A bicycle rally was organised here on Saturday in a bid to end corruption in the state.
Carrying placards and shouting slogans, around 200 enthusiastic cyclists participated in the rally.
District Magistrate of Patna, Jitendra Kumar Sinha, who led the rally, called upon the people to fight corruption.
“We have started this cycle rally to end the corruption that takes place in government offices in the state. To create awareness against corruption, we have organised this rally. The State Government has started a movement against corruption and has even announced to reward those people who will help the government to fight corruption,” said Sinha.
Young participants said they were determined to fight corruption.
“Through this cycle rally, we want to convey the message that we have to end the corruption in the state and the world over. We want to create a new Bihar,” said Munna Kumar, a participant.
Anti-corruption rallies were flagged off in all the districts in the state.link
Saturday 28 February 2009
Over three lakh Bihar government employees to lose pay over strike
More than 3,00,000 Bihar government employees who had struck work for 33 days will not receive their salaries for this period as the state government has taken a "no work no pay" stance.
"The government is firm on not paying them salaries to ensure its policy of 'no work no pay'," an official of the state finance department said, adding that a letter to this effect had already been issued.
"Soon after the employees went on strike (last month), the government warned them to return to work or face 'no work no pay'," another official said.
The state government has, for the first time, taken a decision to deduct the salaries of its employees for the striking period as it badly affected the functioning of the offices and delayed development schemes for over a month.
The employees went on an indefinite strike Jan 7 demanding revised salaries as recommended by the Sixth Pay Commisiosn "in letter and spirit". The government refused this, citing a funds crunch. The strike ended Feb 9 following a Patna High Court order.link
"The government is firm on not paying them salaries to ensure its policy of 'no work no pay'," an official of the state finance department said, adding that a letter to this effect had already been issued.
"Soon after the employees went on strike (last month), the government warned them to return to work or face 'no work no pay'," another official said.
The state government has, for the first time, taken a decision to deduct the salaries of its employees for the striking period as it badly affected the functioning of the offices and delayed development schemes for over a month.
The employees went on an indefinite strike Jan 7 demanding revised salaries as recommended by the Sixth Pay Commisiosn "in letter and spirit". The government refused this, citing a funds crunch. The strike ended Feb 9 following a Patna High Court order.link
Stone laid for Bihar centre for disabled
Union minister for social justice and empowerment Meira Kumar and CM Nitish Kumar jointly laid the foundation stone of a Composite Rehabilitation Centre (CRC) for the physically challenged.
"It will be a boon for persons with disabilities," Nitish said while speaking at the function. He, however, urged the Centre to allocate funds so that construction work could start at the earliest.
The Union minister did not disappoint the CM. While thanking the state government for allocating land for the CRC, she said a sum of Rs 6 crore has already been allocated and the construction work would start soon.
"We have also sanctioned 19 posts for the CRC-Patna and in order to ensure that people of this state are not deprived of the services of the composite centre till the building is completed, we have decided to run the CRC from a makeshift building," she said.
Earlier speaking at the function Ashish Kumar, deputy director general (DDG) in Union ministry of social justice and empowerment, spoke at length about the purpose of opening the centre.
Bihar is the sixth state after Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, UP, Madhya Pradesh and Assam to have such a centre where people with disabilities would get composite service under one roof. The Patna centre would also have facilities to train people who would be used for imparting skill-development training to people with disabilities.
Chief commissioner for persons with disabilities, Dr Manoj Kumar, and Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS) director Dr Arun Kumar also spoke at the function.
The proposed centre would come up on a 3.3-acre plot which is located on the IGIMS premises.
The stone-laying function was followed by inauguration of the CRC in the makeshift building, the Red Cross building, near the Gandhi Maidan.link
"It will be a boon for persons with disabilities," Nitish said while speaking at the function. He, however, urged the Centre to allocate funds so that construction work could start at the earliest.
The Union minister did not disappoint the CM. While thanking the state government for allocating land for the CRC, she said a sum of Rs 6 crore has already been allocated and the construction work would start soon.
"We have also sanctioned 19 posts for the CRC-Patna and in order to ensure that people of this state are not deprived of the services of the composite centre till the building is completed, we have decided to run the CRC from a makeshift building," she said.
Earlier speaking at the function Ashish Kumar, deputy director general (DDG) in Union ministry of social justice and empowerment, spoke at length about the purpose of opening the centre.
Bihar is the sixth state after Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, UP, Madhya Pradesh and Assam to have such a centre where people with disabilities would get composite service under one roof. The Patna centre would also have facilities to train people who would be used for imparting skill-development training to people with disabilities.
Chief commissioner for persons with disabilities, Dr Manoj Kumar, and Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS) director Dr Arun Kumar also spoke at the function.
The proposed centre would come up on a 3.3-acre plot which is located on the IGIMS premises.
The stone-laying function was followed by inauguration of the CRC in the makeshift building, the Red Cross building, near the Gandhi Maidan.link
Five polio cases detected in Bihar
Five new cases of polio have been detected in Bihar in the first two months of this year despite immunisation drive, an official in the state health department said on Saturday.
This is three less than in Uttar Pradesh, which has had the highest incidence of the infection during 2008, a Unicef official said.
"It is sad to admit that five new polio cases surfaced in the state till the end of February," the Bihar health official, who declined to be named, said.
The figures have raised an alarm across Bihar as many parents fear that their children might also catch the disease.
The Unicef official said of the five polio cases, two are P1 and three are P3 strain cases. "The detection of two new cases of P1 is a matter of serious concern," he added.
He said eight new cases of polio have been detected in Uttar Pradesh and one in Delhi till Feb 27. Of the eight cases in Uttar Pradesh, four are of P1 and P3 each.
The battle against polio is far from over in Bihar, which recorded the second highest incidence of the disease in India last year after neighbouring Uttar Pradesh.
Bihar recorded 233 new polio cases in 2008, one of the highest since the polio immunisation drive was launched in the state nearly a decade ago, an official had said.
Bihar recorded 61 polio cases in 2006 and 193 cases in 2007.link
This is three less than in Uttar Pradesh, which has had the highest incidence of the infection during 2008, a Unicef official said.
"It is sad to admit that five new polio cases surfaced in the state till the end of February," the Bihar health official, who declined to be named, said.
The figures have raised an alarm across Bihar as many parents fear that their children might also catch the disease.
The Unicef official said of the five polio cases, two are P1 and three are P3 strain cases. "The detection of two new cases of P1 is a matter of serious concern," he added.
He said eight new cases of polio have been detected in Uttar Pradesh and one in Delhi till Feb 27. Of the eight cases in Uttar Pradesh, four are of P1 and P3 each.
The battle against polio is far from over in Bihar, which recorded the second highest incidence of the disease in India last year after neighbouring Uttar Pradesh.
Bihar recorded 233 new polio cases in 2008, one of the highest since the polio immunisation drive was launched in the state nearly a decade ago, an official had said.
Bihar recorded 61 polio cases in 2006 and 193 cases in 2007.link
Friday 27 February 2009
Ajay Devgan and Katrina Kaif to help out Prakash Jha
Director Prakash Jha is contesting for the Lok Sabha elections from the Bettiah seat in Bihar and helping out in his campaign will be his ‘Rajneeti’ lead actors, Ajay Devgan and Katrina Kaif. Both are popular public figures and will invite huge crowd.
A source on the project reveals, "Ajay is very close to Jha. Even though he doesn't endorse political parties or take a political stand, he will definitely do everything in his capacity to support Jha. Also Katrina, who has been drawing huge crowds to the locations where the film is being shot, will be roped in. People travel from long distances to come and see her. If she campaigns for Jha, it will definitely add to the glamour element."
Devgan feels Jha will an ideal leader for the constituency. A source adds, "Jha has done to help the flood victims in Bihar, and his Punarvaas campaign has been a huge success and Ajay has personally followed the project. So he wants to support him."
However Ajay Devgan's publicist denied the news, "The news that Ajay is campaigning for Jha in the forthcoming elections is not true."link
A source on the project reveals, "Ajay is very close to Jha. Even though he doesn't endorse political parties or take a political stand, he will definitely do everything in his capacity to support Jha. Also Katrina, who has been drawing huge crowds to the locations where the film is being shot, will be roped in. People travel from long distances to come and see her. If she campaigns for Jha, it will definitely add to the glamour element."
Devgan feels Jha will an ideal leader for the constituency. A source adds, "Jha has done to help the flood victims in Bihar, and his Punarvaas campaign has been a huge success and Ajay has personally followed the project. So he wants to support him."
However Ajay Devgan's publicist denied the news, "The news that Ajay is campaigning for Jha in the forthcoming elections is not true."link
Jan Adalat in Bihar by Naxals
Just 145 kms from Bihar's capital Patna, armed naxals from the People's War Group are regularly holding a people's court to dispense justice.
Armed naxals from the People's War Group, holding a Jan Adalat (people's court) in Banke Bazar of Gaya district. The naxals held this court to convey to the villagers about their fight against the atrocities of the police and the rich capitalists.
More shockingly, the Jan Adalat was being held in the presence of the heads of five village panchayats, who hailed the 'effort' for the naxals, raising pro-naxal slogans 'lal salam, lal salam'.
Around 2000 villagers participated in the Jan Adalad. Visibly pleased by the 'justice' dispensed by the naxals, the villagers say that the naxals are a big help to them as the state government is crushing their rights.
''The capitalist and feudal landlords have suppressed us. And now these naxals have shown us the way to progress and development." said Sukhdev Prasad, a villager from Banke Bazar.
Another villager from Warheta, Ramanuj Rai said, "We don't get our right that is why we have come here. These naxals are showing us the way to fight for our rights. The Maoist and naxals have found the way to redress our problems. The government hasn't helped us much as the Maoists. If the Maoists weren't here we wouldn't be respected by the rich and the capitalists"
The naxals, on there part, have taken their fight for justice to a new level. They are telling the villagers that that 90 % of the poor people were the victims of the police atrocities.
A naxal leader said the gathering, "More than 90% of people face police attrocities. They frame false charges against people - accusing them of being terrorists and criminals. The common man keeps fighting for their rights, while the capitalist and the rich keep suppressing us. But no matter how much we will continue our fight."
The naxals also called for a boycott of the Lok Sabha polls and even paid tribute to around 14,000 naxals who were killed in parts of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Uttaranchal, Nepal and Bihar.
Ironically, the police are not even aware of this Jan Adalat that was held in broad daylight. Twenty-two out of Bihar's 38 districts are facing the naxal menace. Despite the spate of brutal Naxal attacks in recent time, no one seems to have learnt the lesson yet - neither the cops nor the authorities.link
Armed naxals from the People's War Group, holding a Jan Adalat (people's court) in Banke Bazar of Gaya district. The naxals held this court to convey to the villagers about their fight against the atrocities of the police and the rich capitalists.
More shockingly, the Jan Adalat was being held in the presence of the heads of five village panchayats, who hailed the 'effort' for the naxals, raising pro-naxal slogans 'lal salam, lal salam'.
Around 2000 villagers participated in the Jan Adalad. Visibly pleased by the 'justice' dispensed by the naxals, the villagers say that the naxals are a big help to them as the state government is crushing their rights.
''The capitalist and feudal landlords have suppressed us. And now these naxals have shown us the way to progress and development." said Sukhdev Prasad, a villager from Banke Bazar.
Another villager from Warheta, Ramanuj Rai said, "We don't get our right that is why we have come here. These naxals are showing us the way to fight for our rights. The Maoist and naxals have found the way to redress our problems. The government hasn't helped us much as the Maoists. If the Maoists weren't here we wouldn't be respected by the rich and the capitalists"
The naxals, on there part, have taken their fight for justice to a new level. They are telling the villagers that that 90 % of the poor people were the victims of the police atrocities.
A naxal leader said the gathering, "More than 90% of people face police attrocities. They frame false charges against people - accusing them of being terrorists and criminals. The common man keeps fighting for their rights, while the capitalist and the rich keep suppressing us. But no matter how much we will continue our fight."
The naxals also called for a boycott of the Lok Sabha polls and even paid tribute to around 14,000 naxals who were killed in parts of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Uttaranchal, Nepal and Bihar.
Ironically, the police are not even aware of this Jan Adalat that was held in broad daylight. Twenty-two out of Bihar's 38 districts are facing the naxal menace. Despite the spate of brutal Naxal attacks in recent time, no one seems to have learnt the lesson yet - neither the cops nor the authorities.link
Bihar,s is a hi-tech budget
When Bihar deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi, who has also the finance portfolio with him, tabled the state budget for the financial year 2009-10 in the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday, few realised that an old system of preparing budget, which was in vogue since independence, has been done away with.
The old theory of centralised control over every small and little item of expenditure leading to the creation of over 400 `unit codes’ has been replaced by a budget built on `object units’. The number of `unit codes’ has been reduced to just 62, and the 1,500 pages of budget documents were generated by computer. All this reduced the budget-preparation time from six months to just one month.
“According to the new budget-making theory, the head of an office is the finance manager of its establishment, and the budget is designed on the basis of `object heads’ which define the objective of the expenditure,” explained IAS officer and additional finance commissioner Arunish Chawla.
Chawla, who has done PhD from the prestigious London School of Economics, played a major role in the formulation of the new system of finance management in the state.
Officers and employees concerned recalled how tiresome the budget-making process used to be earlier. Expenditure provisions were complicated and calculations a time-taking exercise. For instance, for minor repairs in government buildings, provisions had to be made from 35 `unit heads’. For meeting office expenses, provisions had to be made from 20 `unit heads’. “There were different heads to purchase food for dogs and horses,” one official said, adding if one had to make an additional provision, he had to go through the tiresome process of re-appropriation.
“The number of operational sub-heads has been brought down by 25%. This, coupled with the corrections in the `unit heads’, has simplified the process at least 10 times,” Chawla said, stressing that the simplification will boost the state machinery’s ability to deliver.
No less important is the fact that the new budget system has been integrated with the computerised treasury system. “From April 1 onwards, heads of the departments can get information not only about their budget but also about the actual expenditure against their allotment 24X7 online,” Chawla said and added the process of budget allocation, allotment, passing of bills, generation of treasury voucher numbers and compilation of AG accounts will now be carried out without manual intervention.link
The old theory of centralised control over every small and little item of expenditure leading to the creation of over 400 `unit codes’ has been replaced by a budget built on `object units’. The number of `unit codes’ has been reduced to just 62, and the 1,500 pages of budget documents were generated by computer. All this reduced the budget-preparation time from six months to just one month.
“According to the new budget-making theory, the head of an office is the finance manager of its establishment, and the budget is designed on the basis of `object heads’ which define the objective of the expenditure,” explained IAS officer and additional finance commissioner Arunish Chawla.
Chawla, who has done PhD from the prestigious London School of Economics, played a major role in the formulation of the new system of finance management in the state.
Officers and employees concerned recalled how tiresome the budget-making process used to be earlier. Expenditure provisions were complicated and calculations a time-taking exercise. For instance, for minor repairs in government buildings, provisions had to be made from 35 `unit heads’. For meeting office expenses, provisions had to be made from 20 `unit heads’. “There were different heads to purchase food for dogs and horses,” one official said, adding if one had to make an additional provision, he had to go through the tiresome process of re-appropriation.
“The number of operational sub-heads has been brought down by 25%. This, coupled with the corrections in the `unit heads’, has simplified the process at least 10 times,” Chawla said, stressing that the simplification will boost the state machinery’s ability to deliver.
No less important is the fact that the new budget system has been integrated with the computerised treasury system. “From April 1 onwards, heads of the departments can get information not only about their budget but also about the actual expenditure against their allotment 24X7 online,” Chawla said and added the process of budget allocation, allotment, passing of bills, generation of treasury voucher numbers and compilation of AG accounts will now be carried out without manual intervention.link
Thursday 26 February 2009
Trouble over Bihari dialogue in Bobby Deol's film
A dialogue in his soon-to-be-released film, Ek, equates Biharis with killers. Censors cleared promos, but now want them dropped After Kamaal R Khan’s Deshdrohi, another film involving Biharis has hit trouble. Controversial dialogues in the TV promos of Sangeeth Sivan’s Bobby Deol-starrer Ek have stirred a hornet’s nest and landed the Censor Board, which cleared the promo for airing, in the soup.
Currently on air, the promo shows Bobby Deol playing a killer, and the following dialogue in the background: “Aam Aadmi ko marna hai? Dus hazaar ka desi katta aur ek Bihari. Kaam khatam.” (Want to kill an ordinary guy? All you need is a ten thousand rupee country revolver and a Bihari, and the job will be done).
The pejorative promo has led to executive producer Jaswant Khera getting threatening calls from Bihar and a controversy that may yet jeopardise the film’s future. “Once the Censor Board has cleared it why should anyone have a problem?” demands Khera. But after the matter was brought to the Censor Board’s notice, the Board has asked the film's producers to either drop the promo or beep out the word Bihari. "We have raised an objection to the dialogue as in a 30 second or a 15 second promo we can't make out the entire context of the dialogue or what the actor is referring to," says Regional Officer of the Censor Board, Vinayak Azad. The promo was initially passed by someone, said Azad who himself saw it on Wednesday. "I have now asked them to remove it. We can't form such opinions about any caste or community. This clearly refers to Biharis as people who take money to kill people. The Censor Board's intention is to safeguard every community and religion and hence we have told the producers to remove the dialogue from the teaser and they will have to do so accordingly."However, for his part, Khera has a logistical nightmare. "I don't think it will be possible now (to delete) as we have sent the teasers everywhere and it is very difficult. We have told the Board that they can do whatever they want to when the film comes but right now it's impossible for us to remove the teasers from air," he told.
When contacted, the film's director Sangeeth Sivans said:, "We had started the film quite some time back. All these problems of Bihar and UP came much later. We never intended to disrespect anyone but during the time the script was being written we used to read every day in newspapers that the sharp shooters have come from Bihar. But never did we think it could lead to trouble." While Khera has saved all the numbers from which we is getting the threatening calls, and is all set to go to the police, Congress politician and man from Bihar Sanjay Nirupam has requested the Censor Board to ensure that the reference is deleted immediately. "When one makes any creation, any book, any film you cannot comment adversely on any community. I condemn this kind of an attitude and would like to tell the producer and the director of the film that Bihar is not like that. I agree that there are goons in Bihar but goons are everywhere and this kind of a dialogue is in bad taste."link
Currently on air, the promo shows Bobby Deol playing a killer, and the following dialogue in the background: “Aam Aadmi ko marna hai? Dus hazaar ka desi katta aur ek Bihari. Kaam khatam.” (Want to kill an ordinary guy? All you need is a ten thousand rupee country revolver and a Bihari, and the job will be done).
The pejorative promo has led to executive producer Jaswant Khera getting threatening calls from Bihar and a controversy that may yet jeopardise the film’s future. “Once the Censor Board has cleared it why should anyone have a problem?” demands Khera. But after the matter was brought to the Censor Board’s notice, the Board has asked the film's producers to either drop the promo or beep out the word Bihari. "We have raised an objection to the dialogue as in a 30 second or a 15 second promo we can't make out the entire context of the dialogue or what the actor is referring to," says Regional Officer of the Censor Board, Vinayak Azad. The promo was initially passed by someone, said Azad who himself saw it on Wednesday. "I have now asked them to remove it. We can't form such opinions about any caste or community. This clearly refers to Biharis as people who take money to kill people. The Censor Board's intention is to safeguard every community and religion and hence we have told the producers to remove the dialogue from the teaser and they will have to do so accordingly."However, for his part, Khera has a logistical nightmare. "I don't think it will be possible now (to delete) as we have sent the teasers everywhere and it is very difficult. We have told the Board that they can do whatever they want to when the film comes but right now it's impossible for us to remove the teasers from air," he told.
When contacted, the film's director Sangeeth Sivans said:, "We had started the film quite some time back. All these problems of Bihar and UP came much later. We never intended to disrespect anyone but during the time the script was being written we used to read every day in newspapers that the sharp shooters have come from Bihar. But never did we think it could lead to trouble." While Khera has saved all the numbers from which we is getting the threatening calls, and is all set to go to the police, Congress politician and man from Bihar Sanjay Nirupam has requested the Censor Board to ensure that the reference is deleted immediately. "When one makes any creation, any book, any film you cannot comment adversely on any community. I condemn this kind of an attitude and would like to tell the producer and the director of the film that Bihar is not like that. I agree that there are goons in Bihar but goons are everywhere and this kind of a dialogue is in bad taste."link
Monday 23 February 2009
Centre sitting over funds for Bihar flood relief work: Nitish Kumar
Referring to release of funds for flood relief and rehabilitation work in Bihar, state Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday accused the Centre of being partisan towards the state, as it did not provide adequate aid to overcome the devastation caused by Kosi floods.
"The Centre has done great injustice to Bihar. We could not get the relief fund as per norms despite the Prime Minister himself declaring Kosi tragedy a national calamity," Nitish Kumar told reporters here after his visit to the Planning Commission to finalise state's annual plan size.
The extent of injustice can be understood from the fact that the state could not get any help from the Central Relief Fund (CRF) too, which is meant for the entire country, he said adding, "CRF is our right and not a favour". "We had a negative balance of Rs 800 crore in CRF," he added.
Kumar maintained that relief should have been granted by now as rehabilitation and reconstruction package were needed. "There are hardly five or six days left for the elections to be announced and the model code of conduct will be applicable," he said.
The matter was pending with the Government of India's high-level committee and there was no concrete proposal with the Planning Commission at the moment. He, however, stressed the state would seek its support and raise the issue during the full budget after the elections.link
"The Centre has done great injustice to Bihar. We could not get the relief fund as per norms despite the Prime Minister himself declaring Kosi tragedy a national calamity," Nitish Kumar told reporters here after his visit to the Planning Commission to finalise state's annual plan size.
The extent of injustice can be understood from the fact that the state could not get any help from the Central Relief Fund (CRF) too, which is meant for the entire country, he said adding, "CRF is our right and not a favour". "We had a negative balance of Rs 800 crore in CRF," he added.
Kumar maintained that relief should have been granted by now as rehabilitation and reconstruction package were needed. "There are hardly five or six days left for the elections to be announced and the model code of conduct will be applicable," he said.
The matter was pending with the Government of India's high-level committee and there was no concrete proposal with the Planning Commission at the moment. He, however, stressed the state would seek its support and raise the issue during the full budget after the elections.link
Bhojpuri-Hindi film “Smiles” at Oscar
Indian enthusiasm for Oscars is not just limited to Slumdog Millionaire. Smile Pinki, a real world fairly tale, which celebrates the work of the plastic surgeon Dr Subodh Kumar Singh in providing free surgery to fix the cleft lip of poor young children, won the Oscar in the best documentary (short) category on Sunday night.
Smile Pinki is a 39-minute documentary that depicts the story of Pinki Sonkar, an eight-year-old girl from Mirzapur whose face cleft lip made her a social outcast.
Made in Bhojpuri and Hindi, the film has been directed by distinguished filmmaker Meg Mlyan, best known for her feature length documentary Lost Boys of Sudan which was shown in some 70 cities in North America.
Mylan thanked Pinki in her acceptance speech at the award ceremony in Hollywood.
“Thank you Pinki. Thank you for letting me tell your incredible story,” she said.
The film was shot entirely in Varanasi and villages of Uttar Pradesh.
Smile Pinki is a 39-minute documentary that depicts the story of Pinki Sonkar, an eight-year-old girl from Mirzapur whose face cleft lip made her a social outcast.
Made in Bhojpuri and Hindi, the film has been directed by distinguished filmmaker Meg Mlyan, best known for her feature length documentary Lost Boys of Sudan which was shown in some 70 cities in North America.
Mylan thanked Pinki in her acceptance speech at the award ceremony in Hollywood.
“Thank you Pinki. Thank you for letting me tell your incredible story,” she said.
The film was shot entirely in Varanasi and villages of Uttar Pradesh.
Sunday 22 February 2009
Bihar govt offers 2 plots of land to Singapore Buddhist Lodge for Pilgrim Centre
The 5th Nalanda Mentor Group meeting in Bodh Gaya in Bihar has been concluded.
The group, which included Singapore's Foreign Minister George Yeo, called on the state's Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and updated him on details of the two-day meeting, which ended on Friday.
The Bihar government also offered for consideration two plots of land to the Singapore Buddhist Lodge to build a Pilgrim Centre for Singaporeans visiting Bodh Gaya.
The plots are near to where Lord Buddha gained enlightenment.
Mr Yeo accompanied the delegation to view the plots on Saturday.
He said: "The Chief Minister told me that we will then go through the procedures for the land that has been allocated to us. There is a hope that we can begin work on the Pilgrim Centre very quickly."
The group, which included Singapore's Foreign Minister George Yeo, called on the state's Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and updated him on details of the two-day meeting, which ended on Friday.
The Bihar government also offered for consideration two plots of land to the Singapore Buddhist Lodge to build a Pilgrim Centre for Singaporeans visiting Bodh Gaya.
The plots are near to where Lord Buddha gained enlightenment.
Mr Yeo accompanied the delegation to view the plots on Saturday.
He said: "The Chief Minister told me that we will then go through the procedures for the land that has been allocated to us. There is a hope that we can begin work on the Pilgrim Centre very quickly."
Saturday 21 February 2009
Seven-year old passes 10th to enter Limca Book of Records
Sushma Verma, a student of St. Meera’s Inter College at Kanpur road lucknow, entered the Limca Book of Records for being the youngest student to pass high school examination at the age of seven years, three months and 28 days.
Sushma broke the record of Bihar’s Tathagat Tulsi, who passed the class 10th at the age of nine.
The little girl completed her early education at home and enrolled at the Inter College as a class ninth student two years back.
Japan’s Tokyo Broadcasting Corporation has already included her in its list of child prodigies.
The Limca Book of Records has issued a certificate recognising Sushma’s achievement, which reached the college authorities on Friday.link
Sushma broke the record of Bihar’s Tathagat Tulsi, who passed the class 10th at the age of nine.
The little girl completed her early education at home and enrolled at the Inter College as a class ninth student two years back.
Japan’s Tokyo Broadcasting Corporation has already included her in its list of child prodigies.
The Limca Book of Records has issued a certificate recognising Sushma’s achievement, which reached the college authorities on Friday.link
Mahila Udyog Mela gets underway
The three-day Mahila Udyog Mela organised by the Bihar Mahila Udyog Sangh got underway here on Friday. Over 60 stalls have been set up at the fair organized at Lala Lajpat Rai Hall.
Women entrepreneurs from Bihar and some other states have set up their stall at the fair. Paintings and handicraft items are the main attraction of this fair. Arrangements have also been made for food lovers with dedicated stalls providing varieties of local delicacies.
Sangh president Pushpa Chopra threw light on the hardships being faced by women entrepreneurs in Bihar and urged the state government to take steps for ameliorating their condition.
Principal secretary, tourism, Rashmi Verma, who inaugurated the fair, said that the tourism department would try to provide stalls at places of tourist importance to the women entrepreneurs using which they could sell their products to the tourists visiting the state.link
Women entrepreneurs from Bihar and some other states have set up their stall at the fair. Paintings and handicraft items are the main attraction of this fair. Arrangements have also been made for food lovers with dedicated stalls providing varieties of local delicacies.
Sangh president Pushpa Chopra threw light on the hardships being faced by women entrepreneurs in Bihar and urged the state government to take steps for ameliorating their condition.
Principal secretary, tourism, Rashmi Verma, who inaugurated the fair, said that the tourism department would try to provide stalls at places of tourist importance to the women entrepreneurs using which they could sell their products to the tourists visiting the state.link
Bhojpuri film industry cries for a film city
The Bhojpuri film industry produces nearly 100 movies a year, employs over 50,000 people and is worth Rs.2 billion (Rs.200 crore), but a long-standing complaint of Bhojpuri actors and filmmakers is the lack of a dedicated film city in Uttar Pradesh.
While many say former chief minister Mulayam Singh's government failed to develop a film city despite having promised to do so, film industry members says the current government headed by Bahujan Sam Party (BSP) chief Mayawati too has done little for their cause.
"Mulayam Singh Yadav's government made numerous promises, but it never materialised. The present Mayawati government helped by giving subsidy to some films, but that's it," Bhojpuri superstar Ravi Kissen told.
Bhojpuri films are doing a profitable business. Kissen said the Bhojpuri film industry is worth Rs.2 billion (Rs.200 crores) and attracts crowds in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and even Maharashtra.
"In Bihar, there are 365 theatres dedicated to Bhojpuri films. In Uttar Pradesh there is a total of 680 theatres, of which 400 are dedicated to Bhojpuri," said Ravi Kissen, who has also acted in Hindi films like "Welcome to Sajjanpur".
"They also have similar market in other parts of the country because a good number of migrants from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are living there to make a livelihood. In Maharashtra, there are 35 theatres for Bhojpuri films and it includes both single screen and multiplexes," he said.
"The industry has over 500 professionals and over 50,000 people are employed directly or indirectly with the industry,"said the actor, who will soon be seen playing Abhishek Bachchan's brother in Mani Ratnam's "Ravan".
Manoj Tiwari, another Bhojpuri star who will be contesting the upcoming Lok Sabha elections as the Samajwadi Party's candidate from Gorakhpur, too feels having a separate film industry is a must as it will go a long way in cutting costs.
"Besides a number of good locations, the cost of making films in Uttar Pradesh is definitely very low as compared to other places. So a Bhojpuri film city is not only a demand, but it is a necessity," Tiwari said.
Actress-producer Madhu Tiwari says the recent anti-migrant protests by the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) in Maharashtra is another factor that has fuelled the demand for a separate film city for Bhojpuri movies in Uttar Pradesh.
"We are united on the issue and will soon be pressing our demand to the state government. If a film city materialises, we will not be forced to go to Mumbai for dubbing, editing, recording and other technical work," said Madhu.
Ravi Kissen said Bhojpuri films are popular because it provides entertainment cheaper than Bollywood movies as far as ticket prices go. According to him, even English films dubbed into Bhojpuri are popular.
"Even a poor man who earns Rs.20 a day can watch Hollywood movies dubbed in Bhojpuri in the remote rural areas at a price of Rs.9. So why are we wrong in asking for a dedicated film city?" asks Kissen, who also plans to open a Bhojpuri film and drama school in his hometown Jaunpur in Uttar Pradesh.
"I will make the school with my own money and on my own land. My target is to complete it in the next five years and, besides providing training in acting and other technical aspects of filming, I will also give free training to poor aspirants,"Kissen said.link
While many say former chief minister Mulayam Singh's government failed to develop a film city despite having promised to do so, film industry members says the current government headed by Bahujan Sam Party (BSP) chief Mayawati too has done little for their cause.
"Mulayam Singh Yadav's government made numerous promises, but it never materialised. The present Mayawati government helped by giving subsidy to some films, but that's it," Bhojpuri superstar Ravi Kissen told.
Bhojpuri films are doing a profitable business. Kissen said the Bhojpuri film industry is worth Rs.2 billion (Rs.200 crores) and attracts crowds in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and even Maharashtra.
"In Bihar, there are 365 theatres dedicated to Bhojpuri films. In Uttar Pradesh there is a total of 680 theatres, of which 400 are dedicated to Bhojpuri," said Ravi Kissen, who has also acted in Hindi films like "Welcome to Sajjanpur".
"They also have similar market in other parts of the country because a good number of migrants from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are living there to make a livelihood. In Maharashtra, there are 35 theatres for Bhojpuri films and it includes both single screen and multiplexes," he said.
"The industry has over 500 professionals and over 50,000 people are employed directly or indirectly with the industry,"said the actor, who will soon be seen playing Abhishek Bachchan's brother in Mani Ratnam's "Ravan".
Manoj Tiwari, another Bhojpuri star who will be contesting the upcoming Lok Sabha elections as the Samajwadi Party's candidate from Gorakhpur, too feels having a separate film industry is a must as it will go a long way in cutting costs.
"Besides a number of good locations, the cost of making films in Uttar Pradesh is definitely very low as compared to other places. So a Bhojpuri film city is not only a demand, but it is a necessity," Tiwari said.
Actress-producer Madhu Tiwari says the recent anti-migrant protests by the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) in Maharashtra is another factor that has fuelled the demand for a separate film city for Bhojpuri movies in Uttar Pradesh.
"We are united on the issue and will soon be pressing our demand to the state government. If a film city materialises, we will not be forced to go to Mumbai for dubbing, editing, recording and other technical work," said Madhu.
Ravi Kissen said Bhojpuri films are popular because it provides entertainment cheaper than Bollywood movies as far as ticket prices go. According to him, even English films dubbed into Bhojpuri are popular.
"Even a poor man who earns Rs.20 a day can watch Hollywood movies dubbed in Bhojpuri in the remote rural areas at a price of Rs.9. So why are we wrong in asking for a dedicated film city?" asks Kissen, who also plans to open a Bhojpuri film and drama school in his hometown Jaunpur in Uttar Pradesh.
"I will make the school with my own money and on my own land. My target is to complete it in the next five years and, besides providing training in acting and other technical aspects of filming, I will also give free training to poor aspirants,"Kissen said.link
Two children injured as bomb explodes in Bihar
Two children were injured when a crude bomb kept in a garbage heap went off in a village of Bihar's Saran district on Saturday.
The incident occurred at Shivnagari village on the outskirts of district headquarter town of Chapra when the children, identified as Neeraj Paswan and Brijmohan, went to pick up a ball during a game of cricket, station house officer Arjun Yadav told.
Mistaking the thread-wrapped bomb for their ball, one of them picked it up leading to the blast, Yadav said. Though both children suffered splinter injuries in their face, they were reported out of danger at a government hospital here, he said. link
The incident occurred at Shivnagari village on the outskirts of district headquarter town of Chapra when the children, identified as Neeraj Paswan and Brijmohan, went to pick up a ball during a game of cricket, station house officer Arjun Yadav told.
Mistaking the thread-wrapped bomb for their ball, one of them picked it up leading to the blast, Yadav said. Though both children suffered splinter injuries in their face, they were reported out of danger at a government hospital here, he said. link
Friday 20 February 2009
Bihar to provide Rs 15-cr grant for food parks in Muzaffarpur and Bhagalpur
The Bihar government has decided to provide a grant of Rs 15 crore to entrepreneurs and investors interested in developing food parks in Muzaffarpur and Bhagalpur as special purpose vehicle (SPV) in fruit and vegetable clusters.
“We have decided to give a grant of Rs 15 crore to those interested in developing the food parks as SPV in fruits and vegetables,'' state Industries minister, Mr D C Yadav said on Friday.
The proposed food parks would have common infrastructure and research and development, he said, adding the food parks would serve to create modern enabling infrastructure for food processing units in the state with farm-to-market linkages.
Mr Yadav said the initiatives were being made under the Bihar Food Processing Policy, 2009, to boost the agriculture sector.link
“We have decided to give a grant of Rs 15 crore to those interested in developing the food parks as SPV in fruits and vegetables,'' state Industries minister, Mr D C Yadav said on Friday.
The proposed food parks would have common infrastructure and research and development, he said, adding the food parks would serve to create modern enabling infrastructure for food processing units in the state with farm-to-market linkages.
Mr Yadav said the initiatives were being made under the Bihar Food Processing Policy, 2009, to boost the agriculture sector.link
Cairn initiates training programme for Bihar farmers
With a view to spreading awareness among farmers about increasing the fertility of land, Cairn India, an oil exploration major, has initiated training programmes for peasants in Bihar as part of corporate social responsibility initiative, company sources said.
The company, which will give training to 1,500 farmers in batches till June, will train farmers on organic farming and vermi-compost usage.
As part of its corporate social responsibility initiative, the company, in collaboration with the Havidih Gram Vikas Parishad, will organise a two-day training programme from today at Havidih Central and Havidih North panchayats of Baheri block of Darbhanga district, sources said.
During the programme, 100 farmers will be trained in preparing vermi compost and its importance and benefits, the company sources said, adding that the training would be followed by a practical demonstration of compost bed preparation, materials required, worms applications and other precautionary measures.link
The company, which will give training to 1,500 farmers in batches till June, will train farmers on organic farming and vermi-compost usage.
As part of its corporate social responsibility initiative, the company, in collaboration with the Havidih Gram Vikas Parishad, will organise a two-day training programme from today at Havidih Central and Havidih North panchayats of Baheri block of Darbhanga district, sources said.
During the programme, 100 farmers will be trained in preparing vermi compost and its importance and benefits, the company sources said, adding that the training would be followed by a practical demonstration of compost bed preparation, materials required, worms applications and other precautionary measures.link
Neetu says, "Bollywood will be mine"
Neetu Chandra is on a high these days, as the glamorous actress got good reviews for her performance in Oye Lucky Lucky Oye and has an Neetu Chandra impressive line-up of films in the coming months as well.
The girl from Bihar was in a straight-talking mood when we caught up with her in the capital recently, saying, “I am lucky that I got Oye Lucky Lucky Oye. Abhay Deol is cute and I think he is an amazing actor, but according to me, the real star of the movie was director Dibakar Banerjee.”
We ask her what she thinks of her status as one of the ‘glam-babes’ of Bollywood and she gets annoyed with the tag. So what tag would she prefer? She replies, “Happening. I like being called happening, for hot also comes under happening and all the other compliments like cute, sweet and sexy also come under it.”
So, what according to her, is her best feature? She considers the question for a bit and replies,“I think my eyes are my best feature. Once, Priyadarshan told me that my eyes ‘speak’ but, I think my curves and curls are also the other best things about my body.” And how important does she think those curves are to achieve success in Bollywood? She says, “It is the whole package that is needed today in Bollywood. A good body helps of course, but so does acting, dancing skills and sex appeal.” So does she dislike being called a sex-symbol as well? She says,“I think that sex is too hyped a word. Having said that, I can’t wear a lehenga if I am doing a beach scene. The character should dictate what you wear and how you look. Many people have told me that I was looking sexy in a saree in Traffic Signal.”
So, if she hadn’t decided to be an actress, what she would have been? She replies, “I would have been a waste! Luckily my decision has been working out well for me. I truly believe that nothing is impossible to achieve. If that wasn’t true then I, a girl from Bihar, would not have been sitting here today. I would have married a guy who loves me.” So who is the person who has inspired her the most? “My mom is the reason that I am here, alongwith my hard work and everybody’s blessings also, of course. And I have to tell you, I am not as sweet as I look, I have to be really rude and show a lot of attitude to get noticed, which is very important. I think every woman should be like this.” And does this lady have someone special in her life? She answers, “A person who I find it easy to be with is my kind of guy, and I am still waiting for him.”
And finally, where does she see herself a few years down the line, “Bollywood will be mine,” she declares.link
Thursday 19 February 2009
Bihar dental college to pay for ruinous ad
Students aggrieved at misleading advertisements, given by unrecognised educational institutions that their courses are recognised, are entitled to refund of fees and compensation, the Supreme Court has held.
Order upheld
Such misrepresentation resulting in ruining the career of students and loss of academic years will come within the ambit of unfair trade practice under the Consumer Protection Act, said a Bench consisting of Justices Dalveer Bhandari and H.S. Bedi.
The Bench upheld the order passed by the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission directing an unrecognised dental college and hospital in Bihar to refund the fees paid by 11 students who joined the institution believing that it was a recognised college and lost two academic years.
The court directed the college to pay a total compensation of Rs. 22 lakh, in addition to refund of fees and a Rs. 30,000-penalty imposed by the Commission.
Bhupesh Khurana and 10 others joined the college during 1992-93 paying a huge capitation fee.
Later they came to know that the college was not affiliated and their course was not recognised, and so they could not sit for the examination.
Appeal dismissed
On their complaint, the Commission directed refund of fees and payment of compensation.
Dismissing with costs the appeal filed by the college against this order, the Bench pointed out that its wrong claim that it was affiliated to Magadh University and its BDS course was recognised by the Dental Council of India amounted to deficiency in service under the CP Act.
“The appellant-institute, by giving totally a misleading and false advertisement, clearly misled the respondents. We strongly feel that the appellant institute has played with the career of the students and virtually ruined their career and the respondents have lost two valuable academic years.”
The Commission rightly concluded that this was a case of total misrepresentation on the part of the institute which was tantamount to an unfair trade practice, the court said.link
Order upheld
Such misrepresentation resulting in ruining the career of students and loss of academic years will come within the ambit of unfair trade practice under the Consumer Protection Act, said a Bench consisting of Justices Dalveer Bhandari and H.S. Bedi.
The Bench upheld the order passed by the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission directing an unrecognised dental college and hospital in Bihar to refund the fees paid by 11 students who joined the institution believing that it was a recognised college and lost two academic years.
The court directed the college to pay a total compensation of Rs. 22 lakh, in addition to refund of fees and a Rs. 30,000-penalty imposed by the Commission.
Bhupesh Khurana and 10 others joined the college during 1992-93 paying a huge capitation fee.
Later they came to know that the college was not affiliated and their course was not recognised, and so they could not sit for the examination.
Appeal dismissed
On their complaint, the Commission directed refund of fees and payment of compensation.
Dismissing with costs the appeal filed by the college against this order, the Bench pointed out that its wrong claim that it was affiliated to Magadh University and its BDS course was recognised by the Dental Council of India amounted to deficiency in service under the CP Act.
“The appellant-institute, by giving totally a misleading and false advertisement, clearly misled the respondents. We strongly feel that the appellant institute has played with the career of the students and virtually ruined their career and the respondents have lost two valuable academic years.”
The Commission rightly concluded that this was a case of total misrepresentation on the part of the institute which was tantamount to an unfair trade practice, the court said.link
Five workers found dead in Patna iron factory
Five workers were found dead in the premises of an iron factory in the Bihar capital Thursday, police said pointing out that all the bodies bore injury marks.
The bodies of the five workers of Magadh Iron factory were found in a room. "All the bodies bore deep injuries as if they were beaten to death," a police official said.
The five victims had been on duty Wednesday night.
Family members and local residents suspect they were murdered in order to hide something about the factory authorities. "It is a clear case of murder," alleged Malti Devi, the relative of a victim.
The owner and manager of the factory are absconding.link
The bodies of the five workers of Magadh Iron factory were found in a room. "All the bodies bore deep injuries as if they were beaten to death," a police official said.
The five victims had been on duty Wednesday night.
Family members and local residents suspect they were murdered in order to hide something about the factory authorities. "It is a clear case of murder," alleged Malti Devi, the relative of a victim.
The owner and manager of the factory are absconding.link
Students injured as classroom wall collapses in Bihar school
At least 31 students were injured when the wall of their classroom at a government school in Konch in Bihar’s Gaya district collapsed Thursday, police said.
Over three dozen students were studying in the classroom when the wall suddenly collapsed.
'The wall of the old school building collapsed suddenly injuring several students and creating panic in the school and nearby areas,' deputy superintendent of police Harishankar Singh told.
Singh said that five of the 31 students were seriously injured and were admitted to the Gaya Medical College along with some other injured students.link
Over three dozen students were studying in the classroom when the wall suddenly collapsed.
'The wall of the old school building collapsed suddenly injuring several students and creating panic in the school and nearby areas,' deputy superintendent of police Harishankar Singh told.
Singh said that five of the 31 students were seriously injured and were admitted to the Gaya Medical College along with some other injured students.link
Hard work always pays: Manoj Bajpayee
He is one of the finest actors that Indian cinema has seen, and the intensity that he brings to his on-screen persona has to be seen to be believed. Be it the unforgettable Bhikhu Mhatre in Satya or police inspector Samar Pratap Singh in Shool, Manoj Bajpayee has carved a niche for himself in Bollywood with his power-packed performances. Whether it’s playing a prince in Zubeidaa or the sophisticated villain in Aks, he can carry off any role with effortless ease.
However, not many of his films have managed to hit the jackpot in recent years. Is it because he has always consciously tried to play unconventional and realistic roles? “I agree that almost 90 per cent of my films have seen me play roles that are different from the run-of-the-mill movies. I love doing such films. But at the same time, I have been a part of commercial films like LOC: Kargil, Bewafaa and Money Hai Toh Honey Hai. Nobody can guarantee commercial success. I just try to be a part of good projects that I believe in and make value additions to them. I am extremely proud to have won two national awards (for Satya and Pinjar). As for film critics, there are one or two whom I hold in high regard, but the rest don’t matter to me,” he avers. His future projects include Acid Factory and Prakash Jha’s Rajneeti.
Interestingly, this versatile actor was rejected thrice by the National School of Drama, but never gave up and fought on to reach where he is today. “Hard work always pays. I have done a lot of theatre too and really enjoyed the medium because it offers so much scope for an actor. Our film industry is so star-driven that it’s very difficult for an outsider to survive. Apart from hard work, you also need lady luck to smile upon you. Here, unless you don’t ensure hits, nobody runs after you. Also, it’s quite true that there are no permanent friends or foes in B-town. In fact, I keep making friends every day,” he says. Manoj doesn’t want to talk about his much-publicised spat with ace director Ram Gopal Varma. “It was a great relationship which went sour and I am over and done with it.”
Given that he hails from Belwa, a small village in Bihar, city life has been a kind of necessity with which he had to adjust accordingly. “I have kept changing my house almost every year and like anyone else, I never feel at home living so far away from my roots. But then, in today’s world, everyone needs to move out to pursue professional dreams,” he says.
Being married to Neha (his actress wife) has certainly made things better. “I feel so glad to have married my dream girl, who means the world to me,” he tells us. While he would like us to believe that he is “an extremely lazy person”, Manoj is an active blogger and even writes plays. “I use my blog to vent out my frustrations about relevant social issues that draw my attention. As for my writing skills, you never know; an idea can trigger off my instincts and see me writing a script some day!” he says before signing off.
Wednesday 18 February 2009
Run For Development-2009 being organized on Feb 22 in Patna
The annual Run for Development being organized by the Bihar Industries Association (BIA) on February 22 from Rajendra Chowk near Raj Bhawan to Gandhi Maidan would be more than a ritual. It aims to arouse consciousness among the people for development of the state.
Efforts are on to usher a festive spirit for development of the state among the Armymen, NCC cadets, BMP jawans, college and school students, girls and boys, men and women, old persons, administrators and people from all walks of life and politicians from all hues, said Run for Development organising committee convener C M Saxena.
The run is being organized for the fourth consecutive year this time with the earlier three runs having created a positive atmosphere for development in the state which is likely to pace up gradually. Saxena said that the BIA had envisioned and organized the run for the first time in 2006 with a hope that a tattered economy of the state would gradually be brought on the tracks once the pace of development is achieved.
But the development process is still slow while it is needed to run the economy on a fast pace for refurbishing the industrial fabric and close the loose ends of the economy, he said. For this, contribution of every person of the state from all walks of life is necessary and keeping this in view the run has been organized, he said.
This time also CM Nitish Kumar will inaugurate the 5.5 km long Run For Development-2009 by flagging off the runners and participants from Rajendra Chowk. Deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi will be the chief guest. Assembly Speaker Uday Narayan Chaudhary would receive the people participating in the run at Gandhi Maidan.
On the 5.5 km stretch of the route there would be five kiosks where drinking water and medical facility would be available. Two-three ambulances with doctors would also be pressed in service by the state government and some private organisations, Saxena said, adding that people numbering more than 5,000 are expected to join the run. The number may cross even 10,000, he added.
The run would be completely non-political and its only agenda is to enthuse and arouse the people from all walks of life to run shoulder to shoulder for development of Bihar, said BIA members and captains of industry.link
Efforts are on to usher a festive spirit for development of the state among the Armymen, NCC cadets, BMP jawans, college and school students, girls and boys, men and women, old persons, administrators and people from all walks of life and politicians from all hues, said Run for Development organising committee convener C M Saxena.
The run is being organized for the fourth consecutive year this time with the earlier three runs having created a positive atmosphere for development in the state which is likely to pace up gradually. Saxena said that the BIA had envisioned and organized the run for the first time in 2006 with a hope that a tattered economy of the state would gradually be brought on the tracks once the pace of development is achieved.
But the development process is still slow while it is needed to run the economy on a fast pace for refurbishing the industrial fabric and close the loose ends of the economy, he said. For this, contribution of every person of the state from all walks of life is necessary and keeping this in view the run has been organized, he said.
This time also CM Nitish Kumar will inaugurate the 5.5 km long Run For Development-2009 by flagging off the runners and participants from Rajendra Chowk. Deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi will be the chief guest. Assembly Speaker Uday Narayan Chaudhary would receive the people participating in the run at Gandhi Maidan.
On the 5.5 km stretch of the route there would be five kiosks where drinking water and medical facility would be available. Two-three ambulances with doctors would also be pressed in service by the state government and some private organisations, Saxena said, adding that people numbering more than 5,000 are expected to join the run. The number may cross even 10,000, he added.
The run would be completely non-political and its only agenda is to enthuse and arouse the people from all walks of life to run shoulder to shoulder for development of Bihar, said BIA members and captains of industry.link
No wildfire in Bihar tiger reserve, says official
A senior official of Bihar’s forest department Wednesday refuted allegations that a wildfire had damaged portions of the core Project Tiger area in the state’s Valmiki reserve, even as the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) said they had sought an urgent report on the extent of damage.
“This is a false report. I don’t know what was the intention behind it,” B.N. Jha, additional principal chief conservator of forests and Bihar’s chief wildlife warden told. He was referring to reports of a fire raging for 10 days in the Valmiki reserve in West Champaran district.
However, Rajesh Gopal, the NTCA’s member secretary, said an urgent fax had been sent to the forest department to ascertain if the fire had indeed caused damage and if there was threat to wildlife.
“We have not got a reply yet and hope to receive one soon,” Gopal said.
The wildfire, suspected to have been ignited by poachers and the timber mafia, was reportedly finally doused Monday.
However, Jha denied the news, saying it was a “regular ground fire” and it was natural for such occurrences especially since the reserve was populated by deciduous trees.
“This is not like the wildfires of Australia. The damage here is to dried grass and weeds that is negligible or insignificant. And as far as I know only a 12 hectare patch caught fire three four days ago in Madanpur Range.”
Jha admitted that parts of the forest could have been damaged but there was no disturbance to wildlife.
The 900-sq km sanctuary is home to about 35 tigers according to the tiger census two years ago.link
“This is a false report. I don’t know what was the intention behind it,” B.N. Jha, additional principal chief conservator of forests and Bihar’s chief wildlife warden told. He was referring to reports of a fire raging for 10 days in the Valmiki reserve in West Champaran district.
However, Rajesh Gopal, the NTCA’s member secretary, said an urgent fax had been sent to the forest department to ascertain if the fire had indeed caused damage and if there was threat to wildlife.
“We have not got a reply yet and hope to receive one soon,” Gopal said.
The wildfire, suspected to have been ignited by poachers and the timber mafia, was reportedly finally doused Monday.
However, Jha denied the news, saying it was a “regular ground fire” and it was natural for such occurrences especially since the reserve was populated by deciduous trees.
“This is not like the wildfires of Australia. The damage here is to dried grass and weeds that is negligible or insignificant. And as far as I know only a 12 hectare patch caught fire three four days ago in Madanpur Range.”
Jha admitted that parts of the forest could have been damaged but there was no disturbance to wildlife.
The 900-sq km sanctuary is home to about 35 tigers according to the tiger census two years ago.link
Naxal-affected districts in Bihar to have buildings for cops
The Bihar government has sanctioned Rs 19.93 crore under police modernisation scheme for construction of buildings for the police in about half-a-dozen naxal-hit distrits.
The government released the amount for constructing buildings to accommodate around 300 police officials posted in naxalite-affected districts of Nawada, Jamui, Jehanabad, Arwal, Aurangabad and Bhabua, official sources said.
The amount was released eight days after the naxalites attacked the Mahuliatand village on February nine in Bihar&aposs Nawada district killing 10 policemen and looting their firearms.
Additional Director General of Police Neelmani told that as per the plan, 184 and 108 lower grade and upper subordinate quarters under the separate family accommodation scheme would be constructed by the Bihar State Police Building Construction Corporation.
It may be recalled that Bihar Police Association (BPA) and Bihar Policemen&aposs Association (BPMA) had drawn the attention of the government on umpteen occasions towards the lack of quarters for the policemen posted in the naxalite affected districts.link
The government released the amount for constructing buildings to accommodate around 300 police officials posted in naxalite-affected districts of Nawada, Jamui, Jehanabad, Arwal, Aurangabad and Bhabua, official sources said.
The amount was released eight days after the naxalites attacked the Mahuliatand village on February nine in Bihar&aposs Nawada district killing 10 policemen and looting their firearms.
Additional Director General of Police Neelmani told that as per the plan, 184 and 108 lower grade and upper subordinate quarters under the separate family accommodation scheme would be constructed by the Bihar State Police Building Construction Corporation.
It may be recalled that Bihar Police Association (BPA) and Bihar Policemen&aposs Association (BPMA) had drawn the attention of the government on umpteen occasions towards the lack of quarters for the policemen posted in the naxalite affected districts.link
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announces new agriculture university in Bhagalpur
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, during his stop at Nathnagar in Bhagalpur district on Tuesday, announced the government's decision to set up a new agriculture university in Bhagalpur on the pattern of Pusa Agriculture University.
Kumar said the new facility to be built at an estimated cost of Rs. 350 crore would prove to be a vital research center in the state providing the farmers the kind of information that would help increase the production while at the same time raising the quality of the the farm products.
The Chief Minister also declared wiping off loans of the weavers in the state that they had incurred prior to 2007.
"We are determined to revive the handloom industry of Bihar and put the silk mills in Bhagalpur back on the track. Bhagalpur silk clothes are world famous and it is our desire to ensure these factories are spinning at the 100% of their capacity to make them a profitable power house," he said.
Kumar also agreed to get the Bairia-Ajmeri bridge constructed at the request of Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Shahnawaz Hussain and announced the state's plan to develop a Food Park in Kahalgaon under the Public-Private Partnership arrangement.link
Kumar said the new facility to be built at an estimated cost of Rs. 350 crore would prove to be a vital research center in the state providing the farmers the kind of information that would help increase the production while at the same time raising the quality of the the farm products.
The Chief Minister also declared wiping off loans of the weavers in the state that they had incurred prior to 2007.
"We are determined to revive the handloom industry of Bihar and put the silk mills in Bhagalpur back on the track. Bhagalpur silk clothes are world famous and it is our desire to ensure these factories are spinning at the 100% of their capacity to make them a profitable power house," he said.
Kumar also agreed to get the Bairia-Ajmeri bridge constructed at the request of Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Shahnawaz Hussain and announced the state's plan to develop a Food Park in Kahalgaon under the Public-Private Partnership arrangement.link
Tuesday 17 February 2009
Girl refuses to marry drunk groom
An uneducated woman in a Bihar village stunned members of her family and community when she refused to marry the groom because she found him in an inebriated state just ahead of the wedding ceremony, police said on Tuesday.
Punam Kumari, daughter of Manoj Choudhary of a village under Phulwarisharief near Patna, called off her marriage to Sanjay Choudhary after she found him drunk minutes before the wedding was to be solemnised as per Hindu rituals on Monday night.
Punam, in her early 20s, was decked up in traditional red bridal attire and ready for her marriage at a temple, but on seeing Sanjay drunk, she refused to marry him and walked away from the venue.
She sought the help of Deputy Superintendent of Police Dilnawaz Ahmad, who was present on the occasion. Ahmad supported Punam and asked her parents not to force her into marrying a person against her wishes.
"She refused to marry the man who was drunk. I did not force her to marry against her wishes," Punam's father said.
In the last one year, several instances of women turning down drunk grooms at the last minute have been reported from different parts of Bihar.
In rural Bihar, there have also been cases of brides refusing to marry unsuitable grooms who were illiterate, deaf or unemployed.
Till a few years ago, it was rare for a woman to spurn a groom chosen for her by her family. In fact, the reverse was the rule, as it was the groom or his parents who would often refuse marriage on grounds like inadequate dowry or a bride's dark complexion.
Women in Bihar lag far behind men in terms of crucial human development indicators. The gender ratio is 921 women against 1,000 men. The female population is 39.7 million as against 43.2 million males and the literacy rate of women is just over half that of men.
Punam Kumari, daughter of Manoj Choudhary of a village under Phulwarisharief near Patna, called off her marriage to Sanjay Choudhary after she found him drunk minutes before the wedding was to be solemnised as per Hindu rituals on Monday night.
Punam, in her early 20s, was decked up in traditional red bridal attire and ready for her marriage at a temple, but on seeing Sanjay drunk, she refused to marry him and walked away from the venue.
She sought the help of Deputy Superintendent of Police Dilnawaz Ahmad, who was present on the occasion. Ahmad supported Punam and asked her parents not to force her into marrying a person against her wishes.
"She refused to marry the man who was drunk. I did not force her to marry against her wishes," Punam's father said.
In the last one year, several instances of women turning down drunk grooms at the last minute have been reported from different parts of Bihar.
In rural Bihar, there have also been cases of brides refusing to marry unsuitable grooms who were illiterate, deaf or unemployed.
Till a few years ago, it was rare for a woman to spurn a groom chosen for her by her family. In fact, the reverse was the rule, as it was the groom or his parents who would often refuse marriage on grounds like inadequate dowry or a bride's dark complexion.
Women in Bihar lag far behind men in terms of crucial human development indicators. The gender ratio is 921 women against 1,000 men. The female population is 39.7 million as against 43.2 million males and the literacy rate of women is just over half that of men.
Monday 16 February 2009
Cuisine history of Bihar
Bihari cuisine has a history that can be traced to the cultures that flourished and waned in this part of the globe. Rice- Main Course of Food
References to rice abound in a variety of sources. During the days of the Buddha, rice was the staple food. The elite consumed the superior quality of rice while the inferior quality fell to the lot of the poor. At Nalanda, Hiuen Tsang was given mahasali rice to eat. Each grain was as large as a bean, and when cooked, was aromatic, and shining like no other rice.
Centuries later, presenting an account of the different varieties of rice around the Gangetic basin, Abul Fazal said that if a single grain of each kind of rice was collected, they would fill a large vase. The Mughal chronicler described the rice cultivated in Patna as being ‘rare and unequalled in quality’. The shali rice was popular and much in demand in Europe, while Indians preferred the shahpasand and basmati variety of Patna rice. The Gangetic plain proved to be a fertile ground for litchis – a relatively new plant that arrived in India only during the end of the 17th century. Originally from China, Buddhist pilgrims brought the first saplings of this plant from China as a hommage to the land of the Buddha.
Bhat, dal, tarkari and achar (lentil, vegetable and pickle) have been part of Bihari cuisine since the days of yore. With the advent of Jainism and Buddhism, its followers took to a vegetarian diet, while others preferred goat, pig, deer, peacock, etc. In fact offering meat to a guest was as meritorious as performing the duadasah (twelfth day) sacrifice. Thus slaughterhouses thrived alongside the Jain and Buddhist philosophies of ahimsa (non-violence). A variety of meat was openly sold in the market, and lavishly consumed during festivals. After inviting the Buddha for breakfast (this was also the Buddha’s last breakfast), Chunda, a blacksmith, served him a dish called Sukaramaddava, that translates to tender pork. Unlike Mahavira, the Buddha sanctioned fish and flesh as lawful though with some restrictions. Mahayana Buddhism rejected this altogether. The followers of this denomination believed that the sukaramaddava was some aromatic mushroom. Speculations abound about the unusual breakfast that none of the Buddha’s disciples were allowed to consume, and the remains of which were buried.
Bihari cuisine has innumerable rice-based dishes. The Buddha was usually offered rice cooked with milk, and mixed with honey. The Jatakas (legends on the Buddha’s previous lives) mention pua (prepared from the mixture of powdered rice, milk, sugar, ghee, or clarified butter, and honey), pitta (rice cake), khajjaka (also known as khaja, the finest variety of this sweet prepared from wheat flour and sugar, is sold at Silao near Rajgir), palala (modern day tilkuta made from pounded tila, or sesame seeds). Sariputta, one of the disciples of the Buddha was very fond of palala. Gaya is famous for tilkuta, that can be found only in winter, and the finest shops selling tilkuta are located at Ramna. Another delicacy from Gaya is lai, prepared with sugar and beaten rice. Along with the peras (sweetmeat made of sugar and milk) of Mathura, the ones prepared in Gaya continue to be popular.
The Mithila Brahmins who take great pride in their Vedic culture considered themselves to be ‘Aryanised’ much before other parts of Bihar. Most of their festivals and religious rites are in strict accordance with the shastras (ancient scriptures). A fine variety of beaten rice or chiwra, with a heavy coat of curd and cream continues to be a favorite dish in Mithila. Makhana, a water fruit, (gorgon or fox nut) prepared from lotus seeds, is considered pure enough to be offered even to the gods. According to a popular adage in Mithila, betel leaves and akhana are not found in heaven. So one should relish them on earth so as not to regret later. Makhana is eaten in various forms, the commonest being salted puffs. Kheer (a dessert usually prepared with milk and rice) prepared with makhana is a mouth-watering delicacy.
The people of northern Bihar rely heavily on the energy-giving sattu (powdered gram), and a number of preparations like litti, parantha (a sort of Indian bread) etc. are stuffed with sattu and spice. For breakfast in Bhagalpur and Patna, people often prepare drinks with sattu, salt, chopped onions and chilli. Litties come in a large variety and are often roasted on hot coals.
References to rice abound in a variety of sources. During the days of the Buddha, rice was the staple food. The elite consumed the superior quality of rice while the inferior quality fell to the lot of the poor. At Nalanda, Hiuen Tsang was given mahasali rice to eat. Each grain was as large as a bean, and when cooked, was aromatic, and shining like no other rice.
Centuries later, presenting an account of the different varieties of rice around the Gangetic basin, Abul Fazal said that if a single grain of each kind of rice was collected, they would fill a large vase. The Mughal chronicler described the rice cultivated in Patna as being ‘rare and unequalled in quality’. The shali rice was popular and much in demand in Europe, while Indians preferred the shahpasand and basmati variety of Patna rice. The Gangetic plain proved to be a fertile ground for litchis – a relatively new plant that arrived in India only during the end of the 17th century. Originally from China, Buddhist pilgrims brought the first saplings of this plant from China as a hommage to the land of the Buddha.
Bhat, dal, tarkari and achar (lentil, vegetable and pickle) have been part of Bihari cuisine since the days of yore. With the advent of Jainism and Buddhism, its followers took to a vegetarian diet, while others preferred goat, pig, deer, peacock, etc. In fact offering meat to a guest was as meritorious as performing the duadasah (twelfth day) sacrifice. Thus slaughterhouses thrived alongside the Jain and Buddhist philosophies of ahimsa (non-violence). A variety of meat was openly sold in the market, and lavishly consumed during festivals. After inviting the Buddha for breakfast (this was also the Buddha’s last breakfast), Chunda, a blacksmith, served him a dish called Sukaramaddava, that translates to tender pork. Unlike Mahavira, the Buddha sanctioned fish and flesh as lawful though with some restrictions. Mahayana Buddhism rejected this altogether. The followers of this denomination believed that the sukaramaddava was some aromatic mushroom. Speculations abound about the unusual breakfast that none of the Buddha’s disciples were allowed to consume, and the remains of which were buried.
Bihari cuisine has innumerable rice-based dishes. The Buddha was usually offered rice cooked with milk, and mixed with honey. The Jatakas (legends on the Buddha’s previous lives) mention pua (prepared from the mixture of powdered rice, milk, sugar, ghee, or clarified butter, and honey), pitta (rice cake), khajjaka (also known as khaja, the finest variety of this sweet prepared from wheat flour and sugar, is sold at Silao near Rajgir), palala (modern day tilkuta made from pounded tila, or sesame seeds). Sariputta, one of the disciples of the Buddha was very fond of palala. Gaya is famous for tilkuta, that can be found only in winter, and the finest shops selling tilkuta are located at Ramna. Another delicacy from Gaya is lai, prepared with sugar and beaten rice. Along with the peras (sweetmeat made of sugar and milk) of Mathura, the ones prepared in Gaya continue to be popular.
The Mithila Brahmins who take great pride in their Vedic culture considered themselves to be ‘Aryanised’ much before other parts of Bihar. Most of their festivals and religious rites are in strict accordance with the shastras (ancient scriptures). A fine variety of beaten rice or chiwra, with a heavy coat of curd and cream continues to be a favorite dish in Mithila. Makhana, a water fruit, (gorgon or fox nut) prepared from lotus seeds, is considered pure enough to be offered even to the gods. According to a popular adage in Mithila, betel leaves and akhana are not found in heaven. So one should relish them on earth so as not to regret later. Makhana is eaten in various forms, the commonest being salted puffs. Kheer (a dessert usually prepared with milk and rice) prepared with makhana is a mouth-watering delicacy.
The people of northern Bihar rely heavily on the energy-giving sattu (powdered gram), and a number of preparations like litti, parantha (a sort of Indian bread) etc. are stuffed with sattu and spice. For breakfast in Bhagalpur and Patna, people often prepare drinks with sattu, salt, chopped onions and chilli. Litties come in a large variety and are often roasted on hot coals.
Bihar cabinet gives nod for construction of e-bhawans
Bihar has become the first state in the country to implement 'e-bhawan' scheme at block level with its cabinet on Monday giving nod for the construction of such bhawans.
In first phase, e-bhawans would be constructed in 166 blocks of 38 districts and later extended to all the 534 blocks in the state, state Agriculture Minister Nagmani told reporters here.
Bihar was the first state in the country to implement the e-bhawan scheme at block level while in other states it was being implemented at sub-divisional or district level, he said.
The e-bhawans would have facilities like farmer information and advisory centre, soil testing laboratories, including mobile ones, training centres, waiting rooms, information centre for various techniques and marketing.
The bhawans would also have internet connection to provide information to farmers as per their requirements, the minister said, adding that the farmers could even hire agricultural equipment from the bhawan.
The agriculture department would organise an 'Agricultural Scientists towards Villages' programme in every block from February 17 to spread awareness among farmers about different crops.link
In first phase, e-bhawans would be constructed in 166 blocks of 38 districts and later extended to all the 534 blocks in the state, state Agriculture Minister Nagmani told reporters here.
Bihar was the first state in the country to implement the e-bhawan scheme at block level while in other states it was being implemented at sub-divisional or district level, he said.
The e-bhawans would have facilities like farmer information and advisory centre, soil testing laboratories, including mobile ones, training centres, waiting rooms, information centre for various techniques and marketing.
The bhawans would also have internet connection to provide information to farmers as per their requirements, the minister said, adding that the farmers could even hire agricultural equipment from the bhawan.
The agriculture department would organise an 'Agricultural Scientists towards Villages' programme in every block from February 17 to spread awareness among farmers about different crops.link
Four killed as overbridge collapses in Muzaffarpur
Four persons were killed and three others seriously injured when portion of an underconstruction overbridge collapsed near Amgola in Muzaffarpur town on Monday, triggering angry protests by locals who blocked the railway tracks near here for several hours.
One of the pillars of the overbridge built over rail tracks suddenly gave in and those passing by on two-wheelers and bicycles got trapped under chunks of concrete, police said.
While locals brought out four bodies from the debris, three were rescued and taken to a hospital in serious condition.
Train movement on the Muzaffarpur section was affected for several hours as angry locals blocked the underneath railway tracks at Amgola for several hours demanding adequate compensation to the families of the victims.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar ordered a magisterial inquiry into the collapse of the overbridge.
The chief minister also announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs one lakh to the dependents of each of the deceased, official sources said.link
One of the pillars of the overbridge built over rail tracks suddenly gave in and those passing by on two-wheelers and bicycles got trapped under chunks of concrete, police said.
While locals brought out four bodies from the debris, three were rescued and taken to a hospital in serious condition.
Train movement on the Muzaffarpur section was affected for several hours as angry locals blocked the underneath railway tracks at Amgola for several hours demanding adequate compensation to the families of the victims.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar ordered a magisterial inquiry into the collapse of the overbridge.
The chief minister also announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs one lakh to the dependents of each of the deceased, official sources said.link
Sunday 15 February 2009
Bogus affiliations can be challenged in consumer courts: Supreme Court
In a major blow to colleges falsely claiming recognition and affiliation to reputed universities, the Supreme Court has held that such bogus claims amounts to deficiency of service under the Consumer Protection Act and aggrieved students are entitled to compensation. The apex court passed the ruling while imposing a heavy compensation of Rs two lakh each to 11 students of the Buddhist Mission Dental College & Hospital, Bihar for misleading the students with false claims of affiliation to the Magadh University and recognition of its BDS (Bachelor of Dental Science) course to the Dental Council of India (DCI).
The compensation Rs two lakh would be in addition to the Rs 30,000 imposed by the National Consumer Redressal Commission, the apex court said.
"We are of the opinion that the appellant institute by giving totally misleading and false advertisement clearly misled the respondents (students) that the institute is affiliated to the Magadh University and recognised by the Dental Council of India.
"The respondents have lost their two valuable academic years which would have tremendous impact on their future career," a bench of Justices Dalveer Bhandari and H S Bedi observed.link
The compensation Rs two lakh would be in addition to the Rs 30,000 imposed by the National Consumer Redressal Commission, the apex court said.
"We are of the opinion that the appellant institute by giving totally misleading and false advertisement clearly misled the respondents (students) that the institute is affiliated to the Magadh University and recognised by the Dental Council of India.
"The respondents have lost their two valuable academic years which would have tremendous impact on their future career," a bench of Justices Dalveer Bhandari and H S Bedi observed.link
Britain to invest 150 mn pounds in Bihar
The Department for International Development (DFID) of Britain plans to invest up to 150 mn pounds in Bihar, a senior official of the British government said.
"Over the next five years, the DFID is planning to invest up to 150 million pounds (approximately Rs.1,050 crore) in Bihar on strengthening governance, urban management and health service delivery including nutrition and water and sanitation," DFID India deputy head Chris Chalmers said at a media workshop here.
The DFID has also struck a strategic partnership with the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank to make sure that the donor support to the state is provided in a coordinated manner.
"This is an innovative approach to reduce the burden on the government," Chalmers said.
Last June, the DFID signed an agreement with the Bihar government to invest in the state. "The DFID's main aim is to assist and help the Bihar government with the governance reform programme," the British official added.link
"Over the next five years, the DFID is planning to invest up to 150 million pounds (approximately Rs.1,050 crore) in Bihar on strengthening governance, urban management and health service delivery including nutrition and water and sanitation," DFID India deputy head Chris Chalmers said at a media workshop here.
The DFID has also struck a strategic partnership with the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank to make sure that the donor support to the state is provided in a coordinated manner.
"This is an innovative approach to reduce the burden on the government," Chalmers said.
Last June, the DFID signed an agreement with the Bihar government to invest in the state. "The DFID's main aim is to assist and help the Bihar government with the governance reform programme," the British official added.link
112 held for alleged Railway Board exams paper leaking racket
In a joint operation by police of three states, an alleged racket involving leaking of Railway Recruitment Board examination papers was busted on Sunday with the arrest of 112 people, including some aspiring candidates, after raids in Jaipur and Bhopal.
Following the arrests, the written test for the post of Assistant Station Master by the RRB, Ajmer scheduled today was postponed and a new date would be announced later, the board's chairman C L Bharti said.
While the arrests were made in Jaipur and Bhopal by the police of the respective states, they were working on a tip-off from Uttar Pradesh Police.
"With the help of Rajasthan SOG and Bhopal Police raids were carried out in Jaipur and Bhopal. While 105 people, including 11 gang members and 94 aspiring candidates were arrested from Jaipur, four operators were nabbed in Bhopal," Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Brij Lal told reporters in Lucknow adding that copies of the relevant question paper were recovered from both the places.
The ADG said a former employee of the North-Eastern Railway was the kingpin of the paper leaking racket.
Lal said "Bediram, who was a travelling ticket examiner in NE Railway, is the mastermind. In December last year he was arrested from Allahabad by the STF, which busted a similar racket there, and was released on bail recently."
He said after he was nabbed by the STF, the railways terminated Bediram's services.
"We are trying to nab the kingpin, who is at large since being released from jail," he added.
Brij Lal said that in December last year, the STF busted a gang leaking question papers for a railway examination, in which a few aspirants were also arrested.
"Since then the state police was tracking the gang members. Through electronic surveillance, we came to know that they have leaked the question paper of an examination being conducted by RRB Ajmer today," he said.
The ADG said that based on the surveillance inputs two teams of UP STF were constituted to crack the network.
In Jaipur, Kapil Garg, Additional Director General of Police, ATS & SOG, Rajasthan told reporters that the gang used to charge Rs 4 lakh per candidate.
They used to tell aspiring candidates to initially pay Rs 1,000 and submit their original documents including mark sheets and certificates as collateral security before the examination.
Aspiring candidates would then have to pay a second instalment of Rs 50,000 after they had been able to match the leaked question paper with the actual one and final payment of the balance amount had to be paid on their selection, Garg said.
He said around Rs 80,000 were recovered from the gang members during the raids.
All the arrested persons are in Rajasthan SOG custody here and investigation in the matter is on after registering an FIR, he said.
While students slated to appear at Ajmer centre were called at Jaipur and Bikaner, those with Kota as their examination centre were asked to assemble in Bhopal.
Of 94 aspirants arrested from a motel in Jaipur, as many as 82 were from Bihar.
"As the gang is based in Bihar, majority of the aspirants are from that state," Garg said.
Following the arrests, the written test for the post of Assistant Station Master by the RRB, Ajmer scheduled today was postponed and a new date would be announced later, the board's chairman C L Bharti said.
While the arrests were made in Jaipur and Bhopal by the police of the respective states, they were working on a tip-off from Uttar Pradesh Police.
"With the help of Rajasthan SOG and Bhopal Police raids were carried out in Jaipur and Bhopal. While 105 people, including 11 gang members and 94 aspiring candidates were arrested from Jaipur, four operators were nabbed in Bhopal," Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Brij Lal told reporters in Lucknow adding that copies of the relevant question paper were recovered from both the places.
The ADG said a former employee of the North-Eastern Railway was the kingpin of the paper leaking racket.
Lal said "Bediram, who was a travelling ticket examiner in NE Railway, is the mastermind. In December last year he was arrested from Allahabad by the STF, which busted a similar racket there, and was released on bail recently."
He said after he was nabbed by the STF, the railways terminated Bediram's services.
"We are trying to nab the kingpin, who is at large since being released from jail," he added.
Brij Lal said that in December last year, the STF busted a gang leaking question papers for a railway examination, in which a few aspirants were also arrested.
"Since then the state police was tracking the gang members. Through electronic surveillance, we came to know that they have leaked the question paper of an examination being conducted by RRB Ajmer today," he said.
The ADG said that based on the surveillance inputs two teams of UP STF were constituted to crack the network.
In Jaipur, Kapil Garg, Additional Director General of Police, ATS & SOG, Rajasthan told reporters that the gang used to charge Rs 4 lakh per candidate.
They used to tell aspiring candidates to initially pay Rs 1,000 and submit their original documents including mark sheets and certificates as collateral security before the examination.
Aspiring candidates would then have to pay a second instalment of Rs 50,000 after they had been able to match the leaked question paper with the actual one and final payment of the balance amount had to be paid on their selection, Garg said.
He said around Rs 80,000 were recovered from the gang members during the raids.
All the arrested persons are in Rajasthan SOG custody here and investigation in the matter is on after registering an FIR, he said.
While students slated to appear at Ajmer centre were called at Jaipur and Bikaner, those with Kota as their examination centre were asked to assemble in Bhopal.
Of 94 aspirants arrested from a motel in Jaipur, as many as 82 were from Bihar.
"As the gang is based in Bihar, majority of the aspirants are from that state," Garg said.
Saturday 14 February 2009
12 injured in Bihar train collision
At least 12 people were injured when a passenger train collided with a goods train in Bihar's Motihari district early on Saturday morning, the second accident within 24 hours.
15 killed as Coromandel Express derails in Orissa
The Gorakhpur-Muzaffarpur passenger train collided with the engine of a goods train standing at Sugauli railway station near Motihari. "All the injured have been admitted in a local government hospital for treatment," the official said.
He said the accident took place when the passenger train driver overshot a red signal. Fifteen people were killed and 140 injured when the Howrah-Chennai Coromandel Express derailed in Orissa.
Cries for help pierce silence of night
Lalu Prasad, while presenting the interim railway budget for 2009-10 in parliament on Friday had pointed to the railway's safety record.
15 killed as Coromandel Express derails in Orissa
The Gorakhpur-Muzaffarpur passenger train collided with the engine of a goods train standing at Sugauli railway station near Motihari. "All the injured have been admitted in a local government hospital for treatment," the official said.
He said the accident took place when the passenger train driver overshot a red signal. Fifteen people were killed and 140 injured when the Howrah-Chennai Coromandel Express derailed in Orissa.
Cries for help pierce silence of night
Lalu Prasad, while presenting the interim railway budget for 2009-10 in parliament on Friday had pointed to the railway's safety record.
Friday 13 February 2009
Girls organize Valentines Day party for Dhoni
Ahead of the Valentine’’s Day, Ranchi girls have expressed their love for Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni by organizing a gala party here on Friday.
Clad in their favorite attires and dancing to the Bollywood tunes, the female fans of the suave Indian captain wished him luck in finding love soon.
Today, all of us are celebrating Valentine’’s Day together and have taken Dhoni with us because he is a bachelor and is from Ranchi. We hope that he will find a girlfriend soon and then we would join him in the celebration, said Nimita, a female fan.
The enthusiastic girls revealed that their list of most eligible bachelors in the nation included Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Rahul Gandhi and Yuvraj Singh; and they would love to be associated with any one of them.
After the party, the excited girls rushed to Dhoni’’s residence with roses, Valentine’’s Day cards and various gift items to pronounce their love for him.
But, Dhoni could receive none of it, as he had gone to Chennai to take part in the team selection for the forthcoming tour of New Zealand.
Nonetheless, the security guard at his residence with a twinkle in his eyes accepted the gifts from the lively bunch of Dhoni’’s fans.
We don”t have any problems with Dhoni’’s girl fans. See all of us are from Jharkhand including Dhoni. So it’’s natural for girls to react in this way, said Dinesh Chandra Gupta, a guard at Dhoni’’s residence.
Clad in their favorite attires and dancing to the Bollywood tunes, the female fans of the suave Indian captain wished him luck in finding love soon.
Today, all of us are celebrating Valentine’’s Day together and have taken Dhoni with us because he is a bachelor and is from Ranchi. We hope that he will find a girlfriend soon and then we would join him in the celebration, said Nimita, a female fan.
The enthusiastic girls revealed that their list of most eligible bachelors in the nation included Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Rahul Gandhi and Yuvraj Singh; and they would love to be associated with any one of them.
After the party, the excited girls rushed to Dhoni’’s residence with roses, Valentine’’s Day cards and various gift items to pronounce their love for him.
But, Dhoni could receive none of it, as he had gone to Chennai to take part in the team selection for the forthcoming tour of New Zealand.
Nonetheless, the security guard at his residence with a twinkle in his eyes accepted the gifts from the lively bunch of Dhoni’’s fans.
We don”t have any problems with Dhoni’’s girl fans. See all of us are from Jharkhand including Dhoni. So it’’s natural for girls to react in this way, said Dinesh Chandra Gupta, a guard at Dhoni’’s residence.
Thursday 12 February 2009
No oil reserve in Ganga basin, Cairn calls off exploration
Oil exploration major Cairn India has wound up its work in Ganga basin area of Bihar&aposs Darbhanga district after failing to trace oil reserve.
District Magistrate Arun Prasad said today the company, which had started the drilling work in May 2008 at Hawidih village after taking 4.5 hectare of lands on lease from farmers, decided to wind up operations as scientific tests of mud extracts after digging showed no signs of oil reserve.
Cairn had secured the contract for oil exploration work at Hawidih village under Baheri block.
Meanwhile, the first consignment of heavy machines, used for drilling purposes, has left Darbhanga for Barmer in Rajasthan.link
District Magistrate Arun Prasad said today the company, which had started the drilling work in May 2008 at Hawidih village after taking 4.5 hectare of lands on lease from farmers, decided to wind up operations as scientific tests of mud extracts after digging showed no signs of oil reserve.
Cairn had secured the contract for oil exploration work at Hawidih village under Baheri block.
Meanwhile, the first consignment of heavy machines, used for drilling purposes, has left Darbhanga for Barmer in Rajasthan.link
Six awarded life imprisonment in Bihar
A fast track court today awarded life imprisonment to six people after they were convicted in the murder of a person in 1996 in Bihar's Darbhanga district.
Additional district and sessions judge Deonandan Prasad Singh today convicted Birendra Raut, Mithilesh Raut, Ganesh Raut, Prayag Raut, Raman Raut and Sukhri Yadav in the murder of Fekan Yadav of Naurachhadam in Darbhanga on June 20, 2006 and sentenced them to life imprisonment.
The court also slapped a fine of Rs 5,000 on each. According to the prosecution, Yadav was killed with sharp weapons when he was in a field.
Old enmity was stated to be the reason behind the crime.link
Additional district and sessions judge Deonandan Prasad Singh today convicted Birendra Raut, Mithilesh Raut, Ganesh Raut, Prayag Raut, Raman Raut and Sukhri Yadav in the murder of Fekan Yadav of Naurachhadam in Darbhanga on June 20, 2006 and sentenced them to life imprisonment.
The court also slapped a fine of Rs 5,000 on each. According to the prosecution, Yadav was killed with sharp weapons when he was in a field.
Old enmity was stated to be the reason behind the crime.link
Wednesday 11 February 2009
Kanti Singh releases book on Bihar
Union minister of state for tourism Kanti Singh on Wednesday said that as many as 261 castes/communities and tribes still exist both in Bihar and Jharkhand.
Singh releasing the much awaited Anthropological Survey of India (ASI)-sponsored "People of India -- Bihar and Jharkhand" volume (I & II) here said that this book would be immensely beneficial to a cross section of the people. She said that it is a landmark book for those studying the contemporary society of Bihar and Jharkhand.
The minister also inaugurated the photo exhibition on "Festival of Diversity: Communication and Empowerment" here at Hotel Pataliputra Ashok. This exhibition will be put up at Patna's Gandhi Sangrahalaya for a month.
It was a dream project of the late PM Rajiv Gandhi. He had mooted the idea to trace the various castes and communities in India by publishing statewise `People of India' way back in 1990s.
Former bureaucrat and academician the late Kumar Suresh Singh was entrusted with the job of publishing this magnum opus and was appointed the director general of ASI. To date, 72 volumes of People of India project has already been published. It took nearly two and half decades to publish the Bihar volume.
Bihar volume (two volumes) was published by a Kolkata-based publication. Bihar's two noted social scientists namely Surendra Gopal (historian) and Hetukar Jha (sociologist) have co-authored the Bihar volume.
Director incharge of the ASI V R Rao said that this book would be translated into Hindi soon. Speaking on the occasion, RJD MP Ram Kripal Yadav said that this book would be immensely useful for all in a state like Bihar if it is translated into Hindi.
Joint secretary, ministry of culture, GOI, Luv Verma welcomed the guests. This volume would be a readymade reference book for policy makers, social scientists, bureaucrats and politicians.
The editors have also included communities such as Marwari, Sindhi, Sikh, Jain, Khatri, etc. since they have become a visible feature in the present social set up.
It has been found that around 40 languages and dialects are spoken in Bihar and Jharkhand, they said. Each write up describes the major features of lifestyle, religious views, life cycle rituals, major occupations, customs, traditions, marital practices, etc of the people of Bihar and Jharkhand.
Singh releasing the much awaited Anthropological Survey of India (ASI)-sponsored "People of India -- Bihar and Jharkhand" volume (I & II) here said that this book would be immensely beneficial to a cross section of the people. She said that it is a landmark book for those studying the contemporary society of Bihar and Jharkhand.
The minister also inaugurated the photo exhibition on "Festival of Diversity: Communication and Empowerment" here at Hotel Pataliputra Ashok. This exhibition will be put up at Patna's Gandhi Sangrahalaya for a month.
It was a dream project of the late PM Rajiv Gandhi. He had mooted the idea to trace the various castes and communities in India by publishing statewise `People of India' way back in 1990s.
Former bureaucrat and academician the late Kumar Suresh Singh was entrusted with the job of publishing this magnum opus and was appointed the director general of ASI. To date, 72 volumes of People of India project has already been published. It took nearly two and half decades to publish the Bihar volume.
Bihar volume (two volumes) was published by a Kolkata-based publication. Bihar's two noted social scientists namely Surendra Gopal (historian) and Hetukar Jha (sociologist) have co-authored the Bihar volume.
Director incharge of the ASI V R Rao said that this book would be translated into Hindi soon. Speaking on the occasion, RJD MP Ram Kripal Yadav said that this book would be immensely useful for all in a state like Bihar if it is translated into Hindi.
Joint secretary, ministry of culture, GOI, Luv Verma welcomed the guests. This volume would be a readymade reference book for policy makers, social scientists, bureaucrats and politicians.
The editors have also included communities such as Marwari, Sindhi, Sikh, Jain, Khatri, etc. since they have become a visible feature in the present social set up.
It has been found that around 40 languages and dialects are spoken in Bihar and Jharkhand, they said. Each write up describes the major features of lifestyle, religious views, life cycle rituals, major occupations, customs, traditions, marital practices, etc of the people of Bihar and Jharkhand.
Monday 9 February 2009
Bihar government to pay Rs 20 lakh compensation to policemen killed in Nawada
The Bihar government has announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 20 lakh to each of the 10 policemen killed in the naxal attack at Mahuliatand village in Nawada district on Monday.
Additional Director General of Police (Headquarters) Neelmani told reporters that the next of the kin of the policemen killed in the attack would be be paid Rs 20 lakh including Rs 10 lakh as insurance money.
The ten, including the station house officer of Kauakaul police station and Assistant Sub-Inspector I D Singh were killed when over 200 CPI (Maoist) ultras armed with sophisticated weapons attacked a police party sent to the village to provide security at a function organised on the occasion of Ravidas Jayanti, official sources said.
Additional Director General of Police (Headquarters) Neelmani told reporters that the next of the kin of the policemen killed in the attack would be be paid Rs 20 lakh including Rs 10 lakh as insurance money.
The ten, including the station house officer of Kauakaul police station and Assistant Sub-Inspector I D Singh were killed when over 200 CPI (Maoist) ultras armed with sophisticated weapons attacked a police party sent to the village to provide security at a function organised on the occasion of Ravidas Jayanti, official sources said.
Stupa found in Bihar 'could be world's second largest'
A huge Buddhist stupa has been discovered in Bihar's Nalanda district and archaeologists on Monday said it could be the second largest such structure in the world.
A team from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) located the brick stupa at Ghorakatora, about 100 km from here.
"The latest stupa discovered at Ghorakatora is unique as it is second in size only to the Kesaria stupa in East Champaran district. The Kesaria stupa is regarded as the largest Buddhist stupa in the world," said Sujit Nayan, an archaeologist in charge of the team that made the discovery.
Nayan said the structure was built of random rubble dry stone masonry. The material the stupa is made of had been used to fortify an area of 32 km near the mountain of Rajgir.
The stupa is around 20 to 25 feet high and its circumference is 70 to 75 sq. feet.
"More excavacation is needed to make a final assessment of the stupa," Nayan added.
According to archaeologists, the find is likely to throw more light on the ancient Nalanda University. The ancient seat of learning is said to have been founded in 5th century AD.
Well-known Chinese scholar Hieun Tsang stayed in Nalanda in the 7th century and left detailed description of the education system and monastic life practised at the university.link
A team from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) located the brick stupa at Ghorakatora, about 100 km from here.
"The latest stupa discovered at Ghorakatora is unique as it is second in size only to the Kesaria stupa in East Champaran district. The Kesaria stupa is regarded as the largest Buddhist stupa in the world," said Sujit Nayan, an archaeologist in charge of the team that made the discovery.
Nayan said the structure was built of random rubble dry stone masonry. The material the stupa is made of had been used to fortify an area of 32 km near the mountain of Rajgir.
The stupa is around 20 to 25 feet high and its circumference is 70 to 75 sq. feet.
"More excavacation is needed to make a final assessment of the stupa," Nayan added.
According to archaeologists, the find is likely to throw more light on the ancient Nalanda University. The ancient seat of learning is said to have been founded in 5th century AD.
Well-known Chinese scholar Hieun Tsang stayed in Nalanda in the 7th century and left detailed description of the education system and monastic life practised at the university.link
Bihar Cabinet to meet at village
Perhaps for the first time in its history, the Bihar cabinet would meet at a nondescript village in Begusarai district on Tuesday as part of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's attempts to address the problems of rural masses.
Principal secretary Cabinet and Coordination department, Girish Shanker told that the meeting would be held in a "tent".
The Chief Minister decided to organise the cabinet meeting at Barbighee village after he received thousands of complaints during his ongoing 'vikas yatra'.
Shanker said so far as he remembered that the state cabinet had never met in a village, adding that all ministers and concerned departmental heads would be transported to the village in a special luxurious bus to attend Tuesday's Cabinet meeting at 2 pm.
Shanker said about 25 principal secretaries would accompany the ministers in the bus.
After the Cabinet meeting, the ministers and officials would be served traditional lunch comprising rice-dal, roti, vegetables, 'papad,' salads and sweets in 'desi' (rural) form.
The ministers and bureaucrats would be served lunch in rural way as they will have to sit on the ground instead of the food being served through buffet system on decorated tables.
Three time Bihar Chief Minister and senior JD(U) leader Jagannath Mishra said though there was nothing wrong in holding the cabinet meeting at the countryside, it would cost a heavy burden on the state exchequer.
Maintaining that it would set a wrong precedent, Mishra said Kumar's decision would open floodgates for similar demands by the locals and ward councilors for holding cabinet meetings in their areas.
On two occasions in the past, the Bihar cabinet had met outside the State capital — once during the regime of Sri Krishna Sinha and again during the tenure of Kedar Pandey at Ranchi, the summer capital of undivided Bihar.
Former Bihar minister and senior RJD leader Jagdanand Singh, when contacted, said there was no no legal binding and provision that the cabinet meeting could not be held outside the state but since the capital has a proper place designated for the purpose, the meeting is generally held here.link
Principal secretary Cabinet and Coordination department, Girish Shanker told that the meeting would be held in a "tent".
The Chief Minister decided to organise the cabinet meeting at Barbighee village after he received thousands of complaints during his ongoing 'vikas yatra'.
Shanker said so far as he remembered that the state cabinet had never met in a village, adding that all ministers and concerned departmental heads would be transported to the village in a special luxurious bus to attend Tuesday's Cabinet meeting at 2 pm.
Shanker said about 25 principal secretaries would accompany the ministers in the bus.
After the Cabinet meeting, the ministers and officials would be served traditional lunch comprising rice-dal, roti, vegetables, 'papad,' salads and sweets in 'desi' (rural) form.
The ministers and bureaucrats would be served lunch in rural way as they will have to sit on the ground instead of the food being served through buffet system on decorated tables.
Three time Bihar Chief Minister and senior JD(U) leader Jagannath Mishra said though there was nothing wrong in holding the cabinet meeting at the countryside, it would cost a heavy burden on the state exchequer.
Maintaining that it would set a wrong precedent, Mishra said Kumar's decision would open floodgates for similar demands by the locals and ward councilors for holding cabinet meetings in their areas.
On two occasions in the past, the Bihar cabinet had met outside the State capital — once during the regime of Sri Krishna Sinha and again during the tenure of Kedar Pandey at Ranchi, the summer capital of undivided Bihar.
Former Bihar minister and senior RJD leader Jagdanand Singh, when contacted, said there was no no legal binding and provision that the cabinet meeting could not be held outside the state but since the capital has a proper place designated for the purpose, the meeting is generally held here.link
Eight policemen feared killed in naxalite attack in Bihar
Eight policemen are feared to have been killed in an attack by naxals in Bihar's Nawada district on Monday, Additional Director General of Police (headquarters) Neelmani said.
Naxals belonging to the proscribed CPI (Maoist) targeted the policemen when they went to Mahulitand village in Kauwakol police station limits in naxal-hit Nawada district bordering Jharkhand, along with special auxiliary police personnel to provide security for Ravidas Jayanti.
Neelmani quoting preliminary information received from the spot told PTI here that officer in-charge of Kauwakol police station Rameshwar Ram was critically injured in the attack but there was no immediate report of any casualty among the public.
The reports said the police fired in retaliation but whether there were casualties among the naxals was yet to be known, he said. Unconfirmed reports said some firearms were also looted from the policemen, he said.
DIG (Magadh Range) Pravin Vashisht, IG (Central Range) Sunil Kumar, Additional Director General (Law and Order) V Narayanan and Nawada Police Superintendent Nishant Tiwari have rushed to the scene with reinforcements, including those from the special task force.link
Naxals belonging to the proscribed CPI (Maoist) targeted the policemen when they went to Mahulitand village in Kauwakol police station limits in naxal-hit Nawada district bordering Jharkhand, along with special auxiliary police personnel to provide security for Ravidas Jayanti.
Neelmani quoting preliminary information received from the spot told PTI here that officer in-charge of Kauwakol police station Rameshwar Ram was critically injured in the attack but there was no immediate report of any casualty among the public.
The reports said the police fired in retaliation but whether there were casualties among the naxals was yet to be known, he said. Unconfirmed reports said some firearms were also looted from the policemen, he said.
DIG (Magadh Range) Pravin Vashisht, IG (Central Range) Sunil Kumar, Additional Director General (Law and Order) V Narayanan and Nawada Police Superintendent Nishant Tiwari have rushed to the scene with reinforcements, including those from the special task force.link
Saturday 7 February 2009
BSNL plans Net connectivity in rural Bihar
How many times have you felt frustrated for not being able to have high-speed broadband internet connectivity while moving in the hinterlands of Bihar? May be many times, for most of the rural Bihar is still to have a feel of this new-age technology.
Things, however, are in a for a change as the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has come up with an ambitious plan to provide glitch-free broadband internet connectivity in the rural areas of Bihar.
To reduce the gestation period, the Nigam has decided to use Wi-Max technology, which would allow it to provide wireless internet connectivity.
The BSNL will fit special antenna on the existing mobile towers to provide this facility. Each antenna would provide broadband internet connectivity in a radius of 10 km.
"Around 40 such antennas would be available with us by the end of this month and the same number of blocks would be provided with broadband internet facility by the end of June this year," Manish Kumar, BSNL deputy general manager (broadband), told.
Kumar said the long-term target is to fit 600 such antennas in different parts of rural Bihar by the end of fiscal year 2010-11 so that most of the rural areas could have the broadband facility.
Incidentally, the upcoming facility would be a boon not only for common man but also for the state government. The common service centres (CSCs), being set up in rural Bihar for delivering B2C (Business to citizen) and G2C (Government to citizen) services by the government would be able to function more efficiently with broadband internet connection.
Meanwhile, broadband users in urban centres of Bihar too would soon have the option of getting the same internet speed which is available to leased lines.
BSNL would soon offer Symmetric Digital Subscriber Line (SDSL) modems to its existing as well as new broadband subscribers. The existing Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) does not offer a very good speed as far as uploading is concerned. SDSL modems does not have this drawback. There is, however, a big difference in the prices of these two variants of modem. While an ADSL modem costs around Rs 2,000 a piece, the SDSL modem carries a price tag of around Rs 1 lakh.
"It is for the users to decide which modem do they want... BSNL is just going to give an option to them," said a Nigam official.link
Things, however, are in a for a change as the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has come up with an ambitious plan to provide glitch-free broadband internet connectivity in the rural areas of Bihar.
To reduce the gestation period, the Nigam has decided to use Wi-Max technology, which would allow it to provide wireless internet connectivity.
The BSNL will fit special antenna on the existing mobile towers to provide this facility. Each antenna would provide broadband internet connectivity in a radius of 10 km.
"Around 40 such antennas would be available with us by the end of this month and the same number of blocks would be provided with broadband internet facility by the end of June this year," Manish Kumar, BSNL deputy general manager (broadband), told.
Kumar said the long-term target is to fit 600 such antennas in different parts of rural Bihar by the end of fiscal year 2010-11 so that most of the rural areas could have the broadband facility.
Incidentally, the upcoming facility would be a boon not only for common man but also for the state government. The common service centres (CSCs), being set up in rural Bihar for delivering B2C (Business to citizen) and G2C (Government to citizen) services by the government would be able to function more efficiently with broadband internet connection.
Meanwhile, broadband users in urban centres of Bihar too would soon have the option of getting the same internet speed which is available to leased lines.
BSNL would soon offer Symmetric Digital Subscriber Line (SDSL) modems to its existing as well as new broadband subscribers. The existing Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) does not offer a very good speed as far as uploading is concerned. SDSL modems does not have this drawback. There is, however, a big difference in the prices of these two variants of modem. While an ADSL modem costs around Rs 2,000 a piece, the SDSL modem carries a price tag of around Rs 1 lakh.
"It is for the users to decide which modem do they want... BSNL is just going to give an option to them," said a Nigam official.link
3000 tortoise seized in Bihar
More than 3000 live tortoise being smuggled to Kolkata was seized at a place in Bihar Gaya district.
Superintendent of Police, R Malar Vizzi said, "The tortoises were seized at a checkpost near Barachatti manned by forest department officials. They were being smuggled from Uttar Pradesh to Kolkata."
She said a jeep was carrying the tortoises contained in 30 bags. A case under Wildlife Violation Act has been registered and the driver of the vehicle Reyaz Ahmed was arrested.
The tortoises were being smuggled from Akbarpur in Uttar Pradesh to Kolkata, she said.link
Superintendent of Police, R Malar Vizzi said, "The tortoises were seized at a checkpost near Barachatti manned by forest department officials. They were being smuggled from Uttar Pradesh to Kolkata."
She said a jeep was carrying the tortoises contained in 30 bags. A case under Wildlife Violation Act has been registered and the driver of the vehicle Reyaz Ahmed was arrested.
The tortoises were being smuggled from Akbarpur in Uttar Pradesh to Kolkata, she said.link
Madhubani District of Bihar
The district of Madhubani was carved out of the old Darbhanga district in the year 1972 as a result of reorganisation of the districts in the State. This was formerly the northern subdivision of Darbhanga district. It consists of 21 Development Blocks. Bounded on the north by a hill region of Nepal and extending to the border of its parent district Darbhanga in the south, Sitamarhi in the west and Supaul in the east, Madhubani fairly represents the centre of the territory once known as Mithila and the district has maintained a distinct individuality of its own.This is the centre of Mithila, a region where the main language is Maithili.
History of Madhubani
Practically there are no prehistoric sites in the district though remains of the earliest aboriginal population can be seen in some parts of the district. Hunter in his "Statistical Accounts" has referred to the existence of the people, known as the Tharus in the erstwhile old subdivision of Madhubani. The Bhars are also believed to have belonged to some aboriginal race though nothing positive about them is known from any reliable source. The Bihar settlements in the north-eastern part of the district indicate that they possibly wielded some power in the remote part. From the work of Dr. Suniti Kumar Chatterji entitled 'Kiratajanakirti' it appears that Kiratas also inhabited the district for a considerable period. The Mahabharata also throws light on the Kirata culture. Prior to the Aryanisation of this land the area seems to have been under the aboriginal population and Shiva worship was predominant. The association of the family of Janaka with the worship of lord Shiva is an indication of the fact that though they formed the vanguard of Aryan culture they had to compromise with the local religious belief, dominated by the Shaivas. The kingdom of Videha included a greater portion of the district. In course of time it was ruled by a successive line of kings known as Janakas.
If tradition is to be relied upon, the Pandavas during their exile stayed in some portion of the present district and Pandaul (block headquarters) is associated with them. Janakpur, capital of Videha is situated at a short distance to the north-west of the district in the Nepalese territory and tradition points to the village of Phulhar in the north- east corner of the Benipatti thana as the flower- garden where the kings' priests used to gather flowers for worship and identifies its temple with that of Devi Girija, which was worshipped by Sita before her marriage with Ram. Legends and traditions associate this district with a number of sages and master- minds of ancient times. Village Kakraul is associated with Kapil, Ahiari with Ahilya wife of Gautama, Bisaul with Vishwamitra and Jagban with Yajnavalkya (ascribed to the great sage of Mithila).
Bimbisar, the founder of the Magadhan imperial power aspired for imperial power and the ambition ran in the veins of his son, Ajat Shatru as well. Ajat Shatru subdued the Lichchhavis and conquered the whole of North Bihar. He brought Mithila under the control of the Magadhan empire. The history of the Lichchhavis comes down unbroken to the days of the imperial Guptas. The Lichchhavis founded a kingdom in Nepal and even the earliest royal house of Tibet owed its origin to the Lichchhavis of Vaishali. The migration of Lichchhavis to Nepal and Tibet marks a great event in the history of North Bihar and the district of Madhubani being at the core of the region must have played a dominant part in this great trek as the route to Nepal lay through this district.
Madhubani must have shared in the religious and cultural ferment which so deeply stirred the hearts of the people of the Gangetic Valley in the 6th century B.C. Since the whole of North Bihar was deeply influenced by the teachings of two great reformers (Mahavira and Buddha) it is only natural to infer that the people of Madhubani actively participated in the propagation of these reform movements. According to one theory Mahavira himself was a Vaideha domiciled in the suburb of Vaishali and was the son of a daughter of Mithila. Buddha also visited Mithila thrice and he had a great love for Vaishali. It may be further noted here that Buddha's most devoted disciple, Anand was a Vaidehamuni, a monk of the land of Videhas. Both the Jain and the Buddhist literature contain innumerable references to the district of Madhubani and its neighboring territories. Very little is known about the history of Madhubani from the time of the Kusanas to the rise of the Guptas.
After a temporary period of instability, Madhubani came under the control of the Oinwaras, also known as the Kameshwara Thakura or the Sugauna dynasty. These Hindu chiefs were left undisturbed by the whole of Mithila. When Hajiriyas of Bengal divided Tirhut into two parts, the Oinwar Raja shifted his capital to Sugauna near Madhubani. The district thereafter remained a part of the Mughal Subah. There was no event of great significance during the next century and a half.
The decisive victory of the British in the battle of Buxar in 1764 gave them undisputed sway over the Lower Provinces of Bengal. As a consequence, Madhubani, along with other parts of Bihar, passed under the control of British. The British administrators took steps to establish law and order. Besides the trouble- mongers in Mithila, they had also to deal with the incursions of the Nepalese. The trouble with Nepal culminated in the Indo-Nepalese war. After concluding peace with Nepal, the British administrators had a comparatively quiet time till the 1857 movement.
In 1857, patriotic fervour raged-high in Madhubani district as in many other districts of Bihar. Later the call of the non-co-operation movement also found adequate response in the district of Madhubani and many people volunteered to serve the cause championed by Mahatma Gandhi. Khadi spinning and weaving was adopted as a must for congress workers. A Khadi centre was opened at Madhubani. It gradually expanded its activities. Khadi became very popular and Madhubani soon emerged as a renowned centre of Khadi production. The popularity of Khadi weaving and spinning in the district went a long way in inspiring the people towards the nationalist cause. Madhubani district played an important role in the country's freedom struggle.
Religious, Historical and Archaeological Places
Madhubani has a number of places having tourist interest from religious, historical and archaeological point of view. Some of the prominent places are Andhratharhi, Balirajpur, Mangrauni, Ucchaith, Bhawanipur, Saurath, Satghara, Bisfi etc. Brief Description of Places of Religious, Historical and Archeological Importance in villages and places and tourist interest in the town of the district:
1. Saurath
This is a road side village on Madhubani-Jaynagar road and contains a temple known as Somnath Mahadev. It owes its importance to the annual Sabha held by Maithili Brahmins for negotiating marriages. Many Panjikars who keep the genealogical records of the different families reside here and outside.
2. Kapileswarsthan
A village situated nine kilometers from Madhubani District Head Quarter. The village is noted for its Shiva Temple, also known as Kapileswarsthan. Numerous devotees congregate at the temple every Monday and particularly in the month of Shravan. A large fair is also held on the occasion of Maha Shiva Ratri.
3. Uchaitha
The village in Benipatti block is noted for its temple of Bhagwati on the western bank of river Thumne. According to a legend, the renowned Sanskrit poet and dramatist Kalidas was blessed by Bhagwati at this place.
4. Bhawanipur
It is a large village situated 5kms from the block headquarter of Pandaul, the village is noted for its temple of Ugaranath and traditional association with famous poet, Vidyapati. As the legend says, Vidyapati was such a great devotee of Lord Shiva that the latter began to serve Vidyapati as his servant named Ugana.
Area
• Madhubani occupies a total of 3501 sq. kms.
• Main Rivers are Kamla , Kareh, Balan, Bhutahi Balan, Gehuan, Supen, Trishula, Jeevachh, Koshi and Adhwara Group.
• High Flood Level is 54.017 m.
• Whole District is under Earthquake Zone 5.
• Total Cropped Area - 218381 Hect.
• Barren /Uncultivable Land - 1456.5 Hect
• Land under Non-agricultural use - 51273.24 Hect
• Cultivable Barren Land - 333.32 Hect
• Permanent Pasture - 1372.71 Hect
• Miscellaneous Trees - 8835.90 Hect
• Cultivable Land - 232724 Hect
• Cropping Intensity - 134.23 %
Rainfall
• Varies between 900mm and 1300 mm.
• Average Rainfall = 1273.2 mm.
Administrative Units
| 1. | No. of Sub-Divisions | 5 |
| 2. | No. of Blocks | 21 |
| 3. | No. of Circles | 20 |
| 4. | No. of Panchayats | 399 |
| 5. | No. of Villages | 1111 |
| 6. | No. of Police Stations | 18 |
| 7. | No. of Assisting Thana | 13 |
| 8. | No. of Outposts | 5 |
| 9. | No. of Town Outposts | 4 |
| 10. | No. of Jail | 2 |
| 11. | No. of MP Constituencies | 2 |
| 12. | 11 | |
| 13. | No. of Zila Parishad Members | 56 |
| 14. | No. of Panchayat Samiti Members | 555 |
| 15. | No. of Gram Panchayat Members | 5523 |
Netarhat Field Firing Range to be closed soon:Defence Minister
In deference to a long-pending demand of local tribals, the Government will soon close down the Field Firing Range at Netarhat in Jharkhand.
The assurance was given today by Defence Minister A K Antony to Bihar Assembly Speaker Uday Narain Chaudhary, when he led a four-member delegation from Jharkhand to raise the demand.
"The Defence Minister has given an assurance that the Field Firing Range will be closed down soon,"a Bihar government press release said.
Demand for its closure has been made by the people of the tribal-dominated area as tribes like Asur and Birhore as also wildlife were leaving the area in search of safer habitations.
The delegation also demanded that the area be declared a reserved forest.link
The assurance was given today by Defence Minister A K Antony to Bihar Assembly Speaker Uday Narain Chaudhary, when he led a four-member delegation from Jharkhand to raise the demand.
"The Defence Minister has given an assurance that the Field Firing Range will be closed down soon,"a Bihar government press release said.
Demand for its closure has been made by the people of the tribal-dominated area as tribes like Asur and Birhore as also wildlife were leaving the area in search of safer habitations.
The delegation also demanded that the area be declared a reserved forest.link
Bihar objects to shifting of Gaya military centre to Karnataka
Strongly opposing any move to shift the military centre from Gaya in Bihar to Karnataka, Bihar Assembly Speaker Uday Narain Chaudhary today said the state, sharing international border with Nepal and Bangladesh, needed more such units.
During a meeting with Defence Minister A K Antony here, the Speaker said that after its bifurcation, the state was left with only two military centres at Gaya and Danapur, near Patna, a Bihar government press release said.
" This is negligible from the point of view of Bihar&aposs location and Naxal problem,"he said, adding that there was no justification behind shifting the Gaya centre to Karnataka, where seven such units already exist.
He said the Gaya centre offered employment to youth from 19 neighbouring districts.
"Hence, the Gaya centre should not be shifted. Rather, new units should be opened,"he said.link
During a meeting with Defence Minister A K Antony here, the Speaker said that after its bifurcation, the state was left with only two military centres at Gaya and Danapur, near Patna, a Bihar government press release said.
" This is negligible from the point of view of Bihar&aposs location and Naxal problem,"he said, adding that there was no justification behind shifting the Gaya centre to Karnataka, where seven such units already exist.
He said the Gaya centre offered employment to youth from 19 neighbouring districts.
"Hence, the Gaya centre should not be shifted. Rather, new units should be opened,"he said.link
Bihar RTI-on-phone project earns it top e-governance prize
Bihar's unique attempt to accept Right to Information (RTI) applications through phone calls - Jaankari - has been selected by the Centre for the first prize (gold) for "outstanding performance in citizen centric service delivery" under its e-Governance project for the year 2008-09.
Incidentally, 11 of the total 18 National Awards for e-Governance under different categories this year have gone to NDA-ruled states with Gujarat taking the lead with five prizes, including one gold, one silver and three bronze.
Announcing the annual awards, minister of state for personnel Prithviraj Chavan said: "These awards are given to recognize and promote excellence in implementation of e-governance initiatives."
Under the category of citizen-centric service delivery in which Bihar won the gold for Jaankari, Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh were selected got the bronze for their e-krishi-kisan (Agricultural University, Anand) and HIMPOL (state police website), respectively.
Praising the Bihar government's citizen-centric service delivery project "Jaankari — RTI facilitation on phone", Chavan said: "In this, you can make a phone call and the call centre person will keep all the details. The cost of the RTI application will be deducted by adding it to the phone call charges." He said the Delhi government had also shown an interest in implementing the project.
The awards to these states will be given away during the 12th National Conference on e-Governance in Goa on February 12-13.
On excellence in government process re-engineering, Chhattisgarh's department of food and civil supplies bagged the first prize while in the exemplary horizontal transfer of best practice the first prize went to Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation.
Nagpur Municipal Corporation, the national panchayat portal of the ministry of panchayati raj and the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services, Hyderabad, won awards in the category of best government websites. Tripura, Karnataka and Haryana were the other states which won awards in different categories for their efforts towards promoting e-governmence for the benefit of citizens.
Chavan said as part of Centre's initiative to streamline the official websites, the government has issued guidelines for all official portals which will help people to get required information easily.
As part of the government's e-governance plan, 27 mission mode projects would be rolled out across the country with an outlay of Rs 20,175 crore. Out of this, 16 projects have already been cleared by the Union Cabinet with an outlay of Rs 10,626 crore.link
Incidentally, 11 of the total 18 National Awards for e-Governance under different categories this year have gone to NDA-ruled states with Gujarat taking the lead with five prizes, including one gold, one silver and three bronze.
Announcing the annual awards, minister of state for personnel Prithviraj Chavan said: "These awards are given to recognize and promote excellence in implementation of e-governance initiatives."
Under the category of citizen-centric service delivery in which Bihar won the gold for Jaankari, Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh were selected got the bronze for their e-krishi-kisan (Agricultural University, Anand) and HIMPOL (state police website), respectively.
Praising the Bihar government's citizen-centric service delivery project "Jaankari — RTI facilitation on phone", Chavan said: "In this, you can make a phone call and the call centre person will keep all the details. The cost of the RTI application will be deducted by adding it to the phone call charges." He said the Delhi government had also shown an interest in implementing the project.
The awards to these states will be given away during the 12th National Conference on e-Governance in Goa on February 12-13.
On excellence in government process re-engineering, Chhattisgarh's department of food and civil supplies bagged the first prize while in the exemplary horizontal transfer of best practice the first prize went to Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation.
Nagpur Municipal Corporation, the national panchayat portal of the ministry of panchayati raj and the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services, Hyderabad, won awards in the category of best government websites. Tripura, Karnataka and Haryana were the other states which won awards in different categories for their efforts towards promoting e-governmence for the benefit of citizens.
Chavan said as part of Centre's initiative to streamline the official websites, the government has issued guidelines for all official portals which will help people to get required information easily.
As part of the government's e-governance plan, 27 mission mode projects would be rolled out across the country with an outlay of Rs 20,175 crore. Out of this, 16 projects have already been cleared by the Union Cabinet with an outlay of Rs 10,626 crore.link
I will do anything for Bihar: Neetu Chandra
Bollywood actor Neetu Chandra is fierce about her Bihar roots. "For Bihar I will do anything," she stressed. Chandra has come to perform in `Fantasians-2009' scheduled on Saturday at the Bharatiya Nritya Kala Mandir.
The event is being organized by the Notre Dame Academy Almuni Association and Chandra is an almuna of this school and Bihar's only girl in Bollywood. "My director was pressing to go ahead with the shooting. But I cancelled the shooting to be here," she remarked and pointed out that this would be the first time she would be performing in Bihar. The proceedings of the show will go to her school for upgrading its computer lab.
The `Garam Masala' girl has a busy 2009. Her next film `13th B' is scheduled for next year. Other films `Khusat Prasad' and `Sandy' - the film launching Shatrughan Sinha's son Luv - are also scheduled to be released this year. "In Bollywood, I have to fight for my career and my image as a Bihari," she said, pointing out that she was often asked in Bollywood if she lived in a village in Bihar where farming was done.
"That's the image Bihar has," Chandra, who has lived in Patna throughout her life before shifting to Mumbai, stressed. She said that it took quite a lot of persuasion in Bollywood to make other stars to come to Patna. "Perhaps it is because of their past experience in Bihar," she said.
Though Bihar has thrown up quite a few male actors in Bollywood - Shatughan Sinha, Manoj Bajpayee and Shekhar Suman - to name a few, Chandra happens to be the only female actor, "Perhaps more women from Bihar will come to Bollywood if we change our mentality. The parents, schools and teachers all have to contribute. I was encouraged in school and by my parents. There are Bihari girls working for theatres in Delhi. Perhaps they will come," she said.
Talking about `exposing her body', Chandra stressed that she had no hesitation in dressing as per the demand of the character played by her. "If I have to wear a swimming suit I will wear it. There is a protocol which has to be adhered to or else there are thousands of others who will do it," she remarked. She said that she has no objection to working in Bhojpuri films. "But I have asked the directors to make a film which a child can see with his grandfather," she stressed, pointing out that it was the presentation which mattered. "One can look decent in a swim suit and vulgar in a saree," she stressed.link
The event is being organized by the Notre Dame Academy Almuni Association and Chandra is an almuna of this school and Bihar's only girl in Bollywood. "My director was pressing to go ahead with the shooting. But I cancelled the shooting to be here," she remarked and pointed out that this would be the first time she would be performing in Bihar. The proceedings of the show will go to her school for upgrading its computer lab.
The `Garam Masala' girl has a busy 2009. Her next film `13th B' is scheduled for next year. Other films `Khusat Prasad' and `Sandy' - the film launching Shatrughan Sinha's son Luv - are also scheduled to be released this year. "In Bollywood, I have to fight for my career and my image as a Bihari," she said, pointing out that she was often asked in Bollywood if she lived in a village in Bihar where farming was done.
"That's the image Bihar has," Chandra, who has lived in Patna throughout her life before shifting to Mumbai, stressed. She said that it took quite a lot of persuasion in Bollywood to make other stars to come to Patna. "Perhaps it is because of their past experience in Bihar," she said.
Though Bihar has thrown up quite a few male actors in Bollywood - Shatughan Sinha, Manoj Bajpayee and Shekhar Suman - to name a few, Chandra happens to be the only female actor, "Perhaps more women from Bihar will come to Bollywood if we change our mentality. The parents, schools and teachers all have to contribute. I was encouraged in school and by my parents. There are Bihari girls working for theatres in Delhi. Perhaps they will come," she said.
Talking about `exposing her body', Chandra stressed that she had no hesitation in dressing as per the demand of the character played by her. "If I have to wear a swimming suit I will wear it. There is a protocol which has to be adhered to or else there are thousands of others who will do it," she remarked. She said that she has no objection to working in Bhojpuri films. "But I have asked the directors to make a film which a child can see with his grandfather," she stressed, pointing out that it was the presentation which mattered. "One can look decent in a swim suit and vulgar in a saree," she stressed.link
The Bihar Quiz 2009
You might be a Bihari. But your knowledge about the native state is in for a test with noted quiz master Terry O'Brien ready with a plethora of questions related to some interesting facts about the state.
O'Brien will ask these questions in `The Bihar Quiz 2009', which is being organised by the state art, culture and youth affairs department as part of the 125th birth anniversary celebrations of India's first President Rajendra Prasad.
To be held at the Sri Krishna Memorial Hall on Sunday, the quiz show has elicited tremendous response with schools from all the 38 districts consenting to send in their teams for the competition.
"The purpose of the quiz programme is to showcase the state's rich culture and heritage and to get the youth rediscover Bihar," said Vivek Singh, secretary of the art, culture and youth affairs department.
O'Brien told the excitement generated in his quizzing quest motivated him to prepare a power-point presentation in Hindi and English, which would be shown on Sunday. "In my quizzing experience over the years, it has been my research on Bihar that has enthralled me the most," he said. There would be audience prizes as well at this event.link
O'Brien will ask these questions in `The Bihar Quiz 2009', which is being organised by the state art, culture and youth affairs department as part of the 125th birth anniversary celebrations of India's first President Rajendra Prasad.
To be held at the Sri Krishna Memorial Hall on Sunday, the quiz show has elicited tremendous response with schools from all the 38 districts consenting to send in their teams for the competition.
"The purpose of the quiz programme is to showcase the state's rich culture and heritage and to get the youth rediscover Bihar," said Vivek Singh, secretary of the art, culture and youth affairs department.
O'Brien told the excitement generated in his quizzing quest motivated him to prepare a power-point presentation in Hindi and English, which would be shown on Sunday. "In my quizzing experience over the years, it has been my research on Bihar that has enthralled me the most," he said. There would be audience prizes as well at this event.link
Bihar government to dismiss striking employees
A month after over 300,000 of its employees went on strike, the Bihar government has decided to dismiss them, officials said on Saturday.
The government would begin to serve dismissal notices to striking employees on Saturday, said Amir Subhani, secretary, Personnel and Administrative Reforms department. The notices would be sent to the employees' homes.
According to official sources, a decision to serve dismissal notices, under section 8(2) of the Bihar Government Servant Conduct Rules, 1976, was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by chief secretary RJM Pillai.
"Some top officials were busy till late on Friday night preparing the final list of employees to be served notices," the sources said.
The move comes a day after the government told the Patna High Court that it would not hold negotiations with the associations of the striking employees until the month-long stir was withdrawn.
The employees went on an indefinite strike on Jan 7 demanding implementation of the recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission in "letter and spirit" after failure of talks with Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi, who also holds the finance portfolio.
The government issued the striking employees show-cause notices on Jan 22, a day after the deadline to resume work lapsed, warning them of action including denial of salary and suspension from work. However, the striking employees did not return to work as their demands were not accepted by the government.
Modi, who refused to accept the employees' demands because of a funds crunch, had earlier ruled out any possibility of the government negotiating with the striking employees.
The strike has affected the functioning of the government departments and health services across the state. Most of the government offices, particularly the treasury and registration departments, wear a deserted look.
However, the leaders of the striking employees said that strike will continue despite the threats to dismiss them.
Earlier, the striking employees ignored the state government's "no work, no pay" warning. "We will not end our strike unless our demands are accepted by the government," said Manjul Kumar Das, general secretary of the Bihar State Non-Gazetted Employees Federation (BSNGEF).link
The government would begin to serve dismissal notices to striking employees on Saturday, said Amir Subhani, secretary, Personnel and Administrative Reforms department. The notices would be sent to the employees' homes.
According to official sources, a decision to serve dismissal notices, under section 8(2) of the Bihar Government Servant Conduct Rules, 1976, was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by chief secretary RJM Pillai.
"Some top officials were busy till late on Friday night preparing the final list of employees to be served notices," the sources said.
The move comes a day after the government told the Patna High Court that it would not hold negotiations with the associations of the striking employees until the month-long stir was withdrawn.
The employees went on an indefinite strike on Jan 7 demanding implementation of the recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission in "letter and spirit" after failure of talks with Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi, who also holds the finance portfolio.
The government issued the striking employees show-cause notices on Jan 22, a day after the deadline to resume work lapsed, warning them of action including denial of salary and suspension from work. However, the striking employees did not return to work as their demands were not accepted by the government.
Modi, who refused to accept the employees' demands because of a funds crunch, had earlier ruled out any possibility of the government negotiating with the striking employees.
The strike has affected the functioning of the government departments and health services across the state. Most of the government offices, particularly the treasury and registration departments, wear a deserted look.
However, the leaders of the striking employees said that strike will continue despite the threats to dismiss them.
Earlier, the striking employees ignored the state government's "no work, no pay" warning. "We will not end our strike unless our demands are accepted by the government," said Manjul Kumar Das, general secretary of the Bihar State Non-Gazetted Employees Federation (BSNGEF).link
Thursday 5 February 2009
Director Prakash Jha likely to contest LS poll
Noted film director-producer Prakash Jha is likely to be the candidate of the Ram Vilas Paswan led LJP from Bettiah Lok Sabha constituency in Bihar.
Party sources said that Jha has already held discussions with Paswan three-four times on the issue and the party has in principle agreed to field Jha from the seat.
The latest round of telephonic discussion between the two took place last night in which Jha is reported to have said that he is ready to fight the election.
"We have decided to field Jha from Bettiah but a formal announcement would be made after we decide whether to contest alone or in a UPA alliance," a senior party leader said on the condition of anonymity.
Party sources say that initially the party was in double mind and was also thinking of finalizing a candidate keeping in mind the minority community, which has a sizeable population in Bettiah.
Jha, a resident of Barharwa village of the West Champaran district, whose headquarters is Bettiah, had contested the last Lok Sabha election as an independent candidate. He had a crushing defeat and he lost even his security deposit as the contest became a direct one between BJP and RJD.
RJD had wrested the seat from BJP with its leader Raghunath Jha defeating the saffron party's Madan Prasad Jaiswal by over 26,000 votes. The seat was earlier held by BJP.
Sources say that the sitting MP from Bettiah Raghunath Jha is this time interested in contesting from Bagha, earlier a reserved seat, which has now become general after the delimitation.
Grapevine has it that RJD MP from Gopalganj and party supremo Lalu Prasad's brother- in law Anirudh Prasad Yadav alias Sadhu Yadav is keen on shifting to Bettiah seat this time.
Speculation was rife earlier that Jha may contest the Lok Sabha election on either a JD (U) or a BJP ticket. A LJP leader however said that Jha was "in touch with us for quite a long time" and the party has "almost decided" to field Jha from Bettiah.
Jha has directed Bollywood films like Apaharan, Gangajal, Mrityudand, Damul, Hip Hip Hurray and Bandish. He has also been a producer for many other films, a large number of which deal with social themes like casteism, poverty and hunger.
Jha had directed the Ajay Devgan starrer "Apharan" immediately after contesting the Lok Sabha election in 2004.
The film dealt with the issue of the nexus between crime and politics in Bihar against the backdrop of a spate of abductions in the Hindi heartland. After the election, Jha had promised to make another movie on Bihar politics "Rajniti", which is yet to be released.
Party sources said that Jha has already held discussions with Paswan three-four times on the issue and the party has in principle agreed to field Jha from the seat.
The latest round of telephonic discussion between the two took place last night in which Jha is reported to have said that he is ready to fight the election.
"We have decided to field Jha from Bettiah but a formal announcement would be made after we decide whether to contest alone or in a UPA alliance," a senior party leader said on the condition of anonymity.
Party sources say that initially the party was in double mind and was also thinking of finalizing a candidate keeping in mind the minority community, which has a sizeable population in Bettiah.
Jha, a resident of Barharwa village of the West Champaran district, whose headquarters is Bettiah, had contested the last Lok Sabha election as an independent candidate. He had a crushing defeat and he lost even his security deposit as the contest became a direct one between BJP and RJD.
RJD had wrested the seat from BJP with its leader Raghunath Jha defeating the saffron party's Madan Prasad Jaiswal by over 26,000 votes. The seat was earlier held by BJP.
Sources say that the sitting MP from Bettiah Raghunath Jha is this time interested in contesting from Bagha, earlier a reserved seat, which has now become general after the delimitation.
Grapevine has it that RJD MP from Gopalganj and party supremo Lalu Prasad's brother- in law Anirudh Prasad Yadav alias Sadhu Yadav is keen on shifting to Bettiah seat this time.
Speculation was rife earlier that Jha may contest the Lok Sabha election on either a JD (U) or a BJP ticket. A LJP leader however said that Jha was "in touch with us for quite a long time" and the party has "almost decided" to field Jha from Bettiah.
Jha has directed Bollywood films like Apaharan, Gangajal, Mrityudand, Damul, Hip Hip Hurray and Bandish. He has also been a producer for many other films, a large number of which deal with social themes like casteism, poverty and hunger.
Jha had directed the Ajay Devgan starrer "Apharan" immediately after contesting the Lok Sabha election in 2004.
The film dealt with the issue of the nexus between crime and politics in Bihar against the backdrop of a spate of abductions in the Hindi heartland. After the election, Jha had promised to make another movie on Bihar politics "Rajniti", which is yet to be released.
Delhi High Court comes to rescue of tribal youth
In a shocking case, a tribal youth from Jharkhand with a bullet stuck in his brain for the last two months, was refused admission at AIIMS which shunted him from one department to another before relenting after a terse Delhi High Court order.
On December 6, 21-year-old Shivlal Soren, a resident of Kathikund village in Jharkhand was shot by the police during the demonstration. He was later arrested by the Jharkhand police which brought him to Delhi on January 31 for treatment after trying unsuccessfully at a local hospital.
But coming to Delhi did not see an end to his problems. At AIIMS, he was asked to go from the Trauma Centre to Eye Casualty and then to Neurosurgery department.
Taking up his case, an NGO filed a petition in the High Court which on Tuesday ordered the Medical Superintendent of AIIMS to provide him immediate treatment at the institute.
Shivlal was admitted to the AIIMS Trauma Centre but his woes are far from being over. He is dependent on Rs 35 per day grant from Jharkhand government for his daily meals. For the time being, he has been accommodated close to the hospital by the NGO.
AIIMS denied reports that Shivlal was refused admission. "Once a patient comes to the OPD, he is referred to other departments for various tests," AIIMS Medical Superintendent D K Sharma said.
The bullet entered through his left eye and settled in his brain. This has affected his vision. Any attempt to remove it could be life threatening," said Dr.Deepak Aggarwal, associate professor of neurosurgery at AIIMS treating Soren.link
On December 6, 21-year-old Shivlal Soren, a resident of Kathikund village in Jharkhand was shot by the police during the demonstration. He was later arrested by the Jharkhand police which brought him to Delhi on January 31 for treatment after trying unsuccessfully at a local hospital.
But coming to Delhi did not see an end to his problems. At AIIMS, he was asked to go from the Trauma Centre to Eye Casualty and then to Neurosurgery department.
Taking up his case, an NGO filed a petition in the High Court which on Tuesday ordered the Medical Superintendent of AIIMS to provide him immediate treatment at the institute.
Shivlal was admitted to the AIIMS Trauma Centre but his woes are far from being over. He is dependent on Rs 35 per day grant from Jharkhand government for his daily meals. For the time being, he has been accommodated close to the hospital by the NGO.
AIIMS denied reports that Shivlal was refused admission. "Once a patient comes to the OPD, he is referred to other departments for various tests," AIIMS Medical Superintendent D K Sharma said.
The bullet entered through his left eye and settled in his brain. This has affected his vision. Any attempt to remove it could be life threatening," said Dr.Deepak Aggarwal, associate professor of neurosurgery at AIIMS treating Soren.link
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