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Modi acknowledges water crisis a major challenge
New Delhi, June 5 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday acknowledged that water crisis is a major challenge across India and assured that the Namami Gange initiative to clean the river will soon show results.
Participating at an event to mark the World Environment Day here, he said that India is preparing to join the global ‘clean sea campaign’ to contribute towards clean oceans.
“We recognise the need to tackle the issue of water availability, which is becoming a major challenge in India. We have launched the Namami Gange initiative. This programme has already started giving results and will soon revive the Ganga, our most precious river,” the Prime Minister said, adding that environmental degradation hurts the poor and vulnerable the most.
It is the duty of each one of us, to ensure that the quest for material prosperity does not compromise our environment, he added.
Pointing out that India is primarily an agrarian country, Modi said that continuous availability of water for agriculture sector is important and that the Prime Minister Irrigation Scheme was launched to ensure that no farm goes without water.
“Our motto is more crop, per drop,” he added.
On pollution caused by plastics, as the Environment Day being hosted this year by India is themed “Beat Plastic Pollution”, the Prime Minister expressed concern over declining number of fishes and ocean pollution.
India produces about 25,000 tonnes of plastic waste every day, of which only 60 per cent is processed, the Environment Ministry says.
“Marine litter, especially micro-plastic, is a major trans-boundary problem. India is preparing to join the clean seas campaign,” Modi said.
However, he said, per capita plastic consumption in India is lower than that in many parts of the developed world.
Globally, about 12.7 million tonnes of plastic ends up in oceans every year. According to MacArthur Foundation, there are over 150 million tonnes of plastic in the oceans at present, which means about 1 tonne of plastic for every three tonne of fish. Plastic in oceans is likely to outweigh fishes by 2050.
“Plastic now threatens to become a menace to humanity. A lot of it never makes it to the recycling bin. Worse, a lot of it is non-biodegradable,” he said adding that ‘Clean India Mission’ has a special focus on “plastic waste management”.
–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.