National
Modi never discussed Narmada issue with me as Gujarat CM: Manmohan Singh
Rajkot, Dec 7 (IANS) Contradicting what Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been saying on the Narmada issue, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday said that while he was heading the UPA government at the Centre, Modi who was Gujarat Chief Minister never discussed the Narmada issue with him whenever they met.
He also said that people of country should demand all the documents related to the NDA government’s “disastrous decision” on demonetisation.
In a media interaction, when asked that Modi in his speeches always says that he used to bring up issues related to the Narmada project whenever he, as Gujarat Chief Minister met then Prime Minister Singh, but he was “never interested”, the senior Congress leader said: “As far as I know, the then Gujarat Chief Minister never discussed issues related to Narmada project with me. I was always available to not only him but to all the Chief Ministers of the state, being the Prime Minister.”
Speaking about the “drastic steps” like demonetisation by the NDA government, Singh said, “People of Rajkot and Gujarat trusted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and believed in the policy of demonetisation, only in the hope that their sacrifice would benefit the country. Their faith and hopes have been shattered. Modiji has betrayed the trust that Gujaratis had reposed in him.”
Continuing his criticism of demonetisation, he said, “The present government likes to claim that demonetisation was a bold decision. But there’s a difference between bold and disastrous decision. It was Indira Gandhi who took many bold decisions which never hurt. She nationalised our banks. Most importantly it never hurt the poor and the middle class disproportionately.”
“We must demand the government release all the relevant documents and files related to demonetisation in the public domain for scrutiny. We must avoid repetition of such blunders in future, India cannot afford such mistakes,” he said.
On the Goods and Services Tax (GST), the former Prime Minister said, “We do not oppose the GST, as the then Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi did. We support the GST but not in its present form. The UPA government’s GST form was a much simpler and easy GST.”
On Rahul Gandhi, he said, “The youthful vigour and ideology of Rahul Gandhi are in front of the public. The people of Gujarat are realising this and under his leadership the Congress party will revive its lost glory.”
On the foreign policy, Manmohan Sigh said, “We do not want to divide the country in matters related to foreign policy. The role of foreign policy is to strengthen India’s economy internally as well as in every other aspect. But there are instances where the Modi government has taken steps which are not in the interest of our country.”
–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.