National
Frail-looking Parrikar thanks Goa for prayers, presents budget
Panaji, Feb 22 (IANS) In an emotional address to the people of Goa, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, who hours after being discharged from a Mumbai hospital made a dramatic appearance at the state legislative assembly on Thursday to present the annual budget, thanked the people of Goa for praying for his health.
The Chief Minister said that nothing is wrong with him and that he has just been asked to avoid “close contact”.
Dressed in a uncharacteristic full-sleeved blue shirt and looking frailer than his usual bustling self, Parrikar, who was accompanied by his son Utpal, was greeted by top officials and ruling MLAs and ministers, even as opposition legislators looked at the buzzing assembly complex driveway where Parrikar’s convoy had stopped to allow him to alight.
In his brief speech before tabling the budget, Parrikar said: “I thank everyone who wished me for my speedy recovery through messages, letters and prayers at various temples, churches, mosques and in other ways.
“I am overwhelmed by the overpouring of your love and affection. It fortifies my conviction that Goa and Goans are my extended family. It is your wishes and prayers which have helped me recover speedily and return to Goa.
“For complete recovery, I have been advised by the doctors some precautions in the immediate short term. During this period, my interaction with the public will be limited. However, I will be discharging my regular duties and obligations as the Chief Minister of the state.”
Parrikar, who tabled a revenue-surplus budget of Rs 144.65 crore, with a stress on labour, employment and information technology, did not read out the customary budget speech. He informed the Speaker that he could not write the speech on account of his health condition.
Parrikar was on February 15 admitted to Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai, after he complained of stomach pain. He was later diagnosed with pancreas-related ailment.
But, his sudden decision to present the annual budget at the assembly complex came as a surprise to his Cabinet and legislature colleagues, as well as police officials at the assembly complex, who were in a tizzy finalising last-minute security arrangements.
“It is his will to come here… He arranged the flight himself, which his whole family did not know. Family was trying to bring him after the budget session. He must have used his good offices for the first time and came on a private flight…only to show the people of Goa that ‘I am a fighter’,” BJP MLA Nilesh Cabral said after meeting the Chief Minister.
After a brief Cabinet meeting, where Parrikar thanked his coalition government ministers for their concern and promised to meet them again, Minister for Power Pandurang Madkaikar told IANS that the Chief Minster will address his next Cabinet meeting on Wednesday.
“We are happy to have him back. He has told us that the next cabinet meeting will be convened on coming Wednesday,” Madkaikar said.
Opposition leader Chandrakant Kavlekar also expressed happiness, saying the assembly is glad to have Parrikar back in the hot-seat. “We are glad to see him and we hope he recovers fully.”
Parrikar only waved to the cordoned-off media on his way out of the assembly complex. However, to a question from a reporter seeking to know his health status, Parrikar said: “Nothing is wrong with me. I have been asked not to maintain close contact.”
–IANS
maya/nir
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.
Foodman Vishal Singh Honored for Hunger Free World Mission in Bangkok
Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
Cheers and Cheers: Barzilla’s Joyful Ode to Inclusivity and Celebration
Casino Days Reveal Internal Data on Most Popular Smartphones
Meghalaya Reserves Legalized Gambling and Sports Betting for Tourists
IPL 20202 UPDATE: KXIP vs MI IPL Dream11 Team Prediction for Today Match, Update Point Table of all Team.
In a Live debate AAP leader Syed Asad Abbas hurls abuses to BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma.
‘India’s Most Wanted’ trailer out Arjun Kapoor on hunt of Osama-Bin-Laden
Time to move on: Sonakshi on Shatrughan’s joining Congress
