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Political parties seek manifesto suggestions online
New Delhi, Feb 25 (IANS) Political parties in India are reaching out to citizens to understand issues facing them in order to set their election agenda.
Several political parties have signed up with Change.org, an online petition platform, to crowd source suggestions for their election manifestos.
Rajeev Gowda from the Congress, Rajeev Chandrasekhar from the BJP, T.K.S. Elangovan from the DMK have signed up as verified “decision makers” on Change.org seeking help from citizens in building a vision for general elections 2019.
While politicians such as Union Minister Maneka Gandhi, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Delhi Minister Satyender Jain and Member of Parliament Tathagatha Satpathy have been using Change.org to understand citizens’ issues and come up with initiatives for a while now, for political parties it is a first to approach the website to set their election manifestos.
In December 2018, Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) Atishi, who is contesting from the East Delhi constituency, signed up and reached out to her constituents to help her build a vision for East Delhi through her initiative “East Delhi Dialogues”.
The people of the area responded with an overwhelming 40 petitions addressed to Atishi.
Active citizens’ partipation can be gauged from the fact that since January, more than 170 petitions have been put on the website on issues ranging from food adulteration to education, child rights, environment and more ideas continue to come in. Over 130 petitions focus only on issues concerning the armed forces, youth and technology.
Ideas related to every issue will be compiled, thrashed and then forwarded to every party’s election manifesto team for consideration.
“We believe in active citizens’ participation in democracy. That’s why we have been trying to enable a dialogue between the citizens and the people in power ahead of the 2019 elections. We have seen an incredible response from our users and hundreds of petitions have started on issues that matter to the ordinary citizen,” said Nida Hasan, Country Director, Change.org India.
–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.