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Goa tourist taxi strike to continue on Sunday

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Panaji, Jan 20 (IANS) Goa’s tourist taxi drivers on Saturday decided to extend their strike to the third day on Sunday, as Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar declined to consider their demand to not make mandatory installation of speed governors in their vehicles.

“Unlike what some of the taxi operators may believe, the state government has not made speed governors mandatory. It has been done by a Supreme Court-appointed committee. It is the law. Their demand to do away with speed governors can’t be accepted,” Parrikar told reporters in Panaji.

“Why do taxi operators in Goa alone have a problem with speed governors, when taxi operators from Bengaluru, Mumbai and Delhi do not have a problem,” the Chief Minister said, adding that over 4,000 taxi operators in Goa had already installed the device.

The tourist taxis, which do not get speed governors installed by February 24 this year, would be automatically rendered unfit for public carriage, according to the government order.

Taxi operator unions on Saturday resolved to extend their strike to the third day, accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led coalition government of not even attempting to engage them in a dialogue.

“We are not going to give in. The strike will continue until the state government agrees to our demands,” a spokesperson for the taxi operators said.

The strike, which began on Friday, had been called by tourist taxi associations in North Goa and South Goa districts, protesting against compulsory installation of speed governors in cabs, and alleged harassment by Transport Department and police officials.

The strike has rendered thousands of tourists taxis off the state’s roads, leaving both locals as well as tourists in a quandary.

Over six million tourists visit the coastal state every year.

–IANS
maya/nir/dg

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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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