National
Bumper crop expected as paddy procurement begins in Punjab, Haryana
Chandigarh, Oct 2 (IANS) Procurement of paddy officially began in agrarian states Punjab and Haryana on Monday with food and supplies officials saying that a bumper crop is expected this Kharif season.
Though official data was not immediately available, officials said that paddy arrival had started and was expected to pick up in the coming week.
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has promised strict adherence by his government to the 48-hour deadline for lifting of paddy and payment to farmers for their crop this time.
Pointing out that his government had got the issue of Cash Credit Limit (CCL) sorted out with the central government and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), he said everything was in place for smooth procurement of paddy in this season, when an estimated 182 lakh tonnes of the crop was expected to come into the market in Punjab.
The state had procured 165 lakh tonnes paddy last year.
Punjab’s truck unions, which were on a warpath with the state government over the announcement of a ban on them, have decided to lift the paddy this time since the government has delayed the notification on the union ban.
Haryana’s Minister of State for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Karan Dev Kamboj said on Monday that officials would visit 13 paddy growing districts of the state and speak to the framers to know if they faced any problems in selling their produce.
He urged farmers to bring their produce after it had completely dried up so that they faced no problem in mandis.
“If the moisture level is up to the norms of the government procurement agencies, no negligence should be exercised in procurement,” said the minister, who started the procurement operations in Indri grain market near Karnal.
“The Central government has set Rs 1,590 for PR variety of A-grade paddy and Rs 1,550 for B-grade paddy, but private millers in Indri mandi today purchased these varieties up to Rs 1,621 and Rs 1,611,” Kamboj added.
–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.