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Love for unusual animals made me what I am: Wildlife adventurer Nigel Marven
By Bhavana Akella
New Delhi: His love for “unusual” animals made him what he is today, world-renowned naturalist and wildlife TV presenter Nigel Marven says.
“I’m not particularly fond of dogs or cats, but unusual animals like snakes catch my attention. Their colours and amazing strategies for survival are a great learning,” Marvin, who was on an adventure trip to India to spot some of the country’s deadliest snakes, told in a telephonic interview from London.
Wildlife enthusiasts can catch his show “Deadliest Snakes With Nigel Marven” on Animal Planet, spotting the most venomous in the country.
Marven, who as a child never owned a toy car, instead had stick insects that walked along the washing lines at his home in Britain.
“I was never interested in train sets or toy cars as a kid. I always used to have stick insects that walked along the washing line or a hamster colony which I had when I was eight,” Marven said.
From that grew an abundant hunger to record the goings-on in the wild, particularly of snakes.
During his India visit, the whip scorpions, which spray vinegar-like substance, found extensively in western ghats, and colourful butterflies of the country collecting salt in the mud puddles, sea snakes of Andaman and the iconic Cobra snakes caught his attention in particular, he said.
There was a lovely scene where one of the most venomous sea snakes in the Andaman islands “was kissing me on the nose,” he said.
Some members of the Irula tribe in Chennai, who are experts at catching venomous snakes for the Indian government to make anti-venom, have helped him spot some of the most venomous snakes – which figured in the top three of his deadly list, Marven said.
India, home to over 300 species of snakes, has more than 50 venomous varieties, but Marven’s experience with them has been that unless one really hurts them, Indian snakes do not bite so easily.
Indian farmers walking in their fields know snakes can be very dangerous but understand that it’s a part of the eco-system to keep away the rats and mice, Marven said, adding that it’s a thing that he “loves” about India.
“I’ve noticed a declining number of snakes in many parts of the world. People don’t protect what they don’t know about. There is a need for more awareness about animal conservation,” Marven said mulling over many years of his experience working with nature and wildlife.
India has a “great wealth of wildlife, which needs to be protected,” Marven said.
India’s younger generation’s efforts to protect tigers and rhinos were particularly interesting for him to see, he said, expressing hope to work in India again to explore more of the country’s unexplored “wildlife wealth”.
Compared with globally known Australian presenter Steve Irwin, Marven said that for him, “animals are the stars” of his show.
“One must always remember that the animals are the stars and respect them. The films aren’t about me, they are about the snakes. I am just giving them a voice,” Marven said.
Not surprisingly, the philosophy of making animals the stars is something that he takes from one of the greatest naturalists the world has seen, David Attenborough.
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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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