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Opposition remarks on IAF action hurt national interest: Jaitley
New Delhi, March 3 (IANS) In a sharp attack on the opposition, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley here on Sunday said statements by opposition leaders after the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) counter-terror operation in Balakot had not only hurt India’s national interest by giving “smiles to Pakistan” but also become an instrument in its hands to discredit India.
Such statements should not have been made, he stressed.
Responding to Opposition barbs on counter-terror operation, Jaitley in a Facebook post wrote while Opposition leaders were entitled to oppose and ask questions, restraint and statesmanship too were essential ingredients of public discourse. “I hope, India’s opposition revisits its position and does not let down the nation,” Jaitley wrote.
Attacking the Congress, he said after an initial show of support for the IAF, “it tried to create a divide in India’s political opinion”.
“At a meeting of 21 opposition parties, a resolution was passed accusing the Prime Minister of politicising the Pulwama and Balakot incidents. The government had twice taken the opposition leaders into confidence. No evidence of politicisation was given,” the Minister wrote.
“The statement was inappropriate. It gave a handle to the enemy. The media in Pakistan used the statement of 21 opposition parties as a trump card, an endorsement of the Pakistani position that India had taken the Balakot action because of the compulsion of its domestic politics and not as a part of its policy to defend the country against terrorism,” he remarked.
Jaitley said the pre-emptive attack by the IAF was intended to defend India’s sovereignty and was perfectly executed, pinpointed operation in which no civilian or military installations were targeted.
Pakistan was globally isolated and the whole of India was speaking in one voice with public opinion overwhelmingly supporting the government’s decision and the IAF’s execution, he said.
Jaitley said the West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee went a step further and started doubting the veracity of the incident and wanted to know the operational details. “The credibility of both the government and our Air Force is being doubted. Even Congress leaders have raised similar questions.”
He said the “most disappointing and objectionable statement” was of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. “He stated that he was disturbed with the ‘mad rush of mutual self-destruction’ by the two nations. According to him, perpetrator of terrorism and its victim are both at par.
“In his speech, Singh implicitly doubted India’s right to defend its sovereignty from those who want to damage it through terrorism. He mentioned poverty, ignorance and disease in his speech. But violence and terrorism are of no consequence in his assessment,” the BJP leader said.
“These statements hurt India’s national interest. Seen collectively and cumulatively, the above three statements ought not to have been made. Does the opposition want the IAF to release operation details of the Balakot attack?
“The Opposition is entitled to oppose and ask questions, but then restraint and statesmanship are also essential ingredients of public discourse. I hope, India’s opposition revisits its position and does not let down the nation,” he said.
–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.
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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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