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AKLF concludes on high note

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Kolkata, Jan 20 (IANS) The 10th edition of three-day Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival reaches its culmination on Sunday after hosting dozens of sessions addressed by key writers, historians and public intellectuals from India and abroad.

The annual event that began on Friday saw wide ranging themes and issues, including the current socio-political situation in the country, responsible journalism, mythology, history and #MeToo movement, being discussed at several venues spread along the iconic Park Street here.

“It is clear that during the Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival, Kolkata becomes a literary magnet. AKLF is the only literary festival in the country created by a bookstore, the nearly 100-year-old Iconic Oxford Bookstore. The people of the city are interested in books and reading a variety of genres ranging from classics to Pulitzer Prize winning titles and this was very evident from the audience and their interaction with authors at the festival,” Priti Paul, Director of Apeejay Surrendra group, which organises the festival, told IANS.

Paul, herself a bookworm, said the festival arose from the deep love of books and literature.

“It is not only about meeting authors and book signings, it’s about using literature and books for education, exposure and ideas and that’s exactly what we saw at the Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival,” she added.

Top Indian authors such as Devdutt Pattanaik, David Davidar, Jerry Pinto, Shashi Tharoor, Shobha De, Saikat Majumdar and Paro Anand, among others, participated in the festival.

On the sidelines, it also hosted a series of events, targeting a young audience. The festival delegates from India and abroad were also made witness to the timeless traditions of Bengal through specially curated dinners on the sidelines.

Tagoreana, a dinner hosted on Saturday at The Park Hotel here, for instance, was themed after the Nobel Prize winning writer Rabindra Nath Tagore. Award winning chefs were looped in to recreate rare dishes for the special occasion.

The evening saw a get together of authors, diplomats, actors and eminent media personalities enjoying a splendid menu comprising Aloo Makha Kurkuri, Kosha Mangsho Bakhlawa, Holy Basil Chingri Malai Curry, Aaloo Lal Saag, Posto Chenna Dalna, Kolkata Style Mutton Biriyani and many more.

A number of workshops on creative writing and illustrative arts along with poetry reading sessions were also organised in and around the venues.

–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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