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Controversy over Akbar’s ‘Navratnas’ installation in heritage site

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Agra: A controversy has erupted over divisional commissioner Pradip Bhatnagar’s decision to install the statues of Mughal emperor Akbar’s “Navratnas” (nine jewels) in Fatehpur Sikri, a World Heritage site.

Akbar’s passion for knowledge and interest in learning from great minds led him to attract men of genius to his court. His personal favourites were collectively known as the nine gems or “Navratnas”.

Bhatnagar, using funds from the Agra Development Authority, ordered the statues of the nine jewels to be put up at the site.

But now historians are asking him to present historical evidence that Akbar had appointed or released officially a list of nine jewels in his court, to counsel him and provide him with informed company.

Eminent Mughal historian R. Nath told IANS: “To my knowledge there is no authentic list of nine jewels in any work of a contemporary historian. Its part of the popular folklore though.”

“The Archaeological Survey of India should strictly follow the manuals and the 1958 Ancient Monuments Act, which does not permit addition or deletion of any new structures,” Nath added.

The nine jewels, according to popular belief are: Abul Fazl, Abdul Rahim Khan-I-Khana, Birbal, Mulla Do-Piyaza, Faizi, Raja Man Singh, Raja Todar Mal, Faqir Azio Din and Tansen.

Bhatnagar, who is also the chairman of the Agra Development Authority, initiated a project to get statues made of all the nine jewels and put them on show at the Fatehpur Sikri complex. But the Archaeological Survey of India has refused permission. The statues will now be installed in the Uttar Pradesh tourism facilitation centre outside the complex.

Historian Raj Kishore Raje told IANS: “Commissioner Bhatnagar is distorting history. I have written to the Uttar Pradesh chief minister advising him to restrain the commissioner from proceeding in this matter.”

Raje said there is no mention in any of the books of the period. Abul Fazal’s “Ain-e-Akbari”, Farishta’s “Tareekh-e-Farishta”, Innyatullah’s “Taqmeel-e-Akbarnama”, say nothing about the nine jewels of Akbar.

“Even the books of Sir Jadu Nath Sarker or Ashirwadi Lal Srivastav make no mention of them. Akbar never said he had capable hands to help him in administration. Therefore, if the commissioner goes ahead with his statue project, it would be a travesty of truth and misrepresentation of history.”

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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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