Bihar children, for the first time, will now compete for the prestigious `Bal Shree' awards. Instituted by the National Bal Bhawan in 1995, the award, meant for children coming under the age bracket from 9 to 16 years, aims at identification and promotion of creativity among children in science, writing, performance and arts.
The state children were unable to compete for this award earlier as Bihar did not have its Bal Bhawan in place and according to rules only those children can compete at the national level who have been recommended by the Bal Bhawans of their respective states. With a full-fledged Bal Bhawan, christened `Kilkari', functioning here since last year, now steps are being taken to identify children who can compete for the four categories -- creative performance, creative arts, creative scientific innovation and creative writing.
Giving details, Kilkari director Jyoti Parihar told on Sunday, "Workshops would be organized at the headquarters of all the nine divisions of the state and selection of children for all the categories would be done by a panel of experts." She said that the selection panel would consist of experts from different fields and selections would be made in a very transparent manner.
Steps are being taken to disseminate information about these workshops, so that children having talent in the aforesaid fields could attend the workshops which will be organized at divisional headquarters.
As many as 14 children would be selected from each of the nine divisions and the selected ones would have to take part at a state-level competition through which eight finalists would be selected.
"All the finalists would be given exhaustive training at Patna and a team of experts would be there to guide the selected children and also to fine tune their skills," Parihar said.
Incidentally, the finalists would have to compete at zonal level competition to be held in Kolkata sometime in August and those emerging winners would qualify for taking part at the national level competition to be held in Delhi later this year.
"A few months experience of running the Bihar Bal Bhawan shows that Bihar children have immense creative talent and by reaching out to more of them through divisional level workshops, we expect to discover talents who could bring laurels to the state," she said.link
Sunday 17 May 2009
Saturday 16 May 2009
Despite defeat, Paswan happy secular parties won
Taking his defeat in polls in stride, Lok Janashakti Party chief Ram Vilas Paswan on Saturday said he is happy that secular parties have emerged victorious ending the prospects of communal forces to come into power.
"It is pleasant that secular parties under the banner of UPA have won all across the country and the prospects of NDA which has been trying to come into power have ended," Paswan told reporters here.
Reacting to his defeat in Hajipur to JD(U)'s Ram Sunder Das, the Union minister said that winning and losing are parts of the game and he would continue to serve the people of Hajipur.
"As far as Bihar is concerned, you have your wins and misses. I have served people. Nobody can say that Paswan has not worked for Hajipur. I had done for the development of the constituency whatever I could have done. Despite all these works you lose, it is just the wish of the people. I will continue to serve them," he said.
Asked whether his parting ways from Congress led to his defeat, Paswan said, "In some places Congress has definitely did well but it was not as effective in Hajipur. Therefore, saying that I lost because of not having allied with the Congress is premature."
"But certainly if the strength of all these parties had been united it would have shown its impact," he added.
On a question if his joining hands with Lalu Prasad led to his rout, Paswan said he did not have any other option that time as he had already said he could not go with NDA.
"But, it is too early to say these things," he said.link
"It is pleasant that secular parties under the banner of UPA have won all across the country and the prospects of NDA which has been trying to come into power have ended," Paswan told reporters here.
Reacting to his defeat in Hajipur to JD(U)'s Ram Sunder Das, the Union minister said that winning and losing are parts of the game and he would continue to serve the people of Hajipur.
"As far as Bihar is concerned, you have your wins and misses. I have served people. Nobody can say that Paswan has not worked for Hajipur. I had done for the development of the constituency whatever I could have done. Despite all these works you lose, it is just the wish of the people. I will continue to serve them," he said.
Asked whether his parting ways from Congress led to his defeat, Paswan said, "In some places Congress has definitely did well but it was not as effective in Hajipur. Therefore, saying that I lost because of not having allied with the Congress is premature."
"But certainly if the strength of all these parties had been united it would have shown its impact," he added.
On a question if his joining hands with Lalu Prasad led to his rout, Paswan said he did not have any other option that time as he had already said he could not go with NDA.
"But, it is too early to say these things," he said.link
People voted for development in Bihar : Nitish Kumar
Congratulating the people of the state for the Janata Dal (United) led NDA’s sweeping win in the general elections, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday said people voted for development and peace.
Addressing a press conference here, Kumar said the people wanted the development of the state and that is what they voted the NDA back to power.
He said the thumping success of the NDA in the state was in continuation of the 2005 Assembly elections.
“The verdict is continuity of what people of the state voted for in 2005, while giving us the majority in assembly elections,” Kumar said.
Criticising RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav and LJP chief Ram Vilas Paswan, Kumar said the people had rejected the ‘negative politics’ of the two.
Kumar added that the verdict would certainly help the state in achieving what has been lost in the past, and it would witness a surge in developmental activities.
“I want the trend to go ahead,” Kumar said.
He constantly tried to evade questions regarding his future course of action and whether his party would support the UPA in forming the government at the Center,but reiterated that Bihar must be given a ‘Special Status’.link
Addressing a press conference here, Kumar said the people wanted the development of the state and that is what they voted the NDA back to power.
He said the thumping success of the NDA in the state was in continuation of the 2005 Assembly elections.
“The verdict is continuity of what people of the state voted for in 2005, while giving us the majority in assembly elections,” Kumar said.
Criticising RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav and LJP chief Ram Vilas Paswan, Kumar said the people had rejected the ‘negative politics’ of the two.
Kumar added that the verdict would certainly help the state in achieving what has been lost in the past, and it would witness a surge in developmental activities.
“I want the trend to go ahead,” Kumar said.
He constantly tried to evade questions regarding his future course of action and whether his party would support the UPA in forming the government at the Center,but reiterated that Bihar must be given a ‘Special Status’.link
Wives of criminal-turned-politicians trailing in Bihar
Four prominent criminal-turned-politicians of Bihar were barred from this Lok Sabha contest by courts. They put up their wives instead. Counting trends Saturday showed all four wives were trailing.
Jailed RJD MP Mohammad Shahabuddin's wife Heena Sahab, contesting from Siwan constituency as an RJD candidate, was trailing behind independent candidate Om Prakash Yadav.
Ranjeeta Ranjan, the wife of Pappu Yadav, was trailing behind Janata Dal-United (JD-U)'s Vishwa Mohan Kumar in Supaul. A sitting MP from Ram Vilas Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), Ranjeeta Ranjan had switched parties before polls and joined the Congress, which fielded her from Supaul.
Veena Devi, wife of LJP MP Surajbhan Singh, was trailing behind the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Bhola Singh in Nawada constituency.
Lovely Anand, the wife of former JD-U MP Anand Mohan and a former MP herself, was trailing behind BJP's Rama Devi in Sheohar constituency where she was the Congress candidate.
All the four husbands had been disallowed by the courts from contesting, with the pleas for suspension of their conviction in criminal cases rejected by the courts. All four were convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment in different cases.
The four are among a dozen politicians, including MPs and legislators, who have been convicted and sentenced by fast track courts in Bihar after 2005, thus becoming ineligible to contest. Anyone convicted for a crime and sentenced to more than a two-year-long jail term cannot fight elections until six years after the completion of his sentence.link
Jailed RJD MP Mohammad Shahabuddin's wife Heena Sahab, contesting from Siwan constituency as an RJD candidate, was trailing behind independent candidate Om Prakash Yadav.
Ranjeeta Ranjan, the wife of Pappu Yadav, was trailing behind Janata Dal-United (JD-U)'s Vishwa Mohan Kumar in Supaul. A sitting MP from Ram Vilas Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), Ranjeeta Ranjan had switched parties before polls and joined the Congress, which fielded her from Supaul.
Veena Devi, wife of LJP MP Surajbhan Singh, was trailing behind the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Bhola Singh in Nawada constituency.
Lovely Anand, the wife of former JD-U MP Anand Mohan and a former MP herself, was trailing behind BJP's Rama Devi in Sheohar constituency where she was the Congress candidate.
All the four husbands had been disallowed by the courts from contesting, with the pleas for suspension of their conviction in criminal cases rejected by the courts. All four were convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment in different cases.
The four are among a dozen politicians, including MPs and legislators, who have been convicted and sentenced by fast track courts in Bihar after 2005, thus becoming ineligible to contest. Anyone convicted for a crime and sentenced to more than a two-year-long jail term cannot fight elections until six years after the completion of his sentence.link
Friday 15 May 2009
Uniqueness of Bhagalpur Silk
Bhagalpur is a town with historical importance situated on the banks of the river Ganga in the state of Eastern Bihar. Once considered as the biggest trade centre of Eastern India, the city is famous for its unique silk fabrics called 'Tussah or Tusser'. Silk weaving is an age old tradition in the city. Fabrics produced in the city are famous both at the domestic and the international market. Bhagalpur cluster ranks the second highest, next to Karnataka in the production and exports of silk fabrics. It has been named as the Silk City due to its popularity for Bhagalpuri silk.
Uniqueness of Bhagalpur Silk
History of the Bhagalpur weavers date back to a period more than 100 years. The industry is 200 years old, with skills passed on to the craftsman over many generations. More than 35,000 handloom weavers, with 25,000 looms live in Bhagalpur. Total trade of Bhagalpur is approximately 100 crores per annum, 50% comprising domestic and 50% from the export market. Around 1,00,000 people are engaged in the work of separating silk threads from cocoons, and spinning the yarn to weave into cloth.
Silk fabrics made in Bhagalpur are being exported to countries like West Asia, Europe, U.S., and Japan. Home furnishings are becoming increasingly famous in the international market. Outfits designed with this exclusive silk fabric have gained immense popularity in ramp shows, and fashion weeks.
Is the Industry losing its sheen?
The industry makes 2 million meters of silk in a year. After reaching a profitable figure of Rs.3, 500 crore in 2007, silk exports are predicted to fall to Rs.2, 000 crore in 2009. Bhagalpur, once a booming place for silk fabric making is now losing its market to new centres such as Bangalore, and Ahmadabad. Lack of credit, power shortage, and increasing competition from the other silk manufacturing centres has put the Bhagalpur craftsmen under jeopardy. The subsidies offered by the Government to the silk making units in Bhagalpur are also drained off by some other people. Some of the looms are operated by generators, and are more dependent on them. Bhagalpur receives power supply only for two hours in a day. Chronic power cuts in the state have also intensified the problem.
The craftsmen are average people, with many of them living below the poverty line. While they make glorious fabrics for the elite people of the society, their lives always are in darkness. As the weavers are not able to grease the palms of officials they have problems in getting bank loans sanctioned. Most of them take loans from the market for an interest rate of 5% for a month. With the payments for their cloth getting delayed, they face problems in repayment. Possibilities exist that, weavers might shift for alternate source of earning, and leave the age old weaving tradition to deteriorate, and die gradually.
The silk industry of Bhagalpur is reeling under adverse conditions. The drying market is staring at the silk weavers, leaving them on the brink. Many factories are shut down, and weavers are moving to other cities, while some of them are doing labor works, and a few started selling vegetables. The silk industry of Bhagalpur is now fighting for a foothold.link
Uniqueness of Bhagalpur Silk
History of the Bhagalpur weavers date back to a period more than 100 years. The industry is 200 years old, with skills passed on to the craftsman over many generations. More than 35,000 handloom weavers, with 25,000 looms live in Bhagalpur. Total trade of Bhagalpur is approximately 100 crores per annum, 50% comprising domestic and 50% from the export market. Around 1,00,000 people are engaged in the work of separating silk threads from cocoons, and spinning the yarn to weave into cloth.
Silk fabrics made in Bhagalpur are being exported to countries like West Asia, Europe, U.S., and Japan. Home furnishings are becoming increasingly famous in the international market. Outfits designed with this exclusive silk fabric have gained immense popularity in ramp shows, and fashion weeks.
Is the Industry losing its sheen?
The industry makes 2 million meters of silk in a year. After reaching a profitable figure of Rs.3, 500 crore in 2007, silk exports are predicted to fall to Rs.2, 000 crore in 2009. Bhagalpur, once a booming place for silk fabric making is now losing its market to new centres such as Bangalore, and Ahmadabad. Lack of credit, power shortage, and increasing competition from the other silk manufacturing centres has put the Bhagalpur craftsmen under jeopardy. The subsidies offered by the Government to the silk making units in Bhagalpur are also drained off by some other people. Some of the looms are operated by generators, and are more dependent on them. Bhagalpur receives power supply only for two hours in a day. Chronic power cuts in the state have also intensified the problem.
The craftsmen are average people, with many of them living below the poverty line. While they make glorious fabrics for the elite people of the society, their lives always are in darkness. As the weavers are not able to grease the palms of officials they have problems in getting bank loans sanctioned. Most of them take loans from the market for an interest rate of 5% for a month. With the payments for their cloth getting delayed, they face problems in repayment. Possibilities exist that, weavers might shift for alternate source of earning, and leave the age old weaving tradition to deteriorate, and die gradually.
The silk industry of Bhagalpur is reeling under adverse conditions. The drying market is staring at the silk weavers, leaving them on the brink. Many factories are shut down, and weavers are moving to other cities, while some of them are doing labor works, and a few started selling vegetables. The silk industry of Bhagalpur is now fighting for a foothold.link
Nitish sets terms, Bihar special status a factor for support
Setting his terms, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday said special status for Bihar would be the deciding factor on whom to support in government formation inviting a quick response from both the Congress and BJP who indicated they may oblige.
"At a time when every party and pre-poll alliance is claiming that it would form government in Delhi, I ask parties in Bihar to make it a pre-condition for support that whichever party or alliance comes to power will provide special category status to Bihar," said Mr. Kumar, leader of the JD(U) a key NDA constituent being wooed by the Congress and the Left.
Mr. Nitish's comments seen as a blow to the BJP-led NDA alliance in the backdrop of his steadfast assertions that he was and will remain with the NDA comes at a time when the three major political formations are making a frenzied bid to ensure they have the numbers for government formation.
Mr. Nitish was speaking after release of a monograph 'Special Category Status: A Case for Bihar', endorsed by him and released by renowned economist Lord Meghnad Desai.
"I request all parties to make it a pre-condition that the basis for their support will be conferring special category status to Bihar....We have a good opportunity at hand (for a bargain in a hung house)," Mr. Nitish said.
The BJP sought to read Mr. Nitish's statement in its favour by hinting that as the two parties were in alliance in the state, NDA government at the Centre was more likely to provide special package to Bihar.
The Congress also indicated its willingness to accept Mr. Nitish's demand.link
"At a time when every party and pre-poll alliance is claiming that it would form government in Delhi, I ask parties in Bihar to make it a pre-condition for support that whichever party or alliance comes to power will provide special category status to Bihar," said Mr. Kumar, leader of the JD(U) a key NDA constituent being wooed by the Congress and the Left.
Mr. Nitish's comments seen as a blow to the BJP-led NDA alliance in the backdrop of his steadfast assertions that he was and will remain with the NDA comes at a time when the three major political formations are making a frenzied bid to ensure they have the numbers for government formation.
Mr. Nitish was speaking after release of a monograph 'Special Category Status: A Case for Bihar', endorsed by him and released by renowned economist Lord Meghnad Desai.
"I request all parties to make it a pre-condition that the basis for their support will be conferring special category status to Bihar....We have a good opportunity at hand (for a bargain in a hung house)," Mr. Nitish said.
The BJP sought to read Mr. Nitish's statement in its favour by hinting that as the two parties were in alliance in the state, NDA government at the Centre was more likely to provide special package to Bihar.
The Congress also indicated its willingness to accept Mr. Nitish's demand.link
Thursday 14 May 2009
ASI to repair, beautify Golghar for attracting tourists
Cracks have developed in city's landmark Golghar, a huge granary built by Captain John Garstin for the British army in 1786 after the terrible impact of the 1770 famine.
"At least half a dozen big cracks have been detected which needs immediate restoration work," said acting superintending archaeologist, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Patna circle, N G Nikose.
Nikose said that the 323-year-old structure also needs minor repairs on its stairway. During rainy season, the surface water also touches its base wall and has damaged the outer wall of the structure, he said.
The massive structure is 29m high and the walls are 3.6m wide at the base. The winding stairway around this monument offers a brilliant view of the city and the Ganga flowing by. Golghar is a state protected monument.
The Bihar government has already released Rs 96 lakh to the ASI for its restoration. "As soon as the amount is transferred to us, we will start the restoration work immediately. It will take at least four months to complete the restoration work," Nikose said.
The Bihar culture department has decided to develop the interiors as well as the exteriors of Golghar to make it one of the major tourists destinations in the state. On its exteriors, murals would be engraved on the walls depicting a complete history of Pataliputra till modern age, said an official.
A high tech audio-visual system would be installed inside the Golghar for screening short films on Buddhism and Jainism on regular basis. A children's park and an amphitheatre would also be set up for holding variety of programmes regularly. The much awaited light and sound programme at Golghar is also included in the detailed project report (DPR). It would cost nearly Rs 3 crore.link
"At least half a dozen big cracks have been detected which needs immediate restoration work," said acting superintending archaeologist, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Patna circle, N G Nikose.
Nikose said that the 323-year-old structure also needs minor repairs on its stairway. During rainy season, the surface water also touches its base wall and has damaged the outer wall of the structure, he said.
The massive structure is 29m high and the walls are 3.6m wide at the base. The winding stairway around this monument offers a brilliant view of the city and the Ganga flowing by. Golghar is a state protected monument.
The Bihar government has already released Rs 96 lakh to the ASI for its restoration. "As soon as the amount is transferred to us, we will start the restoration work immediately. It will take at least four months to complete the restoration work," Nikose said.
The Bihar culture department has decided to develop the interiors as well as the exteriors of Golghar to make it one of the major tourists destinations in the state. On its exteriors, murals would be engraved on the walls depicting a complete history of Pataliputra till modern age, said an official.
A high tech audio-visual system would be installed inside the Golghar for screening short films on Buddhism and Jainism on regular basis. A children's park and an amphitheatre would also be set up for holding variety of programmes regularly. The much awaited light and sound programme at Golghar is also included in the detailed project report (DPR). It would cost nearly Rs 3 crore.link
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
