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Save our women from IS sex-slave trade: Yazidi victim
Mumbai, Oct 22 (IANS) Yazidi activists and victims made a fervent appeal to the global community to help rescue their women from the alleged sex-slavery and abuse perpetrated by the Islamic States, here on Monday.
Some Yazidi women who have escaped from the clutches of the IS spoke about their sexual abuse and human rights violations. IS still holds captive many families and women and continue to sell them to the highest bidders.
One of them, Layla Talo Khudher Alali, shared her own experiences and brutalities suffered at the hands of the IS at a media interaction here.
“I was sold 9 times as a sex slave by the cowardly terror group. They have instilled fear and unleashed a reign of terror against the Yazidis by mercilessly raping, abusing and selling our women,” Layla said.
She said there are many other women who were abducted and continue to be held captive as sex slaves.
“The world cannot remain a mute spectator while everyday my fellow sisters are raped, assaulted and then sold off,” Layla said.
“My efforts to rescue the women being held by the IS operatives continue. But we need assistance from the world community. It needs to do much more for the cause of the suffering Yazidis,” said Idris Bashar Silo Taha, who has risked death to personally rescue around 300 Yazidi girls from the IS.
Other speakers included Hussein Al-Qaidi, Director for Yazidi Rescue of the Kurdistan/Iraq government, Women for Afghan Women, Najia Nazim, Nashwa Show host-founder (Miss) Nashwa Al-Ruwaini and Oby Ezekwesili who is leading the ‘Bring Back Our Girls Campaign.’
Mumbai NGO Harmony Foundation Chairman Abraham Mathai, which organised the event, said that the world has heard of some of these stories, especially the plight of this year’s Nobel Peace laureate Nadia Murad, who was also awarded this year’s ‘Mother Teresa Award’ on Sunday.
Stating that the Yazidi girls don’t have the backing of a “#MeToo” campaign, he pointed out that it is imperative that every victim of sexual abuse anywhere in the world is heard equally and all efforts are made to give them full justice.
–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.