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Sikkim to extend its fight against drug, alcohol abuse to all state schools

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Gangtok, Feb 16 (IANS) After achieving significant success in sensitising the school children regarding the danger of drug and alcohol abuse through its SAATHI (Sikkim Against Addiction Towards Healthy India) programme, the Sikkim government is planning to extend the initiative across all 800 schools.

The government also plans to widen the programme to other stakeholders in the community, Sikkim’s lone Lok Sabha member P.D. Rai said on Friday.

The programme, a joint initiative by the state’s Social Welfare, Health and Human Resource Development departments, has been adopted by over 140 schools in Sikkim.

“The SAATHI programme started with just two schools in 2013 but in six years, it has been extended to over 65,000 students in Sikkim through various sensitisation programmes,” Rai said on the the opening day of the three-day annual meet at the Saramsa Garden here.

“This programme is currently focused on making the society vigilant and removing the social stigma related to drug and alcohol abuse. With ‘SAATHI 2.0’, we are planning to widen the net through parental counselling and mental health counselling for the youths,” Rai told IANS.

The second segment of the programme is expected to start from August.

“The first version of the programme was more of a trial and error process as it was a pilot project but it received great support from the government. The state HRD department has decided that it will be embedded into the school curriculum. The three-day programme here looks to build a knowledge future for the children of Sikkim,” he said.

G.P. Upadhyay, Principal Secretary cum Additional Chief Secretary, HRD department, who was also present at the event, lauded the programme and noted that SAATHI has inducted 500 teachers, more than 4,000 peer educators, over 16,000 parents, and close to 68,000 students since its inception.

He said the programme has to be sustainable and all the stakeholders should contribute to make it a 100 per cent success in all schools.

The three-day SAATHI annual meet from February 15-17 will hold numerous art and cultural activities by the participating students and is scheduled to be addressed by Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling and other senior state government officials.

–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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