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Indian packaging industry must innovate to grow: Mashelkar
Mumbai: Despite a large and growing market, India’s share in the global packaging space is rather small and the industry must innovate and adopt and adapt to new technologies to be able to grow and realise its full potential, noted scientist R.A. Mashelkar said on Friday.
“The Indian packaging industry has less than 5 percent share in the $550 billion market,” said the scientist at an event here to kick-start the year-long golden jubilee celebrations of the Indian Institute of Packaging, an autonomous body of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
“The ‘I’ in India has to be innovation and not imitation, not inhibition. There is an enormous potential for growth. Intelligent packing, active packing, functional diagnostic packing – they’re all going to be the future,” said Mashelkar, also the chair of Swach Bharat Abhiyan.
Speaking at the event hosted by N.C. Saha, the director of the institute, Maharashtra Governor Vidyasagar Rao said even as the chancellor of 20 universities that were imparting education to over three million students, there was little awareness about the Indian Institute of Packaging.
“To my knowledge, very few students are aware of the career opportunities in packaging. I would urge the Indian Institute of Packaging to work closely with traditional universities and create awareness,” he said while also launching the instiute’s new logo designed by NID.
The occasion also saw a congratulatory message from Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who said a strong packaging industry has been of immense help to India’s overall exports in the past several years.
“Appreciations are fairly due to the institute for completing 50 fruitful years of service.”
According to the institute, the $24.6 billion Indian packaging market market, which is growing at is about 13-15 percent, has a great potential, since the country’s per capita consumption of packaging is just 4.3 kg, compared with 6 kg for China and 19 kg for Taiwan.
The institute started with one centre in Mumbai since its inception in 1966 and has now expanded to Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chennai and Bangalore. The process is on for similar campuses in Guwahati and Vijaywada.
The event on Friday also saw the inauguration of an exclusive Technology Innovation Centre by Commerce Ministry Additional Secretary Rajani Ranjan Rashmi. It will be develop some innovative technologies and determine what material is best suited for which industry.
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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.