National
People coming due to religious persecution to be protected: Sonowal
Kolkata, Nov 25 (IANS) Denying allegations that an attempt has been made to draw a distinction between Bangladeshi Muslims and Hindus through amendment of the Citizenship Act, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Saturday said people who have come to India due to religious persecution were to be protected.
He also said the state government would follow the directions from the Supreme Court with regard to updating the National Register of Citizens (NRC). He claimed the central government’s Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016 had no relation with the updating of NRC.
“Look, for the preparation of NRC, it has nothing to do with that issue. Whatever discipline has been set by the apex court, it is to be followed,” he said when asked about the amendment in the Citizenship Act “welcoming Bangladeshi Hindus but not Bangladesh Muslims”.
Responding to a query whether his government supported the distinction between Bangladeshi Hindus and Bangladeshi Muslims, the Chief Minister told the India Today Conclave East: “Six religious minority communities, whoever have come to India, (have come) out of religious persecution from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh. That has been the issue relating to a particular matter. It is not a question of distinction but a question of people who have come out of religious persecution. They are to be protected and it is the principled line undertaken by the Government of India.”
In reference to updating NRC, Sonowal said the matter would be heard again on November 29 and also indicated that the state might take extension of the deadline of December for readying an updated NRC.
–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.