World
Quake-ravaged Nepal needs $6,663 mn for reconstruction: Government
Kathmandu: The cost for reconstruction of the earthquake-ravaged Nepal is approximately $6,663.1 million, according to a Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) carried out by the Nepal Planning Commission on Saturday.
Reconstruction of damaged physical infrastructures has become the most difficult task to the Nepal government after two major earthquakes jolted the Himalayan Nation on April 25 and May 12, as per reported.
“Nepal needs approximately $6,663.1 million for brining the country back on track,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a press release on Friday following a meeting chaired by Nepalese Prime Minister Sushil Koirala, who is also the chairman of the National Planning Commission (NPC).
The commission was all set to make public the Post-Disaster Needs Assessment details in a press conference in the Nepalis Capital Kathmandu on Saturday.
Bringing the dwindling economy back on track would be a very challenging task since the economy was badly affected by the 7.9 magnitude of earthquake that claimed 9,000 lives and leaving 22, 000 people injured. Various sectors including industry, agriculture, tourism, health and education were badly hit.
Setting up a National Reconstruction fund of $2 billion, the Nepali government last month urged the international community to contribute to the fund. The government had provided $200 million as the seed money for the fund.
In view of seeking to support mobilisation of resources for Nepal’s reconstruction, the Nepali government is all set to host a donors’ conference on June 25 in Kathmandu.
“This is going to be a major conference seeking to support mobilization of resources for Nepal’s reconstruction in the aftermath of devastating earthquake and together with its subsequent aftershocks. Our intention is to invite the traditional as well as new partners, UN agencies and other relevant organisations,” Officiating Foreign Secretary Shanker Das Bairagi told Xinhua.
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.