National
After anti-Rahul rant, Maharashtra Congress, family ‘disown’ Poonawalla
Mumbai, Nov 30 (IANS) A day after Congress’ Maharashtra activist Shehzad Poonawalla asked the party’s national Vice President Rahul Gandhi to resign before contesting the elections for party President, the state unit and his family members virtually “disowned” him on Thursday.
State Congress President Ashok Chavan said Poonawalla’s remarks were aimed at getting “cheap publicity”, to which the party gives no importance.
Questioning Poonawalla’s locus standi, he said there is no truth in his allegations nor is Poonawalla a representative or leader of the party, has remained inactive since the past couple of years and done nothing for the party.
“Moreover, the newly-elected Pradesh Congress Committee representatives (delegates) have unanimously adopted a resolution asking Rahul Gandhi to contest the Congress President’s election,” Chavan pointed out.
He condemned Poonawalla for his reckless utterances when the election process is underway in a free and transparent manner, and said it was aimed at deriving media attention.
Shahzad’s brother Tehseen Poonawalla, who is also with the state Congress, quickly declared that he “officially ended all relationship with (Shehzad)”.
“I have never been this hurt. We needed to defeat the BJP. This is unacceptable. I’m very, very hurt today. Been stabbed in the backa and how,” Tehseen said in a tweet.
Tehseen’s wife – Monicka Vadera-Poonawalla followed suit and also expressed full support to her husband and all his statements in the matter which has snowballed into a raging controversy.
“My family and I neither have any relation, association, nor wish to comment on the issue or the said individual Shehzad Poonawalla. Please refrain from tweeting/contacting me for the same,” Monicka declared in her tweet.
State Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant said Poonawalla was not even a primary member of the party, so where was the question of him being a leader or a PCC representative.
“In reality, he is a self-proclaimed person, using the name of Rahulji for drawing public attention,” he said.
Maharashtra Youth Congress Vice President Satyajeet Tambe said everytime he saw Shehzad Poonawalla representing the party on television debates, “I feel ashamed of myself”.
“I am working in the Congress party since 17 years and loyal. Only because (such) people can speak few words in English better, doesn’t make them great leaders… Congress should learn and keep such people away,” he said.
Late on Wednesday night, Shehzad Poonawalla created a ruckus when he questioned the process to elect the Congress Party President, terming it “rigged” and calling upon Rahul Gandhi to first quit his post before contesting for the top post.
He also indicated his desire to contest for the top post, if the election was conducted in a “genuine” manner and wrote a letter to Rahul Gandhi in this connection.
–IANS
qn/vd
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.