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Tourists find Taj ‘much more hypnotisingly beautiful’ than imagined as World Heritage Week ends
Agra, Nov 25 (IANS) The World Heritage Week celebrations came to an end on Sunday, after a series of activities including a cleanliness drive at historical monuments, a painting contest, ritualistic welcome of foreign guests and a photo exhibition.
The 17th century Monument of Love — Taj Mahal — was visited by more than 40,000 tourists on Sunday, while on Saturday the figure was 41,350. Entry to children below 15 is free.
Aditi, a medical doctor, who arrived early with her husband Arjun from the United States, was truly ecstatic after a glimpse of the white-marble marvel from the entrance. “Wow! Just like the picture postcard I saw, in fact much more hypnotisingly beautiful than I had imagined.”
After the recent mudpack ‘beauty treatment’, the Taj wears a dazzling shine.
“In the soft winter sunshine, flanked by green foliage and the river Yamuna flowing majestically at the rear, the scene is plain heavenly,” exclaimed Arjun, who saw the monument for the first time.
Visitors to the Taj Mahal appeared largely satisfied with the facilities available at the monument.
The toilets are cleaner and much better maintained, noted Yogesh Kapoor of Karnal, who had come after several years with his family. He was particularly happy at the way the crowd was being managed. “So many people, yet such smooth flow and such good ramps for the disabled on wheel chairs.”
While tourists showed plenty of interest in visiting monuments in Agra during the World Heritage Week, the locals lamented the rampant encroachment by squatters. The cultural activists blamed the Archaeological Survey of India for not doing enough to bind the local population with the rich historical heritage of the city.
“It is sad and unfortunate that the public in Agra hardly feel a sense of pride or emotional connect with some of the world’s best architectural properties. Rather, the heritage is seen as an impediment in the economic development of the city. This is perhaps due to a series of restrictions imposed by the Supreme Court to control pollution,” said Surendra Sharma, President of the Braj Mandal Heritage Conservation Society.
This perhaps explains the general apathy towards history and heritage in Agra, Sharma added.
Agra, about 200 km south of New Delhi, has three World Heritage monuments – the Taj Mahal, the Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri – and numerous other buildings and sites drawing lakhs of tourists round the year.
Eminent Mughal historian R. Nath said: “The mandarins in ASI, mostly passionless babus, have little idea about history, culture or modern-day conservational practices.”
Perhaps the greatest threat to heritage monuments is the encroachments. The ASI, however, says that the state government agencies have not provided it the necessary support and police back-up to deter the encroachers.
Almost all Mughal monuments have been dwarfed by encroachments, though the Taj has been able to breathe easy because of the apex court and international concern for its safety. Other monuments are not so lucky.
Delhi Gate, close to the Raja Mandi station, finds itself threatened by new constructions, but the district authorities do not have the courage to act against the powerful encroachers.
The Fatehpur Sikri complex continues to be threatened by illegal activities of the mining mafia despite a categorical directive from the Supreme Court to the district authorities to stop them.
–IANS
bk/shs
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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.
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