Top News
Manipur readies for district council polls
Imphal: Political parties in Manipur have stepped up campaigning for the June 1 elections to the six Autonomous District Councils (ADC) in the Congress-ruled state.
The Congress, the BJP and the Naga Peoples Front (NPF) are the three main contenders for the 144 seats of the six ADCs of Senapati, Sadar Hills, Ukhrul, Tamenglong, Chandel and Churachandpur districts.
Despite threats and intimidation by militant outfits, most political parties have declared their candidates. The filing of nominations will close on Wednesday.
Presently, the Congress is in majority in all the six ADCs, each with 24 members.
“We will contest in all the six districts. Threats by underground outfits have not deterred us,” a Congress leader told IANS.
Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, who also holds the home portfolio, has accused the NSCN-IM (National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah) of threatening outgoing ADC members belonging to the Congress.
The NSCN-IM has been fighting for a “Greater Nagaland” for over six decades. It signed a ceasefire agreement with the central government in August 1997.
The proposed “Greater Nagaland”, to be formed by slicing off parts of three neighbouring states to unite 1.2 million Nagas, has been opposed by Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh.
In view of militant threats, the state election commission has opened an office at the Imphal West deputy commissioner’s office here to receive nomination papers from candidates.
The Bharatiya Janata Party has expressed fears of large-scale violence during campaigning and sought sufficient security for its candidates as well as campaigners.
The June 1 election to the six ADCs is significant because it is being held after 20 years.
The United Naga Council, a frontal organisation of the Ngas, has said that the ADCs have not benefitted the tribals and the state government did not extend adequate powers to ADC members.
Parliament passed the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council Act in 1971 and the first election to the district councils were held in 1973. Since then, elections in the ADCs have been irregular.
Top News
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.