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Bengal delta facing ecological catastrophe: Amitav Ghosh
Kolkata: Warning that the Bengal Delta in South Asia is facing an “ecological catastrophe” in the light of climate change, acclaimed author Amitav Ghosh has questioned the “obscurement” of information regarding the vulnerabilities of the region.
“More than any other place in the world … we, in the Bengal delta, are facing ecological catastrophe and the degree to which this knowledge is effaced or obscured, that to me has become the great question of our age,” Ghosh said here at the Kolkata Literary Meet Tuesday.
Ghosh’s ‘Flood of Fire’, the last book in the Ibis trilogy, is the most awaited book of 2015. The author is a Man Booker Prize nominee and Arthur C. Clarke Award winner.
Some of the famous works of Ghosh, who is also a Padma Shri recipient, include “The Calcutta Chromosome: A Novel of Fevers, Delirium, and Discovery”, “The Hungry Tide” and “Sea of Poppies”, among others.
Ghosh’s book “The Hungry Tide” is majorly based on the Sunderbans mangrove in the Bay of Bengal and talks of environmentalism and climate change.
Climate change, according to the novelist is a process “crucial” to all.
“I think climate change is the fundamental most important question. It’s absolutely crucial to all of us and to me it’s interesting how we have reached a state of consciousness where this doesn’t register in us that Kolkata is a city that is incredibly vulnerable to climate change,” he said.
Shedding light on the vulnerability of Kolkata, he said: “The city is below sea level.”
“It’s so vulnerable that one of the United Nations body which was asked to assess the risk refused to do it on Kolkata because they said the risks are so great you can’t even compute them.”
He said people in ancient times did not build cities in deltaic regions because of the dangers involved.
“There is a reason why in the ancient times people did not build big cities in deltaic regions,” Ghosh said.
“If you look at the old cities of Bengal … none of them were built in the deltaic regions because people knew they were very, very dangerous places in which to build cities,” he added.
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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.