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American teens’ film on India trip leads to global clean-up project
Washington: “It’s like the Sundance or Cannes of film festivals that are open to the public through a government website,” joked President Barack Obama as he welcomed young filmmakers to the second annual White House Film Festival. Among the 15 official selections screened Friday at the premiere emceed by Indian-American actor Kal Penn and Terrence J was “Generation Change”, a film made by two teenagers after two trips to India.
Obama noted how the journey of two young women, Allyson Edwards, 16, and Madison Jaco, 17, led to a global project for a cleaner, healthier environment in five countries. The two “adopted a highway to clean up the roads in their hometown of Hawkins, Texas,” he noted.
“So they decided they wanted to make an even bigger impact, so they reached out to young people all across the globe, and this is part of the power of the Internet.
“And now you’ve got groups in India, France, Nigeria, Benin, Argentina, all getting into the act – cleaning up their schools and beaches and roads -just because of these two young women,” Obama said amid applause.
The women, who are a part of an international environmental science programme called GLOBE, travelled to New Delhi twice to participate in global science fairs, according to the background provided by the White House.
“There, they discussed how they could help the environment, including local initiatives like Adopt-a-Highway.
“Students from Argentina, Benin, Croatia, France, India, and Nigeria quickly hopped on board with the plan. “Since then, the girls have been in contact with students all across the globe working to achieve their goal: a cleaner, healthier environment.”
The official selections were picked up from more than 1,500 films from around the world about this year’s theme: The Impact of Giving Back.
The films highlight the promise of mentorship in the arts and calls for the entertainment industry to build upon their mentoring programmes and engagement nationwide.
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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.