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Need to ask if our freedom is in peril: Hamid Ansari

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New Delhi, July 25 (IANS) Former Vice President Hamid Ansari on Wednesday said that a question was staring at all of us if the open society “we used to take pride in” was facing a serious existential threat amid “voices of sanity” being silenced.

“Mourning is just not enough. We should challenge…if our freedom of expression is being challenged and if that is really facing a challenge then every citizen is threatened,” Ansari said at an event here to pay tributes to Kashmiri editor Shujaat Bukhari who was shot dead outside his Srinagar office on June 14.

The former Rajya Sabha Chairman said Bukhari stood for sanity and that was what put him in a difficult condition.

“A good man, good editor and a thinking individual was snatched from us so brutally. We have to ask why.” he said, adding the first victims of such a situation become those who carry voices of people to larger audiences.

“Shujaat’s death is an example. Not the only one example. Those who speak honestly and candidly are prevented (from speaking) in the most brutal manner. We have a case in Bangalore,” Ansari said, referring to the last year murder of journalist Gauri Lankesh who was shot dead in her home on September 5.

“We have to ask ourselves what we are going through. We used to take pride in being an open society and we still do. But we need to stop and ask if that society is in peril.”

Malini Parthasarthy, the co-chairperson of The Hindu Group, speaking at the event organised by consulting firm Bureau of Research on Industry and Economic Fundamentals (BRIEF) said Shujaat’s “assassination is a chilling reminder of the vested interests and anti-democratic forces who don’t want democracy or peace flourish in Kashmir”.

She said we needed to ask why the situation was being allowed to slide and why all the peace dividend that had accumulated because of earlier Kashmir initiatives had been wasted away.

“Clearly the answer lies in the continuing indifference of the Modi government to the terror and continuing alienation of the ordinary Kashmiri buffeted between the security forces and the terrorist groups.

“We must stand up to the vested interests on both sides. We owe it to Shujaat and the people of Kashmir for whom we fought so long and hard to isolate the hardliners and fascists, and build public momentum for the revival of a political process and democracy in Kashmir.”

–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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