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Diplomacy Centre’s prerogative, BJP tells Punjab Minister Sidhu
New Delhi, Aug 21 (IANS) Hitting out at Punjab Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu for drawing a parallel between his visit to Pakistan and that of then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the BJP on Tuesday reminded the former cricketer that diplomacy is the Centre’s prerogative, not of an individual Minister.
Addressing the media here, BJP Spokesperson Sambit Patra also flayed Congress President Rahul Gandhi on the controversy over Sidhu’s Pakistan visit on August 18 for the swearing-in of Imran Khan and his hug to Pakistan Army chief, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, on the occasion.
“Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said on Monday that Sidhu should not have hugged Bajwa… but Sidhu held a press conference and tried to justify it (hug). At whose behest? Of course, at the behest of Rahul Gandhi. Nothing can happen in the Congress without Rahul Gandhi’s permission. Thus, we want an answer from Rahul ji,” Patra said.
“Gandhi cannot run a government parallel to the government of India. Diplomacy is the prerogative of the central government. It does not come under the state governments. Any individual Minister cannot decide on it,” he said.
“Gandhi should have kept in mind that diplomacy cannot be given to anyone in proxy, or it cannot be outsourced. You are out of power and you have to learn this graciously.”
Sidhu on Tuesday said that his visit to Pakistan was a tribute to Vajpayee, who wanted peace between the two countries.
Patra said it was not “appropriate” for Sidhu to draw parallels with then Prime Minister Vajpayee since he was only a state Minister.
He asked why Sidhu hugged the Pakistan Army chief who was responsible for butchering Indian soldiers and attempts at revival of the Khalistan movement in Punjab.
The Bharatiya Janata Party leader also accused Gandhi of holding “secret meetings” with a Chinese envoy during the 75-day Doklam stand-off starting June 16 last year in the Sikkim Sector.
Patra also took a dig at senior Congress leaders Mani Shankar Aiyar, Shashi Tharoor, Saifuddin Soz, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Salman Khurshid for allegedly speaking in favour of Pakistan and against the Indian army.
“Some said the Army kills civilians in Kashmir while other talked about independence for Kashmir. They called India a Hindu Taliban or Hindu Pakistan. Some went to Pakistan to pull down the Modi government,” he alleged.
“One Congress leader called our Army chief ‘sadak ke gunde’. Our Army chief is ‘Sadak ke gunde’ and that in Pakistan ‘sone de munde’… we are annoyed there are people within the Congress trying to promote Pakistan interests. You are glorifying General Bajwa by saying that here is a man who wants peace and prosperity.” the BJP leader said.
“Sidhu tried to tell 125 crore Indians that they have a ‘chhota dil’ (small heart) because India is not pitching for peace with Pakistan.”
–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.