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Kashmir went through its worst phase under PDP-BJP government: Farooq Abdullah
Kolkata, Jan 20 (IANS) Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah on Sunday said the Valley went through its worst phase under the Mehbooba Mufti-led PDP-BJP government as the two parties in power communalised Hindus and Muslims.
“The situation in Kashmir became the worst under the previous government we had of the PDP and BJP. One communalised the Hindus and the other communalised the Muslims,” Abdullah said addressing a session ‘The illusion of peace’ at the Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival here.
“The people of Kashmir were never communal. So rise of communalism can be the worst thing happening there. But I urge people not to lose hope. There still is a ray of hope,” the National Conference President said.
Attacking the BJP government at the Centre, Abdullah said people are given “cooked up” information by the ruling regime about the nation’s progress and stressed that everyone should come together to reinstate peace and harmony in the country.
“We are going through a very difficult period in our nation. Lies are being thrown… media has been bought. A lot of what you read (in the newspapers) is not true. The figures that are given about our prosperity and progress are wrong, cooked up,” he claimed.
“Today is the time to pray… So while you pray for yourself, pray also for the nation. Pray for the unity in diversity. We need to work out how to build a nation where everyone can live in peace and harmony,” the veteran politician said.
He also claimed that Modi’s surprise visit to Nawaz Sharif’s house in 2015, failed to carry forward the peace talks between the two nations as bilateral talks should be a continuous process.
“Modi went to Pakistan and attended a ceremony at the then Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s house, but that is not what carrying the talks forward would mean. You have to continue the process of dialogue so that the process does not stop. Talking today and then talking after a year is not the way,” he said.
“I do not think the Prime Minister should be the first one to talk. Before the PM talks, there should be others building the agenda that can be put before the two leaders and put before parliament of both the countries,” he added.
–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.