National
Will bring Odd-Even without exemptions: Delhi government to NGT
New Delhi, Dec 6 (IANS) The Delhi government on Wednesday assured the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that it will bring the next Odd-Even traffic rationing scheme as per the tribunal’s direction that includes “no exemptions”.
The NGT has directed the Delhi government and neighbouring states to clarify their action plans and how they would implement the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) given the severity of the air quality. The Tribunal also sought clarity from other governments across NCR on their stand over Odd-Even scheme.
Earlier in November, while the Delhi-NCR faced “severe-plus or emergency” air quality situation that calls for implementation of Odd-Even scheme under GRAP, the NGT directed the Delhi government to implement the road rationing scheme without any exemptions for two-wheelers and women drivers.
The Delhi government then filed a review plea stating that it sought exemptions due to inadequate numbers of public buses. However, later the city government demanded that the Odd-Even scheme shall come in entire NCR region and not just Delhi.
“We will implement the Odd-Even scheme next time as directed by the tribunal, which is no exemptions,” Delhi government counsel Tarunvir Singh Khehar said.
However, appreciating the city government, the bench headed by NGT chief Justice Swatanter Kumar has sough more clarity.
“Odd-Even will come when the air-quality is beyond severe but what about other days? How would you implement GRAP when air quality is very poor… Sit with your respective chief secretaries and make a plan,” Justice Kumar directed the Delhi government and neighbouring states — Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.
On November 24, the Supreme Court-appointed Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) already made it clear that the next Odd-Even vehicle rationing scheme will be applied across the national capital region (NCR), including Noida, Gurugram, Faridabad and not just Delhi, with minimum exemptions.
EPCA had also asked the respective concerned officials of NCR for augmentation of the public transport for Odd-Even with minimum exemptions — (ambulance and school buses).
–IANS
kd/rn
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.