Connect with us

Top News

Rs 1,500 cr plus investment proposals in Hill business summit

Published

on

Darjeeling, March 14 (IANS) Investment proposals worth over Rs 1,500 crore were received in the two-day Hill Business Summit that concluded here on Wednesday, said West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

“My industry friends held discussions and agreed to investment over Rs 1,500 crore in the Darjeeling region. There are so many areas like agriculture, eco-tourism, tea, transport, horticulture, medicinal plants, orchids, home stay tourism where we can work better,” Banerjee said in the concluding session of the summit in this north Bengal hill town.

Describing the first ever business summit here as a “positive step”, she said it would give a boost to the economy.

The Chief Minister said the hill development body Gorkhaland Territorial Administration and the state government, besides the local people have worked hand in hand to make the summit a success.

She said while Darjeeling was an international tourist spot, tourism related industries were never nurtured in the places like Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Kurseong and Mirik.

Banerjee said the Luxmi Group, that owns the Makaibari Tea Estate, has agreed to pump in Rs 300 crore at Makaibari and Matigara.

She said the Keventer Group has also expressed its willingness to invest in the region.

The Confederation of Indian Industries has prepared a plan, the final version of which they would submit soon.

Banerjee said an education hub would come up in Kurseong, where the Presidency University is setting up its Himalayan Centre.

“Our target is to help the people of Darjeeling, Kurseong, Kalimpong and Mirik, especially the young people, to get employment,” she said.

The Chief Minister announced that a folk art centre would be built in Mirik, a future cultural hub.

“There are great opportunities for food processing, hotel, dairy and aquarium, orchids, eco-tourism, medicinal plants and agro-industries,” she said.

Three hundred youths from the north Bengal hills would be recruited as state police home guard soon.

In an indirect reference to the history of violence and disruptions like strikes and shutdowns related to the movement of a separate Gorkhaland state that has impacted the economy of the northern Bengal hills for decades, the Chief Minister urged all to maintain peace.

“Don’t be afraid. Let us all work together to take Darjeeling forward. Remember, the abundant resources that you have here, is enough to produce good results provided they are utilised properly. If we are on the right track, no one can pressurise us,” she said.

“Remember, Delhi is far off, we are all part of Bengal,” she said, perhaps alluding to the recurring instances of pro-Gorkhaland leaders turning to Delhi for support during crisis situations in the region.

Banerjee alleged that whenever the economy picks up in Darjeeling, “there is a game to push the region back. This should not happen”.

“We don’t want anything from Darjeeling, except peace”.

–IANS
ssp/vd

Continue Reading

Top News

Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma

Published

on

By

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.

Continue Reading

Trending