National
Ashok Leyland to participate in tenders for electric buses
Chennai, Feb 5 (IANS) Commercial vehicles major Ashok Leyland Ltd will be bidding for the electric bus tenders that are expected to come out soon and the company will be showcasing its prototype model at the Auto Expo 2018, said a senior company official on Monday.
Chief Financial Officer Gopal Mahadevan also said the company will focus on three battery technologies – swap and charge battery technology, long range battery vehicle and fast charging battery for long range buses.
Ashok Leyland has tied up with SUN Mobility to develop electric buses with “swap and charge” battery technology.
“Three-four state transport undertakings are expected to come out with their bids for electric buses. Similarly, some private bus operators are also expected to come out with their tenders for battery powered buses. We will be participating in those bids,” Mahadevan told reporters here on.
He said the tender size will not be big as this is a new technology.
According to Mahadevan, the company is working on Bharat Stage VI engine, modularity in manufacturing and light commercial vehicles with left hand drive for export markets.
About modular manufacturing, he said the idea is to provide customers with the kind of aggregates like cabin and others as per their specific needs.
“There are certain fleet operators who carry only a specific cargo – (such as) limestone, cement. It will be better to offer such players the kind of vehicle they need,” Mahadevan added.
Meanwhile, Ashok Leyland reported a revenue of Rs 7,113.16 crore and a net profit of Rs 449.71 crore for the quarter ended December 31, 2017 up from a revenue of Rs 4,516.29 crore and a net profit of Rs 161.72 crore posted during the same period the previous year.
–IANS
vj/vd
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.