National
US keen to partner in International Solar Alliance projects
Kolkata, Aug 23 (IANS) The United States has evinced “keen interest” to partner in International Solar Alliance’s (ISA) projects and programmes, its Director General said here on Wednesday.
“India and the US are equally interested in ISA. They both have collaborative projects in the renewable energy sector. The US has shown keen interest to partner in the ISA programme and projects, but for formal membership they have their internal processes and procedures,” Upendra Tripathy, ISA’s Interim Director General, told media persons here.
He was talking on the sidelines of the Bengal Chamber-organised 10th Environment and Energy Conclave.
The ISA is likely to be recognised as the multilateral agency of the United Nations by this year-end.
“Right now, it is a de facto body. It will become a legal body on December 9,” he said.
In June, after the withdrawal by the US, India and France had pledged themselves to take the Paris accord on climate change forward.
Asked about the other countries that need to come aboard, Tripathy said: “Except Brazil and Peru, entire Latin America has not signed. We haven’t got many Arab countries. We have to have a lot of Asian countries including China, Malaysia… They all have to come on board.”
He stressed that the process of availing membership in the India-led initiative is sovereign and voluntary.
“We are pursuading. It’s a long process,” he said.
To a question on possibility of China’s participation in the ISA amid the Doklam standoff, he said if China came on board, it would be the biggest beneficiary.
“This is a long journey. In (installing) 1,000GW of solar (by 2030), China will be the biggest beneficiary out of this as they are the ones selling the panels. They do realise that.”
The ISA was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Francoise Hollande in November 2015. It aims to channel $300 billion in 10 years to promote renewable energy projects under a global mega fund for clean energy.
There are a total of 38 signatories to the Alliance, out of which eight countries have ratified.
–IANS
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National
Foodman Vishal Singh Honored for Hunger Free World Mission in Bangkok
Lucknow: Vishal Singh, a renowned social worker from Lucknow, also known as Foodman, has once again made India proud. He was honored by the Happy Hands Gloves Cooperative Limited Company in Korathai, Thailand, for his work with the Hunger Free World Mission.
The Hunger Free World Mission’s meeting was held in Korathai, Thailand, under Vishal Singh’s leadership. Representatives from several countries, including Mr. Raja Dwivedi (Managing Director of Happy Hands Gloves Limited), Thailand Coordinator Mr. Raja Mishra, and member Mr. Varun Singh, attended the event.
Under Vishal Singh’s leadership, the attendees took a pledge to work together toward creating a hunger-free world.
Speaking on the occasion, Vishal Singh explained that the main goal of the Hunger Free World Mission is social participation. He said the mission is not just about feeding people but also about meeting other basic needs of those who are struggling. The mission focuses on helping families of terminally ill patients in hospitals by providing food and shelter. It also works to fulfill essential needs like education, jobs, and care for the elderly.
For the last 16 years, the Vijay Sri Foundation has been providing free services, benefiting thousands of people. Vishal Singh highlighted that the mission aims to gain global recognition like other organizations such as WHO, WWF, and Red Cross, which work for social causes.
During this meeting, Vishal Singh was appointed as the Chairman of the Hunger Free World Mission by representatives from various countries. They also discussed holding regular meetings in different countries to push the mission forward.
Business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has also supported this humanitarian mission, vowing to promote the idea of “Seva Parmo Dharma” (Service is the highest duty) worldwide. Vishal Singh praised him, stating that people like Dr .Abhishek Verma inspire others to work for the betterment of society.
Recently, Romania’s Ambassador, Mr . Daniela Sezonov Ţane, invited Vishal Singh to the Romanian Embassy in Delhi, where they discussed the mission in detail. Impressed by his humanitarian work, she honored Vishal Singh and invited him to Romania to take the mission forward .
Food man Vishal Singh has been serving the people of India for the past 16 years. Through the Vijay Sri Foundation, he provides free meals to cancer patients & their families ,shelter, and education for women & children along with running free old-age homes in Lucknow.
In addition to his humanitarian work, Vishal Singh also addresses issues like crime and corruption through his role as Chairman of Seva Path Media and Managing Director of Vijay Sri Foundation.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Vishal Singh and his team worked tirelessly to provide food and help to the needy, including starving children, elderly citizens, and pregnant women. Despite contracting the virus himself, he continued to assist others after his recovery. He even created a life-saving oxygen regulator using household items, which was praised by doctors both in India and abroad.
In his address at the meeting, Vishal Singh spoke about his mission to create a hunger-free world. He pointed out that India’s large population, along with issues like unemployment and poverty, has caused the country to fall on the Hunger Index. He urged people to contribute just one handful of grains daily to help create a hunger-free world.
He concluded by saying that through social participation, we can empower the people around us, meet their basic needs, and work together to build a stronger, more prosperous, and developed society.