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Election battle rages in social media
New Delhi, March 7 (IANS) The battle for the next Lok Sabha is raging aggressively — on the social media.
Diehard supporters of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his bitterest critics have taken on each other in Twitter and Facebook in an unprecedented manner, the charges and counter-charges often turning bitterly ugly.
There is a spurt in heated exchanges on issues ranging from economic development to religion, from nationalism to Pakistan, replacing the earlier mostly polite discussions.
In many cases, the war is being fought even within families and among relatives.
From “bhakts” to “Modi haters” and from “traitors” to self-proclaimed “true Indians”, there is a label for everyone who has an opinion.
And most debates on social media — much like the ones on TV news channels — end on sour note with abuses followed by “unfriending” and “blocking”.
There are hashtags for every occasion on Twitter as well.
If it was #ExposeDeshDrohis (Expose Traitors), #GoBackToPakistan and #TimeForRevenge targeted at Kashmiri Muslims after the Pulwama suicide bombing, it was #GoBackModi and #GoBackSadistModi during Modi’s visits to Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
The Congress and its President Rahul Gandhi were not spared either after he called for an investigation in the Rafale jet deal.
Hashtags like #RahulGandhiPagalHai, #CongressPakistanBhaiBhai and #CongressMuktBharat started doing the rounds. In response came #WhoAteTheRafalePie.
There are conspiracy theories behind almost every trend that goes viral.
If the usual suspects earlier used to be members of the two major parties and their IT cells, Pakistan and its intelligence agency ISI have now been included.
Claims of ‘ismein Pakistan aur ISI ka hath hai’ (Pakistan and ISI are behind this) and counterclaims keep flying.
There are claims that most tweets against Modi emerge from Pakistan. There are also claims that tweets targeting Kashmiris and people supporting Kashmiris also originate from Pakistan – to create discord between Kashmiris against India/Modi.
With elections only weeks away, the tempers are expected to keep soar further.
–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.