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PRESS CONFERENCE ADDRESSED by Sh. VIJAY GOEL (Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports) on the ISSUE of INDIAN EXPRESS STORY
Facts of the case relating to the Press Report in the Indian Express today (17.08.2017) regarding allotment of land to the VAES for Toy Bank for underprivileged children.
“Minister Vijay Goel’s NGO asks for plot, DDA changes norms, layout plan to allot”
About Toy Bank –
Everybody knows the Toy Bank, for the under-privileged children in Delhi, for almost 20 years now.
After the project was successfully run, the Toy Bank was inaugurated formally by the former Prime Minister Shri I.K. Gujral and Shri K.C. Pant on 17th December, 2005.
Mrs. Maneka Gandhi (Ministry of Women & Child Development) inaugurated one office of the Toy Bank at 74 Babar Road, Bengali Market.
Now the Toy Bank under VAES has spread its wings all over India. It has distributed more than five lakh toys till date and presently the status is that it is run in 16 States, with 25 partner schools and 44 NGO partners.
Present controversy –
The present controversy is regarding the allotment of a plot measuring 488 sq.m. to VAES in Gujranwala town after changing norms and layout plan. It was allotted under socio cultural category and for social activities for Toy Bank cum play centre for under privileged children.
FACT:
Initially, the society wanted 1000 sq.mt. plot which could be easily allotted anywhere, but the reason for opting this lesser area (488 sq.mt.) site for this noble cause was that it is surrounded by Jhuggi Jhopri clusters where under privileged children reside. Also, society was already working in this Jhuggi Jhopri area.
The Indian Express printed a totally fabricated story despite of the fact that I had already explained Shri Jay Mazoomdaar and the Editor Shri Raj Kamal Jha all the facts before this story was published as I’m no more the Vice President and active member of the society since 2013 and your facts are incorrect.
It is to be noted here that both of them appreciated the good work being done by the Toy Bank but still they carried out this baseless report which has deeply hurt and demoralized the young Toy Bank workers & volunteers.
Para-wise facts:
CHARGE – Minister Goel is still the Vice President of the society
FACT 1. I resigned from the post of Vice President of the VAES in 2013 itself and the copy of the current/existing Members had been duly sent to the Registrar of the Societies that time. Therefore, the newspaper is wrong in stating that I am the present Vice President of VAES. I am not even active in day to day activities of VAES.
2. The VAES applied for a land in 2013 to DDA fulfilling all the formalities without any exception and also that time I was neither the Rajya Sabha Member nor the Minister in Govt. of India.
CHARGE – Changes in Norms and Layout plan because NGO is closely associated with the Minister
Change of layout plan is a routine activity which is done by DDA on a regular basis.
Moreover, it is wrong to say that the layout plan to allot a plot in the capital which was earmarked for a post office was alloted to an NGO closely associated with the Minister. It is completely baseless allegation.
Please note, in 2003 itself the vacant plot (487.8 sq. m) earmarked for the post office under approved layout plan was proposed to be changed for use of “religious purpose” as socio-cultural activity under socio-cultural facilities in the layout plan.
In fact, the Indian Express report itself confirms that the DDA file says that this plot was earlier recommended for construction of temple as one of the 291 cases cleared in February, 2003. This means that the layout plan was itself changed for temple around 14 years ago. Also, the land was initially allotted to Post Office then it was allotted to Public Education Society for temple.
The Indian Express report also mentioned that Commissioner (Planning) himself said that “Post Office are becoming obsolete and now serve only as savings outlets”. This is probably why the layout plan was changed to allot the land to this Society for this noble cause.Charge : Mandatory sponsorship letter from Govt. not provided.
It is also wrongly stated that the proposal was without a sponsorship. The WCD Ministry duly recommended this noble cause of the VAES and sponsorship letter was duly submitted at that time.
Charge : Toy bank not covered under socio-cultural category.
The plot is duly approved by the Screening Committee while taking into consideration the socio-cultural activities under the social-cultural facilities. Can we say that working constantly for poor children is not a social cause?
Toy bank is working for last 20 years and now operates in 16 states with 44 NGO partners and 25 school partners.
Not a single rule regulation has been violated in this case.
The whole story was incorrect, concocted and sensationalized without the real facts. Mr. Goel said that he will approach the appropriate authority for publishing this false report which has tarnished Mr. Goel’s image. The story lacks facts and is completely baseless.
Great concept by Sports Minister Vijay Goel ji to scout for hidden talent in rural areas, says Gopichand
Union Minsitry for Youth Affairs and Sports today organized the first Grameen Marathon for the youth of rural regions in Delhi. The marathon strated from Nizampur village in Delhi with around 11,000 participants.
Arjuna Awardee and ace badminton coach Pullela Gopichand was the Chief Guest at the flag off ceremony. He encouraged the young participants and said that this a unique initiative by the Sports Ministry under the leadership of Sports Minister Vijay Goel.
Gopichand further stated that this will enable us to scout for hidden talent in rural regions and train them for future. Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports Vijay Goel had earlier mentioned that such initiatives would go a long way in providing a platform to talented youngsters to represent India. Goel had stated that a major chunk of our players come from rural and tribal regions and hence it is vital for us to organize such sporting events that help them grow and provides us chance to train them further so that they represent India.
The first three position holders received a prize money of Rs. 21000, Rs. 11000 and Rs. 5000 respectively in each category (Boys and Girls) along with 10 consolation prizes. The Ministry will conduct more Grameen Marathons across Delhi in the weeks to come.
Union Sports Minister Vijay Goel felicitates Indian Women’s Cricket Team in Delhi
Minister of State (I/C) for Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Vijay Goelhere today felicitated the Indian Women’s Cricket team and support staffwhen they came to pay a courtesy call to the Minister at his official residence.
The team returned from London after their splendid performance in the recently concluded Women’s World Cup.
Welcoming the team Shri Goel said that these girls have inspired millions of young girls across the country to take up sports as a career by their sterling performance.He said, from Rio Olympics to Paralympics and in games like hockey, wrestling, badminton, and now the splendid performance in the Women’s World Cup, Indian women are leading the way in the international sporting arena. The Minister said that the message is clear – BetiBachao, BetiPadhao and now“BetiKhilao”.
Reiterating Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’svision to involve youth in sports, Shri Goel said the idea is“Kheloge to Khiloge (Those who play, they shine)” to develop overall personality of youth. Sharing her experience of the World Cup, CaptainMithali Raj appreciated her team’s performance in the series and thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sports Minister Goel for their constant encouragement. Stars of the team Harmanpreet Kaur and Poonam Rautalso narrated their experiences during the thrilling final against England.
Shri Goel also felicitated the coaches and the support staff for their efforts behind the scene and giving India reasons to rejoice and celebrate women’s cricket. He stated that this performance will inspire India’s football team in the upcoming FIFA U-17 World Cup (in October). Shri Goel also said that the Ministry’s doors are open 24×7 for players and best facilities will be provided to them so that they excel in their respective disciplines in order to make India a sports power hub.
French Open 2017 Mixed Doubles winner Rohan Bopanna called on Union Sports Minister Vijay Goel
French Open 2017 Mixed Doubles winner Rohan Bopanna called on Union Sports Minister Vijay Goel today at his official residence. Rohan Bopanna gave the country their tennis moment when he clinched his first Grand Slam last week. On his return back from Paris, he met Union Sports Minister Vijay Goel to discuss the promotion of tennis among youth in the country.
Interacting with the media, Goel said, “Rohan has been playing for 17 years and has contributed immensely for the growth of tennis, we are proud of his achievement at the French Open.” Goel further stated that academies like the ones established by Rohan help in a great manner to scout for talented youngsters for future and the Ministry would surely encourage such initiatives.
During their meeting Bopanna shared his experiences at the Paris Grand Slam event with the Sports Minister. He also briefed the Minister about his tennis academy situated at Bengaluru where currently 70 budding tennis players are being trained.
Shri Vijay Goel said that the government is committed to promote excellence in sports and encourages all individual efforts by those associated with sports. Congratulating Bopanna for his maiden Grand Slam success with his Canadian partner Gabriela Dabrowski in Mixed Doubles, Shri Goel said doors of his Ministry are open for players and coaches 24 X 7 for suggestions to make sports a mass movement in the country.
Rohan Bopanna had the country at the edge of their seat when he played the mixed doubles final of the French Open with partner Gabriela Dabrowski. The Indo-Canadian pair won the French Open 2017 mixed doubles title on Saturday after beating Anna-Lena Groenefeld and Robert Farah 2-6, 6-2, 12-10 in a contest that lasted an hour and six minutes.
Bopanna, who won his maiden Grand Slam title, became only the fourth Indian after Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi and Sania Mirza to win a Grand Slam.
Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports to install mega LED screens for free public viewing of Champions Trophy matches
Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports Vijay Goel today stated that the Sports Ministry will install mega LED screens at the Major Dhyanchand National Stadium for free public viewing of Champions Trophy matches (all semi-finals and the grand final).
Union Sports Minister Vijay Goel said, “This is being done to utilize the free space in the stadium and also provide everyone a chance to watch the matches for free on the mega screen.”
Goel further stated, “The idea is to initiate sports culture among the public and optimum utilization of the stadiums, in future we will have mini-fests too that would create a huge buzz for sporting events across India”.
The inauguration of the mega LED screens will be led by Goel on 14 June, 2017 at 3PM at the Major Dhyanchand National Stadium. England will play against Pakistan in the first semi-final on 14 June, while India will take on Bangladesh in the second semi-final on 15 June. The winners of the semi-finals will fight for the winner’s trophy in the grand final scheduled for 18 June, Sunday. Entry for viewing matches is free for all.
Stakeholders review preparation for CWG 2018, Asian Games 2018& Olympics 2020
All stakeholders meeting was held here today to review the preparations for the Commonwealth Games 2018, the Asian Games 2018 and the Olympic Games 2020. Representatives of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sports Authority of India, Laxmibai National Institute of Physical Education, Indian Olympic Association, representatives of ‘High Priority’ and ‘Priority’ sports disciplines, the members of Olympic Task Force, Members of the TOP Scheme Committee and also the National Observers attended the daylong brain storming session.
Addressing the inaugural session of the meeting the Minister of State (I/C) for Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Vijay Goel said that the government has taken a number of steps to strengthen the various kinds of support given to the athletes and the sportspersons. The major steps include enhancement of the amount of financial assistance under the scheme of assistance to the National Sports Federations. He said that while a lot has been done to broad base the sports activities in the country a lot is still needed to be done to achieve excellence and make India is sports power house of the world.
Shri Goel also said that IOA should take the lead in various spheres like dispute resolution in the NSFs, holding of National Games regularly, holding of multi-disciplinary mega events in India etc. He also said that attention should also be paid to focus on games such as Baseball, Cycling and Martial Arts etc. where India has not participated traditionally so far in International competitions. Shri Goel also stressed that the Federations should bring best coaches and support staff to provide training to the athletes. Shri Goel said that we should upgrade the sports infrastructure, spot talent at a very young age, monitor performance, promote School and University level games in a big way, utilize stadiums to their full potential and involve best available coaching academies in training of the sportspersons.
Secretary Sports, Shri Injeti Srinivas, in his opening remarks mentioned that there is no dearth of either the resources or the talent to achieve excellence and win medals at the highest level of sport i.e. the Olympics. What is needed is the ability to identify the talent and nurture them to achieve excellence. The NSFs are required to identify the talent and increase the bench strength of young athletes and provide them strong support system. Shri Srinivas also stated that the success of the plan lies in the convergence and coordination among all the stakeholders.
During the meeting eminent players, coaches, representatives of different national sports federations and IOA and officials of the Ministry and Sports Authority of India made presentations and deliberated on the issues related to finalizing the approach for the forthcoming mega events.
Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports to initiate “Adopt A Slum” campaign in Delhi
Addressing a press conference today, Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports Vijay Goel today announced a new campaign to mark three years of the Narendra Modi government– the campaign has been named “Adopt a Slum”. Goel said that the idea is to initiate developmental work in these slums and help the slum-dwellers in resolving various issues. A slum YuvaDaud/Marathon will mark the beginning of this campaign on 26th May, 2017. Goel has also requested newly elected councillors of MCD, NGO’s & RWAs to join hands in this initiative.
Goel also stated that the government under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi is committed for the cause of the weaker sections and we all must keep the fire burning, the fire that illuminates lives in a positive way and resolves social and economic issues.
Goel further stated that Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports along with Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (under the aegis of the Ministry) will initiate “Adopt a Slum” campaign and groups like NSS, public schools, rotary clubs etc. would pool in with efforts and manpower. Goel also informed that he has adopted Indira slum of Timarpur area.
A booklet was also released highlighting the key issues that would be addressed with this campaign and how the entire process will be initiated and executed. The NYKS would adopt slums across 11 districts and will work for their overall development with young volunteers. The “Slum YuvaDaud” will be organized on 26th May at 6am at Shankarlal Hall in Delhi University. Similar marathons will also be organized at Wazirpur, Model Town, Adarsh Nagar, Chandni Chowk, Burari and many more areas.
Nominations for National Youth awards go open, transaprent and online
Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Youth Affairs & Sports, Shri Vijay Goel announced the formalization of new National Youth Awards, here today. The initiatives have been taken in an effort to make the National Youth AwardS (NYA) more broad-based and to promote transparency in the selection process. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports confers the National Youth Award (NYA) every year to young persons to give recognition to the outstanding work and to motivate them to achieve excellence in the field on National Development and Social Service, to encourage them to develop a sense of responsibility to the community and also to improve their own potential as a good citizen. Some of the key features of the initiatives on NYA include:
ONLINE APPLICATION:- For the first time, it has been decided that the nomination for the National Youth Awards (NYA) should be received and processed through online mode, on the lines of the Padma Awards announced by the Prime Minister recently, to cover the people on pan-India basis. Earlier, the nominations were received only through State/UT Governments with the restriction that they should nominate only 5 names for Individuals and 2 nominations in Voluntary Organizations Category. It was a routine affair and no adequate publicity was given by the State Governments/UTs to popularize the Awards and seek varied nominations.
In contrast, an applicant can apply now online directly to the Ministry on the recommendation of the Head of the Institution/SDM/DM/DC, or any officer, not below the rank of Deputy Secretary in the Government of India. An online application has been developed in consultation with MyGov team. Applicants will be given 30 days to apply online at https://innovate.mygov.in/national-youth-award/. The final selection will be made by the 8-member Central Selection Committee, headed by the Secretary, Department of Youth Affairs and prominent and eminent personalities.
It will now be ensured that the selection process is transparent and the restrictions in the nomination process are removed, thus making the Awards more broad-based and accessible to the deserving youth of the country. A new Logo for the National Youth Awards has also been released.
INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF THE AWARD
Earlier, only one Award was given under Voluntary Organization Category, working with the youth for national development and social service. The number of Awards in the Organization category has now been increased from 1 to 10 and the prize money is Rs. 2,00,000 with a Trophy and Certificate. This initiative has been taken with a view that more recognition needs to be given to voluntary Organizations working in the field of Youth development, keeping in view of the number of organizations working in the country. Further, these outstanding organizations will be partners in promotion of the different schemes and policies of the Ministry in the field of youth development in the country. The initiative is expected to expand the reach of the Ministry in programme implementation across the country. The amount of money for the Award in the Individual category has also been enhanced to Rs. 50,000/- and will be given to 25 individuals.
EXPANSION OF FIELD OF ACTIVITIES
The NYA was earlier conferred for excellent work in the field of youth development activities and social service without specifying the individual fields thereby making it more general and less focused.
It has also been decided that in line with the focused approach of the Padma Award, the NYA should also be conferred for excellent work done in the specific field of activities by the Youth. Accordingly, the field of activities for conferring the NYA has been categorically specified in order to have concentrated effort in those fields. The fields of activities in the course of youth development work are health, research and innovation, culture, promotion of human rights, art and literature, tourism, traditional medicines, active citizenship, community service, sports and academic excellence & smart learning and any other similar field.
PAN-INDIA ADVERTISEMENT
In order to address the drawback of limited awareness of the NYA, it has been decided that a pan-India colour advertisement, seeking nominations for the Awards should be released in all the major and regional newspapers. Also the advertisements will be put on Mygov portal and Ministry’s website. The advertisements inviting nominations for the award will be released on May 10, 2017. This initiative, combined with the online application, will be a game-changer for the NYA.
Delhi is in a pathetic condition, all thanks to Kejriwal: Vijay Goel
In order to protest against the treatment meted out to Delhiites with lack of progress and implementations of policies by the Kejriwal led Delhi government, Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Vijay Goel led a Delhi BachaoAndolan (Save Delhi Movement) joined by various NGOs, RWAs and other organisations from the capital. A vacant chair depicting the CM’s chair was part of a tableau that formed the main attraction of the march was symbolic to Kejriwal’s disappearance from Delhi and the miseries of the Delhiities due to AAP government’s misgovernance.
Leading the march Goel said, “When Kejriwal lost from Varanasi, he promised never not to leave Delhi and would work for the capital’s development, but now it’s shocking to see not a single Minister of the AAP government in Delhi”.
Goel stated that Delhi government schools are in a deplorable condition and there are instances of 150 students studying in one classroom at different time slots, no ration cards have been issued as the government officials are hand in glove with the black marketers. Cleaning of the Yamuna as taken a backseat, 18 mini-sewerage plants that were supposed to be put in action haven’t even started, pollution levels seem to be at an all time high and the Odd-Even schemes initiated to curb the menace only led to wastage of the tax-payers’ money thanks to explicit spending by Kejriwal& Co. Infrastructure development is a myth with no addition to transport buses and no policy to check the growing number of e-rickshaws that ply without proper certification or law.
Goel added that cleanliness of Delhi has gone for a toss with several strikes called by MCD workers due to non-payment of salaries/dues. Entire Delhi has been converted into a slum with a promise of 2 lakh toilets but the situation in reality is very grim. Laying of new pipelines hasn’t been executed and taps are running dry in most of the areas. Goel said that instead of discharging his duties, Kejriwal is busy touring Punjab and Goa for personal gains which has led to corruption and malpractices within his government. And in order to counter this, Delhi BachaoAndolan will continue to expose the malpractices of Kejriwal and his team by similar marches, rallies etc. in the capital.
Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Vijay Goel inaugurates India Art Festival at Thyagraj Stadium Complex in Delhi
Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Vijay Goel today inaugurated the India Art Festival at Thyagraj Stadium Complex in Delhi. More than 6 nations with over 4000 artistes will participate in this year’s edition. There are more than 100 stalls have been set up to display art work and paintings.
Interacting with the media Goel said, “India Art Festival is the only art fair in India that presents two annual editions in two different cities –Mumbai and New Delhi. IAF provides unique opportunity to the art galleries and artists to create a network with the art dealers, art collectors and art buyers. I would request everyone to visit this festival and explore the various art work”.
Goel also spotted a painting which he felt depicts the story of Zaira Wasim – the young star from the film Dangal. Goel stated that our daughters are now breaking free and exploring various avenues and even excelling in them, they must be encouraged”.
Since its first edition in 2011, India Art Festival successfully facilitated expansion of the periphery of art patronage by mounting the grand art fairs not only in India but in the overseas countries like South Korea and others. After the eight successful editions at Mumbai & New Delhi, India Art Festival positions itself as a successful and tested new module of art fair with a focus on both – art galleries and independent artists.
India Art Festival is being held at Thyagaraj Stadium, New Delhi from 19 to 22 Jan 2017 and at Nehru Center, Mumbai, India from 02 to 05 November 2017. In the last seven editions, India Art Festival attracted more than 200,000 visitors.
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Vijay Goel is a national leader with wider vision and worked on the ground in Delhi.
Shantanu Gupta
No cricket with Pak until terrorism stops, says sports minister Vijay Goel Finally! Kudos for a much needed call!
Amrita Bhinder
Simply will appreciate Vijay Goel’s working style, witnessed his personal attention to west Delhi – Paschim Vihar ppl even at late hours.
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One must appreciate how Vijay Goel is working so hard and looking out for all sports. One can feel the change. Best wishes!
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