World
Fearing tsunami after quake, Indonesia evacuates people
Jakarta: Indonesian authorities issued the tsunami warning in Padang, capital of West Sumatra province, following a major earthquake which is feared to trigger tsunami.
The warning has prompted people to evacuate to higher ground, mobilizing their vehicles that have caused severe traffic jams in Padang, Indonesian state-run TV station TVRI reported.
Indonesia’s National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) initially issued a notice for an earthquake measuring 8.3 on the Richter scale but later corrected it to 7.8.
The quake occurred at 07.49 p.m., 682 km west of the West Sumatra coast at a depth of 10 km below the sea surface on Wednesday.
Hermis, a BNPB official stationed in West Sumatra, said the evacuation was prioritised for those staying in the coastal areas.
Local authorities assigned vehicles to evacuate residents to shelters provided by the government.
The official said immediate evacuation was necessary to save lives from tsunami.
“Tsunami wave would come 20 to 30 minutes after the earthquake, ” he said.
Warnings were continuously broadcast through local TV and radio channels as well as through mobile phone messages sent by BNPB offices.
West Sumatra Governor Irwan Prayitno said public facilities, like tap water and electricity, have yet to be cut. People were told to stay away from the coast.
He said if tsunami takes place, it may affect provinces including West Sumatra, North Sumatra, Aceh, Bengkulu and Lampung.
West Sumatra saw a severe earthquake followed by tsunami in October 2010, claiming more than 450 lives in the province’s Mentawai isles, a popular surfing area.
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.