National
MTNL, BSNL suffered losses under Congress government: Minister
New Delhi : Union Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Wednesday made a veiled attack on the erstwhile UPA government for the “losses” suffered by the government-run telecom companies BSNL and MTNL.
The minister also suggested that a detailed debate could be held on the subject in the house.
“I have lot to hear on the same. I also have to tell a lot,” Prasad told the Lok Sabha during question hour and alleged that both the companies suffered losses to the tune of Rs.10,000 crore in 2014 when the BJP-led NDA took office in May 2014.
He said that in 2004, when the Congress-led UPA came to power, BSNL was imaking profit of Rs.10,183 crore and MTNL Rs.900 crore.
However, “in 10 years” things changed, he said.
“When we took charge in 2014, the BSNL was suffering a loss of Rs.8,000 crore and MTNL Rs.2,000 crore. We are ready for a discussion in the house,” he said.
Ravi Shankar Prasad also asserted that both the organisations were trying their best to generate maximum revenues for revival.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi has directed that we bring these on track,” he said, adding efforts were on to improve the functioning of both the government-run telecom companies.
Asa result of the efforts, he claimed, the BSNL’s income from services in 2014-15 increased by 4.16 percent over 2013-14 while the BSNL’s income in 2014-15 rose to Rs.27,242 crore as compared to Rs.26,153 crore in 2013-14.
“BSNL has earned an operating profit of Rs.672 crore in 2014-15. The operating profit is likely to be much higher during 2015-16 when figures come to us,” he said.
Referring to the MTNL, Ravi Shankar Prasad said its revenue for the quarter ended December 31, 2015, was Rs.865.52 crore, which was an increase of Rs.25.08 crore over the previous quarter.
Congress member K.C. Venugopal, however, said the MTNL and BSNL business loss was chiefly due to poor services and there were “frequent call drops”.
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.