National
EC seizes Rs 1 crore in poll-bound Karnataka
Bengaluru, April 2 (IANS) Cash totalling Rs 1.21 crore and other valuables have been seized by the Election Commission ahead of the May 12 Assembly elections in Karnataka, an official said on Monday.
“As much as Rs 1,21,47,570 in cash, 139 litres of liquor, 2.46 kg gold valued at Rs 49.17 lakh, 160 laptops and eight vehicles have so far been seized for violation of the model code of conduct,” state Chief Electoral Officer Sanjiv Kumar said in a statement here.
The model code came into force on March 27 when the poll panel announced the polls for 224 Assembly seats and the vote count on May 15.
Over Rs 8.5 lakh in cash and five vehicles were seized in the past 24 hours, Kumar said.
The Excise Department has seized 2,675 litres of liquor.
“A total of 16 FIRs (First Information Reports) have been lodged for inducements to voters, one FIR for misuse of government vehicle and two for violation of law pertaning to use of loudspeakers,” added Kumar.
The statement did not mention the persons against whom the FIRs were filed.
The poll code prohibits the government from making use of official vehicles for campaigning and other election-related activities and prohibits the use of loudspeakers for campaigning between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
A total of 1,156 squads and 1,255 surveillance teams have been put in place to ensure the code of conduct is adhered to.
As the code also bans carrying of licensed firearms, as many as 31,982 firearms from across the state have been deposited with the officials.
–IANS
bha/tsb/mr
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.