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‘Chipko’ movement in Delhi to save over 16,000 trees

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New Delhi, June 23 (IANS) To save about 16,500 fully grown trees from being chopped down in the city, locals and social organisations have come together to hold a campaign on the lines of ‘Chipko’ movement for tree protection here on Sunday.

According to official sources, while 3,000 trees have already been cut down since last year in south Delhi area, the Central government-run construction company NBCC will chop an additional 16,500 trees in Sarojini Nagar and Nauroji Nagar areas to construct flats for Central government employees.

Opposing this project, locals and activists have decided to initiate a ‘Chipko movement in Delhi’ and hug the trees at 4.30 p.m. on Sunday in Sarojini Nagar to express their protest.

“Delhi is already so much polluted and on this cutting 16,500 trees that too in the area with best of Delhi’s green cover to construct a colony and market area is a very dangerous decision. That’s why we had decided to protest by hugging the trees there,” environment and RTI activist Vikrant Tongad told IANS.

Pointing out how key ministers have reiterated that environment and development can go hand in hand, he said that there are alternatives to chopping trees and construction at the same location.

Activist Chhavi Methi said: “We will rally outside the Sarojini Nagar police station on Sunday at about 4.30 p.m. and hug the trees as an act of protest.”

Meanwhile, Delhi Forest Department has already cleared the project, an official told IANS, while a senior Union Environment Ministry official said the Central government has nothing to do with the tree chopping as the permission to do so falls under the Delhi government.

However, the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) spokesperson Saurabh Bharadwaj, in a tweet, said that the Union Environment Ministry has given the permission to cut the trees. The AAP has also extended support to the protests scheduled on Sunday.

Officials at Delhi Forest Department could not be reached despite several attempts.

The officials of NBCC, which comes under the Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry, however clarified that there will be more plantation to compensate for the trees being cut down.

“Yes, trees are planned to be cut off but NBCC has also planned to do ten times more plantation in the region. Our CMD, Anup Kumar Mittal, will talk about it on Monday,” NBCC spokesperson Sameer Bhattacharya told IANS.

–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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