National
WCD Ministry gets Rs 24,700 cr, nutrition scheme main focus
New Delhi, Feb 1 (IANS) In the 2018-19 Union Budget presented on Thursday, the Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD) has been allocated Rs 24,700 crore, a hike of almost 12 per cent — or Rs 2,606 crore — from the previous budget.
However, in the year 2017-18, the total capex for the WCD Ministry was pegged at Rs 22,094 crore and Rs 21,236 crore was allocated.
A major chunk in this year’s budget, presented by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, has been earmarked for the ICDS programmes under which the National Nutrition Mission has got an increase of revenue from Rs 950 crore to Rs 3,000 crore.
Mahila Shakti Kendra under Protection and Empowerment for Women has been allocated Rs 267 crore from Rs 64 crore last fiscal, while Rs 500 crore has been provided for transfer to the Nirbhaya Fund.
Other schemes like the Child Protection Services, National Creche Scheme, Swadhar Greh Scheme, Ujjawala scheme, Anganwadi Services, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Working Women Hostel and Information and Mass Communication have been allocated more funds than before.
Jaitley said the government aims to provide eight crore Ujjawala gas connections against five crore provided so far.
“The Pradhanmantri Saubhagya Yojna, which provides free electricity to rural households, has been given an ambitious target of Rs 4 crore household which have direct impact on the living conditions of women and children.”
The Finance Minister said the loans to women self-help group are expected to increase to Rs 75,000 crore by the end of 2018-19 from Rs 42,500 crore at the end of 2017-18.
He added that 76 per cent of the Mudra Loans have gone to women micro entrepreneurs and 1.26 crore girls have benefited through Sukanya Samridhi Yojna accounts.
Union Minister for WCD Maneka Gandhi said: “Increased allocation will help the Ministry fight malnutrition and provide safety to women and girls through expansion of various ongoing schemes.”
–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.