National
Parrikar slams Congress for proximity to Adani, JSW steel
Panaji, Nov 15 (IANS) Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Wednesday accused the Congress of proximity to the Adani Group and JSW Steel, both of whom operate coal handling berths at the state’s only major port in Vasco.
Parrikar told media persons here that the government had already opposed expansion of existing coal handling facilities at the Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) in Vasco town — where local residents, as well as the Congress, the main opposition party, have complained of coal pollution — but also downplayed the issue of pollution in the port town, claiming it was under control.
“The coal licences were given to Adani and JSW. Coal handling has been signed during Congress time. Basically it was approved and signed, MoU was signed before 2012, before I became Chief Minister,” Parrikar said.
“Actually Congress can do anything. They are Ok with Adani, they are OK with JSW… Why they are OK with them, you ask them,” Parrikar said, even as the Congress last week alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party-led coalition government in the state was in league with the coal importer lobby.
The issue of coal pollution erupted after the MPT had sought permission from the Union Ministry Environment and Forests for redevelopment and expansion of four berths at the port.
Two coal handling companies Adani Ports and the JSW-operated South West Port Limited are already handling coal operations.
Coal imported into Goa is expected to be utilised by steel manufacturing units in the neighbouring state of Karnataka, through a road and rail network, which is also under expansion.
Parrikar now maintains that the Goa government has already opposed the expansion plans of the central government-operated Port Trust.
The Goa Chief Minister also said that the port facility should focus more on attracting cruise ships rather than importing coal, considering that the state is one of the top beach and nightlife tourism destinations in the country.
–IANS
maya/ahm/dg
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.