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Shantaram Naik, Goa’s ‘original’ Congress leader, dies (Second Lead)

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Panaji, June 9 (IANS) Known for his steady flow of incisive press notes and, therefore, invariably billed as a ‘paper tiger’ by rivals in the BJP, former state Congress president Shantaram Naik died on Saturday after suffering a massive heart attack. He was 72 and is survived by wife Beena and son Archit.

Naik, who relinquished charge as the state Congress president in April, died on the way to a hospital in the morning.

Naik’s wife is the sister of high profile criminal lawyer Ujjwal Nikam who, as special public prosecutor, was responsible for pleading the Maharastra government’s case against the accused in the 1993 Mumbai terror attacks and 26/11 terror strikes in Mumbai.

Congress President Rahul Gandhi said: “I’m sorry to hear about the passing away of Shri Shantaram Naik… who played an important role in the battle for Goa’s statehood.”

“My condolences to his family in their time of grief. May his soul rest in peace.”

In the ultra treacherous, double-crossing, party swapping world of Goa’s politics, where a majority of Congress leaders, both youngsters and veterans, have brazenly walked in and out of political parties, Naik was a rare breed who stayed put in the party and was one of the rare few “original” Congressmen.

His faith in the party paid off over time with the Congress appointing him as the state president on numerous occasions. He was elected to the Rajya Sabha twice and Lok Sabha once in 1984.

“Shantaram Naik played his part as a Congressman in the development and progress in the state of Goa. Shantaram has worked for the party even to his last breath, because he was a state Congress president just a few months back. We have lost a great Congressman,” former Chief Minister and Congress MLA Luizinho Faleiro told IANS.

Not a mass-based politician, Naik, however, was known for his steady stream of media conferences and press notes on issues related to communalism and fascism, which often resulted in the Opposition, especially the BJP leadership in Goa, dubbing him as a “paper tiger”.

Perhaps Naik’s greatest contribution to the state as a politician was his role in granting of statehood to Goa, the country’s smallest state in 1987, by moving a resolution in the Lok Sabha when Rajiv Gandhi was the Prime Minister.

The incident earned him the sobriquet ‘Hero of the Zero Hour’. “His contribution for Goa’s statehood and inclusion of Konkani language in the 8th schedule of the Constitution will always be remembered,” Goa Congress spokesperson Amarnath Panjikar has said.

BJP’s South Goa MP Narendra Savoikar also expressed sadness at Naik’s sudden death. “As colleagues, though from different political parties, we shared and discussed on various issues concerning out state,” Savoikar 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

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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.

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