Desperate to revive his fortunes with the Assembly by-elections, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) president Lalu Prasad has called the Nitish Kumar government jinxed for Bihar. In his election meetings, Lalu has been saying that the state has witnessed natural calamities like floods and drought for two consecutive years because the Nitish government was inauspicious. "Did Bihar witness any such drought or flood during the 15 years of RJD rule?" he asks the crowds at villages where he goes for campaigning.
Stoking up superstitious beliefs of rural people, Lalu even blames the chief minister for the scanty rainfall this monsoon season. Poor rains resulted in drought which, in turn, has caused prices of essential commodities to soar.
And, according to Lalu, this is all because Nitish committed the sin of eating biscuits during the total solar eclipse at Taregna near Patna on July 22. "He kept on munching biscuits during the solar eclipse. This made Lord Indra (the rain God) angry, leaving the state to face one of the worst droughts," Lalu told the crowd at Waris Nagar in Samastipur earlier this week. In his attempt to regain foothold among the electorate, Lalu links Nitish's "inauspicious" act with spiraling prices. "Dal (pulses) has disappeared from the plates of the poor. Aloo (potato) is being sold at Rs 16 a kg. Was aloo ever so costly during the days of Lalu?" he asked the people at one place.
But Lalu's reasoning seems to have fallen flat. Laughing off his jibes, Janata Dal-United (JD-U) leaders say Bihar has been experiencing enough rains ever since the RJD chief started blaming Nitish for the drought.
"He has lost his support on the ground. It seems nobody likes him even up there," said a senior JD-U leader, pointing skywards.
Nitish has taken Lalu head-on in the rough and tumble of electioneering. He counters Lalu's attempts to stoke up superstitious fears with logic.
"My elder brother (Lalu) has been claiming that Bihar is facing drought because I ate biscuits during the solar eclipse. But then, why are other states like Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh facing drought? The CMs of those states didn't have any biscuits during the eclipse?" he asks voters.
Nitish says Lalu has been "uttering irresponsible things" because he has lost the trust of people. The CM claims he is seeking votes in the name of development alone.
Bypolls are being held for 18 constituencies in Bihar in two phases on September 10 and September 15. The counting of votes will take place on September 17.
The bypolls were necessitated because of the resignation of MLAs, who either changed party or were elected to the Lok Sabha.
The bypolls are a litmus test for Lalu, who has tied up with Ram Vilas Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party again after the Lok Sabha polls. He, however, failed to stitch up a pre-poll alliance with the Congress despite his best efforts.
The Congress has fielded candidates on all the 18 seats, making Lalu's task more daunting. A multi-cornered contest may help the JD-U. Perhaps that's why Lalu is desperate to discredit the CM.link
Wednesday 9 September 2009
Tuesday 8 September 2009
Baby born with intestine outside stomach in Bihar
A baby girl was born at a nursing home here with her intestine protruding from the stomach, making it the second case of congenital anomaly in the state in less than two weeks when a child was born with his heart outside the chest.
The baby girl is now at the Patna Medical College Hospital and the hospital plans to either perform a corrective surgery in the PMCH or take her to AIIMS in New Delhi, where the boy with ectopia cordis (heart outside the chest) was successfully operated upon.
"The central abdominal defect has caused protrusion of small intestine outside her abdomen which is covered by membranes. Since the membrane is tough, there is no need for an urgent surgery," paediatric surgeon T P Gupta, attending on the baby, told.link
The baby girl is now at the Patna Medical College Hospital and the hospital plans to either perform a corrective surgery in the PMCH or take her to AIIMS in New Delhi, where the boy with ectopia cordis (heart outside the chest) was successfully operated upon.
"The central abdominal defect has caused protrusion of small intestine outside her abdomen which is covered by membranes. Since the membrane is tough, there is no need for an urgent surgery," paediatric surgeon T P Gupta, attending on the baby, told.link
CPI-ML activists burn job cards, BPL cards
Hundreds of CPI-ML (Liberation) activists burned job, red, yellow and white cards at the collectorate of Bihar's Bhojpur district here alleging short- supply of foodgrains and the difficulties the poor people face in drawing ration at subsidised rate, official sources said.
The CPI-ML workers led by its leader Kamata Prasad Singh assembled before the District Magistrate's office here yesterday and held demonstration for two hours.
They also burnt the cards in protest against alleged short-supply or lack of food grains.
Later, a delegation of party activists called on the District Magistrate Sabina A N and submitted a memorandum to him seeking action against the PDS dealers and hoarders.
When contacted, Sabina too admitted shortage of food grains in the district saying against the demand of 18,000 quintals for the BPL and APL families in the district, hardly 3,000 quintals to 4,000 quintals of food grains were being made available to the district per month.
He hoped that the problem would soon be resolved.link
The CPI-ML workers led by its leader Kamata Prasad Singh assembled before the District Magistrate's office here yesterday and held demonstration for two hours.
They also burnt the cards in protest against alleged short-supply or lack of food grains.
Later, a delegation of party activists called on the District Magistrate Sabina A N and submitted a memorandum to him seeking action against the PDS dealers and hoarders.
When contacted, Sabina too admitted shortage of food grains in the district saying against the demand of 18,000 quintals for the BPL and APL families in the district, hardly 3,000 quintals to 4,000 quintals of food grains were being made available to the district per month.
He hoped that the problem would soon be resolved.link
Monday 7 September 2009
Shatrughan Sinha against online pinda daan
After two Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ministers, now actor-turned-politician Shatrughan Sinha of the party has also come out against the Bihar government’s proposal for an online facility for Hindus to offer ‘pinda daan’ ritual, terming it a “short cut method” minus any “feeling”.
“It is neither proper nor practical to go for an online facility to offer pinda daan. I am against online pinda daan,” Sinha said of the ritual performed by Hindus for the dead.
Sinha performed the ritual Sunday for his parents and ancestors at the Vishnupad Temple in Gaya.
“The proposed online pinda daan is a shortcut method to perform the rituals without any real touch and feeling. But physical presence to perform the rite gives peace of mind. I favour that people should visit Gaya and in person perform the pinda daan,” Sinha said.
The actor said the ritual for his parents was overdue for a long time because he had been busy despite regularly visiting Patna, his native town, but he was able to perform the pinda daan personally at last. “It was an amazing experience, I fulfilled my duty,” he said.
Sinha’s view has been welcomed by Hindu priests who are against the proposed online facility.
In June, Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi had announced the government’s decision to introduce a video-conferencing facility for Indians abroad to perform pinda daan.
However, priests in the holy town of Gaya who have been conducting the ritual described the government’s decision as “interference” and an “attack on an age-old religious service”.
The priests won support from a section of the BJP, with ministers Ashwani Kumar Choubey and Prem Kumar asking the government to reverse its decision.
Last month, the Bihar government decided to postpone its plan for an online facility.
Thousands of Hindus from across India and abroad gather in Gaya to offer pinda daan during the fortnight-long Pitrapaksh period that began last week. Legend has it that Lord Rama and his wife Sita performed this religious rite for his father, King Dasharath in Gaya.
“It is neither proper nor practical to go for an online facility to offer pinda daan. I am against online pinda daan,” Sinha said of the ritual performed by Hindus for the dead.
Sinha performed the ritual Sunday for his parents and ancestors at the Vishnupad Temple in Gaya.
“The proposed online pinda daan is a shortcut method to perform the rituals without any real touch and feeling. But physical presence to perform the rite gives peace of mind. I favour that people should visit Gaya and in person perform the pinda daan,” Sinha said.
The actor said the ritual for his parents was overdue for a long time because he had been busy despite regularly visiting Patna, his native town, but he was able to perform the pinda daan personally at last. “It was an amazing experience, I fulfilled my duty,” he said.
Sinha’s view has been welcomed by Hindu priests who are against the proposed online facility.
In June, Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi had announced the government’s decision to introduce a video-conferencing facility for Indians abroad to perform pinda daan.
However, priests in the holy town of Gaya who have been conducting the ritual described the government’s decision as “interference” and an “attack on an age-old religious service”.
The priests won support from a section of the BJP, with ministers Ashwani Kumar Choubey and Prem Kumar asking the government to reverse its decision.
Last month, the Bihar government decided to postpone its plan for an online facility.
Thousands of Hindus from across India and abroad gather in Gaya to offer pinda daan during the fortnight-long Pitrapaksh period that began last week. Legend has it that Lord Rama and his wife Sita performed this religious rite for his father, King Dasharath in Gaya.
Sunday 6 September 2009
Bihar's Uppal gears up for international karate contest
Bihar's Patna Central School student Amrit Lekh Uppal, who has already earned a name and place for himself in karate at the national and world level championship fights, is now headed to participate in the Commonwealth Karate Championship to be held at Johannesberg, South Africa, in October this year.
He, however, would also require monetary support. Bihar Karate Black Belt treasurer Nisha Pal and vice-president Kajal Madhu have appealed to both CM Nitish Kumar and sports minister Renu Devi to provide support to meet the cost of journey to Johannesberg and back.
Whether the state government would respond to their call as morale boosting exercise is a moot point, it is wished for since the government has been promoting sports activities and also rewarding sportspersons of repute who have excelled even nationally.
At present, all attention of junior Uppal is focused on the Commonwealth Championship at Johannesberg, which would be held from October 15 and 17. The state's karate coach Guatam Kumar has been giving him training to further hone his skill in preparation for the new karate international contest in his career.
Earlier, in July this year, he performed well in Greece, and also won gold and silver medals at the national championship held in Kolkata. All India Karate Do Federation president R Tyagarajan has selected junior Uppal for the Commonwealth Championship. For this, the national karate coach Premjit Sen congratulated him on telephone from Kolkata. Congratulation also flowed from All India Seishinkai Shito-Ryu Karate Do Federation general secretary Malika Sen. Well wishers, however, have been hoping that he is on right track to also excel at Johannesberg.link
He, however, would also require monetary support. Bihar Karate Black Belt treasurer Nisha Pal and vice-president Kajal Madhu have appealed to both CM Nitish Kumar and sports minister Renu Devi to provide support to meet the cost of journey to Johannesberg and back.
Whether the state government would respond to their call as morale boosting exercise is a moot point, it is wished for since the government has been promoting sports activities and also rewarding sportspersons of repute who have excelled even nationally.
At present, all attention of junior Uppal is focused on the Commonwealth Championship at Johannesberg, which would be held from October 15 and 17. The state's karate coach Guatam Kumar has been giving him training to further hone his skill in preparation for the new karate international contest in his career.
Earlier, in July this year, he performed well in Greece, and also won gold and silver medals at the national championship held in Kolkata. All India Karate Do Federation president R Tyagarajan has selected junior Uppal for the Commonwealth Championship. For this, the national karate coach Premjit Sen congratulated him on telephone from Kolkata. Congratulation also flowed from All India Seishinkai Shito-Ryu Karate Do Federation general secretary Malika Sen. Well wishers, however, have been hoping that he is on right track to also excel at Johannesberg.link
Friday 4 September 2009
Praying for ancestors' salvation, Hindus head for Gaya
The Hindu holy town of Gaya in Bihar is set to attract up to 400,000 devotees who are coming here to perform the pinda daan, a religious service for dead ancestors, during the fortnight-long pitrupaksh beginning Friday.
"Pitrupaksh has begun amid tight security in view of threats of terrorists and other trouble makers," Gaya District Magistrate Sanjay Kumar Singh told.
Magadh Commissioner Sanjeev Sinha said: "This time we expect more than four lakh people will come to Gaya to offer pind daan for the salvation of the souls of their ancestors during the pitrupaksha period."
Hindus believe offering pinda daan during the pitru paksh period ensures salvation for the wandering souls of their ancestors.
"The soul keeps wandering till this ritual is performed by male descendants of the dead," priest Murari Lal said.
Gaya, about 100 km from state capital Patna, is considered the holiest place for the purpose. Legend has it that Lord Rama and his wife Sita performed this religious rite for his father, King Dasharath, here.
The town drawing a large number of people from all parts of India and abroad every year during pitrupaksh, the 15 days of the waning moon during the Hindu month of Ashwin.
Pinda daan is traditionally offered on the banks of the Falgu river here.
According to a priest, the rituals are conducted at nearly 50 vedis, or altars, the more important ones being Vishnupad, Ramshila, Pretshila, Baiterni, Akshay Vat and Mahabodhi temple.
Gayawal pandas, claiming to be superior priests, perform the rituals.
It is mandatory for the devotees offering pinda daan to shave their heads and take a holy dip and head for the Baitarni pond. However, some rituals are conducted in the Falgu river nearby.
The prayers are performed at the famous Vishnupad temple named after Lord Vishnu.
"Pitrupaksh has begun amid tight security in view of threats of terrorists and other trouble makers," Gaya District Magistrate Sanjay Kumar Singh told.
Magadh Commissioner Sanjeev Sinha said: "This time we expect more than four lakh people will come to Gaya to offer pind daan for the salvation of the souls of their ancestors during the pitrupaksha period."
Hindus believe offering pinda daan during the pitru paksh period ensures salvation for the wandering souls of their ancestors.
"The soul keeps wandering till this ritual is performed by male descendants of the dead," priest Murari Lal said.
Gaya, about 100 km from state capital Patna, is considered the holiest place for the purpose. Legend has it that Lord Rama and his wife Sita performed this religious rite for his father, King Dasharath, here.
The town drawing a large number of people from all parts of India and abroad every year during pitrupaksh, the 15 days of the waning moon during the Hindu month of Ashwin.
Pinda daan is traditionally offered on the banks of the Falgu river here.
According to a priest, the rituals are conducted at nearly 50 vedis, or altars, the more important ones being Vishnupad, Ramshila, Pretshila, Baiterni, Akshay Vat and Mahabodhi temple.
Gayawal pandas, claiming to be superior priests, perform the rituals.
It is mandatory for the devotees offering pinda daan to shave their heads and take a holy dip and head for the Baitarni pond. However, some rituals are conducted in the Falgu river nearby.
The prayers are performed at the famous Vishnupad temple named after Lord Vishnu.
Wednesday 2 September 2009
Summons to Bihar chief minister in 1991 case
A Bihar court has issued summons to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in a case relating to firing at an election booth during the 1991 Lok Sabha elections.
The Barh sub divisional judicial magistrate’s court issued the summons to Nitish Kumar Wednesday, as he was an “accused” along with three others in the case, official sources said.
Nitish Kumar was a candidate from Barh Lok Sabha seat in the 1991 parliamentary elections.
One man was killed in the firing at an election booth.
The Barh sub divisional judicial magistrate’s court issued the summons to Nitish Kumar Wednesday, as he was an “accused” along with three others in the case, official sources said.
Nitish Kumar was a candidate from Barh Lok Sabha seat in the 1991 parliamentary elections.
One man was killed in the firing at an election booth.
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