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INTACH documenting traditional Jagannath pilgrimage route
Bhubaneswar: The INTACH has started listing and documenting a 484-km-long traditional route that was once used by thousands of pilgrims to visit the Jagannath temple in Odisha, a member of the organisation said here on Thursday.
Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) is a leading non-government organisation that works to conserve and preserve India’s natural, cultural, living, tangible and intangible heritage.
The route known as Jagannath Sadak (Jagannath road) from Kolkata to Puri is being traversed and a survey of the remnants is being made by a team led by INTACH state convenor A.B.Tripathy, the NGO’s member Anil Dhir told IANS.
“Three years ago, I embarked on a bullock cart journey on this route and discovered remnants of rest houses, wells, tanks, culverts, bridges and temples constructed by the side of the road in ancient times,” Dhir said.
“The INTACH launched a project in June last year for its listing and documentation after I highlighted the plight of the route,” he said.
As a part of this project, a team toured the entire stretch of the old route, especially located in Odisha, and already has listed and documented hundreds of such monuments, he said.
“We will publish a printed book on this soon before the Nabakalebar festival of Lord Jagannath, which would be held this year in July at Puri. The book will have the photographs of hundreds of such monuments, structures, wells, ponds etc.”, he said.
Dhir said the Jagannath Sadak took form sometime in late 1700s and was the lifeline for all pilgrims who came to the lord’s abode at Puri.
It was from 1825 that the road came to be known as the Orissa Trunk Road, but for the devotees who descended on this path and made the slow way to the pilgrim city, it has always been the Jagannath Sadak, he said.
Dhir said that the relevance of the road in the formation of Odisha and the spread of Jagannath culture has been overlooked in history.
The listing will help in creating awareness of the history of the Jagannath Sadak and help in conserving and preserving whatever is left of this great road, he added.
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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.