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Odisha needs ‘double engine’ for development: Jayant Sinha
Bhubaneswar, March 3 (IANS) Odisha needed a “double engine” government to accelerate the pace of development, said Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha, here on Sunday, and added the Biju Janata Dal-led Odisha government did not believe in cooperative federalism.
Stressing the need for a “double-engine” government, Sinha said the people of Odisha will get the full benefit of the central government’s schemes only with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government at the Centre as well as the state.
“The pace of development is higher when the Centre and the state have governments led by the same political party. Several development projects have been affected in Odisha due to the lack of support form the state government,” Sinha said.
Stating that the BJP government believed in and practiced cooperative federalism, he said the problem was the party in power in Odisha did not believe in cooperative federalism.
“We have launched many projects in Odisha and want the state to develop. But if we don’t get support from the state government and the BJD, how are we going to call it cooperative federalism,” he remarked.
He said that Rs 1.36 lakh crore central projects were stalled in Odisha due to the state government’s non-cooperation. Several schemes were facing bottlenecks due to land acquisition and forest clearance, he added.
He said the Centre was transforming the aviation sector in Odisha with development of airstrips at several places, including Jharsuguda, Rourkela, Jeypore, Utkela and Paradip.
Sinha said at the 40 per cent annual growth, the Biju Patnaik International Airport at Bhubaneswar was one of the fastest growing airports in the country.
It will soon get a third terminal with the Rs 935 crore investment, which would boost flight operations and increase passenger handling capacity to 90 lakh from 30 lakh, he said.
“If we think about the future of Bhubaneswar, we need to plan for a second airport. We have approached the state government in this regard,” 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.