National
No show by Pakistani publisher at World Book Fair
New Delhi, Jan 8 (IANS) The lone publisher who was supposed to represent Pakistan at the ongoing 26th annual New Delhi World Book Fair didnt turn up at the event.
Al Hasanat Books Private Ltd, a distributor of some of the publishers from Pakistan, is representing the country in the international pavilion.
“We are aware of the prevailing tension between the countries. It is difficult to acquire a visa. Also our publishers are busy attending book fairs in other countries,” Faisal Faheem of Al Hasanat told IANS.
Last year also no publisher from Pakistan attended the event and the same distributor had represented the country at the World Book Fair.
However, a press conference last week, event co-organser National Book Trust (NBT) had specifically mentioned that a publisher from Pakistan will be attending this year.
“There might have been some issue regarding visa. World Book Fair is open for all. We don’t choose any publisher. Anyone from any country is free to submit their nomination,” an NBT official stated.
Unlike other countries, Pakistan’s name was missing from its billboard at the stall and merely stated “Children’s Books”. The only mention of the country is on a board outside the international pavilion. Asked about this, an NBT official said this might have happened “by mistake” and “we will soon add the name”.
Faheem said that the billboard was given by the organisers, adding this won’t affect them much as it is the books on display that matters.
“Name of a country or publishing brand doesn’t matter us much. If our books are good and worth reading, readers and book lovers will be anyway drawn towards our stall. We have books from different publishers from Pakistan, children’s books, literature, shayari and religious. Hope visitors will like it,” he pointed out.
–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.