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Guatemala focal country of 43rd International Kolkata Book Fair

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Kolkata, Nov 28 (IANS) The 43rd International Kolkata Book Fair will begin from January 30 next year, with the central American nation Guatemala — the heart of the Mayan World — as the focal country, the organisers announced here on Tuesday.

Around 20 countries from Asia, Europe and Latin America would take part in the 12-day mega event — known over the decades for its huge footfall — that is slated to be inaugurated by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

The fair would conclude on February 10, Publishers and Booksellers Guild officials told the media here in the presence of Ambassador of Guatemala in India Giovanni Castillo.

“The focal theme this time is — The Heart of the Mayan World-Guatemala,” said Guild General Secretary Tridib Chatterjee.

With the fair’s regular venue Milan Mela still undergoing renovation, the fair would be held at the Central Park in Salt Lake this year too, and stalls of approximately 600 publishers and 200 small magazines will be set up.

Chatterjee said the International complex will also have the presence of the UK, the USA, Russia, China, Japan, Vietnam, 11 Latin American countries and Bangladesh.

“Iran will participate in the book fair for the first time and we had a word with publishers from Pakistan. If everything falls in place, even they will be a part,” he said.

Publishers from Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and other states would be among the participants.

Expressing happiness over Guatemala being made the focal country, Castillo said his land “resembles India”.

“I can definitely say that Guatemala somehow resembles India, by having a great cultural diversity with 24 local languages coexisting in the same territory, each one of this with a rich tradition and customs of its own,” he said.

Castillo said a special collection of 22 astrophotography would be showcased uring the fair. There would be a special exhibition of the work of famed Guatemalan artist Sergio Montufar.

Javier Payeras’s book “Soledad Brother”, translated into Bengali, will be launched at the International Book Fair, he said.

Also, the sixth Kolkata Literature Festival, a highlight of the book fair, will be held from February 7 to 9.

“Distinguished writers, directors, historians, authors, theatre personalities and celebrities will be part of the Literature Festival. The names will be announced shortly,” Chatterjee revealed.

The last edition of the fair recorded around 2.2 million visitors and books worth Rs 22 crore were sold.

–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

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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.

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