National
Parrikar trying to censor MLAs over drug trade-police nexus: Congress
Panaji, Sep 20 (IANS) The Goa Congress on Wednesday accused Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar of fascist tendencies, saying a letter from him asking MLAs not to comment publicly on a police-drug mafia nexus in the state amounted to censorship of legislators.
State Congress president Shantaram Naik said Parrikar’s controversial written note to all MLAs, which said that commenting publicly on the nexus was affecting the morale of the Goa Police, was tantamount to restraining the democratic rights of the legislators.
“CM writing a note on his file, restraining his MLAs from exercising their democratic rights of free speech, is yet another example of fascism that the BJP government in Goa seeks to implement through back door,” Naik said in a statement issued here.
Parrikar in a note earlier this week to ruling MLAs and ministers had said: “Such public statements lead to dampening of morale of police force, unwarranted sensationalism, dent in the image of the state and do not help us in resolving the issue, as criminals become alert by such statements.”
In the recent past, both ruling and opposition legislators have been complaining of the proliferation of the drug trade in the state and the nexus of the drug mafia and police officials.
Ruling MLAs from Calangute (Michael Lobo) and Siolim (Vinod Palienkar) constituencies have also criticised the police for not being tough on the drug trade.
Claiming that such comments triggered “unwarranted sensationalism”, Parrikar had also assured the MLAs that he would take prompt and strict action if they passed on information about drug-related activities to him.
“Given the sensitive nature of the issue and firm resolution of the state government to make Goa a drug-free state, it is requested that such information about drugs or related activities be brought to the notice of the undersigned, so as to jointly fight this menace,” Parrikar said.
Naik, however, claimed that such a clampdown on MLAs was shocking and amounted to censorship.
“It is surprising that Parrikar should issue a censorship order against his own MLAs restraining them from criticising the policemen in Goa on the drugs issue,” Naik said.
The state has witnessed a series of drug overdose-related deaths, including those of tourists, in the recent past, which led to criticism of the state police vis-a-vis narcotics proliferation.
Goa is one of the top most beach and nightlife tourism destinations in the country, receiving more than six million tourists every year.
–IANS
maya/nir/bg
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.