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Additional financial package sought for loss-hit Darjeeling tea industry

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Kolkata, Dec 6 (IANS) The Union Commerce Ministry has sought additional financial assistance from the Department of Expenditure to support the Darjeeling tea industry which had suffered huge losses due to the indefinite shutdown in the north Bengal hills and is working out a mechanism for extending the support, an official said.

All plucking and manufacturing activities in the 87 gardens in Darjeeling were suspended for more than three months and about 70 per cent of the annual production was lost during the Darjeeling agitation.

“The industry had to face a lot of losses for no fault of theirs but because of external factors. In this regard, we have received proposals from DTA (Darjeeling Tea Association), ITA (Indian Tea Association), which were collated by the Tea Board and was sent to us.”

“We have sought additional financial assistance from Department of Expenditure for this unforeseen eventuality and we will be working with the department to find out a mechanism by which the Darjeeling industry can be supported,” Union Commerce Ministry, Joint Secretary (Plantations) Santosh Sarangi said while addressing the 134th Annual General Meeting of the Indian Tea Association here on Tuesday evening.

He clarified that the proposed financial assistance was related to a revival package for the rejuvenating and pruning activities that would be required to be carried out in the gardens.

The Ministry asked the Board to do an exercise on the kind of assistance which will be required for revival and rejuvenation of these gardens.

“I can’t give you the details of the mechanism or the quantum because it is a proposal under consideration and we have to work with the Department of Expenditure to work it out. On the final contours of the assistance that can be extended, work is still going on,” he said.

Sarangi said: “This is an unforeseen circumstance, we have to seek additional budget allocation for this. This is under the purview of Department of Expenditure and it is examining that. Only after examining it, they can say whether it is worth supporting or not, what kind of assistance can be given.”

–IANS
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Foodman Vishal Singh Honored for Hunger Free World Mission in Bangkok

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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.

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