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Maharashtra’s Matheran toy train stations turn ‘green’

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Mumbai, April 20 (IANS) All four stations en route the famed Toy Train servicing the eco-sensitive hillstation of Matheran in Maharashtra’s Raigad district have turned “green” with installation of solar power and wind energy plants, an official said here on Friday.

According to Central Railway spokesperson Sunil Udasi, the four stations on the 21 km route passing through thick forests are Jummapatti, Waterpipe, Aman Lodge and the termination point of Matheran.

“These stations are now provided with solar power plants with a capacity of 500-1000 Wp and at Matheran, a windmill with a capacity of 6.1 KWp, besides LED lights and fans,” he said, adding that the electric supply from renewable sources will drastically reduce the power bills and save over Rs 200,000 annually besides reducing the carbon footprint.

The 111-year old Matheran Toy Train, which was shut since May 2016 following derailments, resumed full services in January this year.

The Toy Train, named ‘Phul Rani’, starts at Neral to climb 2,625 feet altitude, what is Asia’s only and one of the handful of “vehicle-free” hill stations in the world.

The resumption of services proved a boon to the local residents and tourists to Matheran as the summer peak tourism season got underway after the annual examinations.

Considered an engineering marvel, the narrow-guage toy train ascends in a crazy zig-zag (with more than 280 steep turns) from Neral to Matheran, offering breathtaking views of the lush green and steep hills and deep valleys, highlighting the beauty of the tiny hill station.

It was built by a Mumbai industrialist, the late Sir Adamjee Peerbhoy at a staggering cost of Rs 1.6 million in seven years, between 1901-1907.

The hill railway contributed in a big way to the growth of Matheran and forever changed the face of the tiny hillstation, which was discovered in May 1850 by the then Mumbai Collector Hugh Poyntz Malet.

Prior to resuming services, the CR carried out extensive maintenance works, replaced tracks, erected crash barriers or walls on some of the steep curves and other safety initiatives for safe journey of the six-coach toy train.

–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

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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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