Top News
Parrikar suffering from advanced pancreatic cancer, arrives in US (Second Lead)
Panaji/Mumbai, March 7 (IANS) Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, who on Wednesday reached the US for medical treatment, is reportedly suffering from an advanced stage of pancreatic cancer.
Sources in Mumbai’s Lilavati Hospital and the Goa Medical College and Hospital — the two health facilities where the former Defence Minister was admitted since February 15 — have confirmed he has cancer.
Meanwhile, both the ruling and opposition parties in the state have demanded that the government should make a formal statement on the health of the Chief Minister, who has landed in New York and has been taken to a specialist health facility there.
“It’s at quite an advanced stage”, said a source who declined to be identified, adding that there was “probable metastasis”, meaning it may have spread.
On February 18, some media reports had mentioned that the Chief Minister was suffering from advanced stage IV of pancreatic cancer. The hospital had denied this.
Lilavati Hospital had said in a statement: “It has been brought to our notice, various malicious and misleading reports/rumours are floating around in the electronic/print media with regards to the health of the Chief Minister of Goa. We categorically deny all such rumours. We reiterate that Chief Minister of Goa is being treated and is responding well to the treatment.”
Parrikar was discharged from Lilavati Hospital late on Tuesday. A statement issued by the Chief Minister’s Office late on Wednesday said that Parrikar had landed in the US on Wednesday evening (IST) and maintained that “he is fine and will undergo further treatment”.A
“He is diagnosed with an advanced stage of cancer of the pancreas… He has already been administered one round of chemotherapy when he was admitted to Lilavati Hospital,” sources at the Goa hospital said.
Parrikar had complained of stomach pain on February 14 and was rushed to the GMCH and flown to Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai the following day, which was then attributed to “food poisoning”.
Soon after he was admitted to the Mumbai hospital, the Chief Minister’s Office steadfastly maintained that Parrikar was suffering from “mild pancreatitis” and he was expected to be discharged shortly.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on Parrikar at the hospital on February 18 when he was in the city.
Parrikar returned to Goa on February 22 to deliver a truncated annual budget speech, but alarms bells sounded when he was again hospitalised on February 25 at the GMCH after officials claimed he suffered a bout of “dehydration” and “blood pressure”.
BJP cadres have been organising “Mahamrutyunjay japs” and prayer services in Goa’s temples and churches respectively for the last couple of weeks.
The Congress has demanded that Parrikar should come clean on the nature of his illness because he was a public person elected by the people of Goa.
Goa Forward, a ruling ally, said the people of Goa should have a clear picture of their Chief Minister’s health.
Aam Aadmi Party General Secretary Pradeep Padgaonkar said that before he left for the US, Parrikar should have been transparent to the people of Goa about his affliction.
“He should have told the Goans about what he is suffering from. By not doing so, he has created an atmosphere of distrust and confusion in Goa,” Padgaonkar said.
The Chief Minister was discharged on March 1 and was recuperating at home until he flew to the US on Wednesday morning.
–IANS
maya/qn/mr
Top News
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.