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Ban releasing drinking water for Ganeshotsav immersions: NGT

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Pune (Maharashtra): The National Green Tribunal here has issued notices to various departments of the Maharashtra government in an EIL to ban releasing drinking water from dams for Lord Ganesha idols’ immersion, an activist said here on Tuesday.

The notices have been issued to the state government, collector, Pune Municipal Commissioner, irrigation department, police commissioner, Maharashtra Pollution Control Board and others whose officials have been directed to remain present before the National Green Tribunal (NGT), Western Zone Bench, on Thursday in the matter.

The Environment Interest Litigation (EIL) has been filed by Shivani D. Kulkarni, a legal practitioner, referring to the plans of the concerned authorities to release water from the Khadakwasla Dam for immersion of Lord Ganesha idols on the fifth and 10th day of the ongoing Ganeshotsav.

She has contended that in view of the severe drought situation in large parts of the district and Maharashtra, no discharge of water from the dam, meant for drinking purposes, should be permitted for immersions.

“Instead, we have asked that the people should make use of the artificial immersion sites created by the authorities for the religious activities. This will not only prevent wastage of scarce drinking water in such critical times, but also prove to be eco-friendly as most idols are not made of eco-friendly materials,” the petitioner’s lawyer Asim Sarode told IANS.

Kulkarni further contended that there should be a ban on immersion of any idol in any natural/artificial sources like rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, canals, pools, wells, etc. It must be allowed only at the designated artificial immersion sites created for the purpose.

The matter is more serious in view of the dying rivers in Pune and the steep decline in the storage levels of various dams and reservoirs which could create a war-like water shortage situation affecting general public, agriculture, industry and animals at large.

In Pune, for the two main days of immersions — the fifth day and the last day of Ganeshotsav (falling next Sunday)– around 0.1 tmc water, equivalent to four days’ supply for the entire Pune city, is released per day.

Once this water is released from Khadakwasla Dam, it gets heavily polluted by the idols made of plaster of paris and other non-biodegradable materials and hence rendered unfit for any other purpose. So saving that water is the only solution, the petitioner contended.

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Foodman Vishal Singh Honored for Hunger Free World Mission in Bangkok

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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.

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