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UN, France regret US decision to quit Unesco

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New York, Oct 13 (IANS) The UN and France have voiced deep regrets over the US decision to withdraw from Unesco, the Paris-based UN cultural organisation.

The US on Thursday informed the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization that it would formally withdraw from the organisation on December 31, 2018 and would seek to remain engaged as a non-member observer state, Xinhua news agency reported.

Later, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres through his spokesperson expressed his deep regret over the decision, “considering the major US role in Unesco since its founding”.

Unesco Director-General Irina Bokova said in a statement that the US withdrawal would be a loss to the UN and “a loss to multilateralism.”

“At the time when the fight against violent extremism calls for renewed investment in education, in dialogue among cultures to prevent hatred, it is deeply regrettable that the United States should withdraw from the United Nations agency leading these issues,” Bokova said.

Meanwhile, UN General Assembly President Miroslav Lajcak expressed his concerns that the US move “could have adverse impacts upon the important work of Unesco”.

While emphasising the role played by the US in multilateral cooperation, Lajcak stressed the need for its continued engagement in the work of Unesco.

Echoing the UN, France also voiced its regret over the US decision to withdrawal “at a time when international support for this organisation is crucial”.

France’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Agnes Romatet-Espagne said “the future of Unesco is of particular importance to France”, while reiterating Paris’ commitment to the UN cultural agency’s “critical actions” that contribute to achieving the UN goal of peace.

At the UN Headquarters in New York, French Ambassador to the UN Francois Delattre asked the US not to leave Unesco. He said “we need an America that stays committed to world affairs”.

The US stopped funding Unesco after the organisation voted to include Palestine as a member in 2011. However, since then it had continued to maintained its Unesco office at the organisation’s headquarters in Paris.

According to the US State Department, the decision to pull out of the Unesco reflected “US concerns with mounting arrears at Unesco, the need for fundamental reform in the organisation, and continuing anti-Israel bias at Unesco”.

After the US notified the UN organisation about its move, Israel welcomed it.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed the Foreign Ministry to prepare Israel’s withdrawal from Unesco on the same date as the US, according to a statement.

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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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