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Ferguson smoulders as racial protests spread across US

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Washington: As night fell, Missouri state in Midwestern United States deployed more forces to quell violence in Ferguson after a grand jury failed to indict a white police officer in the August shooting of an unarmed black teenager.

“We are bringing more resources to Ferguson and other parts of the region to prevent a repetition of the lawlessness experienced overnight,” Governor Jay Nixon said Tuesday night as the number of National Guardsmen was tripled from 700 to 2,200.

In Ferguson, a small town of 22,000, nearly 70 percent of them black, with all but four of its 53 strong police force white, buildings were burned, stores were looted and shots were fired Tuesday after Monday night’s verdict, according to media reports.

Activists also took to streets across the country, with more than 130 protests planned in 37 US states, Washington and Canada.

Reports of protests came in from cities like Boston, Baltimore, Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York.

The grand jury had Monday night declined to indict white police officer Darren Wilson in the shooting death of 18-year-old of Michael Brown, a black teenager after an altercation in the St. Louis suburb Aug 9.

On Monday night, 21 fires were set and at least 12 buildings were burned, police reported looting, and gunfire broke out repeatedly, NBC News reported citing officials. More than 80 persons were reported arrested, about 60 of them in Ferguson.

Ten police cars, mostly belonging to the county, were damaged, including two which were completely burned, it said citing St. Louis County Police Chief Jon Belmar. Three officers suffered injuries.

“Last night, criminals intent on lawlessness and destruction, terrorized this community,” Nixon said at an afternoon news conference Tuesday.

“I am deeply saddened for the people of Ferguson who woke up to see parts of their community in ruins. No one should have to live like this, no one deserves this. We must do better and we will.”

In Chicago, about 100 protesters, most in their 20s, gathered for a 28-hour sit-in outside Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s office, according to New York Times.

Organizers said they had chosen the time frame based on a study that one black person was killed in the US by the police or armed vigilantes every 28 hours.

Speaking in Chicago, President Barack Obama appealed for calm saying the grand jury’s decision “upset a lot of people” reflecting frustrations that have “deep roots in many communities of color.”

Noting that most people gathered across the country were engaged in “overwhelmingly peaceful protests,” Obama said, people want to build “more trust between law enforcement and some of these communities.”

He said it was “not my job as president to comment on ongoing investigations”, but he had asked Attorney General Eric Holder to hold “regional meetings focused on building trust in our communities.”

South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT), an umbrella community organization said it “stands in solidarity with the family and friends of the late Michael Brown, and with communities across the US who are deeply saddened” by the grand jury decision.

It called on the Department of Justice to swiftly reform the guidance on racial profiling to meaningfully protect all communities against law enforcement profiling.

Commenting on “The Meaning of the Ferguson Riots” the New York Times said, “It shows once again that distrust of law enforcement presents a grave danger to the civic fabric of the United States.”

While the burning and looting of local businesses cannot be condoned or excused, “the frustrations of Ferguson residents – most of whom have behaved lawfully since protests began over the summer – are more than understandable,” said the Washington Post.

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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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