National
Meghalaya parties welcome single-phase poll
Shillong, Jan 18 (IANS) Political parties in Meghalaya on Thursday welcomed a single-phase election to the 60-member state assembly on February 27, and said they expect a free and fair poll process.
Earlier in the day, Chief Election Commissioner A.K. Joti announced that the date of polling in Meghalaya would be February 27 and counting of votes would be held on March 3.
Both ruling Congress and opposition parties — United Democratic Party (UDP), Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) and National People’s Party (NPP) — exuded confidence that they would form the new government in the state.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which does not have any representation in the current Meghalaya Assembly expiring on March 6, also felt alike.
“We are confident of retaining power since the people of the state have faith in the Congress party,” Deputy Chief Minister Roytre Christopher Laloo told IANS.
“The month-long gap we have between the announcement of poll schedule (January 18) and the polling day (February 27) is good enough. I believe the parties and the candidates have enough time to prepare for the poll,” the veteran Congress leader said.
In the 2013 assembly elections, the ruling Congress won 29 assembly seats and later increased its number to 30 by winning a by-election in assembly polls, thus falling just one short of majority in the 60-member House.
On the other hand, the combined regional alliance, comprising UDP, HSPDP and Garo National Council, voiced confidence that the electors in the state would dethrone the ruling Congress due to its “mis-governance”.
The HSPDP and the UDP have forged a pre-poll alliance for the upcoming state polls in 36 seats in Khasi and Jaintia hills, while the UDP has tied up with the Garo National Council for the 24 assembly seats in Garo hills.
“I hope people will reject the ruling Congress, which even its own people have rejected by not contesting the polls,” UDP leader Bindo Mathew Lanong said. He is hopeful of the regional alliance leading the new government.
Veteran Congress legislators, including four-time Chief Minister D.D. Lapang, incumbent Deputy Chief Minister Laloo and Health and Family Welfare Minister Roshan Warjri, have been declared “retired” from electoral politics.
HSPDP supremo Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit also welcomed the poll schedule and expressed hoped that the people would look up to the two regional parties (HSPDP and UDP) in this election.
“We are working hard and I hope people will vote for us so that the next government in the state is led by regional parties,” Basaiawmoit said.
Welcoming the Election Commission’s announcement, NPP chief Conrad K. Sangma said his party was confident of winning the assembly elections in Meghalaya since the people had expressed their faith and confidence in the party to lead the state.
Senior BJP leader Alexander Hek hoped that the election would be held in a free and fair manner.
“People of Meghalaya will vote for the BJP to bring positive changes and overall development. I am confident that BJP will be leading the government in the state,” Hek said.
–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.