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Australians cheer overwhelming ‘yes’ to same-sex marriage (Second Lead)
Canberra, Nov 15 (IANS) Rainbow flags fluttered and champagne corks flew into the air amid tears of joy during celebrations across Australia on Wednesday following a resounding “yes” vote in the same-sex marriage postal survey.
Large public gatherings in major cities, including Sydney and Melbourne, saw marriage proposals with people turning up in wedding dresses as the country learned that 61.6 per cent of participants voted for same-sex marriage.
Couples kissed and friends embraced — some in relief and others in jubilation. More than 12.7 million people across the country, or 79.5 per cent of the population, took part in the survey with every state and territory returning a majority “yes”, SBS Australia reported.
Australia Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said it had been an “overwhelming” response and called for same-sex marriage to be legalised before Christmas. “They voted ‘yes’ for fairness, they voted ‘yes’ for commitment, they voted ‘yes’ for love. And now it is up to us here in the Parliament of Australia to get on with it,” he told reporters in Canberra.
The results released earlier in the day by the Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed that 38 per cent voted against same-sex marriage. Voting had opened on September 12 and Australians who had registered to vote had until November 7 to return their surveys.
In Melbourne, 5,000 people outside the State Library of Victoria cheered and danced to Kylie Minogue’s “Celebration”. In Sydney’s Prince Alfred Park, musician John Paul Young sang “Love is in the Air”.
Swimming champion Ian Thorpe, actor Magda Szubanski, Qantas Chief Executive Alan Joyce and Labour leader in the Senate Penny Wong were among those overcome with emotion and keen to share their joy with fellow Australians.
“I am pleased I have been able to be part of it. I feel it’s right not only for the LGBTI community but for the Australian community as well,” Thorpe said.
The Qantas CEO said: “Today I am even more proud of Australia, the country of my selection.”
“We now send a message from the Australian people to get on with it… we needed to be delivered and we needed to be delivered fast. Get on and do it, Mr Turnbull.”
Celebrities, including Minogue, Ellen DeGeneres — married to Australian-American Portia de Rossi, Apple boss Tim Cook, Canadian leader Justin Trudeau and former British Premier David Cameron, tweeted congratulations.
Christine Forster, the sister of former Prime Minister Tony Abbott — she is in a same-sex relationship and is a long-term supporter of marriage equality, while he is an opponent — celebrated the decision.
“This is the happiest day of my life,” 35-year-old James Mead said as tears streamed down his face.
In Perth, Jonathon Mann was accompanied by his friend, Ally White, to hear the announcement. “For me, it’s so good to know that one of my great mates Jon can have the same rights as me and get married,” White said before the pair hugged.
Meanwhile, rain did not stop “yes” supporters from celebrating at Hindmarsh Square in Adelaide. “It’s an extraordinary relief for those of us who have been supporting marriage equality for an extended period of time,” South Australia Premier Jay Weatherill said.
Politicians are expected to begin discussing the specifics of the same-sex marriage bill as early as this week, the SBS reported.
The two-month campaign was marred by harsh rhetoric and wild allegations of the consequences of a “yes” vote. Rainbow flags were sprayed with Nazi symbols in Brisbane while “no” advertisements claimed same-sex marriage would lead to “radical gay sex” education in schools.
–IANS
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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.