Top News
Nearly 1,600 pilgrims for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra this year
New Delhi, May 8 (IANS) A total of 1,580 pilgrims will take part in this year’s Kailash Mansarovar Yatra from June 8 to September 8, the External Affairs Ministry said on Tuesday.
“This year, 3,734 applicants had successfully registered online at the website for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, which includes 2,818 male applicants, and 916 female applicants,” the minjstry said in a statement after External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj presided over a computerised draw of lots for selection of the pilgrims.
It said there would be 18 batches each consisting of 60 pilgrims via the Lipulekh route from Uttarakhand, and 10 batches each consisting of 50 pilgrims via the Nathu La route from Sikkim.
China last year did not allow Indian pilgrims to travel to Kailash Mansarovar through the Nathu La Pass after the face-off between the Indian and Chinese militaries on Doklam Plateau in the India-Bhutan-China international trijuncion.
However, the pilgrims opting to undertake the pilgrimage through Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand were allowed.
The matter related to the resumption of the annual pilgrimage through Nathu La was raised by India during meetings with China last year.
Sushma Swaraj also discussed it with her Chinese counterpart in December last year.
Subsequently, the Chinese government has confirmed resumption of the Yatra via the Nathu La route.
Tuesday’s ministry statement said that liaison officers from Central and State governments have appointed for each batch to assist the pilgrims.
It said, starting this year, the government has decided to include two liaison officers in each batch, to render better assistance to the pilgrims.
The Kailash Manasarovar Yatra is organised every year by the Ministry of External Affairs with support from Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Ministry of Home Affairs, the state governments of Delhi, Uttarakhand and Sikkim, Ministry of Defence, and some civil society organizations.
–IANS
ab/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.