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Modi arrives in Sri Lanka on third leg of three-nation tour
Colombo: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in the Sri Lankan capital early Thursday on the third and final leg of his three-nation visit. His visit is the first bilateral prime ministerial visit to Sri Lanka in 28 years.
Modi was received by Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe at the airport as his special plane touched down in Colombo at 5.25 a.m.
Later Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome by Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena.
Modi arrived from Port Louis in Mauritius.
He is scheduled to hold talks with President Sirisena,Prime Minister Wickremesinghe, former president Chandrika Kumaratunga, opposition leader Nimal Sripala de Silva and leaders of several other political parties.
Former president Mahinda Rajapaksa is also likely to call on Modi.
Modi is scheduled to address the Sri Lankan parliament in the afternoon, becoming the first Indian prime minister to do so since Moraji Desai in February 1979.
The first foreign leader to address Sri Lanka’s legislature was then prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru in 1962, followed by Indira Gandhi in April 1973.
The Sirisena government has thrown a tight security blanket over the city with over a 1,000 policemen, including elite commandos on duty.
As a goodwill measure the Sri Lankan president on Wednesday ordered the release of 86 Indian fisherman in Colombo’s custody.
New Delhi responded by announcing the release of 22 Sri Lankan fishermen along with their boats which had been detained recently, said a media report.
The fishermen issue is to figure prominently in discussions between the two sides.
Modi will be the first Indian prime minister and only the second foreign leader after British Premier David Cameron to visit Jaffna in the war-ravaged northern province, where he will hand over homes built with the help of Indian assistance.
In Jaffna, Modi is to meet Tamil leaders. His itinerary also includes a visit to the city of Anuradhapura.
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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.