National
6 states to tell SC they abide by Godavari water award (Lead)
New Delhi, Feb 15 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Thursday asked Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh to file affidavits stating they are bound by the 1980 Godavari River Water Tribunal Award in terms of the Interstate River Water Disputes Act, 1956.
The court’s direction came as it heard a case on the multi-purpose irrigation project Indira Sagar Dam, also known as Polavaram Dam, which is being carried out in pursuance to the award.
The bench of Justice Madan B. Lokur and Justice Deepak Gupta issued direction to the Chief Secretaries as it observed that a political solution of the issue was “difficult”.
It also asked the Union Water Resources Secretary to file an affidavit reaffirming the position that under the 1956 Act, all were bound to accept the Justice Bachawat Godavari River Water Tribunal Award.
Seeking the affidavits, Justice Lokur said in that case, they were only left with the interpretation whether the dam under construction was conforming to the award.
“If you want to have a meeting (of Chief Ministers), you have it. If you don’t want to have a meeting, you don’t have it,” he said, observing that “from the instructions (to the counsel) it is obvious that no solution is possible”.
The court’s observation came as it pursued a letter written by Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 28, 2017, urging him not to allow the construction of the Polavaram dam until all the issues being adjudicated by the top court are settled.
Patnaik, in his letter, had expressed concern over the Polavaram project saying it was being pushed without addressing his state’s legitimate concerns and at the cost of sacrificing its interest.
In the last hearing of the matter on December 12, 2017, the court was told that discussions were going on between the Chief Ministers concerned to try and resolve the issues that are before the court.
Referring to an application filed by the Odisha government, Justice Lokur said: “It is effectively stopping the project.”
Odisha told the court that the Polavaram Dam should be as per the award as any deviation would result in submergence of the tribal villages in Malkangiri district of the state.
On the other hand, Andhra Pradesh is pressing for the project saying that it was essential for its irrigation needs.
However, the court said that the proceedings before it would not preclude the Chief Ministers of the six states from amicably resolving the issue and directed the next hearing on the matter on April 17.
–IANS
pk/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.