National
GST, note ban have damaged the business of even ‘pakoda sellers’: Mamata
Kolkata, Feb 13 (IANS) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday took a jibe at the Centre over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remark that a person selling pakodas (fritters) is employed, and said steps like demonetisation and GST by the NDA government have destroyed all business opportunities in the country including those of the “pakoda sellers”.
“First they have destroyed people’s savings in the name of demonetisation and then burdened the people with taxes even on small items. Now they are asking people to eat pakodas and sell pakodas. But how would people do that?” Banerjee said at a public meeting in Nadia district.
“Even a pakoda seller must have some capacity to make and sell them. All the business opportunities have been destroyed,” she fumed.
Accusing the BJP of trying to divide people of Bengal along communal lines, Banerjee said Hindus do not need to listen to BJP’s lecture on Hinduism.
“Please do not get involved in any communal riots. Do not listen to BJP and attack anybody’s house. BJP is a political party born in 1984, how can they lecture us about the origin of Hinduism? Hindu religion is into existence for thousands of years,” Banerjee said.
“They (BJP) will go away after creating tension amongst yourselves. Do you think they would care if people die?” she asked.
The Trinamool Congress supremo also warned people against resorting to violence for petty issues and sought help from the local clubs to keep an eye on such trouble mongers.
“Our government does not bow down its head to anyone, it is not a cowardly government. Such things will not be tolerated,” she added.
Talking about tourism opportunities in the district, Banerjee said Nabadwip would be turned into a heritage city while a world heritage centre would be built in Mayapur, the headquarters of ISKCON.
–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.