National
Agreements between Madras Presidency, princely Mysore in public interest: SC
New Delhi, Feb 16 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Friday rejected Karnataka’s contention that 1892 and 1924 agreements between British-ruled Madras Presidency and the princely state of Mysore could not have been the basis of a tribunal award as they were thrust on Mysore which could not bargain.
Describing the 1892 and 1924 agreements as in “larger public interest with no political elements”, the bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra, Justice Amitavsa Roy and Justice A.M. Khanwilkar, hearing the appeals against the 2007 award of the Cauvery Water Tribunal, said that at no stage after the reorganisation of the states in 1956, did Karnataka ever object to them.
The judgment said that the two agreements were not political arrangements but covered “the areas of larger public interest which do not have any political element and in this backdrop, the agreements are neither inoperative nor completely extinct”.
Even if Karnataka’s contention that Mysore did not have the bargaining power at the time of entering 1892 and 1924 agreements were to be accepted, the court said: “… Karnataka acquired the said bargaining power after the 1947 Act, and definitely after coming into force the Constitution of India” and “chose not to denounce” them.
“Therefore, the said agreements cannot be said to be unconscionable,” the judgment said.
“The newly-formed states never belied the agreements of 1892 and 1924 after the Reorganization Act, 1956. Ergo, both the agreements remained in force despite coming into effect of the Reorganization Act, 1956,” it maintained.
A perusal of the 1924 Agreement, the court said, “reveals that the said Agreement was never intended to be of permanent character. On the contrary, it contemplated a fixed term of 50 years”, and expired in 1974.
–IANS
pk/vd
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.