Top News
Kabul attack is attack on global media: Afghan envoy
New Delhi, May 4 (IANS) Afghan Ambassador to India Shaida Abdali on Friday said that the April 30 suicide attack in his country’s capital Kabul that claimed the lives of nine journalists is an attack not only on the Afghan media, but the global media as a whole.
Two other journalists were also killed in separate attacks in Khost and Kandahar in the war-ravaged country the same day, making it the bloodiest day for the Afghan media in 2018.
Speaking at a condolence meeting at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club here, Abdali, while expressing his condolences to the media family, said: “This was an attack on not only the Afghan media, but on the global media. It was an attack on Afghan youth.”
Nine journalists were killed in a coordinated double suicide bombing in Kabul on April 30.
A militant on a motorbike carried out the first explosion prompting journalists to rush to the scene.
A second explosion took place about 20 minutes later as a second attacker, disguised as a cameraman, detonated explosives at the site of the initial blast, targeting journalists and rescue workers at the scene.
The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attacks.
Abdali said that the attack was a setback to the freedom of media and freedom of expressed his country has attained over the last 16 years.
He said that while in 2001 there was only one radio station in Afghanistan airing religious sermons, today there are over 100 television channels, 300 FM radio channels and around 1,000 print media publications.
He said that 20 million people in his country now have access to mobile phones and internet.
“We know how much responsibility there is on the fourth pillar of democracy in Afghanistan,” the Ambassador stated.
Stating that Afghan youth come to India for training in journalism, he said that his government is giving particular attention to protection of journalists.
“We hope we will be able to provide an environment for journalists to move around freely,” Abdali said. “The attack shows the common threat to all of us.”
At the same time, the Ambassador said that though Afghanistan is faced with a security challenge, it is still not the most dangerous place for journalists in the world.
With the IS and the Taliban vying for power in Afghanistan, Abdali said that the two groups come from the same sources.
“I hope our neighbouring countries will not divide the two and will stand united in the fight against terrorism,” he said.
Appreciating New Delhi’s role in the reconstruction of Afghanistan, the Ambassador welcomed the decision by India and China to start a joint project in his country taken during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s informal summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in China last month.
He also expressed gratitude to India and Iran for developing the Chabahar port in Iran that has opened connectivity to Afghanistan bypassing Pakistan.
Stating that his country did not want to depend on one country for trade, Abdali said that while Afghanistan’s trade with Pakistan has fallen from $2 billion to $500 million, trade with India has grown to $1 billion.
–IANS
ab/ahm/
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.
Foodman Vishal Singh Honored for Hunger Free World Mission in Bangkok
Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
Cheers and Cheers: Barzilla’s Joyful Ode to Inclusivity and Celebration
Casino Days Reveal Internal Data on Most Popular Smartphones
Meghalaya Reserves Legalized Gambling and Sports Betting for Tourists
IPL 20202 UPDATE: KXIP vs MI IPL Dream11 Team Prediction for Today Match, Update Point Table of all Team.
In a Live debate AAP leader Syed Asad Abbas hurls abuses to BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma.
‘India’s Most Wanted’ trailer out Arjun Kapoor on hunt of Osama-Bin-Laden
Time to move on: Sonakshi on Shatrughan’s joining Congress
