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India signs agreement with UN on fighting Ebola
United Nations: India affirmed its contributions to the international fight against the Ebola outbreak here Tuesday in an agreement with the UN that would, among other things, facilitate the transfer of $10 million pledged by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the UN efforts against the disease.
Asoke Kumar Mukerji, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, and Yannick Glemarec of the UN Development Programme inked the accord for the Ebola Response Multi Partner Trust Fund (MPTF). Glemarec is the executive coordinator of the fund, which was set up as part of the UN system-wide response to Ebola that was launched in October by Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.
India has also contributed $2 million for buying protective gear for those on the frontline of the fight against Ebola, which is devastating three West African nations – Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. In addition, the World Health Organization (WHO) has received $500,000 from India for its anti-Ebola campaign.
With the $10 million pledge, Modi was the first government head to announce a substantial contribution when the MPTF was set up in September. This set the ball rolling with pledges from other countries flowing in. Currently, India is the third largest contributor to the MPTF.
As of Monday, according to the WHO, Ebola has stricken 17,800 people and 6,331 have died from the disease.
At a UN General assembly debate on response to Ebola in October, India offered its support for developing vaccines and medicines for the disease.
Given India’s role in producing affordable medicines to combat the AIDS epidemic in Africa, Mukerji told the UNGA, “The international community must support research and development of a vaccine to cure Ebola, which must be made available especially to the poorest of the poor at realistic prices, and India is committed to cooperation to this end.”
The three affected countries have also received help directly from India for their efforts to contain the disease, including bilateral assistance worth $50,000 in medicines and ambulances to each of them.
On Monday at a ceremony to hand over 15 buses from India, Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf praised the Indian government and people for their support to Liberia during the deadly Ebola crisis, the Monrovia Inquirer reported.
In addition, these countries have received private help from Indian sources. The Association of the Indian Community in Liberia (AICL) has given items worth more than $200,000 to the nation’s anti-Ebola effort, according to the Liberian Observer.
The Indo-Gulf Hospital in Noida, a suburban town adjoining Delhi, has contributed medicines and other supplies worth Rs.3 million to Guinea for its campaign against Ebola.
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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.