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BJP embarks on mega programme to woo Dalits
New Delhi, April 6 (IANS) In an effort to reach out to the Dalits after facing attacks over “dilution” of the SC/ST Atrocities Act, the BJP on Friday said that it has embarked on a massive programme that will take party leaders to over 20,000 Dalit and tribal majority villages.
The programme “Gram Swaraj Abhiyan” was finalised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi here at a meeting of BJP parliamentarians, where he also accused the Congress of playing “divisive politics” and asked the members to observe a hunger strike on April 12 to protest against the complete washout of the second edition of the budget session.
The programme will begin on the birth anniversary of Dalit icon B.R. Ambedkar on April 14 and will end on May 5.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar told reporters that Modi has asked party leaders to spend at least one night between April 14 and May 5 in the villages with over 50 per cent the population comprising Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
The leaders will take stock of the implementation of government welfare schemes.
“It will be mandatory for all the party workers to hold various programmes at every level on April 14,” a BJP leader who was present in the meeting told IANS.
“They have been asked to hold cycle or motorcycle rallies and yatras. The purpose of this programme is to connect the leaders with the people directly and to publicise the government schemes.
“Without exception, everybody will have to go to the villages,” the leader added.
During the meeting, Modi asked the MPs and other party leaders to publicise the government’s “saptrishi programmes” that includes “Indradhanush”, “Jan dhan” and BHIM App.
“We have to live for the people of the country,” Modi said.
Modi also lashed out at the Congress for disrupting parliamentary proceedings and asked party leaders to hold nation wide hunger strike at every level from booth to district.
“Due to our increasing strength the opposition is doing divisive politics,” Ananth Kumar told reporters quoting Modi.
According to a BJP leader, the Prime Minister said: “Congress has crushed the voice of democracy and abused the mandate of people. Functioning of parliament stooped to a new low in this part of budget session due to atrocious behaviour of Congress.”
Modi also asked the party leaders to observe April 11, the birth anniversary of anti-caste social reformer Jyotiba Phule, as “samata diwas” across the country.
During his address, the Prime Minister also recalled the sacrifices of thousands of party workers including its founder members Shyama Prasad Mukerjee, Deen Dayal Upadhyay and Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
He asked party MPs and their families to watch Marathi mega-play “Janata Raja”, based on the life of Shivaji Maharaj at Lal Quila recalling that how he travelled from Gujarat to Pune to watch this play some 30 years ago.
–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.