National
Large-scale violence in Panchkula after Dera chief verdict (Lead)
Panchkula (Haryana), Aug 25 (IANS) Large-scale violence erupted here in Haryana on Friday as enraged followers of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh torched scores of vehicles and buildings in Panchkula after he was held guilty of rape.
Thousands of sect followers who had gathered outside the court complex in Panchkula attacked security personnel and media persons and then went on a rampage.
In no time, it was complete anarchy in and around Panchkula town, adjoining Chandigarh.
Witnesses and residents said about 150 buildings and vehicles were set on fire in Panchkula, sending huge plumes of smoke rising into the sky.
These included government and private vehicles as well as government buildings.
The vastly outnumbered security forces were seen running for cover in some places as thousands of Dera supporters pelted them mercilessly with stones.
Some media Outdoor Broadcasting vans were also set on fire. Some journalists were attacked. Media persons took shelter in nearby houses to save themselves from the mobs.
Security forces opened fire at some places at the protestors. Unconfirmed reports said three people were killed.
A total of 50 incidents of violence were reported within one hour in Punjab and Haryana after the court verdict became known. The numbers kept increasing as time passed.
Most attacks in Panchkula took place in Sectors 3, 4 and 5, which are all close to the court complex.
The police and paramilitary forces could not react adequately as the mobs indulged in violence.
Soldiers deployed in the area moved in quickly and took control of the court complex, where the sect chief was taken into custody following his conviction.
Violence was also reported from elsewhere in Haryana and Punjab
Attempts were made to burn two railway stations in Punjab’s Malout and Mansa towns. Unconfirmed reports said six masked miscreants damaged and set on afire an Income Tax office in Mansa.
There were reports of violence in Mansa, Bathinda and Ferozepore districts in Punjab. Curfew was imposed in these towns.
–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.