National
Mamata calls for shutdown withdrawal, permanent solution to hill problem
Jalpaiguri, Sep 12 (IANS) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday stressed on finding a permanent solution to the crisis in the state’s northern hills and announced sops for various sections of the people during a meeting with parties from the region here.
Describing the meeting held at the state’s northern secretariat Uttarkanya as ‘positive’, Banerjee called for lifting the indefinite hill shutdown, which has been continuing for 89 days.
The next round of meetings would be held on October 16, she declared.
The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha and other hill-based parties, which took part in the deliberations, sought a tripartite meeting – involving them and the central and state government – on their demand for a separate state of Gorkhaland.
However, the state government argued that it was not in a position to commit on the issue now.
“They have raised the issue of a tripartite meeting. I have said we can’t commit now. Because the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (hill development body) which had the provision of tripartite talks, is now not an elected body, but one run administratively. So we have to look into the legal issues,” Banerjee said.
“We want the shutdown to be lifted completely. In democracy, dialogue process, negotiation – these are very important.
“Hills are in our heart. We want a permanent solution. The people in the hills also have their sentiments,” she said.
Responding to a 17-point memorandum submitted by Binay Tamang, who leads one GJM faction and has been expelled by party chief Bimal Gurung, Banerjee urged government employees to join duty in the hills within 15 days.
“Whoever joins by September 25 will get one month Durga Puja advance,” she announced.
Banerjee also promised to restore the public distribution system completely as early as possible once normalcy returned in the hills.
With classes disrupted in the schools in the hills due to the turmoil, the Chief Minister announced that a special allowance would be given to the teachers for a year for taking classes during winter.
Banerjee said a Group of Ministers have been formed on the issue of paying minimum wages to the tea garden workers and the Chief Secretary would hold talks with owners for reopening closed tea gardens.
Tamang demanded restoration peace and normalcy in the his at the earliest, and urged the state government to take initiative immediately for tripartite talks on Gorkhaland.
The GJM also asked for a high level probe into the deaths caused due to police action recently and compensation to the families of those killed and also to those who have sustained injuries.
The other demands placed by the GJM included withdrawal of old and new cases against all leaders, workers and sympathisers and release of all those arrested for participating in the Gorkhaland agitation.
Besides, it sought high level inquiry into the recent bomb blasts and withdrawal of the ban on some local televidion channels and digital media so that they can function freely.
–IANS
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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.
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