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Municipal polls end peacefully in J&K (Roundup)
Srinagar, Oct 16 (IANS) The fourth and final phase of municipal polls ended peacefully in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday with a dismal 4 per cent voting in Srinagar district and an equally poor 11.3 per cent voter turnout in neighbouring Ganderbal district.
Of the 37 wards of Srinagar Municipal Corporation, polling was held in 36 wards while re-poll was held in one ward. Twelve wards of the Ganderbal Municipal Committee also went to the polls.
Except for a stone pelting incident in Soura in Srinagar, the summer capital of the state and the urban hub of a dragging separatist campaign, all four phases of the municipal polls that started on October 8 ended peacefully.
An overwhelming deployment of security personnel maintained peace but voting in the troubled Kashmir Valley was mostly meagre.
The elections were boycotted by the Kashmir Valley’s two main political parties — National Conference and People’s Democratic Party. The CPI-M also kept away from the election.
Srinagar city and the south Kashmir districts of Anantnag, Kulgam, Shopian and Pulwama recorded the lowest voter turnout.
In contrast, Jammu province witnessed mass participation.
Borders areas like Uri in Baramulla district in the Kashmir Valley also witnessed a large voter turnout.
A total of 241,043 voters were eligible to vote in the 24 wards of Srinagar and 8,491 in Ganderbal on Tuesday.
There were 156 candidates in the fray for the two urban local bodies, State Chief Electoral Officer Shaleen Kabra said.
Mobile Internet services were suspended in both districts during the voting.
Voters trickled into the polling stations in ones and twos in the first six hours in Srinagar. Early morning rain accompanied by chilly winds hampered the process further.
There was only around 40 per cent turnout in the last three phases on October 8, 10 and 13, with most voting taking place in the Jammu region.
Municipal polls were last held in Jammu and Kashmir in 2005. The vote count will take place on October 20.
–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.