National
I don’t see any immediate recovery of our economy: Manmohan Singh
Kochi, Nov 17 (IANS) In a hard-hitting speech against the Narendra Modi government, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday said the three-and-a-half year rule has ruined all sectors and also created a wedge in the secular credentials of India.
He also questioned the political agenda of the CPI-M in Kerala.
Singh was delivering a speech at the Congress party-organised public meeting here on Friday night on the occasion of the state-wide yatra led by Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala protesting against the “anti-people policies” of both the Centre and state government.
“The demonetisation drive was a historic blunder and the outcome has been fresh trouble and hardship for the people. Then came the hasty implementation of the GST, and the result is today there is a slowdown of the economy and GDP has fallen from 7.2 per cent in 2015-16 to 5.7 per cent in the first quarter of this fiscal. I don’t see any immediate recovery of the economy in sight,” said Singh.
Singh heaped praise on the commitment of his predecessors Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, “who worked for the country and took it to the forefront in all areas including becoming the biggest producer of food grains and also the progress made in the field’s of atomic energy and the space programme”.
“I as the Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014 also made humble contributions and saw the economy growing at 7.8 per cent. When the Congress ruled the country religions harmony was there as we kept our country’s tradition of allowing people of various faith living together and we never imposed a ban on what dress people should wear and what people should eat. But, in the three-and- half years of Modi governance, attempts are made to hurt the secular and democratic fabric of our country. The Congress will fight resolutely these divisive forces,” added Singh.
Singh also came down heavily on the Pinarayi Vijayan-led CPI-M government in Kerala and pointed out that even though one year is a short period to make a comment on the performance of the government, “I understand that the rule of law has crumbled and women are not safe and economic progress is also slow”.
“But I have a question to the CPI-M and Left parties. At the national level are we going to oppose BJP as a united front or whether the CPI-M will keep the BJP and the Congress at the same distance? If they are sincere in the fight against the BJP and its anti-people policies, they have to cooperate with the leadership of Congress at the national level and fight together against the BJP’s misrule and divisive policies,” said Singh.
The yatra of Chennithala concludes in the state capital on December 1 and on that day AICC Vice President Rahul Gandhi will be addressing the public meeting.
–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.