National
Government hikes entry fee to historical monuments
New Delhi: The government has increased the entry fee at 116 centrally-protected monuments under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The revised rates come into effect from Friday.
The enhancement comes after a period of more than 15 years as the last increase took place in 2000.
“The fee has been revised after calling for comments and suggestions from general public, tour and travel associations and ministry of tourism,” a ministry of culture statement said.
The enhanced rates are at par with entry fee at monuments abroad, the statement said.
For Indian nationals and citizens of Saarc and BIMSTEC countries (Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bhutan and Nepal), the entry fee for World Heritage Monuments has been revised from Rs.10 to Rs.30 whereas for other monuments, it has been increased from Rs.5 to Rs.15.
Similarly, for the citizens of all other countries, the entry fee for World Heritage Monuments and other monuments has been doubled from Rs.250 to Rs.500 and Rs.100 to Rs.200, respectively.
A separate queue would be provided for high value ticket holders of Rs.750, Rs.500, Rs.300 and Rs.200 for ensuring smooth entry to the monument.
The government has also decided to provide better facilities to tourists coming to ASI monuments.
“Better facilities in the form of free bottled water, wi-fi connectivity, mementoes and CDs with pictures and films of monuments would be offered to tourists purchasing high value tickets of Rs.750 and Rs.300.
“This would also generate additional revenue for the government,” the statement said.
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.