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Youngest US Congresswoman unveils ambitious renewable-energy plan
Washington, Feb 8 (IANS) Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the youngest woman to serve in the US Congress, has unveiled her ambitious plan to combat climate change by drastically reducing the United States’ greenhouse-gas emissions.
Introduced on Thursday by Ocasio-Cortez, a New York Democrat and self-described “democratic socialist”, and Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts, the resolution sets forth the objectives of a longstanding progressive initiative known as the Green New Deal, reports Efe news.
“It is the duty of the federal government to create a Green New Deal to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions through a fair and just transition for all communities and workers,” the resolution reads.
The resolution calls for accomplishing a series of “Green New Deal goals”, which include achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions, creating millions of high-wage jobs, investing in infrastructure to meet 21st-century challenges and ensuring clean air and water and a sustainable environment.
It also calls for “promoting justice and equity by stopping current, preventing future, and repairing historic oppression of indigenous communities, communities of colour, migrant communities” and other “frontline and vulnerable communities”.
The resolution proposes achieving those objectives through a “10-year national mobilization” that will require, among other things, “building resiliency against climate change-related disasters”, repairing and upgrading US infrastructure and “meeting 100 per cent of the power demand in the US through clean, renewable and zero-emission energy sources”.
It also calls for “upgrading all existing buildings in the US and building new buildings to achieve maximal energy efficiency” and providing economic guarantees to workers in fossil-fuel industries to ease their transition to jobs in the renewable-energy sector.
But the plan’s fate remained unclear as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi reacted with scepticism, saying it was just one of several suggestions she will receive on fighting climate change.
“The green dream or whatever they call it, nobody knows what it is, but they’re for it right?” Pelosi said in an interview with Politico news.
In a subsequent press conference, Pelosi appeared more receptive, saying she had not yet seen Ocasio-Cortez’s plan but welcomed “the enthusiasm that is there”.
She also announced the creation of a new special House committee focused on climate.
Ocasio-Cortez, who took office in January and at age 29 is the youngest member of the US Congress, will not be on that panel.
–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.