Top News
A piece of China for Durga Puja visitors in Kolkata this year
Kolkata, Aug 17 (IANS) In a bid to boost cultural exchanges with eastern India, the Chinese consulate here has joined hands with a city-based Durga Puja committee to recreate a slice of authentic China in the marquee premises and would fly in a team of 25 artisans from Yunnan province during the festival this year, a senior envoy said here on Friday.
The visitors to the popular Puja at BJ Block in east Kolkata’s Salt Lake township will be able to witness a host of Chinese cultural activities, rituals, artistic performances and also get a chance to indulge in lip-smacking Chinese cuisine at the Puja complex during the five-day festivity from October 15-19.
The pandal, based on Chinese architecture, will have a 20 feet structure of Chinese ‘Hulu’ (bottle gourd) in the premises which signifies happiness and prosperity in China’s Yunnan province.
“This is the first time the Chinese consulate is getting involved in celebrating an Indian festival so intimately. We hope this joint venture will enhance the Indo-China relationship, mutual trust and friendship between the two countries and also invoke interest among more number of Chinese tourists to visit India,” Chinese Consul General Ma Zhanwu told reporters.
“The people visiting the Puja will get a taste of Chinese flute music, dragon dance, lion dance and acrobatics by the performers from China. The Hulu will stand at the pandal complex as a testimony of the love of art and culture that people in China have in common with the people in this part of the world,” the envoy said.
The team of Chinese dancers, musicians, martial artists are scheduled to come up with their first show on the Puja inauguration day on October 13, besides performing for the first three days of the carnival.
Prominent personalities and dignitaries from the city including West Bengal Governor Keshri Nath Tripathi and state Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee are expected to be present at the inaugural ceremony, the organisers said.
The Chinese consulate took a group of city artists and members of the Puja committee to Yunnan Province to train them in designs inspired by Chinese architecture.
According to the envoy, the artists coming from China will be sponsored by the consulate.
“We are sponsoring the travel expenses of the Chinese artists. However, we are not providing any financial assistance to the Puja committee. We appeal to the people and businessmen in Kolkata to contribute to make the venture a success,” Zhanwu added.
–IANS
mgr/ssp/qd/bg
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.