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India hopes for Bhutan’s ratification of BBIN soon
Kolkata: Ahead of the implementation of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal Motor Vehicles Agreement (BBIN MVA), India remains hopeful that Bhutan would ratify the accord soon, top officials said on Thursday.The four South Asian nations signed the BBIN Agreement in June 2015 in Thimphu and the accord was seen as a significant symbol of sub-regional unity.Despite ratifications by three partner countries, Bhutan’s Upper House has not yet ratified the deal, citing environmental as well as livelihood concerns.
However, according to an official from the Royal Government of Bhutan, the country “could ratify in May-June”.”We are hopeful Bhutan will ratify it soon and are eagerly waiting for it. Four countries have been negotiating the protocols and standard operating procedures for the implementation. We made some headway,” said A.D. James, Deputy Secretary in the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.The investments were being made in roads infrastructure linking the four countries, he said at an event ‘Facilitating implementation and stakeholder buy-in in the BBIN sub-region’ organised by Cuts International here.
“The agreement is still to be ratified by Bhutan and they have some concerns, though we are very hopeful. In fact, we appreciate the steps being taken by the Bhutanese government for explaining the benefits of the integration,” said Joint Secretary of Commerce Ministry (SAARC/South Asia) Bhupinder Singh Bhalla.Although the Bhutanese government was committed to the agreement, the people in the country raised some issues.
“… In regards to BBIN, lot of issues were expressed on the possible negative impacts pertaining to the environment protection and local livelihood. The issue of culture was also raised,” Bhutan’s Ministry of Information and Communications Secretary Dasho Karma W. Penjor said.”Even with the countries which already ratified it, operational issues still exist,” Penjor added.The ratification was expected from the National Council, when the Upper House of Bhutan Parliament meets in May-June.
The Lower House has already ratified it”After the ratification by Bhutan, protocols will be signed and then only, the agreement will be implemented,” James said.Meanwhile, the Narendra Modi government has been undertaking cargo trial runs in order to seek solution to challenges that may arise after the implementations, the official said.
“We undertook a trial run with cargo consignment from Dhaka to Delhi in August 2016. Usually, it takes 10-15 days to reach such consignment. During the trial run it reached in five days, reducing two-third of associated logistic cost,” James.The implementation of the agreement is expected to improve the value chain in sub-regional trade.Bhalla said the BBIN sub-grouping was expected to be the gateway to southeast and east Asia. India is working for development of inter-connectivity infrastructure for Myanmar and Thailand.In this context, the experts also said a decision was taken to intiate a dialogues for a BIMSTEC (The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) Motors Vehicles Agreement in the senior officials meeting of the group of countries held last week in Kathmandu.
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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.
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