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Indian solar industry can attract $70-80 bn investment: Modi
New Delhi, Oct 2 (IANS) India wants to create a robust ecosystem for the manufacture of solar panels in the country to give a filip to the sector which can provide opportunities for investments worth $70-80 billion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday.
Inaugurating a joint assembly here of the International Solar Alliance (ISA), the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Renewable Energy Ministerial and Global RE-Invest 2018, Modi said in the last four years, India has emerged as the most favourable destination for renewable energy investment and has attracted $22 billion of investment in the sector.
He said the government’s target is to generate 40 per cent of India’s total energy requirements in 2030 by non-fossil fuel based sources.
“Solar power generation costs in India have gone down hugely, while the country has become the most favourable destination for renewable energy. In the last 4 years, the sector has attracted investments worth $22 billion,” he said.
“We want to set up a strong ecosystem for manufacture of solar panels in the country. This area has immense opportunity available, for investment worth $70-80 billion.”
Elaborating on India’s strides in clean energy development during the tenure of the NDA government, Modi said that 72 gigawatt (GW) of renewable energy capacity had been added in this period, while solar capacity had gone up nine-fold from earlier.
“Power storage is equally important and a National Energy Storage Mission is being drawn up from the perspectives of demand creation, manufacture, innovation and augmenting storage capacity,” the Prime Minister said.
He said that towards achieving the government’s target of achieving 175 GW renewable energy capacity by 2022, it is planned to install 28 lakh solar pumps across the country in the next four years which would add capacity of 10 GW.
Giving the call of “One World, One Sun, One Grid”, Modi said that the “ISA will assume tomorrow the role that the OPEC (Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries) is playing today.”
“We are moving to a future where oil wells will be replaced by the rays of the sun in meeting our energy needs,” he said.
–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.