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Catamaran to double-decker buses, Gadkari eyes transformation of public transport
New Delhi, Nov 1 (IANS) From double-decker buses for interstate transport to a catamaran which will ferry people over the Yamuna from Delhi to the City of Taj, Agra — Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari is eyeing a revolution in public transport in the coming years, which, he said, will be easy on the pockets of common man as well as safe for the environment.
Addressing a gathering, Gadkari said he has a plan to start double-decker buses between cities like Delhi and Jaipur, Delhi and Chandigarh, and Mumbai and Pune, which will give “tea and breakfast like private airlines”.
“My vision is to start double-decker buses between cities like Delhi and Jaipur… so that people don’t have to drive cars. This will cause less pollution. I will ask states to implement this service. This will bring cleanliness, comfort to passengers and will generate employment,” he said during the launch of the ‘Ease of Moving Index’ prepared by Ola.
The Minister also spoke of a Russian catamaran he is trying to get which will transport people from Delhi to Taj Mahal.
“I am also trying, but don’t take it as my commitment, to start a catamaran service between Delhi and Agra before January 26. I am trying to get this 60-seater catamaran, which will run at a speed of 80 km per hour. It runs on water and also on sand. Imagine what a revolution this would be,” he said.
The ‘Mobility Index’, which Gadkari released today, was based on a survey of 43,000 respondents from 20 cities. The Index claimed that over 80 per cent of the respondents believe that urban transport has improved over the last five years and nearly as many believed that by 2030 electric vehicles could replace conventional ones.
The report quantified the responses on five parameters: scale, character, culture, economy and geography.
“This report has important information that can help public stakeholders, city administrators and city planners in making smarter decisions to address pollution, congestion, and safety, and in building dynamic solutions to improve mobility for citizens at large,” Gadkari said.
— 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.