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India stresses on connectivity within Bimstec region (Lead)
Kathmandu, Aug 30 (IANS) Stating that all countries of Bimstec seek peace and prosperity, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that this will be possible only if there is connectivity in all forms between member states of the regional bloc.
“Each of our countries seek peace, prosperity and happiness, but in today’s inter-connected world, we cannot achieve this alone,” Modi told the inaugural session of the Fourth Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (Bimstec) Summit here.
“We have to move together, help each other and complement each other’s efforts.
“I believe that the biggest opportunity for this is connectivity – trade connectivity, economic connectivity, transport connectivity, digital connectivity and people-to-people connectivity.”
Modi also called for taking the process forward for Bimstec coastal shipping and motor vehicle agreements.
Bimstec came into existence on June 6, 1997, through the Bangkok Declaration.
It comprises seven countries lying in the littoral and adjacent areas of the Bay of Bengal — Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
The bloc brings together 1.6 billion people, or 22 per cent of the world’s population, and has a combined GDP of $2.8 trillion.
Its main objective is technical and economic cooperation among South Asian and Southeast Asian countries along the rim of the Bay of Bengal.
With the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) virtually rendered ineffective as a bloc, India has been giving more importance to Bimstec in recent times.
India is the lead country for cooperation in four priority areas: counter-terrorism and transnational crime, transport and communication, tourism and environment as well as disaster management.
Modi said the Bimstec region had the Himalayas on one side and the Bay of Bengal between the Pacific and Indian Oceans on the other.
“So it comes as no surprise that India’s Neighbourhood First Policy and Act East Policy, both converge in the Bay of Bengal.”
The Prime Minister said India was ready to host a Bimstec Start-up Conclave to ensure contact and connectivity between entrepreneurs of the member states.
“Our countries are mostly agriculture-centric and are fighting the fears of climate change,” he said. “In this connection, India will host an international conference on agricultural, research, education and development.”
In terms of digital connectivity, Modi said India was committed to expanding its National Knowledge Network to Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Bhutan and proposed to include Myanmar and Thailand as well.
He called upon all the Bimstec member states to participate in the India Mobile Congress to be held in October this year, coinciding with a Bimstec ministerial conclave.
Inviting all Bimstec member states to the International Buddhist Conclave to be held in India in August 2020, he said New Delhi would also like to to organise a Bimstec Youth Summit and a Bimstec Band Festival.
He said India will also offer 30 scholarships in Nalanda University and 12 scholarships for advanced medicine in the Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER) in Puducherry for Bimstec students.
“Along with this, we will also offer short-term courses for tourism, environment, disaster management, renewable energy, agriculture, trade and WTO under ITEC (Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation),” Modi said.
The Indian leader said that countries linked with the Himalayas and Bay of Bengal regularly faced natural disasters.
“For this, cooperation and coordination between our countries in terms of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts are necessary,” Modi said.
Calling for strong steps to strengthen regional security cooperation, he welcomed the Bimstec Multinational Military Field Training Exercise and army chiefs’ conclave to be held next month.
Stating that all nations in the region had faced the problems of terrorism, trans-national crimes connected with terror networks and drug trafficking, he said all these countries should fight the issues unitedly.
–IANS
ab/mr
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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.
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