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Women victims of Gorkhaland agitation threatened: NCW
New Delhi, May 4 (IANS) The National Commission for Women (NCW), which recently visited Darjeeling to examine womens condition in the region, on Friday said that the female victims were threatened not to interact with the team.
The NCW team, which was led by acting Chairperson Rekha Sharma, submitted its ‘Inquiry Report’ on Darjeeling agitation to Home Minister Rajnath Singh.
“Innocent civilians including women were implicated under a large number of cases and are
languishing in jails or out on bail. There were a number of women, each of whom had over
10 to 15 different charges against them, aged women and children have been affected the most,” said the NCW in a statement.
The Inquiry Report looked into atrocities against women, especially by the West Bengal administration during the Gorkhaland agitation in Darjeeling, Kurseong and Kalimpong that lasted from July 8 to November 17 last year.
The two-member committee, which visited the hills last month, examined the complaints received from several civil society organisations about the deplorable plight of women post the indefinite strike in Darjeeling town that last for 105 days.
Apart from the women victims being threatened, according to NCW, the committee found that the administration was hostile and non-supportive of the inquiry, with most of the officials were either on leave or refused to meet the Inquiry Committee.
“The civilians are living in a state of complete fear, trauma and helplessness. Many have
developed psychological issues, especially anxiety, post the strike, and almost all the complaints highlighted atrocities committed by the police who have occupied civilian houses and one primary school in Mirik,” it added.
In the Inquiry Report, NCW suggested immediate medical and psycho-social counselling and intervention to the women victims.
“The cases of specific women victims needs to be taken up by the state government to provide immediate relief. Proper inquiry should be conducted in cases where women are implicated as criminals and languishing in jails or have to visit courts frequently because of a large number of cases against them,” it said.
–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.