birth that is believed to be in the year 14th century on Maghi Purnima day.
Guru Ravidas’ jayanti is celebrated on Magh Purnima, a full moon day in the Hindu calendar of Magha month. On the day, people who follow the Bhakti cult, take out Nagar Kirtan processions with the saint’s portrait while chanting special prayers.
Lakhs of people converge at the Shri Guru Ravidas Janam Asthan Mandir, Seer Goverdhanpur in Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi, where celebrations are held on a grand scale.
So, later in the day, Modi will be visiting his parliamentary constituency Varanasi where he will visit the Sant Ravidas temple and lay foundation stone of Ravidas Janmasthali (birthplace) area development project.
Belonging to an untouchable caste, Guru Ravidas suffered atrocities but he chose to focus on spiritual pursuits and penned several devotional songs which made a huge impact in the Bhakti Movement during the 14th to 16th century and also gave rise to the Ravidassia religion taht is followed bt several pockets.
Guru Ravidas spoke against the caste divisions and spoke of removing them to promote unity. His hymns are included in the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of the Sikhs.
The Uttar Pradesh government on Monday announced a public holiday on Tuesday, February 19, marking the ‘Magh Purnima’ and ‘Sant Ravidas Jayanti’ both of which have fallen on the same day. The order has been issued by Principal Secretary of Higher Education, Jitendra Kumar.
–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.