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UN chief warns against hatred on commemorating day of Holocaust victims
New York, Jan 21 (IANS) UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned against all forms of hate at a ceremony marking the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust.
In his remarks delivered at Park East Synagogue in New York o Saturday, the UN chief said that “as I scan the global landscape today, I am sorry to say that the state of our world is messy. And the state of hate is high,” Xinhua news agency reported.
“Neo-Nazi threat is growing,” he noted.
“Almost 80 years after the fall of the Nazi regime, its symbols, mindsets and language are very much with us,” said Guterres.
“Some still seek to deny or diminish the fact of the Holocaust. Others downplay the complicity of their citizens and former political leaders,” he said.
“And we see example after example of the rise of the neo-Nazi threat,” he warned.
Guterres said that “all of us today have a special obligation. An obligation to never lose sight of what went wrong and how it happened.”
He also called upon the international community to “be ever vigilant in the face of persistent anti-Semitism and other forms of hate in our time.”
Guterres told the gathering that anti-hate organizations are now tracking hundreds of pro-Nazi and other such groups.
“With just a little research, we were able to quickly identify 65 groups in 25 countries. These are located not just in Europe and North America but in every region of the world,” he said.
Their followers, and the “likes” they receive on social media, number in the tens of thousands, he said.
“Sixty thousand people marched recently in one country in support of the continent’s far right movements, with placards reading ‘White Europe’ and ‘Clean Blood,'” he continued.
According to the UN chief, the neo-Nazi group called “Combat 18” has re-emerged, including through a concert in a European country attended by thousands. “A recent far right march, called ‘Revolt Against the Traitors’ by the participants, sought to march near a synagogue on Yom Kippur, the holiest day on the Jewish calendar.”
“Last year, hundreds of neo-Nazis gathered to mark the 30th anniversary of the death of Rudolf Hess, one of Hitler’s leading associates,” he warned.
“Let us work together to build a world of pluralism, mutual respect and coexistence for all,” the secretary-general concluded.
–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.