National
Modi pays surprise call on Nepal PM
New Delhi, Aug 23 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday paid a surprise call on visiting Nepalese Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, signifying the importance India attaches to ties with its close neighbour amid China’s active wooing of Kathmandu.
“Happy to welcome Rt Hon Sher Bahadur Deubaji, PM of close and friendly neighbour Nepal. Look forward to more extensive talks tomorrow,” Modi tweeted.
The unexpected meeting between the two Prime Ministers came a day ahead of formal talks between the two sides. Deuba, on a five-day state visit, will be given a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Thursday.
Earlier, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj received Deuba on his arrival – in another significant gesture of friendship.
Deuba chose India for his first overseas visit after becoming Prime Minister in June.
Nepal’s Ambassador to India Deep Kumar Upadhayay termed Modi’s call a “warm-up” ahead of the official talks on Thursday.
Deuba’s state visit comes days after Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang was in Nepal during which the two sides signed several major agreements to boost energy and economic ties.
The Deuba visit also comes amid a dragging standoff between Indian and Chinese troops on the Doklam plateau that has escalated tensions between New Delhi and Beijing.
Deuba and Sushma Swaraj met in Kathmandu earlier this month when the two sides are known to have discussed the Doklam issue.
On Thursday, the two sides will hold delegation-level talks following which Modi and Deuba will remote launch from Hyderabad House the Katiya-Kushaha and Raxaul-Parwanipur cross-border transmission line for supply of 50 MW each.
Some agreements are expected to be signed following the talks.
Deuba is leading a 48-member delegation including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara, other ministers, MPs, Secretaries and other high ranking officials to India.
Deuba also interacted with the Nepali diaspora at the Nepal Embassy and lauded their contribution towards nation building. He promised to provide a mechanised channel to transfer money to Nepal, the Himalayan Times reported.
Deuba is expected to raise the issue of inundation in the Terai region and other issues during his talks with Modi.
Modi will also host a banquet in honour of Deuba and his delegation in the evening.
Deuba, also President of the Nepali Congress, will also visit Hyderabad, Tirupati and Bodh Gaya.
–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.