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CGO Complex fire: CISF officer dead, work in many government offices hit (Roundup)
New Delhi, March 6 (IANS) A CISF officer was killed and functioning of major government offices including the NCLAT, the SFIO and others located in the Antyodaya Bhawan in the CGO complex affected following a fire in the building on Wednesday morning.
The fire, that broke out on the fifth floor around 8.30 a.m., was brought under control by around 10.05 a.m. by 25 fire tenders, which rushed to the spot after smoke and flames were noticed in the building, fire officials said.
However, a large amount of documents and government data were destroyed in the fire.
The blaze, which could have probably caused by a short circuit, according to a fire services official, damaged many rooms of the Disability Division of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment on the fifth floor.
It also claimed life of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) Sub-Inspector M.P. Godara, who was on security duty there.
Found unconscious by fire fighters, he was rushed to the the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Trauma Centre where doctors declared him dead.
An ex-Indian Air Force serviceman who joined the CISF in 2008, Godara was a resident of Rajasthan’s Churu and is survived by two sons.
Entry to the building was also stopped till further notice and the electricity supply cut in wake of the fire.
“Employees and other people working here were asked to vacate the building. All the official meetings have been cancelled,” a CISF personnel on security duty, told IANS, adding that there is no information when the work will resume.
According to an eyewitness, who works in Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) in the ninth floor, the building was closed for nearly three hours before they were later were allowed to enter only to collect important documents and mark attendance.
Work in various offices in the building was hit.
The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT), which is one of the organisations with offices in the building, said on its website: “Due to a fire incident at Pt. Deen Dayal Antyodaya Bhawan today morning, the Court proceedings of NCLAT shall remain suspended for today.”
The NCLAT, formed for hearing appeals against the orders of National Company Law Tribunal(s) (NCLT), was on Wednesday scheduled to hear some important matters, including cases pertaining to Jyoti structures, Dishnet Wireless, Monnet Ispat and Liberty House.
It is not clear if the fire damaged important files kept in the tribunal office.
Officials said the damage assessment would take time as premises would have to be first inspected thoroughly. But they said damage would be limited as the fire broke out on the fifth floor.
The NCLAT office is located on the third floor and the building houses other important government agencies, including the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) on its second floor.
Many other Central government offices, including a branch of the Indian Air Force, the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, and the Ministry of Forest also operate out of that building.
Atul Garg, Chief Fire Officer, told IANS that the Antyodaya Bhawan had earlier probably raised the safety concerns with the fire services but he could not confirm this.
“The prime reason (of the fire) could not be ascertained yet. We are investigating the factors that lead to fire. However from sources present there, it was told to us that the fire broke out due to short circuit,” Vipin Kental of Delhi Fire Service added.
–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.