National
Illegal mining common on Himachal-Punjab border: Minister
Shimla: Taking advantage of the unclear boundary between Himachal Pradesh and Punjab, illegal mining is common along the Chakki stream that flows between the two states, Revenue Minister Kaul Singh said on Thursday.
“In Kangra district along the Chakki ‘khad’ or stream dividing Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, the interstate boundary is unclear and has led to harassment of Himachalis at the hands of illegal mining mafia from Punjab,” the minister informed the assembly.
Kaul Singh said during Question Hour that the deputy commissioner of Kangra took up the matter with the Punjab government on June 29 for joint demarcation of the interstate boundary.
“The response of the Punjab government is still awaited. The deputy commissioner has also been directed to send a report on follow-up action and factual position to the government so that the issue could be taken up at the government level with Punjab to resolve mutually,” the minister said.
He said this issue was also taken up with Punjab in 2005.
The state assembly witnessed heated exchanges in April 2012 when Independent legislator Rakesh Pathania threatened to take up the gun to fight the mining mafia that is active in Nurpur area of the state.
He alleged that erstwhile state industries minister Kishan Kapoor was protecting illegal mining.
“The government is losing more than Rs.200 crore per annum because of illegal mining. Where are you (minister) sleeping and where is your mining staff,” Pathania said.
Official sources told IANS that the more than 84-year-old railway bridge on the Chakki river was washed away due to flash floods in 2011 due to illegal mining.
The Northern Railways had informed the Himachal Pradesh High Court that the bridge collapsed due to unscientific mining in the Chakki stream in Pathankot and Kangra districts.
The bridge was constructed by the British in 1928 when the Sanan hydel project in Jogindernagar (hill station) was set up. It was the only bridge connecting Pathankot and the Kangra valley.
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.