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Akbar complete professional, man of integrity: Tarot card reader
New Delhi, Dec 7 (IANS) A woman astrologer and tarot card reader on Friday told a Delhi court that she has never heard of any misbehaviour by former Union Minister M.J. Akbar, who has always been a complete professional and a person of high integrity.
Veenu Sandal told Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Samar Vishal that Akbar, as a globally-acclaimed scholarly author and as an editor transformed the face of Indian journalism.
Testifying as a complainant witness in the Akbar’s defamation case against Ramani, Sandal told the court that she wrote columns on astrology and tarot cards reading in “The Asian Age” newspaper from 1994 to 2009.
She said that many colleagues used to narrate their professional, personal and career issues and problems and seek astrology and Tarrot card-based guidance from her.
“In my association with The Asian Age between 1994 till 2009, no one ever narrated or ever spoke to me against his (Akbar) misbehaviour,” she said.
The tarot cards reader told the court that few could match Akbar’s incisive analysis, particularly of political matters and that she has high respect for former Minister’s qualities.
“In his dealings with me, he has always been a complete professional and a person of high integrity,” the tarot card reader said.
“Simply by observing him, in both professional and personal situations, I learned a lot.”
She said Ramani’s allegation against Akbar was a huge jolt, shocking and very disturbing.
“After reading everything, my image of Akbar fell and he was tarnished in my eyes,” she stated, adding that a lot of talk was going on over this issue.
“…it was greatly embarrassing to be asked questions about Akbar as people knew of my association with him and it was very obvious that not only in my eyes but also in others, his reputation has been dragged through the mud and was in tatters,” Sandal said.
Sunil Gujral, a Delhi-based warehouse businessman, who is associated with Akbar for nearly 40 years, told the court that Akbar was a fine gentleman, hardworking professional and well respected as a journalist and an author all over the country.
Deposing as another complainant witness in the case, Gujral said that he has never heard any whisper regarding Akbar’s misconduct or misbehaviour.
He said that allegation against Akbar has shocked and disturbed him.
“I felt that irreparable damage has been done to Akbar’s reputation in my estimation as well as in the estimation of my friend circle and acquaintances,” Gujral said.
After concluding recording of the statement, the court listed the matter for January 11 for further hearing.
The court was hearing the defamation case against Ramani filed by the former Minister of State for External Affairs, a journalist-turned-politician, who is now with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Akbar’s counsel Sandeep Kapur has alleged that the false and defamatory statements were widely published in the media have caused irreparable loss to his reputation.
Ramani was the first in a long list of women journalists to accuse Akbar of sexual harassment.
A Rajya Sabha member, Akbar has denied all the charges against him as “false, wild and baseless”.
He has listed the names of two senior women journalists — Joyeeta Basu and Veenu Sandal — besides four others as his witnesses to prove his defamation charges against Ramani.
–IANS
akk/nir
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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.
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