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Jaitley co-chairs India-Saudi Arabia Joint Commission meet
Riyadh, Feb 19 (IANS) Indian Finance Minister Arun Jaitley led the country’s delegation at the 12th India-Saudi Arabia Joint Consultative Mechanism meeting here on Monday.
The Saudi delegation at the talks was led by the kingdom’s Trade Minister Majid Al Qasabi.
“Co-chairing the 12th India-Saudi Arabia Joint Consultative Mechanism meeting with H.E. Dr. Majid Al Qasabi, Minister of Trade & Investment, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” Jaitley said in a tweet on Monday.
In separate tweets earlier, Jaitley said he had meetings on Sunday with his Saudi counterpart Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Jadaan, as well as with the Saudi Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih.
On Sunday, the Indian Finance Minister also attended a meeting with Saudi corporate leaders at the Council of Saudi Chamber (CSC), where he was received by CSC chairman Ahmed Sulaiman Al-Rajhi.
“The progressively growing cooperation between the Kingdom and India in the fields of trade and commerce, and how to strengthen trade ties, figured prominently in the meeting,” the CSC said in a statement here.
Jaitley is on a two-day official visit to Saudi Arabia to co-chair the 12th India-Saudi Arabia Joint Consultative Mechanism meeting during February 18-19.
On Sunday, Jaitley called on Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud at the royal palace here.
Both discussed bilateral relations and the ways to strengthen them in various fields, according to a report by the kingdom’s official news agency SPA.
Also present at the meeting were Saudi Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif, Minister of State Mased bin Mohammed Al Aiban, Trade Minister Al Qasabi, Finance Minister Al-Jadaan, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Nizar bin Obaid Madani, Saudi Ambassador to India Saud Al-Sati and the Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ahmad Javed.
Later on Sunday, Jaitley along with his Saudi counterpart formally inaugurated the Saudi-India Business Council.
Thereafter, Jaitley also visited the “India Pavillion” at the prestigious Saudi National Heritage and Cultural Festival Janadriyah, at which India is the guest of honour country this year.
The India Pavillion, which highlights the Make in India initiative, is based on the theme “Saudi ka Dost Bharat”.
Saudi Arabia is a key strategic partner of India and a major source of India’s oil imports. Bilateral trade was worth over $25 billion in 2016-17.
–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.