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Mugabe, wife granted immunity from prosecution
Harare, Nov 23 (IANS) Zimbabwe’s former President Robert Mugabe and his wife Grace have been granted immunity from prosecution, the military said on Thursday, allowing the couple to remain in the country.
Colonel Overson Mugwisi, a spokesman for the Zimbabwean Defence Forces, told CNN that an agreement had been reached with the 93-year-old former leader that included immunity and a guarantee of safety for him and his wife.
Mugabe resigned on Tuesday in a historic moment that ended his 37 years of rule. The former leader has been accused of ordering a string of massacres in the early to mid-1980s in opposition strongholds to consolidate his power in which up to 20,000 people were killed.
He has also long been accused of corruption and criticized for living a lavish lifestyle while the once-prosperous nation plunged into economic ruin.
Mugabe had spent a week negotiating his departure with the military since the Army seized control in Harare and placed him under house arrest.
In a long, drawn-out process, military officials gave into the demands for immunity and allowed Mugabe to keep several of his properties before he stepped down, media reports said.
Mugabe’s former right-hand man, Emmerson Mnangagwa, returned to the country on Wednesday to take the reins as interim President, promising to take the country into a “new and unfolding democracy.” He will be sworn in on Friday.
Upon his return to Harare, Mnangagwa — known as “The Crocodile” — told supporters: “The people have spoken. The voice of the people is the voice of God.”
“I pledge myself to be your servant. I appeal to all genuine patriotic Zimbabweans to come together. We work together. We want to grow our economy. We want peace, jobs in our country.”
Mnangagwa’s dismissal earlier this month plunged the country into a political crisis and prompted military chiefs to take control of the capital and place Mugabe under house arrest.
Mugabe initially refused to stand down but tendered his resignation on Tuesday after impeachment proceedings were launched by Parliament. He had ruled Zimbabwe since 1980.
–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.