National
Bengal has responsibility to guard against radicalism, extremism: Kovind
Kolkata, Nov 28 (IANS) President Ram Nath Kovind on Tuesday said Bengal has certain advantages as a border state but also certain responsibilities in guarding against forces of radicalism and extremism.
“Being a border state gives Bengal certain advantages. It also gives it certain responsibilities. Forces of radicalism and extremism, some of them with cross-border linkages, seek to take advantage of our democratic spaces. We must guard against this,” he said while speaking at a civic reception accorded to him here.
Kovind, on his maiden visit to the state after taking over as President, expressed his gratitude to Bengal for the “warm welcome” and thanked Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for a unique gift.
“I am happy to say that I am deeply touched by the warm welcome which has been accorded to me in the land of Bengal. I was more surprised when Chief Minister presented me a painting. She said this is her own painting. Honourable Chief Minister, I assure you that, of course, it will be in Rashtrapati Bhavan. But it will always remain close to my heart,” he said.
Hailing the state for its rich culture and history, he said: “There are few people anywhere in our country who have not been touched by Bengal or by some creation of Bengal. Somehow, in some manner, the state has touched every Indian and enriched the life of every Indian.”
Citing many freedom fighters from Bengal, he said three sons of Bengal – Rabindranath Tagore, Bankim Chanra Chattorpadhyay and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose – were instrumental for defining nationalism.
“Our freedom came faster because of the energy they gave our people,” he said.
The President described Kolkata as the city with a heart and Bengalis as people with a heart.
He also mentioned that nation building owed a lot to Bengal and the sacrifices and historical achievements of the people of the state.
He noted that Bengal embraced refugees escaping from a brutal military crackdown in what was then East Pakistan. “It generously shared whatever little it had with those who had run away from oppression. We can never forget that. The world can never forget that,” he added.
Reminding the past glory of industrialisation in the state, he said: “Bengal was an early industrial and manufacturing centre in our country. Its economy must sing again in this age of digital and robotic technologies. Its farmers must be equipped with the latest agricultural knowledge to allow them to realise their potential.”
–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.