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India should showcase its heritage with pride: Modi (Lead)
New Delhi, July 12 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said India should showcase its great heritage with pride and questioned rules that prohibit people from taking pictures at some monuments.
Inaugurating Dharohar Bhawan, the new headquarters building of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), here Modi called for people’s participation and involvement in protecting the country’s archeological heritage.
He said a mentality still prevails which does not allow people to take pride in their past achievements and noted that there should have been a change of such a mindset after Independence.
“It is unfortunate that there is an entrenched mentality which feels that taking pride in our past glory is wrong. I feel till the time we have pride in our legacy, in our past achievements, we are also not fully involved in its conservation,” Modi said.
Modi referred to notices at some monuments asking people not to take pictures and said the times had changed and it was possible through technology to zero in on a neighbourhood.
“Using space technology, you can know what is the number of a scooter parked in an area of Delhi. But on the board of monument it is written that photography is prohibited. Time has changed, technology has changed.”
Recalling his experience as Gujarat chief minister, Modi said that he gave instructions to withdraw notice that prevented people from taking pictures at Sardar Sarovar dam.
He said there was good response and ticketing was done later.
Modi said corporate sector can also be involved in the task of archaeological conservation and people can contribute some hours as volunteers.
He said school syllabus in cities that have archeological sites can include information on these places so that students can learn about them.
Modi said the youth can be encouraged to work as guides and recalled that he had suggested holding a best guide talent competition on TV channels to nurture interest in people.
He said like some foreign countries, senior citizens in India can also form clubs and work as guides.
The Prime Minister said the ASI had performed significant work over the last 150 years and each archaeological discovery, painstakingly made by archaeologists over long periods of time, had its own story to tell.
“India should showcase its great heritage with pride and confidence to the world,” he said.
Modi recalled his meeting with Haibhai Godani, who had made a rich and memorable collection of artefacts through sustained personal efforts.
The new headquarters of ASI is equipped with modern facilities including energy efficient lighting and rainwater harvesting. It has a Central Archaeological Library with a collection of about 1.5 lakh books and journals.
–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.