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SpiceJet operates India’s first flight partially powered by bio-fuel (Roundup)
New Delhi/Dehradun, Aug 27 (IANS) Budget passenger carrier SpiceJet on Monday successfully operated India’s first test flight partially powered by bio-fuel.
A mix of 25 per cent bio-fuel and 75 aviation turbine fuel (ATF) powered a SpiceJet Q400 turboprop aircraft on the 200 km flight from Dehradun to Delhi on Monday morning.
SpiceJet termed the operation India’s first-ever “BioJet Fuel” flight. It pointed out — reduction in carbon emissions and enhancement of fuel efficiency — as advantages of using “BioJet fuel” as compared to ATF.
The bio-fuel type made from the Jatropha crop was developed by the CSIR-Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP), a constituent of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research based in Dehradun.
Subsequently, 25 per cent of bio-fuel blended with ATF powered one of the two engines of the Q400 aircraft for the over 40-minute-long flight.
The aircraft ferried 28 on-board, including the crew and regulatory officials. It was received by Cabinet ministers and airline officials at the Indira Gandhi International Airport’s Terminal 2.
At an event to mark the success of the test flight, Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu said that the central government plans to come out with an environment friendly aviation action plan till 2035.
On the policy front, Road Transport and Highway Minister Nitin Gadkari said that a cabinet note on the standardisation and use of bio-fuel blended with ATF will be prepared by Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
Gadkari elaborated that bio-fuels obtained from non-edible seeds will aid in employment creations, import substitution, making transport costs effective and pollution free.
As per IATA, aviation industry contributes to 2 per cent of the total greenhouse gas emissions in the world, which will rise as the sector expands.
The development assumes significance due to high ATF prices, which have dented the domestic airline sector and led almost all players to report losses for the first quarter of 2018-19.
Presently, fuel prices constitute around 50 per cent of the overall operations cost of domestic airlines. India’s ATF prices are amongst the highest in the world due to crude oil import and addition of state levies.
The fuel is not under the GST ambit like the bunker fuel used for the shipping industry.
“Rising costs are worrying for aviation companies. The reason being the high fuel costs,” Gadkari said.
“It is approx. Rs 70 a liter, it can cost up to Rs 10 less which in turn will help… boost the aviation sector as a whole.”
According to SpiceJet Chairman and Managing Director Ajay Singh: “This fuel is low cost and helps in significantly reducing carbon emissions. It has the potential to reduce our dependence on traditional aviation fuel by up to 50 per cent on every flight and bring down fares.”
–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.