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US wants to jointly build India’s indigenous defence eco-system: Envoy

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Kolkata, May 22 (IANS) Stating that defence-related sales from the US to India have increased from zero to $15 billion in the last 10 years, US Consul General in Kolkata Craig L. Hall on Tuesday said the US looks forward to jointly develop India’s defence infrastructure to further strengthen the ties between the two nations.

“The defence sales have increased dramatically from being zero 10 years ago, to $15 billion last year. But to further strengthen our ties we would like to jointly develop India’s indigenous defence eco-system which means developing and building materials together.

“One such example is the Tata Boeing Aerospace Limited (TBAL) in Hyderabad inaugurated in February last year,” Hall said at a session on ‘US-India Economic Relations’ at the Bharat Chamber of Commerce here.

The envoy said Indo-US cooperation on defending counter-terrorism is one of the key pillars of the two countries’ partnership.

“US defence companies have already invested in India, producing components for complex defence system. The US goal is to seek to partner with India to expand its indigenous defence eco-system as well as enhance inter-operability of the two forces,” he pointed out.

Talking about possibilities in other sectors, Hall said the US is uniquely positioned to offer India a comprehensive energy partnership, which includes all forms of energy like coal, fuel, natural gas and nuclear and can also provide the technology and expertise to meet the demands of overloaded transmission and distribution to stabilise the power grids here.

“The US environmental technology can play a role in tackling India’s air pollution, energy efficiency and other challenges,” he said.

Emphasising that the US is already India’s largest and most important trading partner and the country gets a large amount of foreign direct investments from the US, Hall said the bilateral trade has increased from $20 billion in 2001 to $125 billion last year.

However, he noted that the trade relationship is obstructed by certain policies of the Indian government including the high tariff rates on US imports items to India, market access restrictions on US-based dairy and poultry items and India’s decision to close its legal system to foreign law firms and the educational sector

“The US is also concerned about weak protection and enforcement of the intellectual property rights in India. Concerns remain over replications and other challenges to patents, particularly in agro-technology and pharma.

“In pharma, the Indian government is setting price ceiling on drugs and medical equipment, which the US regards as a violation of IPR,” Hall added.

–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

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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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