National
Annual equalisation of pension difficult: Parrikar on OROP
Panaji: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Tuesday said the demand to equalise the pension for retired armed forces personnel annually was “difficult”.
Speaking at a function at the BJP’s state headquarters in Panaji, Parrikar took a swipe at former defence minister A.K. Antony saying money was more important than principles to implement promises.
Parrikar was felicitated by Goa BJP president Vinay Tendulkar and Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar for resolving the long-standing ‘One Rank One Pension’ (OROP) deadlock.
The minister said that out of the six demands, one that was most contentious involved equalisation of pension where the defence ministry has insisted that the process would happen every five years, while the veterans want it to happen every year.
“We have said five years with some logic. And that demand, if you ask me, is difficult,” Parrikar said.
Taking a dig at Congress leaders, namely vice president Rahul Gandhi and former minister A.K. Antony, for keeping aside only Rs.500 crore for implementation of OROP, Parrikar said money outvalued principles, when it comes to brasstacks of delivery of promises.
“Every one was saying Rs.1,000 to Rs.1,200 crore. Everyone was talking about principles, but they were not talking about… it is money which is important. I do not want to criticise, but Antony should realise that ultimately it is money which determines whether you can implement a particular promise or not,” Parrikar said.
Veterans demanding that the government fulfill its poll promise of OROP withdrew their hunger strike last week after the scheme was announced by Parrikar.
While accepting some terms, the veterans have, however, continued their protest insisting that many of their demands vis-a-vis OROP have not been met with.
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.