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India axes talks with Pakistan; ‘unfortunate’ says Pakistan (Roundup)
New Delhi/Islamabad, Sep 21 (IANS) Blaming Pakistan for the killing of security personnel in Jammu and Kashmir and accusing it of glorifying terrorism, India on Friday called off talks between the two foreign ministers in New York in a move termed by Pakistan as “unfortunate” and “taken under internal pressure”.
External Affairs Ministers Sushma Swaraj and her Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi were set to meet on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York next week, marking the first thaw in bilateral ties that have steadily deteriorated.
The Indian government said in a strongly-worded statement that since the announcement of the talks on Thursday, two “deeply disturbing” developments had taken place that led to Islamabad’s “evil agenda” being exposed.
In the first such incident earlier in the day, terrorists abducted and gunned down three policemen in Jammu and Kashmir, marking a sharp escalation in militancy in the state which India says is backed by Pakistan.
Also, Islamabad on Thursday had issued postage stamps in memory of Burhan Wani, a Hizbul Mujahideen leader who was shot dead by Indian security forces in July 2016, sparking widespread street protests.
“The latest brutal killings of our security personnel by Pakistan-based entities and the recent release of a series of 20 postage stamps by Pakistan glorifying a terrorist and terrorism confirmed that Pakistan will not mend its ways,” said the statement by the Indian External Affairs Ministry.
“Now, it is obvious that behind Pakistan’s proposal for talks to make a fresh beginning, the evil agenda of Pakistan stands exposed and the true face of the new Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, has been revealed to the world,” Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said.
“Any conversation with Pakistan in such an environment would be meaningless.
“In view of the changed situation, there will be no meeting between the foreign ministers of India and Pakistan in New York,” he said.
Calling the development “unfortunate”, Qureshi said: “We had already told India that if they take one step towards us, we will take two. However, it seems that they faltered after taking just one step.”
He told Dawn online the world should see that “Pakistan has held a positive outlook towards the situation while India’s attitude has not been so forthcoming”.
The Pakistani minister said it appeared as if New Delhi was facing internal pressure. “If the meeting is not to be considered as part of talks between the two countries, then what is the purpose of it?
“I would only say that there was a chance, which was missed. Talks will only be held in a dignified and respectable manner… If they are not willing for it, then we also won’t act in haste.”
Pakistan’s Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said extremist groups in India were sabotaging talks between the two countries and that “entire world was watching Pakistan stand for peace and dialogue.
“It appears as if the Indian cabinet lacks consensus on the matter… If you won’t talk, then issues will not be resolved,” he was cited as saying by Geo News.
A day earlier, India had announced that it had accepted Pakistan’s request for a meeting between Sushma Swaraj and Qureshi.
New Delhi said that it agreed for the New York meeting in response to the spirit reflected in the letters from Khan as well as Qureshi.
“The letter had spoken of, inter alia, bringing a positive change and mutual desire for peace as also readiness to discuss terrorism.”
–IANS
soni-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.