National
Goans complaining against coal should stop using electricity: BJP
Panaji, Nov 10 (IANS) Those who complain against import and transportation of coal from Goa’s port town of Vasco should stop using electricity, a BJP leader said on Friday.
BJP state spokesperson Dattaprasad Naik also alleged that protests against coal handling at Mormugao Port Trust and complaints of excessive pollution were motivated by vested interests.
“Those who are saying they are anti-coal should stop using electricity. They should top using all coal-linked facilities first and then complain against coal,” he said at a press conference at the state Bharatiya Janata Party headquarters.
“The anti-coal lobby says ‘we are against coal’. You cannot be against coal. You can be against pollution. Our needs, our electricity needs are fulfilled when somewhere in Andhra Pradesh coal is burnt and the people there suffer.”
Naik’s comments came on a day when leaders of civil society movement ‘Goa Against Coal’ met Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar to demand a stop to handling of coal at the port facility, located 40 km from Panaji, and a proposed expansion of coal handling infrastructure.
A report by the Goa State Pollution Control Board has already confirmed that Vasco was severely hit by coal pollution.
The MPT has sought permission from the Union Environment and Forests Ministry for redevelopment and expansion of four berths at the port. Two companies Adani Ports and the JSW-operated South West Port Ltd are already handling coal operations.
Coal imported into Goa is expected to be utilised by steel manufacturing units in the neighbouring Karnataka, through a road and rail network which is also under expansion.
On Friday, Naik also condemned a statement by Congress legislator Aleixo Reginaldo, who on Thursday had accused the BJP of turning a blind eye to coal pollution in Vasco town.
“This is an irresponsible statement… Before 2005, Jindal, Adani… all permissions were given by the Congress government,” he said.
–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.