Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will head the state Population Council which will review all existing family welfare schemes as part of the aim to regulate population.
Health Minister Nand Kishore Yadav today said the council, which came into existence after the state health department issued a notification to this effect, will consist of 30 other members, including ministers and principal secretaries of various departments and pollution expert T V Antony.
The council will also comprise representatives of the UNICEF and UNFPA, Executive Director of state health society and the director-in-chief, health services, Bihar.
Yadav, also a member of the council, said the council will review all existing family welfare schemes and take steps, if required, for improvement in the projects.
The council will meet at least once a year.link
Saturday 1 August 2009
Girl stripped naked in classroom
A class III girl student from Dalit community studying in a government middle school was stripped naked in the presence of the school teacher by some boys of the same school in Bihar, according to a late-reaching report.
The incident which relates to an upgraded middle school in Mohanpur block of Samastipur district took place on July 25 but came to light when the Dalit girls stopped attending the schools.
Later, the angry villagers reported the matter to the Divisional Commissioner, Darbhanga Dr Rana Avadhesh who ordered for a through probe.
“We found the incident true during the inquiry and have recommended for stern action against the school principal and disciplinary action against the accused boy students”, said a police official who conducted the probe said wishing not to be quoted. He is not authorized to talk to the Press.
This is the third incident of stripping of females in the last one fortnight in Bihar. Earlier, a woman had been stripped in the streets of Patna while in Sitamarhi, a Dalit woman had been stripped by some upper caste members when her goat strayed into their field.link
The incident which relates to an upgraded middle school in Mohanpur block of Samastipur district took place on July 25 but came to light when the Dalit girls stopped attending the schools.
Later, the angry villagers reported the matter to the Divisional Commissioner, Darbhanga Dr Rana Avadhesh who ordered for a through probe.
“We found the incident true during the inquiry and have recommended for stern action against the school principal and disciplinary action against the accused boy students”, said a police official who conducted the probe said wishing not to be quoted. He is not authorized to talk to the Press.
This is the third incident of stripping of females in the last one fortnight in Bihar. Earlier, a woman had been stripped in the streets of Patna while in Sitamarhi, a Dalit woman had been stripped by some upper caste members when her goat strayed into their field.link
Floods affect one lakh people in Bihar, help rushed
Around one lakh people were affected as the swollen Bagmati breached its embankment near Tajpur in Bihar's Sitamarhi district on Saturday, prompting Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to order a high-level probe into the breach and deployment of National Disaster Response Force personnel.
The river breached its embankment in a stretch of 40 - 50 metres at Tajpur under the Runnisayedpur block, inundating vast areas and several villages in eight panchayats of the district, official sources said.
As reports of swirling waters of Bagmati breaching the embankment reached him, Kumar held a high-level meeting with state Water Resources minister Vijendra Yadav, Principal Secretary (Water Resources) M R Nayak, besides Principal Secretary (Disaster Management) and other senior officials.
He ordered immediate deployment of NDRF in the affected areas to step up relief and rescue operations, an official spokesman said.
The NDRF personnel would reach the site within hours with necessary equipment, the spokesman said.
Kumar said the breach repair works were being carried out by the experts, including the engineers of the flood-fighting cells, on a "war-footing".
An estimated one lakh people were hit by the floods, the sources said, adding reports of four to five children being swept away in the swift currents were being verified.
Road communication between Muzaffarpur and Sitamarhi was likely to be affected as flood waters submerged the National Highway near Koati, about 17 km from here, they said.
Unconfirmed reports suggested that the breach occurred due to digging near the embankment last night and the river swelled over a period of time because of sharp erosions.
Flood fighting continued at the breach-site and the engineers expected to plug the breach shortly, they said.
Divisional Commissioner, Tirhut, S M Raju, District Magistrate Sitamarhi and other senior officials reached the spot to oversee the relief and rescue operations.
The Water Resources Minister accompanied by Principal Secretary of the department and disaster management officials, airdashed to Sitamarhi to take stock of the situation.link
The river breached its embankment in a stretch of 40 - 50 metres at Tajpur under the Runnisayedpur block, inundating vast areas and several villages in eight panchayats of the district, official sources said.
As reports of swirling waters of Bagmati breaching the embankment reached him, Kumar held a high-level meeting with state Water Resources minister Vijendra Yadav, Principal Secretary (Water Resources) M R Nayak, besides Principal Secretary (Disaster Management) and other senior officials.
He ordered immediate deployment of NDRF in the affected areas to step up relief and rescue operations, an official spokesman said.
The NDRF personnel would reach the site within hours with necessary equipment, the spokesman said.
Kumar said the breach repair works were being carried out by the experts, including the engineers of the flood-fighting cells, on a "war-footing".
An estimated one lakh people were hit by the floods, the sources said, adding reports of four to five children being swept away in the swift currents were being verified.
Road communication between Muzaffarpur and Sitamarhi was likely to be affected as flood waters submerged the National Highway near Koati, about 17 km from here, they said.
Unconfirmed reports suggested that the breach occurred due to digging near the embankment last night and the river swelled over a period of time because of sharp erosions.
Flood fighting continued at the breach-site and the engineers expected to plug the breach shortly, they said.
Divisional Commissioner, Tirhut, S M Raju, District Magistrate Sitamarhi and other senior officials reached the spot to oversee the relief and rescue operations.
The Water Resources Minister accompanied by Principal Secretary of the department and disaster management officials, airdashed to Sitamarhi to take stock of the situation.link
Friday 31 July 2009
Over half the street children in India sexually abused’
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
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
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
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