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Kerala Congress chief isolated over liquor policy
Thiruvananthapuram: State Congress president V.M. Sudheeran, who has blamed “external forces” for diluting Kerala’s liquor policy, Sunday came under heavy attack from within the party as well as from outside of it for his remark.
State Congress vice-president M.M. Hassan told reporters in Kasargode that Sudheeran’s statements on the tweaked liquor policy “breached party discipline and caused a dent on the image of the UDF government”.
Bowing to pressure from various quarters, the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) government in Kerala Thursday decided that Sundays will no longer be dry days.
The front allowed the Oommen Chandy cabinet to make the necessary changes on the policy, but demanded that the fundamentals of the policy – to implement prohibition in Kerala in a phased manner by Oct 2, 2024 – should not be touched.
Referring to the diluted liquor policy, Sudheeran Saturday told reporters in Thrissur: “The biggest flaw in democracy is when ‘external forces’ set the agenda for governance. I am just airing the feelings of the people.”
Following the new liquor policy that came out in August, from Oct 2 bars in the state were prohibited from selling liquor on Sundays.
Hindu social group leader Velapally Natesan said Sudheeran has become a laughing stock and he does not enjoy any support in his party.
“The only thing that has happened after he became president is that the once warring factions in the Congress party have come under one roof and he has become a loner,” said Natesan.
Government chief whip in the state assembly P.C. George said the huge majority of the Congress party was now strongly behind Chandy because of the adamant and untenable approach on the liquor policy taken up by Sudheeran.
Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) state president R. Chandrasekheran said either Sudheeran should tow the approach of the state government or he should resign as president. INTUC is the trade union wing of the Congress.
The party high command appointed Sudheeran the state party chief in February this year, ignoring request from Chandy and state Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala.
Since then, things have gone from bad to worse, with the changes in liquor policy leaving Sudheeran totally isolated in the party.
Meanwhile in Kottayam, Chandy told reporters that he has not called any meeting of the party’s legislators Monday.
“Since I was out of the capital city for the past two days, I have told those MLAs who expressed their desire to meet me to come to the state capital. There is no meeting of legislators as reported in the media,” said Chandy.
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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.