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Minister, private agency spar over cleanliness of Goa beaches
Panaji, Nov 15 (IANS) Goa Tourism Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar accused a private beach management agency of discontinuing its beach cleaning services when the tourism season is just about gathering steam.
The agency in question, Drishti Marine, has however maintained they had stopped the cleaning up of beaches, after their work contract with the Tourism Ministry ended earlier this month.
“The Department of Tourism will work out solutions within a day or two and cleaning of important beaches will be undertaken on top priority immediately,” Goa Tourism Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar said in a statement issued here on Thursday.
He also said that a tender had already been floated for appointment of a new beach cleaning agency.
For now, Ajgaonkar said, labourers would be deployed on the state’s important beaches to clean-up the debris on the sand stretches, which are immensely popular with tourists.
Ajgaonkar also said, that it was “unfortunate that the agency (Drishti Marine) withdrew (their services) at a time when the tourism season is at its peak”, adding that tourists visiting the state during the seasonal months will be able to enjoy clean beaches, despite the hiccup.
Goa’s tourism season starts in October and lasts till March and peaks by December end.
Reacting to the charge levelled by Ajgaonkar, Drishti Marine, which also manages lifeguard services on Goa’s beaches, in a statement, said the agency’s contract for cleaning of beaches ended on November 12 and that it had informed the Department of Tourism about the expiry of the contract a month in advance.
“Drishti Marine is committed to ensuring a positive beach environment. However, it was not possible to maintain the large workforce and fleet needed to run the entire service without clarity as our contract had ended,” the agency said in a statement issued here late on Thursday.
Drishti Marine was awarded the work for beach cleaning by nomination from the state government on an emergency basis in December 2016, as garbage was piling up on the beaches of Goa.
“Drishti has successfully completed 23 months of cleaning services and uplifted 2,800 tonnes of waste, segregated them and handed over the same to the Goa Waste Management Corporation plant as per specifications,” the statement also said.
Goa’s beaches and its night-life annually attracts nearly eight million tourists, however garbage piling up on its beaches in recent years had been a cause for concern and had led to the appointment of a private agency to keep Goa’s beaches clean and garbage free.
–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.