National
India has always given message of peace: Modi (Lead)
New Delhi, Oct 29 (IANS) India has always given a message of peace, unity and harmony to the world, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday, adding that its soldiers involved in United Nations’ peacekeeping missions are playing an important role in establishing world peace.
“India has always been giving a message of peace, unity and harmony to the world. We believe that everyone must live in peace and harmony and move ahead to carve a better and peaceful tomorrow,” he said in the 37th edition of his monthly radio programme ‘Mann Ki Baat’.
“The brave peacekeepers from this land of Mahatma Gandhi and Gautam Budha have sent a message of peace and amity around the world,” he said, pointing India is the third largest contributor to the UN peacekeeping forces.
“Our soldiers play an important role not only on our borders but also in establishing peace the world over,” he said, adding more than 18,000 Indian security personnel have participated in UN Peacekeeping Operations and around 7,000 soldiers were currently involved in these missions.
Till August 2017, Indian soldiers had taken part in about 50 of the total 71 peacekeeping operations undertaken by the UN in countries including Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Congo, Cyprus, Liberia, Lebanon and Sudan.
“Indian security forces have not only saved people in various countries but also won their hearts with their people friendly operations,” said Modi, pointing out that in Congo and Southern Sudan, more than 20,000 patients were treated in Indian Army hospitals “and countless lives were saved”.
He also remembered contributions soldiers like Captain Gurbachan Singh Salaria, who laid down his life while fighting in Congo and was awarded a Param Vir Chakra posthumously, Lt Gen Dewan Prem Chand who served as Force Commander in Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cyprus, Namibia and Zimbabwe, and former army chief General K.S. Thimayya, who was post retirement appointed as the Commander of UN Forces in Cyprus (UNFICYP), and died in harness.
Modi also said that India always stood for equal rights for women, and pointed out that in its initial phase, the UN Declaration of Human Rights was proposed as “all men are born free and equal” but this was later amended to “all human beings are born free and equal”, with the efforts of Indian representative Hansa Mehta.
Indian women have also played a “leading role” in UN operations and India was the first country to send a female police unit to Liberia, Modi said.
About his Diwali spent with soldiers in Guerz sector of Jammu and Kashmir, he said it was an “unforgettable” experience.
“Memories of Diwali celebrations with our security forces will remain cherished in my heart.
“I salute every soldier who guards the borders with utmost dedication and a spirit of sacrifice, braving all odds. Whenever we get a chance, we must try to know the experiences of our soldiers and listen to their tales of valour,” he added.
–IANS
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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.