National
Sena still hopes for a settlement with BJP
Mumbai: A day after it decided to sit in the opposition in the Maharashtra assembly, the Shiv Sena still harboured hopes of an amicable settlement with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) here Tuesday – and a share in power in the state.
Sena spokesperson Neelam Gorhe said Tuesday that talks with the BJP have been suspended, but barely a couple of hours later, party president Uddhav Thackeray said negotiations were underway on power sharing.
The Sena also faces the formidable task of safeguarding its 63 legislators, some of whom are reportedly being lured by the BJP.
The BJP seemed unperturbed by Sena’s decision to sit in the opposition in the state legislature as this did not spell an immediate threat to the minority government’s survival.
“It is Shiv Sena’s decision… We are not worried as many of their legislators have already assured us of support… There are sufficient MLAs to help us secure a majority,” Revenue Minister Eknath Khadse said Monday evening.
The BJP has to ensure that 144 votes fall in its kitty Wednesday evening to clear the crucial floor test after which Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ government will have a smooth sail for at least another six months.
This would give time for the BJP strategists to secure support from possible quitters or breakaway groups from the Shiv Sena, Congress and the NCP who could later be accommodated on BJP tickets.
BJP sources said that among other things, the Sena’s decision to boycott Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s cabinet expansion and to withdraw its nominee Anil Y. Desai is being treated as “a boiling point” as there is little or no hope of any renewed rapprochement between the two former allies of 25 years.
But the party is also worried about the political fallout of depending solely on support of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and unreliable Independents or smaller parties.
Meanwhile, Fadnavis prepares for the election of the assembly speaker and the floor test here Wednesday afternoon.
The BJP has 121 legislators, one died recently; there is one pre-poll ally Rashtriya Samaj Paksha. This takes the total support the BJP commands at the moment to 122 legislators.
The Sena is the second largest party in the assembly with 63 legislators, the Congress has 42, NCP has 41 MLAs and the rest are Independents or smaller parties in the 288-member house, now standing at 287 after the death of a BJP legislator.
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.