National
Kerala government happy with central team’s assessment of Cyclone Ockhi damages
Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 29 (IANS) The Kerala government on Friday expressed happiness over the manner in which the visiting central team took a “very considerate position” towards the state’s demand for central assistance on account of damages suffered due to Cyclone Ockhi.
The state government had submitted demand for immediate relief assistance of Rs 442 crore.
The first instalment of Rs 133 crore was released on Wednesday and the rest will be released very soon.
State Finance Minister Thomas Issac, addressing reporters here after the central team led by top Home Department official Vipin Mallik completed their four-day trip in the state on Friday, said the team has been more than helpful and took a very considerate approach towards the state’s demands for assistance.
Cyclone Ockhi struck the southern districts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu on November 30 and left 75 dead, while according to the Latin Church authorities, the number of missing is more than 250.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had sought a Rs 7,340 crore relief package to mitigate the fisher folks’ sufferings, which include short term immediate relief and also long-term rehabilitation needs.
Long-term needs include construction of homes, educational assistance, writing off loans and for other programmes meant for the overall relief for the fisher folk in the state.
Mallik pointed out that the Union Home Ministry deals with only short term needs and the long term needs are assessed and taken into consideration by the other concerned departments.
Issac pointed out that one of the major proposals submitted for long-term requirement is Rs 3,000 crore for rehabilitating the fisher folk who live close by the seaside.
State Revenue Minister E. Chandrasekheran also appreciated the central team and pointed out that whatever assistance is received under the Cyclone Ockhi package will be used only at sites where damage has occurred.
The central team visited all the Cyclone Ockhi affected districts of the state including, Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Malappuram and Kozhikode.
–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.