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Britain’s Swindon, hub of expat Goans ‘highly polluted’, says Parrikar
Panaji, Dec 15 (IANS) Britain is the most polluted country in Europe and its Swindon town, which has a sizeable population of Goan expats, is also “highly polluted”, Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said on Friday.
He was speaking during a discussion in the assembly on a private members’ resolution moved by former Congress Chief Minister Ravi Naik, seeking action against those responsible for coal pollution emanating from excessive coal handling at Mormugao, the state’s only major port.
“Lots of Goans stay in UK Swindon. It is a highly polluted town with high PM (particulate matter) 2.5,” said Parrikar, who had earlier this week had warned NRIs and expats against advising him about Goa-related affairs, especially related to the coal pollution controversy.
The Chief Minister also termed UK highly polluted, with pollution levels four times that of India.
Parrikar said that he was against pollution, but added that those who wanted coal banned from Goa, should themselves work at reducing their carbon footprint.
“Those who are against coal and are green, they should reduce use of cars… they should go by cycle,” he said.
Parrikar also said, that there were attempts being made through media reports, to defame Goa as a tourism destination, especially because the state’s inbound tourist traffic had quadrupled.
“(Media) reports are used to declare everywhere that Goa is no more a good tourist destination,” he said.
Parrikar also said that all the permissions for starting coal handling facilities at the Goa Port, were granted when the Congress government was in power at the Centre, including the permission given to the Adani group for coal handling.
“This is as you call BJP’s person. He has got all orders during your time,” Parrikar told the opposition party.
The Chief Minister said, that no expansion of the existing coal handling facilities would be allowed henceforth and only coal which is consumed by local industries would be allowed to be transported within the state.
The issue of coal pollution erupted in Goa, after the Mormugao Port Trust had sought permission from the Union Environment and Forests Ministry for redevelopment and expansion of four berths at the port. Three companies operate coal handling berths at the port namely Adani Group, JSW steel and Vedanta.
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. A large chunk of Goa’s more than 180-odd village panchayats over the last few weeks, have passed unanimous resolutions to disallow coal transportation, while the Congress has also upped its ante against the proposed coal imports.
–IANS
maya/vd
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.
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