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Shukla launches his own music video on Durga Puja
Kolkata, Oct 9 (IANS) After turning out for the country in international cricket and discharging his ministerial responsibilities for over two years since joining politics, Laxmi Ratan Shukla on Tuesday launched his own music video centreing around the Durga Puja festival.
“This is an endeavour to encourage the upcoming generation and inspire them. My objective is to provide an opportunity to new generation composers, dancers, choreographers and others,” he said while releasing the music video featuring a single song.
Shukla, an MLA from North Howrah and Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports in West Bengal, said he was habituated to stepping out since his cricketing carrier and took up the latest challenge with his team.
“During our time, many aspiring players could not afford to go to coaching camps. So, I have opened a free camp in Howrah so that everyone gets an opportunity. Similarly, many young performers have participated in the music video,” he said.
Shukla, who played three One-Day International matches for India in 1999, said the entire shooting of the music video was conducted in a house in North Howrah.
“The house, where the shooting was done, is owned by the Ghosh family. They used to organise Durga Puja and had stopped it due to some reasons. Our team renovated it and this year, Durga Puja will be organised in the Ghosh house for the first time after 1974,” said.
“Last year, too, I sang a song ahead of Durga Puja with kids,” the all-rounder said.
Notably, the ardent fan of legendary singer Kishore Kumar, had earlier also recorded the master’s evergreen “Chalte Chalte” song to as a tribute to him.
“We have a team of Kishore Kumar fans and have been demanding a posthumous Bharat Ratna for him for the last 12 years,” he added.
Shukla had a long and successful career in Indian domestic cricket, where he captained Bengal and turned out for various sides in the cash-rich Indian Premier League.
He joined politics in 2016, becoming a legislator and minister that very year.
–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.