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Guterres, UNSC condemn killing of 4 Bangladeshi peacekeepers in Mali

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By Arul Louis
United Nations, March 2 (IANS) UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and the Security Council have condemned the killing of four Bangladeshi peacekeepers by a roadside bomb in Mali.

The Council on Thursday condemned “in the strongest terms” the attack on the UN convoy that killed the four peacekeepers and injured several others in central Mopti region of Mali on Wednesday. It warned in a press statement that attacks on peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law.

Guterres called for the prosecution of the attackers and said: “These cowardly acts will not deter the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali’s (MINUSMA) determination to support the Malian authorities in their efforts to protect civilians and accompany the Malian people in their quest for peace and stability.”

The UN has not identified the attackers.

The killing of the peacekeepers comes amid growing concern over the rising attacks on peacekeepers.

In January, a Pakistani peacekeeper was killed by armed rebels who ambushed a convoy of peacekeepers in South Kivu province of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Fifteen Tanzanian peacekeepers were killed in that country in December.

Currently Bangladesh is the second highest troop contributor to the UN, sending more than 7,000 to UN peacekeeping missions Of them, 1,678 are with MINUSMA.

The Sahel region of Africa, where Mali is located, is facing a problem with jihadist militancy as al-Qaeda and Islamic State (IS) making inroads.

A panel appointed by Guterres to look into rising fatalities among peacekeepers issued a scathing report in January accusing the UN of putting peacekeepers at risk through “lack of will, determination, and accountability”.

It said that UN peacekeepers should take a vigorous and proactive approach and not fear using force. It noted that “the blue helmet and the United Nations flag no longer offer ‘natural’ protection.”

(Arul Louis can be reached at [email protected])

–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

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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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