World
Asean foreign ministers start regional meetings in Laos
Vientiane : The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) promised to continue efforts to advance peace, stability and development in the region as their foreign ministers gathered in Laos for regional meetings on Sunday.
Foreign ministers from the 10-member bloc for the 49th Asean Foreign Ministers Meeting (AMM) were welcomed by Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith, who called for “frank and constructive discussions” between member states and partners, “contributing to the maintenance and promotion of peace, stability and prosperity in the region and the world”, Xinhua news agency reported.
Thongloun identified a range of traditional and non-traditional security challenges, including extremism and terrorism, natural disasters and climate change, refugee issues and human trafficking as well as economic developments, including Britain’s exit from the European Union.
Chaired by Lao Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith, the AMM comes following talks between the region’s senior officials and diplomats in Vientiane since Thursday as representatives seek progress on regional and international issues of common concern and interest.
The 10 foreign ministers of Asean are to be joined by those from dialogue partners, including Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, US Secretary of State John Kerry, as well as Japan’s Fumio Kishida and South Korea’s Yun Byung-se for associated talks that include the Asean Regional Forum and East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers Meeting.
Foreign Ministers and representatives from dialogue partners, including India, Russia, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the EU, are also set to join forums to push forward respective relations with the 10-member Asean.
Associated meetings to be hosted in Vientiane include the 17th Asean plus Three Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (APT), the 6th East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, and 23rd Asean Regional Forum (ARF) as well as the meeting of the Southeast Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) Treaty Commission.
The AMM is one of the multi-sectoral meetings being hosted by Laos as per its 2016 Asean chairmanship, culminating in the heads of government East Asia Summit set for September 6-8 in Vientiane.
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.