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22 killed in Japan quake, rescue efforts underway

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Tokyo: Rescue efforts are underway in Japan after a powerful quake measuring 7.3 on the Richter Scale hit Kyushu region on Saturday killing at least 22 people and injuring over 1,000 others, Xinhua reported.

Japanese media however, put the toll at 19.

Saturday’s shock comes on the heels of tremors felt on Thursday that left nine people killed in Kumamoto prefecture — epicentre of both the quakes.

Around 20,000 troops were deployed in Kyushu region after the quake struck the region around 1.25 a.m. (local time), The Japan Times reported.

Dozens of people are trapped in the rubble of collapsed buildings. Roads have been damaged and landslides have been reported over a wide area.

The quake has badly affected the region as around 200,000 households were without power.

Extra troops were being sent to Kyushu to help police and firefighters. “We are making every effort to respond,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said.

There are reports of people trapped inside buildings, including at least 60 inside an old people’s home.

A village was evacuated on Saturday after a dam collapsed due to the quake, public broadcaster NHK reported.

Heavy rain forecast for the coming days could lead to more landslides and affect already damaged structures, Japan’s Meteorological Agency said.

Saturday’s temblor triggered a tsunami advisory, although it was later lifted and no irregularities were reported at three nuclear power plants in the area, a senior government official said.

The Kumamoto Prefecture Police said they received reports of 97 people trapped or buried under collapsed buildings.

The government also said four apartment buildings near Tokai University in Kumamoto prefecture collapsed and 11 people, including students, were trapped under the wreckage.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told reporters the government was making every effort to determine the extent of the damage, carry out rescue and recovery, and to get accurate information to citizens.

“It’s possible that there may be damage over a wide area,” Abe said.

Gavin Hayes, a research geophysicist with the US Geological Survey (USGS) in Colorado, said the latest earthquake would hamper the earlier rescue operation that was already under way.

Japan is one of the most seismically active areas on the Earth, accounting for about 20 percent of global quakes of magnitude 6.0 or greater.

It is through bitter experience that Japan has learned the strategies to mitigate damage, injury and death. Not only does it implement some the best building construction practices but it has also established an early warning network.

The meteorological agency initially said the Saturday quake measured 7.1 on the Richter Scale but later revised it up to 7.3.

Several aftershocks rattled the region later Saturday, including two of nearly magnitude-6, and experts warned of more.

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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma

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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.

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