National
Gogoi slams Centre over Swachh Bharat cess
Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Tuesday said the Centre’s decision to levy Swachh Bharat cess on taxable services was a severe blow to the common man.
He said the central government has been adopting anti-people policies in the name of economic reforms.
“Instead of imposing taxes on the common man to mobilise funds for Swachh Bharat, it would have been wiser to involve the people actively through other ways to make the campaign a success,” he said.
“With the aim of capturing power, the Narendra Modi government made plenty of promises to the people never to be fulfilled. Prices of essential commodities have been spiralling out of control, hitting the common man hard,” he said.
Gogoi said the common man was yet to see the ‘achche din’ (good times) promised by the BJP-led government, and instead was undergoing days of misery and hardship.
“The present dispensation is hell bent on making the life of the common man more miserable and making the lives of rich and the affluent rosier. ‘Achche din’ is not for the aam aadmi but for the rich and affluent,” he said.
Gogoi wondered how India can shine if the common man lives in abject poverty.
“The anti-poor policy has created a chasm between the government and the people. If the plight of the common man remains pitiable, how could India’s image among nations ascend,” he asked.
Gogoi said the BJP bit the dust in Bihar only because of its anti-people policies.
“The humiliating defeats the BJP suffered in Delhi and Bihar have failed to open its eyes and the recent hike in prices of essential commodities is a pointer,” he added.
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.