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First better air quality day in Delhi; relief unlikely to last
New Delhi, Jan 9 (IANS) After weeks of “very poor” and “severe” air, Delhi and adjoining areas witnessed their first improved air quality day of 2019 with the quality index (AQI) recorded at ‘poor’ levels of 288 due to a sudden increase in the wind speed.
“Overall air quality in Delhi is in the poor category and it is likely to remain in the same zone as surface winds continue to play a major role in dispersing the pollutants,” System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research said in its daily pollution analysis.
The agency said the wind speed in Delhi-NCR increased overnight from 3 kmph per hour to 5 kmph and continued to disperse pollutants despite the cold weather.
SAFAR, however, added that the air quality is predicted to be in the “poor” zone on Thursday but it might enter the “very poor” zone again from Friday before getting under the influence of predicted weekend rainfall.
Delhi’s AQI at 4 p.m. on Wednesday was recorded at 288 (poor), a drastic drop from Tuesday’s 320.
In the National Capital Region (NCR), Faridabad and Ghaziabad at 288, Noida at 264 and Gurugram at 243 also fared in the “poor” category. However, Greater Noida was unaffected by the wind speed as its AQI remained in the ‘very poor’ zone (302).
When the AQI is recorded between the range of 201 and 300, it is recorded in the ‘poor’ category; between 301 and 400, air quality is categorised as ‘very poor’, and between 401 and 500, the air pollutants are considered at ‘severe’ levels.
The average concentration of PM2.5 and PM10 in Delhi was 149 and 255 microgrammes per cubic meters on Wednesday. Across NCR, it was 148 and 240 units respectively.
Since the beginning of the year, the air quality in Delhi and adjoining areas have been oscillating between ‘severe’ and ‘very poor’ zone.
The AQI in Delhi dropped to the “severe” zone thrice in the first seven days of 2019. Although light rainfall during January 5 and 6 brought some relief to the national capital, the AQI still remained in the ‘very poor’ zone due to excessive moisture in the air.
–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.