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Italians to vote in referendum to amend constitution

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Italians, Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, referendum European Union, Partito Democratico, Italian President Sergio Mattarella

Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi

Rome: Italians are due to vote on Sunday in a referendum on whether or not the country should amend its 1948 constitution, the media reported. The referendum, which is being closely watched for further signs of anti-establishment sentiment in Europe and called by Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, is on plans to streamline parliament but is expected to be used by many as a chance to register discontent, BBC reported.

Renzi, 41, wants to defang the upper house of Parliament, the Senate, by cutting its numbers from 315 to 100, thus reducing its powers dramatically, CNN reported. Populist parties have campaigned for a “no” vote while Renzi has said that he will resign if he loses. Opinion polls suggest he faces defeat.

A “no” vote for Renzi would follow Britain’s vote in June to leave the European Union (EU), as well as the rise of the anti-immigrant Front National in France and populist parties elsewhere, along with Donald Trump’s unexpected victory in the US presidential election in November. The “no” campaign in Italy has been spearheaded by the the anti-establishment Five Star Movement, led by comedian-turned-politician Beppe Grillo.

Grillo, much like Trump, has capitalised on widespread disaffection with the status quo. His movement, founded in 2009, now appears to garner almost as much support as Renzi’s centre-left Partito Democratico. Observers fear if Grillo comes to power in an early election, he would call a referendum to scrap the euro, go back to the Italian lira, and perhaps even follow Britain out of the EU.

Opponents say reducing the power of the Senate would concentrate too much power in the Prime Minister’s hands. Some 50 million Italians have the right to vote in the referendum.  An opinion poll in November gave the “no” vote a lead of at least five percentage points. But many Italians are thought to be still undecided.

If Renzi loses, it is still not entirely certain that he would be out of power. Italian President Sergio Mattarella could ask him to form a new government or appoint a technocratic prime minister to serve until elections due in 2018. Voting begins on Sunday at 7 a.m. and ends at 11 p.m. with results expected early on Monday.
 

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Foodman Vishal Singh Honored for Hunger Free World Mission in Bangkok

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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.

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