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JNU replaces seven Chairpersons, Deans; teachers, students protest
New Delhi, March 15 (IANS) The Jawaharlal Nehru University administration on Thursday issued notification removing seven Chairpersons and Deans for not complying or refusing to implement the recent attendance system, triggering protests from teachers and students.
“This decision of removing professors has been taken in hurry and it is unfortunate that it happened in a manner where the Executive Committee gave power to the Vice Chancellor to make a decision overnight,” Sucheta Mahajan, who has been replaced as Chairperson of the Centre for Historical Studies, told IANS.
“As far as taking a decision over attendance of students, we never said that we will never follow the administration policy but we only demanded that it should be discussed taking in consideration the requirements of different Centres. What may be implemented in Masters programme may not be efficient in other researches courses… there are so many technical issues that need to be addressed,” she said.
According to some protesters who assembled near the Faculty Centre in the afternoon shouting anti-administration slogans, these decisions are cumulatively “aimed at destroying the values of equality and social justice” that have long formed the bedrock of this university.
“It is an organized plan that has been implemented in a strategic manner. Earlier it was students who were penalized. Now, in the second phase, teachers are being targeted in order to send a message to the agitating students who are adamant in their disagreement with the rightwing forces,” said Sudhir K Suthar, the Secretary of Jawaharlal Nehru University Teachers’ Association (JNUTA).
JNUTA President Sonajharia Minz said that a confused and chaotic academic-administrative environment has been deliberately created, using a multi-pronged strategy of creating rifts inside centres and schools, attempting intimidation of teachers through various means and completely sabotaging the democratic elements of the decision-making processes of the university.
“For instance the Chairperson of Spanish has been placed as French Centre head as an additional charge… a teacher from the School of Languages, Literature and Culture Studies has been placed as the Dean of School of Arts and Aesthetics, the Dean of School of Social Sciences has been given the additional charge as the Chairperson of Economics Department,” she said.
Mahajan said that a General Body Meeting scheduled for Friday will decide the future course of action over the replacement of the Chairpersons issue. “We will discuss it thoroughly and can then only take a decision over taking legal recourse,” she said.
–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.