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Delhi air quality deteriorates to ‘very poor’; only rain can bring relief

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New Delhi, Feb 11 (IANS) As predicted, the overall air quality of Delhi and adjoining areas deteriorated to “very poor” on Monday, after days of improved “moderate” air caused by last Thursday’s rain and hailstorm, which washed away the pollutants across the city.

“This return of very poor air quality in the national capital can be attributed to reduced wind speed since Sunday night. It has caused the pollutants to be concentrated in one place. The decrease in wind speed also led to shallow fog in the morning,” Mahesh Palawat, Director of private weather agency Skymet told IANS.

He added that the air quality in Delhi will oscillate between poor and very poor for the rest of February and only rain would be able to improve the situation to moderate or satisfactory.

The overall air quality index (AQI) of Delhi at 4 p.m. on Monday was recorded at 309 (“ery poor”), against Saturday’s “moderate”. It began to deteriorate from Sunday evening as wind speed dropped and settled Sunday’s AQI at 276 – considered “poor” on a scale of 0 to 500.

“Strong surface inversion – a phenomenon responsible for producing smog, trapping the pollutants produced by vehicles, fires and industrial activities – is another factor for the rise in pollution,” System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) said.

The agency added that in these circumstances, the air quality in Delhi-NCR over the next two days would further deteriorate, but may improve with the likelihood of a fresh western disturbance on Thursday.

This year, the Skymet Director said, Delhi is experiencing an extended winter due to frequent western disturbances. “The air quality will improve and remain constant once the temperatures begin rising in March,” Palawat said.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), this year has already witnessed nine western disturbances – seven in January and two in February. A third western disturbance in February is forecasted on Thursday and is expected to bring rain, accompanied by strong winds, thunderstorm and hailstorm to the city. “A fourth western disturbance might happen around February 19,” Palawat informed.

This western disturbance is again expected to wash away the pollutants in Delhi. It may also increase the minimum temperature in northwest India by 3 to 4 degrees Celsius between Wednesday and Friday.

According to the IMD bulletin, the minimum temperature is expected to reach 13 degrees Celsius – 4 notches above the season’s normal – during the period, while the maximum temperature is expected to hover around 21 degrees Celsius.

–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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