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Packed schedule for Modi in Sweden, Britain
New Delhi, April 12 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will have a packed schedule when he visits Sweden and Britain from April 16 to 21 during which he will attend the first India-Nordic Summit and this year’s Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), officials said on Thursday.
After reaching Stockholm on the evening of April 16, Modi will first hold a bilateral summit with his Swedish counterpart the next day following which a number of agreements are expected to be signed.
Addressing the media here, Subrata Bhattacharjee, Joint Secretary (Central Europe) in the Ministry of External Affairs, said Modi will also have an audience with Sweden’s King Carl XVI Gustaf.
This apart, Modi and Lofven will attend a round table of Swedish CEOs.
“Around $1.4 billion have been invested in India by over 170 Swedish companies since 2000,” Bhattacharjee said.
With Sweden home to a 20,000-strong Indian diaspora, Modi will also interact with members of the Indian community.
Also on April 17, India and Sweden will co-host the first ever India-Nordic Summit in Stockholm which will be attended by the Prime Ministers of the other four Nordic countries — Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Norway.
Modi will also hold bilateral meetings with the Prime Ministers of the other four Nordic countries.
“Nordic countries are a good source of clean technologies,” Bhattacharjee said.
The Indian leader will leave Stockholm for London on April 17 evening.
On April 18, Modi will hold a bilateral summit with British Prime Minister Theresa May after which several agreements are expected to be signed.
“We are looking at 10 to 12 deliverables and a joint statement,” said K. Nagaraj Naidu, Joint Secretary (Europe West) in the Ministry of External Affairs.
Stating that the theme of the visit to Britain was “Living bridge and tech partnership”, Naidu said that an India-UK Tech Alliance was likely to be announced.
Modi will also have a meeting with Prince Charles.
A visit to the Francis Crick Institute was on the schedule where the Prime Minister is expected to meet Indian scientists among others.
With economic ties being an important pillar of the India-Britain bilateral relationship, Modi and May will attend a CEOs Forum.
“We are the fourth largest investor and the second largest job creator in the UK,” Naidu said.
After ending the bilateral leg of his visit, Modi will attend this year’s CHOGM on April 19-20.
While April 19 is the day of the main session of the 53-nation event, the Prime Minister will participate in a leaders’ retreat on April 20, which will be an informal affair, according to Rudendra Tandon, Joint Secretary (United Nations Political) in the External Affairs Ministry.
“Over the years, the Commonwealth has occupied a niche position in the development space in the world,” Tandon said.
The Prime Minister will return to India on April 21.
–IANS
ab/mr
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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.