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Don’t let Mumbai sleep on New Year Eve, Thackeray Jr. urges government
Mumbai, Dec 27 (IANS) Yuva Sena President Aditya Thackeray, a strong advocate for improved night life in Mumbai and other cities in the state, on Thursday urged the government to permit non-residential zones in urban areas to remain open full night for all legal entertainment and celebrations on New Year Eve.
In a letter to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Thackeray Jr. has demanded a similar treatment to other major cities such as Thane, Navi Mumbai and Pune so that people could enjoy night life without restrictions.
It was way back in 2013 that the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had first passed a proposal, later approve by the Commissioner of Police in 2015, for providing permission for 24×7 activities in non-residential centres, he pointed out.
Even the state legislature passed a bill to the effect in 2017, but is now awaiting the nod from the Home Department to allow “non-residential areas in Mumbai and other cities to remain open round-the-clock.”
The state government, in December 2017, issued a notification with a suitable amendment in the Maharashtra Shops & Establishments (Regulation of Employment and Service Condition) Act, 2017.
The notification allowed 24 operations in three shifts by shops and establishments, imposed restrictions on pubs, discotheques and bars in view of potential law and order concerns expressed by the home department.
Thackeray pointed out that the move to implement 24×7 operations would not only generate additional revenue for the state exchequer but also create more employment opportunities in various sectors besides giving a fillip to tourism.
“What is legal during the day, cannot become illegal at night,” he said.
He urged the government on the “need to trust the citizens and provide them more space to unwind after long hours of work.”
The issue of unleashing Mumbai night-life – on the lines of several cities like London, New York, Las Vegas, Barcelona, Berlin, Bangkok, Tokyo, Buenos Aires – has been a matter of considerable debate in various circles for many years.
Once enjoying the enviable reputation of a ‘city that never sleeps’, Mumbai’s night-life took a severe battering after the Mumbai riots of 1992-1993, then the March 1993 serial bomb blasts, later the ban on dance bars in 2005, followed by the 26/11 Mumbai terror strikes, besides other factors such as pollution laws and politics.
Despite moves to ease the situation by permitting dance bars with stringent controls, rooftop restaurants and orchestra bars, most have failed to take off for various reasons, leaving the night life in the country’s commercial, glamour capital, a dull affair.
–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.