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Spotlight on Modi’s sanitation campaign at UN
United Nations: Wednesday could well have been called “Swachh Vishwa Abhiyan Din.” It was observed at the UN and around the world as World Toilet Day, an observance to further sanitation where leaders spoke of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Swachh Bharat Abhiyan – Clean India Mission – campaign to provide toilets for all.
“Modi is really aiming to give a high priority to that issue” of sanitaion, UN Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson said at an event marking the day here. “That could b
e a type of concrete (way to) improve the life” of the people.
Calling Swachh Bharat Abhiyan or Clean India Mission “a new mass movement on sanitation,” India’s Ambassador Asoke Kumar Mukerji described its scope and said it “envisages provision of toilets in every school in India within one year and focused effort for ending the practice of open defecation.”
The theme of this year’s World Toilet Day is “Open Defecation and the Challenges for Women and Girls,” drawing attention to the special problems they face. Singapore’s Ambassador Karen Tan, the prime mover behind initiative, said the lack of toilets which forces women to go outdoors negatively impacts gender equality. Women and girls are vulnerable to sexual violence when they have to defecate outside and girls’ education is disrupted when schools lack toilets for them, she said.
Speaking about Modi’s sanitation initiatives Tan, who was formerly Singapore’s High Commissioner in India, told, “I am very supportive and very glad he has taken this on board.”
Eliason said more than 2.5 billion people around the world have no access to proper sanitation and this takes a huge toll on life, health and the economy. “Ending open defecation, would lead to a 36 per cent reduction in deaths due to diarrhea for children under five.” he said. “Poor sanitation costs some countries as much as sevens percent of their GDP.”
Investing in toilets and sanitation contribute significantly to economies of nations because every $1 devoted to sanitation brings a $5.50 return by keeping people healthy and productive, he said.
According to a UN report released Wednesday, of the 1 billion people who resort to open defecation, 507 million live in India and comrpise 47 percent of the population.
Recalling that “Mahatma Gandhi’s devotion to the freedom of India was perhaps matched by only his passion for cleanliness,” Mukerji said the objective of Modi’s massive mission “is to deliver a Clean India by 2019, which happens to be the 150th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. This, we believe, would be a fitting tribute to the Mahatma.”
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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.
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