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‘No begging’ to ‘no cross talking’– a look at Naidu’s first full session as Chairman

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By Mohd Asim Khan
New Delhi, Jan 6 (IANS) The just-concluded winter session of the Rajya Sabha, the first session for new Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu, saw a few “firsts” as part of reforms he brought in the proceedings in the upper House.

On the very first day of the session on December 15, Naidu, who was elected as Vice President, told the Ministers to stop saying “I beg to…” before laying papers on the table, something that he repeated a few days later.

Normally, Ministers say “I beg to lay on the table of the House papers listed under my name” while laying papers or reports in the House. Naidu told the Ministers and other members of the House to do away with this colonial lexicon.

“Just say, I rise to lay the papers or simply, I lay the papers on the table of the House,” Naidu told them.

He also proved to be quite a disciplinarian as Chairman. He chided Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Vijay Goel for indulging in an argument directly with a member.

“No cross arguments…only address the Chair,” he told the Minister and other Members.

On another occasion, he reprimanded the members for “constantly” talking with each other.

“Some members keep talking with each other. I noticed this even when I was reading obituary references. Sometimes the mic gets on automatically and the voice comes out. This does not send a good message. So please don’t do this,” he said.

On one occasion, he termed the Members’ absence from the House during the Question Hour a”bad practic”.

He also asked the members to be crisp with their questions as well as Zero Hour submissions so that more members could be accommodated. He told the Ministers to be precise with their replies. And his efforts did bear fruit.

On January 2, the Rajya Sabha could take up even an extra Zero Hour submission besides all the listed 10 mentions. All Special Mentions were also made, a feat achieved for the first time in 15 years. Also, the House completed all the starred questions (meant to be orally answered by the Ministers concerned) on the same day.

“I am glad to note that the leaders of all the parties in the House and the Members as well were delighted over the positive media reports of the House creating a record of taking up all the listed Starred Questions on January 2 after 15 long year,” he said in his valedictory remarks on Friday.

“I am happy to note that there has been a certain degree of change in the way the proceedings were held in this august House.”

He advised the Ministers to make it a point to get back to the Members about their concerns and queries raised in the House either as Zero Hour submissions or as Special Mentions.

Known for his witty one-liners, Naidu did not let go of this habit as Chair.

“No change of dress, only change of address,” he remarked about his change of accommodation after becoming the Vice President although he still wears his traditional dhoti and shirt.

On one occasion he told an MP, who raised a Point of Order: “There is no order in your Point of Order”.

Pleased with the completion of all the listed business of Zero Hour on January 2, Naidu told the Members: “My operation depends on your cooperation.”

On occasions, he also indulged in some light-hearted banter with the members. Once during the Question Hour, as Members raised questions about consumer protection against misleading advertisements, Naidu related his personal experience of how he was once duped by a shady company selling weight loss medicines.

However, for the first time perhaps, the live telecast of the House on Rajya Sabha Television was blacked out on two occasions during ruckus in the House. Naidu instructed that nothing would go on TV as he did not want the world too see “such scenes” in the upper House.

(Mohd Asim Khan can be contacted on mohd.a @ians.in)

–IANS
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Foodman Vishal Singh Honored for Hunger Free World Mission in Bangkok

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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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