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Major tourism boost as Agra’s air connectivity set to rise incrementally (Lead)

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Agra, March 7 (IANS) Tourism industry leaders in this Taj city are upbeat, hoping for a major boost once flights from Bangaluru, Bhopal, Lucknow and Varanasi start from May under the Udaan regional connectivity scheme.

Airport officials said low-cost airline Indigo was keen to connect Agra with major destinations in India taking advantage of the facilities under the Udaan scheme.

Agra is presently connected by air with Jaipur and Khajuraho. The number of visitors who came by air touched 11,907 between April to November 2018. “The lone flight from Jaipur has proved its worth,” tourist guide Ved Gautam said.

Work on a new Rs 400 crore terminal building at the Kheria airport, now renamed Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Airport, is expected to begin soon.

In the past there have been several initiatives to connect Agra by air to international destinations but according to local tourism industry leaders, “interest-groups and the Delhi lobby of travel agents and hoteliers” somehow always managed to stall the plans.

Agra Civil Aviation Society Secretary Anil Sharma said Agra’s international airport project was hijacked by politicians to Jewar in Bulandshahar district.

Senior tourism industry leaders have been repeatedly complaining about the lack of air connectivity, which had thwarted growth of tourism in Agra, the only city with three World Heritage monuments.

“Smaller cities have regular flights but not India’s tourist destination number one,” rues Anil Sharma, spearheading the movement for an international airport at Agra for the past three years.

“The city’s growth is stunted. Because of the total lack of forward planning, there is neither the will nor any major policy push being contemplated by the state government, which had made many promises at the time of elections,” according to senior tourism industry leader Surendra Sharma, founder of the Agra Hotels and Restaurants Association.

Agra is one of India’s top tourist destinations. Yet, it lacks basic infrastructure, and thus cannot take advantage of the interest generated in India and its tourist attractions, Sharma added.

“What could be more amazing than the fact that there are no flights and no air connectivity with Agra? Our demand for a decent civil airport in Agra was for long put in cold storage.

“Surely regular flights to Agra will change the face of tourism. A lot of time is wasted because tourists visit Agra by road. If they could save a few hours, night stay in the city will increase and visitors would be able to see the cultural programmes. We have to do a lot of work on the cultural front to make sure that tourists extend their stay in Agra. Only then will the city gain from tourism,” said Yashwant of the Kalakriti Auditorium, that daily runs the popular 90-minute-long “Mohabbat the Taj” programme.

Hoteliers in Agra welcomed the initiative which will increase the footfalls and raise the occupancy rate.

Agra is annually visited by over 7 million tourists. “The number is all set to go up, once the city starts receiving international flights,” a hotelier 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

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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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