Top News
Casteism breaks social harmony, get rid of it: Kovind
New Delhi, April 14 (IANS) President Ram Nath Kovind on Saturday said that the country should get free from casteism which disturbs the country’s social harmony, which is essential not only for economic development but for all kinds of happiness and peace.
“We have to get rid of casteism as it breaks the social harmony of the country,” the President said at the launch of book “Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar: Vyakti Nahin Sankalp” at Rashtrapati Bhawan here. The book was released by Vice President Venkaiah Naidu.
Targeting politics of selfishness over its harmful trend of creating battlefields in the society, he said that people must work on the mindset of “don’t break but integrate the relations”.
Expressing his happiness that that Ambedkar’s 125th birth anniversary was commemorated at the United Nations in 2016, the President said that Ambedkar, like Martin Luther King Junior, is an inspiring figure for all humanity. “There is need to do justice to his legacy,” he said.
Kovind said the book that he had been presented was a slim volume but was an accessible resource to understand Ambedkar, covering his life of Ambedkar and several dimensions of his ideas and personality, including how Prime Minister Narendra Modi had been inspired by Ambedkar’s life and message.
He expressed hope that thoughts compiled in the book would reach more and more citizens and motivate them to work together in peace and harmony.
Earlier on the day Kovind, visited Madhya Pradesh’s Mhow, the birthplace of Ambedkar, and garlanded his statue in the presence of Madhya Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Union Social Justice Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot.
The three-day celebration in Mhow — also known as Dr Ambedkar Nagar — to mark the birth anniversary of Ambedkar kicked off on Thursday, an official said.
Addressing the gathering, the President said that the greatest contribution of the Constitution, created under Ambedkar’s guidance, was to make all Indians equal citizens, irrespective of social or economic background.
“This Fundamental Right ensured that every Indian has the right to a dignified life. In parallel, the Constitution introduced universal franchise and gave every citizen, irrespective of social background or economic status, the right to vote.
“These two rights have special significance for the poor, the traditionally disadvantaged and the weaker sections of our society. These rights, along with the importance of education that Ambedkar underlined, are crucial for the proper exercise of all other rights granted to citizens by our Constitution.”
Ambedkar believed that this was our country, for all of us, and that whatever needed to be done to bring justice to the weaker sections of society could be achieved by adhering to social harmony, he added.
–IANS
akk/vd
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.