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A wooden chair in Kanpur that proved lucky for Modi
By Brajendra Nath Singh
New Delhi, March 7 (IANS) A wooden chair kept in a glass casket in the BJP headquarters in Kanpur, which proved lucky for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, has become auspicious and turned into an inspiration for the party cadre.
After Modi was projected as BJP’s prime ministerial candidate in its Goa National Executive meet, he started his election campaign in Uttar Pradesh by addressing a huge public rally named “Vijay Shankhnad” in Kanpur.
The wooden chair, which has now been turned as a “heritage chair” for party cadre, was used by Modi at a rally in Kanpur’s Indira Nagar ground on October 19, 2013. Until, Modi became Prime Minister, it was just like any other ordinary chair.
It could be superstition; but for Surendra Maithani, BJP’s Kanpur district chief, the chair is an inspiration for him as well as the youth workers of the party.
“After Modi ji became Prime Minister, this chair became the centre of attraction for everyone. It was about to be auctioned in Agra and Allahabad, but I didn’t allow it. It was auspicious for us,” Maithani, then the convenor for party’s rally in Kanpur, told IANS.
He said the district unit of the party decided to turn the chair into a piece of heritage because it was used by Modi, who brought the Bharatiya Janata Party to power with a thumping majority.
“We polished the chair and put it in a glass casket. It is still there in district party office in Naveen Market,” he said.
Asked whether the Prime Minister would use the chair again when he visits Kanpur on March 8 to kickstart the party’s election campaign in Uttar Pradesh for the Lok Sabha polls, his answer was “no”.
“It is now a Khadau (revered wooden slippers) for us. It inspires us and the youth. It has now turned into a heritage chair for the party cadre,” he said.
He said this is for the third time that Modi was coming to Kanpur as Prime Minister. “As the chair is a valuable asset of the party, it has been kept in a glass chamber at the district party office,” he said.
Maithani said this chair is very lucky not only for Modi but also for the party.
“Since 2013, Modi ji has addressed four election rallies in Kanpur. It is lucky. We won state assembly polls in 2017, too. Modiji is again starting his campaign in Uttar Pradesh — yet again from Kanpur.
“I am sure, it will prove lucky for him as well for the party,” he said.
Maithani said the chair has also become an attraction for the youth as they take photographs and selfies with it whenever they come to the party office.
“When a youth joins BJP, he is taken to the chair and is briefed about it. It inspires the newcomers and the youth of the party,” he said.
(Brajendra Nath Singh can be contacted at [email protected])
–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.