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Sushma Swaraj to visit Nepal ahead of government formation

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By Anil Giri
Kathmandu, Jan 31 (IANS) Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj arrives here on a two-day visit on Thursday as the Left alliance in Nepal prepares to form a new government most likely to be led by former Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli.

Sushma Swaraj will first meet Oli, who has had strained relations with the Indian leadership, before taking up other engagements.

Her visit will be the first diplomatic engagement after elections in Nepal catapulted the alliance of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) and CPN (Maoist Centre) to power.

The Indian minister will also call on outgoing Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and Maoist leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’.

The timing of the visit ahead of the government formation underlines India’s attempts to improve its ties with Oli, who is seen as close to China, and the CPN-UML, diplomats say.

Relations between India and Nepal became acrimonious in 2016. Oli was sharply critical of New Delhi’s policy towards Nepal after his government was toppled in July that year.

Oli also turned against India following the 2015 blockade in Nepal that triggered an economic and humanitarian crisis.

The Indian government said on Monday that Sushma Swaraj’s visit would be “in keeping with the tradition of regular high-level political exchanges between India and Nepal” which it added reflected “the importance the two countries attach to further strengthening it across diverse sectors”.

Oli, as Prime Minister in 2015, signed several agreements with China, including trade and transit deals, with a view to end India’s monopoly over the Nepali market.

The diplomatic engagement is taking place though the new Prime Minister is yet to be sworn in Nepal.

Soon after the election results were announced, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached out to Oli and showed eagerness to welcome him in India.

Experts believe that the Sushma Swaraj trip was a “conciliatory” move by New Delhi to mend ties with Kathmandu.

(Anil Giri can be contacted at [email protected])

–IANS
giri/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

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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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