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Congress urges Vijayan to start Light Metro project
Thiruvananthapuram, March 10 (IANS) Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala on Saturday urged Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to start the Light Metro project at the earliest, two days after Metroman E. Sreedharan announced that the DMRC was exiting it.
On Thursday, a peeved Sreedharan went public to say that the government failed to sign an agreement with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) even 14 months after it was awarded the project.
Chennithala, in an open letter, said the people of Kerala are “sad to hear that Sreedharan and DMRC had no option but to exit the proposed Light Metro projects” at Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode as the government was silent to repeated demands on going forward with the project.
He said the projects would have ended the traffic woes.
“It should be noted that when Kochi Metro continued to remain a dream, it was Sreedharan who made that into a reality… it beceme the fastest completed metro project in the country.
“It’s unfortunate that Sreedharan had to withdraw from a project in his own state and it’s a shame for our state… in all fairness to him, you should ask Sreedharan and the DMRC to return and take up the work at the earliest,” said Chennithala in his letter.
State Finance Minister Thomas Issac told the media in Delhi on Saturday that no one has any doubts on the credentials of Sreedharan and the only issue was that one has to be extremely cautious on major infrastructure projects.
“We have seen in the past that investment-heavy projects later become a burden to the state exchequer with regards to its sustainability and this has been even pointed out by the courts. Vizhinjam port project is one such case. The state and the Centre are presently reviewing the metro projects and once that is done, further action would be taken,” said Issac.
The Light Metro project was budgeted at Rs 6,728 crore, with 60 per cent of the funds to come from foreign funding agencies at a low rate of interest, and 20 per cent each from the state and the Centre.
–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.