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Rumours of live wire led to Patna stampede: Official
Patna:Rumours that a live cable wire had fallen as well as administrative lapses led to the Dussehra day stampede here that left 33 people, mostly women and children, dead, an official said Saturday.
“Rumours that a live cable wire had fallen near the exit of one of the gates of the Gandhi Maidan led to panic resulting in a stampede,” Principal Home Secretary Amir Subhani told the media here, a day after a panel probing the stampede submitted its report to the state government.
A two-member inquiry commission, with Subhani and Additional Director General of Police , was set up by the Bihar government to probe the stampede.
Subhani also said there were administrative lapses that contributed to the tragedy in which over 30 people were also injured.
“The Patna district administration, Patna police, Patna Municipal Corporation and Patna traffic police failed in their duty of crowd control management and other arrangements for holding such a big event,” he said.
According to him, the lighting arrangements at the venue were inadequate and several officials including magistrates deployed on duty were missing at the time of the tragedy.
“We have recommended to the state government to take administrative and disciplinary action against officials responsible for these lapses,” Subhani said.
Subhani and Pandey had recorded the statements of then Patna district magistrate Manish Kumar Verma and then Patna senior superintendent of police Manu Maharaj along with magistrates who were on duty at the Gandhi Maidan.
They also recorded the statements of the injured and collected information about the incident that occurred after the burning of Ravana’s effigy.
The statements of the eyewitnesses and the relatives of the victims were also recorded in-camera at the two-day hearing conducted at the collectorate.
Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi had said the government would take action against officials if they are found guilty.
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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.