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Ban the Chinese maanjha
Introduction : The Chinese manja has virtually overpowered the Indian market and ensured an exit of the age-old traditional manja from the kite market.
Contrary to the popular view, China doesn’t export any manja to India or elsewhere. It’s purely India’s homegrown innovation. The ‘Chinese’ manja has got its name due to two reasons.
First, due to the use of nylon thread, which has replaced the traditional cotton tone thread. While the latter is breakable, the nylon thread is almost impossible to break due to its high tensile strength, and the cost of nylon thread sold as ‘Chinese’ is comparatively cheaper than the cotton one.
While 12 reels of cotton manja cost about Rs 1,150 and above depending on the quality, 12 reels of Chinese manja cost just about Rs 350 to 500.
“The demand for Chinese manja has grown many times in the last five years. The kite flyers now ask only for Chinese manja as it’s cheaper than the cotton manja and difficult to break. After coating ‘masala’ on it, Chinese manja becomes tougher and stronger than the traditional ones.
Chinese manja is produced locally in Delhi and other parts of India; and not imported from China.
Threats :
Manja can be dangerous to birds and to humans.
Many people also get seriously injured and lose their lives when they fall off rooftops when flying and fighting kites and handling the manja reels and vigorously pulling or releasing it during battle of the kites. In the Indian subcontinent kites are generally flown and fought from the rooftops of houses.
Kite running is the practice of running after drifting kites in the sky that have been cut loose in battle with other kites.
Both kite runners and kite fighters die or endanger their lives because they run into the path of oncoming traffic and trains without looking down or fall from trees and buildings which they were trying to scale to get at kites that landed on top while gazing up and running after kites. They may walk around in the middle of congested towns and cities and while gazing up may be dangerously unaware of what is happening on the ground in their immediate surroundings a
Individuals are also injured or killed by lacerations inflicted by the abrasive strings of fighting kites
States that have baaned it :
After several deaths and many injuries across the country due to this killer string, many states and cities banned the sale and use of Chinese manja much before the National Capital. These states are Gujarat (2009), Mumbai (2011), Maharashtra (April 2016), Cuttack (January 2016), Telangana (January 2016), Andhra (May 2016) and Karnataka (July 2016).
Delhi government ordered ban only after the Delhi High Court’s order on 2 August .
Chinese manja should be banned. We have been flying kite for decades now. The wounds and cuts we get from cotton strings heal on their own in two-three days, but those from Chinese manja take a lot of time and are extremely painful.
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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.