National
Unhappy with party, BJP leader ‘sings’ to voice anguish
Jalgaon (Maharashtra), Jan 25 (IANS) Currently in the wilderness since June 2016, senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader and ex-minister Eknath Khadse resorted to a famous Bollywood number to voice his anguish – and warn the party leadership of his mood, here on Thursday.
He sang: “Rehte the kabhi dil me jinke, Jaan se bhi pyaron ki tarah, Baithe hai unhi ke kuche me, Hum aaj gunehgaron ki tarah” a classic song from the 1966 blockbuster “Mamta”, significantly at a Congress function, sending clear signals to the state BJP leadership.
The once de facto No 2 in the state cabinet, Khadse was forced to quit after various allegations were hurled against him, including corrupt practices and links with absconding mafia don Dawood Ibrahim Kaskar.
“I want answers – What corruption I indulged in? How much wealth I have amassed? There has been an enquiry against me. The government must show everything to the people,” Khadse said in his speech.
“I have worked with the BJP for 40 years and contributed to its growth. I have zero desire to leave it. But, I am being pushed out of the BJP and I have already informed senior leaders. You are leaving me with no options,” Khadse continued, hinting at preparations to bid goodbye to the BJP.
Demanding answers from the BJP leadership, the 65-year-old veteran politician said: “Don’t make me run away from the party. If I am a criminal, then put me in jail. In politics, nothing is impossible.”
Opening the doors for him, Congress state President Ashok Chavan said his reputation as an upright and self-respecting leader was well-known.
“Don’t wait for them to throw you out. You are welcome to join us anytime,” Chavan said, recalling Khadse’s services as the Leader of Opposition during his (Chavan’s) tenure as Chief Minister.
Earlier, the Nationalist Congress Party senior leader Ajit Pawar had also extended an open invitation to Khadse to join the party whenever he felt like it.
Among the senior most leaders in the state BJP, Khadse was the finance minister during the first Shiv Sena-BJP government from 1995-1999, but lost a bid for the top post in 2014 when the 47-year-old (now) Devendra Fadnavis was appointed Chief minister.
Though he reluctantly settled for an effective second position handling plum portfolios, barely two years later, he had to quit the party – with no signs of rehabilitation so far.
Khadse, his daughter-in-law Raksha Khadse, who is the BJP MP from the Raver Lok Sabha constituency, were among the prominent invitees at the 61st birthday celebrations of veteran Congress leader Rajiv Patil here.
–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.