Former Assam minister Debananda Konwar was on Monday sworn in as the governor of Bihar. Patna High Court's acting Chief Justice Shiva Kirti Singh administered the oath of office and secrecy to Konwar at a simple function at Rajbhavan's Darbar Hall. Konwar, 63, whose appointment as the state governor was notified by the Rashtrapati Bhavan on June 24, succeeds R L Bhatia whose tenure ended last week.
A four-time MLA and a former finance minister in the Tarun Gogoi-led ministry of Assam, Konwar took oath in Hindi. Chief minister Nitish Kumar, Assembly Speaker Uday Narayan Choudahry, Legislative Council acting chairman Arun Kumar, deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi, several ministers and top bureaucrats attended the swearing-in ceremony. Several relatives and friends of Konwar had also arrived from Assam for the occasion. Some Congress leaders were also present to greet him.
Later, the new governor and his wife joined Nitish and other dignitaries for high tea. Nitish said the appointment of Konwar was a good sign for better relations between Assam and Bihar. "The governor is now a Bihari and he will certainly be of great help in maintaining cordial relations between the two states," he said wishing Konwar success.
Monday 29 June 2009
Tuesday 23 June 2009
Banning Maoists not a solution: Lalu
RJD leader Lalu Prasad today said the Centre's decision to ban Maoists was not a solution and called for an all-party meeting to discuss threadbare the measures to be taken to end the problem.
"Banning the Maoists is neither a solution nor treatment. It is a delicate issue which cannot be resolved with application of force," Prasad told a press conference.
It would be better if a permanent solution to the problem was found and for it the Centre should call an all-party meeting to discuss how to resolve the vexed issue, he said.
Noting that the root of the problem was in poverty and non-development, Prasad said the representatives of the misguided Maoist rebels should be invited for a dialogue to end the problem.
Due to the ban the ultras might float a new group and become more intense in their acts of violence to press for their cause, he said.
"The ban is being considered to be an eyewash keeping in mind the Maoists laying siege to Lalgarh in West Bengal. It is a step taken in haste," the former Railway minister said. "The issue needs to be politically and cautiously solved," he said.
He said it was "unfortunate" that Naxalites had expanded their area of operation in Bihar after the NDA came to power.
"Banning the Maoists is neither a solution nor treatment. It is a delicate issue which cannot be resolved with application of force," Prasad told a press conference.
It would be better if a permanent solution to the problem was found and for it the Centre should call an all-party meeting to discuss how to resolve the vexed issue, he said.
Noting that the root of the problem was in poverty and non-development, Prasad said the representatives of the misguided Maoist rebels should be invited for a dialogue to end the problem.
Due to the ban the ultras might float a new group and become more intense in their acts of violence to press for their cause, he said.
"The ban is being considered to be an eyewash keeping in mind the Maoists laying siege to Lalgarh in West Bengal. It is a step taken in haste," the former Railway minister said. "The issue needs to be politically and cautiously solved," he said.
He said it was "unfortunate" that Naxalites had expanded their area of operation in Bihar after the NDA came to power.
Thursday 18 June 2009
Bihar cop in league of top mathematicians
An ADG-rank IPS officer of Bihar Amrik Singh Nimbran has joined the select league of world's top mathematicians with his new formulae for computing the value of `pi' having been uploaded on http://www.machination.eclipse.co.uk.
The website is jointly edited by well-known maths wizards Michael Roby Wetherfield of the UK and Prof Hwang Chien-lih of National Taiwan University, Taipei.
A collection of identities for computing the value of `pi', discovered by Nimbran during 2007-08, were sent to the two mathematicians on June 1, 2009. Four of these made their way to the website on June 7, 2009. In a subsequent e-mail to Nimbran, Wetherfield acknowledged that "stimulated by your (Nimbran's) results, I generated new identities myself within a week".
Nimbran came up with two more formulae this month. These two too Wetherfield and Chien-lih uploaded on their website. "I am surprised by your super ability about finding new excellent identities!" Chien-lih wrote to Nimbran in a congratulatory mail.
`Pi' is a mysterious number that denotes the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter. In general parlance, its value is taken as 22/7 which is just an approximation. Mathematicians across the world have been fascinated by this number and research has been going on to find a better approximation. Therefore, any formula which gives a better value of the `pi' in the shortest possible time is welcome in the mathematical world.
The Bihar cop has been engaged in mathematical research actively for over a decade and some of his research papers have been published in reputed journals brought out by Bihar Mathematical Society, Indian Mathematical Society and National Council of Educational Research and Training. His papers were also sent to the journals of London Mathematical Society and Fib Quarterly of The Fibonacci Association (USA) which commented favourably on the works of Nimbran.
A BA with economics and maths as optionals, Nimbran was the first non-mathematician to give an elementary proof of Fermat's last theorem for a cube in which he had proved that no integral cube number can be broken into two integral cube numbers. Prof K C Prasad of Ranchi University and Prof Emeritus Tej Narain Sinha of Bhagalpur University, who are regarded as the authority on Tarry-Escott problem (on numbers), expressed surprise on seeing Nimbran's proof.
"I was inspired by reading the works of great Indian mathematician S Ramanujan," Nimbran told TOI. He said he evaluates the value of `pi' through different approaches using Inverse Tangent Function which was first used by John Machin in 1706 and has since been used till date to find the value of `pi'.
"Now there are only three leading authorities on `pi' in the world --Wetherfield, Lih and Jorg Arndt of Australian National University," Nimbran said. He was modest enough not to include his name in the league.
The website is jointly edited by well-known maths wizards Michael Roby Wetherfield of the UK and Prof Hwang Chien-lih of National Taiwan University, Taipei.
A collection of identities for computing the value of `pi', discovered by Nimbran during 2007-08, were sent to the two mathematicians on June 1, 2009. Four of these made their way to the website on June 7, 2009. In a subsequent e-mail to Nimbran, Wetherfield acknowledged that "stimulated by your (Nimbran's) results, I generated new identities myself within a week".
Nimbran came up with two more formulae this month. These two too Wetherfield and Chien-lih uploaded on their website. "I am surprised by your super ability about finding new excellent identities!" Chien-lih wrote to Nimbran in a congratulatory mail.
`Pi' is a mysterious number that denotes the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter. In general parlance, its value is taken as 22/7 which is just an approximation. Mathematicians across the world have been fascinated by this number and research has been going on to find a better approximation. Therefore, any formula which gives a better value of the `pi' in the shortest possible time is welcome in the mathematical world.
The Bihar cop has been engaged in mathematical research actively for over a decade and some of his research papers have been published in reputed journals brought out by Bihar Mathematical Society, Indian Mathematical Society and National Council of Educational Research and Training. His papers were also sent to the journals of London Mathematical Society and Fib Quarterly of The Fibonacci Association (USA) which commented favourably on the works of Nimbran.
A BA with economics and maths as optionals, Nimbran was the first non-mathematician to give an elementary proof of Fermat's last theorem for a cube in which he had proved that no integral cube number can be broken into two integral cube numbers. Prof K C Prasad of Ranchi University and Prof Emeritus Tej Narain Sinha of Bhagalpur University, who are regarded as the authority on Tarry-Escott problem (on numbers), expressed surprise on seeing Nimbran's proof.
"I was inspired by reading the works of great Indian mathematician S Ramanujan," Nimbran told TOI. He said he evaluates the value of `pi' through different approaches using Inverse Tangent Function which was first used by John Machin in 1706 and has since been used till date to find the value of `pi'.
"Now there are only three leading authorities on `pi' in the world --Wetherfield, Lih and Jorg Arndt of Australian National University," Nimbran said. He was modest enough not to include his name in the league.
Tuesday 16 June 2009
5 Lakh more Bihar kids 'school chale'
"Roke se na ruke hum, suraj sa chamke hum, school chale hum..." Remember the melodious jingle composed for the government of India's Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA)? The `School Chale Hum' programme under the SSA has turned out to be one of the most successful endeavours in Bihar with nearly five lakh out-of-school children being brought back to schools under it during the last two years.
In fact, the efforts of Bihar government under the SSA programme, which aims to bring quality elementary education to millions of children, have yielded positive results. Not only has the state been allocated the highest budget, but it has also sent back a record number of children to classrooms.
The success of the programme has now created a need for strengthening the secondary education infrastructure across the country.
As HRD principal secretary Anjani Kumar Singh said, "Bihar's allocation under SSA for the current year is even more than UP, which is about Rs 4,300 crore. The state made optimum utilisation of its allocation last year also and the results are not far to seek. We have already sent back a record number of kids between the age group of 6 and 14 back to school."
At present, out-of-school children in the age-group of 6-14 years has come down to 3 per cent in 2009 from 13.1 per cent in 2005.
Programme officer Ravi Shankar Singh of Bihar Education Project (BEP), which is the state implementing agency of SSA, said, "Out of the approved budget, 60 per cent is sanctioned by the Central government, while the rest 40 per cent is shared by the state government. Now approximately 6 lakh (5,22,586) children are out of school, while over five lakh children have been sent back to classrooms."
Similarly, the proportion of out-of-school girls in the state has also dropped from 20.1 per cent in 2005 to 2.92 per cent in 2009, added BEP sources.
What lends further credence to the efforts of the state is that the maximum number of children who have started going back to school are Muslims and SCs. In March 2008, the Muslim child population in Bihar in the age group 6-14 was 33.06 lakh and of them only 2.83 lakh were out of school. The number of out-of-school Muslim children now stands at 1.52 lakh, while 1.57 lakh SC students are yet to attend school.
HRD official also said, "It is indeed one of the most successful flagship programmes. Given the background, in early 2000, when educational infrastructure had almost collapsed and fund utilisation was minimum, the SSA proved its worth. One lakh clasrooms and 2.14 lakh teachers are now visible in the state."
SSA, apart from being a programme with clear time frame for elementary education, also offers opportunities to states to develop their own vision of elementary education. It has set 2010 as the deadline for providing useful and relevant elementary education to all children in the 6 to 14 age group.link
In fact, the efforts of Bihar government under the SSA programme, which aims to bring quality elementary education to millions of children, have yielded positive results. Not only has the state been allocated the highest budget, but it has also sent back a record number of children to classrooms.
The success of the programme has now created a need for strengthening the secondary education infrastructure across the country.
As HRD principal secretary Anjani Kumar Singh said, "Bihar's allocation under SSA for the current year is even more than UP, which is about Rs 4,300 crore. The state made optimum utilisation of its allocation last year also and the results are not far to seek. We have already sent back a record number of kids between the age group of 6 and 14 back to school."
At present, out-of-school children in the age-group of 6-14 years has come down to 3 per cent in 2009 from 13.1 per cent in 2005.
Programme officer Ravi Shankar Singh of Bihar Education Project (BEP), which is the state implementing agency of SSA, said, "Out of the approved budget, 60 per cent is sanctioned by the Central government, while the rest 40 per cent is shared by the state government. Now approximately 6 lakh (5,22,586) children are out of school, while over five lakh children have been sent back to classrooms."
Similarly, the proportion of out-of-school girls in the state has also dropped from 20.1 per cent in 2005 to 2.92 per cent in 2009, added BEP sources.
What lends further credence to the efforts of the state is that the maximum number of children who have started going back to school are Muslims and SCs. In March 2008, the Muslim child population in Bihar in the age group 6-14 was 33.06 lakh and of them only 2.83 lakh were out of school. The number of out-of-school Muslim children now stands at 1.52 lakh, while 1.57 lakh SC students are yet to attend school.
HRD official also said, "It is indeed one of the most successful flagship programmes. Given the background, in early 2000, when educational infrastructure had almost collapsed and fund utilisation was minimum, the SSA proved its worth. One lakh clasrooms and 2.14 lakh teachers are now visible in the state."
SSA, apart from being a programme with clear time frame for elementary education, also offers opportunities to states to develop their own vision of elementary education. It has set 2010 as the deadline for providing useful and relevant elementary education to all children in the 6 to 14 age group.link
Sunday 14 June 2009
Rise in atrocities on women in Bihar
Notwithstanding the Bihar NDA government's initiatives towards women's empowerment, the year 2008 witnessed an increase in incidents of atrocities on women related to abduction, murder for dowry, molestation, eve-teasing and rape.
According to the figures compiled by the state police headquarters here, 6,186 cases of atrocities against women were registered across Bihar in 2008.
Out of these, 1041 incidents related to rape, 1494 kidnapping, 1233 murder for dowry, 2230 atrocities perpetrated for dowry, and 188 of eve-teasing and molestation.
A comparative study of the figures available suggested that there were rise in incidents in 2008 compared to the correponding period previous year.
While a total of 1012 cases were registered for kidnap of women in 2007, the number went up to 1494 in 2008.
Similarly, there was marginal increase in number of incidents related to dowry death from 1226 in 2007 to 1233 in 2008, the figures revealed.
In 2007, there were 1493 cases of atrocities perpetrated for dowry, but the figure rose to 2230 in 2008.
Cases relating to eve-teasing and molestation shot up to 188 during 2008, 20 more than those recorded between January and December the previous year.
There were 5017 incidents related to kidnapping of women in the past five years.
Out of these cases, 756 occurred in 2004, 756 in 2005, 662 in 2006, 1012 in 2007 and 1494 in 2008.
The NDA led by Nitish Kumar came to power in Bihar in November 2005 after the Rabri Devi regime.
After it stormed to power, the chief minister initiated a number of measures for ensuring women's empowerment, the first being reserving 50 per cent of the posts for them in the panchayati raj institutions and local bodies.
Though women were a benefitted because of this initiative, the rise in incidents of atrocities against them remained an area of concern for the state. link
According to the figures compiled by the state police headquarters here, 6,186 cases of atrocities against women were registered across Bihar in 2008.
Out of these, 1041 incidents related to rape, 1494 kidnapping, 1233 murder for dowry, 2230 atrocities perpetrated for dowry, and 188 of eve-teasing and molestation.
A comparative study of the figures available suggested that there were rise in incidents in 2008 compared to the correponding period previous year.
While a total of 1012 cases were registered for kidnap of women in 2007, the number went up to 1494 in 2008.
Similarly, there was marginal increase in number of incidents related to dowry death from 1226 in 2007 to 1233 in 2008, the figures revealed.
In 2007, there were 1493 cases of atrocities perpetrated for dowry, but the figure rose to 2230 in 2008.
Cases relating to eve-teasing and molestation shot up to 188 during 2008, 20 more than those recorded between January and December the previous year.
There were 5017 incidents related to kidnapping of women in the past five years.
Out of these cases, 756 occurred in 2004, 756 in 2005, 662 in 2006, 1012 in 2007 and 1494 in 2008.
The NDA led by Nitish Kumar came to power in Bihar in November 2005 after the Rabri Devi regime.
After it stormed to power, the chief minister initiated a number of measures for ensuring women's empowerment, the first being reserving 50 per cent of the posts for them in the panchayati raj institutions and local bodies.
Though women were a benefitted because of this initiative, the rise in incidents of atrocities against them remained an area of concern for the state. link
Saturday 13 June 2009
Bihar police intensify efforts to nab murder-accused JD-U leader
Bihar police have set up a special team to nab Janata Dal-United (JD-U) leader Vijay Krishna and his son Chanakya, prime accused in the abduction and murder of a Patna businessman whose decomposed body was found floating in the Ganges river two days ago.
Satyendra Kumar Singh, 50, was abducted in the last week of May. His decomposed body was found floating in the river on Thursday.
Mr. Krishna, a former MP, and his son are absconding.
"Police are doing everything to arrest them and raids are continuing," Patna Senior Superintendent of Police R. Mallar Vizhi said on Saturday, adding the police team could even go outside the state to arrest the two.
Singh's wife Laxmi Devi and daughter Sweety have demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the killing.
A police officer, requesting anonymity, said the property of Mr. Krishna and Mr. Chanakya would be attached if they continue to evade arrest or fail to surrender.
A local court issued orders to attach the property on Friday.
The Patna civil court on Tuesday refused anticipatory bail to Mr. Krishna and his son after hearing their petition. The court also directed the police to submit the diary of the case within the next 15 days.
Mr. Krishna filed an anticipatory bail petition on Monday claiming that he was being falsely implicated.
Singh's family has alleged that the delay in arresting the accused was due to political "pressure" as the two were considered close to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.link
Wednesday 10 June 2009
VDPV case worries Bihar Health officials
After Dibrugarh district of Assam where type one Vaccine Derived Polio Virus (VDPV) was confirmed, another case of VDPV type two was reported from Bihar's East Champaran district, the first of its kind reported in India, State Polio Office sources confirmed on Wednesday.
Though the two cases are not related to each other, VDPVs are very rare but well-documented strains of poliovirus.
VDPVs are strains of the virus contained in the oral polio vaccine which have changed and reverted to a form that can cause paralysis in humans with the capacity for sustained circulation. These cases are very rare and occur in persons with immuno-deficiency or in areas with low population immunity, sources said.
East Champaran's Surveillance Medical Officer Dr Sushil Kumar Sinha disclosed that Rajiv Mallick, a two year-old boy of Baghi Bakhtaura village in the district, was not administered the doses of routine immunisation (RI) oral polio vaccine (OPV) which contains attenuated strains of all the three types of polio viruses (P1, P2, P3) to save children from polio caused by any of these three viruses.
Mallick, however, was administered polio vaccine during pulse polio rounds, through which immunisation from P1 and P3 types of polio viruses is done.
Dr Sinha said it appeared that the VDPV 2 virus infected Mallick after its mutation in the environment from the stool of someone who had been administered OPV during RI.link
Though the two cases are not related to each other, VDPVs are very rare but well-documented strains of poliovirus.
VDPVs are strains of the virus contained in the oral polio vaccine which have changed and reverted to a form that can cause paralysis in humans with the capacity for sustained circulation. These cases are very rare and occur in persons with immuno-deficiency or in areas with low population immunity, sources said.
East Champaran's Surveillance Medical Officer Dr Sushil Kumar Sinha disclosed that Rajiv Mallick, a two year-old boy of Baghi Bakhtaura village in the district, was not administered the doses of routine immunisation (RI) oral polio vaccine (OPV) which contains attenuated strains of all the three types of polio viruses (P1, P2, P3) to save children from polio caused by any of these three viruses.
Mallick, however, was administered polio vaccine during pulse polio rounds, through which immunisation from P1 and P3 types of polio viruses is done.
Dr Sinha said it appeared that the VDPV 2 virus infected Mallick after its mutation in the environment from the stool of someone who had been administered OPV during RI.link
Maoist diktat in Bihar: Send kids to school
Marking a departure, Maoist guerrillas in Bihar have issued a new and unique diktat — they have ordered poor villagers in Vaishali district to send their children to school.
In a novel move to spread education among the marginalised sections of society, Maoists in Vaishali, about 40km from here, have asked the poor to educate their children instead of making them work. “Maoists also warned them not to engage children in farm or other work and send them to schools,” a villager in Patepur block said.
Patepur is one of the over half a dozen blocks in the district that has been issued diktat by Maoist guerrillas. The other blocks include Mahnar, Jandaha, Mahua, Lalganj and Hajipur. Maoists have pasted posters in several villages in which they have threatened to punish villagers if they failed to send their children to school. The latest Maoist diktat has surprised even district officials. “It is a positive move if Maoist rebels are really keen to force poor parents to send their children to school,” a district official said.link
In a novel move to spread education among the marginalised sections of society, Maoists in Vaishali, about 40km from here, have asked the poor to educate their children instead of making them work. “Maoists also warned them not to engage children in farm or other work and send them to schools,” a villager in Patepur block said.
Patepur is one of the over half a dozen blocks in the district that has been issued diktat by Maoist guerrillas. The other blocks include Mahnar, Jandaha, Mahua, Lalganj and Hajipur. Maoists have pasted posters in several villages in which they have threatened to punish villagers if they failed to send their children to school. The latest Maoist diktat has surprised even district officials. “It is a positive move if Maoist rebels are really keen to force poor parents to send their children to school,” a district official said.link
Bihar govt to extend Hunar for Muslim girls
Buoyed over by electoral success and Muslims support in the just concluded Lok Sabha elections, the ruling JD(U) has decided to extend the ‘Hunar’ scheme aiming to make uneducated Muslim girls self-dependent.
The Bihar government has decided to continue it next year with around 50,000 Muslim girls enrolled in the project.
“After the success of Hunar scheme which was started on an experimental basis in the state July last year, the state government has decided to extended it for another one year,” National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) chairman Dinesh Singh Bisht told reporters here today.
The central-funded NIOS, a partner in the scheme, provide vocational training to girls.
Under the scheme, candidates who successfully complete the one year training is given Rs 2,000 as grant to purchase equipment of their choice to start their own business.
The girls are trained in tailoring, cutting and dress-making, beauticians, jute production, bakery and confectionery, gram sakhi and taking care of new born babies.
From this session, bee-keeping, mushroom production, computer hardware, drawing, DTP and embroidery have been added, Bisht said.link
Tuesday 9 June 2009
Being dad's replica won't be good for my career: Luv Sinha
Actor-turned-politician Shatrughan Sinha's son is all set to debut with director Raj Kanwar's "Sadiyaan". Luv is naturally a fan of his dad and has seen all his films, but says he will never copy his style.
"I love his style. But I won't even dare to copy him. Being called my dad's replica is the worst thing that can happen to my career. I love my dad's performance in 'Kalicharan', 'Vishwanath', 'Khudgarz', 'Kala Patthar' and 'Kalka'. I also freak out on Amit uncle's (Amitabh Bachchan) cinema," Luv told.
Luv will be seen as Rekha's son in cross-border drama "Sadiyaan", which also stars Hema Malini.
If all had gone according to plan, Shatrughan Sinha's twins, Luv and Kush, would have made their simultaneous debut in a home production. But the scarcity of good script to accommodate the twins prompted Luv to sign a film away from the family.
"Not surprisingly I'm very very close to my twin brother. We aren't identical twins. But if you see us together the resemblance is uncanny. The thought of being cast together did cross our family's mind. But what can we do together? A comedy with both the brothers falling in love with the same girl? Nah... Too common.
"We must be the only twin actors in the whole world. When we come together the vehicle has to be just right," said Luv, who walked straight into acting.
Brother Kush has taken the long winding road - he learnt acting and direction in New York, assisted Sanjay Leela Bhansali on "Saawariya" and then decided to be an actor.
"Sadiyaan" is complete and ready for release but it was delayed by the revenue-sharing row between producers and multiplex owners, which however ended last week.
"Please don't ask me when it will be released. But I'm not worried. This is what comes from being born in a family where cinema is a given. You've seen your dad go through so many ups and downs; a little bit of delay in your first film's release causes no concern," he said.
Luv says shooting "Sadiyaan" was a cakewalk.
"Hema (Malini) aunty, who's like a member, and Rekha-ji... (yes, it's Hema aunty and Rekha-ji for me, I don't call her aunty) really looked after me, pampered me and made me feel totally at home. I guess it comes from being who I am," he said.
The film is set in the 1970s and Luv says he had to get familiar with the 70s style for his role.
"This was when I wasn't even a passing thought in my parents' mind. A long way from being born. So I had to get familiar with the fashion, lingo, etc. It was a challenge. But you must remember both my parents are actors," he said.
Talk veers to sister Sonakshi and he said: "She's more interested in modelling at the moment than acting. Let's see."
The whole Sinha family was in Patna a little while ago to support the patriarch during the assembly elections. Sinha Senior defeated actor and Congress candidate Shekhar Suman in the Lok Sabha polls from Bihar's Patna Saheb parliamentary constituency.
"Actually my dad didn't need us to get the votes. We just wanted to be with him for support. The best thing about being Shatrughan Sinha's son is you feel a positive pride from within. Beyond that, he has made sure to let me make my way in the industry on my own. My father has never worked with Raj Kanwar-ji. I got 'Sadiyaan' on my own," he said. link
"I love his style. But I won't even dare to copy him. Being called my dad's replica is the worst thing that can happen to my career. I love my dad's performance in 'Kalicharan', 'Vishwanath', 'Khudgarz', 'Kala Patthar' and 'Kalka'. I also freak out on Amit uncle's (Amitabh Bachchan) cinema," Luv told.
Luv will be seen as Rekha's son in cross-border drama "Sadiyaan", which also stars Hema Malini.
If all had gone according to plan, Shatrughan Sinha's twins, Luv and Kush, would have made their simultaneous debut in a home production. But the scarcity of good script to accommodate the twins prompted Luv to sign a film away from the family.
"Not surprisingly I'm very very close to my twin brother. We aren't identical twins. But if you see us together the resemblance is uncanny. The thought of being cast together did cross our family's mind. But what can we do together? A comedy with both the brothers falling in love with the same girl? Nah... Too common.
"We must be the only twin actors in the whole world. When we come together the vehicle has to be just right," said Luv, who walked straight into acting.
Brother Kush has taken the long winding road - he learnt acting and direction in New York, assisted Sanjay Leela Bhansali on "Saawariya" and then decided to be an actor.
"Sadiyaan" is complete and ready for release but it was delayed by the revenue-sharing row between producers and multiplex owners, which however ended last week.
"Please don't ask me when it will be released. But I'm not worried. This is what comes from being born in a family where cinema is a given. You've seen your dad go through so many ups and downs; a little bit of delay in your first film's release causes no concern," he said.
Luv says shooting "Sadiyaan" was a cakewalk.
"Hema (Malini) aunty, who's like a member, and Rekha-ji... (yes, it's Hema aunty and Rekha-ji for me, I don't call her aunty) really looked after me, pampered me and made me feel totally at home. I guess it comes from being who I am," he said.
The film is set in the 1970s and Luv says he had to get familiar with the 70s style for his role.
"This was when I wasn't even a passing thought in my parents' mind. A long way from being born. So I had to get familiar with the fashion, lingo, etc. It was a challenge. But you must remember both my parents are actors," he said.
Talk veers to sister Sonakshi and he said: "She's more interested in modelling at the moment than acting. Let's see."
The whole Sinha family was in Patna a little while ago to support the patriarch during the assembly elections. Sinha Senior defeated actor and Congress candidate Shekhar Suman in the Lok Sabha polls from Bihar's Patna Saheb parliamentary constituency.
"Actually my dad didn't need us to get the votes. We just wanted to be with him for support. The best thing about being Shatrughan Sinha's son is you feel a positive pride from within. Beyond that, he has made sure to let me make my way in the industry on my own. My father has never worked with Raj Kanwar-ji. I got 'Sadiyaan' on my own," he said. link
Tiger numbers drop in Bihar reserve, only 13 left
Here is some bad news for wildlife lovers. Bihar's Valmiki National Park, the State's sole tiger reserve, has just 13 tigers left, down from the 56 big cats it had seven years ago, a survey said.
"Hardly 13 tigers exist in the Valmiki National Park," said the survey recently submitted by Dehradun's Wildlife Institute of India.
A forest official associated with the reserve said the latest survey showed that the tiger population has come down to 13 — a sharp dip from 30 tigers in 2005, and over 50 tigers till 2002-2003.
"The population of tigers has come down like never before," the official said.
According to a wildlife department official, the tiger numbers decreased drastically in the last eight years in the park, located in West Champaran district near the Nepal border.
According to a recent report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), at least 23 big cats disappeared from the reserve in the last three years. The CAG report said that the number of tigers had declined to 33 in 2005 from 56 in 2002.
Neither the officials of the Valmiki National Park nor the state government has any information about the missing tigers.
The Valmiki National Park is regarded as one of the best-maintained tiger reserves in the country. But of late the reserve has become a haven for poachers.
Top officials of the wildlife department are tightlipped and refuse to say anything about the number of tigers in the reserve.
The National Tiger Conservation in 2007 had asked Bihar to constitute a Tiger Protection Force. "A dedicated protection force was to be set up with retired army personnel to stop poaching at the Valmiki National Park but it is still on paper," an official said.link
"Hardly 13 tigers exist in the Valmiki National Park," said the survey recently submitted by Dehradun's Wildlife Institute of India.
A forest official associated with the reserve said the latest survey showed that the tiger population has come down to 13 — a sharp dip from 30 tigers in 2005, and over 50 tigers till 2002-2003.
"The population of tigers has come down like never before," the official said.
According to a wildlife department official, the tiger numbers decreased drastically in the last eight years in the park, located in West Champaran district near the Nepal border.
According to a recent report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), at least 23 big cats disappeared from the reserve in the last three years. The CAG report said that the number of tigers had declined to 33 in 2005 from 56 in 2002.
Neither the officials of the Valmiki National Park nor the state government has any information about the missing tigers.
The Valmiki National Park is regarded as one of the best-maintained tiger reserves in the country. But of late the reserve has become a haven for poachers.
Top officials of the wildlife department are tightlipped and refuse to say anything about the number of tigers in the reserve.
The National Tiger Conservation in 2007 had asked Bihar to constitute a Tiger Protection Force. "A dedicated protection force was to be set up with retired army personnel to stop poaching at the Valmiki National Park but it is still on paper," an official said.link
Patna students face ‘anti-Bihar taunt’ in Pune
Bihar is today considered the best state in implementing the Right to Information (RTI) Act. But some people seem to gloss over the state’s remarkable transformation in recent times. These “ill-informed” persons are eager to listen something bad about the state, it seems.
Many Bihari students seeking admission to a Pune-based law institute encountered embarrassing questions about their native state during the interview.
Students of Notre Dame Academy, St Joseph’s Convent High School, DAV BSEB Colony and St Michael’s High School are upset with the interview board’s “anti-Bihari” attitude. These students were not willing to be quoted because of the apprehension of losing their chance to get admission.
Last week, the interview board threw a volley of questions at Shalini (name changed), a Patna girl. “Do you agree that Bihar is the crime capital of India? People from Bihar come here with an intention to commit crime. Do you agree with MNS chief Raj Thackeray’s opinion about Bihar?”
The girl was shocked. She tried her best to convince the board that the law and order situation is now much better in the state. But even before she could finish her reply, the board fired another salvo, asking her about the “Biharis who come to Maharashtra with an intention to commit crime”. “I again tried to convince the board that people come here to earn their livelihood,” she said. Another student said he were baffled to hear such questions, but he maintained his cool.
Shubham (name changed) said: “I told the interview board that the Constitution does not deny us right to move anywhere in the country.”
Hearing about such “developments”, parents are a worried lot. “We are apprehensive of their future. They have cleared the all India entrance examination held in New Delhi. After clearing the written test, they appeared for group discussion on ‘Relevance of Gandhi Today’. But it was during the interview that they were asked such irrelevant questions,” said one of the parents.
Academics from Bihar have taken strong note of the “anti-Bihari” attitude.
“Such questions are ‘unpatriotic’ and ‘unethical’. It should be reported to the authorities concerned, including the P.M. and the Union HRD minister,” said noted educationist Shaileshwar Sati Prasad.
Prasad said the people of Bihar should request Bihar CM Nitish Kumar to bring it to the notice of the Maharashtra CM.
Noted Sociologist Hetukar Jha said: “We are treated like beggars outside because we have failed to develop our own educational institutions.
We have made our boys and girls dependent on other states. This is what we have to face time and again until we create and develop our own institutions. During 60s and 70s our own academic institutions- Patna college and Patna Science college were best in the country.” CPIML (Liberation) central committee member Dhirendra Jha said that Bihar government should appoint separate resident commissioners in states where Bihari students are being harassed and humiliated.
ML’s student outfit, All India Students Association (AISA), has decided to hold its national council meeting at Pune on July 4-5.
Several student leaders including JNUSU president Sandeep Singh will attend the meeting, Jha said.
The student delegation would also meet the heads of various Pune-based academic institutions to apprise them of the humiliation of Bihari students in Maharashtra. link
Many Bihari students seeking admission to a Pune-based law institute encountered embarrassing questions about their native state during the interview.
Students of Notre Dame Academy, St Joseph’s Convent High School, DAV BSEB Colony and St Michael’s High School are upset with the interview board’s “anti-Bihari” attitude. These students were not willing to be quoted because of the apprehension of losing their chance to get admission.
Last week, the interview board threw a volley of questions at Shalini (name changed), a Patna girl. “Do you agree that Bihar is the crime capital of India? People from Bihar come here with an intention to commit crime. Do you agree with MNS chief Raj Thackeray’s opinion about Bihar?”
The girl was shocked. She tried her best to convince the board that the law and order situation is now much better in the state. But even before she could finish her reply, the board fired another salvo, asking her about the “Biharis who come to Maharashtra with an intention to commit crime”. “I again tried to convince the board that people come here to earn their livelihood,” she said. Another student said he were baffled to hear such questions, but he maintained his cool.
Shubham (name changed) said: “I told the interview board that the Constitution does not deny us right to move anywhere in the country.”
Hearing about such “developments”, parents are a worried lot. “We are apprehensive of their future. They have cleared the all India entrance examination held in New Delhi. After clearing the written test, they appeared for group discussion on ‘Relevance of Gandhi Today’. But it was during the interview that they were asked such irrelevant questions,” said one of the parents.
Academics from Bihar have taken strong note of the “anti-Bihari” attitude.
“Such questions are ‘unpatriotic’ and ‘unethical’. It should be reported to the authorities concerned, including the P.M. and the Union HRD minister,” said noted educationist Shaileshwar Sati Prasad.
Prasad said the people of Bihar should request Bihar CM Nitish Kumar to bring it to the notice of the Maharashtra CM.
Noted Sociologist Hetukar Jha said: “We are treated like beggars outside because we have failed to develop our own educational institutions.
We have made our boys and girls dependent on other states. This is what we have to face time and again until we create and develop our own institutions. During 60s and 70s our own academic institutions- Patna college and Patna Science college were best in the country.” CPIML (Liberation) central committee member Dhirendra Jha said that Bihar government should appoint separate resident commissioners in states where Bihari students are being harassed and humiliated.
ML’s student outfit, All India Students Association (AISA), has decided to hold its national council meeting at Pune on July 4-5.
Several student leaders including JNUSU president Sandeep Singh will attend the meeting, Jha said.
The student delegation would also meet the heads of various Pune-based academic institutions to apprise them of the humiliation of Bihari students in Maharashtra. link
Monday 8 June 2009
73 construction companies declared defaulters in Bihar
Under attack from the Opposition for alleged tardy pace of construction of roads in Bihar, state's NDA government has put 73 construction companies involved in road construction in the state, into the list of defaulters after their failure to complete projects on time.
State Road construction Minister Prem Kumar, while confirming this, today said these companies ignored the repeated warnings by the state government to speed up the work and failed to meet the deadlines.
Now onward, these companies will not be allowed to participate in any tenders for road construction in Bihar, Kumar said.
According to official sources, the 73 companies were engaged in construction of all types of roads including rural and state highways in Bihar.
The State Road Department had communicated to other departments, including Water Resources, Building Construction, Rural Development and Bridge Construction, about its decision and submitted the list of defaulters.
Till April 2009, out of the total length of 2,035 km of state highways, about 1,288 km have not only been improved but also upgraded to double lane. Bihar is striving to be the first state in the country to have all its state highways upgraded to double-lane roads, a state road official asserted.
State Road construction Minister Prem Kumar, while confirming this, today said these companies ignored the repeated warnings by the state government to speed up the work and failed to meet the deadlines.
Now onward, these companies will not be allowed to participate in any tenders for road construction in Bihar, Kumar said.
According to official sources, the 73 companies were engaged in construction of all types of roads including rural and state highways in Bihar.
The State Road Department had communicated to other departments, including Water Resources, Building Construction, Rural Development and Bridge Construction, about its decision and submitted the list of defaulters.
Till April 2009, out of the total length of 2,035 km of state highways, about 1,288 km have not only been improved but also upgraded to double lane. Bihar is striving to be the first state in the country to have all its state highways upgraded to double-lane roads, a state road official asserted.
Saturday 6 June 2009
Moral policing rankle couples in Patna
In yet another incident of moral policing, woman police officers publicly humiliated couples in Shahid Pir Ali Khan Park in Patna, Bihar.
A huge crowd, including women and children witnessed the scenes of female cops beating and pulling hair of young couples and insulting them ruthlessly.
"We saw police confine some couples in the park and also beating them. A scene was created in the park, which was not good. This should not happen, as this is a children park. Families with children come here to enjoy and this is not good for children to witness all this," said Sushil, a visitor in the park.
Those who watched it strongly disapproved the act. They felt that police should have shown some restraint, as families were also present in the park.
Following the incident, sub-Inspector Anita Gupta was suspended for insulting couples ruthlessly.link
A huge crowd, including women and children witnessed the scenes of female cops beating and pulling hair of young couples and insulting them ruthlessly.
"We saw police confine some couples in the park and also beating them. A scene was created in the park, which was not good. This should not happen, as this is a children park. Families with children come here to enjoy and this is not good for children to witness all this," said Sushil, a visitor in the park.
Those who watched it strongly disapproved the act. They felt that police should have shown some restraint, as families were also present in the park.
Following the incident, sub-Inspector Anita Gupta was suspended for insulting couples ruthlessly.link
District Magistrate Promotes Green Bihar to mark World Environment Day
Patna District Magistrate Jitendra Kumar Sinha in Patna on Friday inaugurated the social forestry program at Panchayat level to mark the World Environment Day at a seminar organized at the Bharatiya Nritya Kala Mandir.
In his inaugural speech, Sinha said that for any development to take place, a healthy debate with varying opinions was a good sign. "Constructive ideas can from any corner of the society and for this, a good debate should always be welcomed, he said.
Emphasizing the need for plantation of more trees in both rural and urban areas, the District Magistrate said trees also generated employments in the region and could help attain the goals set under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA).
NREGA district Joint Development Commissioner Rajiv Kumar Singh, in his speech, also lamented the disappearing of trees in the last couple of decades.
"Our ancestors handed over a world that was green and beautiful but we, because of our selfish needs, destroyed it and pushed it to the brink of global warming. It is now our duty to leave this planet to our children in a condition that is better than what it was when it was handed over to us," Singh said.
In a Power Point presentation, Dr. Rajan Sinha, the Director of Center for Disaster Management, explained the need for a minimum of 22% of the earth's area to be green. "This number has dwindled to a meager 8% posing immense threat to the planet," Sinha said adding there was a need to plant nearly 7 billion trees on the earth to match the population of the world.
Similar events were held at Patna Planetarium, Sri Krishna Science Center, Shivam Educational and Welfare Association, College of Commerce, and other schools in Patna.link
In his inaugural speech, Sinha said that for any development to take place, a healthy debate with varying opinions was a good sign. "Constructive ideas can from any corner of the society and for this, a good debate should always be welcomed, he said.
Emphasizing the need for plantation of more trees in both rural and urban areas, the District Magistrate said trees also generated employments in the region and could help attain the goals set under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA).
NREGA district Joint Development Commissioner Rajiv Kumar Singh, in his speech, also lamented the disappearing of trees in the last couple of decades.
"Our ancestors handed over a world that was green and beautiful but we, because of our selfish needs, destroyed it and pushed it to the brink of global warming. It is now our duty to leave this planet to our children in a condition that is better than what it was when it was handed over to us," Singh said.
In a Power Point presentation, Dr. Rajan Sinha, the Director of Center for Disaster Management, explained the need for a minimum of 22% of the earth's area to be green. "This number has dwindled to a meager 8% posing immense threat to the planet," Sinha said adding there was a need to plant nearly 7 billion trees on the earth to match the population of the world.
Similar events were held at Patna Planetarium, Sri Krishna Science Center, Shivam Educational and Welfare Association, College of Commerce, and other schools in Patna.link
Friday 5 June 2009
Bihar to make 40,000 prisoners literate
The Bihar government will launch a special scheme to make 40,000 prisoners in different jails across the state literate, officials said.
'A six month course for illiterate prisoners, aged between 15 to 50, would be launched on August 9 this year to make them literate,' official sources in the state human resource department said.
An official said initially two centres would be set up in each jail. Each centre would cater to 50 prisoners, while two literate prisoners would serve as teachers at each centre. The 'teachers' would be paid Rs.150 each daily.
Over 44,000 prisoners are lodged in 54 jails - six central jails, 33 district jails and 15 sub-jails - in the state, which only have the capacity to accommodate 24,500 prisoners.link
'A six month course for illiterate prisoners, aged between 15 to 50, would be launched on August 9 this year to make them literate,' official sources in the state human resource department said.
An official said initially two centres would be set up in each jail. Each centre would cater to 50 prisoners, while two literate prisoners would serve as teachers at each centre. The 'teachers' would be paid Rs.150 each daily.
Over 44,000 prisoners are lodged in 54 jails - six central jails, 33 district jails and 15 sub-jails - in the state, which only have the capacity to accommodate 24,500 prisoners.link
Bihar denied chance to set up mega food parks
The Union food processing ministry has not included Bihar in the list of 10 states which would have mega food parks. The state has thus been denied the opportunity to establish two such parks at Muzaffarpur and Bhagalpur.
Union food processing minister Subodh Kant Sahay, during his tenure as the junior Union minister in the department, had announced at a state potato conference held at Patna in the mid-2008 that two mega food parks would be set up at Muzaffarpur and Bhagalpur with the support of the Centre.
The state NDA government had assigned the job of setting up two mega food parks to Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services (IL&FS) right from conceptualisation to commissioning.
The state government had framed its food processing policy in December 2008 with a pledge to develop at least two mini food parks at Muzaffarpur and Bhagalpur. It had also announced a scheme for integrated development of the food processing sector.
In its food processing policy, the state government had said that the state has an excellent climate with fertile soil and abundant water for cultivation of a diverse range of food grains, fruits and vegetables. No wonder, the state is the largest producer of delicious litchi and nutritious makhana.
Sensing a political reason for non-inclusion of Bihar among the states to have mega food parks, deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi told that Bihar-born Subodh Kant Sahay was elected MP from Jharkhand and as a UPA minister, he included Jharkhand among the 10 states where mega food parks would be established.
Modi said that the Bihar government would renew its demand before the Centre for establishment of two mega food parks in the state.
IL&FS agronomist Amitabh Bhattacharya said the central scheme for setting up mega food parks was more lucrative as it had a provision for a grant of Rs 50 crore or 50 per cent of the total project, whichever is minimum, to the special purpose vehicle (SPV).
But the Bihar government, despite having less resources, has announced providing Rs 15 crore or 20 per cent of the total project cost, whichever is less, to the SPV under the public-private partnership (PPP) mode for setting up the mini food park.
At Kahalgaon in Bhagalpur district, a piece of land has been earmarked for setting up a mini food park, but Bihar Agro Products, which was selected as its SPV, does not have enough fund to go for it, Bhattacharya said.
On the other hand, land has not yet been made available at Muzaffarpur for the establishment of a mini food park, he said, adding that two industrialists engaged in food processing industry and K P S Keshri and Kedia brothers are interested in getting the job of the SPV, but they lack fund.
He said local entrepreneurs were initially urged to become SPV. Investors from other states would be interested only if the Centre includes Bihar under its lucrative grant for setting up mega food parks, he added. link
Union food processing minister Subodh Kant Sahay, during his tenure as the junior Union minister in the department, had announced at a state potato conference held at Patna in the mid-2008 that two mega food parks would be set up at Muzaffarpur and Bhagalpur with the support of the Centre.
The state NDA government had assigned the job of setting up two mega food parks to Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services (IL&FS) right from conceptualisation to commissioning.
The state government had framed its food processing policy in December 2008 with a pledge to develop at least two mini food parks at Muzaffarpur and Bhagalpur. It had also announced a scheme for integrated development of the food processing sector.
In its food processing policy, the state government had said that the state has an excellent climate with fertile soil and abundant water for cultivation of a diverse range of food grains, fruits and vegetables. No wonder, the state is the largest producer of delicious litchi and nutritious makhana.
Sensing a political reason for non-inclusion of Bihar among the states to have mega food parks, deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi told that Bihar-born Subodh Kant Sahay was elected MP from Jharkhand and as a UPA minister, he included Jharkhand among the 10 states where mega food parks would be established.
Modi said that the Bihar government would renew its demand before the Centre for establishment of two mega food parks in the state.
IL&FS agronomist Amitabh Bhattacharya said the central scheme for setting up mega food parks was more lucrative as it had a provision for a grant of Rs 50 crore or 50 per cent of the total project, whichever is minimum, to the special purpose vehicle (SPV).
But the Bihar government, despite having less resources, has announced providing Rs 15 crore or 20 per cent of the total project cost, whichever is less, to the SPV under the public-private partnership (PPP) mode for setting up the mini food park.
At Kahalgaon in Bhagalpur district, a piece of land has been earmarked for setting up a mini food park, but Bihar Agro Products, which was selected as its SPV, does not have enough fund to go for it, Bhattacharya said.
On the other hand, land has not yet been made available at Muzaffarpur for the establishment of a mini food park, he said, adding that two industrialists engaged in food processing industry and K P S Keshri and Kedia brothers are interested in getting the job of the SPV, but they lack fund.
He said local entrepreneurs were initially urged to become SPV. Investors from other states would be interested only if the Centre includes Bihar under its lucrative grant for setting up mega food parks, he added. link
Task-force in every Bihar district to tackle crime
Alarmed by the sudden spurt in criminal activities in Bihar, the state police headquarters is setting up a task-force in all the districts to prevent such incidents.
"We have decided to constitute a special task-force in each district in the wake of the spurt in the incidents of abduction for ransom, bank robbery, cash loot and petty crime", top state officials said.
Fully equipped with modern facilities, the task-force, comprising station house officers (SHO’s) and efficient police officers, would deal with criminal gangs perpetrating abduction, contract killing, bank dacoity and road robbery, they said.
The task-force would work under the purview of superintendent of police of the respective districts.
The deputy inspector general of police has been asked to identify the gangs operating in their respective zones and engage the task-force personnel to attain the desired results, they added.
The security personnel involved in the task-force would also keep watch on the activities of the gang-lords running a crime syndicate from behind the bars, they said.link
"We have decided to constitute a special task-force in each district in the wake of the spurt in the incidents of abduction for ransom, bank robbery, cash loot and petty crime", top state officials said.
Fully equipped with modern facilities, the task-force, comprising station house officers (SHO’s) and efficient police officers, would deal with criminal gangs perpetrating abduction, contract killing, bank dacoity and road robbery, they said.
The task-force would work under the purview of superintendent of police of the respective districts.
The deputy inspector general of police has been asked to identify the gangs operating in their respective zones and engage the task-force personnel to attain the desired results, they added.
The security personnel involved in the task-force would also keep watch on the activities of the gang-lords running a crime syndicate from behind the bars, they said.link
Woman saves hundreds of dying trees in Bihar
A young woman has saved hundreds of trees in Bihar's East Champaran district by finding a cure for their ailment.
Kiran Kumari, a 19-year-old science student of Class 12, discovered a remedy that treated Seesam trees spread over about 600 acres. The trees - highly prized for their timber - regained instant health three years after they had been afflicted by a disease.
She is a resident of Manjhar village in East Champaran, about 200 km from here, and a farmer's daughter. Her efforts were recognised last year when she was awarded president's medal.
"Kiran's hard efforts to protect Seesam trees bore fruit as greenery was back on trees and smile back on faces of people," said Maheshwar Singh, a villager.
"After experimenting with dozens of remedies to protect Seesam trees, I discovered a simple but effective remedy to save these trees afflicted by diseases. I treated the roots of the trees with a diluted solution of kerosene (50 ml kerosene with 10 litres of water) and painted the stems with lime solution mixed with tobacco," Kiran told.
Kiran plans to study environmental science and then to work for the protection of trees. "I love to devote my time to protect trees and greenery," she said. link
Kiran Kumari, a 19-year-old science student of Class 12, discovered a remedy that treated Seesam trees spread over about 600 acres. The trees - highly prized for their timber - regained instant health three years after they had been afflicted by a disease.
She is a resident of Manjhar village in East Champaran, about 200 km from here, and a farmer's daughter. Her efforts were recognised last year when she was awarded president's medal.
"Kiran's hard efforts to protect Seesam trees bore fruit as greenery was back on trees and smile back on faces of people," said Maheshwar Singh, a villager.
"After experimenting with dozens of remedies to protect Seesam trees, I discovered a simple but effective remedy to save these trees afflicted by diseases. I treated the roots of the trees with a diluted solution of kerosene (50 ml kerosene with 10 litres of water) and painted the stems with lime solution mixed with tobacco," Kiran told.
Kiran plans to study environmental science and then to work for the protection of trees. "I love to devote my time to protect trees and greenery," she said. link
Thursday 4 June 2009
JD(U) leader finds place in Limca Book of Records
Janata Dal (U) leader and a former MLC Ram Karan Pal has made it to the prestigious Limca Book of Record-2009 for creating a “national record” by publishing a book on the original news clippings about him. Pal has brought out a book on original news clippings on himself (in their original form) titled “Dr Ram Karan Pal: Vyaktitva Aur Vichar”. It was published in 2003. Pal is the only man from his shepherd community, an extremely backward caste (EBC) in Bihar, who became a legislator.
“Of the 1,100 copies published in the first edition, all were given out as complimentary copies to museums, libraries, universities, state legislative assemblies etc,” a certificate issued by the Limca Book of records, reads. Pal’s name feature on page nos. 107-08 of the latest edition of the record book which hit the stands across the country recently.
Pal said the recognition has encouraged him further to champion the cause of the downtrodden. “My goal in life is to struggle for the suffering humanity,” he said. Seventy-year-old Pal served as a member of Bihar Legislative Council from 1995 to 1997 and 1998 to 2004 when he was chief whip of the ruling RJD. He was also a member of various boards, councils and commission of various ministries of Central and state government.
Pal started collecting the news clippings published on him in different newspapers and magazines across the country ever since he joined mainstrean politics. In 2003, he got them compiled and published a book which turned out to be only one of its kind in the country. “It was, indeed, a painstaking effort,” Pal said.
During his long political career, Pal was jailed thrice as political prisoner and was member of various committees of Bihar Legislative Council and different political parties. He also served as chairman of Bihar State Hydel Power Corporation from 2003-05. Several leaders, intellectuals and social and cultural organisations have congratulated Pal on his achievement.link
“Of the 1,100 copies published in the first edition, all were given out as complimentary copies to museums, libraries, universities, state legislative assemblies etc,” a certificate issued by the Limca Book of records, reads. Pal’s name feature on page nos. 107-08 of the latest edition of the record book which hit the stands across the country recently.
Pal said the recognition has encouraged him further to champion the cause of the downtrodden. “My goal in life is to struggle for the suffering humanity,” he said. Seventy-year-old Pal served as a member of Bihar Legislative Council from 1995 to 1997 and 1998 to 2004 when he was chief whip of the ruling RJD. He was also a member of various boards, councils and commission of various ministries of Central and state government.
Pal started collecting the news clippings published on him in different newspapers and magazines across the country ever since he joined mainstrean politics. In 2003, he got them compiled and published a book which turned out to be only one of its kind in the country. “It was, indeed, a painstaking effort,” Pal said.
During his long political career, Pal was jailed thrice as political prisoner and was member of various committees of Bihar Legislative Council and different political parties. He also served as chairman of Bihar State Hydel Power Corporation from 2003-05. Several leaders, intellectuals and social and cultural organisations have congratulated Pal on his achievement.link
Impostors appearing for CPMT exam arrested
Aliganj police arrested five persons who were appearing in CPMT examination in the name of other people here on Thursday. Those nabbed identified themselves as Amit Kumar Koniyar, Sudhir, Jitendra Pal Singh, Jitendra Kumar Sharma and Satyendra Kumar. All of them were nabbed from Kendriya Vidyalaya and Public Service Commission.
During the initial interrogation from them police came to know that all of them hailed from a different city and had no connection with each other. Amit is from Motihari in Bihar, Sudhir from Khatripur in Ghosi Mau, Jitendra Pal Singh from Jhansi, Hitendra Kumar Sharma from Banda and Satyendra from Kheri in Lakh Sarai of Bihar.
Police said that substantial details about how Amit committed the crime was known but investigations were on with regards to the involvement of others in the similar crime.
ASP and circle officer (CO) Aliganj, Shalabh Mathur said that Amit was appearing in the examination in place of Vijay Kumar of Jaunpur district. With regards to the family background of Amit, Shalabh added that he was the son of a farmer and last year had cleared the examination of CET Karnataka. Since his family is financially weak he could not pay the fees of the institute in which he got the admission.
Coincidentally he met a boy, Deepu in Patna who told him that if he appears for the medical entrance examination in place of his friend, Vijay Kumar, he would pay him Rs 1.50 lakh in order to complete his studies.
The sum promised to be paid was to be delivered only on the condition if the impostor cleared the examination. Amit left Bihar from Shramjeevi Express two days ago and then after collecting the admit card from Vijay came to Lucknow to sit for the test.
It was during the checking when the photograph on the admit card which was of Amit did not match the photograph with the authorities which was of Vijay. Amit confessed his crime in front of the Aliganj police but claimed that he committed the crime for the first time and had no idea if Deepu and Vijay had committed the crime previously too.
About the arrest of the other four, police said that investigations were on but they were initially taken into custody as they could not give satisfactory answers to the authorities concerned with regards to marks obtained in intermediate examination.
Shalabh Mathur said they were waiting for an official complaint from the medical authorities to come out with some thing substantial with regards to remaining four in custody.link
During the initial interrogation from them police came to know that all of them hailed from a different city and had no connection with each other. Amit is from Motihari in Bihar, Sudhir from Khatripur in Ghosi Mau, Jitendra Pal Singh from Jhansi, Hitendra Kumar Sharma from Banda and Satyendra from Kheri in Lakh Sarai of Bihar.
Police said that substantial details about how Amit committed the crime was known but investigations were on with regards to the involvement of others in the similar crime.
ASP and circle officer (CO) Aliganj, Shalabh Mathur said that Amit was appearing in the examination in place of Vijay Kumar of Jaunpur district. With regards to the family background of Amit, Shalabh added that he was the son of a farmer and last year had cleared the examination of CET Karnataka. Since his family is financially weak he could not pay the fees of the institute in which he got the admission.
Coincidentally he met a boy, Deepu in Patna who told him that if he appears for the medical entrance examination in place of his friend, Vijay Kumar, he would pay him Rs 1.50 lakh in order to complete his studies.
The sum promised to be paid was to be delivered only on the condition if the impostor cleared the examination. Amit left Bihar from Shramjeevi Express two days ago and then after collecting the admit card from Vijay came to Lucknow to sit for the test.
It was during the checking when the photograph on the admit card which was of Amit did not match the photograph with the authorities which was of Vijay. Amit confessed his crime in front of the Aliganj police but claimed that he committed the crime for the first time and had no idea if Deepu and Vijay had committed the crime previously too.
About the arrest of the other four, police said that investigations were on but they were initially taken into custody as they could not give satisfactory answers to the authorities concerned with regards to marks obtained in intermediate examination.
Shalabh Mathur said they were waiting for an official complaint from the medical authorities to come out with some thing substantial with regards to remaining four in custody.link
Bihar govt works on 'Sahabhagi' model of development
The Bihar government during the last three years has ensured construction of at least 54,000 school buildings by giving funds worth Rs 3 lakh each to school committees comprising of parents of the children studying in these schools.
“We have not only incorporated the principles of ‘Sahabhagi’ in our party JD(U)’s manifesto but our government is also following them in its actions,” chief minister Nitish Kumar told a Times Foundation delegation which delivered him a letter from The Times of India Group chairman Indu Jain at his residence here on Thursday.
Congratulating Kumar on adopting the concept of ‘Sahabhagi’, an initiative launched by Times Foundation to promote inclusive governance by involving citizens in the administrative decision-making process, the letter said the JD(U) move also manifested itself clearly in people’s verdict during just-concluded parliamentary elections in favour of development with pro-people policies gaining the predominance.
“The entire nation today looks at Bihar as a state deeply engaged in building a sustainable model of development through partnered approach of its government with the people,” the letter read and added the ‘Sahabhagi’ model of working with the people will go a long way in building a dependable and transparent support system for inclusive growth in the state through inclusive governance and people’s cooperation.
Kumar said his government is executing programmes with direct participation of people. “By ensuring that every family has a member in the village-level Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies (PACS), which were earlier used to be run by a select group, we are trying to ensure a positive engagement between the people and the power,” he said.
The CM was informed that as part of the ‘Sahabhagi’ initiative, Times Foundation in collaboration with state governments was working in education, health, environment and disaster management areas in places like Delhi, Mumbai, Tamil Nadu and Jammu & Kashmir.
“Public participation is showing encouraging results in Bihar, too. This has also minimized cost on execution and checked pilferage,” Kumar said. Earlier, the delegation called on deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi, who also reiterated the state government’s commitment to promoting ‘Sahabhagi’ principles.
Later, an interactive session was held on ‘Sahabhagi: An instrument to bring people and power together’ at ADRI. Jointly organized by ADRI and Art of Living, the meet was attended by the city’s intelligentsia. Those present included ADRI member secretary Shaibal Gupta, senior bureaucrats Anup Mukherjee and Manoj Srivastava, CII’s Bihar chapter chairman Satyajit Kumar Singh and AoL’s Indu Sinha.link
“We have not only incorporated the principles of ‘Sahabhagi’ in our party JD(U)’s manifesto but our government is also following them in its actions,” chief minister Nitish Kumar told a Times Foundation delegation which delivered him a letter from The Times of India Group chairman Indu Jain at his residence here on Thursday.
Congratulating Kumar on adopting the concept of ‘Sahabhagi’, an initiative launched by Times Foundation to promote inclusive governance by involving citizens in the administrative decision-making process, the letter said the JD(U) move also manifested itself clearly in people’s verdict during just-concluded parliamentary elections in favour of development with pro-people policies gaining the predominance.
“The entire nation today looks at Bihar as a state deeply engaged in building a sustainable model of development through partnered approach of its government with the people,” the letter read and added the ‘Sahabhagi’ model of working with the people will go a long way in building a dependable and transparent support system for inclusive growth in the state through inclusive governance and people’s cooperation.
Kumar said his government is executing programmes with direct participation of people. “By ensuring that every family has a member in the village-level Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies (PACS), which were earlier used to be run by a select group, we are trying to ensure a positive engagement between the people and the power,” he said.
The CM was informed that as part of the ‘Sahabhagi’ initiative, Times Foundation in collaboration with state governments was working in education, health, environment and disaster management areas in places like Delhi, Mumbai, Tamil Nadu and Jammu & Kashmir.
“Public participation is showing encouraging results in Bihar, too. This has also minimized cost on execution and checked pilferage,” Kumar said. Earlier, the delegation called on deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi, who also reiterated the state government’s commitment to promoting ‘Sahabhagi’ principles.
Later, an interactive session was held on ‘Sahabhagi: An instrument to bring people and power together’ at ADRI. Jointly organized by ADRI and Art of Living, the meet was attended by the city’s intelligentsia. Those present included ADRI member secretary Shaibal Gupta, senior bureaucrats Anup Mukherjee and Manoj Srivastava, CII’s Bihar chapter chairman Satyajit Kumar Singh and AoL’s Indu Sinha.link
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