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Congress attacks Meghalaya Governor for Hindi address

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Shillong, March 16 (IANS) Meghalaya Governor Ganga Prasad, who scripted history by being the first to address the state Assembly in Hindi on Friday, was criticized by Congress members.

Former Urban Affairs Minister and Congress legislator Ampareen Lyngdoh walked out of the House in protest while Prasad was delivering his address in “chaste” Hindi.

Prior to the start of the budget session, Opposition Chief Whip Process T. Sawkmie raised a point of order wanting a clarification from Speaker Donkupar Roy whether the Governor would be speaking in Hindi and if so whether translated version of the speech would be circulated.

Roy replied that copies of the speech in English would be circulated.

But Sawkmie repeatedly stood up to oppose the address saying it has created a bad precedence in the history of Meghalaya.

The Governor read out the speech in Hindi throughout his address while at the same time skipping important paragraphs in the English version of the speech.

After the House was resumed for the day, Sawkmie again raised the issue before the Speaker saying the Governor has created bad precedence (by speaking in Hindi) in the House.

“In 46 years of statehood, this is the first time in the history of Meghalaya that the Governor has addressed us in Hindi. If the Governor has created a bad precedence by speaking in Hindi, members of the House can speak in Khasi, Garo or Jaintia (local dialect) according to their wish because the head of the state fails to respect the floor of the House,” he said.

Chief Minister Conrad Sangma later told journalists that the Governor’s speech in Hindi was not an issue at all as it was not a foreign language as it was spoken across the country.

“The rules have been followed. The rules are there. The contents are already in the printed version along with the details. The reason why he summarized some of the points could be because it was very long. Those are reasons we don’t know. The Governor’s House and Governor’s Secretariat will know better,” he said.

“The Governor is comfortable of speaking in Hindi, he can read Hindi better. So he did what he was comfortable with,” the Chief Minister added.

Speaker Roy told journalists: “You see the official language here is English but as per the Rule anyone can speak in their mother tongue provided they give the translated version beforehand.”

The former Congress Urban Affairs minister said: “Language is the first route for oppression. This is absolutely bullying and this approach I don’t appreciate.”

Lyngdoh said that when she was minister in the previous government, she had strongly opposed meetings where Hindi was spoken.

“If he (Governor) is stubborn speaking in Hindi, then I am also stubborn not listening to anyone speaking in Hindi. So if we will both be stubborn. Where will this country go?” Lyngdoh asked.

–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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