National
ED quizzes former Bengal Minister in Narada, Saradha cases
Kolkata, Oct 18 (IANS) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday quizzed former West Bengal Minister Madan Mitra in connection with the Narada sting case and Saradha ponzi scam.
The Trinamool Congress leader, who was in jail for nearly two years for his alleged involvement in the multi-billion rupee Saradha scandal before getting bail in September last year, appeared before the agency at their city office in CGO Complex here at around 12 noon, an official said.
Emerging from the agency office after the questioning, Mitra said he tried to answer all the queries. He said he was ready to cooperate with the central agencies like Enforcement Directorate and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
“I tried to answer all their questions. However, some of the happenings are really old and I do not remember everything as I went through a bad phase for nearly 22 months. That was a disastrous time for me,” he said, responding to questions on the Saradha scam.
“Whatever situation I may be in, I am ready to cooperate with agencies like CBI and ED whenever they call me,” Mitra added.
The agency lodged an FIR on April 17 against 13 persons, including several state ministers and MPs from the ruling Trinamool, a month after the Calcutta High Court ordered a preliminary inquiry into the Narada sting footage case.
They have already interrogated many of the accused in the case.
The controversy erupted in election-bound West Bengal in March last year when Narada News portal uploaded a video clip purportedly showing Trinamool leaders receiving money for extending favours to a fictitious company.
The ponzi scam came to light in early 2013 when the Saradha Group of companies downed shutters, unable to repay the investors — most of them poor and from rural areas — who had parked their life’s savings in its various schemes lured by promises of returns far higher than market rates.
A number of Trinamool leaders, including Mitra, were arrested or quizzed in connection with the scam.
–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.