Dubai Based Billionaire Ropes In India's Metro Man E Sreedharan To Rebuild Flood Ravaged Kerala
Kerala, August 25: Dr Shamsheer Vayalil, a Dubai based Indian origin billionaire entrepreneur and philanthropist who had earlier pledged Rs 50 crores to rebuilt flood ravaged Kerala has got one of India's most respected infrastructure experts to do the job.
Shamsheer, the founder and managing director of UAE-based VPS Healthcare said India's Metro Man E Sreedharan will be joining their task force to rebuild Kerala.
#MetroMan - Dr. E Sreedharan, we are humbled and delighted that you are joining our Task Force for #Kerala in spite of your busy schedule. Your experience and insights will be invaluable in helping shape the #recovery, #rebuilding and #rehabilitation programs. #rebuildingKerala pic.twitter.com/Jcgr1tyOdF
— Shamsheer Vayalil (@drshamsheervp) August 22, 2018
According to Shamsheer, Sreedharan will be a part of the group's activities related to rebuilding and rehabilitation in Kerala.
The announcement comes at a time when Kerala is trying to recover from the worst flooding in nearly a century which battered the entire state for nearly two weeks.
Though the flood waters have more or less receded, the damages suffered to the infrastructure is enormous.
AFP
Across the state, roads, bridges and other infrastructure have taken a massive hit and it is estimated that it will take at least a good few years to restore them and expenses running into thousands of crores.
Earlier, announcing a Rs 50 crore package for the state, the 41-year-old Kerala-born businessmen said the group will work in partnership with key stakeholders, including local authorities, and experts – in education, health care and housing — to use best practices and innovative strategies to ensure these vital ecosystems can recover quickly and efficiently.
He had also indicated that the money will be spent throughout the state and certain areas have already been identified for immediate help.
Shamsheer who is estimated to be worth $1.5 billion is regarded as one of the richest Indian businessmen in the Middle East.
Earlier this year Shamsheer and his wife Dr. Shabeena joined The Giving Pledge, a campaign founded by Bill Gates, Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett, to encourage the wealthy to contribute their wealth towards philanthropy.
He is also the son-in-law of MA Yousuf Ali, a successful Malayali businessman in the Middle East and the chairman and managing director of Lulu group who himself has donated Rs 5 crore to the flood relief in Kerala.
Courtesy: www.indiatimes.com
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Karnataka govt directs municipal corps to regulate, prohibit pigeon feeding
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government has issued directions to municipal corporations across the state to regulate and prohibit feeding pigeons in public places, citing serious public health concerns.
Deputy Secretary to Government V Lakshmikanth has written to the Urban Development Department requesting it to issue directions to the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and all municipal corporations to take immediate steps to implement the measures.
In an official note dated December 16 issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department and released to the media on Wednesday, the department said uncontrolled feeding of pigeons in public places has resulted in large congregations of birds, excessive droppings and serious health concerns, particularly respiratory illnesses linked to prolonged exposure to pigeon droppings and feathers such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis and other lung diseases.
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"The commissioner, the Greater Bengaluru Authority and the Commissioners and chief officers of other municipal corporations shall take necessary action to mitigate the causes of dangerous disease spread by pigeon and enforce specified guidelines in their respective jurisdiction," the note said.
According to the department, these include a prohibition on feeding pigeons or causing pigeons to be fed in areas where it may cause nuisance or pose a health hazard to the public. Pigeon feeding shall be permitted only in designated areas in a controlled manner, subject to certain conditions.
"The designated areas may be selected in consultation with stakeholders. The responsibility for upkeep of the designated areas and compliance to the directions shall be taken up by some charitable organisation or an NGO. The feeding in designated areas shall be permitted only for some limited hours in the day," it said.
The note further stated that authorised officers of local authorities shall issue on-the-spot warnings and may impose fines for violation of the order, or lodge complaints to prosecute offenders under Sections 271 (Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and 272 (Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
It also directed local authorities to conduct public awareness campaigns, including the display of signboards, banners and digital messages, explaining the health hazards associated with pigeon droppings and feathers, the content of the regulatory directions and penalties for violations, and alternative humane methods of bird conservation that do not endanger public health.
