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Magisterial probe report on Amritsar train tragedy submitted
Chandigarh, Nov 21 (IANS) Just a month after 60 people lost their lives when a train crushed them while watching Dusshera proceedings in Amritsar, the magisterial probe report on the tragedy was submitted to the Punjab government on Wednesday.
The 300-page report was submitted to Punjab’s Principal Secretary-Home N.S. Kalsi by Jalandhar Divisional Commissioner B. Purushartha, who conducted the probe.
“I have completed the probe and submitted the report to the Principal Secretary-Home. I cannot disclose the contents of the report,” Purushartha said on Wednesday.
He said that over 150 witnesses were examined before preparing the report on the tragedy in which about 60 people were also injured when the diesel multiple unit (DMU) train ran over the crowed that had gathered on the railway tracks near Joda Phatak in Amritsar on October 19 for watching the Ravan effigy being burnt.
Punjab Cabinet Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu and his wife Navjot Kaur were also summoned by the one-man probe commission. However, Sidhu, who was present in Amritsar on November 2 when he was summoned there by the probe officer, failed to turn up before the inquiry commission but sent a written statement.
Sidhu’s wife, Navjot Kaur, however, appeared before the commission and gave her statement regarding the train tragedy.
Navjot Kaur, a former legislator and ex-chief parliamentary secretary, was the chief guest at the Dussehra festival near Joda Phatak when the tragedy happened. Opposition leaders and locals alleged that Navjot Kaur fled the scene after the train mowed down the people.
There are allegations that the event was organised without getting mandatory permissions from the municipal corporation which falls under the local government department headed by Sidhu.
–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.