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Over 40,000 taxis go off road in Himachal
Shimla/Manali: Over 40,000 taxis went off the road in Himachal Pradesh on Friday in protest against the National Green Tribunal (NGT) order restricting the entry of vehicles to the Rohtang Pass, overlooking picturesque destination of Manali, and the imposition of a heavy cess.
“All taxi, maxi-cab and auto operator unions in the state have joined the day-long strike call of the Him-Aanchal Taxi Operators Union of Manali,” commercial vehicle joint action committee chairman Jeet Ram Sharma told.
He said the strike will continue till midnight of May 29.
Thousands of tourists who are holidaying in the hills to escape the scorching heat of the plains have been inconvenienced by the strike.
“It was a really harrowing experience on reaching Shimla this (Friday) morning. There was no taxi and the potters were demanding exorbitant fare. The government should make transportation arrangements,” Priya Joseph, a tourist from Delhi, said.
On an average, about 10,000 tourists arrive in Shimla and Manali and other popular destination on a single day during the peak tourist season.
Meanwhile, the indefinite strike by Manali-based Him-Aanchal Taxi Operators Union has entered the eleventh day on Friday.
P.C. Thakur, president of the Him-Aanchal Taxi Operators Union, told IANS that the NGT decision would severely hit the livelihood of over 1,500 taxi drivers and those associated with the hospitality business.
He said all business establishments in Manali town have also joined the strike on Friday.
The NGT has allowed restricted movement of 1,000 vehicles, including 600 petrol-driven, for three months from May 15 across the Rohtang Pass, some 52 km from Manali.
Each vehicle allowed to the Rohtang Pass for tourism purposes would pay an environmental cess at the rate of Rs.1,000 for petrol vehicles per visit. For diesel vehicles, the cess is Rs.2,500.
The picturesque Rohtang Pass is a major attraction for both domestic and foreign tourists.
Refraining from extending any relief from its order, the NGT on Thursday asked the state government to file a reply on how it would address the grievances of tourist vehicle operators. It was hearing a review petition of the Him-Aanchal Taxi Operators Union.
The NGT bench, while listing the case for the next hearing on May 29, headed by judicial member U.D. Salvi observed that its only concern was to protect the environment and it has taken a measured approach.
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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.