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Start cycling to fight pollution: Germany’s Jens Voigt (IANS Interview)
By Tridib Baparnash
New Delhi, March 15 (IANS) German cycling star Jens Voigt on Thursday urged Indians to take up cycling for all activities which can help the country in fighting pollution and also reduce traffic congestion in urban areas.
Voigt, who won the yellow jersey twice in individual stages of the Tour de France in 2001 and 2006, said it is encouraging to see a lot of fitness enthusiasts in the country taking up cycling but at the same time urged parents to introduce the bikes to children as early as possible.
“We want more kids on bikes, because these children on bikes later become grown-ups on the bikes,” the 46-year-old told IANS, on the sidelines of the launch of Trek Bicycle here.
“We can use the bike on way to school, on way to university, on way to work, and it is good for the environment, is good for their heads and it reduces the traffic on the roads. So, using bikes has like million good benefits and that’s what Trek focuses on,” he added.
Cycling in India is still at a nascent stage but Voigt is positive about transforming it into a cycling country.
“The first thing that comes to my mind is potential. When Trek first came to India in 2006, they sold just 2300 bikes in a year,” he said.
“Now, we sell 25,000 bikes in one year, so there is definitely a potential in the Indian market. And if, for example all companies work together a little bit, we could grow the cycle community bigger and better and that’s what we want,” he added.
On being asked about the potential of the handful of Indian cyclists, Voigt, a 17-time Tour de France contestant said: “Yes, India clearly has a potential to grow. I found the road quality here very good, so you ride your bikes easily on Indian roads.”
“Plus, we also provide cyclocross bike. So for every surface that you have in India, Trek has a bike that matches it. So clearly, I think cycling will become bigger and better and there is no doubt about it,” added Voigt, who retired in 2014 following the US Pro Cycling Challenge.
It’s estimated that Voigt rode over 8,50,000 kilometres during his professional career, and he continues to take on new challenges both on and off the bike to this day.
Currently in India as part of Trek’s foray into the Indian market, Voigt on Thursday unveiled a collection of road, mountain, and hybrid bicycles in the presence of Trek India’s country manager Navneet Banka.
(Tridib Baparnash can be contacted at [email protected])
–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
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.