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Take ‘prompt’ steps to rescue trapped miners in Meghalaya: SC
New Delhi, Jan 3 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Thursday said that “prompt, immediate and effective steps” are required to augment the operations for the rescue of 15 miners trapped in flood water-hit mines in Meghalaya, and expressed dissatisfaction over the outcome of measures taken so far.
Observing that adequate steps have not been taken and there was a lack of co-ordination, the bench of Justice A.K. Sikri and Justice S. Abdul Nazeer said that it is a situation of life and death of 15 miners trapped in the flooded mines.
“We are not satisfied with the rescue operations. No matter whether they are all dead or some alive, they should have been taken out. We pray to God they are alive,” said Justice Sikri taking a dim view of the ongoing rescue operations.
Directing the listing of the matter on Friday as first item, Justice Sikri queried why was Army not being asked to help in the rescue operations.
“At least the Union of India should do something…it should take the help of Army which has volunteered to help the rescue operations. Why can’t you take the help of Army? People are there for rescue operation but there is no co-ordination,” Justice Sikri told Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, whose presence was sought by the bench.
The strong observation of the bench on the inadequacy of the response and lack of co-ordination came during the hearing of a PIL by a lawyer Aditya N. Prasad seeking deployment of more manpower and equipment including 100hps pumps to flush out the water from the in the rescue operations. operations.A
The petitioner lawyer has contended that Kirloskars and Tata Trust have offered high-powered equipment for flushing out the water.
Addressing the concerns of the court on not requisitioning the Army to help in the rescue operations, Solicitor General Mehta said that 14 specialised Navy divers have been deployed for the rescue operations.
Telling the court that Navy sappers have been sent to help the rescue operations, the Solicitor General said that “Army will not work” in the handling of the tragedy.
As Mehta said that a 72-member National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are already there, the court retorted “but there is no outcome”.
The court also noted that these were illegal mines.
Senior counsel Anand Grover appearing for the petitioner lawyer said that expert divers from the United Kingdom have offered to assist in the rescue operations but the government has not responded yet.
Recalling the way the Thailand government had responded in rescuing the members of its junior football team that was trapped in a cave, Grover said that the Thai government had airlifted the high pressure pumps of Kirloskars to flush out the waters, but our government has not shown the same promptness in airlifting the equipment even though that has been offered by the Kriloskars and the Tata Trust.
–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.