National
Odisha serves notice on Vedanta, OPGC over flyash utilisation
Bhubaneswar: Odisha has issued notice to Vedanta and Odisha Power Generation Corporation (OPGC) for failing to utilise the flyash being generated from their thermal power plants in the state, an official said on Saturday.
The State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) has asked them to reply to the notice within 10 days for failing to achieve 100 percent utilisation of flyash during last year as well as in 2015.
“The information available with the board on status of flyash utilisation from April to August 2015 indicates that you have not been able to utilise 100 percent of fly ash generated during the period,” said a letter SPCB separately dispatched to the companies.
“The status of utilisation of flyash during 2014-15 also indicated that you have failed to achieve 100 percent fly ash utilisation.”
It has asked the companies to explain why consent to operate granted should not be revoked and appropriate action should not be initiated for violating the stipulated conditions laid in the consent order.
According to the official, Vedanta Ltd. is operating a 2,400 MW power plant, a captive 1,215 MW power plant and a aluminium smelter plant with a capacity of 7.75 lakh metric tone per annum, in Jharsuguda district.
The Ib thermal power station of OPGC is operating a 420 MW power plant at Banharpali in Jharsuguda district.
SPCB has asked all district collectors to ensure use of fly ash bricks in various construction sites in their respective districts.
It has also asked the town planning authority to approve building plans with use of fly ash bricks.
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.