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As air quality worsens, Punjab pollution board urges farmers not to burn stubble

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Chandigarh, Oct 24 (IANS) With deterioration in Punjab’s air quality index due to stubble burning causing concern, the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) on Tuesday urged farmers to conserve paddy straw in a scientific manner rather than recklessly burning it.

Punjab’s Principal Secretary, Science & Technology Roshan Sunkaria said: “The Air Quality Index has deteriorated mainly on account of the fact that the farmers of Punjab have been burning paddy straw at large scale. During the last 4-5 days, the level of pollution has increased tremendously. The situation has further worsened now.”

“The burning of fire crackers on the day of Diwali, although comparatively much lesser than the last year, and the spurt in stubble burning fires has released particulate matter of PM10 and PM2.5 kind in the air which has raised pollution of air to dangerous levels,” he pointed out.

Showing deep concern at the increased pollution level, Sunkaria said that the PPCB had issued an advisory asking senior citizens, patients and children to avoid venturing out in the open for a few days and asked the management of schools to ensure that children are not allowed to undertake outdoor activities for the coming days.

Sunkaria said the unprecedented increase in pollution levels in the air was hazardous to the health of vulnerable sections of society such as children, students, senior citizens and patients.

Farmers in the agrarian state of Punjab burn wheat and paddy straw (stubble) twice a year in April-May and October-November. The problem particularly increases in the winter months when the paddy stubble is burnt by farmers.

The Punjab government and its agencies have been warning farmers against burning stubble and even registered cases and imposed penalties on offenders, but the problem continues.

‘Green Revolution’ state Punjab contributes nearly 50 per cent food grains to the national kitty despite having just 1.54 per cent of the country’s geographical area.

–IANS
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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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