World
US pledges aid to deal with Asia’s stranded migrant crisis
Washington: The US on Wednesday welcomed joint efforts by some southeastern Asian countries to address the issue of stranded migrants at sea, pledging financial and resettlement assistance in the crisis.
State Department spokesperson Marie Harf lauded the decision by Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand to work together to provide humanitarian aid and shelter to 7,000 migrants abandoned at sea in the region.
“The US urges other countries of the region and the international community to support them in those efforts,” she said, noting Washington will attend a meeting on the crisis slated for May 29 in Bangkok, Thailand, as per reported.
Thousands of boat arrivals, most of them Rohingya Muslims from Myanmar and Bangladesh, have been stranded at sea over the past week after being turned away by Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and other countries, sparking concern in the international community including the UN.
Speaking in Jakarta, Indonesia on Wednesday, US Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken voiced readiness to help the countries in the region to bear the burden and save lives.
Harf said Washington will consider financial aid in helping regional governments to establish things like reception centres and ensure protection screening procedures.
The US is also “taking a careful look” at the request by Malaysia and Indonesia to help resettle the migrants, after having taken in more than 1,000 Rohingyas in the current fiscal year, the spokesperson said.
“It has to be a multi-country effort,” she added. “We obviously can’t take this all on ourselves, but we’re prepared to play a leading role in this effort,” she said.
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.