National
‘Smart cities initiative will push mindset change’
New Delhi: A change in mindsets will be a “significant outcome” of the government’s smart cities initiative and the NITI Aayog will be the “facilitator” of this change, eminent economist Bibek Debroy said here Wednesday.
“Urbanisation is inevitable, but resource utilisation has been inefficient. The Smart Cities Mission is rightly positioned to enable better planning for our cities. Mind-set change will be a significant outcome of this initiative on smart cities and NITI will be a facilitator of this change,” Debroy, a member of the body that has replaced the Planning Commission said at a workshop here on finding solutions to the various challenges that India’s urban local bodies (ULBs) face in developing smart cities.
A report proposing a Reference Framework for Smart Cities, prepared by Bengaluru’s Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP) was also released at the event, orgganised by NITI Aayong.
“Cities require good governance, rules, laws and regulations. For our cities to become smart, they need to be based on collaboration, innovation and transparency. Niti Aayog will work towards achieving this with state governments to through an outcome focused approach,” NITI Aayog CEO Sindhushree Khullar said.
Opening the workshop, CSTP chairman V.S. Arunachalam said: “To be smart, Indian towns and cities have to solve many problems common to our cities and there is merit in our working together. The solutions are going to be similar and with innovations we should be able to develop solutions that are made for India.”
The workshop was attended by nearly 100 representatives from 27 states belonging to urban development departments of the state government and municipal corporations of various cities. Some of the key concerns raised by them included the lack of implementation of the 74th constitution amendment (devolution of power to states), the need for capacity-building in all aspects of smart cities (from concept to implementation), private sector participation in the Mission, slum and poverty management, position and powers of special purpose vehicles (SPVs).
The CSTEP report, ‘Reconceptualising Smart Cities: A Reference Framework for India’, comes in response to the multitude of questions, concerns and challenges that have featured in public debates in India since the announcement of the Smart Cities Mission and other urban development initiatives by the Narendra Modi government.
It proposes a reference framework for smart cities that offers directions for sustainable ways of city planning to both practitioners and theorists. The framework is based on the four guiding principles of well-being, equity, efficiency and foresight, derived from the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The framework primarily aims to crystallise future pathways for smart city development in India.
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.
Foodman Vishal Singh Honored for Hunger Free World Mission in Bangkok
Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
Cheers and Cheers: Barzilla’s Joyful Ode to Inclusivity and Celebration
Casino Days Reveal Internal Data on Most Popular Smartphones
Meghalaya Reserves Legalized Gambling and Sports Betting for Tourists
IPL 20202 UPDATE: KXIP vs MI IPL Dream11 Team Prediction for Today Match, Update Point Table of all Team.
In a Live debate AAP leader Syed Asad Abbas hurls abuses to BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma.
‘India’s Most Wanted’ trailer out Arjun Kapoor on hunt of Osama-Bin-Laden
Time to move on: Sonakshi on Shatrughan’s joining Congress
