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Karnataka temple food tragedy toll up 13; two detained
Bengaluru, Dec 15 (IANS) The toll has gone up to 13 from eight in the Friday’s suspected food poisoning at a village temple in Karnataka’s Chamarajanagar district. Two persons were detained for interrogation, a Minister said on Saturday.
“So far, 13 devotees have died in the tragic incident at Sulavadi’s Maramma temple in Hanur taluk of Chamarajanagar district. Two persons have been detained for interrogation and the case is being investigated,” tweeted state Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara, who also holds the Home portfolio.
Around 65 people — men, women and children — who also fell ill after taking the same adulterated food are being treated in state-run and private hospitals in the district, about 180km southwest of Bengaluru.
“I have instructed the Muzarai (Endowment) department to be alert and avoid such incidents at any temple in the state,” said Parameshwara.
The temple deity Maramma, considered an incarnation of Hindu Goddess Durga, is worshipped for blessings before starting any work or function.
Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, who announced Rs 5-lakh compensation to the kin of the victims, assured the sick devotees being treated in hospitals that the state government would meet their medical expenses.
“I have directed the district administration, including the police to conduct an inquiry into the tragic incident and book the guilty,” said Kumaraswamy in a statement on Friday night.
State Congress President Dinesh Gundu Rao announced Rs 1-lakh relief from the party fund to each of the bereaved families and assured them of stringent action against the guilty.
Congress senior leader and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also visited one of the hospitals at Mysuru where some of the affected devotees are being treated and enquired about their well-being.
“I never heard of temple prasada (offering) being poisoned. The incident of this magnitude is unimaginable. I am shocked over the tragedy. It’s a most inhuman act and is deplorable,” Siddaramaiah told reporters later.
He also advised the priests and management of temples to ensure the safety of the prasada being distributed to devotees.
The district police registered a case of negligence against a private trust managing the temple, belonging to the Lingayat community.
–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.