National
Himachal CM opens first phase of hydro project
Shimla, Sep 11 (IANS) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh on Monday inaugurated the 65 MW-capacity first stage of the Kashang hydel project in Kinnaur district that will also enable the state earn certified emission reduction credits.
The work on the Asian Development Bank-funded hydroelectricity project with a combined generation capacity of 195 MW was begun in 2009 by state-run Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Ltd (HPPCL).
The Chief Minister said it was a major milestone in the state’s hydropower generation sector.
He said this is one of the projects registered as a ‘Green Power Project’ under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM).
According to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the CDM allows emission-reduction projects in developing countries to earn certified emission reduction credits, each equivalent to one tonne of CO2.
These CERs can be traded and sold, and used by industrialised countries to meet part of their emission reduction targets under the Kyoto Protocol.
Speaking at the inaugural function, the Chief Minister said the powerhouse of the 195 MW project was complete.
“But due to some disputes pending with the National Green Tribunal, only 65 MW power is being produced presently and we are sincerely hoping for quick resolution of these disputes,” he said.
He expressed satisfaction over the steps taken for rehabilitation and relief provided to project-affected families.
He said the project-hit families would be provided 100 units free electricity per month once the project is fully commissioned.
HPPCL Managing Director Devesh Kumar said rehabilitation and resettlement had been paid up to the tune of Rs 90 lakh to those who lost their land with the project commissioning.
The National Green Tribunal, in its May 4 order last year, directed the state forest department and the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests, which allowed diversion of 17.6857 hectares of forest land, to ensure that the entire proposal pertaining to the forest clearance was placed before the gram sabha of Lippa, Rarang, Pangi and Telangi villages for its perusal.
The villagers said the project would require diversion of a large area of forest land measuring about 119.6 hectares from the cold desert region at an elevation of 2,000 to 3,155 metres.
During the past decade, there has been a gradual decrease in the forest cover in Kinnaur which now is spread over only 10 per cent of the district’s geographical area, the villagers said.
The NGT order was passed by the principal bench headed by Justice Swatanter Kumar.
–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.