National
Bengal forms panel to look into cooperative banks’ problems
Kolkata, Jan 25 (IANS) A committee has been formed here to look into the problems of the cooperative banks and find ways for their expansion to serve people in no-bank areas, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Thursday.
The committee would be led by Chief Secretary Malay Dey, and submit its report to the Chief Minister within six months.
“It will look into all problems, and see how the cooperative bank network can be expanded to serve no-bank areas. It will see how the functioning of cooperative banks can be improved and the total loan disbursal raised to Rs 1 lakh crore. We also need to lay down a better administrative system, and solve some of the problems of employees and meet their demands,” Banerjee said.
Describing co-operatives and self-help groups as the backbone of the economy, the Chief Minister said co-operative banks needed to be set up in all areas where there were no banking facilities.
She lauded the department for deciding to open 75 banks in no-bank areas, but asked them to raise the number to 200.
Banerjee said the state had two lakh self-help groups involving 18 lakh people, and over 500 cooperative societies, of which 2631 were very active.
The Chief Minister said the co-operatives have procured a record 28 lakh metric ton of paddy from farmers this year, and called upon them to increase the number of warehouses.
“Thanks to your efforts, the average annual income of farmers in our state has gone up from Rs 91,000 in 2010-11 to Rs 2.39 lakh now,” she said.
Banerjee promised to bring the members of self-help groups under the state government’s health insurance scheme Swasthya Sathi, but said it can be done only after setting up a computer data base.
Banerjee said once the co-operative banks became self-dependent, the funds for widow pension, and the state government’s welfare schemes like Kanyashree and Yuvashree would be disbursed through them.
Cautioning the co-operative bank managements, she said they need to return people’s money in time, and disburse loans quickly.
–IANS
ssp/ahm/bg
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.