Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, during his stop at Nathnagar in Bhagalpur district on Tuesday, announced the government's decision to set up a new agriculture university in Bhagalpur on the pattern of Pusa Agriculture University.
Kumar said the new facility to be built at an estimated cost of Rs. 350 crore would prove to be a vital research center in the state providing the farmers the kind of information that would help increase the production while at the same time raising the quality of the the farm products.
The Chief Minister also declared wiping off loans of the weavers in the state that they had incurred prior to 2007.
"We are determined to revive the handloom industry of Bihar and put the silk mills in Bhagalpur back on the track. Bhagalpur silk clothes are world famous and it is our desire to ensure these factories are spinning at the 100% of their capacity to make them a profitable power house," he said.
Kumar also agreed to get the Bairia-Ajmeri bridge constructed at the request of Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Shahnawaz Hussain and announced the state's plan to develop a Food Park in Kahalgaon under the Public-Private Partnership arrangement.link
Wednesday 18 February 2009
Tuesday 17 February 2009
Girl refuses to marry drunk groom
An uneducated woman in a Bihar village stunned members of her family and community when she refused to marry the groom because she found him in an inebriated state just ahead of the wedding ceremony, police said on Tuesday.
Punam Kumari, daughter of Manoj Choudhary of a village under Phulwarisharief near Patna, called off her marriage to Sanjay Choudhary after she found him drunk minutes before the wedding was to be solemnised as per Hindu rituals on Monday night.
Punam, in her early 20s, was decked up in traditional red bridal attire and ready for her marriage at a temple, but on seeing Sanjay drunk, she refused to marry him and walked away from the venue.
She sought the help of Deputy Superintendent of Police Dilnawaz Ahmad, who was present on the occasion. Ahmad supported Punam and asked her parents not to force her into marrying a person against her wishes.
"She refused to marry the man who was drunk. I did not force her to marry against her wishes," Punam's father said.
In the last one year, several instances of women turning down drunk grooms at the last minute have been reported from different parts of Bihar.
In rural Bihar, there have also been cases of brides refusing to marry unsuitable grooms who were illiterate, deaf or unemployed.
Till a few years ago, it was rare for a woman to spurn a groom chosen for her by her family. In fact, the reverse was the rule, as it was the groom or his parents who would often refuse marriage on grounds like inadequate dowry or a bride's dark complexion.
Women in Bihar lag far behind men in terms of crucial human development indicators. The gender ratio is 921 women against 1,000 men. The female population is 39.7 million as against 43.2 million males and the literacy rate of women is just over half that of men.
Punam Kumari, daughter of Manoj Choudhary of a village under Phulwarisharief near Patna, called off her marriage to Sanjay Choudhary after she found him drunk minutes before the wedding was to be solemnised as per Hindu rituals on Monday night.
Punam, in her early 20s, was decked up in traditional red bridal attire and ready for her marriage at a temple, but on seeing Sanjay drunk, she refused to marry him and walked away from the venue.
She sought the help of Deputy Superintendent of Police Dilnawaz Ahmad, who was present on the occasion. Ahmad supported Punam and asked her parents not to force her into marrying a person against her wishes.
"She refused to marry the man who was drunk. I did not force her to marry against her wishes," Punam's father said.
In the last one year, several instances of women turning down drunk grooms at the last minute have been reported from different parts of Bihar.
In rural Bihar, there have also been cases of brides refusing to marry unsuitable grooms who were illiterate, deaf or unemployed.
Till a few years ago, it was rare for a woman to spurn a groom chosen for her by her family. In fact, the reverse was the rule, as it was the groom or his parents who would often refuse marriage on grounds like inadequate dowry or a bride's dark complexion.
Women in Bihar lag far behind men in terms of crucial human development indicators. The gender ratio is 921 women against 1,000 men. The female population is 39.7 million as against 43.2 million males and the literacy rate of women is just over half that of men.
Monday 16 February 2009
Cuisine history of Bihar
Bihari cuisine has a history that can be traced to the cultures that flourished and waned in this part of the globe. Rice- Main Course of Food
References to rice abound in a variety of sources. During the days of the Buddha, rice was the staple food. The elite consumed the superior quality of rice while the inferior quality fell to the lot of the poor. At Nalanda, Hiuen Tsang was given mahasali rice to eat. Each grain was as large as a bean, and when cooked, was aromatic, and shining like no other rice.
Centuries later, presenting an account of the different varieties of rice around the Gangetic basin, Abul Fazal said that if a single grain of each kind of rice was collected, they would fill a large vase. The Mughal chronicler described the rice cultivated in Patna as being ‘rare and unequalled in quality’. The shali rice was popular and much in demand in Europe, while Indians preferred the shahpasand and basmati variety of Patna rice. The Gangetic plain proved to be a fertile ground for litchis – a relatively new plant that arrived in India only during the end of the 17th century. Originally from China, Buddhist pilgrims brought the first saplings of this plant from China as a hommage to the land of the Buddha.
Bhat, dal, tarkari and achar (lentil, vegetable and pickle) have been part of Bihari cuisine since the days of yore. With the advent of Jainism and Buddhism, its followers took to a vegetarian diet, while others preferred goat, pig, deer, peacock, etc. In fact offering meat to a guest was as meritorious as performing the duadasah (twelfth day) sacrifice. Thus slaughterhouses thrived alongside the Jain and Buddhist philosophies of ahimsa (non-violence). A variety of meat was openly sold in the market, and lavishly consumed during festivals. After inviting the Buddha for breakfast (this was also the Buddha’s last breakfast), Chunda, a blacksmith, served him a dish called Sukaramaddava, that translates to tender pork. Unlike Mahavira, the Buddha sanctioned fish and flesh as lawful though with some restrictions. Mahayana Buddhism rejected this altogether. The followers of this denomination believed that the sukaramaddava was some aromatic mushroom. Speculations abound about the unusual breakfast that none of the Buddha’s disciples were allowed to consume, and the remains of which were buried.
Bihari cuisine has innumerable rice-based dishes. The Buddha was usually offered rice cooked with milk, and mixed with honey. The Jatakas (legends on the Buddha’s previous lives) mention pua (prepared from the mixture of powdered rice, milk, sugar, ghee, or clarified butter, and honey), pitta (rice cake), khajjaka (also known as khaja, the finest variety of this sweet prepared from wheat flour and sugar, is sold at Silao near Rajgir), palala (modern day tilkuta made from pounded tila, or sesame seeds). Sariputta, one of the disciples of the Buddha was very fond of palala. Gaya is famous for tilkuta, that can be found only in winter, and the finest shops selling tilkuta are located at Ramna. Another delicacy from Gaya is lai, prepared with sugar and beaten rice. Along with the peras (sweetmeat made of sugar and milk) of Mathura, the ones prepared in Gaya continue to be popular.
The Mithila Brahmins who take great pride in their Vedic culture considered themselves to be ‘Aryanised’ much before other parts of Bihar. Most of their festivals and religious rites are in strict accordance with the shastras (ancient scriptures). A fine variety of beaten rice or chiwra, with a heavy coat of curd and cream continues to be a favorite dish in Mithila. Makhana, a water fruit, (gorgon or fox nut) prepared from lotus seeds, is considered pure enough to be offered even to the gods. According to a popular adage in Mithila, betel leaves and akhana are not found in heaven. So one should relish them on earth so as not to regret later. Makhana is eaten in various forms, the commonest being salted puffs. Kheer (a dessert usually prepared with milk and rice) prepared with makhana is a mouth-watering delicacy.
The people of northern Bihar rely heavily on the energy-giving sattu (powdered gram), and a number of preparations like litti, parantha (a sort of Indian bread) etc. are stuffed with sattu and spice. For breakfast in Bhagalpur and Patna, people often prepare drinks with sattu, salt, chopped onions and chilli. Litties come in a large variety and are often roasted on hot coals.
References to rice abound in a variety of sources. During the days of the Buddha, rice was the staple food. The elite consumed the superior quality of rice while the inferior quality fell to the lot of the poor. At Nalanda, Hiuen Tsang was given mahasali rice to eat. Each grain was as large as a bean, and when cooked, was aromatic, and shining like no other rice.
Centuries later, presenting an account of the different varieties of rice around the Gangetic basin, Abul Fazal said that if a single grain of each kind of rice was collected, they would fill a large vase. The Mughal chronicler described the rice cultivated in Patna as being ‘rare and unequalled in quality’. The shali rice was popular and much in demand in Europe, while Indians preferred the shahpasand and basmati variety of Patna rice. The Gangetic plain proved to be a fertile ground for litchis – a relatively new plant that arrived in India only during the end of the 17th century. Originally from China, Buddhist pilgrims brought the first saplings of this plant from China as a hommage to the land of the Buddha.
Bhat, dal, tarkari and achar (lentil, vegetable and pickle) have been part of Bihari cuisine since the days of yore. With the advent of Jainism and Buddhism, its followers took to a vegetarian diet, while others preferred goat, pig, deer, peacock, etc. In fact offering meat to a guest was as meritorious as performing the duadasah (twelfth day) sacrifice. Thus slaughterhouses thrived alongside the Jain and Buddhist philosophies of ahimsa (non-violence). A variety of meat was openly sold in the market, and lavishly consumed during festivals. After inviting the Buddha for breakfast (this was also the Buddha’s last breakfast), Chunda, a blacksmith, served him a dish called Sukaramaddava, that translates to tender pork. Unlike Mahavira, the Buddha sanctioned fish and flesh as lawful though with some restrictions. Mahayana Buddhism rejected this altogether. The followers of this denomination believed that the sukaramaddava was some aromatic mushroom. Speculations abound about the unusual breakfast that none of the Buddha’s disciples were allowed to consume, and the remains of which were buried.
Bihari cuisine has innumerable rice-based dishes. The Buddha was usually offered rice cooked with milk, and mixed with honey. The Jatakas (legends on the Buddha’s previous lives) mention pua (prepared from the mixture of powdered rice, milk, sugar, ghee, or clarified butter, and honey), pitta (rice cake), khajjaka (also known as khaja, the finest variety of this sweet prepared from wheat flour and sugar, is sold at Silao near Rajgir), palala (modern day tilkuta made from pounded tila, or sesame seeds). Sariputta, one of the disciples of the Buddha was very fond of palala. Gaya is famous for tilkuta, that can be found only in winter, and the finest shops selling tilkuta are located at Ramna. Another delicacy from Gaya is lai, prepared with sugar and beaten rice. Along with the peras (sweetmeat made of sugar and milk) of Mathura, the ones prepared in Gaya continue to be popular.
The Mithila Brahmins who take great pride in their Vedic culture considered themselves to be ‘Aryanised’ much before other parts of Bihar. Most of their festivals and religious rites are in strict accordance with the shastras (ancient scriptures). A fine variety of beaten rice or chiwra, with a heavy coat of curd and cream continues to be a favorite dish in Mithila. Makhana, a water fruit, (gorgon or fox nut) prepared from lotus seeds, is considered pure enough to be offered even to the gods. According to a popular adage in Mithila, betel leaves and akhana are not found in heaven. So one should relish them on earth so as not to regret later. Makhana is eaten in various forms, the commonest being salted puffs. Kheer (a dessert usually prepared with milk and rice) prepared with makhana is a mouth-watering delicacy.
The people of northern Bihar rely heavily on the energy-giving sattu (powdered gram), and a number of preparations like litti, parantha (a sort of Indian bread) etc. are stuffed with sattu and spice. For breakfast in Bhagalpur and Patna, people often prepare drinks with sattu, salt, chopped onions and chilli. Litties come in a large variety and are often roasted on hot coals.
Bihar cabinet gives nod for construction of e-bhawans
Bihar has become the first state in the country to implement 'e-bhawan' scheme at block level with its cabinet on Monday giving nod for the construction of such bhawans.
In first phase, e-bhawans would be constructed in 166 blocks of 38 districts and later extended to all the 534 blocks in the state, state Agriculture Minister Nagmani told reporters here.
Bihar was the first state in the country to implement the e-bhawan scheme at block level while in other states it was being implemented at sub-divisional or district level, he said.
The e-bhawans would have facilities like farmer information and advisory centre, soil testing laboratories, including mobile ones, training centres, waiting rooms, information centre for various techniques and marketing.
The bhawans would also have internet connection to provide information to farmers as per their requirements, the minister said, adding that the farmers could even hire agricultural equipment from the bhawan.
The agriculture department would organise an 'Agricultural Scientists towards Villages' programme in every block from February 17 to spread awareness among farmers about different crops.link
In first phase, e-bhawans would be constructed in 166 blocks of 38 districts and later extended to all the 534 blocks in the state, state Agriculture Minister Nagmani told reporters here.
Bihar was the first state in the country to implement the e-bhawan scheme at block level while in other states it was being implemented at sub-divisional or district level, he said.
The e-bhawans would have facilities like farmer information and advisory centre, soil testing laboratories, including mobile ones, training centres, waiting rooms, information centre for various techniques and marketing.
The bhawans would also have internet connection to provide information to farmers as per their requirements, the minister said, adding that the farmers could even hire agricultural equipment from the bhawan.
The agriculture department would organise an 'Agricultural Scientists towards Villages' programme in every block from February 17 to spread awareness among farmers about different crops.link
Four killed as overbridge collapses in Muzaffarpur
Four persons were killed and three others seriously injured when portion of an underconstruction overbridge collapsed near Amgola in Muzaffarpur town on Monday, triggering angry protests by locals who blocked the railway tracks near here for several hours.
One of the pillars of the overbridge built over rail tracks suddenly gave in and those passing by on two-wheelers and bicycles got trapped under chunks of concrete, police said.
While locals brought out four bodies from the debris, three were rescued and taken to a hospital in serious condition.
Train movement on the Muzaffarpur section was affected for several hours as angry locals blocked the underneath railway tracks at Amgola for several hours demanding adequate compensation to the families of the victims.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar ordered a magisterial inquiry into the collapse of the overbridge.
The chief minister also announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs one lakh to the dependents of each of the deceased, official sources said.link
One of the pillars of the overbridge built over rail tracks suddenly gave in and those passing by on two-wheelers and bicycles got trapped under chunks of concrete, police said.
While locals brought out four bodies from the debris, three were rescued and taken to a hospital in serious condition.
Train movement on the Muzaffarpur section was affected for several hours as angry locals blocked the underneath railway tracks at Amgola for several hours demanding adequate compensation to the families of the victims.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar ordered a magisterial inquiry into the collapse of the overbridge.
The chief minister also announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs one lakh to the dependents of each of the deceased, official sources said.link
Sunday 15 February 2009
Bogus affiliations can be challenged in consumer courts: Supreme Court
In a major blow to colleges falsely claiming recognition and affiliation to reputed universities, the Supreme Court has held that such bogus claims amounts to deficiency of service under the Consumer Protection Act and aggrieved students are entitled to compensation. The apex court passed the ruling while imposing a heavy compensation of Rs two lakh each to 11 students of the Buddhist Mission Dental College & Hospital, Bihar for misleading the students with false claims of affiliation to the Magadh University and recognition of its BDS (Bachelor of Dental Science) course to the Dental Council of India (DCI).
The compensation Rs two lakh would be in addition to the Rs 30,000 imposed by the National Consumer Redressal Commission, the apex court said.
"We are of the opinion that the appellant institute by giving totally misleading and false advertisement clearly misled the respondents (students) that the institute is affiliated to the Magadh University and recognised by the Dental Council of India.
"The respondents have lost their two valuable academic years which would have tremendous impact on their future career," a bench of Justices Dalveer Bhandari and H S Bedi observed.link
The compensation Rs two lakh would be in addition to the Rs 30,000 imposed by the National Consumer Redressal Commission, the apex court said.
"We are of the opinion that the appellant institute by giving totally misleading and false advertisement clearly misled the respondents (students) that the institute is affiliated to the Magadh University and recognised by the Dental Council of India.
"The respondents have lost their two valuable academic years which would have tremendous impact on their future career," a bench of Justices Dalveer Bhandari and H S Bedi observed.link
Britain to invest 150 mn pounds in Bihar
The Department for International Development (DFID) of Britain plans to invest up to 150 mn pounds in Bihar, a senior official of the British government said.
"Over the next five years, the DFID is planning to invest up to 150 million pounds (approximately Rs.1,050 crore) in Bihar on strengthening governance, urban management and health service delivery including nutrition and water and sanitation," DFID India deputy head Chris Chalmers said at a media workshop here.
The DFID has also struck a strategic partnership with the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank to make sure that the donor support to the state is provided in a coordinated manner.
"This is an innovative approach to reduce the burden on the government," Chalmers said.
Last June, the DFID signed an agreement with the Bihar government to invest in the state. "The DFID's main aim is to assist and help the Bihar government with the governance reform programme," the British official added.link
"Over the next five years, the DFID is planning to invest up to 150 million pounds (approximately Rs.1,050 crore) in Bihar on strengthening governance, urban management and health service delivery including nutrition and water and sanitation," DFID India deputy head Chris Chalmers said at a media workshop here.
The DFID has also struck a strategic partnership with the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank to make sure that the donor support to the state is provided in a coordinated manner.
"This is an innovative approach to reduce the burden on the government," Chalmers said.
Last June, the DFID signed an agreement with the Bihar government to invest in the state. "The DFID's main aim is to assist and help the Bihar government with the governance reform programme," the British official added.link
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