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Minorities secure, their rights safe in India: Centre
New Delhi, May 24 (IANS) The central government on Thursday said that the rights of minorities are more safe and secure in India compared with the rest of the world, and that “secularism, social and communal harmony and tolerance” are in the country’s DNA.
The remarks came days after a letter from the Archbishop of Delhi talked about the “turbulent political atmosphere” in the country.
Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi met a delegation of Diocese of Delhi-Church of North India and assured it that the government was working with commitment towards equitable development of all citizens without any discrimination.
He said that the constitutional, social, cultural and religious rights of minorities were more safe and secure in India compared with elsewhere in the world.
“Social and communal harmony is our culture and tolerance is our commitment… all of us have to work together to protect and strengthen this culture and commitment,” a statement quoting Naqvi said.
The Minister added that the Narendra Modi government was moving towards “inclusive growth to ensure that not a single Indian is deprived of the light of development”.
“The government is committed to protect all constitutional institutions, democratic values and religious rights of all sections,” he said.
The Archbishop of Delhi, Anil Joseph Couto, in his May 8 letter had asked the priests and churches in Delhi to hold a year-long prayer campaign for the country to protect its democratic principles and secular fabric ahead of the 2019 general elections “when we will have new government”.
Making a veiled attack on the Archbishop, the Minister said that India “needed to be cautious against forces which want to disturb the atmosphere of trust and development due to their prejudiced mindset and vested interests”.
He had on Tuesday asked the Archbishop to “shed his prejudiced mindset against the Modi government”.
Naqvi claimed that the work done for the socio-economic and educational empowerment of minorities in the last 48 months had not been done even in 48 years.
Naqvi said that he regularly meets delegations of minority communities to take stock of ground reality to ensure that the schemes aimed at their socio-economic and educational empowerment are implemented effectively.
–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.