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Iconic Jinnah House in Mumbai to ‘rival’ Delhi’s Hyderabad House

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Mumbai, Dec 20 (IANS) Over 70 years after it was abandoned by the founder of Pakistan Mohammed Ali Jinnah, his iconic bungalow at Malabar Hill will be taken over by the Ministry of External Affairs and refurbished on the lines of New Delhi’s Hyderabad House, official sources said on Thursday.

The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has cleared the process to transfer the Jinnah House from the Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR), said Bharatiya Janata Party legislator M.P. Lodha, in whose Assembly constituency the property falls.

“The MEA has been instructed by the PMO to renovate and refurbish it and develop it on the lines of the Hyderabad House in Delhi,” Lodha said, quoting a December 5 letter received from Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj.

However, ICCR officials here remained tight-lipped on the development or a possible time-frame by which the Jinnah House would be handed over to the MEA.

The famed and regal house, with a white and green facade, large balconies and rooms, was created by renowned British architect Claude Batley, was built in 1936-38 at a princely sum of nearly Rs 200,000 on a prime green corner of Malabar Hill.

The ground-plus-one storey structure became the dream house for its owner, Barrister Jinnah, then a lawyer at the Bombay Presidency High Court, and is spread across over 2.5 acres besides a built up area of the majestic mansion spread of 1,694 sq metres.

Historically, it was the venue where Jinnah first discussed the issue of partition of undivided India in 1944 with Mahatma Gandhi, and later in 1946 with Congress stalwart Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.

Top leaders of the Independence movement including Gandhi, Nehru, Subhash Chandra Bose and many others were regular visitors to the mansion in which crucial issues pertaining to India’s freedom struggle and its future were discussed.

Though Jinnah moved to Pakistan after partition, he wanted his property to be hired on a monthly rent of Rs 3,000 to a European family or a refined Indian prince.

He made his desire known to the then Bombay Province Governor Sri Prakasa, who was deputed by Nehru to ascertain what was Jinnah’s desire with his home post partition.

However, after Independence on August 15, 1947, and following Jinnah’s death in 1948, it was declared ‘evacuee property’ like thousands of others.

Later, in 1955, it was leased out to the British Deputy High Commission in Mumbai till 1982.

After that it has remained vacant with controversies surrounding it. The erstwhile Janata Party government proposed to hand it over to the Pakistan Consulate. But the idea was shelved following protests.

Since 1982, it was under the care of the Central Public Works Department and in 1997 it was transferred to ICCR. After the Enemy Property Bill 2016, it belongs to the Indian government.

In March 2017, a leading builder called for its demolition saying it symbolized the place where the “conspiracy to create Pakistan was hatched”.

In 2007, Jinnah’s daughter, Dina Wadia, approached the Bombay High Court staking claim to the property as the sole heir.

After her demise in November 2017, her son and Bombay Dyeing Chairman Nusli N. Wadia is pursuing the case.

–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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