The Bihar government has sounded a swine flu alert in the state, particularly in towns along the Indo-Nepal international border.
"A swine flu alert has been sounded in Bihar, especially in border towns of Raxaul and Jogbani, besides Gaya,"state Health Minister Nand Kishore Yadav said.
The pilgrim town of Gaya has a number of international flights, he said, adding that special arrangements have been made for flu tests in the state.
Friday 7 August 2009
Monday 3 August 2009
First Major UK Solo Show for Subodh Gupta to Open at Hauser & Wirth in October
Describing himself as 'the idol thief', Subodh Gupta is one of the most exciting and audacious contemporary artists to have emerged in recent years. The man dubbed by The Guardian as the 'subcontinental Marcel Duchamp' will exhibit simultaneously at Hauser & Wirth’s Piccadilly and Old Bond Street galleries throughout October. Among the works he’s making specifically for this, his first major UK solo show, is a three-dimensional reworking in bronze of Duchamp’s moustachioed Mona Lisa, L.H.O.O.Q, (1919). 'Art language is the same all over the world', he claims, 'which allows me to be anywhere.'
Many will know Gupta for his works incorporating everyday objects that are ubiquitous throughout India, such as the mass-produced steel tiffin boxes used by millions to carry their lunch, as well as thali pans, bicycles and milk pails. From such ordinary items the artist produces breathtaking sculptures that reflect on the economic transformation of his homeland while acknowledging the reach of contemporary art. For instance, Line of Control (2008) — a colossal mushroom cloud constructed entirely of pots and pans prominently displayed in the last Tate Triennial — created an overarching symbol through small and commonplace items. Through its fusion of global issues with local ingredients the work spoke across cultural boundaries, commenting on the deadly extremes nations go to in maintaining their borders.
In his new works Gupta moves away from composite sculptures towards objects that possess an auratic quality. Readymade commodities experience transformations in scale and material, transmogrifying from factory-produced items into extraordinary artefacts. Employing such culturally loaded mediums as bronze, steel and marble, he presents subject matters whose symbolism varies from the universal to the enigmatic, and whose emotional impact ranges from menace to nostalgia. Appropriated icons from the canon of Western art share company with replicas of perishable, interchangeable goods associated with India, and items whose import is specific to the artist. Gupta’s work treats unlike things with equal respect, embodying the clash between impersonal and individual experience in contemporary society. He tests the ways in which meaning and value are constructed, exploring art’s capacity to withstand and channel the effects of expansion, displacement and translation.
Subodh Gupta was born in 1964 in Khagaul, Bihar, India. He studied at the College of Art, Patna (1983 – 1988) before moving to New Delhi where he currently lives and works. Trained as a painter, he went on to experiment with a variety of media, which culminated in his first installation in 1996 entitled '29 Mornings'. His work has been prominent in major international biennials and has been the subject of numerous solo exhibitions across Asia, Europe and America. Recent group exhibitions include The Garage (GCCC Moscow)’s 'A Certain State of the World?', works from the Pinault Collection (2009) curated by Caroline Bourgeois; 'Altermodern: Tate Triennial 09', curated by Nicolas Bourriaud; 'Indian Highway' (2008), curated by Julia Peyton-Jones and Hans Ulrich Obrist, Serpentine Gallery, London, currently on show at Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art, Oslo and touring to other venues; and 'Where in the World' (2008), curated by Kavita Singh, Shukla Sawant and Naman Ahuja, Devi Art Foundation, New Delhi. link
Many will know Gupta for his works incorporating everyday objects that are ubiquitous throughout India, such as the mass-produced steel tiffin boxes used by millions to carry their lunch, as well as thali pans, bicycles and milk pails. From such ordinary items the artist produces breathtaking sculptures that reflect on the economic transformation of his homeland while acknowledging the reach of contemporary art. For instance, Line of Control (2008) — a colossal mushroom cloud constructed entirely of pots and pans prominently displayed in the last Tate Triennial — created an overarching symbol through small and commonplace items. Through its fusion of global issues with local ingredients the work spoke across cultural boundaries, commenting on the deadly extremes nations go to in maintaining their borders.
In his new works Gupta moves away from composite sculptures towards objects that possess an auratic quality. Readymade commodities experience transformations in scale and material, transmogrifying from factory-produced items into extraordinary artefacts. Employing such culturally loaded mediums as bronze, steel and marble, he presents subject matters whose symbolism varies from the universal to the enigmatic, and whose emotional impact ranges from menace to nostalgia. Appropriated icons from the canon of Western art share company with replicas of perishable, interchangeable goods associated with India, and items whose import is specific to the artist. Gupta’s work treats unlike things with equal respect, embodying the clash between impersonal and individual experience in contemporary society. He tests the ways in which meaning and value are constructed, exploring art’s capacity to withstand and channel the effects of expansion, displacement and translation.
Subodh Gupta was born in 1964 in Khagaul, Bihar, India. He studied at the College of Art, Patna (1983 – 1988) before moving to New Delhi where he currently lives and works. Trained as a painter, he went on to experiment with a variety of media, which culminated in his first installation in 1996 entitled '29 Mornings'. His work has been prominent in major international biennials and has been the subject of numerous solo exhibitions across Asia, Europe and America. Recent group exhibitions include The Garage (GCCC Moscow)’s 'A Certain State of the World?', works from the Pinault Collection (2009) curated by Caroline Bourgeois; 'Altermodern: Tate Triennial 09', curated by Nicolas Bourriaud; 'Indian Highway' (2008), curated by Julia Peyton-Jones and Hans Ulrich Obrist, Serpentine Gallery, London, currently on show at Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art, Oslo and touring to other venues; and 'Where in the World' (2008), curated by Kavita Singh, Shukla Sawant and Naman Ahuja, Devi Art Foundation, New Delhi. link
Nalanda ordnance factory put on hold: Government
A corruption case involving an Israeli firm and a former head of Nalanda ordnance factory has delayed the plans to set up the munitions manufacturing unit in Bihar, parliament was told Monday.
India's 40th ordnance factory at Rajgir in Bihar was to be set up jointly with Israel Military Industries (IMI), which is under the Central Bureau of Investigation's (CBI) scanner for the bribery case.
"In view of the case registered by the CBI against Sudipto Ghosh, former DGOF (Director General Ordnance Factory), and others, it has been decided by the ministry of defence to put on hold for the present all procurement with IMI till further orders," Minister of State for Defence M.M. Pallam Raju told parliament Monday.
The Israeli ammunition firm was scheduled to complete the project to revive the factory on the lines of the IMI's ordnance factory in a Tel Aviv suburb by August 2011 under the Rs.12 billion deal.
Originally conceived in the late 1990s when George Fernandes was the defence minister, the Nalanda factory went into limbo when South African defence major Denel that was to collaborate in its construction was blacklisted on corruption charges.
The factory was to manufacture the propellant for the ammunition of the Bofors 155 mm howitzers and also Zitara carbines in collaboration with another Indian ordnance factory.
A review committee report in July 2007 gave the go-ahead to the project and it was finally approved by the government in January 2009.
All dealings with IMI were put on hold June 5 after its name surfaced in the bribery case against the retired chairman.
The CBI registered a case against Ghosh May 17.link
India's 40th ordnance factory at Rajgir in Bihar was to be set up jointly with Israel Military Industries (IMI), which is under the Central Bureau of Investigation's (CBI) scanner for the bribery case.
"In view of the case registered by the CBI against Sudipto Ghosh, former DGOF (Director General Ordnance Factory), and others, it has been decided by the ministry of defence to put on hold for the present all procurement with IMI till further orders," Minister of State for Defence M.M. Pallam Raju told parliament Monday.
The Israeli ammunition firm was scheduled to complete the project to revive the factory on the lines of the IMI's ordnance factory in a Tel Aviv suburb by August 2011 under the Rs.12 billion deal.
Originally conceived in the late 1990s when George Fernandes was the defence minister, the Nalanda factory went into limbo when South African defence major Denel that was to collaborate in its construction was blacklisted on corruption charges.
The factory was to manufacture the propellant for the ammunition of the Bofors 155 mm howitzers and also Zitara carbines in collaboration with another Indian ordnance factory.
A review committee report in July 2007 gave the go-ahead to the project and it was finally approved by the government in January 2009.
All dealings with IMI were put on hold June 5 after its name surfaced in the bribery case against the retired chairman.
The CBI registered a case against Ghosh May 17.link
Saturday 1 August 2009
Nalanda village wins Tourism Award 2009
Nepura in Nalanda district of Bihar bagged the Tourism Award-2009. The award was given by a private channel for women empowerment by way of tourism.
The award ceremony, held at a posh hotel in Bengaluru (Bangalore) on Thursday, was attended by Joint Secretary, Bihar Tourism.
In a message, the chief guest at the function, Union Tourism Minister Kumari Shailaja conveyed, “This is indeed a commendable initiative and we all know the tremendous opportunity that Buddhist circuit presents for Indian tourism.”
Nalanda and Buddhist circuit offers immense potential for rural tourism in Bihar, she said emphasising “more such initiatives for women participation for sustainable livelihood from tourism.”
This for the first time a community initiative has brought Bihar on national tourism map. This prestigious project under the UNDP and Ministry of Tourism was implemented by a Patna-based NGO, Adithi.
Located between the famous places Nalanda and Rajgir Town of Bihar, this small village is famous for weaving. There are about 250 families in this village, out of which 50 practice weaving. It is said that out of the three Mango Grooves of the Nalanda University, one of the Grooves is situated here. And it is here where Lord Mahavira and Gautam Buddha stayed.
In fact, it is so believed that Nepura is the first place where the Lord Buddha gave his first preaching. It is also considered the first major social reform movement. Lord Buddha, Lord Mahavira and Sanjaya has many followers from this village.
The award ceremony, held at a posh hotel in Bengaluru (Bangalore) on Thursday, was attended by Joint Secretary, Bihar Tourism.
In a message, the chief guest at the function, Union Tourism Minister Kumari Shailaja conveyed, “This is indeed a commendable initiative and we all know the tremendous opportunity that Buddhist circuit presents for Indian tourism.”
Nalanda and Buddhist circuit offers immense potential for rural tourism in Bihar, she said emphasising “more such initiatives for women participation for sustainable livelihood from tourism.”
This for the first time a community initiative has brought Bihar on national tourism map. This prestigious project under the UNDP and Ministry of Tourism was implemented by a Patna-based NGO, Adithi.
Located between the famous places Nalanda and Rajgir Town of Bihar, this small village is famous for weaving. There are about 250 families in this village, out of which 50 practice weaving. It is said that out of the three Mango Grooves of the Nalanda University, one of the Grooves is situated here. And it is here where Lord Mahavira and Gautam Buddha stayed.
In fact, it is so believed that Nepura is the first place where the Lord Buddha gave his first preaching. It is also considered the first major social reform movement. Lord Buddha, Lord Mahavira and Sanjaya has many followers from this village.
Nitish to head Bihar Population Council
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
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
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
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