National
Attack on Taj aimed at re-writing history: CPI-M
New Delhi, Oct 18 (IANS) Accusing the BJP rulers of Uttar Pradesh of having “a medieval communal mindset”, the CPI-M has said that the vilification of the Taj Mahal by BJP leaders was part of a project aimed at re-writing history.
“Nothing exemplifies this attitude more than their attempt to denigrate the Taj Mahal which is considered as one of the most beautiful buildings in the world,” CPI-M journal People’s Democracy said in an editorial.
The CPI-M said now that the BJP and the RSS were in power, a direct attack was being launched against history pertaining to the Mughal period and the historical monuments associated with it.
“This is part of the wider project to rewrite history and to portray anything which goes against the grain of a ‘glorious Hindu history’ as evil, that deserves to be blacked out,” the editorial said.
“The denigration of the Taj Mahal is a striking example of this perverted and bigoted vision of the world. Such a blinkered approach will only damage the image of Uttar Pradesh and subject the BJP to ridicule among the people.
“Unfortunately for the Hindutva zealots, their rants against the Taj Mahal have no takers. The Taj Mahal continues to attract millions of people from around the world and from within India. They recognise its true worth – as a monument of exquisite beauty and love.”
Uttar Pradesh BJP MLA Sangeet Som sparked outrage when he called the 17th century Taj in Agra a “blot” on Indian culture. He also mixed up Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, who built the monument in memory of his wife Mumtaz, with his son Aurangazeb.
In a damage control exercise on Tuesday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said the Taj Mahal and the Red Fort were all part of the country’s heritage and that the Taj had been built by the sweat and blood of Indian labourers.
But the CPI-M editorial said the vilification of the Taj was begun by Adityanath himself. In June, he called the Taj and similar Mughal monuments as not reflecting Indian culture, it said.
It added that earlier the RSS promoted the view that the Taj Mahal was originally a Hindu temple.
“Such claims of the Hindu origins of Muslim monuments and mosques were the stable feature of Hindutva propaganda.”
–IANS
mr/soni
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.