National
India, Nepal to boost water resources, energy cooperation
New Delhi, Aug 24 (IANS) India and Nepal on Thursday agreed to boost cooperation in harnessing water resources, flood management and energy as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Nepal counterpart Sher Bahadur Deuba held delegation-level talks here.
“The two Prime Ministers welcomed the recent meeting of specialised committees in water resources, including the Joint Committee on Inundation and Flood Management, and the Joint Team of Experts,” said a joint statement after the talks, adding both hoped that these meetings would enhance bilateral cooperation in the field.
According to the statement, both Modi and Deuba asked officials to finalise, within a month, the detailed project report on the 5,000 MW Pancheshwar multipurpose project, one of the largest in this part of the world.
Deuba also reiterated Nepal’s commitment to address all pending issues on priority relating to the 900 MW Arun-3 and Upper Karnali hydropower projects, in accordance with the project development agreements.
Earlier in the day, jointly addressing the media with Deuba following the talks, Modi said that he was informed that the land dispute over the Arun-3 project has been resolved and expressed gratitude for being invited to lay its foundation stone.
The statement also said that India conveyed the finalisation of DPR for the construction of head regulator and link canal from Tanakpur barrage to the Nepal side, while Modi and Deuba agreed that the work to prepare the DPR for the Sapt-Kosi high dam and Sun-Kosi storage-cum-diversion scheme should be expedited.
“The two sides also agreed to strengthen coordination and consultation on the pressing matter of inundation and flood management in the border areas,” the statement said, adding it was agreed to “take expeditious steps, including joint visits, to consider appropriate measures for sustainable solution”.
The two Prime Ministers also appreciated the steps taken by both sides to enhance supply of power from India to Nepal, including operationalisation of Muzaffarpur-Dhalkebar, Kataiya-Kusaha and Raxaul-Parwanipur cross-border transmission lines.
Modi and Deuba jointly remote launched the last two following Thursday’s talks. Through these two new lines, each of 132 KV, India will supply 100 MW of power to Nepal in addition to the 350 MW already being supplied.
According to the statement, Deuba thanked Modi “for swift action by Indian entities” to install an additional transformer at Muzaffarpur sub-station for supplying additional power to Nepal from Muzaffarpur-Dhalkebar transmission line.
It was also agreed that both sides will continue to take measures to operationalise all aspects of the Power Trade Agreement signed in 2014.
–IANS
ab/vd
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.