Top News
Emergency lifted in Maldives, President under fire (Second Lead)
London/Male, March 22 (IANS) Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen on Thursday lifted the state of Emergency after 45 days, inviting fresh criticism that he had used it to boost his own power and illegally arrest hundreds.
The government lifted the Emergency imposed in February following a Supreme Court ruling that had ordered the retrial and release of nine opposition leaders, including former President and now opposition leader Mohamed Nasheed.
“Upon the advice of the security services and in an effort to promote normalcy, the President has decided to lift the state of Emergency,” Yameen’s office said in a statement.
Following the announcement, Nasheed of the opposition Maldives Democratic Party said: “President Yameen lifts Emergency because he now has no need for it. He has overrun the judiciary and legislature, arrested hundreds unlawfully.”
Nasheed said Yameen was setting a “new normal” in the Maldives: an authoritarian rule seeking to turn the country into a “puppet state” controlled by China, Efe news reported.
Nasheed, the country’s first democratically elected leader, was forced to resign in 2012 and later jailed for ordering the allegedly illegal arrest of a judge.
Maldives has been mired in a political and institutional crisis following a Supreme Court ruling on February 1 which ordered the retrial and immediate release of nine opposition leaders as well as the reinstatement of 12 opposition lawmakers.
Yameen decided to reject the ruling and declared Emergency for 15 days on February 5 and claimed the government had thwarted an attempted coup by former dictator Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed.
He came under international attack due to the Emergency, including from the US and neighbouring India.
On February 20, hours before the state of Emergency expired, the government extended it for another 30 days without the required approval of 43 lawmakers.
During the 45-day state of Emergency, the government said day-to-day activities of the citizens had not been affected and tourists were free to visit the island nation.
Meanwhile, several members of Nasheed’s Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) detained under Emergency powers were released without charge, the Maldives Independent reported.
According to the opposition, some 60 people were arrested since the declaration of Emergency.
–IANS
soni/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.