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Taliban threatens more violence after US rejects talks (Lead)
Kabul, Jan 30 (IANS) The Taliban on Tuesday threatened the US with more violence and bloodshed after Washington ruled out peace talks with the rebels for unleashing a wave of carnage on Afghanistan.
Taliban militants, who have until now systematically rejected the Afghan government’s call for dialogue, said in a statement that US President Donald Trump and his allies have been “advocating war and not peace”, Efe news reported.
“Trump and his pro-war allies should understand that each action has a reaction. If you are emphasizing on war, then we Mujahid nation also can’t welcome you with flowers,” the statement said.
“Although our enemy only emphasize on war, we believe our nation’s undefeatable resistance and endless patience will finally make the invaders accept the truth and come to the negotiation table,” said Taliban chief Mullah Haibatullah.
The statement added that Afghanistan “has a long history of defeating arrogant invaders” which is why Trump’s refusal to talks will only “boost the human and material losses of the American military manifold”.
On Monday, during a lunch at the White House with the ambassadors of member countries of the UN Security Council, Trump said: “Innocent people are being killed left and right by the Taliban. Bombing in the middle of children, in the middle of families — bombing, killing all over Afghanistan.
“So there’s no talking to the Taliban. We do not want to talk to the Taliban.
“We’re going to finish what we have to finish,” he said. “What nobody else has been able to finish, we’re going to be able to do it.”
The latest round of attacks in Kabul by the Taliban were a direct challenge to Trump, who had asserted on January 16 that the US troops had made “tremendous strides” in fighting the Islamic State (IS) and the Taliban.
He had said the South Asia policy he had announced last August was “working far more rapidly than anybody would understand”.
Taliban terrorists attacked the Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul on January 21-22, killing 22 people including 14 foreigners.
The IS militants killed at least four people in an attack on the outpost of a British organisation, Save the Children, in Jalalabad on January 24.
On January 27, they struck again with an ambulance loaded with explosives killing 103 people. On Monday, IS terrorists attacked a military base in Kabul, killing 11 soldiers.
In recent times, the Afghan government has pushed for talks through the Kabul Process, a peace mechanism it launched along with the UN and the international community following an attack in May 2017 that had left 150 dead in the Afghan capital.
The Taliban rejected the Kabul Process as well as a G4 peace initiative involving Afghanistan, Pakistan, China and the US.
–IANS
soni/mr
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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.