National
Odisha govt destroying evidence in rape, suicide of minor: Union Minister
Bhubaneswar, Feb 4 (IANS) Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Sunday alleged that the Odisha government was trying to destroy evidence in the gang rape and subsequent suicide of a Class 9 girl in Kunduli area of Koraput district.
“The Odisha government has failed to give justice to the minor girl. It is trying to destroy the evidence in the gang rape and suicide incident,” Pradhan told the media here.
Claiming that the state government was fully responsible for the suicide of the rape victim, he reiterated the demand for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the incident.
Pradhan said if the state government had no confidence in the CBI it could also go for a court-monitored inquiry by a Special Investigation Team (SIT).
The minor, who was allegedly gang raped by security personnel in October last year, committed suicide on January 22.
Pradhan said even 100 days after the gang rape incident and two weeks after the suicide of the victim, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had not yet reviewed the matter.
“Why are you silent, Chief Minister, on the issue even after 100 days passed? We want a reply from you over the incident.”
The minister alleged that the girl has left a suicide note stating that some top police officials were involved in suppressing the case.
“The suicide note was destroyed to suppress facts. The suicide note must be brought under the purview of the inquiry,” he said.
Pradhan alleged that the state police chief offered her Rs 90,000 to keep mum about the rape and she was put in a hospital for treatment of mental disorder while she was mentally sound.
“The state government is fully responsible for the suicide. As the judicial probe ordered by this government in many earlier cases have not yielded any result, the Kunduli incident should be probed by the CBI immediately,” Pradhan said.
On the other hand, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) spokesperson Pratap Deb said the BJP was politicising the issue.
–IANS
cd/sar
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.