National
Iranian President to arrive in Hyderabad on Thursday
Hyderabad, Feb 14 (IANS) Tight security arrangements will be in place for Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, who is arriving here on Thursday on his three-day visit to India, officials said.
Officials of Iranian and Indian security agencies were busy giving final touches to the security during his stay in Hyderabad for two days.
The agencies in coordination with the Hyderabad police will be making fool-proof arrangements at the historic Makkah Masjid, where the Iranian President will be addressing a congregation after Friday prayers.
Rouhani will be the first head of a state to address a congregation at the 17th century mosque, one of the biggest in India. After offering the prayers along with ministers and top officials accompanying him, he will address the gathering in the sprawling courtyard of the mosque, which can accommodate about 10,000 worshippers.
Authorities may not restrict the entry of worshippers into the mosque but additional security measures will be in place. A large number of Shias including those having Iranian lineage are expected to turn up to hear Rouhani. The invitees will be issued security passes.
The foundation for Makkah Masjid was in late in 1616 by Qutub Shahi ruler Sultan Mohammad but it was completed during Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb’s reign in 1694.
Security had been tightened at Makkah Masjid since May 18, 2007 when a bomb blast during Friday prayers had killed five people and injured scores of others. Following this incident, CCTV cameras and metal detectors were installed in the premises.
Telangana Chief Secretary S.K. Joshi on Wednesday reviewed arrangements for Rouhani’s visit at a high-level meeting with officials of various departments. Iranian Consul General Mohammad Haghbin Ghomi and other Iranian officials also attended the meeting.
Joshi directed Hyderabad Police Commissioner V.V. Srinivas Rao and other police officials to make all necessary security and traffic control arrangements.
The Iranian President will land at Begumpet Airport in the city on Thursday evening. Union Power Minister R. K. Singh will receive him on behalf of the Indian Government.
Rouhani will stay at a star hotel in Banjara Hills, where he will address a meeting of ‘ulema’ or religious scholars of various sects, academicians and other eminent people the same day.
The next day he will visit Makkah Masjid and Salarjung Museum, famous for the world’s largest one man collection of artefacts.
The Chief Secretary noted that Hyderabad has historic relations with Iran. He said the visit of Iran President to Hyderabad was significant and welcoming him will be great opportunity.
Rouhani is also likely to visit Qutub Shahi Tombs, the mausoleums of Qutub Shahi rulers, who had Iranian lineage.
After two-day stay here, he will leave for New Delhi, where is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind on Saturday.
–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.