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Guterres ‘very concerned’ about return of Cold War conditions
By Arul Louis
United Nations, March 29 (IANS) UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said on Thursday that he is “very concerned” about the world returning to a Cold War situation and suggested reviving mechanisms that existed then to prevent escalation of tensions.
Asked by reporters about the rising tensions between the US and Russia and their mutual expulsion of diplomats, Guterres said, “I am very concerned.”
The world was coming to a situation similar to what prevailed during the Cold War, he said.
Guterres saw the situation now as more riskier because unlike then there are no mechanisms in place to prevent tensions rising and there are now several actors instead of just two superpowers.
During the Cold War, there were mechanisms to avoid escalation of tensions but they were dismantled after the Cold War ended because it was thought that were not longer needed, he said.
Such mechanisms are important and it was necessary to revive them, he stressed.
While the US and the Soviet Union were the only superpowers during the Cold War, Russia is now a shadow of itself, China is a rising global power and the NATO alliance that stood behind US is starting to fray.
There have been signs of the arms race resuming, this time between the US and Russia.
Russian President Vladimir recently unveiled a new class of nuclear-tipped missiles that he said can avoid anti-missile defence systems and were capable of hitting targets in the US.
In February, the US released a strategic document, the Nuclear Posture Review, that laid out a course of expanding nuclear capabilities in response to Russian plans.
“Our strategy will ensure Russia understands that any use of nuclear weapons, however limited, is unacceptable,” it said.
On a positive note, Guterres welcomed the proposed summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
He said that the developments showed that a solution to the nuclear crisis in the Korean Peninsula was now within reach, while only a few months ago it had not seemed possible.
He added that he was encouraged by the recent visit of Kim Jong Un to Beijing to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping.
China has a very important role to play in the region, he added.
(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
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.