National
Project to stop stubble burning launched
New Delhi, Dec 28 (IANS) To incentivise farmers against stubble burning in Delhi’s neighbouring states, a major cause of the toxic air pollution in the NCR, the Union Environment Ministry on Thursday approved a regional project under National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change (NAFCC).
The Ministry, in a meeting chaired by Environment Secretary C.K. Mishra, approved the project on ‘Climate Resilience Building among Farmers through Crop Residue Management’.
“The first phase of the project has been approved at a cost of approximately Rs 100 crore for the states of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan,” said a Ministry statement.
The project will leverage approximately three times the approved amount with contribution from the states as well as farmers.
NAFCC was established by the government in August 2015, with a budget provision of Rs 350 crore for the year 2015-16 and 2016-17, with an estimated requirement of Rs 181.5 crore for financial year 2017-18.
The objective of the fund is to assist states and union territories that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change in meeting the cost of adaptation. Delhi-NCR saw its air quality drop massively in November with several places recording a “severe” Index.
The Ministry said that the project aims to counter the adverse environmental impacts that arise from stubble burning.
Under the project, the government plans awareness generation and capacity building activities to encourage farmers to adopt alternate practices.
The Ministry said that a slew of technological interventions will be undertaken for timely management of crop residue.
“Based upon the performance in the first phase, the scope could be enhanced and more activities can be supported subsequently,” said Mishra.
The stubble burning, especially in Punjab and Haryana — estimated to be around 35 million tonne and banned by the green court in November 2015 — is a major cause of pollution in Delhi.
In May and October, the Punjab government sought Rs 2000 crore from the Central government to grant special subsidy to farmers so that they can be encouraged to stop burning straw.
–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.