National
ONGC proposes to partner in building n-reactors: Minister
New Delhi, Oct 27 (IANS) In a bid to push nuclear power development in India, the state-run Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has submitted a plan to collaborate with the Nuclear Power Corp for setting up reactors, a minister said on Friday.
“ONGC has come forward with a plan. They have a lot of money they would like to invest and we have the technical expertise,” Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Jitendra Singh, who also looks after the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), said while addressing an atomic energy conclave here organised by India Energy Forum.
The government has recently amended the Atomic Energy Act 1962 to enable the Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) to form joint ventures (JVs) with public sector undertakings (PSUs) in order to meet the high cost of setting up nuclear plants.
Earlier this year, the government approved the construction 10 indigenous pressurised heavy water nuclear reactors with a total capacity of 7,000 MW. Each of the reactors would have a capacity of 700 MW.
India currently has around 7,000 MW of operational nuclear power plants, and about 6,700 MW Aof plants under implementation, which will be set up by 2021-22.
Singh also said that the Centre is currently working with various state governments to sensitise about the additional uses of nuclear energy in fields other than electricity like in irradiation of agriculture products, medicine, among others.
He also stressed the need for a vast sensitisation programme to remove misconceptions about the health and safety aspects of nuclear power.
He said “there is a lot of public antagonism to nuclear”, which disaffected politicians exploit to organise protests against utilities that are proposed to be built in some areas.
–IANS
bc/ksk/vm
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.