The government today admitted that the number of children on Indian streets was rising and though there was no authentic data available, the country, as per a Unicef survey, was home to the world’s largest population of street children, estimated at over 18 million. According to one assumption 40 per cent of these children are in need of care and protection, which indicates the extent of the problem. While two out of every three children were physically abused, 53.22 per cent children have been reported to have faced one or more forms of sexual abuse, reveals Child Abuse: India 2007, a study by the ministry of women and child development.
According to a sample survey carried out in 13 states in 2007, however, revealed their number at 18.6 per cent with more than half of them having been sexually abused. While Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar and Delhi reported the highest percentage of sexual abuse among both boys and girls, 21.90 per cent child respondents reported facing severe forms of sexual abuse and 50.76 per cent other forms of sexual abuse. The report states that out of the child respondents, only 5.69 per cent reported being sexually assaulted. Children on the street, children at work and children in institutional care in Assam, AP, Bihar and Delhi reported the highest incidence of sexual assault. The numbers, however, are far from accurate as most street children do not report the incidents. The minister of state for women and child development Mrs Krishna Tirath admitted that the 18.6 per cent street children in 13 states Andhra Pradesh Assam, Bihar, Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharasthra, Mizoram, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal 54.51 per cent were abused sexually.link
Friday 31 July 2009
Bhagalpur all women-empowered
Women have made significant trides in most societies over the last century, but the trend line has not been straight. Most of the women who have taken leadership roles, it has been as social reformers and entrepreneurs, not as politicians or government officials.
Granted, a few women in the country are breaking through traditional barriers and becoming presidents, prime ministers, cabinet members, and legislators but Bhagalpur in Bihar has set an example by appointing talented women in almost all top positions.
Recently when Vandana Preyashi, was appointed as the district magistrate (DM) of the district, it has now become an all-women’s affair in the district. Women man top posts in the educational institutions, local bodies and the health department here as well.
Dr Prema Jha is the vice-chancellor of Tilka Manjhi Bhagalpur University (TMBU) and has the distinction of only woman to head a university in the State.
Women are occupying top positions in the affiliated colleges of Bhagalpur University as well. Dr Nisha Roy is the principal of Marwari College, a premier institution of TMBU.
Principal of TNB Law College Dr Kiran Saxena also holds the post of dean of Faculty of Law.
In the health sector, females head two key posts here. Dr Pratima Modi holds the charge of civil surgeon (CS) while Dr Usha Kacchup is the principal of Jawahar Lal Nehru Medical College.
Local bodies are ruled by women-power again. Dr Beena Yadav is the mayor heading the municipal corporation while Vinita Singh holds the position of district board chairperson.
Its not only the government sector where women are ruling the roost.
Mridula Jha, a social activists who also dons the role of a teacher in a local school, has tasted success where men once failed – tackling long-standing community problems. She established a center where the women of her village can meet and discuss broad community issues without depending on men. The center has also trained women in healthcare and planning to provide computer training to the local school.
“Women are often painted as weak or inferior, as victims or as objects of sexual exploitation, or simply tarred with unhelpful epithets. Bhagalpur is poised to change many such notions,” Mridula said.
“Bihari women are underestimated and said to have less abilities and I refuse to believe that is the case. They can prove their strength if given even less support, but they must be supported,” says Shreya Singh as a smile curled on the corners of his mouth. Singh helped Jha arrange resources for her initiatives.
Mridula’s message to men is simple: “It is not enough to just give speeches on days like Women’s Day. Men should practically help women grow up really well.”
Success stories of these women are testimony to the fact that women are taking the lead and the nation and societies are noticing the difference.link
Granted, a few women in the country are breaking through traditional barriers and becoming presidents, prime ministers, cabinet members, and legislators but Bhagalpur in Bihar has set an example by appointing talented women in almost all top positions.
Recently when Vandana Preyashi, was appointed as the district magistrate (DM) of the district, it has now become an all-women’s affair in the district. Women man top posts in the educational institutions, local bodies and the health department here as well.
Dr Prema Jha is the vice-chancellor of Tilka Manjhi Bhagalpur University (TMBU) and has the distinction of only woman to head a university in the State.
Women are occupying top positions in the affiliated colleges of Bhagalpur University as well. Dr Nisha Roy is the principal of Marwari College, a premier institution of TMBU.
Principal of TNB Law College Dr Kiran Saxena also holds the post of dean of Faculty of Law.
In the health sector, females head two key posts here. Dr Pratima Modi holds the charge of civil surgeon (CS) while Dr Usha Kacchup is the principal of Jawahar Lal Nehru Medical College.
Local bodies are ruled by women-power again. Dr Beena Yadav is the mayor heading the municipal corporation while Vinita Singh holds the position of district board chairperson.
Its not only the government sector where women are ruling the roost.
Mridula Jha, a social activists who also dons the role of a teacher in a local school, has tasted success where men once failed – tackling long-standing community problems. She established a center where the women of her village can meet and discuss broad community issues without depending on men. The center has also trained women in healthcare and planning to provide computer training to the local school.
“Women are often painted as weak or inferior, as victims or as objects of sexual exploitation, or simply tarred with unhelpful epithets. Bhagalpur is poised to change many such notions,” Mridula said.
“Bihari women are underestimated and said to have less abilities and I refuse to believe that is the case. They can prove their strength if given even less support, but they must be supported,” says Shreya Singh as a smile curled on the corners of his mouth. Singh helped Jha arrange resources for her initiatives.
Mridula’s message to men is simple: “It is not enough to just give speeches on days like Women’s Day. Men should practically help women grow up really well.”
Success stories of these women are testimony to the fact that women are taking the lead and the nation and societies are noticing the difference.link
ICU-on-wheels for babies
Bihar will soon have an intensive care unit (ICU) on wheels, exclusively for newborn babies.
The ICU-on-wheel would have facilities like ventilator, equipment for radiological and pathological investigations, blood gas analyser, incubators and facility to monitor vital indicators of babies. Aboard it would be a five-member team of doctors and paramedics to attend to babies even while being transported to hospital.
There would also be facility for conducting minor surgeries in the vehicle which will have all necessary life-saving drugs stocked in it.
Mahavir Vatsalya Hospital-Patna, which specialises in treating babies, has taken the initiative to launch the vehicle. "We are expecting to start the ICU-on-wheels services some time in August this year," hospital director Dr Uday Pathak told.
Underlining the need of having such a facility in Bihar, Dr Pathak said, "Out of the 2,000 neonatal cases our hospital receives every year on an average, one-third are those of birth asphyxia which needs immediate medical support." Birth asphyxia is a condition in which the brain of newborn baby gets damaged due to lack of oxygen supply. This, needless to say, leads to other complications.
"The ICU-on-wheels would allow the needy to get timely medical support even during the travel time taken to bring the baby to the hospital," said hospital's senior paediatrician Dr Rakesh Singh, who is in-charge of this ambitious project.
Dr Singh said phone numbers would be made available on which calls can be made to get the vehicle. A mechanism is being worked out to ensure that the vehicle starts its journey within five minutes of receiving a call.
Dr Pathak said the idea is to serve the areas in and around Patna which can be reached within six hours. "With this in mind, we would be able to provide the services to major parts of the state," he added.
Incidentally, ICU-on-wheels for neonatal cases are commonplace in south- Indian states and their functioning has received appreciation from one and all. link
The ICU-on-wheel would have facilities like ventilator, equipment for radiological and pathological investigations, blood gas analyser, incubators and facility to monitor vital indicators of babies. Aboard it would be a five-member team of doctors and paramedics to attend to babies even while being transported to hospital.
There would also be facility for conducting minor surgeries in the vehicle which will have all necessary life-saving drugs stocked in it.
Mahavir Vatsalya Hospital-Patna, which specialises in treating babies, has taken the initiative to launch the vehicle. "We are expecting to start the ICU-on-wheels services some time in August this year," hospital director Dr Uday Pathak told.
Underlining the need of having such a facility in Bihar, Dr Pathak said, "Out of the 2,000 neonatal cases our hospital receives every year on an average, one-third are those of birth asphyxia which needs immediate medical support." Birth asphyxia is a condition in which the brain of newborn baby gets damaged due to lack of oxygen supply. This, needless to say, leads to other complications.
"The ICU-on-wheels would allow the needy to get timely medical support even during the travel time taken to bring the baby to the hospital," said hospital's senior paediatrician Dr Rakesh Singh, who is in-charge of this ambitious project.
Dr Singh said phone numbers would be made available on which calls can be made to get the vehicle. A mechanism is being worked out to ensure that the vehicle starts its journey within five minutes of receiving a call.
Dr Pathak said the idea is to serve the areas in and around Patna which can be reached within six hours. "With this in mind, we would be able to provide the services to major parts of the state," he added.
Incidentally, ICU-on-wheels for neonatal cases are commonplace in south- Indian states and their functioning has received appreciation from one and all. link
Bihar curbs medicine that kills vultures
The Bihar government has decided to check the use of anti-inflammatory Diclofenac medicine in treatment of animals as the drug accumulates in the tissues of carcasses and is leading to the death of vultures.
Bihar Animal Resources and Fisheries Minister Ramanarayan Mandal said Friday: “I was told by experts that vultures suffer from renal failure and die after consuming the Diclofenac accumulated in the tissues of the dead animals.
“We have directed not to go for veterinary use of Diclofenac to save vultures and to help increase their numbers,” Mandal told.
The minister said that in May 2006 the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) had asked all state drug controllers to phase out Diclofenac from the veterinary use within three months.
DCGI issued another circular in 2008 asking all state drug controllers to direct manufacturers of Diclofenac to label it “not for veterinary use”.
Despite the notes, rampant use of Diclofenac continued in Bihar.
Once a common site in the state, vultures have seen a steep decline in numbers in the last decade.
“Vultures are now spotted mainly in Bhagalpur, Supaul, Araria and Khagaria districts,” an animal resources department official said.link
Bihar Animal Resources and Fisheries Minister Ramanarayan Mandal said Friday: “I was told by experts that vultures suffer from renal failure and die after consuming the Diclofenac accumulated in the tissues of the dead animals.
“We have directed not to go for veterinary use of Diclofenac to save vultures and to help increase their numbers,” Mandal told.
The minister said that in May 2006 the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) had asked all state drug controllers to phase out Diclofenac from the veterinary use within three months.
DCGI issued another circular in 2008 asking all state drug controllers to direct manufacturers of Diclofenac to label it “not for veterinary use”.
Despite the notes, rampant use of Diclofenac continued in Bihar.
Once a common site in the state, vultures have seen a steep decline in numbers in the last decade.
“Vultures are now spotted mainly in Bhagalpur, Supaul, Araria and Khagaria districts,” an animal resources department official said.link
Human trafficking on the rise in Bihar
The Bihar government Friday admitted that there has been a marked increase in the number of women and children being smuggled from the state since the launch of its Human Trafficking Prevention Programme in 2007.
Bihar Water Resources Minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav told that over 50 cases of human trafficking had been registered till July this year. There were 50 cases in 2008 and 21 in 2007.
The minister had told the state assembly last week that 128 human traffickers were arrested in 2009 and 91 women were freed from their clutches.
Most cases were reported from Kishanganj, Purnia, Araria, Katihar, Sitamarhi, Madhubani and Saharsa.
Yadav said it was a matter of serious concern that human trafficking was on the rise though special cells had been set up to initiate effective measures to check the crime.
The state government launched the Human Trafficking Prevention Programme for checking smuggling of women and child labourers and ensure a comprehensive rehabilitation scheme for the victims.
A senior police official said Bihar had become a hub of human trafficking due to large scale poverty and illiteracy.
Officials in the social welfare department said that last year’s devastating floods in the Kosi region had provided a golden opportunity to human traffickers to target poverty stricken people.
According to a report prepared by the state government along with NGOs, most children smuggled from the state end up as bonded labourers, domestic workers and employees at roadside restaurants or small textile units.
Most young girls are either forced to marry men from Punjab and Haryana or work in brothels.link
Bihar Water Resources Minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav told that over 50 cases of human trafficking had been registered till July this year. There were 50 cases in 2008 and 21 in 2007.
The minister had told the state assembly last week that 128 human traffickers were arrested in 2009 and 91 women were freed from their clutches.
Most cases were reported from Kishanganj, Purnia, Araria, Katihar, Sitamarhi, Madhubani and Saharsa.
Yadav said it was a matter of serious concern that human trafficking was on the rise though special cells had been set up to initiate effective measures to check the crime.
The state government launched the Human Trafficking Prevention Programme for checking smuggling of women and child labourers and ensure a comprehensive rehabilitation scheme for the victims.
A senior police official said Bihar had become a hub of human trafficking due to large scale poverty and illiteracy.
Officials in the social welfare department said that last year’s devastating floods in the Kosi region had provided a golden opportunity to human traffickers to target poverty stricken people.
According to a report prepared by the state government along with NGOs, most children smuggled from the state end up as bonded labourers, domestic workers and employees at roadside restaurants or small textile units.
Most young girls are either forced to marry men from Punjab and Haryana or work in brothels.link
* Railways to set up 1000 MW power plant in Nabinagar
Railways would set up a 1000 MW capacity power plant at Nabinagar in Bihar to meet its power requirements.
The plant will be set up under a joint venture with NTPC, Minister of State for Railways E Ahamed told the Rajya Sabha today.
Railways have already formed 'Bharatiya Bijlee Company Limited' for initiating power projects for it.
In a written reply in the House, Ahamed said the upcoming plant will feed 164 traction sub-stations located in Eastern and Western region of the country.
Railways consumed more than 14,096 million Kwh in 2007-08 for operational (traction) and non operational (non traction) purposes.
Its power needs are also fulfilled by different state utilities and companies like Tata Electric, Damodar Valley Corporation and NTPC.link
The plant will be set up under a joint venture with NTPC, Minister of State for Railways E Ahamed told the Rajya Sabha today.
Railways have already formed 'Bharatiya Bijlee Company Limited' for initiating power projects for it.
In a written reply in the House, Ahamed said the upcoming plant will feed 164 traction sub-stations located in Eastern and Western region of the country.
Railways consumed more than 14,096 million Kwh in 2007-08 for operational (traction) and non operational (non traction) purposes.
Its power needs are also fulfilled by different state utilities and companies like Tata Electric, Damodar Valley Corporation and NTPC.link
Act proposed to protect 'bataidars' in Bihar
A commission on land reforms in Bihar has suggested to the state government to bring a new legislation to protect 'bataidars' (share-croppers), besides capping on land ceiling and computerisation of land records.
Although, the D Bandopadhayay Commission report was not tabled by the state government before the House during the monsoon session that ended yesterday, CDs containing the report were made available to the legislatures outside the Assembly.
Suggesting a cap on land ceiling at 15 acres (for both agricultural and non-agricultural land), the commission has recommended creation of better mechanisms for mutation, identification of bhoodan land and toning up revenue administration.
The commission also recommended enactment of a harsh legislation to take action against those hiding their surplus land in 'benami' names or through covert transfers.
The benami transaction (prohibition of the right to recovery) act 1989 should also be amended, it suggests.link
Although, the D Bandopadhayay Commission report was not tabled by the state government before the House during the monsoon session that ended yesterday, CDs containing the report were made available to the legislatures outside the Assembly.
Suggesting a cap on land ceiling at 15 acres (for both agricultural and non-agricultural land), the commission has recommended creation of better mechanisms for mutation, identification of bhoodan land and toning up revenue administration.
The commission also recommended enactment of a harsh legislation to take action against those hiding their surplus land in 'benami' names or through covert transfers.
The benami transaction (prohibition of the right to recovery) act 1989 should also be amended, it suggests.link
Thursday 30 July 2009
Shakuni Choudhry elected Dy Speaker of Bihar assembly
Senior RJD leader Shakuni Choudhry was on Thursday unanimously elected the Deputy Speaker of the Bihar assembly.
Speaker Udai Narain Choudhry, who announced the unanimous election of the Tarapur MLA as Deputy Speaker during the post lunch session, asked him to conduct the business on the last day of the session, which was later adjourned sine-die.
The name of Choudhry was proposed by deputy leader of the House and RJD MLA Shakeel Ahmed Khan and seconded by another member Abdul Bari Siddiqui and accepted unanimously.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi, legislature party leaders of the Congress, Lok Janshakti Party, CPI, CPI-M, CPI-ML, BSP and independents congratulated Choudhry on being elected as the Deputy Speaker.
They assured Choudhry of full cooperation in running the business of the house.link
Speaker Udai Narain Choudhry, who announced the unanimous election of the Tarapur MLA as Deputy Speaker during the post lunch session, asked him to conduct the business on the last day of the session, which was later adjourned sine-die.
The name of Choudhry was proposed by deputy leader of the House and RJD MLA Shakeel Ahmed Khan and seconded by another member Abdul Bari Siddiqui and accepted unanimously.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi, legislature party leaders of the Congress, Lok Janshakti Party, CPI, CPI-M, CPI-ML, BSP and independents congratulated Choudhry on being elected as the Deputy Speaker.
They assured Choudhry of full cooperation in running the business of the house.link
Blind businessman stars as Bollywood film hero
A blind Indian businessman is playing the role of a gunman who fights tigers and jumps off burning cars in a new Bollywood film to be released in August.
Naseer Khan, the 36-year-old hero of the film "Shadow," lost his sight when he was in school. Unlike in real life, Khan can see everything in the film, an idea that struck him during a visit to a film shooting a few years ago.
He invested $5.3 million from his own pocket to make the film, a thriller about a gunman sought by police after a series of killings.
"I am making this film, if for nothing else, than to show that I can do everything that anyone else can," Khan, who has a leather goods business.link
Naseer Khan, the 36-year-old hero of the film "Shadow," lost his sight when he was in school. Unlike in real life, Khan can see everything in the film, an idea that struck him during a visit to a film shooting a few years ago.
He invested $5.3 million from his own pocket to make the film, a thriller about a gunman sought by police after a series of killings.
"I am making this film, if for nothing else, than to show that I can do everything that anyone else can," Khan, who has a leather goods business.link
Bihar to set up Land Tribunal
The Bihar government is determined to ensure speedy disposal of land related disputes. To secure this objective, a Bihar Land Tribunal would be set up. A bill to this effect was passed by the Bihar Legislative Assembly on Wednesday, July 29. At present, all cases related to land disputes ultimately reach the civil and high court. Land reform legislations are immune to constitutional review because such legislations have been put under Schedule IX of the Indian Constitution. This immunity however, does not prevent the High Court from trying cases under the Land Reforms Laws.
Over a period of time, such cases have piled up in the High Court. At present, 458 cases under the Land Ceiling Act 1961 are pending in the Patna High Court and 16 in the Supreme Court.
Similarly, cases relating to the Bihar Land Reforms Act, 1950, Bihar Tenancy Act, 1885, Bihar Prevention of Fragmentation of Land Act, 1956, Bihar Bhoodan Act, 1954, Bihar Privileged Persons Homestead Tenancy Act, 1947, are pending before the Supreme Court. Needless to say, this delay defeats the very purpose of the land reforms. The demand for setting up this tribunal has been made earlier, but it had not been realised due to some reason or the other.
The tribunal will consist of one chairman and four members. The chairman will either be a serving or a retired high court judge whereas the members would be of the rank of district judge. One administrative member will be a retired IAS of principal or secretary rank. All cases related to land disputes shall be transferred to it within a specified period of time. It is being hoped that the setting up of this tribunal would accelerate the pace of disposal of such cases, the pendency of which is a bane to land reforms measures.link
Over a period of time, such cases have piled up in the High Court. At present, 458 cases under the Land Ceiling Act 1961 are pending in the Patna High Court and 16 in the Supreme Court.
Similarly, cases relating to the Bihar Land Reforms Act, 1950, Bihar Tenancy Act, 1885, Bihar Prevention of Fragmentation of Land Act, 1956, Bihar Bhoodan Act, 1954, Bihar Privileged Persons Homestead Tenancy Act, 1947, are pending before the Supreme Court. Needless to say, this delay defeats the very purpose of the land reforms. The demand for setting up this tribunal has been made earlier, but it had not been realised due to some reason or the other.
The tribunal will consist of one chairman and four members. The chairman will either be a serving or a retired high court judge whereas the members would be of the rank of district judge. One administrative member will be a retired IAS of principal or secretary rank. All cases related to land disputes shall be transferred to it within a specified period of time. It is being hoped that the setting up of this tribunal would accelerate the pace of disposal of such cases, the pendency of which is a bane to land reforms measures.link
Mahatma Gandhi's dream schools in Bihar set for revival
After years of neglect, the 391 schools that were set up in Bihar to fulfil Mahatma Gandhi's dream that one day all Indian children will have access to basic education are set to get a new lease of life.
State Human Resources Development Minister Hari Narain Singh told that the government has decided to spend Rs.50 crore to improve the infrastructure of the Buniyadi Vidyalayas (basic schools), about six of which were set up by the father of the nation himself.
The schools were set up to impart basic education to boys and girls in rural areas. They were also meant to provide vocational training in spinning, carpentry, farming and weaving.
The first Buniyadi Vidyalaya was established by the Mahatma in 1939 at Brindavan in Bihar's West Champaran district.
Singh said the government will spend Rs.50 lakh each on 100 basic schools during the current financial year as part of the first phase of the revival plan. In the next two financial years, the government would spend money on the other 291 schools.
"The government will not allow the dream schools of Mahatma Gandhi to die. All the basic schools will be revived in phased manner to provide opportunity to the younger generation to realise the dream of the father of the nation," said Singh.
Official sources said the basic schools or "Mahatma ke school" as they are popularly called in Bihar, are struggling for survival. They suffer from a shortage of teachers and funds. In many case, land meant for the Buniyadi Vidyalayas is in illegal possession of others.
Successive state governments have allowed the schools to languish. Even the central government has not made any attempt to breathe life into them.
A few years ago, the Supreme Court took serious note of the plight of the basic schools in West Champaran district.
The court had then issued notices to the centre, the state government, the district administration of West Champaran and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to ensure proper functioning of the schools and preservation of the Gandhian heritage. link
State Human Resources Development Minister Hari Narain Singh told that the government has decided to spend Rs.50 crore to improve the infrastructure of the Buniyadi Vidyalayas (basic schools), about six of which were set up by the father of the nation himself.
The schools were set up to impart basic education to boys and girls in rural areas. They were also meant to provide vocational training in spinning, carpentry, farming and weaving.
The first Buniyadi Vidyalaya was established by the Mahatma in 1939 at Brindavan in Bihar's West Champaran district.
Singh said the government will spend Rs.50 lakh each on 100 basic schools during the current financial year as part of the first phase of the revival plan. In the next two financial years, the government would spend money on the other 291 schools.
"The government will not allow the dream schools of Mahatma Gandhi to die. All the basic schools will be revived in phased manner to provide opportunity to the younger generation to realise the dream of the father of the nation," said Singh.
Official sources said the basic schools or "Mahatma ke school" as they are popularly called in Bihar, are struggling for survival. They suffer from a shortage of teachers and funds. In many case, land meant for the Buniyadi Vidyalayas is in illegal possession of others.
Successive state governments have allowed the schools to languish. Even the central government has not made any attempt to breathe life into them.
A few years ago, the Supreme Court took serious note of the plight of the basic schools in West Champaran district.
The court had then issued notices to the centre, the state government, the district administration of West Champaran and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to ensure proper functioning of the schools and preservation of the Gandhian heritage. link
Wednesday 29 July 2009
New wave' directors make a splash in Bollywood
India's Hindi-language film industry has traditionally been a tight-knit affair, with generations of actors, producers and directors forging careers in what was effectively a family business.
But a number of 'new wave' directors are now breaking the mould, making their mark on audiences despite not having the benefit of an established 'name' behind them.
Among them is Imtiaz Ali, who was an unknown when he came to India's entertainment capital, Mumbai, from northern Bihar state to study film directing in 1995.
Others include R. Balakrishnan, a former advertising executive known as 'Balki", and Anurag Kashyap, the son of a state electricity worker.
Balki is working on his second film, 'Pa", with Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan, while fellow newcomer Anurag Basu, famous for the dark 'Life... in a Metro", is directing 'Kites' starring Hrithik Roshan and Barbara Moi.
Ali's third film, 'Love Aaj Kal' (Love Today), hits screens on Friday, with expectations that it will eclipse the success of his 'Jab We Met' (When We Met), which came out two years ago.
The 38-year-old has broken through, despite the continued dominance of powerful Bollywood clans like the Bachchans, the Dutts, the Khans and the Kapoors. Yet he denies the industry is a closed shop.
'Our film industry has always been open to outsiders. You are welcome and it does not matter who you are if you have the talent,' he said.
'After all, many of the big directors of today were outsiders in the industry when they began their career.'
Directors like himself who have shunned the traditional song and dance 'masala' movie format for more experimental, lower-budget movies, are not doing anything radically different from others in previous generations, he added.
'If you look at the history of our film industry, you will find that every decade a group of new directors came and shook the industry with their new kind of films,' he said.
'In the 1970s, it was Ramesh Sippy with 'Sholay' then in the 1990s it was Aditya Chopra with 'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge' making a love story.'
He added: 'You can say we are following that trend. The most important point is that you need to be convincing enough. Producers need to be convinced that when they put their money in they will get it back from your film.'
Kashyap landed in Mumbai in 1993, starting his career as a scriptwriter before moving into directing, fulfilling an ambition that began when he saw the classic Italian film 'The Bicycle Thieves' as a child.
The 37-year-old's first film in 2004, 'Black Friday", was about the 1993 serial bomb attacks in Mumbai. It was one of a number at the time to shun romance, music and fantasy to tackle more contemporary issues.
His follow-up, 'No Smoking", flopped but 'Dev D", his remake of the classic Indian novel and film 'Devdas", about an obsessive lover, stormed to the top of the box office rankings earlier this year.
With Bollywood suffering the fall-out of the global economic downturn and recovering from a damaging producers' boycott of multiplex cinemas, Kashyap is optimistic that there will be a raft of more innovative movies.
'I firmly believe that this year will be the golden year of Bollywood. The new wave cinema will go mainstream and you will see the change for sure,' he said.link
But a number of 'new wave' directors are now breaking the mould, making their mark on audiences despite not having the benefit of an established 'name' behind them.
Among them is Imtiaz Ali, who was an unknown when he came to India's entertainment capital, Mumbai, from northern Bihar state to study film directing in 1995.
Others include R. Balakrishnan, a former advertising executive known as 'Balki", and Anurag Kashyap, the son of a state electricity worker.
Balki is working on his second film, 'Pa", with Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan, while fellow newcomer Anurag Basu, famous for the dark 'Life... in a Metro", is directing 'Kites' starring Hrithik Roshan and Barbara Moi.
Ali's third film, 'Love Aaj Kal' (Love Today), hits screens on Friday, with expectations that it will eclipse the success of his 'Jab We Met' (When We Met), which came out two years ago.
The 38-year-old has broken through, despite the continued dominance of powerful Bollywood clans like the Bachchans, the Dutts, the Khans and the Kapoors. Yet he denies the industry is a closed shop.
'Our film industry has always been open to outsiders. You are welcome and it does not matter who you are if you have the talent,' he said.
'After all, many of the big directors of today were outsiders in the industry when they began their career.'
Directors like himself who have shunned the traditional song and dance 'masala' movie format for more experimental, lower-budget movies, are not doing anything radically different from others in previous generations, he added.
'If you look at the history of our film industry, you will find that every decade a group of new directors came and shook the industry with their new kind of films,' he said.
'In the 1970s, it was Ramesh Sippy with 'Sholay' then in the 1990s it was Aditya Chopra with 'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge' making a love story.'
He added: 'You can say we are following that trend. The most important point is that you need to be convincing enough. Producers need to be convinced that when they put their money in they will get it back from your film.'
Kashyap landed in Mumbai in 1993, starting his career as a scriptwriter before moving into directing, fulfilling an ambition that began when he saw the classic Italian film 'The Bicycle Thieves' as a child.
The 37-year-old's first film in 2004, 'Black Friday", was about the 1993 serial bomb attacks in Mumbai. It was one of a number at the time to shun romance, music and fantasy to tackle more contemporary issues.
His follow-up, 'No Smoking", flopped but 'Dev D", his remake of the classic Indian novel and film 'Devdas", about an obsessive lover, stormed to the top of the box office rankings earlier this year.
With Bollywood suffering the fall-out of the global economic downturn and recovering from a damaging producers' boycott of multiplex cinemas, Kashyap is optimistic that there will be a raft of more innovative movies.
'I firmly believe that this year will be the golden year of Bollywood. The new wave cinema will go mainstream and you will see the change for sure,' he said.link
Govt gears up to promote Bihari food products
Chief minister Nitish Kumar has a dream that Bihari food products should find place on every dinning table of the country. This was stated by principal secretary of industry A K Sinha at the `International Summit-cum-Exhibition on Food Processing and Agribusiness' being held at New Delhi.
While interacting with the participants, Sinha said that the government has geared up to achieve that. He said that the industry department has so far undertaken five road shows in Patna, Muzaffarpur, Bhagalpur, Begusarai and Kolkata for highlighting the strong areas of food processing to different investors.
Sinha mentioned the new schemes launched by the Bihar government and stressed that the National Commission for Farmers has dubbed Bihar the `sleeping giant' of Indian agriculture. He said that Bihar produces 50 lakh metric tonnes of paddy and 20 lakh metric tonnes of maize. He also pointed out that Bihar was the third largest producer of vegetables and seventh largest producer of fruits. He said that 75 per cent of the litchi is produced in Bihar and there are 10 lakh metric tonnes of banana and 20 lakh metric tonnes of `makhana' produced in the state.
Sinha said that Bihar has massive opportunities for rice-based industry like modern rice milling and husk-based power plants and it is the largest market for milled rice. He also pointed towards the potentiality of maize-based industry such as starch, poultry feed, corn oil and flakes and flour units. He said that the state has decided to develop two integrated food zones and food parks and would set up 100 rural agribusiness centres.
He also spoke about the enabling factors -- Bihar is the first state in the country to prepare a vision document and has come out with a very attractive policy package. He said that the state has launched two major schemes for investment in food processing sector. The first provides capital grant up to 40 per cent of the project cost, the maximum being Rs 10 crore. The second scheme for food parks provides a capital grant up to 20 per cent, maximum Rs 15 crore.link
While interacting with the participants, Sinha said that the government has geared up to achieve that. He said that the industry department has so far undertaken five road shows in Patna, Muzaffarpur, Bhagalpur, Begusarai and Kolkata for highlighting the strong areas of food processing to different investors.
Sinha mentioned the new schemes launched by the Bihar government and stressed that the National Commission for Farmers has dubbed Bihar the `sleeping giant' of Indian agriculture. He said that Bihar produces 50 lakh metric tonnes of paddy and 20 lakh metric tonnes of maize. He also pointed out that Bihar was the third largest producer of vegetables and seventh largest producer of fruits. He said that 75 per cent of the litchi is produced in Bihar and there are 10 lakh metric tonnes of banana and 20 lakh metric tonnes of `makhana' produced in the state.
Sinha said that Bihar has massive opportunities for rice-based industry like modern rice milling and husk-based power plants and it is the largest market for milled rice. He also pointed towards the potentiality of maize-based industry such as starch, poultry feed, corn oil and flakes and flour units. He said that the state has decided to develop two integrated food zones and food parks and would set up 100 rural agribusiness centres.
He also spoke about the enabling factors -- Bihar is the first state in the country to prepare a vision document and has come out with a very attractive policy package. He said that the state has launched two major schemes for investment in food processing sector. The first provides capital grant up to 40 per cent of the project cost, the maximum being Rs 10 crore. The second scheme for food parks provides a capital grant up to 20 per cent, maximum Rs 15 crore.link
Police Academy to come up at Rajgir
The Bihar government on Tuesday decided to transfer 136 acres of land acquired in Rajgir to police department for construction of Bihar Police Academy for imparting training to police official appointed in junior grade, sources said.
In another decision, the state cabinet which met here under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar last evening, raised the diesel subsidy to Rs 450 per hectare from Rs 350 per hectare as announced earlier in the wake of drought-like situation.
The cabinet also earmarked Rs 50 crore for seeds subsidy in view of the drought situation.
The government also decided to impose four per cent vat on Makhana and one per cent on Rajma.link
Radiologists in Bihar Govt. Hospitals Go Hi-tech
Radiologists in government hospitals in Bihar will now be able to access patient reports online.
As a part of its e-government initiative, the Bihar government has asked Pune based Sadhna Group and Medsynaptic to connect diagnostic imaging centers and government hospitals to a central server. The project is expected to go live in six months.
Once completed, the project will allow both patients and radiologists to view reports online. The system will transfer images to a central server. Once the server gets the images, radiologists can interpret scans and revert immediately with reports.
Medsynaptic,which has been chosen as the Teleradiology/PACS solution provider for the same, has already commenced implementation and connected two sites, according to a press release. A software will provide advanced tools to radiologists to interpret scans and provide accurate diagnosis in a speedy manner. The system will also allow second opinion from radiologists in any part of the world, thus enabling best health care to the poor and needy people of the state.
The Healthcare division, Sadhna Healthline, bagged the tender to set up 15 ultra-modern diagnostic centres. All facilities including CT scanners, digital X-ray, MRI, ECG, ultrasound and pathology services will be installed.link
As a part of its e-government initiative, the Bihar government has asked Pune based Sadhna Group and Medsynaptic to connect diagnostic imaging centers and government hospitals to a central server. The project is expected to go live in six months.
Once completed, the project will allow both patients and radiologists to view reports online. The system will transfer images to a central server. Once the server gets the images, radiologists can interpret scans and revert immediately with reports.
Medsynaptic,which has been chosen as the Teleradiology/PACS solution provider for the same, has already commenced implementation and connected two sites, according to a press release. A software will provide advanced tools to radiologists to interpret scans and provide accurate diagnosis in a speedy manner. The system will also allow second opinion from radiologists in any part of the world, thus enabling best health care to the poor and needy people of the state.
The Healthcare division, Sadhna Healthline, bagged the tender to set up 15 ultra-modern diagnostic centres. All facilities including CT scanners, digital X-ray, MRI, ECG, ultrasound and pathology services will be installed.link
Tuesday 28 July 2009
Prasan Sinha's movie makes it to Cannes
Bihari filmmaker Prasan Sinha's first Hindi digital feature film, `Kismet Ek Anokha Mor', was well received at the 62nd Cannes
Film Festival.
Sinha, who hails from Muzaffarpur in Bihar and shifted to Delhi a decade ago, shot the movie
in digital format in Tikli village in Aravali hills in Haryana in 14 days. The medium-budget film was premiered in the India Pavilion at the Cannes Film Festival- 2009 on May 16.
Film celebrities like Sharmila Tagore, Subhash Ghai, Rakesh Roshan and Jugmohan Mundra were present during the show. He said the movie would also be screened at Dubai Film Festival and Venice Film Festival. It would be the opening film in the digital section of International Film Festival of India in Goa.
Having over 25 years of working experience in filmmaking with eminent filmmakers like Saeed Akhtar Mirza, Sinha has so far directed 45 documentary films, 25 corporate films, 10 ad films and more than 365 episodes of various TV serials. Sinha's directorial venture was `Sab Golmaal Hai' for DD metro.
"We have made an attempt to introduce a new concept in filmmaking which is of low budget and does away with the menace of piracy," Sinha said.
The film, produced by Abhay Yadav, is based in rural India and gives the message of self-employment. All the actors of the film have worked in rural theatre.
"Digital format shoot brings down the production cost by 40-50%," Sinha said and added some parts of Slumdog Millionaire were also shot in the digital format.
Talking about his upcoming movie `My Dear Brother-in-Law', Sinha said it's a comedy depicting a middle class family of a village and their old value system.link
Film Festival.
Sinha, who hails from Muzaffarpur in Bihar and shifted to Delhi a decade ago, shot the movie
in digital format in Tikli village in Aravali hills in Haryana in 14 days. The medium-budget film was premiered in the India Pavilion at the Cannes Film Festival- 2009 on May 16.
Film celebrities like Sharmila Tagore, Subhash Ghai, Rakesh Roshan and Jugmohan Mundra were present during the show. He said the movie would also be screened at Dubai Film Festival and Venice Film Festival. It would be the opening film in the digital section of International Film Festival of India in Goa.
Having over 25 years of working experience in filmmaking with eminent filmmakers like Saeed Akhtar Mirza, Sinha has so far directed 45 documentary films, 25 corporate films, 10 ad films and more than 365 episodes of various TV serials. Sinha's directorial venture was `Sab Golmaal Hai' for DD metro.
"We have made an attempt to introduce a new concept in filmmaking which is of low budget and does away with the menace of piracy," Sinha said.
The film, produced by Abhay Yadav, is based in rural India and gives the message of self-employment. All the actors of the film have worked in rural theatre.
"Digital format shoot brings down the production cost by 40-50%," Sinha said and added some parts of Slumdog Millionaire were also shot in the digital format.
Talking about his upcoming movie `My Dear Brother-in-Law', Sinha said it's a comedy depicting a middle class family of a village and their old value system.link
mother threw her newborn daughter
In a shocking incident, a 22-year-old mother threw her newborn daughter out of the first floor window of a residential building in the Watgunge police station area on Tuesday, allegedly thinking it to be stillborn.
The police said the woman was working as a domestic help and gave birth to the child at her employer’s toilet.
Sabnam, who is from Samastipur in Bihar, began working for a businessman, Md Zahid, two months ago. The police said, as per her employer’s statement she had not informed him or his family members about her pregnancy. Sabnam was ill and very thin and as she wore a burqa all the times, they did not realise she was pregnant, Zahid’s statement said.
Local residents who noticed a newborn lying on the street in front of Zahid’s house informed the police. During preliminary investigation it was revealed that Sabnam gave birth to the child inside a toilet. She panicked after the baby was born and hurled the baby out of the toilet window, the police said.
During questioning, Sabnam claimed that she had given birth to a still-born baby. As she was apprehensive that she might lose her job if the matter came to light, she threw the baby. A senior officer said the woman was so ill that she had to be admitted to Sambhunath Pandit Hospital. The baby’s body has been sent for postmortem to verify if it was stillborn.During questioning, Sabnam claimed that she had given birth to a still-born baby. As she was apprehensive that she might lose her job if the matter came to light, she threw the baby. A senior officer said the woman was so ill that she had to be admitted to Sambhunath Pandit Hospital. The baby’s body has been sent for postmortem to verify if it was stillborn.link
The police said the woman was working as a domestic help and gave birth to the child at her employer’s toilet.
Sabnam, who is from Samastipur in Bihar, began working for a businessman, Md Zahid, two months ago. The police said, as per her employer’s statement she had not informed him or his family members about her pregnancy. Sabnam was ill and very thin and as she wore a burqa all the times, they did not realise she was pregnant, Zahid’s statement said.
Local residents who noticed a newborn lying on the street in front of Zahid’s house informed the police. During preliminary investigation it was revealed that Sabnam gave birth to the child inside a toilet. She panicked after the baby was born and hurled the baby out of the toilet window, the police said.
During questioning, Sabnam claimed that she had given birth to a still-born baby. As she was apprehensive that she might lose her job if the matter came to light, she threw the baby. A senior officer said the woman was so ill that she had to be admitted to Sambhunath Pandit Hospital. The baby’s body has been sent for postmortem to verify if it was stillborn.During questioning, Sabnam claimed that she had given birth to a still-born baby. As she was apprehensive that she might lose her job if the matter came to light, she threw the baby. A senior officer said the woman was so ill that she had to be admitted to Sambhunath Pandit Hospital. The baby’s body has been sent for postmortem to verify if it was stillborn.link
Monday 27 July 2009
Former Bihar minister Madan Prasad Singh died
Former Bihar minister and senior Congress leader Madan Prasad Singh died after a protracted illness at a hospital in Bhagalpur town today. He was 76.
Expressing profound shock and grief at the demise of Singh, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said his mortal remains would be consigned to flames with a full state honour at Naugachhia in Bhagalpur district tomorrow.
Several state ministers condoled his death.link
Expressing profound shock and grief at the demise of Singh, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said his mortal remains would be consigned to flames with a full state honour at Naugachhia in Bhagalpur district tomorrow.
Several state ministers condoled his death.link
22 IAS officers transferred in Bihar
Bihar government today effected a major reshuffle in the civil administration, transferring 22 IAS officers, including 14 District Magistrates.
According to the state's Personnel and Administrative Reforms Department release, 14 District Magistrates have been transferred.
As per the list, the new DMs are -- Dayashanker Pandey (Arwal), Vandana Preyasi (Bhagalpur), Lokesh Kumar (Saran), Devesh Sehra (Banka), Arun Chandra Singh (Sheikhpura), Masud Hasan (Nawada), Anjani Kumar Verma (Sitamarhi), Sanjay Kumar Agrawal (Nalanda), Bala Murgan D (Siwan), Aunpam Kumar (Rohtas), Arvind Kumar (Munger), Sarvanan M (Araria) and Palka Sahni (Jehanabad).
Besides the DMs, other senior IAS officers have also been transferred to various other departments and boards.link
According to the state's Personnel and Administrative Reforms Department release, 14 District Magistrates have been transferred.
As per the list, the new DMs are -- Dayashanker Pandey (Arwal), Vandana Preyasi (Bhagalpur), Lokesh Kumar (Saran), Devesh Sehra (Banka), Arun Chandra Singh (Sheikhpura), Masud Hasan (Nawada), Anjani Kumar Verma (Sitamarhi), Sanjay Kumar Agrawal (Nalanda), Bala Murgan D (Siwan), Aunpam Kumar (Rohtas), Arvind Kumar (Munger), Sarvanan M (Araria) and Palka Sahni (Jehanabad).
Besides the DMs, other senior IAS officers have also been transferred to various other departments and boards.link
Subhash Projects bags orders worth Rs 152 cr
Infrastructure developer Subhash Projects & Marketing (SPML) today said it has bagged three orders worth Rs 151.80 crore from different government agencies for construction-related projects.
The company has bagged two orders worth Rs 108.02 crore from Bihar State Electricity Board (BSEB) for the supply of material and equipments required for electrification projects in Supaul district of the state, SPML said in a filing to the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).
Further, it has also received a Rs 43.77 crore order from Public Health Engineering Directorate of the West Bengal government for an infrastructure related project, SPML added.
Shares of Subhash Projects were trading at Rs 146, up 0.21 per cent from its previous close in the afternoon trade on the BSE.link
The company has bagged two orders worth Rs 108.02 crore from Bihar State Electricity Board (BSEB) for the supply of material and equipments required for electrification projects in Supaul district of the state, SPML said in a filing to the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).
Further, it has also received a Rs 43.77 crore order from Public Health Engineering Directorate of the West Bengal government for an infrastructure related project, SPML added.
Shares of Subhash Projects were trading at Rs 146, up 0.21 per cent from its previous close in the afternoon trade on the BSE.link
Sunday 26 July 2009
NGO initiative for Muslim unity through Ramadan calendar
Ramadan is the most holy month of the Islamic calendar. It is a month of seeking Allah’s mercy, forgiveness for sins and salvation. Unfortunately, for many Muslims, it is also a month of confusion and conflict – from the beginning to the end of the month – to how long should be taraveeh or the night prayers, and when to begin and end fasting each day.
It is not unusual in Muslim localities to hear azan for prayers at slightly different times coming from different masjids of the area. Iftar or breaking of fast rather than being a time of spirituality becomes a time of confusion as one wonders which of these azans is the correct one. An effort is underway in Bihar to change this confusion and this small but important beginning can provide important stepping stone for community unity.
Silsilah, an NGO based in the Patna City campus of Khanqah Munemia Qamriya, has taken upon itself the task to standardize the Ramadan calendar. Eight years ago, it invited various Muslim groups and leaders to talk about this issue of differences in Ramadan calendars published by these organizations. To their surprise, except for one person, no one was able to explain the calculation behind their calendar. Getting everyone together was a big achievement in itself but SILSILAH went a step further and got everyone to agree to one calendar that had times for the end of sehri (pre-dawn meal) and beginning of iftar (breaking fast) for Ramadan of 1422 Hijri.
This historic document had signatures of officials of Imarat Shariah, Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Idara-e-Shariah, various masjids, and madrasas.
Since 2001, this movement has grown and now they get all Muslim groups to agree to the Ramadan calendar, every year. Deobandi, Barelwi, Ahl-e-Hadith, Jamaat-e-Islami and Shias now approve and follow this calendar removing a major source of confusion each day of the Ramadan.
This small but important work would not have been possible without the leadership of Khanqah Munemia. Shameemuddin Ahmad Munemi, twelfth sajjada nasheen of the khanqah having firm footing in Islamic education and also degrees from modern education institutes, is well aware of religious sensitivities and brings an approach to problem solving that combines traditional and modern methods.
He explained that brining all Muslim groups together was the major work. Now that they have been doing it consistently for a number of years this can be expanded to other areas and a joint front can be arranged for addressing religious and social evils.
Calendar for Ramadan 1430 or this year’s fasting month was prepared on July 1st and is approved by Imarat-e-Shariah, Idara-e-Shariah, Khanqah Phulwari Sharif, Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Madrasa Shamsul Hoda, Madrasa Gulshan-e-Ibrahim, Jamia Madiniah, Anjuman-e-Islah-e-Millat, Jama Masjid of Sabzibagh, a Shia imam and a professor of Geography. Followers of fiqh Jafria are asked to add 12 minutes to their iftar times since their calculation differe slightly.
Since the first splitting of ummah on the question of Hazrat Ali’s claim to khilafat, Muslims have been divided in many groups all over the world and all these centuries. A small beginning in a small room of a Sufi hospice in Patna, Bihar provides the message that unity can be achieved through small steps. It is a silsilah that should be continued and grow to other cities and countries.link
It is not unusual in Muslim localities to hear azan for prayers at slightly different times coming from different masjids of the area. Iftar or breaking of fast rather than being a time of spirituality becomes a time of confusion as one wonders which of these azans is the correct one. An effort is underway in Bihar to change this confusion and this small but important beginning can provide important stepping stone for community unity.
Silsilah, an NGO based in the Patna City campus of Khanqah Munemia Qamriya, has taken upon itself the task to standardize the Ramadan calendar. Eight years ago, it invited various Muslim groups and leaders to talk about this issue of differences in Ramadan calendars published by these organizations. To their surprise, except for one person, no one was able to explain the calculation behind their calendar. Getting everyone together was a big achievement in itself but SILSILAH went a step further and got everyone to agree to one calendar that had times for the end of sehri (pre-dawn meal) and beginning of iftar (breaking fast) for Ramadan of 1422 Hijri.
This historic document had signatures of officials of Imarat Shariah, Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Idara-e-Shariah, various masjids, and madrasas.
Since 2001, this movement has grown and now they get all Muslim groups to agree to the Ramadan calendar, every year. Deobandi, Barelwi, Ahl-e-Hadith, Jamaat-e-Islami and Shias now approve and follow this calendar removing a major source of confusion each day of the Ramadan.
This small but important work would not have been possible without the leadership of Khanqah Munemia. Shameemuddin Ahmad Munemi, twelfth sajjada nasheen of the khanqah having firm footing in Islamic education and also degrees from modern education institutes, is well aware of religious sensitivities and brings an approach to problem solving that combines traditional and modern methods.
He explained that brining all Muslim groups together was the major work. Now that they have been doing it consistently for a number of years this can be expanded to other areas and a joint front can be arranged for addressing religious and social evils.
Calendar for Ramadan 1430 or this year’s fasting month was prepared on July 1st and is approved by Imarat-e-Shariah, Idara-e-Shariah, Khanqah Phulwari Sharif, Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Madrasa Shamsul Hoda, Madrasa Gulshan-e-Ibrahim, Jamia Madiniah, Anjuman-e-Islah-e-Millat, Jama Masjid of Sabzibagh, a Shia imam and a professor of Geography. Followers of fiqh Jafria are asked to add 12 minutes to their iftar times since their calculation differe slightly.
Since the first splitting of ummah on the question of Hazrat Ali’s claim to khilafat, Muslims have been divided in many groups all over the world and all these centuries. A small beginning in a small room of a Sufi hospice in Patna, Bihar provides the message that unity can be achieved through small steps. It is a silsilah that should be continued and grow to other cities and countries.link
Surgeon’s rare feat makes hospital proud
Tata Motors Hospital has added another feather in its cap thanks to Rajesh Singh, the consultant orthopaedic surgeon.
The surgeon has conducted his 100th joint replacement surgery, at an age of 36, a rare achievement in Jharkhand and Bihar. In 2005, he was one of the youngest doctors in the country to carry out a total joint replacement surgery independently. He was 32 years old then.
The 100th patient of Singh was Matia Rani, a local resident, who was operated on Friday.
The 65-year-old patient is recuperating at the post operative ward of the hospital. “I am fine and hope to be released from the hospital soon,” she said.
“It gives me immense pleasure to achieve this feat. It would not have been possible without the support of company management,” he told.
Singh, who has trained in computer-navigated hip resurfacing surgery in Australia, wants to make the hospital a hub of joint replacement surgery in eastern India.
“We want to develop the hospital as a specialised centre for joint replacement surgery and are gradually moving towards our goal,” he said, adding that Johnson & Johnson, which monitors the growth of joint replacement surgeries, has given the hospital a higher rating compared to others in the eastern region.
The hospital is planning to procure a state-of-the-art machine next month for starting computer-navigated hip resurfacing surgery. The machine would cost over Rs 50 lakh.
The surgeon said they are focussing on upgrading facilities at the operation theatre and skill enhancement to attend to more patients. “I have started getting cases of hip and knee replacement surgeries from patients living in Ranchi, Bokaro, Chakradharpur and Ghatshila,” he said. link
The surgeon has conducted his 100th joint replacement surgery, at an age of 36, a rare achievement in Jharkhand and Bihar. In 2005, he was one of the youngest doctors in the country to carry out a total joint replacement surgery independently. He was 32 years old then.
The 100th patient of Singh was Matia Rani, a local resident, who was operated on Friday.
The 65-year-old patient is recuperating at the post operative ward of the hospital. “I am fine and hope to be released from the hospital soon,” she said.
“It gives me immense pleasure to achieve this feat. It would not have been possible without the support of company management,” he told.
Singh, who has trained in computer-navigated hip resurfacing surgery in Australia, wants to make the hospital a hub of joint replacement surgery in eastern India.
“We want to develop the hospital as a specialised centre for joint replacement surgery and are gradually moving towards our goal,” he said, adding that Johnson & Johnson, which monitors the growth of joint replacement surgeries, has given the hospital a higher rating compared to others in the eastern region.
The hospital is planning to procure a state-of-the-art machine next month for starting computer-navigated hip resurfacing surgery. The machine would cost over Rs 50 lakh.
The surgeon said they are focussing on upgrading facilities at the operation theatre and skill enhancement to attend to more patients. “I have started getting cases of hip and knee replacement surgeries from patients living in Ranchi, Bokaro, Chakradharpur and Ghatshila,” he said. link
Darbhanga an ancient city of Mithila
Darbhangā is a city and a municipal corporation in and headquarters of Darbhanga district and Darbhanga Division in the state of Bihar, India. It gets its name from Dar Bhanga or "gates broken" (for gates of Hindu Qilā broken at Qilā Ghāt in 1326 AD when Tughlaq forces captured the last Hindu state in North India ruled by Harisinghdeva); some people guess Darbhangā is a distorted form of "Dwār Banga" or the Gate to Bengal, but actually the gate of Bengal is at Rājmahal which is far away from Darbhangā. The name of the district has been derived from its head quarter and principal town, which is said to have been founded by Darbhangi Khān, who was the Fauzdār or military head of Tughlaq forces stationed at Urdu (original meaning "cantonment"), later the title Darbhangi Khān was applied to his direct descendants. Among rest, Darbhangā is native to Maithil Kayastha and Brahmins.
History
The history of Darbhanga dates back to the Ramayana and Mahabharata periods, it is among the greatest cities of Bihar. According to the Vedic sources, the Videhas of Aryan stock first migrated to the area from the banks of Saraswati in Punjab. They were guided to the east of Sadanira (Gandak River) by Agni, the God of Fire. Settlements were established and, thus, flourished the kingdom of Videhas-the Selfless. In course of time Videhas came to be ruled by a line of kings called Janaks. In this line of kings there was a very famous king named Mithi. To commemorate his greatness the territory was named as MITHILA. Another famous king was Janak Sirdhwaja, father of Sita. The legends speak of various learned men patronized by Janak Sirdhwaja, who himself was an erudite scholar. Among them prominent were Yagyavalkya, who codified the Hindu law in his Yagyavalkya Smriti and Gautam, who had various valuable philosophical treatises to his credit. King Janak was himself a great philosopher and his ideas have been eternally enshrined in the Upanishads, esp in the Brihad-āraṇyaka Upaniṣada.
Traditions also speak of Kapil Muni's relationship with this area that propounded the Sankhya philosophy. Association of this area with Pandavas is also evident by the popular belief that they stayed here during their period of exile.
The learned men like Vidyāpati, Kumāril Bhatt, Mandan Mishra, Nāgārjun, etc belonged to this region.
Darbhanga is a town with a population of nearly 3 lakhs. Darbhanga was named after Dar(Dwar)+Bhangaa which means gates+broken ; it is guessed that gates of the Qila (at Qilaghat probably) were broken (by cannons or elephants perhaps) in 1326 AD when Tughlak forces attacked the last independent North Indian Hindu king Harisinghdeva (of Karnaata Chalukya dynasty from Karnataka) who ruled over North Bihar and most of Nepal. Historians guess that the capital of Harisinghdeva was situated near foothills of Himalayas, Haraahi pond in Darbhanga is named after Harisinghdeva and the pond Gangaasarar is named after his ancestor Gangadeva who was son of Naanyadeva, the founder of this dynasty; Naanyadeva was a chieftain of Chalukya king Vikramaditya-VI of Karnatak who had successfully invaded North India in the end of 11th century. Hindus began to flock to this town since the beginning of 19th century when the Maharaja of Darbhanga shifted his residence to this town and was granted the title Maharaja by East India Company, and gradually Hindus surpassed Muslims in population, but muslims still constitute over 36% of population of this town. It was the biggest town of North Bihar for centuries, but after Muzaffarpur was connected to broad gauge railway in mid-1970s, the latter overtook Darbhanga due to shift of trade, commerce, business and transport to some extent.
Once part of the Brahman kingdom of Mithila, Darbhanga passed to the Tughlaks in the 14th century. The British assumed control in 1765.
Darbhanga was an ancient city of Mithila, which is an ancient cultural region of North India lying between the lower ranges of the Himalayas and the Ganges River. The Nepal border cuts across the top fringe of this region. The Gandak and Kosi Rivers are rough western and eastern boundaries of Mithila. In the year 1326 Mithila was invaded by Afghans, who deposed the Kshatriya ruler and placed a Maithil Brahman in control of land revenues over much of this region. This family soon began calling themselves kings, distributing land to other members of their caste, so that gradually land passed into the control of Maithil Brahmans. It is a noteworthy seat of the Maharaja of Darbhanga. During Akbar's reign in the sixteenth century, a second Maithil Brahman family came to rule as the Khandavala Dynasty. By British times, their estate, Darbhanga Raj, was the largest and richest of the great zamindari estates. Their capital was in Bhaur village in Madhubani, later shifted to the town of Darbhanga. They controlled most of Mithila until after Independence when the Republic of India abolished zamindari (Maharaja of Darbhanga was actually a zamindar entitled to add the title Maharaja in his name, besides the British title KCIE).
Maharajah Sir Lakhmishwar Singh, K.C.I.E., of Darbhanga, who was only in his forty-third year at the time of his death in 1898, was in every sense the best type of the Indian nobleman and landlord. He was the leading zemindar in India, where he owned no less than 2,152 square miles (5,570 km2) with a net yearly rental of 30 lakhs, and was the recognised head of the orthodox Hindu community. His philanthropy and his munificent contributions to all public movement won him the esteem of all classes and creeds. He took an active part in public life and enjoyed a high reputation as a progressive and liberal minded statesman. With but slight interruptions he was a member of the Supreme Legislative Council from the year 1883 until his death, and latterly he sat in that body as the elected representative of the non-official members of the Bengal Council.
The Maharaja of Darbhanga, Kameshwar Singh was also an integral part of the Constituent Assembly of India and was instrumental in campaigning for retention of privy purses and land rights for rulers. He single handedly negotiated rights of various rulers and nawabs.
Darbhanga city is essentially a twin city with Darbhanga tower and Laheriasarai tower at its two ends. Laheriasarai has been named after the famous Lahri walas whose traditional occupation was to weave textiles and make bangles especially of Lah, imported from Ranchi and other places.
Geography
The District of Darbhanga can be divided into four natural divisions. The eastern portion consisting of Ghanshyampur, Biraul and Kusheshwarsthan blocks contain fresh silt deposited by the Kosi River. This region was under the influence of Kosi floods till the construction of Kosi embankment in the Second Five Year Plan. It contains large tracts of sandy land covered with wild marsh.
The second division consists of the anchals lying south of the Boorhi Gandak river and is the most fertile area in the district. It is also on higher level than the other part of the district and contains very few marshes. It is well suited to the rabbi crops.
The third natural region is the doab between the Burhi Gandak and Baghmati and consists of the low-lying areas dotted over by chaur and marshes. It gets floods every year. The fourth division covers the Sadar sub-division of the district. This tract is watered by numerous streams and contains some up-lands.
The district has a vast alluvial plain devoid of any hills. There is a gentle slope from north to south with a depression on the centre. Numerous rivers originating in the Himalays water this district. Out of these rivers Kamla, Baghmati, Kosi and Kareh are of most importance. The District has somewhat dry and healthy climate. There are three well-marked seasons, the winter, the summer & the Rainy season. The cold weather begins in November and continues up to February, though March is also somewhat cool. Westerly winds begin to blow in the second half of March and temperature rises considerably. May is the hottest month when the temperature goes up to 107 °F (42 °C). Rain sets in towards the middle of June. With the advent of the Rainy seasons, temperature falls and humidity rises. The moist heat of the Rainy season is very oppressive up to August. The rain continues till the middle of October. Average rainfall is 1142.3 mm. around 92% of rainfall is received during monsoon months.
History
The history of Darbhanga dates back to the Ramayana and Mahabharata periods, it is among the greatest cities of Bihar. According to the Vedic sources, the Videhas of Aryan stock first migrated to the area from the banks of Saraswati in Punjab. They were guided to the east of Sadanira (Gandak River) by Agni, the God of Fire. Settlements were established and, thus, flourished the kingdom of Videhas-the Selfless. In course of time Videhas came to be ruled by a line of kings called Janaks. In this line of kings there was a very famous king named Mithi. To commemorate his greatness the territory was named as MITHILA. Another famous king was Janak Sirdhwaja, father of Sita. The legends speak of various learned men patronized by Janak Sirdhwaja, who himself was an erudite scholar. Among them prominent were Yagyavalkya, who codified the Hindu law in his Yagyavalkya Smriti and Gautam, who had various valuable philosophical treatises to his credit. King Janak was himself a great philosopher and his ideas have been eternally enshrined in the Upanishads, esp in the Brihad-āraṇyaka Upaniṣada.
Traditions also speak of Kapil Muni's relationship with this area that propounded the Sankhya philosophy. Association of this area with Pandavas is also evident by the popular belief that they stayed here during their period of exile.
The learned men like Vidyāpati, Kumāril Bhatt, Mandan Mishra, Nāgārjun, etc belonged to this region.
Darbhanga is a town with a population of nearly 3 lakhs. Darbhanga was named after Dar(Dwar)+Bhangaa which means gates+broken ; it is guessed that gates of the Qila (at Qilaghat probably) were broken (by cannons or elephants perhaps) in 1326 AD when Tughlak forces attacked the last independent North Indian Hindu king Harisinghdeva (of Karnaata Chalukya dynasty from Karnataka) who ruled over North Bihar and most of Nepal. Historians guess that the capital of Harisinghdeva was situated near foothills of Himalayas, Haraahi pond in Darbhanga is named after Harisinghdeva and the pond Gangaasarar is named after his ancestor Gangadeva who was son of Naanyadeva, the founder of this dynasty; Naanyadeva was a chieftain of Chalukya king Vikramaditya-VI of Karnatak who had successfully invaded North India in the end of 11th century. Hindus began to flock to this town since the beginning of 19th century when the Maharaja of Darbhanga shifted his residence to this town and was granted the title Maharaja by East India Company, and gradually Hindus surpassed Muslims in population, but muslims still constitute over 36% of population of this town. It was the biggest town of North Bihar for centuries, but after Muzaffarpur was connected to broad gauge railway in mid-1970s, the latter overtook Darbhanga due to shift of trade, commerce, business and transport to some extent.
Once part of the Brahman kingdom of Mithila, Darbhanga passed to the Tughlaks in the 14th century. The British assumed control in 1765.
Darbhanga was an ancient city of Mithila, which is an ancient cultural region of North India lying between the lower ranges of the Himalayas and the Ganges River. The Nepal border cuts across the top fringe of this region. The Gandak and Kosi Rivers are rough western and eastern boundaries of Mithila. In the year 1326 Mithila was invaded by Afghans, who deposed the Kshatriya ruler and placed a Maithil Brahman in control of land revenues over much of this region. This family soon began calling themselves kings, distributing land to other members of their caste, so that gradually land passed into the control of Maithil Brahmans. It is a noteworthy seat of the Maharaja of Darbhanga. During Akbar's reign in the sixteenth century, a second Maithil Brahman family came to rule as the Khandavala Dynasty. By British times, their estate, Darbhanga Raj, was the largest and richest of the great zamindari estates. Their capital was in Bhaur village in Madhubani, later shifted to the town of Darbhanga. They controlled most of Mithila until after Independence when the Republic of India abolished zamindari (Maharaja of Darbhanga was actually a zamindar entitled to add the title Maharaja in his name, besides the British title KCIE).
Maharajah Sir Lakhmishwar Singh, K.C.I.E., of Darbhanga, who was only in his forty-third year at the time of his death in 1898, was in every sense the best type of the Indian nobleman and landlord. He was the leading zemindar in India, where he owned no less than 2,152 square miles (5,570 km2) with a net yearly rental of 30 lakhs, and was the recognised head of the orthodox Hindu community. His philanthropy and his munificent contributions to all public movement won him the esteem of all classes and creeds. He took an active part in public life and enjoyed a high reputation as a progressive and liberal minded statesman. With but slight interruptions he was a member of the Supreme Legislative Council from the year 1883 until his death, and latterly he sat in that body as the elected representative of the non-official members of the Bengal Council.
The Maharaja of Darbhanga, Kameshwar Singh was also an integral part of the Constituent Assembly of India and was instrumental in campaigning for retention of privy purses and land rights for rulers. He single handedly negotiated rights of various rulers and nawabs.
Darbhanga city is essentially a twin city with Darbhanga tower and Laheriasarai tower at its two ends. Laheriasarai has been named after the famous Lahri walas whose traditional occupation was to weave textiles and make bangles especially of Lah, imported from Ranchi and other places.
Geography
The District of Darbhanga can be divided into four natural divisions. The eastern portion consisting of Ghanshyampur, Biraul and Kusheshwarsthan blocks contain fresh silt deposited by the Kosi River. This region was under the influence of Kosi floods till the construction of Kosi embankment in the Second Five Year Plan. It contains large tracts of sandy land covered with wild marsh.
The second division consists of the anchals lying south of the Boorhi Gandak river and is the most fertile area in the district. It is also on higher level than the other part of the district and contains very few marshes. It is well suited to the rabbi crops.
The third natural region is the doab between the Burhi Gandak and Baghmati and consists of the low-lying areas dotted over by chaur and marshes. It gets floods every year. The fourth division covers the Sadar sub-division of the district. This tract is watered by numerous streams and contains some up-lands.
The district has a vast alluvial plain devoid of any hills. There is a gentle slope from north to south with a depression on the centre. Numerous rivers originating in the Himalays water this district. Out of these rivers Kamla, Baghmati, Kosi and Kareh are of most importance. The District has somewhat dry and healthy climate. There are three well-marked seasons, the winter, the summer & the Rainy season. The cold weather begins in November and continues up to February, though March is also somewhat cool. Westerly winds begin to blow in the second half of March and temperature rises considerably. May is the hottest month when the temperature goes up to 107 °F (42 °C). Rain sets in towards the middle of June. With the advent of the Rainy seasons, temperature falls and humidity rises. The moist heat of the Rainy season is very oppressive up to August. The rain continues till the middle of October. Average rainfall is 1142.3 mm. around 92% of rainfall is received during monsoon months.
Saturday 25 July 2009
Activity-based education in nursery mooted
The Bihar Legislative Assembly Committee on Women and Children Development has recommended for introduction of an Activity-Based Learning (ABL) method in nursery standards in Bihar schools.
The panel, headed by Asha Devi, comprises 12 women members of the assembly. It recently tabled the report in the House in which it recorded its experience in a primary school of Tamil Nadu.
The women legislators pointed out that nursery children are not taught by teachers in Tamil Nadu, but given various teaching aids like blocks and letters. “The children develop words from letters on their own and the teacher there only helps them. There is no pressure on the children to study,” the report says. It points out that there is no waste of time as children are engaged in one activity or another. It stresses that the learning process in this method is rapid and the children are slowly promoted to higher classes if they show the same zeal to learn.
“Primary education is the stage where a strong foundation can be laid for the children for the future,” the panel said. The report points out that the primary schools in Tamil Nadu using the APL method have been established with the help of UNICEF and UNFPA and the children are provided nutritious breakfast. The report also praises the cleanliness in the kitchen of the school.
The women MLAs also visited health centres in Tamil Nadu and were impressed by the services provided to pregnant women there. “A pregnant woman is called to the health centre once a month for check-up and after check-up, she is given nutritious food,” they observed, pointing out that even the Primary Health Centres are equipped with blood bank and oxygen cylinder.
They observed that the drugs available and not available at the health centre is displayed on a board so that there is no confusion among the patients.
The women legislators panel stressed that taking care of the health of women and ensuring safe institutionalised delivery is one of the biggest responsibility of the government.
The panel has recommended for adoption of Tamil Nadu pattern for ensuring pre-delivery check-ups for pregnant women and ensuring safe institutionalised delivery. They have strongly recommended at least three health centres in each district of Bihar having the facility for surgical delivery of the babies. link
The panel, headed by Asha Devi, comprises 12 women members of the assembly. It recently tabled the report in the House in which it recorded its experience in a primary school of Tamil Nadu.
The women legislators pointed out that nursery children are not taught by teachers in Tamil Nadu, but given various teaching aids like blocks and letters. “The children develop words from letters on their own and the teacher there only helps them. There is no pressure on the children to study,” the report says. It points out that there is no waste of time as children are engaged in one activity or another. It stresses that the learning process in this method is rapid and the children are slowly promoted to higher classes if they show the same zeal to learn.
“Primary education is the stage where a strong foundation can be laid for the children for the future,” the panel said. The report points out that the primary schools in Tamil Nadu using the APL method have been established with the help of UNICEF and UNFPA and the children are provided nutritious breakfast. The report also praises the cleanliness in the kitchen of the school.
The women MLAs also visited health centres in Tamil Nadu and were impressed by the services provided to pregnant women there. “A pregnant woman is called to the health centre once a month for check-up and after check-up, she is given nutritious food,” they observed, pointing out that even the Primary Health Centres are equipped with blood bank and oxygen cylinder.
They observed that the drugs available and not available at the health centre is displayed on a board so that there is no confusion among the patients.
The women legislators panel stressed that taking care of the health of women and ensuring safe institutionalised delivery is one of the biggest responsibility of the government.
The panel has recommended for adoption of Tamil Nadu pattern for ensuring pre-delivery check-ups for pregnant women and ensuring safe institutionalised delivery. They have strongly recommended at least three health centres in each district of Bihar having the facility for surgical delivery of the babies. link
Bangalore’s Fashion Week showcases glitz and glamour
On the second day of Bangalore’s first-ever Fashion Week, conniesuers of life-style witnessed extensive glamour, style and colour.
Designer Samant Chauhan presented his collection woven in silk from Bhagalpur region of Bihar. Thus he enabled promotion of fabrics of marginalised weavers.
‘It’s my signature style that I use Bhagalpur silk. This time, I have used linen, which is again, weaved in Bhaglpur. The collection name was ‘Green Collar’. ‘Green Collar’ is new concept which most of designers are working now-days like, how you can use more eco-friendly fabric and eco-friendly dyes. There is no colour in my collection. So, I am not using any chemical. It’s all 100 percent natural,’ said Chauhan.
Model-turned television actor Julfi Syed walked the ramp for Chauhan’s collection.
Designers Ramesh Demla showcased exquisite collection of colourful Indo-western apparels.
The four-day event will have thirty designers, sixty models and 11 hours of fashion. It will conclude on July 26.
The Fashion Week comes after the success of the Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata Fashion Weeks and the organisers hope to do good business during the event.link
Designer Samant Chauhan presented his collection woven in silk from Bhagalpur region of Bihar. Thus he enabled promotion of fabrics of marginalised weavers.
‘It’s my signature style that I use Bhagalpur silk. This time, I have used linen, which is again, weaved in Bhaglpur. The collection name was ‘Green Collar’. ‘Green Collar’ is new concept which most of designers are working now-days like, how you can use more eco-friendly fabric and eco-friendly dyes. There is no colour in my collection. So, I am not using any chemical. It’s all 100 percent natural,’ said Chauhan.
Model-turned television actor Julfi Syed walked the ramp for Chauhan’s collection.
Designers Ramesh Demla showcased exquisite collection of colourful Indo-western apparels.
The four-day event will have thirty designers, sixty models and 11 hours of fashion. It will conclude on July 26.
The Fashion Week comes after the success of the Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata Fashion Weeks and the organisers hope to do good business during the event.link
Five arrested after lizard found in mid-day meal
Five people, including the headmaster and two teachers, were arrested in Bihar's Nalanda district after a lizard was found in the mid-day meals served to school children, officials said Friday. In the last three weeks various such cases have been reported in the state.
Bihar's Human Resource Development Minister Hari Narain Singh said that the headmaster and two teachers of a middle school in Basniawa under Harnaut block have been arrested after a lizard was found in the mid-day meal. They were also suspended on charge of negligence of duty.
More than 25 students of the school fell ill soon after eating the mid-day meal Wednesday.
It was not the first such case in Bihar.
In the last three weeks, a lizard was found in the mid-day meal in at least three schools and insects were also found in mid-day meals in different schools in half a dozen districts.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has admitted that there were shortcomings in the mid-day meals scheme being implemented in more than 80,000 schools of the state.
During an all-party meeting over the issue Thursday Nitish Kumar said that he had asked the human resource department to study the scheme's implementation in other states.
Bihar is spending more than Rs.2,000 crore on the scheme.
The mid-day meal scheme is one of the world's largest nutrition-supplement programmes, covering more than a million schools across India. Under it, students in government-run schools are given free lunch. It was launched in July 1995 to tackle the twin problems of dropouts in primary schools and malnutrition among children from poor families.
A latest CAG report said that there was 'absence' of internal controls and 'regular' monitoring in implementation of mid-day meal scheme in Bihar during the year 2007-200.
'There has been complete absence of internal controls, regular monitoring and evaluation of the mid-day meal scheme for children during 2007-08', the report said.link
Bihar's Human Resource Development Minister Hari Narain Singh said that the headmaster and two teachers of a middle school in Basniawa under Harnaut block have been arrested after a lizard was found in the mid-day meal. They were also suspended on charge of negligence of duty.
More than 25 students of the school fell ill soon after eating the mid-day meal Wednesday.
It was not the first such case in Bihar.
In the last three weeks, a lizard was found in the mid-day meal in at least three schools and insects were also found in mid-day meals in different schools in half a dozen districts.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has admitted that there were shortcomings in the mid-day meals scheme being implemented in more than 80,000 schools of the state.
During an all-party meeting over the issue Thursday Nitish Kumar said that he had asked the human resource department to study the scheme's implementation in other states.
Bihar is spending more than Rs.2,000 crore on the scheme.
The mid-day meal scheme is one of the world's largest nutrition-supplement programmes, covering more than a million schools across India. Under it, students in government-run schools are given free lunch. It was launched in July 1995 to tackle the twin problems of dropouts in primary schools and malnutrition among children from poor families.
A latest CAG report said that there was 'absence' of internal controls and 'regular' monitoring in implementation of mid-day meal scheme in Bihar during the year 2007-200.
'There has been complete absence of internal controls, regular monitoring and evaluation of the mid-day meal scheme for children during 2007-08', the report said.link
Man dies as doctor stealthily removes kidney, eyes during treatment
A dalit in Bihar died after doctors stealthily removed his kidney and eyes during his treatment at a local hospital here, police said today.
Police said the victim Sachen Ram who worked as a farm labour in Punjab was returning to his village by a train but got badly injured while alighting from the train at the Begusarai station on July 13.
He was immediately admitted to the local Buddha hospital in Panta for treatment. A week later, his body was found among the dead at the postmortem room of the Patna Medical College and Hospital, victim’s family alleged today.
The victim family has alleged that the doctors at the Buddha hospital allegedly removed patients’ kidney and eyes before getting him transferred to the PMCH when his condition deteriorated.
“The hospital administration told us to deposit Rs 26,000 for his treatment which we did instantly but later asked for more money. But when he returned with money we were told that the patient had been shifted to the PMCH. On reaching there we found my uncle body at the postmortem room”, victim’s cousin Kiran Ram told the police at the local Patrakarnagar police station where the case was lodged.
The police are investigating the case.link
Police said the victim Sachen Ram who worked as a farm labour in Punjab was returning to his village by a train but got badly injured while alighting from the train at the Begusarai station on July 13.
He was immediately admitted to the local Buddha hospital in Panta for treatment. A week later, his body was found among the dead at the postmortem room of the Patna Medical College and Hospital, victim’s family alleged today.
The victim family has alleged that the doctors at the Buddha hospital allegedly removed patients’ kidney and eyes before getting him transferred to the PMCH when his condition deteriorated.
“The hospital administration told us to deposit Rs 26,000 for his treatment which we did instantly but later asked for more money. But when he returned with money we were told that the patient had been shifted to the PMCH. On reaching there we found my uncle body at the postmortem room”, victim’s cousin Kiran Ram told the police at the local Patrakarnagar police station where the case was lodged.
The police are investigating the case.link
Friday 24 July 2009
Center to shoulder 50% burden on diesel subsidy
Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar on Friday said that the Centre had agreed to shoulder 50% of the burden incurred by Bihar for its diesel subsidies.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had sought help from Centre for diesel subsidy given to farmers in the state for irrigation purpose.
“The Centre will also extend this facility to other states,” Pawar added.
“UP, Bihar, Punjab, Haryana, Assam, Manipur and parts of some other states are likely to be affected by deficient rainfall. Manipur has declared drought in all districts and Assam and Jharkhand have declared drought in 14 and four districts respectively,” Pawar said while responding to BJP’s ‘calling attention motion’ over the issue.
Pawar said rainfall deficiency in the country, which stood at 62% in June, had gone down to 17% leading to considerable improvement in overall situation.
Replying to queries on uncertainty resulting from insufficient monsoon rainfall, Pawar said the situation had improved in most parts of the country except northwest, north-east, UP and Bihar.
On paddy cultivation, he said substantial shortfall had been witnessed in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. But Punjab and Haryana were not a problem as the farmers had sustained the transplanted crop with irrigated water.
Pawar said while 100 MW of additional power from the Central pool was released to the farmers in Punjab and Haryana, the Centre had agreed to release another 100 MW for the next 15 days.
He also informed the Rajya Sabha that exports of non-Basmati rice and wheat, which was allowed through diplomatic channel, would be completely banned.
“We are going to stop it. We will take the financial burden,” he said, replying to a Calling Attention Notice.
Allaying fears of shortage of foodgrains, Pawar said, “Stock position is quite comfortable. We have sufficient stock position for 13 months in our kitty.”
Pawar was worried over runaway rise in prices of Arhar dal to Rs 95-100 a kg, he said “this will be a temporary phenomenon. A financial support for states is under consideration to help in this regard.”
Centre will also consider how loans taken by farmers can be rescheduled, the minister said, adding “We are going to extend some concessions or other facilities. We will take decision. We will not take any coercive method for loan recovery”.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had sought help from Centre for diesel subsidy given to farmers in the state for irrigation purpose.
“The Centre will also extend this facility to other states,” Pawar added.
“UP, Bihar, Punjab, Haryana, Assam, Manipur and parts of some other states are likely to be affected by deficient rainfall. Manipur has declared drought in all districts and Assam and Jharkhand have declared drought in 14 and four districts respectively,” Pawar said while responding to BJP’s ‘calling attention motion’ over the issue.
Pawar said rainfall deficiency in the country, which stood at 62% in June, had gone down to 17% leading to considerable improvement in overall situation.
Replying to queries on uncertainty resulting from insufficient monsoon rainfall, Pawar said the situation had improved in most parts of the country except northwest, north-east, UP and Bihar.
On paddy cultivation, he said substantial shortfall had been witnessed in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. But Punjab and Haryana were not a problem as the farmers had sustained the transplanted crop with irrigated water.
Pawar said while 100 MW of additional power from the Central pool was released to the farmers in Punjab and Haryana, the Centre had agreed to release another 100 MW for the next 15 days.
He also informed the Rajya Sabha that exports of non-Basmati rice and wheat, which was allowed through diplomatic channel, would be completely banned.
“We are going to stop it. We will take the financial burden,” he said, replying to a Calling Attention Notice.
Allaying fears of shortage of foodgrains, Pawar said, “Stock position is quite comfortable. We have sufficient stock position for 13 months in our kitty.”
Pawar was worried over runaway rise in prices of Arhar dal to Rs 95-100 a kg, he said “this will be a temporary phenomenon. A financial support for states is under consideration to help in this regard.”
Centre will also consider how loans taken by farmers can be rescheduled, the minister said, adding “We are going to extend some concessions or other facilities. We will take decision. We will not take any coercive method for loan recovery”.
Tytler made AICC incharge for Bihar
Former Union minister Jagdish Tytler has been appointed AICC incharge for Bihar in place of Iqbal Singh, who was recently appointed lieutenant-governor of Puducherry.
Tytler, a veteran of Delhi politics, was given a Congress ticket for the Delhi North-East Lok Sabha seat. But he was dropped as the party candidate after a Sikh journalist hurled a shoe at home minister P Chidambaram on the anti-Sikh riots issue.
Tytler's appointemnt has raised doubts about the timing of the much-delayed revamp of the Congress organisational set-up. The appointment indicates that Congress appears to have deferred the larger shake-up.
Tytler, a veteran of Delhi politics, was given a Congress ticket for the Delhi North-East Lok Sabha seat. But he was dropped as the party candidate after a Sikh journalist hurled a shoe at home minister P Chidambaram on the anti-Sikh riots issue.
Tytler's appointemnt has raised doubts about the timing of the much-delayed revamp of the Congress organisational set-up. The appointment indicates that Congress appears to have deferred the larger shake-up.
Thursday 23 July 2009
Naked girls plow fields for rain
Farmers in Bihar have asked their unmarried daughters to plow parched fields naked in a bid to embarrass the weather gods to bring some badly needed monsoon rain, officials said.
Witnesses said the naked girls in Bihar plowed the fields and chanted ancient hymns after sunset to invoke the gods. They said elderly village women helped the girls drag the plows.
"They (villagers) believe their acts would get the weather gods badly embarrassed, who in turn would ensure bumper crops by sending rains," Upendra Kumar, a village council official, said from Bihar's remote Banke Bazaar town.
"This is the most trusted social custom in the area and the villagers have vowed to continue this practice until it rains very heavily."
India this year suffered its worst start to the vital monsoon rains in eight decades, causing drought in some states.link
Witnesses said the naked girls in Bihar plowed the fields and chanted ancient hymns after sunset to invoke the gods. They said elderly village women helped the girls drag the plows.
"They (villagers) believe their acts would get the weather gods badly embarrassed, who in turn would ensure bumper crops by sending rains," Upendra Kumar, a village council official, said from Bihar's remote Banke Bazaar town.
"This is the most trusted social custom in the area and the villagers have vowed to continue this practice until it rains very heavily."
India this year suffered its worst start to the vital monsoon rains in eight decades, causing drought in some states.link
Nitish wants Centre to help make Bihar ethanol hub
Chief minister Nitish Kumar has written to Union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar urging him to relax the amendment in Sugar (control) order of December 2007 and strive for presidential assent to the Bihar Sugarcane (Regulation of supply and purchase) Amendment Bill, 2007, to help Bihar develop as an ethenol hub.
Referring to Pawar's statement in Parliament on Bihar's demand for promoting ethanol production directly from sugarcane juice, Nitish said Pawar's assurance on the floor of the House was still "short of expectations".
Pawar, in his statement in Parliament, said the Centre had taken initiatives to blend up to 10 per cent of ethanol in petroleum products. He said the gap between prices of sugar and ethanol made production of ehtanol exclusively an unviable project.
Pawar also pointed out that 11 exclusive ethanol plants in Maharashtra were now closed and at present nobody would come up with such a proposal. He said after their visit to Patna, industrialists in their field and study reports mentioned they did not want to set up sugar mill there. Pawar stressed that in Brazil the mills had a crushing capacity of 35,000 tonnes compared to 2,000 tonnes in India.
Nitish, in his letter dated July 22, said Pawar' arguements we "not in consonance with facts". He said if the Union government was to make mandatory blending up to 10 per cent ethanol with petroleum, the requirement will be very large and it should encourage local ethanol production to meet the demand.
The Bihar CM also said the price of ethanol (Rs 22.50 per litre) was fixed six years ago when crude and petroleum prices was nearly half the current rates.
"There is enough justification to have a re-look at the price being offered for ethanol by petroleum companies," Nitish said stressing that the price difference between sugar and ethenol was an artificial one.
Nitish also stressed that experience of Maharashtra in ethanol production was not relevant to Bihar because the production is targeted to meet the export requirements, not domestic needs. Nitish said in Bihar proposals for setting up 25 sugar mills have been approved of which only four have initiated action.
"The main reason for the others not immediately showing interest is the fall in sugar prices. However, the scenario is likely to change with the rising sugar price," he said maintaining that the state has succeeded in reviving some of its closed sugar mills through privatization and firms like Hindustan Petroleum Corporation and M/s Reliance India made successful bids.
He also pointed out that the state investment promotion board had approved 13 mega projects for production of ethanol, ten of which were sugar-based and three maize-based.
"The proposed capacity of the sugarcane-based plants are 25,000 tonnes per day and in case of maize-based 1,25,000 tonnes," he said while pointing out that each of these mega projects will produce 200 MW power. link
Referring to Pawar's statement in Parliament on Bihar's demand for promoting ethanol production directly from sugarcane juice, Nitish said Pawar's assurance on the floor of the House was still "short of expectations".
Pawar, in his statement in Parliament, said the Centre had taken initiatives to blend up to 10 per cent of ethanol in petroleum products. He said the gap between prices of sugar and ethanol made production of ehtanol exclusively an unviable project.
Pawar also pointed out that 11 exclusive ethanol plants in Maharashtra were now closed and at present nobody would come up with such a proposal. He said after their visit to Patna, industrialists in their field and study reports mentioned they did not want to set up sugar mill there. Pawar stressed that in Brazil the mills had a crushing capacity of 35,000 tonnes compared to 2,000 tonnes in India.
Nitish, in his letter dated July 22, said Pawar' arguements we "not in consonance with facts". He said if the Union government was to make mandatory blending up to 10 per cent ethanol with petroleum, the requirement will be very large and it should encourage local ethanol production to meet the demand.
The Bihar CM also said the price of ethanol (Rs 22.50 per litre) was fixed six years ago when crude and petroleum prices was nearly half the current rates.
"There is enough justification to have a re-look at the price being offered for ethanol by petroleum companies," Nitish said stressing that the price difference between sugar and ethenol was an artificial one.
Nitish also stressed that experience of Maharashtra in ethanol production was not relevant to Bihar because the production is targeted to meet the export requirements, not domestic needs. Nitish said in Bihar proposals for setting up 25 sugar mills have been approved of which only four have initiated action.
"The main reason for the others not immediately showing interest is the fall in sugar prices. However, the scenario is likely to change with the rising sugar price," he said maintaining that the state has succeeded in reviving some of its closed sugar mills through privatization and firms like Hindustan Petroleum Corporation and M/s Reliance India made successful bids.
He also pointed out that the state investment promotion board had approved 13 mega projects for production of ethanol, ten of which were sugar-based and three maize-based.
"The proposed capacity of the sugarcane-based plants are 25,000 tonnes per day and in case of maize-based 1,25,000 tonnes," he said while pointing out that each of these mega projects will produce 200 MW power. link
Tuesday 21 July 2009
Child labour rampant in cosmetic industry: NGO
The sparkle in the make up box that you dab on just before going to a party is the result of the hard labour of a child who, in all probability, had spent hours in the scorching heat looking for shining pieces of mica in the soil. This in turn is used in the cosmetic industry.
After garments, sports goods, accessories and ornaments, it’s the cosmetics industry that is the latest employer of child labour, especially in places like Jharkhand and Bihar, according to a child rights NGO.
Bhuwan Ribhu, national secretary of the Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA) said that children, as young as six and eight toil away in the mica mines in Jharkhand and Bihar, collecting mica for export all over the world in the cosmetics industry.
“Thousands of children are involved in illegal collection of mica from the soil, which is being exported to major brands including Merck KGaA, the German based pharmaceutical company, which further supplies this mica to some of the biggest names in the cosmetics industry,” he said.
“There are more than 5,000 children involved in mica collection in the area. Since mica is right there in the soil, the opportunity to make easy money was more appealing to children and their parents than education.
“However over a period of time, people are beginning to understand that poverty can not be seen as a reason for children’s exploitation and exposing the children to health and safety hazards like skin and respiratory diseases. Yet, a lot of effort is required from the government, since NGOs can only do so much,” Ribhu said.
Districts like Giridih and Koderma in Jharkhand and Nawadah in Bihar are the worst hit in this case.
“International corporations need to do more work and take up more responsibility in their supply chain. Leaving an area or changing one supplier after child labour is found is not the solution. Corporations must ensure that their profits are not made at the cost of children and should work towards elimination of child labour,” he added. link
After garments, sports goods, accessories and ornaments, it’s the cosmetics industry that is the latest employer of child labour, especially in places like Jharkhand and Bihar, according to a child rights NGO.
Bhuwan Ribhu, national secretary of the Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA) said that children, as young as six and eight toil away in the mica mines in Jharkhand and Bihar, collecting mica for export all over the world in the cosmetics industry.
“Thousands of children are involved in illegal collection of mica from the soil, which is being exported to major brands including Merck KGaA, the German based pharmaceutical company, which further supplies this mica to some of the biggest names in the cosmetics industry,” he said.
“There are more than 5,000 children involved in mica collection in the area. Since mica is right there in the soil, the opportunity to make easy money was more appealing to children and their parents than education.
“However over a period of time, people are beginning to understand that poverty can not be seen as a reason for children’s exploitation and exposing the children to health and safety hazards like skin and respiratory diseases. Yet, a lot of effort is required from the government, since NGOs can only do so much,” Ribhu said.
Districts like Giridih and Koderma in Jharkhand and Nawadah in Bihar are the worst hit in this case.
“International corporations need to do more work and take up more responsibility in their supply chain. Leaving an area or changing one supplier after child labour is found is not the solution. Corporations must ensure that their profits are not made at the cost of children and should work towards elimination of child labour,” he added. link
Monday 20 July 2009
Floating restaurant in Ganga inaugurated by Nitish Kumar
“It’s an amazing experience to watch the sun set from this vessel... This is something like Shaam-e-Magadh,” exulted chief minister Nitish Kumar as he sat in the air-conditioned floating restaurant, MV Ganga Vihar, on Monday evening.
Nitish was on board to inaugurate this novel restaurant which will be operated by the Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation on the Ganga river twice every day. As the vessel anchored off the city’s Gandhi Ghat and chugged down the river, ideas started floated into the CM’s mind. “I will hold a Cabinet meeting on it — a floating Cabinet meeting,” he said.
Development commissioner Anup Mukherjee was asked on the spot to organize the meet. And yes, the CM and his ministers won’t be free-trippers. “The government will pay for it,” Nitish said while turning towards culture secretary Vivek Kumar Singh.
“Cruising down the Ganga is a heart-soothing experience. The government will take some major decisions while afloat,” he said and added this floating restaurant is yet another example of changing Bihar.
The floating restaurant should be made available on rent for social and family functions like birthday and marriage, was another idea the CM came up with.
“I think people will prefer this novel venue to hotels more so because this will be cheaper @ Rs 20,000 for four hours,” he said.
Yet another idea of the CM needed some quick actions to translate that into reality. In response to Nitish’s advice “let this vessel be booked by people for viewing solar eclipse on Wednesday morning”, tourism department’s bosses immediately decided to offer an entry ticket of Rs 100 each at 4 in the morning on Wednesday. The tickets along with sunglasses can be have from Kautilya Vihar and Chandragupta Swimming Pool at the Moinul Haq Stadium.
The vessel sailed up to the Collectorate Ghat and turned for downstream cruise up to Gandhi Setu from where it returned and was anchored at the Gandhi Ghat. Seeing the Gandhi Setu from under it, Nitish looked a bit worried at its dilapidated condition. “It should be used only by light vehicles,” he said.
Nitish said if the cruise restaurant proves a success, more vessels would be pressed into service. “Private operators would be welcome to run the show,” he said.
Referring to the proposed Marine Drive along the Ganga from Digha to Patna Saheb, he said its DPR is being prepared. A DPR for the River Front is also under preparation, he added.link
Nitish was on board to inaugurate this novel restaurant which will be operated by the Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation on the Ganga river twice every day. As the vessel anchored off the city’s Gandhi Ghat and chugged down the river, ideas started floated into the CM’s mind. “I will hold a Cabinet meeting on it — a floating Cabinet meeting,” he said.
Development commissioner Anup Mukherjee was asked on the spot to organize the meet. And yes, the CM and his ministers won’t be free-trippers. “The government will pay for it,” Nitish said while turning towards culture secretary Vivek Kumar Singh.
“Cruising down the Ganga is a heart-soothing experience. The government will take some major decisions while afloat,” he said and added this floating restaurant is yet another example of changing Bihar.
The floating restaurant should be made available on rent for social and family functions like birthday and marriage, was another idea the CM came up with.
“I think people will prefer this novel venue to hotels more so because this will be cheaper @ Rs 20,000 for four hours,” he said.
Yet another idea of the CM needed some quick actions to translate that into reality. In response to Nitish’s advice “let this vessel be booked by people for viewing solar eclipse on Wednesday morning”, tourism department’s bosses immediately decided to offer an entry ticket of Rs 100 each at 4 in the morning on Wednesday. The tickets along with sunglasses can be have from Kautilya Vihar and Chandragupta Swimming Pool at the Moinul Haq Stadium.
The vessel sailed up to the Collectorate Ghat and turned for downstream cruise up to Gandhi Setu from where it returned and was anchored at the Gandhi Ghat. Seeing the Gandhi Setu from under it, Nitish looked a bit worried at its dilapidated condition. “It should be used only by light vehicles,” he said.
Nitish said if the cruise restaurant proves a success, more vessels would be pressed into service. “Private operators would be welcome to run the show,” he said.
Referring to the proposed Marine Drive along the Ganga from Digha to Patna Saheb, he said its DPR is being prepared. A DPR for the River Front is also under preparation, he added.link
Precautions needed while watching eclipse
A workshop on total solar eclipse of 2009 was held at Patna University (PU) physics department here on Monday in which more than 80 students and teachers participated. Patna Science College principal Kashi Nath inaugurated the workshop.
PU physics teachers U N L Mathur, Rohit Raman and S K Sinha presented their views on topics relating to the total solar eclipse which will be visible in different parts of Bihar, including Patna. Amarendra Narain spoke about necessary precautions while watching the eclipse. Rakesh Kumar presented the scientific details of the eclipse. Swetambar Das explained the phenomenon of solar eclipse using photographs and animation.
Symposium on development: The Central University of Bihar (CUB) is organizing a symposium on "Development Studies and India's Development" at A N Sinha Institute of Social Studies here on Tuesday. Chief minister Nitish Kumar will be the chief guest and eminent social scientists like Jean Dreze, Pradeep Bhargave, Chandrakala Padia and Ravi Srivastava will address the symposium.
CUB vice-chancellor Janak Pandey said that the new university seeks to educate and develop human resources for the development of the country, establish linkages with industries for the promotion of science and technology and to pay special attention to the improvement of socio-economic condition of the people.
Employees' agitation: About 33,000 non-teaching staff of colleges and universities in Bihar will remain on mass casual leave and stage dharna before the state legislature from July 21 to 24 in support of their long-pending demands, including new payscales, payment of arrears and removal of pay anomalies, said Bihar State University and College Employees' Federation general secretary Ganga Prasad Jha.link
PU physics teachers U N L Mathur, Rohit Raman and S K Sinha presented their views on topics relating to the total solar eclipse which will be visible in different parts of Bihar, including Patna. Amarendra Narain spoke about necessary precautions while watching the eclipse. Rakesh Kumar presented the scientific details of the eclipse. Swetambar Das explained the phenomenon of solar eclipse using photographs and animation.
Symposium on development: The Central University of Bihar (CUB) is organizing a symposium on "Development Studies and India's Development" at A N Sinha Institute of Social Studies here on Tuesday. Chief minister Nitish Kumar will be the chief guest and eminent social scientists like Jean Dreze, Pradeep Bhargave, Chandrakala Padia and Ravi Srivastava will address the symposium.
CUB vice-chancellor Janak Pandey said that the new university seeks to educate and develop human resources for the development of the country, establish linkages with industries for the promotion of science and technology and to pay special attention to the improvement of socio-economic condition of the people.
Employees' agitation: About 33,000 non-teaching staff of colleges and universities in Bihar will remain on mass casual leave and stage dharna before the state legislature from July 21 to 24 in support of their long-pending demands, including new payscales, payment of arrears and removal of pay anomalies, said Bihar State University and College Employees' Federation general secretary Ganga Prasad Jha.link
Uproar in Bihar assembly
Several opposition MLAs on Monday made uproar in the Bihar assembly and staged a noisy walk-out in protest against "inordinate delay" in implementing the centrally-sponsored multi-sectoral development schemes in seven minority concentrated districts in the state.
Replying to a call-attention notice of RJD's Akhtarul Iman, Shakeel Ahmed Khan, Surendra Prasad Singh and others state Minority Welfare Minister Shahid Ali Khan said the union minority works ministry had in April 2008 earmarked a sum of Rs 523.20 crore for the multi-sectoral development projects for seven muslim concentrated districts of Kishanganj, Araria, Purnia, Sitamarhi, Katihar, West Champaran and Darbhanga.
Mr. Khan said on he basis of the baseline surveys conducted by a Delhi-based institution, the detailed project reports for sanctioning the funds for these schemes were submitted to the Centre
The Centre later allotted Rs 36.63 crore in February 2009 for various projects to be implemented in three of these districts-- Darbhanga, Araria and Katihar and subsequently, released Rs 16.75 Crore to the state government, he said.
Once again, the union ministry for minority works released of Rs 74.72 crore in May, 2009, Mr. Khan informed..link
Replying to a call-attention notice of RJD's Akhtarul Iman, Shakeel Ahmed Khan, Surendra Prasad Singh and others state Minority Welfare Minister Shahid Ali Khan said the union minority works ministry had in April 2008 earmarked a sum of Rs 523.20 crore for the multi-sectoral development projects for seven muslim concentrated districts of Kishanganj, Araria, Purnia, Sitamarhi, Katihar, West Champaran and Darbhanga.
Mr. Khan said on he basis of the baseline surveys conducted by a Delhi-based institution, the detailed project reports for sanctioning the funds for these schemes were submitted to the Centre
The Centre later allotted Rs 36.63 crore in February 2009 for various projects to be implemented in three of these districts-- Darbhanga, Araria and Katihar and subsequently, released Rs 16.75 Crore to the state government, he said.
Once again, the union ministry for minority works released of Rs 74.72 crore in May, 2009, Mr. Khan informed..link
Thursday 16 July 2009
Bihar villages to have animal, relief shelters
In A major move, which will benefit the rural people in the state of Bihar, state Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced setting up of a relief as well as an animal shelter in each village at the cost of Rs 52 lakh. The chief minister said that one billion rupees have been allocated for construction of these sheds.
These sheds will be put under the control of village panchayat and they will serve the village community in lieu of some money, which will be used for upkeep of these shelters.
Speaking at the national seminar on disaster management for the protection of livestock at Veterinary College, Patna, Nitish said that this plan has been approved by the cabinet and soon the tenders will be floated for this purpose.
The chief minister said that 28 districts of Bihar are flood affected as such it is imperative for the Union government to announce relief for the people of Bihar.
He exhorted Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to declare the Kosi floods as national disaster.
Kumar said that the government had learnt a number of lessons during the Kosi floods. The government machinery has realised that in addition to measures taken for human beings, effective steps have to be taken up for welfare and rescue of livestock.
The proposed shelters, he said, are being built keeping this finding in mind and these will help the people during floods.
The government has also invited public private partnership to construct these shelters, he informed. He asked the Vice Chancellor Dr ML Choudhary to make a road map for the protection of livestock with the help of disaster experts.
During the programme, Philip Russel, director of the World Society for the protection of animals promised to help the university in helping them to learn various aspects of disaster management.
Dr Chowdhury, vice chancellor appreciated Bihar government's commitment to the agricultural sector. Animal Husbandry minister Ramanarayan Mandal was present on the occasion and said that the board is now ready to deal with any calamity. Renu Kumari, Minister of Agriculture said agriculture road map is also ready to be implemented.
Dr JN Singh, dean of Rajendra Agriculture University expressed gratitude towards the guests.link
These sheds will be put under the control of village panchayat and they will serve the village community in lieu of some money, which will be used for upkeep of these shelters.
Speaking at the national seminar on disaster management for the protection of livestock at Veterinary College, Patna, Nitish said that this plan has been approved by the cabinet and soon the tenders will be floated for this purpose.
The chief minister said that 28 districts of Bihar are flood affected as such it is imperative for the Union government to announce relief for the people of Bihar.
He exhorted Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to declare the Kosi floods as national disaster.
Kumar said that the government had learnt a number of lessons during the Kosi floods. The government machinery has realised that in addition to measures taken for human beings, effective steps have to be taken up for welfare and rescue of livestock.
The proposed shelters, he said, are being built keeping this finding in mind and these will help the people during floods.
The government has also invited public private partnership to construct these shelters, he informed. He asked the Vice Chancellor Dr ML Choudhary to make a road map for the protection of livestock with the help of disaster experts.
During the programme, Philip Russel, director of the World Society for the protection of animals promised to help the university in helping them to learn various aspects of disaster management.
Dr Chowdhury, vice chancellor appreciated Bihar government's commitment to the agricultural sector. Animal Husbandry minister Ramanarayan Mandal was present on the occasion and said that the board is now ready to deal with any calamity. Renu Kumari, Minister of Agriculture said agriculture road map is also ready to be implemented.
Dr JN Singh, dean of Rajendra Agriculture University expressed gratitude towards the guests.link
Bihar plans to provide toilets to all families
The Bihar government plans to provide each family in the state with proper toilet facilities in the next five to six years, with the target of constructing more than ten million toilets.
“Every family would be provided a toilet in the state as the government’s target is to construct over one crore toilets in next five years,” Bihar Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) Minister Ashwani Kumar Choubey said.
The PHED plans to construct 1.12 crore (11.2 million) toilets by 2015 to provide toilets to all, he said.
Choubey said that 17 lakh (1.7 million) toilets have already been constructed in last 43 months. “The number of toilets constructed in the state during the period 2005 to the first half of 2009 was much more than 753 toilets constructed during 2001-2004,” he said.
The latest survey conducted by the PHED revealed that about 95.96 lakh (9.596 million) households, out of which 49.19 lakh (4.919 million) are from the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category still do not have toilets at their homes.
The state government is offering a grant of Rs.1700 to every BPL family for adding toilets in their huts.link
“Every family would be provided a toilet in the state as the government’s target is to construct over one crore toilets in next five years,” Bihar Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) Minister Ashwani Kumar Choubey said.
The PHED plans to construct 1.12 crore (11.2 million) toilets by 2015 to provide toilets to all, he said.
Choubey said that 17 lakh (1.7 million) toilets have already been constructed in last 43 months. “The number of toilets constructed in the state during the period 2005 to the first half of 2009 was much more than 753 toilets constructed during 2001-2004,” he said.
The latest survey conducted by the PHED revealed that about 95.96 lakh (9.596 million) households, out of which 49.19 lakh (4.919 million) are from the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category still do not have toilets at their homes.
The state government is offering a grant of Rs.1700 to every BPL family for adding toilets in their huts.link
Criminals loot 3 rifles from GRP
Unidentified criminals looted three rifles from the Government Railway Police (GRP) personnel escorting Katihar-Sonepur train near Pasraha railway station in Bihar's Khagaria district, ADG (headquarters)Neelmani said.
Neelmani said the five criminals armed with guns boarded the train at Katihar last night. They attacked the escort party and looted those rifles, when the train was about to reach Pasraha railway station under Samastipur division of the East Central Railway.
They later pulled the chain and decamped with the weapons, Neelmani said and added that a GRP men who sustained injuries in the incident has been admitted to a hospital in Khagaria.
A search operation has been launched to arrest the criminals, Neelmani said.link
Neelmani said the five criminals armed with guns boarded the train at Katihar last night. They attacked the escort party and looted those rifles, when the train was about to reach Pasraha railway station under Samastipur division of the East Central Railway.
They later pulled the chain and decamped with the weapons, Neelmani said and added that a GRP men who sustained injuries in the incident has been admitted to a hospital in Khagaria.
A search operation has been launched to arrest the criminals, Neelmani said.link
Wednesday 15 July 2009
Bihar to take over road construction work under PMGSY
Central agencies engaged in the road construction work under the PM Gramin Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) have often faced criticism for their shoddy performance resulting in tardy and poor quality work. The state government has now asked them to hand over those roads which could not be completed for want of contractors.
Minister of rural works department Brishen Patel acknowledged the fact that a large number roads under PMGSY could not be completed ostensibly because contractors were not coming forward to file tenders.
The minister, who was replying to a short notice question of Ram Dev Verma (CPM), informed the Vidhan Sabha on Wednesday about the problems faced by central agencies in road construction.
"As per central government guidelines , there is no provision for revision in estimate and price adjustment in the road construction work. This is why contractors were not willing to file tenders floated by the central agencies. But we have now asked them to hand over the work to us," the minister said, adding the state government had a provision of Rs 653 crore from its kitty to meet additional cost.
The minister admitted that central agencies had accepted the proposal to hand over the work to state agencies which will be inviting tenders for ensuring speedy completion of work."Since the government was willing to revise the cost estimate, the state agencies will not face any problem in engaging the contractors," the minister said.
The minister informed the House that about 30000 km road was to be constructed under PMGSY and both central and state agencies were involved in construction work. "But construction work of the central agencies were of poor quality. More importantly, the work was executed in a tardy manner. So we requested the Centre to allow us to complete the work by our own agencies," the minister said. link
Minister of rural works department Brishen Patel acknowledged the fact that a large number roads under PMGSY could not be completed ostensibly because contractors were not coming forward to file tenders.
The minister, who was replying to a short notice question of Ram Dev Verma (CPM), informed the Vidhan Sabha on Wednesday about the problems faced by central agencies in road construction.
"As per central government guidelines , there is no provision for revision in estimate and price adjustment in the road construction work. This is why contractors were not willing to file tenders floated by the central agencies. But we have now asked them to hand over the work to us," the minister said, adding the state government had a provision of Rs 653 crore from its kitty to meet additional cost.
The minister admitted that central agencies had accepted the proposal to hand over the work to state agencies which will be inviting tenders for ensuring speedy completion of work."Since the government was willing to revise the cost estimate, the state agencies will not face any problem in engaging the contractors," the minister said.
The minister informed the House that about 30000 km road was to be constructed under PMGSY and both central and state agencies were involved in construction work. "But construction work of the central agencies were of poor quality. More importantly, the work was executed in a tardy manner. So we requested the Centre to allow us to complete the work by our own agencies," the minister said. link
Bihar gets Rs63.50 crore for police modernisation
The Bihar government today received Rs63.50 crore from the Centre for police modernisation in past four successive financial years. In reply to a question by RJD's Nawal Kishore Yadav, Water Resources Development minister Vijendra Prasad Yadav told the state Legislative Council on behalf of the government that the state received Rs11.50 crore in 2005-06, Rs51 lakh in 2006-07, Rs15 crore in 2007-08 and Rs36.49 crore in 2008-09 for police modernisation.
The minister said that the state government has utilised the funds to purchase 8932 rifles, 185 LMGs, 14 Mortars, 168 carbines, 946 pistols, 572 grenade rifles and various types of 17,88,860 cartridges and 960 bomb mortars to modernise its police force. The purchased arms and ammunitions have been distributed amongst the policemen, Yadav said. link
The minister said that the state government has utilised the funds to purchase 8932 rifles, 185 LMGs, 14 Mortars, 168 carbines, 946 pistols, 572 grenade rifles and various types of 17,88,860 cartridges and 960 bomb mortars to modernise its police force. The purchased arms and ammunitions have been distributed amongst the policemen, Yadav said. link
21st Century's Best Solar Eclipse View in Taregna
People in Taregna, which is just 35 km from Patna, are gearing up for a rare sight on July 22. They will witness the longest total solar eclipse of the 21st century on July 22. A large number of astrophysicists, solar scientists and astronomers from across the country, will gather in Taregna to witness the rare solar eclipse.
Among the top scientists, who will visit Taregna on July 22, are NASA's solar scientist Sandeep Das Gupta, his wife Ratnashri, who is the Director of the Nehru Planetarium and some scientists from Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR)-Mumbai.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is also expected to visit Taregna to view the solar eclipse. Renowned astronomer Amitabh Pandey will accompany him. Indira Gandhi Planetarium, Patna has joined hands with a Delhi-based SPACE to help the scientists cover the entire solar eclipse event.
Special arrangements are being made in Patna for the mass viweing of the solar eclipse. The live telecast of the event will be jointly shown by DDK-Bhopal, Patna and Dibrugarh.link
Among the top scientists, who will visit Taregna on July 22, are NASA's solar scientist Sandeep Das Gupta, his wife Ratnashri, who is the Director of the Nehru Planetarium and some scientists from Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR)-Mumbai.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is also expected to visit Taregna to view the solar eclipse. Renowned astronomer Amitabh Pandey will accompany him. Indira Gandhi Planetarium, Patna has joined hands with a Delhi-based SPACE to help the scientists cover the entire solar eclipse event.
Special arrangements are being made in Patna for the mass viweing of the solar eclipse. The live telecast of the event will be jointly shown by DDK-Bhopal, Patna and Dibrugarh.link
Tuesday 14 July 2009
Asian Art Museum: Mithila Women painters of India
The Frey Norris Gallery has been featuring the work of Shalinee Kumari, a contemporary Indian woman artist painting in the style commonly referred to as “Mithila” or “Madhubani” painting. Mithila is a region in Bihar, in India. Madhubani is the name of a town in this region
Traditionally (and still today), these graphically engaging paintings were done by women as mural art decorating the walls of their homes, often marking an important celebrations, a wedding or the birth of a child, for example, or religious themes. The show at the Frey Norris Gallery shows the transformation of this painting style into a contemporary form of expression on paper and canvas that is now sold to art collectors. While stylistically linked to traditional forms, some Mithila artists are exploring a wider range of issues.
The Asian Art Museum also has a collection of Mithila paintings some of which are currently on view on the 3rd floor. This installation includes a male painter in this genre, who is among those encouraged by the economic success of the women artists to enter this once purely local, folk art tradition. The museum installation of Mithila paintings closes after Sunday, July 26 and conservation policy states that these light sensitive works go into dark storage to rest for five years so that they may retain their brilliant colors for generations to come.link
Traditionally (and still today), these graphically engaging paintings were done by women as mural art decorating the walls of their homes, often marking an important celebrations, a wedding or the birth of a child, for example, or religious themes. The show at the Frey Norris Gallery shows the transformation of this painting style into a contemporary form of expression on paper and canvas that is now sold to art collectors. While stylistically linked to traditional forms, some Mithila artists are exploring a wider range of issues.
The Asian Art Museum also has a collection of Mithila paintings some of which are currently on view on the 3rd floor. This installation includes a male painter in this genre, who is among those encouraged by the economic success of the women artists to enter this once purely local, folk art tradition. The museum installation of Mithila paintings closes after Sunday, July 26 and conservation policy states that these light sensitive works go into dark storage to rest for five years so that they may retain their brilliant colors for generations to come.link
Metro's accident has not deterred Lattipur youths from dreaming of work in Metro
Pappu Yadav had planted a cactus in a tin pot on the terrace of his house here before he set out for Delhi seven months ago to join work. The 25-year-old had also promised his father he would make the family house a pucca structure when he next visits home, in Lattipur village of Bhagalpur district.
Two days after he became one of the three fatal victims from Lattipur in Sunday’s accident at Delhi Metro’s construction site in South Delhi, the family is still looking at the cactus and the half-built house to find strength and come to terms with reality.
Besides Pappu Yadav, Amit Yadav, 25, and Niranjan Yadav, 18, were the other victims from Lattipur among six fatalities in the Zamrudpur mishap. All three were labourers at the construction site — among 45 from Lattipur working to put the Metro on track in time, according to villagers.
Barely out of her teens, Pappu’s wife Nitu has just come to her in-laws’ place and sits ashen-faced. Amid sobs, his mother Sita Devi says Pappu had promised to take his wife to Delhi one day. “That day would never come now.”
Eldest of three sons, Pappu was the family’s sole earning member.
Similar is the scene at houses of Amit Yadav and Niranjan Yadav: burst of rage at the authorities amid the mourning.
The duo’s mothers want to see their bodies one last time before cremation at the Ganga ghats here.
The river, though, has emerged as a scourge for the village of around 8,000. Locals blame the Ganga, flowing barely a kilometre from the village and eroding cultivable land every year, for making almost a third of the local youths to migrate to cities like Delhi, Ludhiana and Surat in search of livelihood.
In the last 40 years, villagers say, annual floods have eroded more than 600 bighas of cultivable land. And when the water recedes, it leaves behind sand that cannot grow anything.
To Delhi, with dreams
Niranjan’s father Awadesh Yadav, 47, says lack of cultivable land made him pull out his son from school after Class VIII. The family, he says, needed the money: “But there was no work here, so he went to Delhi.”
Villagers estimate at least 1,000 Lattipur youths work in the Capital, with 45 employed with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) alone.
Niranjan’s uncle Arvind Yadav says the youths who initially got a job with DMRC said the corporation pays better than most organisations. In areas like Lattipur, with unemployment staring youths at every street corner, that spread like wildfire and more made a beeline for work with DMRC, Arvind says. “Once the chain was built, migration continued — even we began enjoying it since money suddenly started flowing in to the village.”
According to him, barely two out of every ten villagers can be called “well-placed”, with a job either in the Army, or schools and banks. The village, he points out, does not have a “full pucca” house.
Though Lattipur has a high school and colleges in neighbouring Bhagalpur, few continue their education beyond matriculation. Pappu Yadav was in fact among the few who cleared Intermediate from the village.
Though the village elders blame almost everyone — from Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to “our MP” Shahnawaz Hussain, and local authorities to DMRC officials — Sunday’s accident has not deterred Lattipur youths from still dreaming of work outside. Many in fact are open to working with DMRC. “We have to leave the village some day — staying here will mean only playing cards and wasting our life,” Class X student Nilesh says.link
Two days after he became one of the three fatal victims from Lattipur in Sunday’s accident at Delhi Metro’s construction site in South Delhi, the family is still looking at the cactus and the half-built house to find strength and come to terms with reality.
Besides Pappu Yadav, Amit Yadav, 25, and Niranjan Yadav, 18, were the other victims from Lattipur among six fatalities in the Zamrudpur mishap. All three were labourers at the construction site — among 45 from Lattipur working to put the Metro on track in time, according to villagers.
Barely out of her teens, Pappu’s wife Nitu has just come to her in-laws’ place and sits ashen-faced. Amid sobs, his mother Sita Devi says Pappu had promised to take his wife to Delhi one day. “That day would never come now.”
Eldest of three sons, Pappu was the family’s sole earning member.
Similar is the scene at houses of Amit Yadav and Niranjan Yadav: burst of rage at the authorities amid the mourning.
The duo’s mothers want to see their bodies one last time before cremation at the Ganga ghats here.
The river, though, has emerged as a scourge for the village of around 8,000. Locals blame the Ganga, flowing barely a kilometre from the village and eroding cultivable land every year, for making almost a third of the local youths to migrate to cities like Delhi, Ludhiana and Surat in search of livelihood.
In the last 40 years, villagers say, annual floods have eroded more than 600 bighas of cultivable land. And when the water recedes, it leaves behind sand that cannot grow anything.
To Delhi, with dreams
Niranjan’s father Awadesh Yadav, 47, says lack of cultivable land made him pull out his son from school after Class VIII. The family, he says, needed the money: “But there was no work here, so he went to Delhi.”
Villagers estimate at least 1,000 Lattipur youths work in the Capital, with 45 employed with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) alone.
Niranjan’s uncle Arvind Yadav says the youths who initially got a job with DMRC said the corporation pays better than most organisations. In areas like Lattipur, with unemployment staring youths at every street corner, that spread like wildfire and more made a beeline for work with DMRC, Arvind says. “Once the chain was built, migration continued — even we began enjoying it since money suddenly started flowing in to the village.”
According to him, barely two out of every ten villagers can be called “well-placed”, with a job either in the Army, or schools and banks. The village, he points out, does not have a “full pucca” house.
Though Lattipur has a high school and colleges in neighbouring Bhagalpur, few continue their education beyond matriculation. Pappu Yadav was in fact among the few who cleared Intermediate from the village.
Though the village elders blame almost everyone — from Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to “our MP” Shahnawaz Hussain, and local authorities to DMRC officials — Sunday’s accident has not deterred Lattipur youths from still dreaming of work outside. Many in fact are open to working with DMRC. “We have to leave the village some day — staying here will mean only playing cards and wasting our life,” Class X student Nilesh says.link
Lack of water hits paddy transplantation in Bihar
Mustafa Khan and Balram Lal, both farmers, scan the skies every day for signs of rain. And most days they are left disappointed. With the state recording a deficit of more than 50 percent in rainfall so far, Khan and Lal, like hundreds of thousands of farmers in Bihar, have one grave worry: how will they transplant paddy seedlings if there is no water in the fields?
“We are losing hope. It’s almost the month of Sawan (July 16-Aug 16) and lack of rains is bound to hit paddy transplantation,” said Lal, who lives in Maoist-hit Aurangabad district, about 100 km from here.
“Every day we pray for heavy rains, it is the only hope for us.”
According to Animesh Chanda, director of the meteorological office here, Bihar received 118.2 mm rainfall against its requirement of 246.5 mm from June 1 to July 7. “It recorded a deficit of 52 percent,” he added.
Chanda said the monsoon was delayed by two weeks in Bihar and rainfall was likely o be below normal.
To make matters worse, farmers said that unlike in the past, there is no water in the canals for irrigation. “We are lucky our village falls under canal irrigation but this year the canals are dry,” Khan said.
A large part of central Bihar is irrigated by water from the Sone river, brought through canals.
Another farmer, Maheshwar Ram, said huge quantities of paddy seedlings transplanted last month have wilted in the scorching heat.
A few farmers have managed to save paddy seeds sown early this month by pumping ground water.
Officials in the agriculture department said less than 10 percent of transplantation of paddy seedlings has been completed.
The state government targeted paddy cultivation on 3.55 million hectares this year. “Till date, transplantation has been reported on about 300,000 hectares,” one official said.
Last month, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced that farmers would be given diesel at subsidised rates under a contingency plan to cope with the drought-like situation. link
“We are losing hope. It’s almost the month of Sawan (July 16-Aug 16) and lack of rains is bound to hit paddy transplantation,” said Lal, who lives in Maoist-hit Aurangabad district, about 100 km from here.
“Every day we pray for heavy rains, it is the only hope for us.”
According to Animesh Chanda, director of the meteorological office here, Bihar received 118.2 mm rainfall against its requirement of 246.5 mm from June 1 to July 7. “It recorded a deficit of 52 percent,” he added.
Chanda said the monsoon was delayed by two weeks in Bihar and rainfall was likely o be below normal.
To make matters worse, farmers said that unlike in the past, there is no water in the canals for irrigation. “We are lucky our village falls under canal irrigation but this year the canals are dry,” Khan said.
A large part of central Bihar is irrigated by water from the Sone river, brought through canals.
Another farmer, Maheshwar Ram, said huge quantities of paddy seedlings transplanted last month have wilted in the scorching heat.
A few farmers have managed to save paddy seeds sown early this month by pumping ground water.
Officials in the agriculture department said less than 10 percent of transplantation of paddy seedlings has been completed.
The state government targeted paddy cultivation on 3.55 million hectares this year. “Till date, transplantation has been reported on about 300,000 hectares,” one official said.
Last month, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced that farmers would be given diesel at subsidised rates under a contingency plan to cope with the drought-like situation. link
Two lynched in Gopalganj and Aurangabad districts over theft, molestation charges
Two men, one accused of molesting a girl and the other a suspected thief, were lynched by mobs in Bihar's Gopalganj and Aurangabad districts, police said on Tuesday.
A man, identified only as Shivnath, was beaten to death on Monday evening in Shahpur village in Gopalganj by family members and neighbours after a girl alleged that he had tried to molest her.
"Shivnath was caught when he was trying to escape after a girl cried that he tried to molest her. Family members and neighbours beat him to death him with bamboo sticks and iron rods," a police official said.
Relatives of the victim lodged a case with the police, naming seven people as the accused. Two people have been arrested, police said.
In the second case, a 25-year-old man was lynched on Monday by a mob near Anugrah Narain Road Station in Aurangabad district on charges of theft. The victim has not been identified by the police.
A case has been lodged against the unidentified people who lynched him, an official said.
In rural Bihar, street "justice" is becoming increasingly common. Over 50 cases of lynching were reported from the State over the last four months.
In one of the worst cases of lynching in Bihar, 10 people from the underprivileged Kueri community were thrashed to death in Vaishali district over an alleged theft in September 2007. Later, a high-level probe found that the men were not thieves as the villagers had suspected. link
A man, identified only as Shivnath, was beaten to death on Monday evening in Shahpur village in Gopalganj by family members and neighbours after a girl alleged that he had tried to molest her.
"Shivnath was caught when he was trying to escape after a girl cried that he tried to molest her. Family members and neighbours beat him to death him with bamboo sticks and iron rods," a police official said.
Relatives of the victim lodged a case with the police, naming seven people as the accused. Two people have been arrested, police said.
In the second case, a 25-year-old man was lynched on Monday by a mob near Anugrah Narain Road Station in Aurangabad district on charges of theft. The victim has not been identified by the police.
A case has been lodged against the unidentified people who lynched him, an official said.
In rural Bihar, street "justice" is becoming increasingly common. Over 50 cases of lynching were reported from the State over the last four months.
In one of the worst cases of lynching in Bihar, 10 people from the underprivileged Kueri community were thrashed to death in Vaishali district over an alleged theft in September 2007. Later, a high-level probe found that the men were not thieves as the villagers had suspected. link
Monday 13 July 2009
IMA condemns attack on doctors
IMA state branch has condemned a murderous attack on Dr Vivekanand Jha and Dr S K Das of Madhepur Primary Health Centre (Madhubani) on Saturday night and has demanded immediate enactment of the Health Professional Protection Act on the pattern of Andhra Pradesh to check increasing incidents of attack on medical professionals across the state.
The IMA has demanded immediate arrest of those involved in the attack on the two doctors and legal action against them in accordance with the law. An IMA team would visit Madhepur and submit its report to the state government on the incident.
CME: A CME on `Surgery in Medically Unfit Patients' was held at the Patna Bone and Spine Diseases Private Hospital here on Sunday. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Sanjeev Kumar of Magadh Hospital urged the surgeons to be equipped with full cardiac set up, including cardiac monitor and ventilator, while going for operating a patient suffering from angina and other heart ailments.
Eye camp: The Bihar Ophthalmological Society, Upchar and Vision 2020 jointly organized a free eye camp at Anandpuri on Sunday where 50 cataract patients were selected for operation. Eminent eye specialists, including Dr Subhash Prasad, Dr Sunil Singh, Dr Sudhir, Dr Anita Ambastha, and Dr Nagendra Prasad, examined the eye patients. In all, 250 patients were given free spectacles at the camp.
Meet on heart disease: A CME programme on `Rheumatic Valvular Heart Disease' was held here by the IMA Academy of Medical Specialities.link
The IMA has demanded immediate arrest of those involved in the attack on the two doctors and legal action against them in accordance with the law. An IMA team would visit Madhepur and submit its report to the state government on the incident.
CME: A CME on `Surgery in Medically Unfit Patients' was held at the Patna Bone and Spine Diseases Private Hospital here on Sunday. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Sanjeev Kumar of Magadh Hospital urged the surgeons to be equipped with full cardiac set up, including cardiac monitor and ventilator, while going for operating a patient suffering from angina and other heart ailments.
Eye camp: The Bihar Ophthalmological Society, Upchar and Vision 2020 jointly organized a free eye camp at Anandpuri on Sunday where 50 cataract patients were selected for operation. Eminent eye specialists, including Dr Subhash Prasad, Dr Sunil Singh, Dr Sudhir, Dr Anita Ambastha, and Dr Nagendra Prasad, examined the eye patients. In all, 250 patients were given free spectacles at the camp.
Meet on heart disease: A CME programme on `Rheumatic Valvular Heart Disease' was held here by the IMA Academy of Medical Specialities.link
Shoot at least a portion of Dabangg in Bihar : Shatrughan Sinha
Producer Arbaaz Khan has decided to stay away from the state for Dabangg. A source close to the unit said, “We’ve heard many shocking stories about Bihar. So it seems very risky for Salman, debutante Sonakshi Sinha and the rest of the unit to work in Bihar.” A faux-Bihar will be created in Wai, Nasik and the suburbs of Mumbai, for the film.
However, Shatrughan Sinha, Sonakshi’s father, is aghast at the thought. Born in the state, he recently contested the election and won a seat from Bihar. He said, “What better occasion to prove that Bihar is safe, than my own daughter’s film? I’m certainly going to suggest to Salman and Arbaaz that they shoot at least a portion of Dabangg in Bihar.”
Not many know that Shatrughan Sinha has submitted a proposal for a film city in Patna to Bihar’s chief minister Nitish Kumar. Talking about his pet project, he said, “I don’t know why that proposal was brushed under the carpet. I feel a culture centre in Bihar which would include cinema, theatre and television would encourage and cultivate local talent. It would also encourage Bollywood to visit Bihar. Sadly even our Bihari filmmaker in Bollywood, Prakash Jha, has shot all his Bihar-based films like Mrityudand, Apaharan and Gangaajal outside Bihar. I’d like to change this.”
However, Shatrughan Sinha, Sonakshi’s father, is aghast at the thought. Born in the state, he recently contested the election and won a seat from Bihar. He said, “What better occasion to prove that Bihar is safe, than my own daughter’s film? I’m certainly going to suggest to Salman and Arbaaz that they shoot at least a portion of Dabangg in Bihar.”
Not many know that Shatrughan Sinha has submitted a proposal for a film city in Patna to Bihar’s chief minister Nitish Kumar. Talking about his pet project, he said, “I don’t know why that proposal was brushed under the carpet. I feel a culture centre in Bihar which would include cinema, theatre and television would encourage and cultivate local talent. It would also encourage Bollywood to visit Bihar. Sadly even our Bihari filmmaker in Bollywood, Prakash Jha, has shot all his Bihar-based films like Mrityudand, Apaharan and Gangaajal outside Bihar. I’d like to change this.”
Implementation of Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana in Bihar
Under Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY), all 43 projects of Bihar have been sanctioned and awarded. Out of 43 projects, 26 projects are of 10th Plan and 17 projects are of 11th Plan. These projects are likely to be completed within the 11th Plan period.
There is no state-wise allocation of funds. However, an amount of Rs.2324.10 crores has been disbursed to Bihar upto 30th June, 2009.
This information was given by Shri Bharatsinh Solanki, Minister of State, Ministry of Power in a written reply to a question by Shri Ali Anwar Ansari in the Rajya Sabha today. link
There is no state-wise allocation of funds. However, an amount of Rs.2324.10 crores has been disbursed to Bihar upto 30th June, 2009.
This information was given by Shri Bharatsinh Solanki, Minister of State, Ministry of Power in a written reply to a question by Shri Ali Anwar Ansari in the Rajya Sabha today. link
Chief Justice of India to give Bihar more CBI courts
The Chief Justice of India, KG Balakrishan, today hinted that Bihar may have three to four more special CBI courts. He was speaking on the occasion of the centenary celebrations of Patna Law College, in Patna on July 11. Also present on the occasion was Governor of Bihar, Devender Konawar, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Acting Chief Justice of Patna High Court, BK Singh. While laying the foundation stone of the auditorium-cum-seminar hall in the college, Nitish Kumar reiterated his commitment to fight corruption in Bihar. He enlisted his government's initiatives vis-à-vis his tirade against corruption. He also highlighted his government’s ‘speedy trial experiment’ which has earned nation-wide appreciation among legal luminaries.
The Bihar government recently enacted a law that would ensure the confiscation of properties of public servants found having disproportionate assets. The state vigilance board has so far arrested more than 1,000 public servants for accepting bribes. Thousands of cases have already been filed; the enacted law has now enabled the government to confiscate their assets. In fact the government’s vow against corruption has shown encouraging results and governance has improved perceptibly – a development that has earned nation-wide appreciation.
Highlighting the problem of high number of cases pending in different courts, the CJI said that the Prime Minister had responded positively to his letter in which he had requested the setting up of more courts.
He said that in Delhi alone, 350 murder cases were filed every year but only 250 of these could be disposed off, leaving 100 cases. Such a rate has resulted in a huge number of pending cases over time.
The governor said that the economic disparities among poor and rich have to be bridged otherwise the violence and Naxalism would go unabated. Hopefully, the setting up of new CBI courts (at present the state has only two) will increase the pace of disposal of cases, drastically reducing the scope for corruption.
Interestingly, judicial reforms have become a priority for the newly-elected UPA and many bills aimed at weeding out corruption in the judiciary, are on the anvil. The judiciary has also sensed the mood of the government and the public, and has responded positively with this move. Recent cases of corruption in the higher judiciary have taken a heavy toll on the image of the judiciary. Recent judgements in courts sound critical of the judicial system itself; it has even rebuffed judges against whom serious charges of corruption have been levelled. The CJI also hinted that he would get tougher on cases of corruption in the judiciary as well.link
The Bihar government recently enacted a law that would ensure the confiscation of properties of public servants found having disproportionate assets. The state vigilance board has so far arrested more than 1,000 public servants for accepting bribes. Thousands of cases have already been filed; the enacted law has now enabled the government to confiscate their assets. In fact the government’s vow against corruption has shown encouraging results and governance has improved perceptibly – a development that has earned nation-wide appreciation.
Highlighting the problem of high number of cases pending in different courts, the CJI said that the Prime Minister had responded positively to his letter in which he had requested the setting up of more courts.
He said that in Delhi alone, 350 murder cases were filed every year but only 250 of these could be disposed off, leaving 100 cases. Such a rate has resulted in a huge number of pending cases over time.
The governor said that the economic disparities among poor and rich have to be bridged otherwise the violence and Naxalism would go unabated. Hopefully, the setting up of new CBI courts (at present the state has only two) will increase the pace of disposal of cases, drastically reducing the scope for corruption.
Interestingly, judicial reforms have become a priority for the newly-elected UPA and many bills aimed at weeding out corruption in the judiciary, are on the anvil. The judiciary has also sensed the mood of the government and the public, and has responded positively with this move. Recent cases of corruption in the higher judiciary have taken a heavy toll on the image of the judiciary. Recent judgements in courts sound critical of the judicial system itself; it has even rebuffed judges against whom serious charges of corruption have been levelled. The CJI also hinted that he would get tougher on cases of corruption in the judiciary as well.link
Bihar to involve transgenders in socio-development
The Bihar government is trying out innovative ways to involve the transgenders in socially useful work.
It has successfully used the services of transgenders to recover taxes from habitual defaulters in Patna.
Now, the social welfare department plans to rehabilitate them - in a first such rehabilitation scheme for transgenders.
Bihar Social Welfare Minister Damodar Raut told that the government would soon launch a plan for the rehabilitation of transgenders. "It is in the pipeline. The rehabilitation scheme for transgenders will be a reality in the state soon," he said.
"Transgenders will be provided literacy and vocational training to prepare them for respectable regular employment. It will give them the opportunity to enhance their socio-economic status," said Masood Hassan, director of the social welfare department.
The transgenders will be trained free of cost, he said.
Sources in the department said the selected transgenders would be trained as drivers, cooks and guards for residential apartments, while some others would be provided training in handicrafts, painting or computer applications.
Mr. Hassan said the social welfare department had already invited applications from recognised NGOs to conduct a survey of transgenders to collect information about them before implementing the rehabilitation scheme.
The department also plans to engage some transgenders to popularise the state government's women and child welfare schemes, an official said.
Transgenders visit families on auspicious occasions across the state. "Their visits would be more fruitful if they can be engaged to propagate government schemes," the official said.
Last year, transgenders in the State had formed welfare associations demanding the right to employment, marriage and child adoption among other things.
Referring to the position of transgenders in the Mughal empire, Kali Hijra, a leader of the transgenders, said they would be employed to guard the harems and some even became the aides of queens.
"We have suffered a lot for centuries and most of us live in abject poverty. We want restoration of our recognition on the pattern of the Mughal era," Kali Hijra said. link
It has successfully used the services of transgenders to recover taxes from habitual defaulters in Patna.
Now, the social welfare department plans to rehabilitate them - in a first such rehabilitation scheme for transgenders.
Bihar Social Welfare Minister Damodar Raut told that the government would soon launch a plan for the rehabilitation of transgenders. "It is in the pipeline. The rehabilitation scheme for transgenders will be a reality in the state soon," he said.
"Transgenders will be provided literacy and vocational training to prepare them for respectable regular employment. It will give them the opportunity to enhance their socio-economic status," said Masood Hassan, director of the social welfare department.
The transgenders will be trained free of cost, he said.
Sources in the department said the selected transgenders would be trained as drivers, cooks and guards for residential apartments, while some others would be provided training in handicrafts, painting or computer applications.
Mr. Hassan said the social welfare department had already invited applications from recognised NGOs to conduct a survey of transgenders to collect information about them before implementing the rehabilitation scheme.
The department also plans to engage some transgenders to popularise the state government's women and child welfare schemes, an official said.
Transgenders visit families on auspicious occasions across the state. "Their visits would be more fruitful if they can be engaged to propagate government schemes," the official said.
Last year, transgenders in the State had formed welfare associations demanding the right to employment, marriage and child adoption among other things.
Referring to the position of transgenders in the Mughal empire, Kali Hijra, a leader of the transgenders, said they would be employed to guard the harems and some even became the aides of queens.
"We have suffered a lot for centuries and most of us live in abject poverty. We want restoration of our recognition on the pattern of the Mughal era," Kali Hijra said. link
Saturday 11 July 2009
Daughters are no longer a burden in Bihar
The government of Bihar has launched the Mukhyamantri Kanya Vivah Yojna scheme to help the poor fathers with financial aid to married off their daughters well. This decision of the state government has brought a glow into the eyes of the poor parents. The government scheme has put an end to the bad days of poor fathers.
Under the scheme, the state government will provide a financial help of Rs 5,000 for a girl’s marriage to the families whose annual income is below Rs 60,000.
In the financial year 2008-09, the state government under the scheme has distributed around Rs 40 million to more than 78 thousand poor families.
Government will only provide the money for the girls who are married off at their standard age ie, 18 years.
Poor families who married off their daughters before the age of 18 years will not receive this government assistance.
This scheme will not only provide financial support to the girls of poor families in getting married, but will also help in getting rid of the social stigmas like child marriage and dowry.
In Bihar, family planning survey conducted so far revealed that 51.5 per cent of the girls are married off and are sent to their in-laws before their standard age. In Jahanabad, West Chanparn, Nalanda, Supaul, Madhubani, Vaishali, Jamui district, more than 60 per cent of the girls are married of before the age of 18 years. Twenty two districts of the state suffer from the same condition.link
Under the scheme, the state government will provide a financial help of Rs 5,000 for a girl’s marriage to the families whose annual income is below Rs 60,000.
In the financial year 2008-09, the state government under the scheme has distributed around Rs 40 million to more than 78 thousand poor families.
Government will only provide the money for the girls who are married off at their standard age ie, 18 years.
Poor families who married off their daughters before the age of 18 years will not receive this government assistance.
This scheme will not only provide financial support to the girls of poor families in getting married, but will also help in getting rid of the social stigmas like child marriage and dowry.
In Bihar, family planning survey conducted so far revealed that 51.5 per cent of the girls are married off and are sent to their in-laws before their standard age. In Jahanabad, West Chanparn, Nalanda, Supaul, Madhubani, Vaishali, Jamui district, more than 60 per cent of the girls are married of before the age of 18 years. Twenty two districts of the state suffer from the same condition.link
Friday 10 July 2009
Regional cancer centre to come up at IGIMS
Efforts are on to set up a state-of-the-art regional cancer centre at the Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS) here, Bihar&aposs Minister for Health N K Yadav told the state assembly.
Replying to a short-notice question of Vinod Narain Jha (BJP) and subsequent supplementaries from RJD&aposs Shakeel Ahmed Khan, Ramchandra Purve and Ramdas Rai, Yadav said the central government had approved a proposal for setting up a regional cancer centre at the IGIMS, equipped with modern facilities.
He said the government was also making efforts to add bone marrow transplant facilities at the centre.
The minister said around one lakh people from the state were receiving medicare from the cancer units at the IGIMS, Patna Medical College and Hospital, and Mahavir Cancer Institute here, even as he admitted that patients were going to Delhi and Mumbai for treatment at advance stages of the disease.link
Replying to a short-notice question of Vinod Narain Jha (BJP) and subsequent supplementaries from RJD&aposs Shakeel Ahmed Khan, Ramchandra Purve and Ramdas Rai, Yadav said the central government had approved a proposal for setting up a regional cancer centre at the IGIMS, equipped with modern facilities.
He said the government was also making efforts to add bone marrow transplant facilities at the centre.
The minister said around one lakh people from the state were receiving medicare from the cancer units at the IGIMS, Patna Medical College and Hospital, and Mahavir Cancer Institute here, even as he admitted that patients were going to Delhi and Mumbai for treatment at advance stages of the disease.link
One killed, six injured in Bihar court blast
A man was killed and six others injured, one of them seriously, in a bomb blast inside an advocate's chamber in the district court premises here today.
Bhojpur police superintendent Sunil Kumar said the crude bomb was tied to the waist of the man and exploded when he entered the chamber and was about to take a seat.
The six -- four lawyers and two clients -- present in the chamber were injured in the blast, he said. The police captain said the condition of the advocate, one of the injured, is serious and has been rushed to Patna Medical College and Hospital for further treatment.
The security of the court premises has been beefed up in view of the blast, the SP said, adding the investigation is on. District Magistrate Safina A N visited the sadar hospital where the injured were admitted and instructed the authorities to provide prompt treatment to those injured in the blast.link
Bhojpur police superintendent Sunil Kumar said the crude bomb was tied to the waist of the man and exploded when he entered the chamber and was about to take a seat.
The six -- four lawyers and two clients -- present in the chamber were injured in the blast, he said. The police captain said the condition of the advocate, one of the injured, is serious and has been rushed to Patna Medical College and Hospital for further treatment.
The security of the court premises has been beefed up in view of the blast, the SP said, adding the investigation is on. District Magistrate Safina A N visited the sadar hospital where the injured were admitted and instructed the authorities to provide prompt treatment to those injured in the blast.link
Bihar govt asked to appoint conservator for tiger reserve
Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh has asked the Bihar government to appoint a full-time conservator in the Valmiki Tiger Reserve in the state at the earliest to ensure better management in the park where tiger-count has declined in the recent years.
Expressing his concern over the fate of tigers, whose number has declined from 30 to 13, and other wildlife in the park spread over 880.78 sq km, Ramesh, in a letter to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, urged him to expedite the process of signing tripartite pact with the Centre so as to avail central assisted fund.
The minister has sought reasons as to why no full-time conservator has been appointed in the park even when there is no dearth of officials, a senior official in the environment ministry said.
The top post in the reserve in Betia in Champaran district had been lying vacant for the last nine months and currently conservator Ashok Prasad has been entrusted with multiple charge of Muzaffarpur, Betia and Siwan forests, he added.
The state of affairs of field staff is equally precarious in the reserve with at least 40 per cent of the total posts lying vacant.
Due to vacancy at the top level, poachers get sufficient security gaps to target the endangered predators.
Except miscellaneous funds to meet the salary of the staff, there is no separate fund allocated by the state for the management and development of the park.link
Expressing his concern over the fate of tigers, whose number has declined from 30 to 13, and other wildlife in the park spread over 880.78 sq km, Ramesh, in a letter to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, urged him to expedite the process of signing tripartite pact with the Centre so as to avail central assisted fund.
The minister has sought reasons as to why no full-time conservator has been appointed in the park even when there is no dearth of officials, a senior official in the environment ministry said.
The top post in the reserve in Betia in Champaran district had been lying vacant for the last nine months and currently conservator Ashok Prasad has been entrusted with multiple charge of Muzaffarpur, Betia and Siwan forests, he added.
The state of affairs of field staff is equally precarious in the reserve with at least 40 per cent of the total posts lying vacant.
Due to vacancy at the top level, poachers get sufficient security gaps to target the endangered predators.
Except miscellaneous funds to meet the salary of the staff, there is no separate fund allocated by the state for the management and development of the park.link
Thursday 9 July 2009
12 injured as Howrah-Dehradun Express derails in Bihar
At least 12 passengers were injured when two coaches of Howrah-Dehradun Express derailed in Bihar's Gaya district on Friday.
"The SLR van and guard's coach of the train jumped the rails near Bilwa station about 50 km from here at about 3.55am," PRO of East Central Railway U K Jha said.
Eye witnesses said the passengers received minor injuries as the train was moving at a slow speed.
The derailed coaches were detached from the train, which resumed journey at 5.55am, Jha said.
There was no disruption in the movement of other trains due to the mishap, he said. link
"The SLR van and guard's coach of the train jumped the rails near Bilwa station about 50 km from here at about 3.55am," PRO of East Central Railway U K Jha said.
Eye witnesses said the passengers received minor injuries as the train was moving at a slow speed.
The derailed coaches were detached from the train, which resumed journey at 5.55am, Jha said.
There was no disruption in the movement of other trains due to the mishap, he said. link
Bihar to enact a law against land grabbing
The Government of Bihar is planning to come out with a legislation in the current session of Legislative assembly to stop illegal and forceful dispossession of lawful owner from his land.
At present, there is no specific law with respect to prevention of forceful and illegal dispossession of lawful owner of land. Such cases are tried in civil courts and take many years to get the matter adjudicated. In fact the aggrieved person has to go to Civil Courts to prove his ‘Title’ over the land in question and naturally burden of proof lies on the petitioners. Thus the aggrieved person has to prove first that the land in question belongs to him, only then the court will order for restoration, for which the aggrieved person has to bring a fresh suit after winning the title. The process obviously is complicated and biased against the law abiding and weak citizens and slated favourably towards land grabbers and land mafia.
Nitish Kumar’s much published and praised experiment of holding Janata ke Darbar me Mukhya Mantri or ‘Chief Minister in the court of public’ programme has been flooded with complaints related to land disputes. Most of the cases, which came before the CM are related to forceful dispossession of land by land mafia or criminals. Since no such powers of restoration of such illegal and forceful dispossessions are vested with executive branch of government, the CM found himself helpless on this issue. He used to send the petitioners either to police or to district collectors for redressal but this was of no use because neither collectors or police has the power to restore back the dispossessed land to the lawful owner. In fact CM’s secretariat got stuffed with such problems and become an issue of much discomfort to the CM.
Taking cue from this problem, CM constituted a committee, which suggested enactment of a legislation to this effect.
The draft of the proposed legislation is ready and likely to get cabinet’s nod within a couple of days. The legislation titled ‘Bihar Land Dispute Redressal Act’ is likely to be put up before the Legislative assembly after approval by the Cabinet. Once this law is passed, Bihar will perhaps become second to Andhra Pradesh only to legislate such law.
It is going to be a land mark in the history because land grabbing and illegal dispossession have become a chronic problem across the country. Lands, especially in urban and metros are becoming costlier day by day and absence of any specific law gives loop to Police and other muscle men to earn fortune.
It would require Union government’s consent also because powers under this proposed law would be conferred on executive branch of government hitherto enjoyed by Civil courts, meaning thereby that some provisions of Civil Procedure Code (CPC), which is a central code, would be amended.
Hopefully this law would pave way for other states also to ponder on this vital issue and frame laws on similar lines.link
At present, there is no specific law with respect to prevention of forceful and illegal dispossession of lawful owner of land. Such cases are tried in civil courts and take many years to get the matter adjudicated. In fact the aggrieved person has to go to Civil Courts to prove his ‘Title’ over the land in question and naturally burden of proof lies on the petitioners. Thus the aggrieved person has to prove first that the land in question belongs to him, only then the court will order for restoration, for which the aggrieved person has to bring a fresh suit after winning the title. The process obviously is complicated and biased against the law abiding and weak citizens and slated favourably towards land grabbers and land mafia.
Nitish Kumar’s much published and praised experiment of holding Janata ke Darbar me Mukhya Mantri or ‘Chief Minister in the court of public’ programme has been flooded with complaints related to land disputes. Most of the cases, which came before the CM are related to forceful dispossession of land by land mafia or criminals. Since no such powers of restoration of such illegal and forceful dispossessions are vested with executive branch of government, the CM found himself helpless on this issue. He used to send the petitioners either to police or to district collectors for redressal but this was of no use because neither collectors or police has the power to restore back the dispossessed land to the lawful owner. In fact CM’s secretariat got stuffed with such problems and become an issue of much discomfort to the CM.
Taking cue from this problem, CM constituted a committee, which suggested enactment of a legislation to this effect.
The draft of the proposed legislation is ready and likely to get cabinet’s nod within a couple of days. The legislation titled ‘Bihar Land Dispute Redressal Act’ is likely to be put up before the Legislative assembly after approval by the Cabinet. Once this law is passed, Bihar will perhaps become second to Andhra Pradesh only to legislate such law.
It is going to be a land mark in the history because land grabbing and illegal dispossession have become a chronic problem across the country. Lands, especially in urban and metros are becoming costlier day by day and absence of any specific law gives loop to Police and other muscle men to earn fortune.
It would require Union government’s consent also because powers under this proposed law would be conferred on executive branch of government hitherto enjoyed by Civil courts, meaning thereby that some provisions of Civil Procedure Code (CPC), which is a central code, would be amended.
Hopefully this law would pave way for other states also to ponder on this vital issue and frame laws on similar lines.link
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