Zoyeford: Adding Biography.

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Adding Biography.

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{{Short description|Indian social worker (born 1980)}}
{{Orphan|date=August 2022}}
{{Infobox person
| honorific_prefix =
| name = Vishal Singh (Food Man)
| image =
| image_upright =
| caption =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1980|03|19}}
| birth_place = [[New Delhi]], [[India]]
| citizenship = Indian
| education =
| occupation = Social Worker
| organization = Vijay Sri Foundation
| known_for = Food Man
| spouse =
| children =
| mother =
| father =
}}

'''Vishal Singh''' (born 19 March 1980) is an Indian [[social work]]er.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/lucknow/lucknow-to-serve-god-he-feeds-over-500-hungry-mouths-daily/story-dHSisDwzqiJAQqotnVLbGM.html|title=Lucknow: To serve God, he feeds over 500 hungry mouths daily|date=2018-10-25|website=Hindustan Times|language=en|access-date=2019-11-09}}</ref> His organization serves almost 900 patients at three hospitals daily.<ref name="auto2">{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/he-is-the-reason-why-patient-kin-dont-go-hungry/articleshow/71037306.cms|title=He is the reason why patient kin doesn't go hungry|date=September 9, 2019|first=Yusra|last=Husain |website=The Times of India|language=en|access-date=2019-11-09}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://hindi.news18.com/news/uttar-pradesh/lucknow-lucknow-foodman-vishal-singh-serves-meal-to-900-patients-attendant-daily-in-lucknow-hospitals-upas-2392765.html|title=रोजाना 900 लोगों को मुफ्त में भोजन कराता है लखनऊ का ये 'फूडमैन'|date=2019-09-05|website=News18 India|access-date=2019-11-09}}</ref> In addition to Balrampur Hospital, Singh runs a similar free kitchen at [[King George's Medical University]] (KGMU) and at [[Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital|Dr Ram Manohar Lohia hospital]].<ref name="auto1"/>

== Early life ==
Singh was born in 1980 in [[New Delhi]]. He worked at a parking lot in [[Hazratganj]]. He scavenged through trash cans for food.<ref name="auto2"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/metro/lucknow/other-news/inspiring-story-of-young-man-from-lucknow-vishal-singh-who-daily-serves-free-food-to-poor-patients-and-their-guardian/articleshow/70901863.cms|title=Lucknow Samachar: जज्बा: तीमारदारों के 'विशाल' फूडमैन, कभी भूखे पेट सोए...आज भूखे लोगों को फ्री में खिला रहे खाना - the inspiring story of a young man from Lucknow Vishal Singh who daily serves free food to poor patients and their guardian|date=2019-08-30|website=Navbharat Times|language=hi|access-date=2019-11-09}}</ref> He opened a tea and snacks stall.<ref name="auto"/><ref name="auto1"/>

In the winter of 2003, Singh's father was admitted to a private hospital in [[Gurgaon]], and the medical authorities asked for an over ₹50,000 deposit to continue his treatment.<ref name="auto1"/> Singh decided to feed hungry relatives of patients. He sent out 100 food packets each to [[King George's Medical University|KGMU]] and Balrampur Hospital. In 2015, he entered the real estate business and launched a free food service.<ref name="auto2"/><ref name="auto"/>

== Career ==

In 2007, Singh set up the Vijay Sri Foundation where patients at three hospitals are served a daily meal. <ref name="auto1"/> The Foundation cooks and serves food, while the selection of the beneficiaries is done by the hospital. Every day, around 300 food coupons are issued to each hospital, and the medical staff distributes them to those attendants who need them. People come in queues and submit coupons to get food.<ref name="auto1"/>

In 2020, Singh set up a free night shelter (raen basera) at The [[King George's Medical University]] (KGMU). The capacity of a homeless shelter is 400 people.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Raen Basera at KGMU has all comforts for homeless attendants |url=http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/Home/ShareArticle?OrgId=cdd4f70a&imageview=0 |access-date=2022-08-31 |website=epaper.hindustantimes.com/ |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-01-21 |title=जरूरमंदों की मदद के लिए समाज को सदैव आगे आना चाहिये : पुलकित अग्रवाल |url=http://www.shauryatimes.com/news/99309 |access-date=2022-08-31 |website=Shaurya Times {{!}} शौर्य टाइम्स |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=कैबिनेट मंत्री ने किया अस्पताल में रैन बसेरों का उद्घाटन |url=https://www.livehindustan.com/uttar-pradesh/lucknow/story-cabinet-minister-inaugurated-night-shelters-in-hospital-2939785.html |access-date=2022-08-31 |website=Hindustan |language=hindi}}</ref>

Singh helped thousands of people during the second [[COVID-19]] wave with oxygen supply and free food services at the [[Defence Research and Development Organisation|DRDO]] Covid hospital.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Awasthi |first=Puja |date=May 25, 2021 |title=How a family struggle motivated Lucknow's 'footman' to feed thousands in hospitals |url=https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2021/05/25/how-a-family-struggle-motivated-lucknow-food-man-to-feed-thousands-in-hospitals.html |access-date=2022-08-26 |website=The Week |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mishra |first=Abhishek |date=August 26, 2021 |title=Having faced hunger, 'Foodman' Vishal Singh feeds attendants of patients in Lucknow hospitals for free |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/cities/lucknow/story/foodman-vishal-singh-lucknow-lohia-hospital-kgmu-1845418-2021-08-26 |access-date=2022-08-26 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref>

During the last phase of the pandemic, Singh and his 25 workers served 7.5 lakh food packets through the district administration.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-11-06 |title=फूडमैन विशाल सिंह को 7.5 लाख लोगों की निशुल्क सेवा के लिए मिला सम्मान |url=https://www.aajkikhabar.com/food-man-awared-by-anandiben-patel-uttarpradesh-news-1/ |access-date=2022-08-31 |website=Aaj Ki Khabar |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2020-11-06 |title=फूडमैन विशाल सिंह को महामहिम राज्यपाल ने किया सम्मानित |url=https://dastaktimes.org/foodman-vishal-singh-honored-by-his-excellency-governor/ |access-date=2022-08-31 |website=Dastak Times |language=en-US}}</ref> Appreciating the work, he was honored by [[Governor]] [[Anandiben Patel]] at [[Raj Bhavan]].<ref name=":0" />

== Achievement ==
Foodman Vishal Singh was honoured with the Ayush Seva Medal and a citation for his service effort by IAS Rajkamal Yadav, Director, Department of AYUSH.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gupta |first=Anurag |date=23 Jul 2020 |title=FoodMan विशाल सिंह को मिला आयुष सेवा पदक, निश्‍शक्त और जरूरतमंदों की करते हैं सेवा |url=https://www.jagran.com/uttar-pradesh/lucknow-city-food-man-vishal-singh-received-ayush-seva-medal-in-lucknow-20544413.html |access-date=2022-08-26 |website=Dainik Jagran |language=hi}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-07-23 |title=आयुष सेवा पदक से सम्मानित हुए लखनऊ के फूड मैन विशाल सिंह |url=https://www.aajkikhabar.com/lucknow-food-man-vishal-singh-receives-ayush-sewa-medal-11/ |access-date=2022-08-31 |website=Aaj Ki Khabar |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-07-23 |title=फ़ूडमैन विशाल सिंह को मिला आयुष सेवा पदक |url=http://www.shauryatimes.com/news/80823 |access-date=2022-08-31 |website=Shaurya Times {{!}} शौर्य टाइम्स |language=en-US}}</ref>

Judge [[Vinod Kumar Gupta|V. C. Gupta]] honored Singh with a [[Vishisht Seva Medal|Seva Medal.]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Faique |first=Mohammad |date=2019-03-11 |title=लखनऊ के फूड मैन विशाल सिंह को न्यायधीश वी सी गुप्ता ने किया सेवा पदक से सम्मानित |url=https://www.aajkikhabar.com/food-man-vishal-singh-awarded-by-seva-padak-lucknow/ |access-date=2022-08-31 |website=Aaj Ki Khabar |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-03-11 |title=फूडमैन विशाल सिंह को न्यायमूर्ति वीसी गुप्ता ने सेवापदक से किया सम्मानित |url=http://www.shauryatimes.com/news/35413 |access-date=2022-08-31 |website=Shaurya Times {{!}} शौर्य टाइम्स |language=en-US}}</ref>

Appreciating the work of the organization by the [[District magistrate|District Magistrate]], Singh was awarded the Manav Mitra Medal.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=BRIJESH |date=2019-06-04 |title=मानव मित्र पदक से सम्मानित किए गए फूड मैन विशाल सिंह |url=https://www.aajkikhabar.com/food-man-of-lucknow-vishal-singh-awarded-by-lucknow-dm-kaushal-raj/ |access-date=2022-08-31 |website=Aaj Ki Khabar |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-06-04 |title=Foodman विशाल सिंह को डीएम लखनऊ ने मानव मित्र पदक से किया सम्मानित |url=http://www.shauryatimes.com/news/44301 |access-date=2022-08-31 |website=Shaurya Times {{!}} शौर्य टाइम्स |language=en-US}}</ref>

[[Uttar Pradesh]] Law Minister [[Brajesh Pathak|Brijesh Pathak]] awarded the [[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal|Atal Seva Medal]] to Singh for serving more than 7.5 lakh needy people in [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-12-22 |title=फूडमैन विशाल सिंह को मिला 'अटल सेवा पदक' सम्मान |url=https://www.aajkikhabar.com/food-man-vishal-singh-news/ |access-date=2022-08-31 |website=Aaj Ki Khabar |language=en-US}}</ref>

[[Lucknow]] Joint Director Sanjay Singh appreciated Singh for serving more than 7.5 lakh needy people in the [[COVID-19 pandemic|COVID-19 epidemic]] and honoured him with [[COVID-19]] Utkrisht Manav Seva Medal.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Brijesh |date=2020-11-02 |title=फूडमैन विशाल सिंह को मिला 'उत्कृष्ट मानव सेवा पदक' सम्मान |url=https://www.aajkikhabar.com/foodman-vishal-singh-receives-utkrasht-manav-seva-padak-in-lucknow/ |access-date=2022-08-31 |website=Aaj Ki Khabar |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-11-02 |title=फूडमैन विशाल सिंह को मिला उत्कृष्ट मानव सेवा पदक |url=http://www.shauryatimes.com/news/89184 |access-date=2022-08-31 |website=Shaurya Times {{!}} शौर्य टाइम्स |language=en-US}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* [http://vijaysrifoundation.com/ Official website]
* [https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2021/05/25/how-a-family-struggle-motivated-lucknow-food-man-to-feed-thousands-in-hospitals.html How a family struggle motivated Lucknow's 'footman' to feed thousands in hospitals]
* [https://www.indiatoday.in/cities/lucknow/story/foodman-vishal-singh-lucknow-lohia-hospital-kgmu-1845418-2021-08-26 Having faced hunger, 'Foodman' Vishal Singh feeds attendants of patients in Lucknow hospitals for free]
* [https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/raen-basera-at-kgmu-haven-for-homeless-attendants/story-hkWPC3I274IS2YYkrakOXM.html Raen basera at KGMU: Haven for homeless attendants]

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Vishal Singh Foodman}}
[[Category:1980 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Indian social workers|Vishal Singh Foodman]]

Vishal Singh (social worker) - Revision history

Zoyeford: Adding Biography.