The Frey Norris Gallery will present the American debut solo exhibition for Indian artist Shalinee Kumari. Shalinee Kumari hails from a remote village in one of India’s poorest and most rural states, the Mithila region of Bihar. For centuries the women of Mithila have traditionally adorned their homes with wall paintings, in preparation for engagements, weddings, and births. Kumari continues and expands upon this tradition by depicting current world events as she learns of them through her primary connection to the outside world—the BBC piped into her local café. She focuses on three primary global subjects: capitalism, terrorism and environmentalism—all through her vibrantly colored paintings on paper.
The eldest of four daughters, at twenty three years of age, Kumari was to be promised into marriage but denied her family’s wishes to pursue a career in art. To date, she has received grants from the East West Foundation, the Ford Foundation, and others to pursue her career enabling her to attend a local art school, to exhibit and lecture in Delhi, and ultimately, to leave India for the first time to attend her first solo exhibition at Frey Norris Gallery in San Francisco.
Kumari may be the first artist of this Mithila region to tackle contemporary subjects. The Berkeley Art Museum, the San Francisco Asian Arts Museum and the Craft and Folk Art Museum in Los Angeles are all advocates, collectors and exhibitors of the work itself.
A 20-page catalogue is available with an essay by David Szanton, the former Director of International and Area Studies at UC Berkeley, a social anthropologist with a long interest in art history and the relationship between art and social change.link
Friday 29 May 2009
Engineer brutalizes wife on road
Hundreds of people rubbed their eyes in disbelief as a 29-year-old marine engineer, earning a monthly salary of Rs 1.8 lakh, dragged his 24-year-old engineer wife by hair on the Warisaliganj-Nawada main road in Bihar and kicked and punched her relentlessly. Even as fisticuffs rained on her, the woman kept trying to save her six-month-old daughter in her lap — till she fell unconscious right on the road.
The ugly drama at the Manjaurs Pasi village did not end even then. When trainee DSP Satish Kumar, accompanied by other cops, arrived at the scene following a tip-off, the marine engineer pompously questioned their authority to “interfere in my family matter”. “Aap ki himmat kaise hui yahan aane ki (How dare you come here)?” he asked.
However, as the cops acted tough, Rakesh Kumar who is posted as Section Officer II on a private cargo ship Kaveri, attempted to flee in his wife’s car, but was overpowered after a hot chase.
Rakesh’s father, Parmeshwar Choudhary, a government school teacher, tried to bribe the cops at the police station by displaying thick wads of currency notes which, he said, totalled Rs 2 lakh. Parmeshwar was also arrested.
Rakesh’s wife Poonam later lodged an FIR at the Warisaliganj police station against her husband and in-laws. She said she married Rakesh in 2005 despite her family’s opposition. She had then just finished her diploma in electrical engineering while her husband was undergoing marine training in Mumbai.
She said she was a victim of regular brutality ever since her marriage, but passively tolerated it in the hope that her husband would reform himself. Her husband, according to her, was a compulsive boozer and blew his entire income on alcohol.
Whenever he came home on leave, he used to brutally assault her in front of her in-laws for not bringing adequate dowry, she said. “Even animals are not beaten so cruelly,” she added, tears rolling down her cheeks.
An engineer with BSNL currently posted in Ranchi, Poonam said she has filed a divorce petition in the Ranchi civil court as her frail body could no longer endure such brutality at the hands of her husband. “I would bring up my daughter single-handedly and would never let her evil father’s shadow fall on her,” she said.
Meanwhile, the father-son duo were forwarded to judicial custody.link
The ugly drama at the Manjaurs Pasi village did not end even then. When trainee DSP Satish Kumar, accompanied by other cops, arrived at the scene following a tip-off, the marine engineer pompously questioned their authority to “interfere in my family matter”. “Aap ki himmat kaise hui yahan aane ki (How dare you come here)?” he asked.
However, as the cops acted tough, Rakesh Kumar who is posted as Section Officer II on a private cargo ship Kaveri, attempted to flee in his wife’s car, but was overpowered after a hot chase.
Rakesh’s father, Parmeshwar Choudhary, a government school teacher, tried to bribe the cops at the police station by displaying thick wads of currency notes which, he said, totalled Rs 2 lakh. Parmeshwar was also arrested.
Rakesh’s wife Poonam later lodged an FIR at the Warisaliganj police station against her husband and in-laws. She said she married Rakesh in 2005 despite her family’s opposition. She had then just finished her diploma in electrical engineering while her husband was undergoing marine training in Mumbai.
She said she was a victim of regular brutality ever since her marriage, but passively tolerated it in the hope that her husband would reform himself. Her husband, according to her, was a compulsive boozer and blew his entire income on alcohol.
Whenever he came home on leave, he used to brutally assault her in front of her in-laws for not bringing adequate dowry, she said. “Even animals are not beaten so cruelly,” she added, tears rolling down her cheeks.
An engineer with BSNL currently posted in Ranchi, Poonam said she has filed a divorce petition in the Ranchi civil court as her frail body could no longer endure such brutality at the hands of her husband. “I would bring up my daughter single-handedly and would never let her evil father’s shadow fall on her,” she said.
Meanwhile, the father-son duo were forwarded to judicial custody.link
Apex court frowns upon doctor for leaving screw inside patient's body
The Supreme Court Friday frowned upon a section of doctors for their growing negligence to the extent of leaving screws, forceps and scissors inside their patients' bodies.
'Oh! You are the type of doctors who leave scissors and forceps inside the body of your patients,' remarked Justice Markandey Katju.
A bench of Justice Katju and Justice Deepak Verma was hearing a lawsuit by a doctor from Bihar, challenging the state consumer commission's order to pay hefty damages to his patient Pintoo Kumar for leaving a metallic screw in his patient's body after a surgery.
'Doctors can today do anything. They can leave behind forceps and scissors inside the patient's stomach and get away with it,' said Justice Katju.
'It's six months down the line that the patient develops pain and realises he is nursing a scissor left by the doctor inside his body.'
The bench, however, issued notice to the victim on whose plea the Bihar State Consumer Commission had slapped a fine of Rs.400,000 on Mahendra Prasad, who runs the Neha Nursing Home at Buxar in Bihar.link
Pintoo Kumar in his petition had alleged that Prasad had performed an operation on Sep 16, 2004 to set right a fracture in his right leg but left behind a screw in the operated portion.
Kumar had alleged that the doctor's negligence had resulted a 'callus formation' inside his left leg and required another surgery at the Apollo hospital.
He had also alleged that Prasad conducted the operation though he is not an orthopaedic surgeon but has an MBBS with an MS in pathology.
'Oh! You are the type of doctors who leave scissors and forceps inside the body of your patients,' remarked Justice Markandey Katju.
A bench of Justice Katju and Justice Deepak Verma was hearing a lawsuit by a doctor from Bihar, challenging the state consumer commission's order to pay hefty damages to his patient Pintoo Kumar for leaving a metallic screw in his patient's body after a surgery.
'Doctors can today do anything. They can leave behind forceps and scissors inside the patient's stomach and get away with it,' said Justice Katju.
'It's six months down the line that the patient develops pain and realises he is nursing a scissor left by the doctor inside his body.'
The bench, however, issued notice to the victim on whose plea the Bihar State Consumer Commission had slapped a fine of Rs.400,000 on Mahendra Prasad, who runs the Neha Nursing Home at Buxar in Bihar.link
Pintoo Kumar in his petition had alleged that Prasad had performed an operation on Sep 16, 2004 to set right a fracture in his right leg but left behind a screw in the operated portion.
Kumar had alleged that the doctor's negligence had resulted a 'callus formation' inside his left leg and required another surgery at the Apollo hospital.
He had also alleged that Prasad conducted the operation though he is not an orthopaedic surgeon but has an MBBS with an MS in pathology.
Patna University retired teachers allege raw deal
Addressing the Patna University (PU) convocation of 2004 in the presence of the then President A P J Abdul Kalam, Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar had announced that PU would be provided facilities on a par with Central universities even if it was not upgraded as a Central university. Today, PU is being deprived even of the facilities given to other universities in the state.
The state cabinet recently sanctioned Rs 200 crore for payment of arrears to the teachers of all the universities in the state save PU. University teachers said they fail to understand the rationale behind ignoring the genuine claim of PU teachers.
A delegation of PU Retired Teachers' Association led by its president Bakshi Vidyanand Sinha and general secretary S K Ganguli met HRD minister Hari Narain Singh on Thursday to draw his attention towards this discriminatory attitude of the government. Surprisingly, even the minister was not aware of this fact.
When the minister wanted to ascertain the fact from the HRD secretary, he was informed that PU's claim for government grants was not entertained because of late submission of the proposal from the university.
PU's claim for arrears payment had been ignored even in December 2008 when the government had reportedly sanctioned the same amount for payment to the teachers of other universities.
It may be mentioned here that the Patna High Court has directed the university as well as the state government to ensure timely payment of arrears to the teachers, especially the retired ones.
The minister assured the delegation that a tripartite meeting of PU officials, HRD officials and association's representatives would be held shortly to sort out the matter.
Meanwhile, Federation of University Teachers' Associations of Bihar (FUTAB) secretary Arun Kumar has criticised the alleged discriminatory attitude of the Magadh University authorities towards the teachers of fourth-phase constituent colleges. He said though the state government had released less grants to the university for payment of salaries to the teachers, the teachers of fourth phase have been paid only 75% of their normal salary against 94% paid to other teachers. He demanded a fair deal to all categories of teachers of the university. link
The state cabinet recently sanctioned Rs 200 crore for payment of arrears to the teachers of all the universities in the state save PU. University teachers said they fail to understand the rationale behind ignoring the genuine claim of PU teachers.
A delegation of PU Retired Teachers' Association led by its president Bakshi Vidyanand Sinha and general secretary S K Ganguli met HRD minister Hari Narain Singh on Thursday to draw his attention towards this discriminatory attitude of the government. Surprisingly, even the minister was not aware of this fact.
When the minister wanted to ascertain the fact from the HRD secretary, he was informed that PU's claim for government grants was not entertained because of late submission of the proposal from the university.
PU's claim for arrears payment had been ignored even in December 2008 when the government had reportedly sanctioned the same amount for payment to the teachers of other universities.
It may be mentioned here that the Patna High Court has directed the university as well as the state government to ensure timely payment of arrears to the teachers, especially the retired ones.
The minister assured the delegation that a tripartite meeting of PU officials, HRD officials and association's representatives would be held shortly to sort out the matter.
Meanwhile, Federation of University Teachers' Associations of Bihar (FUTAB) secretary Arun Kumar has criticised the alleged discriminatory attitude of the Magadh University authorities towards the teachers of fourth-phase constituent colleges. He said though the state government had released less grants to the university for payment of salaries to the teachers, the teachers of fourth phase have been paid only 75% of their normal salary against 94% paid to other teachers. He demanded a fair deal to all categories of teachers of the university. link
Banks' education loan doubles to over Rs 577 cr
The education loan provided to the needy and meritorious students of the state doubled in the financial year 2008-2009 with banks making the education loan a focused priority.
Bihari students had secured admission in technical institutions, particularly those outside the state, and the banks provided them the education loan after ensuring that the money would be recovered when they get the job.
The education loan to Bihari students doubled to over Rs 577 crore in 2008-2009 compared to Rs 280.93 crore in 2007-08 and this indicates not only the banks' gesture in affording the students more education loans, but is also a parameter to show that Bihari students excelled in getting admission to good institutions.
There was 130 per cent rise in the number of students getting education loan in 2008-09 when 23,348 students were given education loan of over Rs 577 crore for studies in Bihar and other states. In the previous financial year, 10,181 students were given education loan of Rs 280.93 crore.
UCO Bank executive director B M Mittal told on Thursday that banks should give loan to needy and meritorious students after ensuring that the money would be recovered from them once they get employment.
A large chunk of education loan of Rs 204.36 crore was given by the State Bank of India to 10,611 students during 2008-09, followed by the Punjab National Bank which provided Rs 72.60 crore to 2,437 students and Bank of India -- Rs 57.12 crore to 2,758 students. Besides, 19 other public sector banks, a private bank, HDFC Bank, and four rural banks provided education loan.
The Uttar Bihar Khsetriya Grameen Bank provided Rs 13.45 crore loan to 505 students, the Madhya Bihar Kshetriya Grameen Bank provided Rs 11.98 crore to 421 students, Bihar Kshetriya Grameen Bank Rs 7.89 crore to 357 students and Samastipur Kshetriya Grameen Bank Rs 2.68 crore loan to 122 students. link
Bihari students had secured admission in technical institutions, particularly those outside the state, and the banks provided them the education loan after ensuring that the money would be recovered when they get the job.
The education loan to Bihari students doubled to over Rs 577 crore in 2008-2009 compared to Rs 280.93 crore in 2007-08 and this indicates not only the banks' gesture in affording the students more education loans, but is also a parameter to show that Bihari students excelled in getting admission to good institutions.
There was 130 per cent rise in the number of students getting education loan in 2008-09 when 23,348 students were given education loan of over Rs 577 crore for studies in Bihar and other states. In the previous financial year, 10,181 students were given education loan of Rs 280.93 crore.
UCO Bank executive director B M Mittal told on Thursday that banks should give loan to needy and meritorious students after ensuring that the money would be recovered from them once they get employment.
A large chunk of education loan of Rs 204.36 crore was given by the State Bank of India to 10,611 students during 2008-09, followed by the Punjab National Bank which provided Rs 72.60 crore to 2,437 students and Bank of India -- Rs 57.12 crore to 2,758 students. Besides, 19 other public sector banks, a private bank, HDFC Bank, and four rural banks provided education loan.
The Uttar Bihar Khsetriya Grameen Bank provided Rs 13.45 crore loan to 505 students, the Madhya Bihar Kshetriya Grameen Bank provided Rs 11.98 crore to 421 students, Bihar Kshetriya Grameen Bank Rs 7.89 crore to 357 students and Samastipur Kshetriya Grameen Bank Rs 2.68 crore loan to 122 students. link
Kosi shows signs of flooding, Bihar worried
The Kosi is in spate again. The water discharge has risen suddenly from 20,000 cusecs to 95,000 cusecs per day because of the pre-monsoon rains, bringing back memories of last year's floods. And to make matters worse, Maoists in Nepal are now hampering last-minute repair work at the Kusaha barrage.
State Minister for Water Resources, Bijendra Yadav says, "The point is that India does not have a good relationship with any of its neighbours including Nepal."
The breach that caused last years floods has now been plugged, but officials say there are more such vulnerable points in the barrage, which might give way once the water discharge reaches last year's levels.
Nepal official, Amar Karki says, "This is very dangerous and so the spur needs to be extended or repaired as soon as possible. And the embankment needs to be repaired urgently."
Since October last year, large scale repair and restoration work has been going on, but as the monsoon approaches, anxiety levels are rising.
A villager, Babu Ram says, "The river has started flooding again and we can see signs of danger."
Meanwhile, Bijendra Yadav says,"The elections came and our, engineers, executive engineers and even the superintending engineer were used as election officials. Because of this, we are two weeks behind schedule."
Once bitten twice shy - that's the story of people in Bihar, especially those residing in the Kosi region. The monsoon thunders have their hearts pounding and assurances from the government fail to bring relief to their mental anxiety.link
State Minister for Water Resources, Bijendra Yadav says, "The point is that India does not have a good relationship with any of its neighbours including Nepal."
The breach that caused last years floods has now been plugged, but officials say there are more such vulnerable points in the barrage, which might give way once the water discharge reaches last year's levels.
Nepal official, Amar Karki says, "This is very dangerous and so the spur needs to be extended or repaired as soon as possible. And the embankment needs to be repaired urgently."
Since October last year, large scale repair and restoration work has been going on, but as the monsoon approaches, anxiety levels are rising.
A villager, Babu Ram says, "The river has started flooding again and we can see signs of danger."
Meanwhile, Bijendra Yadav says,"The elections came and our, engineers, executive engineers and even the superintending engineer were used as election officials. Because of this, we are two weeks behind schedule."
Once bitten twice shy - that's the story of people in Bihar, especially those residing in the Kosi region. The monsoon thunders have their hearts pounding and assurances from the government fail to bring relief to their mental anxiety.link
SBI's emphasis in rural, to open 900 more ATMs in Bihar, Jharkhand
By opening 750 rural and semi-urban branches of the 1014 bank branches in Jharkhand-Bihar, the State bank of India has shown its special emphasis in rural areas of the two still economically backward states, SBI (central office) Deputy Managing Director A.Krishna Kumar said today.
While inaugurating the 1014th branch of the SBI in Bihar and Jharkhand at the Barhi Sub Divisional headquarters of the Hazaribagh District, about 40 Km from here, he said all these new branches have 100 per cent CBS system enabling customer to make transactions from any SBI branches across the country.
By June 30, SBI will open 900 more ATMs in Bihar and Jharkhand for providing better facilities for its customers particularly the rural account holders, he said.
He said the bank has given linkage to one million SHGs (Self Help Group) in the country for facilitating the rural women to earn their livelihood through these SHGs, now playing a significant role in the rural economy.
In Ranchi Circle consisting of South Chhotonagpur and North Chotonagpur Divisions, the bank have provided linkage to 660 SHG units, which provided all facilities to rural women to prepare products mostly through cottage industry.
He said that this year in Jharkhand,the SBI will adopt 27 villages under its 'Apna Gaon' scheme for all round development of the adopted villages.link
While inaugurating the 1014th branch of the SBI in Bihar and Jharkhand at the Barhi Sub Divisional headquarters of the Hazaribagh District, about 40 Km from here, he said all these new branches have 100 per cent CBS system enabling customer to make transactions from any SBI branches across the country.
By June 30, SBI will open 900 more ATMs in Bihar and Jharkhand for providing better facilities for its customers particularly the rural account holders, he said.
He said the bank has given linkage to one million SHGs (Self Help Group) in the country for facilitating the rural women to earn their livelihood through these SHGs, now playing a significant role in the rural economy.
In Ranchi Circle consisting of South Chhotonagpur and North Chotonagpur Divisions, the bank have provided linkage to 660 SHG units, which provided all facilities to rural women to prepare products mostly through cottage industry.
He said that this year in Jharkhand,the SBI will adopt 27 villages under its 'Apna Gaon' scheme for all round development of the adopted villages.link
Thursday 28 May 2009
Lone representation in Team Manmohan disappoints Bihar
With no leader from Bihar making it to the Team Manmohan Thursday, many in the state, where the Congress won only two Lok Sabha seats, expressed disappointment over the decreasing number of Bihar ministers in the union cabinet - from 12 in 2004 to just one in 2009.
Meira Kumar is the lone face from Bihar in Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s cabinet. She was sworn in May 22 when 19 ministers took oath in the first instalment of government formation.
Fifty-nine ministers were sworn in at Thursday’s oath ceremony but there was none from Bihar.
“It was shocking for us that Bihar found no place when 59 ministers took oath. It is first time in my memory,” said Amit Kumar, 20, a college student.
There were 13 ministers from Bihar in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in 1999. Ten ministers from the state were in the Deve Gowda-led government in 1996 and the same was the case in I.K. Gujral’s government.
“Nearly after two decades, representation of Bihar in the central ministry is very poor. It is a matter of concern,” said businessman Rajesh Kumar Singh, 50.
Marketing professional Jai Prakash Yadav, 40, feared that the “wrong” decision to have only one minister from Bihar will “effect (the) centre-state relationship”.
Many in the state were expecting that at least three newly elected MPs from the state will find a place in the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government.
People were hoping that Congress MP from Kishanganj Maulana Asrarul Haque and two independent MPs Digvijay Singh and Om Prakash Yadav would be sworn in.
Haque, a Muslim cleric, is a first time MP from Muslim-dominated Kishanganj constituency. He defeated former central minister Mohammed Taslimuddin of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD).
“If the BJP can have Syed Shahnawaz Hussain as a minister after he won from Kishanganj in 1999, why the Congress cannot have Haque,” said Shamsher Ali, a Congress worker in the constituency.
The Congress won only two Lok Sabha seats from Bihar - Kishanganj and Sasaram. The party contested the elections alone after the seat sharing arrangement with Lalu Prasad’s RJD failed.
Meira Kumar is the lone face from Bihar in Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s cabinet. She was sworn in May 22 when 19 ministers took oath in the first instalment of government formation.
Fifty-nine ministers were sworn in at Thursday’s oath ceremony but there was none from Bihar.
“It was shocking for us that Bihar found no place when 59 ministers took oath. It is first time in my memory,” said Amit Kumar, 20, a college student.
There were 13 ministers from Bihar in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in 1999. Ten ministers from the state were in the Deve Gowda-led government in 1996 and the same was the case in I.K. Gujral’s government.
“Nearly after two decades, representation of Bihar in the central ministry is very poor. It is a matter of concern,” said businessman Rajesh Kumar Singh, 50.
Marketing professional Jai Prakash Yadav, 40, feared that the “wrong” decision to have only one minister from Bihar will “effect (the) centre-state relationship”.
Many in the state were expecting that at least three newly elected MPs from the state will find a place in the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government.
People were hoping that Congress MP from Kishanganj Maulana Asrarul Haque and two independent MPs Digvijay Singh and Om Prakash Yadav would be sworn in.
Haque, a Muslim cleric, is a first time MP from Muslim-dominated Kishanganj constituency. He defeated former central minister Mohammed Taslimuddin of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD).
“If the BJP can have Syed Shahnawaz Hussain as a minister after he won from Kishanganj in 1999, why the Congress cannot have Haque,” said Shamsher Ali, a Congress worker in the constituency.
The Congress won only two Lok Sabha seats from Bihar - Kishanganj and Sasaram. The party contested the elections alone after the seat sharing arrangement with Lalu Prasad’s RJD failed.
Dream home for the poorest closer to reality in Bihar
Rickshaw puller Haria Bhuiyan and daily wage labourer Mangru Manjhi are elated. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has said a housing scheme for the poorest of the poor is being finalised and will be implemented soon.
The Maha Dalits think their dream of owning their own home is a bit closer to reality.
For generations, the Maha Dalits - as the poorest of the Dalit sub-castes are called - have been dreaming of their own homes.
It has remained a dream with people like Manjhi, 46, and Bhuiyan, 42, struggling to feed their families after earning Rs.100 on a good day.
Manjhi, who has a small thatched hut in a village in Jehanabad district, 50 km from here, was waiting at a roadside tea shop for the day's employer. Somebody read out the news report about the housing scheme being finalised to him and he erupted in joy.
'We were told that Hindi papers published news that Nitish Kumar is serious to provide land and houses to Maha Dalit families,' an elated Manjhi told IANS near the tea stall at Gandhi Maidan in Patna.
'A house of our own will change the mindset of our children, our future. It is big news,' Manjhi said. 'Our forefathers died dreaming of their own house, but it seems their dream will be fulfilled soon.'
Bhuiyan has been spending his nights on the pavement. 'If the news is true, it will fulfil our dreams. My father, grandfather and his father died without a proper roof over their heads,' he said, flashing a smile after learning about the 'big news'.
Manjhi and Bhuiyan are among the thousands of poor, landless and homeless Dalits in Bihar who see the government decision as a beginning of a new life for them.
A government commission set up two years ago for the welfare of certain Dalit groups, which are socially and educationally more backward than others, painted a bleak picture of their lives in its first interim report submitted a few months ago.
Dalits constitute nearly 15 percent of Bihar's 83 million people. The commission identified 18 of the 22 Dalit sub-castes, including Musahar, Bhuiyan, Dom and Nat, as the most backward. They constitute 31 percent of the Dalit population in the state.
On Wednesday, Nitish Kumar discussed with top government officials to finalise the modalities of the implementation of the special scheme launched last year to give 120 sq metres of land to the poorest families in the state. The government has also promised to provide funds to these families so that they can build their houses.
'Now the Lok Sabha elections are over, Nitish Kumar at a meeting with the members of the Maha Dalit Vikas Mission directed to speed up the implementation of the scheme,' an official in the chief minister's office said.
The mission has identified the number of families who would benefit from the schemes, according to the official. Nitish Kumar asked his officials to re-check and complete the survey by June end.
Nearly 160,000 Maha Dalit families would benefit from the housing scheme. The government has earmarked Rs.8.15 billion for the purpose. Around 9,500 acres of land is required. At present, however, the government has only 4,055 acres. The rest will be acquired soon, officials said.link
The Maha Dalits think their dream of owning their own home is a bit closer to reality.
For generations, the Maha Dalits - as the poorest of the Dalit sub-castes are called - have been dreaming of their own homes.
It has remained a dream with people like Manjhi, 46, and Bhuiyan, 42, struggling to feed their families after earning Rs.100 on a good day.
Manjhi, who has a small thatched hut in a village in Jehanabad district, 50 km from here, was waiting at a roadside tea shop for the day's employer. Somebody read out the news report about the housing scheme being finalised to him and he erupted in joy.
'We were told that Hindi papers published news that Nitish Kumar is serious to provide land and houses to Maha Dalit families,' an elated Manjhi told IANS near the tea stall at Gandhi Maidan in Patna.
'A house of our own will change the mindset of our children, our future. It is big news,' Manjhi said. 'Our forefathers died dreaming of their own house, but it seems their dream will be fulfilled soon.'
Bhuiyan has been spending his nights on the pavement. 'If the news is true, it will fulfil our dreams. My father, grandfather and his father died without a proper roof over their heads,' he said, flashing a smile after learning about the 'big news'.
Manjhi and Bhuiyan are among the thousands of poor, landless and homeless Dalits in Bihar who see the government decision as a beginning of a new life for them.
A government commission set up two years ago for the welfare of certain Dalit groups, which are socially and educationally more backward than others, painted a bleak picture of their lives in its first interim report submitted a few months ago.
Dalits constitute nearly 15 percent of Bihar's 83 million people. The commission identified 18 of the 22 Dalit sub-castes, including Musahar, Bhuiyan, Dom and Nat, as the most backward. They constitute 31 percent of the Dalit population in the state.
On Wednesday, Nitish Kumar discussed with top government officials to finalise the modalities of the implementation of the special scheme launched last year to give 120 sq metres of land to the poorest families in the state. The government has also promised to provide funds to these families so that they can build their houses.
'Now the Lok Sabha elections are over, Nitish Kumar at a meeting with the members of the Maha Dalit Vikas Mission directed to speed up the implementation of the scheme,' an official in the chief minister's office said.
The mission has identified the number of families who would benefit from the schemes, according to the official. Nitish Kumar asked his officials to re-check and complete the survey by June end.
Nearly 160,000 Maha Dalit families would benefit from the housing scheme. The government has earmarked Rs.8.15 billion for the purpose. Around 9,500 acres of land is required. At present, however, the government has only 4,055 acres. The rest will be acquired soon, officials said.link
Wednesday 27 May 2009
Darbhanga in Bihar to be brought on tourist map of the country
Bihar government has decided to promote Darbhanga district as one of the most sought-after tourist spot in the state. District Magistrate of Darbhanga, Pran Mohan Thakur yesterday said the state government had approved a proposal for upgrading the district as one of the most important tourist spots of the country. Delving into the details of the proposal, Thakur said Ahilya Sthan was an important place for tourists visiting from other parts of the country and steps would be taken to make it more attractive besides providing comfort to the visitors by improving the required infrastructural facilities.
“Kusheshwar Temple complex and Harahi Pokhar Sankat Mochan Mandir are the other two spots which will be developed into tourist places for visitors, Thakur told adding, quality roads, better accommodation, facilities and un-interrupted power supply will be ensured in the area.link
“Kusheshwar Temple complex and Harahi Pokhar Sankat Mochan Mandir are the other two spots which will be developed into tourist places for visitors, Thakur told adding, quality roads, better accommodation, facilities and un-interrupted power supply will be ensured in the area.link
Monday 25 May 2009
All of Bihar's Super 30 crack IIT entrance test
The Super 30 coaching institute here has witnessed complete success for the second consecutive year with all 30 of its students clearing the highly competitive Indian Institute of Technology-Joint Entrance Examination (IIT-JEE), the institute announced Monday.
"Everyone is in a celebratory mood. We distributed lots of sweets," said Nagendra Ram, a Super 30 student.
The institute selects talented students from poor families and provides them with free coaching, food and accommodation so that they can focus on passing the IIT-JEE exam.
"Hard work, proper guidance and supervision are the secrets of our success," Anand Kumar, director of Super 30, told IANS.
Santosh Kumar, another Super 30 student, said the facilities and encouragement from the faculty made it possible for him to crack the tough exam.
In 2003, the first year of the institute, 18 students made it to the prestigious IITs. The number rose to 22 in 2004 and 26 in 2005. In 2007 and 2006, 28 students made it through ITT-JEE.
"We were sure of positive results as we teach them to eat, sleep, walk and talk only IIT," reiterated Anand.
He said the institute is supported by the income generated from his Ramanujam School of Mathematics, which has students who can afford to pay fees.
Super 30 was started by Anand along with Bihar's Additional Director General of Police Abhyanand. But last year Abhyanand dissociated himself from the institute.
The success story of Super 30 was telecast by the Discovery Channel in March this year.
"Super 30 is an amazing initiative and it needs to be taken to maximum people around the globe," said Christopher Mitchell, whose film for Discovery also bagged the Audience Choice Award at the sixth Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles.
Two years ago, Norika Fujiwara, a former Japanese beauty queen and actress, made a documentary film on Super 30 for its innovative and successful attempt to send poor children to India's top engineering colleges.link
"Everyone is in a celebratory mood. We distributed lots of sweets," said Nagendra Ram, a Super 30 student.
The institute selects talented students from poor families and provides them with free coaching, food and accommodation so that they can focus on passing the IIT-JEE exam.
"Hard work, proper guidance and supervision are the secrets of our success," Anand Kumar, director of Super 30, told IANS.
Santosh Kumar, another Super 30 student, said the facilities and encouragement from the faculty made it possible for him to crack the tough exam.
In 2003, the first year of the institute, 18 students made it to the prestigious IITs. The number rose to 22 in 2004 and 26 in 2005. In 2007 and 2006, 28 students made it through ITT-JEE.
"We were sure of positive results as we teach them to eat, sleep, walk and talk only IIT," reiterated Anand.
He said the institute is supported by the income generated from his Ramanujam School of Mathematics, which has students who can afford to pay fees.
Super 30 was started by Anand along with Bihar's Additional Director General of Police Abhyanand. But last year Abhyanand dissociated himself from the institute.
The success story of Super 30 was telecast by the Discovery Channel in March this year.
"Super 30 is an amazing initiative and it needs to be taken to maximum people around the globe," said Christopher Mitchell, whose film for Discovery also bagged the Audience Choice Award at the sixth Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles.
Two years ago, Norika Fujiwara, a former Japanese beauty queen and actress, made a documentary film on Super 30 for its innovative and successful attempt to send poor children to India's top engineering colleges.link
Naxalites gun down wanted dacoit in Bihar
Naxalites gunned down a wanted dacoit in Bihar's East Champaran district for allegedly extorting money from people posing as a Maoist, police said on Monday.
"Bihkara Prasad (35) was shot dead by Naxals at Bihsunpur village in the district yesterday. After killing him the rebels fled, leaving behind leaflets saying those trying to malign the organisation would also face the same consequence," DSP (Pakridayal sub division) M K Anand told reporters here.
Prasad was wanted in a case of dacoity, he said, adding that efforts were on to arrest the criminals.link
"Bihkara Prasad (35) was shot dead by Naxals at Bihsunpur village in the district yesterday. After killing him the rebels fled, leaving behind leaflets saying those trying to malign the organisation would also face the same consequence," DSP (Pakridayal sub division) M K Anand told reporters here.
Prasad was wanted in a case of dacoity, he said, adding that efforts were on to arrest the criminals.link
Saturday 23 May 2009
Poor representation of Bihar in the Union cabinet
The wheel has turned a full circle in almost 18 long years. After the 1991 parliamentary election only one minister from Bihar, Krishna Shahi, was inducted into the Narasimha Rao cabinet. She was minister of state for industry. In 2009 only Meira Kumar found her place. Like Shahi she also comes from the family of old Congressman. She is the daughter of former deputy Prime Minister, Jagjiwan Ram. Meira was the minister of state in the outgoing cabinet too.
While Shahi comes from Bhumihar caste Meira, who incidentally got the cabinet rank this time, is a Dalit. While in 1991 Congress won only one seat this time it got two, thus there is a scope for one more ministry in the future. However, unlike 1991-96 there is no scope of Congress later getting any minister from the Rajya Sabha quota as there is no member in the Upper House from the party nor can there be any in the near future as the party has only nine MLAs in the Bihar assembly.
So once again it is the era of poor representation of Bihar in the Union cabinet. Between June 1, 1996 when Deve Gowda took over as the Prime Minister to May 16, 2009 Bihar had a great time so far representation in the cabinet is concerned. At times there used to be 10 to 11 ministers from the state. Be it Gowda, Gujral, Vajpayee or Manmohan cabinet, ministers from Bihar always got good portfolios such as Railways, Finance, Defence, Rural Development, Civil Aviation, Steel and Fertilizer, Communication etc.
After 13 long years Bihar has lost its bargaining position. Howsoever, critical one may be of Lalu Yadav-Ram Vilas Paswan duo one can not deny that it was due to them that Bihar got some mega projects in the last few years. Be it the number of trains, zonal headquarters (at Hajipur), engine factories, steel plants or IIT and central university the two leaders did make some efforts. In November last year they shared dais with the chief minister Nitish Kumar in the function organized for the revival of the sick fertilsier plant in Barauni. However, it is also true that some of the projects started by them failed to become operational till yet.
Before them the 11-strong ministers from Bihar in the Vajpayee cabinet also made their own contributions. Nitish Kumar brought railway projects such as bridges over Ganga in Patna and Munger and Kosi at one place, workshop at Harnaut, doubling and electrification of railway tracks etc. Besides, it was due to his efforts that the NTPC plant came to Barh. It is other thing that due to political considerations work is going on at snail’s pace in these projects. Now it is feared that these projects may get delayed further.
It needs to be mentioned that before 1990 Bihar was a neglected state. Same party government in the Centre and state was being attributed to the absence of investment. The state Congress leaders did not have the guts to ask for more help even though the then Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi, in the late 1980s announced Rs 5,700 crore package for Bihar––though it is alleged that it remained only on paper.
In the early 1990s this phenomenon continued. The state got embroiled in the Mandal-Mandir controversy. Lalu Yadav was more interested in empowering the backward castes and Dalits. However, as the chief minister he called for the better royalty on coal and other minerals from the state and removal of freight equalization policy which hit Bihar and other mineral rich states very hard. He also called for the implementation of Gadgil formula for state’s share. However, there was no one to push these demands of Bihar in the Centre.
After 1996 the situation did change a little. Be it Ram Vilas Paswan between 1996 and 1998 and Nitish Kumar and others after 1998 they all thought that if they want to counter the growing influence of Lalu Yadav they would have to adopt some different approach. Though Paswan was in the same party in which Lalu was (then Janata Dal) he wanted to develop his own separate constituency. The development works he initiated was largely meant to accommodate his own men and give them contracts. Unlike Lalu, who was then the chief minister of Bihar for over six long years, he had no other option to keep his flock together. Nitish and other ministers from Bihar also adopted the same strategy later.
Though this investment story had an abrupt start it at least helped Bihar grow. After Bokaro Steel Plant of early 1960s––it is now in Jharkhand––Bihar had never seen so much investment in such a short time. Lalit Narayan Mishra did bring some trains in the early 1970s but he was then assassinated. Strangely the catalyst for change was none else but Lalu Yadav. Thus there was gradual shift in the state politics.
Bihar lost the mineral rich portion of Jharkhand in November 2000. The state assembly resolution of Rs 1,79,000 crore special package as compensation was never accepted, yet during the Vajpayee government and then again under Manmohan Singh government, investments of more than Rs one lakh crore came to Bihar, most of them once again in railways. However, several mega power and road projects too were taken up by the Centre. Investments also came in the field of rural roads, rural electrification, communication etc.
A decade and a half later Bihar, it is feared, will be back to where it was in the early 1990s. The state Congress leaders simply do not have the courage to espouse the cause of Bihar. They do not have even the nuisance value. Now much depends on the maneuvering skill of the chief minister, Nitish Kumar. But the establishment in Delhi is too thick-skinned to feel and too deaf to listen. Let us see how it works now.link
While Shahi comes from Bhumihar caste Meira, who incidentally got the cabinet rank this time, is a Dalit. While in 1991 Congress won only one seat this time it got two, thus there is a scope for one more ministry in the future. However, unlike 1991-96 there is no scope of Congress later getting any minister from the Rajya Sabha quota as there is no member in the Upper House from the party nor can there be any in the near future as the party has only nine MLAs in the Bihar assembly.
So once again it is the era of poor representation of Bihar in the Union cabinet. Between June 1, 1996 when Deve Gowda took over as the Prime Minister to May 16, 2009 Bihar had a great time so far representation in the cabinet is concerned. At times there used to be 10 to 11 ministers from the state. Be it Gowda, Gujral, Vajpayee or Manmohan cabinet, ministers from Bihar always got good portfolios such as Railways, Finance, Defence, Rural Development, Civil Aviation, Steel and Fertilizer, Communication etc.
After 13 long years Bihar has lost its bargaining position. Howsoever, critical one may be of Lalu Yadav-Ram Vilas Paswan duo one can not deny that it was due to them that Bihar got some mega projects in the last few years. Be it the number of trains, zonal headquarters (at Hajipur), engine factories, steel plants or IIT and central university the two leaders did make some efforts. In November last year they shared dais with the chief minister Nitish Kumar in the function organized for the revival of the sick fertilsier plant in Barauni. However, it is also true that some of the projects started by them failed to become operational till yet.
Before them the 11-strong ministers from Bihar in the Vajpayee cabinet also made their own contributions. Nitish Kumar brought railway projects such as bridges over Ganga in Patna and Munger and Kosi at one place, workshop at Harnaut, doubling and electrification of railway tracks etc. Besides, it was due to his efforts that the NTPC plant came to Barh. It is other thing that due to political considerations work is going on at snail’s pace in these projects. Now it is feared that these projects may get delayed further.
It needs to be mentioned that before 1990 Bihar was a neglected state. Same party government in the Centre and state was being attributed to the absence of investment. The state Congress leaders did not have the guts to ask for more help even though the then Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi, in the late 1980s announced Rs 5,700 crore package for Bihar––though it is alleged that it remained only on paper.
In the early 1990s this phenomenon continued. The state got embroiled in the Mandal-Mandir controversy. Lalu Yadav was more interested in empowering the backward castes and Dalits. However, as the chief minister he called for the better royalty on coal and other minerals from the state and removal of freight equalization policy which hit Bihar and other mineral rich states very hard. He also called for the implementation of Gadgil formula for state’s share. However, there was no one to push these demands of Bihar in the Centre.
After 1996 the situation did change a little. Be it Ram Vilas Paswan between 1996 and 1998 and Nitish Kumar and others after 1998 they all thought that if they want to counter the growing influence of Lalu Yadav they would have to adopt some different approach. Though Paswan was in the same party in which Lalu was (then Janata Dal) he wanted to develop his own separate constituency. The development works he initiated was largely meant to accommodate his own men and give them contracts. Unlike Lalu, who was then the chief minister of Bihar for over six long years, he had no other option to keep his flock together. Nitish and other ministers from Bihar also adopted the same strategy later.
Though this investment story had an abrupt start it at least helped Bihar grow. After Bokaro Steel Plant of early 1960s––it is now in Jharkhand––Bihar had never seen so much investment in such a short time. Lalit Narayan Mishra did bring some trains in the early 1970s but he was then assassinated. Strangely the catalyst for change was none else but Lalu Yadav. Thus there was gradual shift in the state politics.
Bihar lost the mineral rich portion of Jharkhand in November 2000. The state assembly resolution of Rs 1,79,000 crore special package as compensation was never accepted, yet during the Vajpayee government and then again under Manmohan Singh government, investments of more than Rs one lakh crore came to Bihar, most of them once again in railways. However, several mega power and road projects too were taken up by the Centre. Investments also came in the field of rural roads, rural electrification, communication etc.
A decade and a half later Bihar, it is feared, will be back to where it was in the early 1990s. The state Congress leaders simply do not have the courage to espouse the cause of Bihar. They do not have even the nuisance value. Now much depends on the maneuvering skill of the chief minister, Nitish Kumar. But the establishment in Delhi is too thick-skinned to feel and too deaf to listen. Let us see how it works now.link
Villagers bar headmaster for stealing students' lunch
After he was caught stealing rice meant for schoolchildren's lunch, the headmaster of a primary school in Bihar's Begusarai district has been banned from the school by irate villagers, police said Saturday.
Pitambar Pathak, headmaster of a government-run school in Puwari Tola village under Teghra block of the district, 126 km from state capital Patna, was caught selling rice to a local trader Monday by the villagers, police officers said.
The rice was meant for the Mid Day Meal scheme that aims to attract children to school and improve their nutrition levels too.
On being caught, Pathak admitted to his crime before the villagers and publicly apologised for it. The villagers fined him before he was allowed to leave the village.
However, Pathak Tuesday lodged a case of extortion against the villagers at the local police station. This angered the villagers and the school remained closed for the next three days.
When the school re-opened Friday, the villagers announced Pathak would not be allowed to enter the premises until strict action was initiated against him. Some villagers demanded his arrest also.
Officials of the district education department have lodged a case against Pathak.
This is not the first case when a teacher in the state was caught selling food meant for the Mid-Day Meal Scheme. In the last one year, rice and other foodgrains meant for the scheme were found in the house of teachers and several cases of irregularities were reported in the schools, in which teachers were allegedly involved.
The Mid-Day Meal Scheme is the world's largest nutritional programme, covering more than one million schools across India. Under it, students in government-run schools are given freen lunch. It was launched in July 1995 to tackle the twin problems of dropout rates in primary schools and nutrition among children from poor families.link
Pitambar Pathak, headmaster of a government-run school in Puwari Tola village under Teghra block of the district, 126 km from state capital Patna, was caught selling rice to a local trader Monday by the villagers, police officers said.
The rice was meant for the Mid Day Meal scheme that aims to attract children to school and improve their nutrition levels too.
On being caught, Pathak admitted to his crime before the villagers and publicly apologised for it. The villagers fined him before he was allowed to leave the village.
However, Pathak Tuesday lodged a case of extortion against the villagers at the local police station. This angered the villagers and the school remained closed for the next three days.
When the school re-opened Friday, the villagers announced Pathak would not be allowed to enter the premises until strict action was initiated against him. Some villagers demanded his arrest also.
Officials of the district education department have lodged a case against Pathak.
This is not the first case when a teacher in the state was caught selling food meant for the Mid-Day Meal Scheme. In the last one year, rice and other foodgrains meant for the scheme were found in the house of teachers and several cases of irregularities were reported in the schools, in which teachers were allegedly involved.
The Mid-Day Meal Scheme is the world's largest nutritional programme, covering more than one million schools across India. Under it, students in government-run schools are given freen lunch. It was launched in July 1995 to tackle the twin problems of dropout rates in primary schools and nutrition among children from poor families.link
Patna College to hold alumni meet
Patna College, the oldest institution of higher education in Bihar, is going to publish its Alumni's Who's Who soon. The publication would include the full details of all its alumni located at different places and occupying positions of eminence in public life.
College principal Ras Bihari Prasad Singh told here on Friday that the college would be holding its alumni meet on May 31 after a lapse of over 12 years. The last alumni meet was held in 1996. Former Lt General and governor S K Sinha, former director of higher education Damodar Thakur and several other distinguished alumni are likely to grace the occasion, he added.
Meanwhile, the teachers and students of the college, at a meeting held here on Friday under the presidentship of the principal, expressed their deep sense of shock over the sudden demise of former head of philosophy department, PU, P N Bhagat. Patna University Teachers' Association president Dharm Prakash and general secretary Randhir Kumar Singh and PU dean of students' welfare K N Paswan also attended the meeting. link
College principal Ras Bihari Prasad Singh told here on Friday that the college would be holding its alumni meet on May 31 after a lapse of over 12 years. The last alumni meet was held in 1996. Former Lt General and governor S K Sinha, former director of higher education Damodar Thakur and several other distinguished alumni are likely to grace the occasion, he added.
Meanwhile, the teachers and students of the college, at a meeting held here on Friday under the presidentship of the principal, expressed their deep sense of shock over the sudden demise of former head of philosophy department, PU, P N Bhagat. Patna University Teachers' Association president Dharm Prakash and general secretary Randhir Kumar Singh and PU dean of students' welfare K N Paswan also attended the meeting. link
Friday 22 May 2009
Some relief for Bihar’s arsenic hit villages
High levels of arsenic in the groundwater pose the threat of cancer to people in many Bihar villages, but the state government has finally moved to bring safe drinking water from the Ganga river to some of these areas.
‘Multi-village water supply projects’ have been given the green signal in 200 arsenic-affected villages in three districts.
“The multivillage water supply projects would be launched soon and completed under a timeframe,” said Public Health Engineering Minister Ashwani Kumar Choubey.
The projects will cover 130 arsenic-affected villages of Simri block in Buxar district, 45 villages of Bidupur block in Vaishali district and 25 villages of Maner block in Patna district.
D.S. Mishra, an official in the department, said the government would provide safe drinking water from the Ganga to villages affected by arsenic.
“First, the surface water (in the river) will be treated to remove harmful substances and then it will be supplied,” Mishra said. He said the treatment of groundwater containing arsenic was costly and not sustainable.
The state government admitted early this year that high levels of arsenic have been found in the groundwater of 15 Bihar districts on either side of the Ganga river, posing the threat of cancer, an official said.
“A total of 57 blocks on both sides of the Ganga are affected by high levels of arsenic in the groundwater,” he said.
Arsenic causes cancer of the intestines, liver, kidneys and bladder as well as gangrene. People in several villages are suffering from bone deformation and a variety of skin problems.
“In some affected villages, people have complained of weakening and bending of the bones and dreadful rashes and lumps on the skin,” a health expert said.
Arsenic, an odourless and tasteless semi-metal element, occurs naturally in the environment and sometimes as a by-product of agriculture and industry.
An official said the worst affected districts are Bhojpur, Buxar, Vaishali, Bhagalpur, Samastipur, Khagaria, Katihar, Chapra, Munger and Darbhanga and Patna.link
Among these, Harail Chapar, a village in Samastipur district, recorded the highest levels of arsenic - 2,100 parts per billion (ppb) - in groundwater, the official added. The World Health Organisation guideline for a safe limit is 10 ppb, while the Indian government’s guideline is 50 ppb.
The official said a survey conducted in the arsenic affected districts reveals that the deeper aquifers lying below 80 metres were free of arsenic.
Last year, a state government report based on a survey of water samples collected at random from 19,961 tubewells in 398 villages found that arsenic concentration was above 10 ppb in 310 villages and above 50 ppb in 235 villages.
‘Multi-village water supply projects’ have been given the green signal in 200 arsenic-affected villages in three districts.
“The multivillage water supply projects would be launched soon and completed under a timeframe,” said Public Health Engineering Minister Ashwani Kumar Choubey.
The projects will cover 130 arsenic-affected villages of Simri block in Buxar district, 45 villages of Bidupur block in Vaishali district and 25 villages of Maner block in Patna district.
D.S. Mishra, an official in the department, said the government would provide safe drinking water from the Ganga to villages affected by arsenic.
“First, the surface water (in the river) will be treated to remove harmful substances and then it will be supplied,” Mishra said. He said the treatment of groundwater containing arsenic was costly and not sustainable.
The state government admitted early this year that high levels of arsenic have been found in the groundwater of 15 Bihar districts on either side of the Ganga river, posing the threat of cancer, an official said.
“A total of 57 blocks on both sides of the Ganga are affected by high levels of arsenic in the groundwater,” he said.
Arsenic causes cancer of the intestines, liver, kidneys and bladder as well as gangrene. People in several villages are suffering from bone deformation and a variety of skin problems.
“In some affected villages, people have complained of weakening and bending of the bones and dreadful rashes and lumps on the skin,” a health expert said.
Arsenic, an odourless and tasteless semi-metal element, occurs naturally in the environment and sometimes as a by-product of agriculture and industry.
An official said the worst affected districts are Bhojpur, Buxar, Vaishali, Bhagalpur, Samastipur, Khagaria, Katihar, Chapra, Munger and Darbhanga and Patna.link
Among these, Harail Chapar, a village in Samastipur district, recorded the highest levels of arsenic - 2,100 parts per billion (ppb) - in groundwater, the official added. The World Health Organisation guideline for a safe limit is 10 ppb, while the Indian government’s guideline is 50 ppb.
The official said a survey conducted in the arsenic affected districts reveals that the deeper aquifers lying below 80 metres were free of arsenic.
Last year, a state government report based on a survey of water samples collected at random from 19,961 tubewells in 398 villages found that arsenic concentration was above 10 ppb in 310 villages and above 50 ppb in 235 villages.
Thursday 21 May 2009
Illegal constructions around Sher Shah tomb
Several constructions, including Bihar government's teachers training college, have come up in the restricted zone around the mausoleum of Sher Shah at Sasaram in blatant violation of the Archaeological Monuments Special Repair Act, 1992. The illegal constructions have taken place in the centrally-protected area of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Incidentally, the area falling in the radius of 100 metres of the monument has been declared the restricted zone.
Two private school buildings have also come up in recent years in the restricted area. These include Duttatreya Public School (on the north-east corner of the mausoleum) and Chaukhandi High School (on the north).
These are just a few examples of illegal constructions in the protected area. More than 200 such structures have come up in recent times.
In a recent communication to the Rohtas DM and SP, the acting superintending archaeologist, ASI, Patna circle, N G Nikose, made a fresh request to them to stop and remove illegal construction in the protected zone.
Nikose said such requests had been made to the district administration on several occasions earlier too. "Despite numerous reminders to district officials concerned, nothing concrete has been done by the administration so far," said an ASI official. Incidentally, ASI has already issued notices to those responsible for illegal structures in the protected area. On several occasions, local goons even threatened ASI officials of dire consequences for this.
Incidentally, ASI has been raising the issue since 1990. All former superintendent archaeologists of ASI -- Mohammed K K, Urmila Sant and P K Mishra -- raised this issue right from the Rajbbhavan to the DM level.
Sher Shah's mausoleum is undoubtedly the finest mediaeval tomb architecture in the Indian sub-continent. "Efforts have been made to get this monument listed in UNESCO's list of world heritage sites, but it cannot not find an entry there unless the illegal constructions are removed," said an official.link
Two private school buildings have also come up in recent years in the restricted area. These include Duttatreya Public School (on the north-east corner of the mausoleum) and Chaukhandi High School (on the north).
These are just a few examples of illegal constructions in the protected area. More than 200 such structures have come up in recent times.
In a recent communication to the Rohtas DM and SP, the acting superintending archaeologist, ASI, Patna circle, N G Nikose, made a fresh request to them to stop and remove illegal construction in the protected zone.
Nikose said such requests had been made to the district administration on several occasions earlier too. "Despite numerous reminders to district officials concerned, nothing concrete has been done by the administration so far," said an ASI official. Incidentally, ASI has already issued notices to those responsible for illegal structures in the protected area. On several occasions, local goons even threatened ASI officials of dire consequences for this.
Incidentally, ASI has been raising the issue since 1990. All former superintendent archaeologists of ASI -- Mohammed K K, Urmila Sant and P K Mishra -- raised this issue right from the Rajbbhavan to the DM level.
Sher Shah's mausoleum is undoubtedly the finest mediaeval tomb architecture in the Indian sub-continent. "Efforts have been made to get this monument listed in UNESCO's list of world heritage sites, but it cannot not find an entry there unless the illegal constructions are removed," said an official.link
Road cleaning work to be outsourced in Patna
The road construction department (RCD) is working on a proposal for outsourcing the cleaning work of city roads, footpaths and road dividers.
According to the plan, bids would be invited from private parties to undertake the work on a long-term basis. The bidder would have to clean roads, pavements and road dividers of the city on a regular basis. He would also be responsible for painting of pavements and dividers at least twice a year.
Lighting of roads would be the responsibility of the bidder and costs incurred on lighting too would be paid by him.
Those opting for the bid would have the freedom to earn revenue using their advertisement rights along the roads.
"We have sent a proposal in this regard to the finance department and once it gives approval to it, the proposal would be sent to the cabinet," said a senior RCD official.
To begin with, the project would be launched on a pilot basis in Patna and depending on the feedback, bids would be invited for RCD roads in other cities of Bihar, he said.
Explaining the economics of the proposal, the RCD official said that bidders would be able to earn a lot of revenue against the cleanliness work done by them as they would have at their disposal a huge chunk of land along the roads, which could be used for advertisement purpose.
The department is also working on a plan pertaining to long-term bidding for maintenance of roads being constructed by it.
A World Bank consultant was roped in for preparing the draft of this proposal and senior RCD officials are studying the report to find out its adaptability in local conditions.
"Our main goal is to come up with such a proposal which contains good points of the report submitted by the World Bank consultant as well as the system being followed by the department now under which a contractor is also given the responsibility of maintaining a road for a three-year period," said the RCD official.
He said once the amalgamated form of existing and proposed system is ready, bids would be invited for the long-term maintenance work. "The department would undertake quarterly inspection of roads. Payments would be made to such parties only if inspection reports about the condition of roads would be satisfactory," added the official. link
According to the plan, bids would be invited from private parties to undertake the work on a long-term basis. The bidder would have to clean roads, pavements and road dividers of the city on a regular basis. He would also be responsible for painting of pavements and dividers at least twice a year.
Lighting of roads would be the responsibility of the bidder and costs incurred on lighting too would be paid by him.
Those opting for the bid would have the freedom to earn revenue using their advertisement rights along the roads.
"We have sent a proposal in this regard to the finance department and once it gives approval to it, the proposal would be sent to the cabinet," said a senior RCD official.
To begin with, the project would be launched on a pilot basis in Patna and depending on the feedback, bids would be invited for RCD roads in other cities of Bihar, he said.
Explaining the economics of the proposal, the RCD official said that bidders would be able to earn a lot of revenue against the cleanliness work done by them as they would have at their disposal a huge chunk of land along the roads, which could be used for advertisement purpose.
The department is also working on a plan pertaining to long-term bidding for maintenance of roads being constructed by it.
A World Bank consultant was roped in for preparing the draft of this proposal and senior RCD officials are studying the report to find out its adaptability in local conditions.
"Our main goal is to come up with such a proposal which contains good points of the report submitted by the World Bank consultant as well as the system being followed by the department now under which a contractor is also given the responsibility of maintaining a road for a three-year period," said the RCD official.
He said once the amalgamated form of existing and proposed system is ready, bids would be invited for the long-term maintenance work. "The department would undertake quarterly inspection of roads. Payments would be made to such parties only if inspection reports about the condition of roads would be satisfactory," added the official. link
BSF jawans who fought Naxals in run up to LS polls awarded
BSF jawans who successfully thwarted a Naxal attack in the run up to the Lok Sabha polls in Bihar's Rohtas district were today awarded at a glittering investiture ceremony.
A contingent of the force came under heavy gunfire, including rocket launchers, when it was patrolling the jungles of the district on April 14, two days before the first phase of the elections. The troops also retaliated and thwarted the attempts of the Naxalites.
During the annual ceremony, the troops (35 in number) were presented with a memento and a trophy. Director General of BSF M L Kumawat and chief guest at the function, Manipur Governor Gurbachan Jagat, lauded the role of the men and said it is because of such efforts that the Indian democracy is still vibrant.
"The boys fought fiercely with the Naxals and thwarted their attempt with a heavy hand. They deserve a special mention and recognition," Kumawat said while addressing the gathering which was attended by chiefs of other central paramilitary forces.
During the ceremony, 10 personnel of the force were decorated with Police Medals for gallantry for"displaying exemplary courage in the face of adversity" while 42 other jawans and officers were awarded with medals for distinguished and meritorious services.link
A contingent of the force came under heavy gunfire, including rocket launchers, when it was patrolling the jungles of the district on April 14, two days before the first phase of the elections. The troops also retaliated and thwarted the attempts of the Naxalites.
During the annual ceremony, the troops (35 in number) were presented with a memento and a trophy. Director General of BSF M L Kumawat and chief guest at the function, Manipur Governor Gurbachan Jagat, lauded the role of the men and said it is because of such efforts that the Indian democracy is still vibrant.
"The boys fought fiercely with the Naxals and thwarted their attempt with a heavy hand. They deserve a special mention and recognition," Kumawat said while addressing the gathering which was attended by chiefs of other central paramilitary forces.
During the ceremony, 10 personnel of the force were decorated with Police Medals for gallantry for"displaying exemplary courage in the face of adversity" while 42 other jawans and officers were awarded with medals for distinguished and meritorious services.link
Bihar announces Santosh Trophy squad
The Bihar Football Association today announced a 20 member squad for the upcoming 63rd Santosh Trophy that will be played from May 24 to June 14 in Tamil Nadu.
Mohammed Afzal Alam will lead the team which is placed in Cluster VII along with Gujarat and Haryana. Bihar will play its first match against Gujarat on May 27 and face Haryana on May 29.
Bihar
Goalkeepers: Inderjit Kumar Singh (Gaya), Anup Kumar (Patna), Tanvir Khan (Patna)
Defenders: Rajesh Patel (Motihari), Nadir Parvez (Patna), Mohammed Aadil Ansari (Patna), Birendra Kumar Yadav (Dharbhanga), Mohammed Alimudin (Muzafarpur), Mohammed Afzal Alam (Patna, Captain), Sanjay Kumar (Patna), Sunil Patel (Motihari)
Midfielders: Rajgiri Yadav (Patna), Rajesh Ranjan (Jamalpur), Satyajit Ray (Dharbhanga), Suman Kumar Dayal (Patna), Rakesh Pratap Singh (Darbhanga)
Forwards: Debashish Roy (Patna), Mohammed Shahbaz (Patna), Navin Thapa (Patna), Sonu Kumar (Begusarai)
Officials: Gopi Nath Dutta (Coach, Patna), Sanjeev Kumar Sinha (Assistant Coach, Banka), Jwala Prasad Sinha (Manager, Patna).link
Mohammed Afzal Alam will lead the team which is placed in Cluster VII along with Gujarat and Haryana. Bihar will play its first match against Gujarat on May 27 and face Haryana on May 29.
Bihar
Goalkeepers: Inderjit Kumar Singh (Gaya), Anup Kumar (Patna), Tanvir Khan (Patna)
Defenders: Rajesh Patel (Motihari), Nadir Parvez (Patna), Mohammed Aadil Ansari (Patna), Birendra Kumar Yadav (Dharbhanga), Mohammed Alimudin (Muzafarpur), Mohammed Afzal Alam (Patna, Captain), Sanjay Kumar (Patna), Sunil Patel (Motihari)
Midfielders: Rajgiri Yadav (Patna), Rajesh Ranjan (Jamalpur), Satyajit Ray (Dharbhanga), Suman Kumar Dayal (Patna), Rakesh Pratap Singh (Darbhanga)
Forwards: Debashish Roy (Patna), Mohammed Shahbaz (Patna), Navin Thapa (Patna), Sonu Kumar (Begusarai)
Officials: Gopi Nath Dutta (Coach, Patna), Sanjeev Kumar Sinha (Assistant Coach, Banka), Jwala Prasad Sinha (Manager, Patna).link
Five Infosys employees die as bus falls into valley
Five Infosys employees died and 32 others were injured as a company bus fell into the valley in Belgam near Nipani on Thursday.
According to the sources, the bus ferrying between Mysore and Pune went off the road near Nipani, apparently as the driver lost control of the vehicle and fell into the valley in Belgam.
Most of the people traveling in the bus belonged to Bihar and West Bengal.
The injured were rushed to a nearby hospital. Rescue operations are underway. Further details are awaited.link
According to the sources, the bus ferrying between Mysore and Pune went off the road near Nipani, apparently as the driver lost control of the vehicle and fell into the valley in Belgam.
Most of the people traveling in the bus belonged to Bihar and West Bengal.
The injured were rushed to a nearby hospital. Rescue operations are underway. Further details are awaited.link
Wednesday 20 May 2009
Two children die as stage crashes on them
Two children were killed and another injured today when a stage erected for Krishna Leela crashed on them at Hasanganj village in the district.
Deep Kumar (10), son of Rajendra Yadav and six-year-old Vikas Kumar, son of Vishun Yadav, died on the spot when the stage caved on them, Station House Officer, R P Sharma, said.
The boys, residents of Hasanganj village, had taken shelter under the stage to prevent themselves from getting drenched with heavy rain this afternoon, Sharma said.
The stage was erected for Krishna Leela on the occasion of" Nawah Yajgya"which was going on for the past three days in the village.
Another unidentified child, who was injured in the incident, was taken to a hospital at Pakri Barawan here.link
Deep Kumar (10), son of Rajendra Yadav and six-year-old Vikas Kumar, son of Vishun Yadav, died on the spot when the stage caved on them, Station House Officer, R P Sharma, said.
The boys, residents of Hasanganj village, had taken shelter under the stage to prevent themselves from getting drenched with heavy rain this afternoon, Sharma said.
The stage was erected for Krishna Leela on the occasion of" Nawah Yajgya"which was going on for the past three days in the village.
Another unidentified child, who was injured in the incident, was taken to a hospital at Pakri Barawan here.link
Bihar Public Health Engineering Department clears drinking water projects in Bihar
Bihar Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) Minister Ashwini Kumar Chaubey on Tuesday sanctioned multi-village water supply projects in Buxar, Vaishali and Patna.
130 Arsenic-affected villages of Simri block in Buxar district, 45 villages of Bidupur block in Vaishali district and 25 villages of Maner block in Patna will benefit from the project.
Addressing a review meeting of PHED here, he said that multi village projects should be launched immediately and completed on schedule.
Chaubey, however, admitted that despite the sanctioned order to install 1.37 lakh hand pumps in the last two years, only 27,000 hand pumps had been installed till date.
The minister also directed the PHED officials to adopt rainwater harvesting on a wider scale to arrest depletion of groundwater level in the state.
Chaubey instructed superintending engineers to complete all NABARD sponsored piped drinking water schemes in the state by March 31 next year.link
130 Arsenic-affected villages of Simri block in Buxar district, 45 villages of Bidupur block in Vaishali district and 25 villages of Maner block in Patna will benefit from the project.
Addressing a review meeting of PHED here, he said that multi village projects should be launched immediately and completed on schedule.
Chaubey, however, admitted that despite the sanctioned order to install 1.37 lakh hand pumps in the last two years, only 27,000 hand pumps had been installed till date.
The minister also directed the PHED officials to adopt rainwater harvesting on a wider scale to arrest depletion of groundwater level in the state.
Chaubey instructed superintending engineers to complete all NABARD sponsored piped drinking water schemes in the state by March 31 next year.link
Nitish tightens grip on babus in Bihar
Tough times are ahead for bureaucrats in Bihar. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is back on the job with huge task in hand with a deadline to meet targets and and challenges.
"No execuses would be tolerated at any cost. All complaints should be addressed in a proper manner without violating any human rights norms," was the CM's clear message to officials.
Now development has become the buzz word among babus. Keeping in the mind of state assembly election next year, the CM is serious about meeting deadlines of key projects in sectors like education, road, health, flood control and rural development, said an official.
"Gone are those days when officials were hardly taken to task. Now each one of them will have to updated before meeting the CM," admits an official. Any financial leakage and slackness in the various on-going projects would not be tolerated, the officials added.
Till few years ago, the secretariat was largely dysfunctional because of the long delays in financial approvals. Now, the situation has changed and the NDA led government which completed over three years in the office has started showing positive results.
For, the officials are now "forced" to perform. Known as a hard taskmaster, Nitish has set deadline for the bureaucrats. With less number of ministers from Bihar expected in the new UPA government at the Centre, Nitish would have to single-handedly deal with all centrally-sponsored projects.
District level field officials, who have been at the receiving end of random phone calls from the CM office in recent days with enquires regarding progress on various projectrs in their respective districts, have already pressed the panic button.
This has given babus the jitters. The corridors of the main secretariat have started buzzing with activities again. The practise of calling DMs from the CM office asking for for favours has virtually been stopped.
All this despite the fact the state government has been facing an acute crisis of IAS officers to run various key departments smoothly. Out of the total strength of 326 IAS cadre, 44 officials are already on the central deputation. There are 105 vacant posts of IAS in the state, said an official. link
"No execuses would be tolerated at any cost. All complaints should be addressed in a proper manner without violating any human rights norms," was the CM's clear message to officials.
Now development has become the buzz word among babus. Keeping in the mind of state assembly election next year, the CM is serious about meeting deadlines of key projects in sectors like education, road, health, flood control and rural development, said an official.
"Gone are those days when officials were hardly taken to task. Now each one of them will have to updated before meeting the CM," admits an official. Any financial leakage and slackness in the various on-going projects would not be tolerated, the officials added.
Till few years ago, the secretariat was largely dysfunctional because of the long delays in financial approvals. Now, the situation has changed and the NDA led government which completed over three years in the office has started showing positive results.
For, the officials are now "forced" to perform. Known as a hard taskmaster, Nitish has set deadline for the bureaucrats. With less number of ministers from Bihar expected in the new UPA government at the Centre, Nitish would have to single-handedly deal with all centrally-sponsored projects.
District level field officials, who have been at the receiving end of random phone calls from the CM office in recent days with enquires regarding progress on various projectrs in their respective districts, have already pressed the panic button.
This has given babus the jitters. The corridors of the main secretariat have started buzzing with activities again. The practise of calling DMs from the CM office asking for for favours has virtually been stopped.
All this despite the fact the state government has been facing an acute crisis of IAS officers to run various key departments smoothly. Out of the total strength of 326 IAS cadre, 44 officials are already on the central deputation. There are 105 vacant posts of IAS in the state, said an official. link
Antique idols stolen from Bodhgaya temple seized
Uttar Pradesh police have busted an inter-state racket of idol smugglers after recovering 19 antique idols worth Rs.10 crore (one million) stolen from Bihar's Bodhgaya temple.
Three people have been arrested from a town in Chandauli district and police said they were going to Varanasi to sell the stolen idols to a person there.
'Acting on a tip-off, we intercepted a Tata Sumo late Tuesday in the Mugalsarai town and arrested the three smugglers along with 19 antique idols,' Chandauli Superintendent of Police M.D. Karndhar told. One of arrested hails from Bihar.link
Three people have been arrested from a town in Chandauli district and police said they were going to Varanasi to sell the stolen idols to a person there.
'Acting on a tip-off, we intercepted a Tata Sumo late Tuesday in the Mugalsarai town and arrested the three smugglers along with 19 antique idols,' Chandauli Superintendent of Police M.D. Karndhar told. One of arrested hails from Bihar.link
Father kills son for refusing to marry again
A man in a village in Bihar's Bhojpur district declined to carry out his father's order to desert his wife and marry another woman. The enraged father and other relatives beat the son to death, police said Wednesday.
Dharmendra Choudhary, in his late 20s, was killed Tuesday, allegedly by his father and other family members in Saropur village of Bhojpur district, 60 km from state capital Patna.
"Dharmendra was beaten to death by his father and others after he refused to marry again," a police officer said.
Dharmendra's father-in-law Budhan Choudhary has lodged an FIR (first information report) at the Piro police station and blamed Dharmendra's father and other family members for the killing.
Budhan said his daughter Anita Kumari married Dharmendra in 2003 and the couple had no children. "Dharmendra's family members were pressurising him to marry again but he refused time and again as he was happy with his life."
Dharmendra had a heated conversation with his father and other family members Tuesday. After that he was beaten to death.
It is common in rural Bihar for families to force their sons to marry again if the couple do not have children after three years of marriage.link
Dharmendra Choudhary, in his late 20s, was killed Tuesday, allegedly by his father and other family members in Saropur village of Bhojpur district, 60 km from state capital Patna.
"Dharmendra was beaten to death by his father and others after he refused to marry again," a police officer said.
Dharmendra's father-in-law Budhan Choudhary has lodged an FIR (first information report) at the Piro police station and blamed Dharmendra's father and other family members for the killing.
Budhan said his daughter Anita Kumari married Dharmendra in 2003 and the couple had no children. "Dharmendra's family members were pressurising him to marry again but he refused time and again as he was happy with his life."
Dharmendra had a heated conversation with his father and other family members Tuesday. After that he was beaten to death.
It is common in rural Bihar for families to force their sons to marry again if the couple do not have children after three years of marriage.link
Maoist arrested with a huge cache of arms in Bihar
A Maoist was arrested today and a huge cache of firearms including pistols, hand grenades, detonators and magazines were seized from him during a raid by the Special Task Force (STF) in a village in Bihar&aposs Rohtas district.
The Maoist, identified as Maan Dev, was a regular supplier of firearms to the CPI (M) since 1999. He was arrested from his rented house at East Mohan Bigaha village after a tip-off, district Superintendent of Police Vikas Vaibhav told reporters.
A pistol, 150 hand grenades, 5,500 detonators, 460 live cartridges of revolver, seven magazines of self loading rifles (SLR) and carbine were seized from him, police said.
Some survey maps of Patna and Kaimur- Rohtas ranges, geographical maps of Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh were also found in the house.
The raiding team also seized laser lights, CDs of past naxalite operations, compass, T-shirts and sarees for women naxalites, DVDs and naxalite literatures from Dev&aposs house, it said.
Police did not rule out the possibility of others also being involved in the arms supply racket.
Dev is a resident of Joga village in Palamu district in Jharkhand.link
The Maoist, identified as Maan Dev, was a regular supplier of firearms to the CPI (M) since 1999. He was arrested from his rented house at East Mohan Bigaha village after a tip-off, district Superintendent of Police Vikas Vaibhav told reporters.
A pistol, 150 hand grenades, 5,500 detonators, 460 live cartridges of revolver, seven magazines of self loading rifles (SLR) and carbine were seized from him, police said.
Some survey maps of Patna and Kaimur- Rohtas ranges, geographical maps of Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh were also found in the house.
The raiding team also seized laser lights, CDs of past naxalite operations, compass, T-shirts and sarees for women naxalites, DVDs and naxalite literatures from Dev&aposs house, it said.
Police did not rule out the possibility of others also being involved in the arms supply racket.
Dev is a resident of Joga village in Palamu district in Jharkhand.link
Bihar to develop Sher Shah's tomb as major tourist site
The tomb of Sher Shah Suri, the emperor who built the Grand Trunk Road from Kolkata to Peshawar in the 16th century and thus laid down the foundation of the Indian highway system, is being refurbished here at a cost of Rs.94 crore (Rs.940 million) so that it becomes one of Bihar's major tourist destinations.
Officials in the state tourism department said the surroundings of the tomb, in the emperor's home town, would be beautified; plus a luxury hotel, cafeteria and guest house would be built to attract tourists.
"The department has prepared a plan of over Rs.94 crore to develop and beautify the tomb premises," an official said. The state government has applied to the Unesco to accord World Heritage Site status to the tomb.
A famous army general, Sher Shah Suri wrested the throne of India from the second Mughal emperor Humayun and ruled for five years (1540-45) till his death. He was also a notable administrator who built resting and watering spots and joined existing roads to establish the Grand Trunk Road, which is now named after him.
His successors proved incapable of holding on to the throne, and the Mughals regained power in 1556.
Rohtas district authorities told that officials of the state tourism development corporation and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) held discussions Sunday on the projects to develop the tomb. Sasaram, about 150 km from state capital Patna, is the headquarters of the district.
Acting superintending archaeologist of Patna circle N.G. Nikose, who was also present at the meeting, assured all possible help to the department in developing the area around the tomb.
However, ASI officials made it clear that they would not allow any construction in the prohibited area of 100 metres around the tomb.
Last month, municipal authorities in Sasaram issued notices seeking explanations from all those who have constructed illegal structures in the vicinity of the tomb. The action followed orders of the district magistrate to free the tomb's premises of encroachment after the Patna High Court in November 2008 asked the ASI and the Rohtas district administration to take measures for its preservation.
Ruling on public interest litigation (PIL) filed by a Sasaram resident, who contended the state government was not taking adequate steps to preserve the tomb, the court had expressed unhappiness about the monument's condition due to years of neglect and exposure to pollution.
The ASI has long demanded removal of illegal constructions around the tomb and had also taken up the matter in the high court.
According to ASI guidelines, no construction can be allowed within a 100-metre radius of a historical monument as well as construction beyond a certain height within a radius of 200 metres. However, the rules have been violated time and again.
Also, the tank around the five-storey tomb, is filled with acidic industrial discharge.
Early this year, district authorities banned discharge of polluted water, immersion of idols and bathing in the tank. The ban was imposed early this year by the high court, after the ASI warned of the threats to the tomb as the tank's water had turned acidic, and the water level had gone down.
The historical tomb was declared a national heritage site under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958, and the ASI given the responsibility for its preservation and protection.link
Officials in the state tourism department said the surroundings of the tomb, in the emperor's home town, would be beautified; plus a luxury hotel, cafeteria and guest house would be built to attract tourists.
"The department has prepared a plan of over Rs.94 crore to develop and beautify the tomb premises," an official said. The state government has applied to the Unesco to accord World Heritage Site status to the tomb.
A famous army general, Sher Shah Suri wrested the throne of India from the second Mughal emperor Humayun and ruled for five years (1540-45) till his death. He was also a notable administrator who built resting and watering spots and joined existing roads to establish the Grand Trunk Road, which is now named after him.
His successors proved incapable of holding on to the throne, and the Mughals regained power in 1556.
Rohtas district authorities told that officials of the state tourism development corporation and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) held discussions Sunday on the projects to develop the tomb. Sasaram, about 150 km from state capital Patna, is the headquarters of the district.
Acting superintending archaeologist of Patna circle N.G. Nikose, who was also present at the meeting, assured all possible help to the department in developing the area around the tomb.
However, ASI officials made it clear that they would not allow any construction in the prohibited area of 100 metres around the tomb.
Last month, municipal authorities in Sasaram issued notices seeking explanations from all those who have constructed illegal structures in the vicinity of the tomb. The action followed orders of the district magistrate to free the tomb's premises of encroachment after the Patna High Court in November 2008 asked the ASI and the Rohtas district administration to take measures for its preservation.
Ruling on public interest litigation (PIL) filed by a Sasaram resident, who contended the state government was not taking adequate steps to preserve the tomb, the court had expressed unhappiness about the monument's condition due to years of neglect and exposure to pollution.
The ASI has long demanded removal of illegal constructions around the tomb and had also taken up the matter in the high court.
According to ASI guidelines, no construction can be allowed within a 100-metre radius of a historical monument as well as construction beyond a certain height within a radius of 200 metres. However, the rules have been violated time and again.
Also, the tank around the five-storey tomb, is filled with acidic industrial discharge.
Early this year, district authorities banned discharge of polluted water, immersion of idols and bathing in the tank. The ban was imposed early this year by the high court, after the ASI warned of the threats to the tomb as the tank's water had turned acidic, and the water level had gone down.
The historical tomb was declared a national heritage site under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958, and the ASI given the responsibility for its preservation and protection.link
Tuesday 19 May 2009
Engieerrs demand hike in I-T exemption
Welcoming the victory of the Congress in the Lok Sabha elections, the Bihar Engineering Services Association has demanded that the income-tax exemption be raised up to Rs 3 lakh for general salaried people and Rs 3.5 lakh for women employees on the ground that two months of their salaries are paid into the I-T account every year.
Despite a fall in the price index, the prices of essential commodities have gone up beyond paying capacities and therefore they have little in hand for other essential expenses at home, engineers feel.
Moreover, the 6th Pay Commission has categorised the pay-scale of both the assistant engineers and executive engineers under pay band-3 and those of superintending engineers, chief engineers as well as engineer in-chief under pay band-4.
The association has demanded a reform in the pay structure, according to the zonal secretary and state organizing secretary, Ram Swarath Sah.link
Despite a fall in the price index, the prices of essential commodities have gone up beyond paying capacities and therefore they have little in hand for other essential expenses at home, engineers feel.
Moreover, the 6th Pay Commission has categorised the pay-scale of both the assistant engineers and executive engineers under pay band-3 and those of superintending engineers, chief engineers as well as engineer in-chief under pay band-4.
The association has demanded a reform in the pay structure, according to the zonal secretary and state organizing secretary, Ram Swarath Sah.link
Special prelims for select BPSC candidates
The Patna High Court on Tuesday directed the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) to conduct a special preliminary test for the 48th to 52nd combined competitive examinations for state civil services for only those 94 candidates who had raised objections regarding wrong questions and answers.
A division bench comprising Justice S K Katariar and Justice K K Mandal, however, allowed BPSC to conduct the mains of the 48th to 52nd combined competitive examinations on the basis of the results of the preliminary test published earlier.
Giving the verdict on the Letters Patent Appeal (LPA) of BPSC, the division bench “modified” an earlier order of a single bench presided over by Justice Navin Sinha wherein he had set aside the entire preliminary test results and directed BPSC to hold the prelims afresh. The modified order means only a special test for the group of 94.
Pleading for BPSC, advocate general P K Shahi submitted that the 94 candidates appearing at the preliminary test held earlier ought to have raised objections soon after having gone through the questions. He added that instructions in this regard had been given in the questions.link
A division bench comprising Justice S K Katariar and Justice K K Mandal, however, allowed BPSC to conduct the mains of the 48th to 52nd combined competitive examinations on the basis of the results of the preliminary test published earlier.
Giving the verdict on the Letters Patent Appeal (LPA) of BPSC, the division bench “modified” an earlier order of a single bench presided over by Justice Navin Sinha wherein he had set aside the entire preliminary test results and directed BPSC to hold the prelims afresh. The modified order means only a special test for the group of 94.
Pleading for BPSC, advocate general P K Shahi submitted that the 94 candidates appearing at the preliminary test held earlier ought to have raised objections soon after having gone through the questions. He added that instructions in this regard had been given in the questions.link
Child protection unit in each district
In a landmark move, Bihar has notified formation of District Child Protection Units (DCPUs) to promote the interests of child, prevent violations of child rights and ensure effective implementation of Juvenile Justice Act 2000, as amended in 2006.
Bihar thus became the first state in the country to notify DCPUs in all its 38 districts and appoint an assistant director (social security) as the nodal person.
It was the Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) of the Union women and child development ministry that proposed setting up of a State Child Protection Unit in each state/UT and DCPU in each district to ensure coordination of associated child protection services for vulnerable and destitute children, including juveniles.
DCPUs were set up at the initiative of department of social welfare in collaboration with Unicef-Patna. The DCPUs are statutory bodies formed under the Juvenile Justice Act, 2000.
An eight-day training programme for DCPU consultants was also organized by the department of social welfare and Unicef from May 11 to May 18. As many as 40 consultants were trained on issues related to child rights and Juvenile Justice Act.
Social welfare department's principal secretary S Siddhu said, "All of us have a lot to look forward to in child protection after the establishment of DCPUs in the state. The additional human resources now available will certainly make a lot of difference to our work."
Children are languishing in remand homes and observation homes because of the difficult circumstances they faced in life. The objective is to maintain the standard of services provided in these homes, Siddhu said.
Bihar Unicef's field office chief Bijaya Rajbhandari thanked the social welfare department for initiating the innovative programme on child protection in the state.
"Unicef in collaboration with the state social welfare department is currently piloting DCPUs in 10 districts and plans to strengthen them by providing technical, managerial and monitoring support besides additional human resources," said social welfare department director Masood Hassan.link
Bihar thus became the first state in the country to notify DCPUs in all its 38 districts and appoint an assistant director (social security) as the nodal person.
It was the Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) of the Union women and child development ministry that proposed setting up of a State Child Protection Unit in each state/UT and DCPU in each district to ensure coordination of associated child protection services for vulnerable and destitute children, including juveniles.
DCPUs were set up at the initiative of department of social welfare in collaboration with Unicef-Patna. The DCPUs are statutory bodies formed under the Juvenile Justice Act, 2000.
An eight-day training programme for DCPU consultants was also organized by the department of social welfare and Unicef from May 11 to May 18. As many as 40 consultants were trained on issues related to child rights and Juvenile Justice Act.
Social welfare department's principal secretary S Siddhu said, "All of us have a lot to look forward to in child protection after the establishment of DCPUs in the state. The additional human resources now available will certainly make a lot of difference to our work."
Children are languishing in remand homes and observation homes because of the difficult circumstances they faced in life. The objective is to maintain the standard of services provided in these homes, Siddhu said.
Bihar Unicef's field office chief Bijaya Rajbhandari thanked the social welfare department for initiating the innovative programme on child protection in the state.
"Unicef in collaboration with the state social welfare department is currently piloting DCPUs in 10 districts and plans to strengthen them by providing technical, managerial and monitoring support besides additional human resources," said social welfare department director Masood Hassan.link
Bihar boy’s film shines at Cannes
Gaya born Abhijeet Kumar’s film Namah Shivaya Shantaya has opened to rave reviews at the Cannes film festival on Monday. The film was screened at the 62nd Cannes Film Festival at the Indian pavillion 108, Village International, organised by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting and the industry body ASSOCHAM.
The film, based on the teachings from the book of the same name by Shrii Anandamurti, has at its core the renewal of a great and timeless message, still as relevant today as it was in times of old.
Bringing to life the story of Lord Shiva’s fight for justice, righteousness and peace in the fledgling society of his day, that message emerges, in essence, as that of unification: the coming together of all people as one; of all minds as one mind; and – ultimately – of all minds with the Oneness that pervades and encompasses all things for all time.
Born on January 5, 1983 Gaya, Abhijeet did his B.A (Hons.) in Psychology from Magadh University, Bodh Gaya.
A natural artistic talent, Abhijeet Kumar began his film-making journey with a vision of higher-quality entertainment for society. An MA in Film and Television Production, he has produced and directed many critically acclaimed short films and features, and acted in numerous movies, television serials, commercials and plays.
With Namah Shivaya Shantaya, under adverse conditions presenting numerous creative and logistical challenges, he succeeded admirably in pulling off a wide variety of creative and production tasks: director, executive producer, actor, script translator (from the original English), and cast and crew coordination.
Abhijeet’s creative and managerial talents eventually got the film off the ground and completed within a very short span of time and with extremely limited resources.
Currently, Abhijeet Kumar runs his own film production company ‚ DIA Entertainment ‚ and is working towards his next film. He is planning to produce a film “Nalanda” based on the massacre by Muslim invaders at the ancient Nalanda University.
The other Indian films showcased at Cannes this year are - Hrithik Roshan starrer Kites, Teen Patti featuring Amitabh Bachchan as a math professor and Aamir Khan’s hit film Taare Zameen Par among others.link
Mauritius PM Congratulates Nitish Kumar
Nitish Kumar, the Bihar Chief Minister, on Monday, received a call from Navin Chandra Ramgoolam, the Prime Minister of Mauritius, congratulating him on the NDA's spectacular victory in the Lok Sabha elections in Bihar.
Ramgoolam, whose ancestral roots are in Harigaon in Siwan district, told the Chief Minister that the latest election result in Bihar was the fruit of his hard work and it was understandable that his alliance in the state received the majority of the vote validating his commitment to the cause of Bihar, sources in the Janata Dal (U) said.
It may be recalled that the Mauritius Prime Minister, at the invitation of Kumar, visited Bihar in February of 2008.
During his 3-day visit to his ancestral state, Ramgoolam unveiled a statue of his father and the first Prime Minister of Mauritius Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam near Gandhi Maidan in Patna and also visited his ancestral village of Harigaon in Siwan district.
"Just like Mauritius, I am confident Bihar would also prosper in the able hands of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar," Ramgoolam had said during his trip to Bihar.link
Ramgoolam, whose ancestral roots are in Harigaon in Siwan district, told the Chief Minister that the latest election result in Bihar was the fruit of his hard work and it was understandable that his alliance in the state received the majority of the vote validating his commitment to the cause of Bihar, sources in the Janata Dal (U) said.
It may be recalled that the Mauritius Prime Minister, at the invitation of Kumar, visited Bihar in February of 2008.
During his 3-day visit to his ancestral state, Ramgoolam unveiled a statue of his father and the first Prime Minister of Mauritius Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam near Gandhi Maidan in Patna and also visited his ancestral village of Harigaon in Siwan district.
"Just like Mauritius, I am confident Bihar would also prosper in the able hands of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar," Ramgoolam had said during his trip to Bihar.link
Bihar matric results tomorrow
The results of the matriculation exams will be announced tomorrow by Bihar’s Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Hari Narayan Singh.
Official sources said the results would be available at schools. Students could access the results along with the marks on the Internet.
The results will be available at Bihar School Examination Board website http://biharboard.bih.nic.in
Official sources said the results would be available at schools. Students could access the results along with the marks on the Internet.
The results will be available at Bihar School Examination Board website http://biharboard.bih.nic.in
Monday 18 May 2009
Shatrughan Sinha tells Shekhar Suman, Khamosh!
“Khamosh!” Shatrughan Sinha warns his selfstyled electoral rival Shekhar Suman after defeating him by a massive mandate in Patna.
The man’s goodwill is contagious and endearing. Hours after his victory his familial residence in the Kadam Kuan area of Rajendranagar is a beehive of animated activity. There’s a festive atmosphere in the house as party workers , well wishers and favour-seekers rejoice in every corner of the large home.
Shatrughan Sinha’s charming wife Poonam Sinha is all over the place. “More overhwleming than the victory is the response of people all around us. Everyone thinks my husband can now fix things in their life, ” Mrs Sinha glow of pride is dazzling as she manoeuvres her way with a smile and a salaam through the mass of humanity.
The man at the centre of attention is happy tired and relieved. For the first time he feels free to vent his indignance at political rival Shekhar Suman’s aggressive campaigning tactics.
“I’d just like to tell him, Khamosh!” Shatru bellows in true Shatrughan Sinha style. Now that I’ve been brought back with such aan, baan and shaan by the people of Bihar could Shekhar Suman please shut up?He should not have stooped so low in his effort to gain votes.
In the last lap of his campaign his slanderous comments about me worked completely againt him. They were personal, illegal, illogical and immoral. It’s fine to campaign for your own cause. But why hit out so viciously at someone who in the past has treated him like a brother and friend?
Desperate attempts to win votes no longer work. This election proves it.The political tsunami that’s this elections should rightfully shut up all the undesitable elements in politics who were here only to make hay while the elections were on. The people refused to vote for chamchas of political parties. ”
Remind the affable witty man of a ‘phew’ words that his party the BJP fared very poorly and that it seems people this time voted for individuals rather than parties, and Shatru unfazed by the swarming wellwishers, ponders.
“Hmmmm. I’d say people have voted for both individuals and the parties that they believe in. I’ve to admit I’m dismayed by our party’s performance.
Yes, we’ve failed. We all need to sit down and introspect on what went wrong so that we don’t make the same mistakes again.”
Just hours after victory Shatrughan Sinha already has a clear idea of what he wants to do for Bihar. “I’d like to join hands with the NDA and my friend Nitish Kumar.
We need to clean the Ganga, get a central status for Patna University and focus on getting a special package from the Centre for Bihar. I’d never like to forget that the mandate is from the people of Bihar. Yes, the Bihari Babu has come home again. It’s time to make all my dreams for my state come true.”
The man’s goodwill is contagious and endearing. Hours after his victory his familial residence in the Kadam Kuan area of Rajendranagar is a beehive of animated activity. There’s a festive atmosphere in the house as party workers , well wishers and favour-seekers rejoice in every corner of the large home.
Shatrughan Sinha’s charming wife Poonam Sinha is all over the place. “More overhwleming than the victory is the response of people all around us. Everyone thinks my husband can now fix things in their life, ” Mrs Sinha glow of pride is dazzling as she manoeuvres her way with a smile and a salaam through the mass of humanity.
The man at the centre of attention is happy tired and relieved. For the first time he feels free to vent his indignance at political rival Shekhar Suman’s aggressive campaigning tactics.
“I’d just like to tell him, Khamosh!” Shatru bellows in true Shatrughan Sinha style. Now that I’ve been brought back with such aan, baan and shaan by the people of Bihar could Shekhar Suman please shut up?He should not have stooped so low in his effort to gain votes.
In the last lap of his campaign his slanderous comments about me worked completely againt him. They were personal, illegal, illogical and immoral. It’s fine to campaign for your own cause. But why hit out so viciously at someone who in the past has treated him like a brother and friend?
Desperate attempts to win votes no longer work. This election proves it.The political tsunami that’s this elections should rightfully shut up all the undesitable elements in politics who were here only to make hay while the elections were on. The people refused to vote for chamchas of political parties. ”
Remind the affable witty man of a ‘phew’ words that his party the BJP fared very poorly and that it seems people this time voted for individuals rather than parties, and Shatru unfazed by the swarming wellwishers, ponders.
“Hmmmm. I’d say people have voted for both individuals and the parties that they believe in. I’ve to admit I’m dismayed by our party’s performance.
Yes, we’ve failed. We all need to sit down and introspect on what went wrong so that we don’t make the same mistakes again.”
Just hours after victory Shatrughan Sinha already has a clear idea of what he wants to do for Bihar. “I’d like to join hands with the NDA and my friend Nitish Kumar.
We need to clean the Ganga, get a central status for Patna University and focus on getting a special package from the Centre for Bihar. I’d never like to forget that the mandate is from the people of Bihar. Yes, the Bihari Babu has come home again. It’s time to make all my dreams for my state come true.”
Sunday 17 May 2009
Bihar children to compete for 'Bal Shree' awards
Bihar children, for the first time, will now compete for the prestigious `Bal Shree' awards. Instituted by the National Bal Bhawan in 1995, the award, meant for children coming under the age bracket from 9 to 16 years, aims at identification and promotion of creativity among children in science, writing, performance and arts.
The state children were unable to compete for this award earlier as Bihar did not have its Bal Bhawan in place and according to rules only those children can compete at the national level who have been recommended by the Bal Bhawans of their respective states. With a full-fledged Bal Bhawan, christened `Kilkari', functioning here since last year, now steps are being taken to identify children who can compete for the four categories -- creative performance, creative arts, creative scientific innovation and creative writing.
Giving details, Kilkari director Jyoti Parihar told on Sunday, "Workshops would be organized at the headquarters of all the nine divisions of the state and selection of children for all the categories would be done by a panel of experts." She said that the selection panel would consist of experts from different fields and selections would be made in a very transparent manner.
Steps are being taken to disseminate information about these workshops, so that children having talent in the aforesaid fields could attend the workshops which will be organized at divisional headquarters.
As many as 14 children would be selected from each of the nine divisions and the selected ones would have to take part at a state-level competition through which eight finalists would be selected.
"All the finalists would be given exhaustive training at Patna and a team of experts would be there to guide the selected children and also to fine tune their skills," Parihar said.
Incidentally, the finalists would have to compete at zonal level competition to be held in Kolkata sometime in August and those emerging winners would qualify for taking part at the national level competition to be held in Delhi later this year.
"A few months experience of running the Bihar Bal Bhawan shows that Bihar children have immense creative talent and by reaching out to more of them through divisional level workshops, we expect to discover talents who could bring laurels to the state," she said.link
The state children were unable to compete for this award earlier as Bihar did not have its Bal Bhawan in place and according to rules only those children can compete at the national level who have been recommended by the Bal Bhawans of their respective states. With a full-fledged Bal Bhawan, christened `Kilkari', functioning here since last year, now steps are being taken to identify children who can compete for the four categories -- creative performance, creative arts, creative scientific innovation and creative writing.
Giving details, Kilkari director Jyoti Parihar told on Sunday, "Workshops would be organized at the headquarters of all the nine divisions of the state and selection of children for all the categories would be done by a panel of experts." She said that the selection panel would consist of experts from different fields and selections would be made in a very transparent manner.
Steps are being taken to disseminate information about these workshops, so that children having talent in the aforesaid fields could attend the workshops which will be organized at divisional headquarters.
As many as 14 children would be selected from each of the nine divisions and the selected ones would have to take part at a state-level competition through which eight finalists would be selected.
"All the finalists would be given exhaustive training at Patna and a team of experts would be there to guide the selected children and also to fine tune their skills," Parihar said.
Incidentally, the finalists would have to compete at zonal level competition to be held in Kolkata sometime in August and those emerging winners would qualify for taking part at the national level competition to be held in Delhi later this year.
"A few months experience of running the Bihar Bal Bhawan shows that Bihar children have immense creative talent and by reaching out to more of them through divisional level workshops, we expect to discover talents who could bring laurels to the state," she said.link
Saturday 16 May 2009
Despite defeat, Paswan happy secular parties won
Taking his defeat in polls in stride, Lok Janashakti Party chief Ram Vilas Paswan on Saturday said he is happy that secular parties have emerged victorious ending the prospects of communal forces to come into power.
"It is pleasant that secular parties under the banner of UPA have won all across the country and the prospects of NDA which has been trying to come into power have ended," Paswan told reporters here.
Reacting to his defeat in Hajipur to JD(U)'s Ram Sunder Das, the Union minister said that winning and losing are parts of the game and he would continue to serve the people of Hajipur.
"As far as Bihar is concerned, you have your wins and misses. I have served people. Nobody can say that Paswan has not worked for Hajipur. I had done for the development of the constituency whatever I could have done. Despite all these works you lose, it is just the wish of the people. I will continue to serve them," he said.
Asked whether his parting ways from Congress led to his defeat, Paswan said, "In some places Congress has definitely did well but it was not as effective in Hajipur. Therefore, saying that I lost because of not having allied with the Congress is premature."
"But certainly if the strength of all these parties had been united it would have shown its impact," he added.
On a question if his joining hands with Lalu Prasad led to his rout, Paswan said he did not have any other option that time as he had already said he could not go with NDA.
"But, it is too early to say these things," he said.link
"It is pleasant that secular parties under the banner of UPA have won all across the country and the prospects of NDA which has been trying to come into power have ended," Paswan told reporters here.
Reacting to his defeat in Hajipur to JD(U)'s Ram Sunder Das, the Union minister said that winning and losing are parts of the game and he would continue to serve the people of Hajipur.
"As far as Bihar is concerned, you have your wins and misses. I have served people. Nobody can say that Paswan has not worked for Hajipur. I had done for the development of the constituency whatever I could have done. Despite all these works you lose, it is just the wish of the people. I will continue to serve them," he said.
Asked whether his parting ways from Congress led to his defeat, Paswan said, "In some places Congress has definitely did well but it was not as effective in Hajipur. Therefore, saying that I lost because of not having allied with the Congress is premature."
"But certainly if the strength of all these parties had been united it would have shown its impact," he added.
On a question if his joining hands with Lalu Prasad led to his rout, Paswan said he did not have any other option that time as he had already said he could not go with NDA.
"But, it is too early to say these things," he said.link
People voted for development in Bihar : Nitish Kumar
Congratulating the people of the state for the Janata Dal (United) led NDA’s sweeping win in the general elections, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday said people voted for development and peace.
Addressing a press conference here, Kumar said the people wanted the development of the state and that is what they voted the NDA back to power.
He said the thumping success of the NDA in the state was in continuation of the 2005 Assembly elections.
“The verdict is continuity of what people of the state voted for in 2005, while giving us the majority in assembly elections,” Kumar said.
Criticising RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav and LJP chief Ram Vilas Paswan, Kumar said the people had rejected the ‘negative politics’ of the two.
Kumar added that the verdict would certainly help the state in achieving what has been lost in the past, and it would witness a surge in developmental activities.
“I want the trend to go ahead,” Kumar said.
He constantly tried to evade questions regarding his future course of action and whether his party would support the UPA in forming the government at the Center,but reiterated that Bihar must be given a ‘Special Status’.link
Addressing a press conference here, Kumar said the people wanted the development of the state and that is what they voted the NDA back to power.
He said the thumping success of the NDA in the state was in continuation of the 2005 Assembly elections.
“The verdict is continuity of what people of the state voted for in 2005, while giving us the majority in assembly elections,” Kumar said.
Criticising RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav and LJP chief Ram Vilas Paswan, Kumar said the people had rejected the ‘negative politics’ of the two.
Kumar added that the verdict would certainly help the state in achieving what has been lost in the past, and it would witness a surge in developmental activities.
“I want the trend to go ahead,” Kumar said.
He constantly tried to evade questions regarding his future course of action and whether his party would support the UPA in forming the government at the Center,but reiterated that Bihar must be given a ‘Special Status’.link
Wives of criminal-turned-politicians trailing in Bihar
Four prominent criminal-turned-politicians of Bihar were barred from this Lok Sabha contest by courts. They put up their wives instead. Counting trends Saturday showed all four wives were trailing.
Jailed RJD MP Mohammad Shahabuddin's wife Heena Sahab, contesting from Siwan constituency as an RJD candidate, was trailing behind independent candidate Om Prakash Yadav.
Ranjeeta Ranjan, the wife of Pappu Yadav, was trailing behind Janata Dal-United (JD-U)'s Vishwa Mohan Kumar in Supaul. A sitting MP from Ram Vilas Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), Ranjeeta Ranjan had switched parties before polls and joined the Congress, which fielded her from Supaul.
Veena Devi, wife of LJP MP Surajbhan Singh, was trailing behind the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Bhola Singh in Nawada constituency.
Lovely Anand, the wife of former JD-U MP Anand Mohan and a former MP herself, was trailing behind BJP's Rama Devi in Sheohar constituency where she was the Congress candidate.
All the four husbands had been disallowed by the courts from contesting, with the pleas for suspension of their conviction in criminal cases rejected by the courts. All four were convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment in different cases.
The four are among a dozen politicians, including MPs and legislators, who have been convicted and sentenced by fast track courts in Bihar after 2005, thus becoming ineligible to contest. Anyone convicted for a crime and sentenced to more than a two-year-long jail term cannot fight elections until six years after the completion of his sentence.link
Jailed RJD MP Mohammad Shahabuddin's wife Heena Sahab, contesting from Siwan constituency as an RJD candidate, was trailing behind independent candidate Om Prakash Yadav.
Ranjeeta Ranjan, the wife of Pappu Yadav, was trailing behind Janata Dal-United (JD-U)'s Vishwa Mohan Kumar in Supaul. A sitting MP from Ram Vilas Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), Ranjeeta Ranjan had switched parties before polls and joined the Congress, which fielded her from Supaul.
Veena Devi, wife of LJP MP Surajbhan Singh, was trailing behind the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Bhola Singh in Nawada constituency.
Lovely Anand, the wife of former JD-U MP Anand Mohan and a former MP herself, was trailing behind BJP's Rama Devi in Sheohar constituency where she was the Congress candidate.
All the four husbands had been disallowed by the courts from contesting, with the pleas for suspension of their conviction in criminal cases rejected by the courts. All four were convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment in different cases.
The four are among a dozen politicians, including MPs and legislators, who have been convicted and sentenced by fast track courts in Bihar after 2005, thus becoming ineligible to contest. Anyone convicted for a crime and sentenced to more than a two-year-long jail term cannot fight elections until six years after the completion of his sentence.link
Friday 15 May 2009
Uniqueness of Bhagalpur Silk
Bhagalpur is a town with historical importance situated on the banks of the river Ganga in the state of Eastern Bihar. Once considered as the biggest trade centre of Eastern India, the city is famous for its unique silk fabrics called 'Tussah or Tusser'. Silk weaving is an age old tradition in the city. Fabrics produced in the city are famous both at the domestic and the international market. Bhagalpur cluster ranks the second highest, next to Karnataka in the production and exports of silk fabrics. It has been named as the Silk City due to its popularity for Bhagalpuri silk.
Uniqueness of Bhagalpur Silk
History of the Bhagalpur weavers date back to a period more than 100 years. The industry is 200 years old, with skills passed on to the craftsman over many generations. More than 35,000 handloom weavers, with 25,000 looms live in Bhagalpur. Total trade of Bhagalpur is approximately 100 crores per annum, 50% comprising domestic and 50% from the export market. Around 1,00,000 people are engaged in the work of separating silk threads from cocoons, and spinning the yarn to weave into cloth.
Silk fabrics made in Bhagalpur are being exported to countries like West Asia, Europe, U.S., and Japan. Home furnishings are becoming increasingly famous in the international market. Outfits designed with this exclusive silk fabric have gained immense popularity in ramp shows, and fashion weeks.
Is the Industry losing its sheen?
The industry makes 2 million meters of silk in a year. After reaching a profitable figure of Rs.3, 500 crore in 2007, silk exports are predicted to fall to Rs.2, 000 crore in 2009. Bhagalpur, once a booming place for silk fabric making is now losing its market to new centres such as Bangalore, and Ahmadabad. Lack of credit, power shortage, and increasing competition from the other silk manufacturing centres has put the Bhagalpur craftsmen under jeopardy. The subsidies offered by the Government to the silk making units in Bhagalpur are also drained off by some other people. Some of the looms are operated by generators, and are more dependent on them. Bhagalpur receives power supply only for two hours in a day. Chronic power cuts in the state have also intensified the problem.
The craftsmen are average people, with many of them living below the poverty line. While they make glorious fabrics for the elite people of the society, their lives always are in darkness. As the weavers are not able to grease the palms of officials they have problems in getting bank loans sanctioned. Most of them take loans from the market for an interest rate of 5% for a month. With the payments for their cloth getting delayed, they face problems in repayment. Possibilities exist that, weavers might shift for alternate source of earning, and leave the age old weaving tradition to deteriorate, and die gradually.
The silk industry of Bhagalpur is reeling under adverse conditions. The drying market is staring at the silk weavers, leaving them on the brink. Many factories are shut down, and weavers are moving to other cities, while some of them are doing labor works, and a few started selling vegetables. The silk industry of Bhagalpur is now fighting for a foothold.link
Uniqueness of Bhagalpur Silk
History of the Bhagalpur weavers date back to a period more than 100 years. The industry is 200 years old, with skills passed on to the craftsman over many generations. More than 35,000 handloom weavers, with 25,000 looms live in Bhagalpur. Total trade of Bhagalpur is approximately 100 crores per annum, 50% comprising domestic and 50% from the export market. Around 1,00,000 people are engaged in the work of separating silk threads from cocoons, and spinning the yarn to weave into cloth.
Silk fabrics made in Bhagalpur are being exported to countries like West Asia, Europe, U.S., and Japan. Home furnishings are becoming increasingly famous in the international market. Outfits designed with this exclusive silk fabric have gained immense popularity in ramp shows, and fashion weeks.
Is the Industry losing its sheen?
The industry makes 2 million meters of silk in a year. After reaching a profitable figure of Rs.3, 500 crore in 2007, silk exports are predicted to fall to Rs.2, 000 crore in 2009. Bhagalpur, once a booming place for silk fabric making is now losing its market to new centres such as Bangalore, and Ahmadabad. Lack of credit, power shortage, and increasing competition from the other silk manufacturing centres has put the Bhagalpur craftsmen under jeopardy. The subsidies offered by the Government to the silk making units in Bhagalpur are also drained off by some other people. Some of the looms are operated by generators, and are more dependent on them. Bhagalpur receives power supply only for two hours in a day. Chronic power cuts in the state have also intensified the problem.
The craftsmen are average people, with many of them living below the poverty line. While they make glorious fabrics for the elite people of the society, their lives always are in darkness. As the weavers are not able to grease the palms of officials they have problems in getting bank loans sanctioned. Most of them take loans from the market for an interest rate of 5% for a month. With the payments for their cloth getting delayed, they face problems in repayment. Possibilities exist that, weavers might shift for alternate source of earning, and leave the age old weaving tradition to deteriorate, and die gradually.
The silk industry of Bhagalpur is reeling under adverse conditions. The drying market is staring at the silk weavers, leaving them on the brink. Many factories are shut down, and weavers are moving to other cities, while some of them are doing labor works, and a few started selling vegetables. The silk industry of Bhagalpur is now fighting for a foothold.link
Nitish sets terms, Bihar special status a factor for support
Setting his terms, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday said special status for Bihar would be the deciding factor on whom to support in government formation inviting a quick response from both the Congress and BJP who indicated they may oblige.
"At a time when every party and pre-poll alliance is claiming that it would form government in Delhi, I ask parties in Bihar to make it a pre-condition for support that whichever party or alliance comes to power will provide special category status to Bihar," said Mr. Kumar, leader of the JD(U) a key NDA constituent being wooed by the Congress and the Left.
Mr. Nitish's comments seen as a blow to the BJP-led NDA alliance in the backdrop of his steadfast assertions that he was and will remain with the NDA comes at a time when the three major political formations are making a frenzied bid to ensure they have the numbers for government formation.
Mr. Nitish was speaking after release of a monograph 'Special Category Status: A Case for Bihar', endorsed by him and released by renowned economist Lord Meghnad Desai.
"I request all parties to make it a pre-condition that the basis for their support will be conferring special category status to Bihar....We have a good opportunity at hand (for a bargain in a hung house)," Mr. Nitish said.
The BJP sought to read Mr. Nitish's statement in its favour by hinting that as the two parties were in alliance in the state, NDA government at the Centre was more likely to provide special package to Bihar.
The Congress also indicated its willingness to accept Mr. Nitish's demand.link
"At a time when every party and pre-poll alliance is claiming that it would form government in Delhi, I ask parties in Bihar to make it a pre-condition for support that whichever party or alliance comes to power will provide special category status to Bihar," said Mr. Kumar, leader of the JD(U) a key NDA constituent being wooed by the Congress and the Left.
Mr. Nitish's comments seen as a blow to the BJP-led NDA alliance in the backdrop of his steadfast assertions that he was and will remain with the NDA comes at a time when the three major political formations are making a frenzied bid to ensure they have the numbers for government formation.
Mr. Nitish was speaking after release of a monograph 'Special Category Status: A Case for Bihar', endorsed by him and released by renowned economist Lord Meghnad Desai.
"I request all parties to make it a pre-condition that the basis for their support will be conferring special category status to Bihar....We have a good opportunity at hand (for a bargain in a hung house)," Mr. Nitish said.
The BJP sought to read Mr. Nitish's statement in its favour by hinting that as the two parties were in alliance in the state, NDA government at the Centre was more likely to provide special package to Bihar.
The Congress also indicated its willingness to accept Mr. Nitish's demand.link
Thursday 14 May 2009
ASI to repair, beautify Golghar for attracting tourists
Cracks have developed in city's landmark Golghar, a huge granary built by Captain John Garstin for the British army in 1786 after the terrible impact of the 1770 famine.
"At least half a dozen big cracks have been detected which needs immediate restoration work," said acting superintending archaeologist, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Patna circle, N G Nikose.
Nikose said that the 323-year-old structure also needs minor repairs on its stairway. During rainy season, the surface water also touches its base wall and has damaged the outer wall of the structure, he said.
The massive structure is 29m high and the walls are 3.6m wide at the base. The winding stairway around this monument offers a brilliant view of the city and the Ganga flowing by. Golghar is a state protected monument.
The Bihar government has already released Rs 96 lakh to the ASI for its restoration. "As soon as the amount is transferred to us, we will start the restoration work immediately. It will take at least four months to complete the restoration work," Nikose said.
The Bihar culture department has decided to develop the interiors as well as the exteriors of Golghar to make it one of the major tourists destinations in the state. On its exteriors, murals would be engraved on the walls depicting a complete history of Pataliputra till modern age, said an official.
A high tech audio-visual system would be installed inside the Golghar for screening short films on Buddhism and Jainism on regular basis. A children's park and an amphitheatre would also be set up for holding variety of programmes regularly. The much awaited light and sound programme at Golghar is also included in the detailed project report (DPR). It would cost nearly Rs 3 crore.link
"At least half a dozen big cracks have been detected which needs immediate restoration work," said acting superintending archaeologist, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Patna circle, N G Nikose.
Nikose said that the 323-year-old structure also needs minor repairs on its stairway. During rainy season, the surface water also touches its base wall and has damaged the outer wall of the structure, he said.
The massive structure is 29m high and the walls are 3.6m wide at the base. The winding stairway around this monument offers a brilliant view of the city and the Ganga flowing by. Golghar is a state protected monument.
The Bihar government has already released Rs 96 lakh to the ASI for its restoration. "As soon as the amount is transferred to us, we will start the restoration work immediately. It will take at least four months to complete the restoration work," Nikose said.
The Bihar culture department has decided to develop the interiors as well as the exteriors of Golghar to make it one of the major tourists destinations in the state. On its exteriors, murals would be engraved on the walls depicting a complete history of Pataliputra till modern age, said an official.
A high tech audio-visual system would be installed inside the Golghar for screening short films on Buddhism and Jainism on regular basis. A children's park and an amphitheatre would also be set up for holding variety of programmes regularly. The much awaited light and sound programme at Golghar is also included in the detailed project report (DPR). It would cost nearly Rs 3 crore.link
Patna Girl Cries Tears of Blood
In a weird and very unusual twist of medical fate, Rashida Khatoon, a young girl from northeast India cries tears of blood instead of water.
She and her unusual medical condition have been transformed into a holy shrine where worshipers come to watch in awe as blood drips from her eyelids several times a day.
Doctors in the region of Patna, northeast India, have no medical explanation as to the cause of this most unusual anomaly, but local Hindu holy men have declared Rashida a miracle. Followers bow in deference as they stand before her, showering her family with holy offerings.
“I do not feel any pain when it happens, but it’s a shock to see blood instead of water,” said Rashida of her most unusual situation.
What could be the cause of this weird occurrence? Some have suggested a brain tumor or malfunctioning of tear ducts, but there is no medical evidence to support that. No one in authority in fact, seems to know or will even venture a guess, which is even more disconcerting than to watch the phenomenon, which occurs every few hours.
Could Rashida be suffering from a case of a rare phenomenon known as Haemolacria? Little is known about this medical condition other than the fact that it occurs when a person produces tears, which are partially composed of blood. This can manifest as anything from red-tinged tears to those, which appear to be entirely blood.
Bleeding from the eyes is most certainly weird and creepy. It may be the result of a very rare medical condition, but whatever it is, it is not likely to be a gift of any sort from the holier powers that be. If you think about it, how could bleeding from the eyes be a gift except from a very creepy donor?link
Wednesday 13 May 2009
Court acquits widow's pet dog
A happy Raj Kumari Devi on Wednesday woke up tension free and "upbeat" after her pet dog Chhotu won a legal battle in a Bihar court.
This was one of several legal wars against Chhotu that Devi's neighbours have been waging. Chhotu was sentenced to death six years ago but Devi obtained clemency for her "only companion".
This time, Chhotu was accused of breaching peace in Purnia town, after neighbours alleged that the eight-year-old canine is mad and has bitten several people in the area.
The case was filed July last against Chhotu and Devi, a frail middle-aged childless widow, under CrPC section 107 (disturbing peace).
Sub divisional officer A D Thackeray Tuesday dismissed the case because it had become time-barred after six months.
The judgement brought back a smile on Devi's face, who was worried over Chhotu's fate.
"After months, I slept Tuesday night without tension and woke up Wednesday morning upbeat to take care of Chhotu," she said.
Official sources in the Purnia district administration said that hearing in the case was deferred several times in the last six months, due to floods and ongoing Lok Sabha elections.
"It is a conspiracy by my neighbours to grab my property. They are targeting my protector, Chhotu," she said.
Dilip Kumar, Devi's lawyer, said several cases had been lodged against Chhotu by her neighbours in the last few years.
She owns some land her neighbours are allegedly trying to encroach upon.
Nearly six years ago when the dog was sentenced to death by a local court she single-handedly fought a legal battle and mobilised the support of animal rights activists, including former central minister Maneka Gandhi.
The order was finally stayed.
"I simply begged for clemency saying that being a widow, Chhotu was my only companion and protector," Devi said.
This was one of several legal wars against Chhotu that Devi's neighbours have been waging. Chhotu was sentenced to death six years ago but Devi obtained clemency for her "only companion".
This time, Chhotu was accused of breaching peace in Purnia town, after neighbours alleged that the eight-year-old canine is mad and has bitten several people in the area.
The case was filed July last against Chhotu and Devi, a frail middle-aged childless widow, under CrPC section 107 (disturbing peace).
Sub divisional officer A D Thackeray Tuesday dismissed the case because it had become time-barred after six months.
The judgement brought back a smile on Devi's face, who was worried over Chhotu's fate.
"After months, I slept Tuesday night without tension and woke up Wednesday morning upbeat to take care of Chhotu," she said.
Official sources in the Purnia district administration said that hearing in the case was deferred several times in the last six months, due to floods and ongoing Lok Sabha elections.
"It is a conspiracy by my neighbours to grab my property. They are targeting my protector, Chhotu," she said.
Dilip Kumar, Devi's lawyer, said several cases had been lodged against Chhotu by her neighbours in the last few years.
She owns some land her neighbours are allegedly trying to encroach upon.
Nearly six years ago when the dog was sentenced to death by a local court she single-handedly fought a legal battle and mobilised the support of animal rights activists, including former central minister Maneka Gandhi.
The order was finally stayed.
"I simply begged for clemency saying that being a widow, Chhotu was my only companion and protector," Devi said.
Monday 11 May 2009
Litchi production in bihar may dip by 50 per cent this season
Litchi production is likely to dip by 20 per cent from the normal 4.2 lakh tonnes to around 3.36 lakh tonnes this year due to adverse weather conditions in the growing regions.
"This year the production may go down by 20 per cent from the normal crop size as the weather was extremely hot with almost no rainfall in the main growing regions of Bihar, Uttrakhand and Himachal," Litchi Growers Association of India President Niraj Chhinwal.
In Bihar production may dip by 50 per cent if there is no rainfall in a week, a litchi farmer in Muzaffarpur said.
For the last 2-3 years there has been a dip in litchi production due to adverse weather conditions, he added.
The season for the fruit has already started with the 'Bambiya' variety from West Bengal currently available in the markets.
The most popular variety 'Sahi', grown in Muzaffarpur, will hit the market from May 20, Chhinwal added. The Bihar variety will be followed by the ones from Uttarakhand and then Himachal.
Litchi is mainly grown in about 7,000 hectares in Bihar, West Bengal, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh. The fruit is also grown in Tripura, Assam, Orissa and Jharkhand.
"This year the production may go down by 20 per cent from the normal crop size as the weather was extremely hot with almost no rainfall in the main growing regions of Bihar, Uttrakhand and Himachal," Litchi Growers Association of India President Niraj Chhinwal.
In Bihar production may dip by 50 per cent if there is no rainfall in a week, a litchi farmer in Muzaffarpur said.
For the last 2-3 years there has been a dip in litchi production due to adverse weather conditions, he added.
The season for the fruit has already started with the 'Bambiya' variety from West Bengal currently available in the markets.
The most popular variety 'Sahi', grown in Muzaffarpur, will hit the market from May 20, Chhinwal added. The Bihar variety will be followed by the ones from Uttarakhand and then Himachal.
Litchi is mainly grown in about 7,000 hectares in Bihar, West Bengal, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh. The fruit is also grown in Tripura, Assam, Orissa and Jharkhand.
Repoll not required in Bihar's certain constituencies: Election Commission
The Election Commission today said there was no case for ordering repoll in certain constituencies in Bihar following the fact finding team's visit there.
"The Commission has decided that there is no case for any repoll in certain constituencies," Deputy Election Commissioner R Balakrishnan told reporters here.
He said the six teams of EC officials, which went into the complaints, had detailed discussions in the state and briefed the EC today.
The panel members did not recommend any repoll, he said.
BJP had earlier criticised the Commission for sending fact finding teams to Bihar to probe alleged poll irregularities in six parliamentary constituencies but the electoral body justified its decision saying the "Commission cannot ignore the complaints made to it".
A delegation of NDA leaders had met the Commission and submitted a memorandum to it in context of six teams of Commission officials' visit to Bihar to look into complaints of alleged malpractices in a few constituencies which went to poll on April 16 and April 30.link
"The Commission has decided that there is no case for any repoll in certain constituencies," Deputy Election Commissioner R Balakrishnan told reporters here.
He said the six teams of EC officials, which went into the complaints, had detailed discussions in the state and briefed the EC today.
The panel members did not recommend any repoll, he said.
BJP had earlier criticised the Commission for sending fact finding teams to Bihar to probe alleged poll irregularities in six parliamentary constituencies but the electoral body justified its decision saying the "Commission cannot ignore the complaints made to it".
A delegation of NDA leaders had met the Commission and submitted a memorandum to it in context of six teams of Commission officials' visit to Bihar to look into complaints of alleged malpractices in a few constituencies which went to poll on April 16 and April 30.link
Sunday 10 May 2009
An evening dedicated to mothers of Patna
At a glittering function, full of musique concrete and fun, a number of moms in different age-groups sashayed down the ramp to mark Mother's Day on Sunday at Chanakya Hotel here. The vibrant programme was jointly organised by The Times of India and Radio Mirchi. The chief guest on the occasion was Bollywood producer and actor Poonam Sinha, better known as wife of actor-turned-politician Shatrughan Sinha. Also present on the occasion was Meera Srivastava, mother of actress Neetu Chandra.
The special evening was dedicated to the mothers of Patna who came with their kids and participated in the three-hour-long programme. The title of Super Mom went to Sushmita Mukherjee and the first and second runners-up were Nisha Agarwal and Anita Rathee respectively. They were awarded by Poonam Sinha, who too, possibly for the first time, walked on the ramp in a black sari amid much applause.
Super Mom Sushmita said, "I am feeling very nice and I never expected to be adjudged the Super Mom." She gave credit for this to her daughters, Ishani and Indrani, who were also present on the occasion. The first runner-up Nisha said, "My entire family is delighted. I too had not expected this award." Nisha has two children -- Ritwik and Ananya.
Poonam Sinha, who was there for over one and a half hours and enjoyed the evening, said this was the first time she was away from her children Luv, Kush and Sonakshi on Mother's Day. She, however, was hopeful to reach Mumbai before midnight to be with her children to accept their greetings. But she was happy to be in the midst of a good number of mothers and children and said they belong to her extended family.
The programme, full of fun, entertainment, humour, games, food and music was anchored by Radio Mirchi's RJs who successfully tried to involve all the mothers present there. All participants, including children, were given away prizes. A few mothers also shared their views and spoke about their hubbies and children. Others who were involved in hosting this programme included Advantage Services, Chanakya Hotel, VLCC and Sudha.link
The special evening was dedicated to the mothers of Patna who came with their kids and participated in the three-hour-long programme. The title of Super Mom went to Sushmita Mukherjee and the first and second runners-up were Nisha Agarwal and Anita Rathee respectively. They were awarded by Poonam Sinha, who too, possibly for the first time, walked on the ramp in a black sari amid much applause.
Super Mom Sushmita said, "I am feeling very nice and I never expected to be adjudged the Super Mom." She gave credit for this to her daughters, Ishani and Indrani, who were also present on the occasion. The first runner-up Nisha said, "My entire family is delighted. I too had not expected this award." Nisha has two children -- Ritwik and Ananya.
Poonam Sinha, who was there for over one and a half hours and enjoyed the evening, said this was the first time she was away from her children Luv, Kush and Sonakshi on Mother's Day. She, however, was hopeful to reach Mumbai before midnight to be with her children to accept their greetings. But she was happy to be in the midst of a good number of mothers and children and said they belong to her extended family.
The programme, full of fun, entertainment, humour, games, food and music was anchored by Radio Mirchi's RJs who successfully tried to involve all the mothers present there. All participants, including children, were given away prizes. A few mothers also shared their views and spoke about their hubbies and children. Others who were involved in hosting this programme included Advantage Services, Chanakya Hotel, VLCC and Sudha.link
Saturday 9 May 2009
Muzaffarpur girl to star in Aamir’s next venture
After Darsheel Safary, perfectionist Aamir Khan is set to make a star out of a little girl from Bihar.
Parul, a nine-year old girl hailing from Muzzafarpur is going to be part of Aamir’s next venture named “The Falling” which will be directed by Anushka Rizvi.
Parul’s performance in a play staged in Delhi impressed Aamir so much that he made the mind to cast the little girl in his next movie.
Trained under renowned theatre stalwart Habib Tanwar Parul has travelled across the continents and won acclaims as a part of her Theatre’s play in Germany and European Countries.
Parul has a lengthy role in the movie and Aamir is thrilled that he found a talent like her for the film.
The film which is based on the serious issue of farmer suicides in Maharashtra had started shooting since six months. Parul has already started shooting for the film.link
Parul, a nine-year old girl hailing from Muzzafarpur is going to be part of Aamir’s next venture named “The Falling” which will be directed by Anushka Rizvi.
Parul’s performance in a play staged in Delhi impressed Aamir so much that he made the mind to cast the little girl in his next movie.
Trained under renowned theatre stalwart Habib Tanwar Parul has travelled across the continents and won acclaims as a part of her Theatre’s play in Germany and European Countries.
Parul has a lengthy role in the movie and Aamir is thrilled that he found a talent like her for the film.
The film which is based on the serious issue of farmer suicides in Maharashtra had started shooting since six months. Parul has already started shooting for the film.link
Friday 8 May 2009
Tourists' resort at Manersharif to become operational soon
Bihar's first resort for tourists at the famous Sufi centre -- Manersharif -- would soon be a reality. The area in and around the resort would be developed at par with international standards to attract Asian and domestic tourists. Manersharif is barely 32 km away from west of Patna on Patna-Ara highway.
Manersharif is the most important and oldest centre of Sufis in Bihar. Maner has the tombs of several Sufi saints, including the Mausoleum of Shah Daulat, a contemporary of Akbar and Jehangir. Sufism is still a living tradition in Bihar and many important centres of the Sufis continue to flourish even today.
This resort has been designed to cater to the needs of family willing to spend a weekend at the resort. As of now, there is no such place in the nearby areas where a family can spend a day with all basic amenities.
The facilities would be designed to cater to the needs of children and health conscious citizens. It would be designed in an eco-friendly atmosphere and tourists can enjoy their outing away from hustle and bustle of the city.
The project includes construction of a 32-room hotel, gymnasium, conference room, car parking, landscaping in and around the hotel, flood lights, tubewells for water supply, boating, cafeteria, with proper lighting.
"This project has already been delayed. The Centre has already released Rs 7 crore for developing this resort for tourists," said a senior official of the tourism department.
Bihar's building construction department has been given the job of construction of the hotel. The Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation (BSTDC) would invite tenders to run this hotel under private-public partnership, said an official.
The work on the development of pond facing the monument would start after clearance from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The removal of all the vegetation developed inside the pond, construction of staircase and pathway are also on the cards. Boating in the pond would be an added attraction for the visiting tourists.
"Almost 90 per cent work at the site has been completed. The resort would become operational within six months. At present, the cafeteria is being run by the BSTDC," said an official.
The BSTDC-run cafeteria at Manersharif is still the favourite eating joint for those who are passing through Maner en route Ara and beyond. "It gives us an ambience of peaceful atmosphere. It also offers simple home-made food, but it requires more facilities," said a couple who were having lunch at the restaurant.link
Manersharif is the most important and oldest centre of Sufis in Bihar. Maner has the tombs of several Sufi saints, including the Mausoleum of Shah Daulat, a contemporary of Akbar and Jehangir. Sufism is still a living tradition in Bihar and many important centres of the Sufis continue to flourish even today.
This resort has been designed to cater to the needs of family willing to spend a weekend at the resort. As of now, there is no such place in the nearby areas where a family can spend a day with all basic amenities.
The facilities would be designed to cater to the needs of children and health conscious citizens. It would be designed in an eco-friendly atmosphere and tourists can enjoy their outing away from hustle and bustle of the city.
The project includes construction of a 32-room hotel, gymnasium, conference room, car parking, landscaping in and around the hotel, flood lights, tubewells for water supply, boating, cafeteria, with proper lighting.
"This project has already been delayed. The Centre has already released Rs 7 crore for developing this resort for tourists," said a senior official of the tourism department.
Bihar's building construction department has been given the job of construction of the hotel. The Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation (BSTDC) would invite tenders to run this hotel under private-public partnership, said an official.
The work on the development of pond facing the monument would start after clearance from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The removal of all the vegetation developed inside the pond, construction of staircase and pathway are also on the cards. Boating in the pond would be an added attraction for the visiting tourists.
"Almost 90 per cent work at the site has been completed. The resort would become operational within six months. At present, the cafeteria is being run by the BSTDC," said an official.
The BSTDC-run cafeteria at Manersharif is still the favourite eating joint for those who are passing through Maner en route Ara and beyond. "It gives us an ambience of peaceful atmosphere. It also offers simple home-made food, but it requires more facilities," said a couple who were having lunch at the restaurant.link
Cop recruitment scam: Three more arrested
The CBI arrested three more people in the alleged irregularities in recruitment of constables in CRPF. They include DIG, CRPF, Muzaffarpur, P S Bakhala, a commandant from Bihar and Jharkhand B S Sidhu and a tout from New Delhi. Sidhu was posted at Daltonganj as commandant of the 134th Battalion. The investigating agency has so far arrested 11 persons in this connection.
Confirming the arrest of these three people, a CBI official said that they were produced before the special CBI court on Thursday itself. DIG Bakhala and commandant Sidhu were taken on police remand for further interrogation in the matter, he said.
A CBI official confided that a well organized racket had been clandestinely going on in the recruitment of constables in the CRPF. Prima facie it appeared that some senior CRPF officials were allegedly involved in the recruitment scam. Everything would come to light after a thorough probe into the matter, he said.
According to CBI sources, the CBI sleuths raided the house of DIG located in Ranchi and recovered several incriminating papers. Similarly, Sidhu's house in Chandigarh too was searched and several incriminating papers and 10 live cartridges were also recovered during a raid by the CBI team, sources said.
Incidentally, CRPF IG Pushkar Singh and several other persons, including middlemen, who were involved in the scam, are among those already arrested by the CBI team from different places across the country.
The investigating agency had seized about Rs 1.15 crore cash and documents relating to fixed deposits during search operation carried out at the IG's office and residential premises, sources said.link
Confirming the arrest of these three people, a CBI official said that they were produced before the special CBI court on Thursday itself. DIG Bakhala and commandant Sidhu were taken on police remand for further interrogation in the matter, he said.
A CBI official confided that a well organized racket had been clandestinely going on in the recruitment of constables in the CRPF. Prima facie it appeared that some senior CRPF officials were allegedly involved in the recruitment scam. Everything would come to light after a thorough probe into the matter, he said.
According to CBI sources, the CBI sleuths raided the house of DIG located in Ranchi and recovered several incriminating papers. Similarly, Sidhu's house in Chandigarh too was searched and several incriminating papers and 10 live cartridges were also recovered during a raid by the CBI team, sources said.
Incidentally, CRPF IG Pushkar Singh and several other persons, including middlemen, who were involved in the scam, are among those already arrested by the CBI team from different places across the country.
The investigating agency had seized about Rs 1.15 crore cash and documents relating to fixed deposits during search operation carried out at the IG's office and residential premises, sources said.link
Saturday 2 May 2009
Village of Unmarried People’s Road to Love
The remote village of Barwaan Kala, west of Bihar in the heart of the Kaimur Hills in India, is the home of some 121 bachelors between the ages of 16 and 80.
Since the village is so remote and there are no decent roads to allow outsiders to travel to and from the village, it has become known locally as the “Village of Unmarried People”.
The townsfolk have longed dreamed that they would be able to have a road developed so that they could finally attract women from local villages to come and visit them.
This vision seemed a lot closer to fruition when during the last state assembly elections, a party candidate, Ram Chandra Singh Yadav, visited the village and promised that if elected, he would build them a road. He also made one promise that he didn’t keep; namely, that he would not get married unless he could build the villagers a road.
“The biggest problem for us and for outsiders is the difficult hilly terrain to pass through,” said 40-year-old bachelor Ram Lal Yadav.
The men got tired of waiting for help, and armed with tools, decided to take matters into their own hands. Although they have collectively laid more than half of the four-mile stretch of road across very hilly terrain, there are legal problems that may stand in their way to their path of happiness.
Unfortunately, The area is within a zone that protects wild life and where guidelines for construction projects are strictly enforced.
After all of their work, the government may intervene and stop them from completing their road to ecstasy.
Perhaps they could claim that as bachelors without potential heirs they represent an “endangered species”?
Hopefully then the government will take pity on these poor men and let them finish their road that can only lead to the better things in life.link
Since the village is so remote and there are no decent roads to allow outsiders to travel to and from the village, it has become known locally as the “Village of Unmarried People”.
The townsfolk have longed dreamed that they would be able to have a road developed so that they could finally attract women from local villages to come and visit them.
This vision seemed a lot closer to fruition when during the last state assembly elections, a party candidate, Ram Chandra Singh Yadav, visited the village and promised that if elected, he would build them a road. He also made one promise that he didn’t keep; namely, that he would not get married unless he could build the villagers a road.
“The biggest problem for us and for outsiders is the difficult hilly terrain to pass through,” said 40-year-old bachelor Ram Lal Yadav.
The men got tired of waiting for help, and armed with tools, decided to take matters into their own hands. Although they have collectively laid more than half of the four-mile stretch of road across very hilly terrain, there are legal problems that may stand in their way to their path of happiness.
Unfortunately, The area is within a zone that protects wild life and where guidelines for construction projects are strictly enforced.
After all of their work, the government may intervene and stop them from completing their road to ecstasy.
Perhaps they could claim that as bachelors without potential heirs they represent an “endangered species”?
Hopefully then the government will take pity on these poor men and let them finish their road that can only lead to the better things in life.link
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