National
Determined to oust BJP in Gujarat, asserts Hardik Patel (Lead)
Ahmedabad, Oct 15 (IANS) Firebrand Patidar leader Hardik Patel on Sunday asserted that he was determined to work for the defeat of the BJP in the upcoming assembly elections in Gujarat.
“I am not working for the victory of the opposition Congress, but am committed to the legitimate rights of my community,” Patel said at a conclave of India TV here.
“If the Congress party wins, it will be a vote against dictatorship.”
Asked why he was shying away from saying that his Patidar movement was for the Congress, Patel said: “I have said earlier too that my fight is not for or against any political party, but against the system, against those who want to crush my democratic right to speak up for my rights.”
“If the BJP agrees to give what we are demanding I will wrap up the agitation but not otherwise,” he said, adding that their agitation will continue even if the Congress comes to power.
Asked what if the BJP came back to power, a smiling Patel said: “Wait till December (when the Gujarat elections are due).”
He also asserted that he and his supporters “are neither slaves of BJP, nor Congress”.
He however also that maintained that “even now, if the BJP convinces us that it can give us reservation in accordance with the Constitution, we will end our movement. And if it does not, our movement will continue”.
The Patidar leader also said that the Congress has offered 20 per cent reservation to Patel community, while the BJP government’s decision of granting 10 per cent reservation was quashed by the Gujarat High Court last year.
“This time, we want to be very clear. Congress must explain how they can provide 20 per cent reservation in accordance with the Constitution,” he said.
He also said that if demonetization and GST (Goods and Services Tax) can be enforced at the stroke of midnight, “why can’t our legislature sit till midnight and sort out the reservation issue?”
Asked about why he welcomed Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi in Gujarat on social media, Patel replied: “If (Narendra) Modiji can meet Nawaz Sharif, why can’t I welcome Rahulji in the spirit of ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ (guests are gods)?”
Gandhi arrived in Gujarat on three day election campaign tour on September 25 and was welcomed by the Patidar leader.
Rejecting his “soft attitude” towards Congress Vice President, Patel said: “He (Rahul) is not the son of my mausi (aunt) that I am soft towards him.”
–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.