National
Chengannur by-election could be acid test for the three Kerala political fronts
Chengannur (Kerala), Jan 18 (IANS) The demise of sitting CPI-M legislator K.K. Ramachandran Nair on Sunday has thrown up a political challenge for the three political fronts in Kerala, as the by-election could prove to be a dress rehearsal for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections in the state.
Chengannur in Alappuzha district has traditionally been a Congress stronghold for several decades. But during the 2016 May assembly polls it turned out to be an unexpected jolt for young popular Congress legislator P.C. Vishnunath, who was aiming for a hat trick of victories but had to bite the dust against Nair, who won with a majority of over 7,000 votes.
While Nair won with 52,880 votes, Vishnunath got 44,987 votes, and former state BJP president P. Sreedharan Pillai came a close third with 42,682 votes.
In the 2016 polls, the Oommen Chandy government – hit by a few corruption cases – was defeated by the CPI-M-led Left Democratic Front which won with a huge majority.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s government, which completes 20 months in office, has seen the resignation of three ministers. With demonetisation, GST and the frequent hike in fuel prices all affecting the common man, all the three fronts will be eager to prove their point.
In all probability, the Congress is set to field Vishnunath. The CPI-M has already started scouting for candidates, and the front runners include former Lok Sabha member C.S. Sujatha, CPI-M Alappuzha district secretary Saji Cheriyan and even the widow of Nair. The CPI-M cannot afford to lose the seat, as it would be a telling blow to the governance of Vijayan and could mar the fortunes of the CPI-M in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. The CPI-M national leadership is placing high hopes to get maximum number of seats from Kerala.
In his debut election in 2006, Vishnunath beat Cheriyan and in the 2011 polls he had defeated Sujatha.
According to sources in the BJP, while Pillai is not very keen to contest again, the mantle is most likely to fall on him as he appears the most suitable candidate as he hails from the constituency and has a general acceptance.
A reason for cheer for the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) is that last year, the second biggest party in the coalition, the Indian Union Muslim League, won the Malappuram Lok Sabha and the Vengara assembly by-election.
–IANS
sg/rn
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.