World
Ban Ki-moon backs Security Council expansion
United Nations: UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said Wednesday that he backs the expansion of the Security Council to adapt to the dramatic changes in the world and the General Assembly was moving in the right direction towards that goal.
“I have always favoured expanding the Security Council in order to make it more broadly representative and democratic and transparent,” Ban told reporters here. “The world has changed and considering such huge, dramatic changes in the international community, the Security Council should also be able to adapt to this changing situation.”
Referring to the Assembly’s endorsement of the negotiating text for the reform discussions, he said, “I think this kind of process, even though it has been taking long (time) and (is a) very slow process, is, I think, the right direction.”
In a landmark move on Monday, the Assembly unanimously adopted the decision of its outgoing president, Sam Kahamba Kutesa, which included the negotiating text. It cleared the way for the reform process to go forward. For several years China and a group of countries led by Italy and backed by Pakistan had worked against the introduction of a negotiating text, effectively holding up the reform efforts. In his final hours as president, Kutesa was able to break the deadlock and get it through.
Mogens Lykketoft, who took over as the Assembly president on Tuesday, pledged to continue with the reform process.
On another matter of particular interest to India, Ban called for a transformation of the UN peace-keeping operations. He admitted that “today’s crises highlight the failures of long-established peace and security and development responses.”
A high-level panel on peace-keeping that he had appointed had recently given its report. In the light of its recommendations, Ban said he was wanted to put an urgent emphasis on conflict prevention and mediation, and deeper partnerships with regional organiations – which India has advocated – in addition to improving the speed and agility of UN peace-keeping and political missions.
India is the single largest contributor of troops to UN peacekeeping operations. More than 8,000 Indian troops, police and experts are participating in 11 of the 15 current operations.
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.