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Religious places damaged in post-Godhra violence to get ex-gratia: SC (Second Lead)

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New Delhi, Aug 29 (IANS) Asserting that protection of property and places of worship was an essential part of secularism, the Supreme Court on Tuesday said religious places damaged in the 2002 post-Godhra violence would get compensation under a Gujarat government scheme.

However, the top court set aside the February 8, 2012 Gujarat High Court order directing the state government to rebuild the religious places that were damaged during the post-Godhra violence.

Accepting the scheme prepared by the state in pursuance to a court order, a bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justice Prafulla C. Pant said: “The protection of property and places of worship is an essential part of secularism. The freedom of individual in this regard has to be respected and there has to be tolerance for each other.”

Chief Justice Misra, speaking for the bench, further said: “… this principle has been accepted in the constitutional scheme (of things), keeping in view the concrete sustenance of national unity and integrity.”

The court described Gujarat’s scheme that capped compensation at a maximum of Rs 50,000 and the conditions therein as “quite reasonable”, pointing out that the state had set the limit in accordance with limit set for damaged houses against which assistance was provided.

As per the scheme, only those damaged religious structures would be entitled for compensation that were not unauthorised or not located in the middle of a public road or at an unauthorised place and in respect of which FIRs were lodged at relevant points of time.

People or trusts claiming compensation for damages to religious structures would have to establish their ownership before district authorities.

Claimants who fulfil conditions laid out under the scheme, the court said, shall approach authorities therein within eight weeks and authorities determine claims within three months thereafter.

“Any party aggrieved by denial of benefits can take appropriate steps in accordance with law,” the court said.

Operationalising the scheme for the payment of ex gratia for the repair of damaged religious places, the top court set aside the Gujarat High Court order of February 8, 2012, which was challenged by the state government.

The High Court had directed Gujarat to give compensation for repair of all religious places, including places of worship, damaged during the 2002 violence. These were to be restored to the condition that existed on the day prior to their destruction.

The High Court had directed for reimbursement of amount the owners of such religious places had incurred on their repairs during litigation.

The High Court order had come on a plea by NGO Islamic Relief Committee of Gujarat.

–IANS
pk-sid/rn

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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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