World
Funerals held of Russia mall fire dead
Moscow, March 28 (IANS) Russia on Wednesday held the first funerals of those who died in the shopping centre fire in the Siberian city of Kemerovo.
At least 64 people, including 41 children, died in the blaze at the Winter Cherry mall on Sunday. Wednesday was declared a day of national mourning and vigils were held across Russia, Tass news agency reported.
The funerals — for some of the 27 identified victims — included those of a grandmother and two children. A memorial for the victims was organised in Kemerovo, the BBC reported.
Mourners lit candles and laid flowers and toys. One message read: “Children, forgive us.” Several people became emotional during the ceremony in Manezhnaya square.
Flags were flying at half mast and television shows were broadcast showing a black ribbon. In the upper house of Parliament, senators wore black and rose to honour the victims at the beginning of Wednesday’s session.
Entertainment events were cancelled across the region.
Thousands of people protested in Kemerovo on Tuesday amid anger over the alleged failure of the authorities in preventing the blaze as well as accusations of a lack of transparency in the ensuing investigation.
Investigators said the fire alarm was broken and exits blocked and President Vladimir Putin — who visited Kemerovo on Tuesday — blamed “criminal negligence” for the inferno.
Security guards, supposed to help with any emergency evacuation, were reportedly among the first to flee when the fire broke out. Five people have been arrested in connection with the blaze.
–IANS
soni/bg
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.