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9 killed, hundreds injured as strong earthquake jolts Japan (Second Lead)

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Tokyo, Sep 6 (IANS) At least nine people were killed and 300 injured after a powerful earthquake measuring 6.7 on the Richter scale rocked Japan’s Hokkaido prefecture on Thursday.

Around 30 people were missing in the wake of the temblor, with almost 2,000 people taking refuge in emergency evacuation shelters that were set up at more than 400 locations, Japan’s public broadcaster NHK cited local authorities as saying.

The quake reached the maximum level of 7 on the Japanese earthquake intensity scale on this mountainous island of around 4,600 inhabitants, triggering landslides and burying around 20 houses. It rocked Japan’s northernmost prefecture at 3.08 a.m. and the death toll was likely to rise, officials said.

Complicating rescue efforts, Hokkaido Electric Power Company said that power was out across the whole of Japan’s northernmost prefecture and 2.95 million homes were without electricity.

The firm said it shut down all of its thermal power plants as a precaution to ensure safety in case multiple fires broke out as the prefecture continued to be rattled by powerful ongoing aftershocks.

In addition, hundreds of thousands of households were reported as having no water supply.

The quake came on the heels of a deadly typhoon lashing the west of Japan over the past few days. Jebi, the strongest typhoon in 25 years, killed at least 10 people and caused widespread damage and disruption.

The quake had an epicentre about 40 km deep, east of Atsuma, the worst affected area and where the most deaths occurred, government spokesperson Yoshihide Suga said.

Around 21,000 troops took part in search and rescue operations on Thursday, including 4,000 members of the Japan Self-Defence Forces, a number the government said it may increase to 25,000 to boost efforts and prevent more casualties.

All flights were cancelled at Hokkaido’s New Chitose Airport. Train, bus and highway services were also suspended, local operators said.

At the airport, part of the ceiling collapsed in a terminal building due to the quake and a water leak and the power outage also forced the airport’s closure, the Transport Ministry said.

More than 1,300 public schools in the prefecture were forced to close and students told to stay at home amid continuous aftershocks.

Authorities warned of possible aftershocks and urged people to be cautious.

–IANS
soni/bg

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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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