National
Mumbai stampede: Opposition demands judicial probe
Mumbai, Sep 29 (IANS) Opposition parties in Maharashtra demanded a judicial enquiry into Friday’s stampede at Ephinstone Road railway foot overbridge in which 22 commuters were crushed to death.
State Congress President Ashok Chavan, who went to visit the victims at the tragedy site and the KEM Hospital, also met relatives of the deceased and the injured undergoing treatment and got an update from the hospital authorities.
“This is a very grave tragedy.. The government must order a judicial probe into it and take stringent action against those responsible for it. They must also adequate compensate all the victims and bear the complete medical costs of all the injured,” he demanded.
Nationalist Congress Party legislator Jitendra Awhad targeted the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party government for ignoring issues concerning the safety of Mumbai railway commuters and talking about implementing the Bullet Train project.
“When will the government take note of the difficulties encountered by millions of Mumbaikars who carry their hearts in their hands to earn a living daily?” he asked.
On one hand, the government had promised to spend Rs 46,000 crore to overhaul the Mumbai suburban railway networks, but emains silent on the long-pending suburban elevated railway corridor and instead came up with the Bullet Train, he said.
Awhad said daily, there are scores of accidents killing or maiming many commuters, but the government has chosen to turn a blind eye to their plight.
In one of the worst tragedies on the Mumbai suburban network, 22 commuters were killed and another 32 were hurt in a massive stampede that occurred on a narrow connecting foot overbridge between Elphinstone Road-Parel railway stations.
The festival-eve calamity sparked off angry reactions on social media and political circles, with many questioning lapses vis-a-vis safety and security of commuters even as mega-projects like Bullet Trains are announced with fanfare.
–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.