National
Investments in 2017 at 13-year low: Congress
New Delhi, Jan 9 (IANS) Hitting out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement that fresh investments in various sectors in three years were the highest, the Congress on Tuesday said it would have been good if he had mentioned that the investments in 2017 were at a “13-year low”.
“Modi ji today (Tuesday) said that fresh investment in three years have been the highest. It is not true. It would have been good had he said that in 2017, the investments were at a 13-year low.
“During the earlier United Progressive Alliance rule, fresh investments in 2014 totalled 16.2 trillion dollars. In 2017, it reduced to 7.9 trillion dollars. It would have been good had he given this figure as well,” said Congress leader Raj Babbar.
Babbar said that losses have been the most this year in the manufacturing sector. “Today, news reports said 1.5 crore labourers have become unemployed.”
The actor-turned-politician said Congress President Rahul Gandhi had expressed concern over jobs, quality education and healthcare in India while addressing the Indian diaspora in Bahrain.
“One leader is expressing concern about all these issues and, on the other hand, they (Bharatiya Janata Party) are always in election mode. The Prime Minister and his entire Council of Ministers reach wherever there is election. But they keep themselves away from the country’s problems,” Babbar said.
Addressing a day-long conference of PIO Parliamentarians — Indian-origin lawmakers from across the world, Modi gave details of new investments his government was making in the country in technology, transportation and infrastructure development “keeping in mind the needs of the 21st century”.
“More than half the investments in the last three years till now has happened in sectors like construction, air transport, mining, computer software, hardware, electrical equipment and many others,” Modi said.
Asked if Gandhi was defaming the country abroad as alleged by the BJP, Babbar said: “There is a difference between criticism and expressing concern. When he says this, there is a concern….”
The Congress leader said: “It is our responsibility that we talk about providing jobs, quality education and improved healthcare. If they think that it amounts to defaming the nation, then there is something wrong with them.”
Highlighting how job-creation in India is at an eight-year low, Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Monday said the two threats facing India under the Modi government are its inability to create jobs and the rise of the forces of hatred and division.
–IANS
sid/tsb/dg
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.