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Nek Chand – the man who ‘rocked’ Chandigarh
Chandigarh: Nek Chand, who died late Thursday, was the man who literally ‘rocked’ Chandigarh for the past four decades, bringing India’s first planned city on the international map through his creations from waste material.
Nek Chand, the creator of Chandigarh’s famous Rock Garden, died at the ripe age of 90.
He suffered a cardiac arrest and died in hospital, his family said.
The master creator had celebrated his 90th birthday last December.
Starting as a road inspector in Chandigarh when the city itself was being built as a symbol of post-independence, modern India, Nek Chand took to the idea of creating something from waste material.
The raw material for his creations was all waste – be it rocks and stones, broken bangles, light switches, electrical appliances, broken plates and other Bone China and ceramic material, discarded and broken wash-basins and even toilet seats, marbles and anything and everything that was a complete waste for others.
People and organisations even used to come from all over the region to donate waste material to the Rock Garden.
For the initial few years, Nek Chand silently pursued his love for creating things from waste. He created several things, hiding it from the eyes of the authorities and the public, in a forest area in Chandigarh’s northern part.
He used to pedal on his bicycle in and around Chandigarh for many years, collecting all waste and rocks to later create things.
It was only in the mid-70s that Nek Chand’s art was finally recognised and Chandigarh’s ‘Rock Garden’ came into being. The Rock Garden was officially inaugurated in October 1976.
The Rock Garden is presently spread in several acres of land close to Chandigarh’s famous landmark, the Sukhna Lake. It now has three phases – all comprising creations of Nek Chand, from animal and human figures to waterfalls, village scenes and much more.
Nek Chand was awarded a Padma Shri for his creative work by the government of India. He was made creator-director of the Rock Garden in the 1980s and continued on the post till his death.
The fame of the Rock Garden can be seen from the fact that millions have visited the place in the past nearly four decades. The place gets over quarter of a million visitors annually even now.
For Nek Chand, creating his world of waste and rocks, was not always smooth. He faced official wrath in the initial years as well as in the late 80s when he wanted to expand the garden for newer creations.
But the master creator stood against all this official apathy, supported by the public, like a rock.
The life journey of Rock Garden’s creator Nek Chand may have ended for now. But his creation will stay for life and generations to come.
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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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