National
$1 bn private equity fund planned renewable energy: Goyal
New Delhi: Power and New and Renewable Energy Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday said the government plans to set up a $1 billion private equity fund for the renewable energy sector that would be initially seeded by state-run companies.
“We are planning a $1 bn private equity fund for renewable energy sector; initially seeded by Govt. companies.
“Seek to collect $4 bn/year in 3-4 years for clean energy fund.
“Seek long tenor, low-cost overseas debt for clean energy fund,” he said in a series of tweets.
New and Renewable Energy Secretary Upendra Tripathi had said here earlier this year that the ministry is trying to get $2 billion from the World Bank and Asian Development Bank, which can be passed on to banks for financing projects on soft rates of interest.
Earlier this year, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private financing arm of the World Bank, signed an agreement to partner IREDA to provide infrastructure financing for energy projects in India.
“India is aiming at 5x ramp up of renewable energy,” Goyal said in another tweet.
“Received funding of 1 Bn Euro from Germany for Green Energy Corridor,” he said.
The government has set the target of generating 175,000 MW of renewable energy by 2022.
Goyal also said Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch the International Solar Alliance on the coming Monday.
“Hon’ble PM Shri @narendramodi ji will be launching International Solar Alliance on 30 November along with President (Francois) Hollande of France,” he tweeted.
At a “Talkathon” here along with Environment Minister Prakash Javdekar on the forthcoming climate change talks in Paris, Goyal said that India is going to replace 77 crore bulbs and all streetlights in 5000 towns with light emitting diode (LED) bulbs by 2018.
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.