National
File reply before Maharashtra speaker, SC tells Shobhha De
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked columnist Shobhaa De to write to the Maharashtra assembly speaker that her criticism of the state government’s decision to screen Marathi films at multiplexes during prime time had nothing to do with conduct of assembly proceedings.
De had moved the apex court questioning the April 10 notice that sought her response to the privilege notice moved by Shiv Sena legislator Pratap Sarnaik for her critical tweets.
“To put the controversy at rest, we require the petitioner (Shobhaa De) to file a reply before the 1st respondent (speaker) stating that whatever she had stated has remotely nothing to do with the conduct of the Maharashtra state legislative assembly,” said an apex court bench of Justice Dipak Misra and Justice Prafulla C. Pant. The court directed De to do so in a fortnight.
Hoping that the “competent authority would objectively appreciate the reply (by Shobhaa De) and may accept it,” the court said that its interim order of April 28 to suspend any proceedings stands modified to the extent of its asking the author to send her reply.
“Our direction today to file the reply modifies the interim order to that extent,” the court said.
Issuing notice returnable in eight weeks, the court by its April 28 order had said, “As an interim measure, it is directed that there shall be stay of further proceedings in pursuance of the notice issued on April 10, 2015, by the deputy secretary (law), Maharashtra legislature secretariat, Mumbai.”
Directing the matter’s listing on November 18, the court made it clear that its direction to De to send her reply to the assembly speaker was without prejudice to the court’s scrutiny of the contention raised by her about individual right to freedom of speech and free expression.
The Maharashtra government on September 4 told the apex court that as of now, the state assembly has not initiated any “breach of privilege or contempt proceedings” against the writer/columnist for criticising the state government’s decision to screen Marathi films at multiplexes during prime time.
“Bollywood divided over compulsory prime time screening of Marathi films in multiplexes”, “No more pop corns in multiplexes in Mumbai? Dahi missal and vada pav only. To go better with the Marathi movies at prime time”, “I love Marathi moves. Let me decide when and where to watch them, Devendra Fadnavis. This is nothing but Dadagiri”, and “Devendra ‘Diktatwala’ Fadnavis is at it again!!! From beef to movies. This is not a Maharashtra we all love. Nako! Nako! Yeh sab rook!,” De had said in a series of tweets.
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.