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Time to reflect on advancing ties with Bhutan: Sushma

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New Delhi, Feb 21 (IANS) As India and Bhutan celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations this year, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday said that it is an opportunity to reflect about further advancing ties between the two countries.

“The year 2018 is a milestone moment for India-Bhutan partnership as we celebrate the accomplishments of the last five decades of our time-tested and special ties,” Sushma Swaraj said at a function here to mark the occasion.

“It is also an opportunity for us to reflect on how well we could advance this unique partnership to respond to hopes and aspirations of our two peoples for our common prosperity and a better future,” she said at the event which was also attended by Bhutanese Foreign Minister Lyonpo Damcho Dorji.

She said that that India was proud of the special and exemplary ties of friendship and cooperation that it shared with Bhutan, “which are built on shared values and aspirations, utmost trust and mutual respect”.

“It is a unique partnership built on the historical and cultural linkages between the two countries.”

The minister also welcomed the opening of a Consulate of Bhutan in Guwahati in the golden jubilee year, and said this would further strengthen contacts and cooperation, for the mutual benefit of both the countries.

With Wednesday also happening to be the birthday of King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, Sushma Swaraj extended India’s warmest greetings to the King and wished him “good health, happiness and continued success in his pursuit of peace and prosperity for the friendly people” of Bhutan.

“Under the leadership of His Majesty the King of Bhutan, the last 12 years have seen Bhutan mature as a democracy and realising all round development,” she said.

“What is more remarkable is that Bhutan has achieved its socio-economic transformation while preserving its natural heritage and cultural values.”

India and Bhutan share a unique relationship with New Delhi being a leading development aid partner for the Himalayan kingdom

There are a number of institutional mechanisms between India and Bhutan in areas such as security, border management, trade, transit, economic, hydro-power, development cooperation and water resources.

India has set up three hydroelectric projects (HEPs) in Bhutan totalling 1,416 MW, which are operational and exporting surplus power to India. About three-fourths of the power generated is exported and the rest is used for domestic consumption.

India is Bhutan’s largest trading partner. In 2016, bilateral trade stood at Rs 8,723 crore with total imports being Rs 5,528.5 crore (82 per cent of Bhutan’s total imports) and exports recorded at Rs 3,205.2 crore including electricity (90 per cent of Bhutan’s total exports).

At Wednesday’s function, Sushma Swaraj and Dorji jointly cut a ceremonial cake to mark the golden jubilee celebrations.

She said 50 commemorative events and exchanges, cultural and sporting activities would be held across different states in India and Bhutan to mark the occasion.

–IANS
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Foodman Vishal Singh Honored for Hunger Free World Mission in Bangkok

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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.

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