With a view to attract more tourists Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is all set to lay the foundation of a world class convention centre at Rajgir worth Rs 33 crore even as Opposition leaders have termed his holiday at the tourist place as a waste of money.
Bihar Cabinet ministers arrived at the Rajgir hillock on Tuesday to conduct their weekly Cabinet meeting.
Nitish himself came for the meeting in a helicopter. The state government gifted its employees a New Year gift and cleared the Sixth Pay Commission at the well-known tourist spot of Bihar.
"I took a break and came here. We held a Cabinet meeting too," says Nitish.
Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi says, "This is a gift for the people of Bihar."
Nitish also seems to be in a party mood as he along with his team of officials will be at Rajgir for one week.
The purpose, he says, is to hit two birds with one stone - take a break as well as promote Rajgir on the national tourism map.
"This is a tourist place and we need to promote it," says Nitish
From tonga (horse pulled cart) rides to enjoying the beauty of nature and local delicacies, he is revelling in all this place has to offer with the media following his every move.
Nitish's political opponents have found enough reasons to train their guns at him for what they call holidaying at public expense.
But Nitish seems unfazed. Maybe taking a cue from Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi who has gone all out to promote Gujarat as a tourist destination, Nitish plans to promote not just Rajgir, but other tourist spots of Bihar.link
Wednesday 30 December 2009
Tuesday 29 December 2009
Paswan wants Buddhist control over Bodh Gaya's Mahabodhi temple
The LJP will fight for Buddhist control over the management of the Mahabodhi temple and to ensure it we seek an amendment to the Mahabodhi Temple Management Act, 1949," Paswan said.
Paswan said that the LJP will launch an agitation for Buddhist control over the management of the Mahabodhi temple if the Bihar government failed to amend the act.
"It was wrong to deny rights to Buddhists, it was against the constitution. Buddhists deserve a total control over the management of the Mahabodhi temple," Paswan said.
For a long time Buddhist monks have been demanding total control over the 1,500-year-old temple at Bodh Gaya, located 110 km from here, where the Buddha attained enlightenment 2,550 years ago. They decided to intensify their agitation last month as the Bihar government was not paying heed to their demands. Buddhist monks are unhappy with the Bihar government for "deliberately" delaying an amendment to the Mahabodhi Temple Management Act, 1949, to ensure Buddhist control over the management of the temple. They described the delay as a "conspiracy" by the government to keep the management under the control of non-Buddhists.
According to the existing law, the Bodh Gaya Temple Management Committee (BGTMC) should comprise four Buddhists and the same number of Hindu members for a three-year period with the Gaya district magistrate as its ex-officio chairman.link
Paswan said that the LJP will launch an agitation for Buddhist control over the management of the Mahabodhi temple if the Bihar government failed to amend the act.
"It was wrong to deny rights to Buddhists, it was against the constitution. Buddhists deserve a total control over the management of the Mahabodhi temple," Paswan said.
For a long time Buddhist monks have been demanding total control over the 1,500-year-old temple at Bodh Gaya, located 110 km from here, where the Buddha attained enlightenment 2,550 years ago. They decided to intensify their agitation last month as the Bihar government was not paying heed to their demands. Buddhist monks are unhappy with the Bihar government for "deliberately" delaying an amendment to the Mahabodhi Temple Management Act, 1949, to ensure Buddhist control over the management of the temple. They described the delay as a "conspiracy" by the government to keep the management under the control of non-Buddhists.
According to the existing law, the Bodh Gaya Temple Management Committee (BGTMC) should comprise four Buddhists and the same number of Hindu members for a three-year period with the Gaya district magistrate as its ex-officio chairman.link
Four children die in Bihar after eating chapattis
Four children of a family died while two others fell sick after eating 'chapattis' apparently mixed with chemicals at Visnnupur Bathua village in Samastipur district late last night.
Sunita, Shanti, Bajrangi and Raja - all children of Ramprit Sah's family - died after having the meal while two others Sulekha and Chuniya were admitted to a hospital, police sources said.
The chapattis were apparently mixed with sulphur when their mother Shankuntla Devi was away but a thorough probe was on to ascertain the cause of their death, the sources said.link
Sunita, Shanti, Bajrangi and Raja - all children of Ramprit Sah's family - died after having the meal while two others Sulekha and Chuniya were admitted to a hospital, police sources said.
The chapattis were apparently mixed with sulphur when their mother Shankuntla Devi was away but a thorough probe was on to ascertain the cause of their death, the sources said.link
Wednesday 23 December 2009
Progeria patients surviving for existence
Seeing 22-year-old Ikramul Khan and his brother Ali Hussein, a 11-year-old child, with their almost translucent skin, emaciated bodies, thin hair, weird looking fingers and a pair of alien-like eyes with a big smile revealing unaligned teeth … is not a very pleasant sight. They are like Auro in the film Paa starring Amitabh Bachchan, who plays the role of a child suffering from progeria, a genetic disorder in which the child ages at an unbelievably fast rate. It is a debilitating, rare illness with just 45 odd cases in the world. The disease, which infects one in four lakh people, is present in India's Bisul Khan and Razia Khatun's family, where more than one member suffers from progeria. Bisul Khan (45) and his wife Razia (40) had seven children in all. Five of them were born with progeria, which is characterized by premature ageing. Out of the five, three daughters are dead. Their daughter Sanjita (21) and youngest child Gulab are healthy. Ikramul and Ali Hussein are still alive but their medical ages are 85 and 66 respectively. Rehana was 23 when she died a natural death last year. Her medical age was 90 years. Though they are basically from Dumri village in Saran district of Bihar, they were forced by the villagers to shift their base out of the village in 2003. Villagers believed that the children of Razia and Bisul Khan were cursed. "We could not forget those dreadful days. My children could not come out of the house during daytime.
They were considered bad omens; they were called 'ghosts' and the villagers abused my wife as a witch. We were forced to live at the periphery of the village," said Bisul, who works as a security guard in Kolkata. Their mother Razia too could not stop herself and says, "The villagers made our life hell. The children could not wear stitched clothes, as they would not fit. They had to wrap blankets around their body. Whenever they came out with blankets around them, people laughed at them. So, they used to sit locked up in the house all day." Tired of being taunted and ostracized, Razia and Bisul Khan even planned a family suicide. Until they reached Kolkata about six years ago, they had no clue about this medical condition. Bisul became sure that his children were abnormal, as they could not bend their legs while sitting for toilet. Their legs were stiff even at tender ages of two and three. "We did everything for our children. We took them to child specialist, skin specialist, homeopathy and even ayurvedic practitioners. But no one could diagnose the disease. Had we been explained the problem earlier, we would not have gone for so many children," said Bisul. It was a chance meeting with doctors like Apurba Ghosh, director of the Institute of Children Health, Kolkata and Dr Chandan Chatterjee from Switzerland, who were the first to diagnose this disorder. In fact, when Rubena died of pneumonia, it was the first time the medical team was convinced that the kids were affected with progeria. Rubena's death proved that progeria was actually an inherited and recessive condition. "There are, in all, 45 known cases worldwide, all isolated and seemingly random.
A progeric child's ageing process remains normal up to the age of seven. After that they develop striking characteristic syndromes like failure to thrive, premature baldness, heart disease, thinning bones and arthritis and several other symptoms that people grapple with in their old age. But progeria does not hamper the average IQ level of the children," says Shekhar Chatterjee, general secretary of S B Devi Charity Home, Kolkata which takes care of progeria family's needs, financial problems and medical requirements. Dr Chatterjee has been working in collaboration with the University of Basel, Switzerland, where a team led by him has been constantly monitoring the progress of the family. Progeria is caused by a single tiny defect in the child's genetic code, but it has devastating and life-changing consequences. Traditionally, progeria victims do not live beyond their early 20s. But as compared to other victims, Ikramul who is now 22 is still alive. "We know there is no cure for the condition, but over the years we have seen that healthy food and lifestyle changes can enhance the life expectancy. All the credit goes to proper medication, healthy diet and regular psychological sessions that Ali and Ikramul have been able to survive for so long," says Dr Ajay Mukherjee, the senior researcher with the project. Ali is vivacious among them. He sounds more like an enthusiastic 11-year-old despite the 66-year-old body where he has been trapped. "I'm a die hard Salman Khan fan and could dance like him six months back. I danced well in a Rotary Club function. They had given us Rs 2,000 to get a set-top box." Ikramul loves Shahrukh Khan. But his frail body cannot retain this enthusiasm. He takes long breaths in between. His slow movement from one place to another inside the house proves that his brittle bones and stiff joints do not permit him to move freely. Both the boys know about the film Paa and want to meet Amitabh and Abhishek Bachchan. "I'll be very happy to meet them. At least they thought it important to work in a film based on our life," said Ikramul. For Ali also meeting Amitabh will be a memorable day of his life." The Khans look upon Dr Chatterjee as a family member. "He looks after us, bears all our expenses, provides us accommodation. Due to his kind cooperation we are now able to stay at our village home.
Our relatives and neighbours frequent our home to see Ikramul (23), the only progeric person to have survived this long. He is father figure for our children," said Bisul Khan, father of the boys. But in spite of all endeavours, life is far from normal for the boys. According to Dr Chatterjee, both of them suffer from astro-arthritis and cannot bend their legs or sit properly. Apart from weak bodies, they have underdeveloped livers and hearts. "They face difficulty in maintaining their balance when a fan is in full speed. They even need help for simple activities like changing clothes," says their mother. Ikramul, who speaks less and is depressed ever since his elder sister Rehana passed away, knows the pitiable condition of his disease. "I feel bad that I cannot run and play like other children. My ailments are like those of old people. I feel so sorry for myself," he laments. In spite of knowing that death is imminent for them, they enjoy their lives and have fun in their own way. Ali and Ikramul spend most of their time watching TV or downloading songs on the mobile phone, which Dr Chatterjee has gifted them and manage to find reasons to smile.link
They were considered bad omens; they were called 'ghosts' and the villagers abused my wife as a witch. We were forced to live at the periphery of the village," said Bisul, who works as a security guard in Kolkata. Their mother Razia too could not stop herself and says, "The villagers made our life hell. The children could not wear stitched clothes, as they would not fit. They had to wrap blankets around their body. Whenever they came out with blankets around them, people laughed at them. So, they used to sit locked up in the house all day." Tired of being taunted and ostracized, Razia and Bisul Khan even planned a family suicide. Until they reached Kolkata about six years ago, they had no clue about this medical condition. Bisul became sure that his children were abnormal, as they could not bend their legs while sitting for toilet. Their legs were stiff even at tender ages of two and three. "We did everything for our children. We took them to child specialist, skin specialist, homeopathy and even ayurvedic practitioners. But no one could diagnose the disease. Had we been explained the problem earlier, we would not have gone for so many children," said Bisul. It was a chance meeting with doctors like Apurba Ghosh, director of the Institute of Children Health, Kolkata and Dr Chandan Chatterjee from Switzerland, who were the first to diagnose this disorder. In fact, when Rubena died of pneumonia, it was the first time the medical team was convinced that the kids were affected with progeria. Rubena's death proved that progeria was actually an inherited and recessive condition. "There are, in all, 45 known cases worldwide, all isolated and seemingly random.
A progeric child's ageing process remains normal up to the age of seven. After that they develop striking characteristic syndromes like failure to thrive, premature baldness, heart disease, thinning bones and arthritis and several other symptoms that people grapple with in their old age. But progeria does not hamper the average IQ level of the children," says Shekhar Chatterjee, general secretary of S B Devi Charity Home, Kolkata which takes care of progeria family's needs, financial problems and medical requirements. Dr Chatterjee has been working in collaboration with the University of Basel, Switzerland, where a team led by him has been constantly monitoring the progress of the family. Progeria is caused by a single tiny defect in the child's genetic code, but it has devastating and life-changing consequences. Traditionally, progeria victims do not live beyond their early 20s. But as compared to other victims, Ikramul who is now 22 is still alive. "We know there is no cure for the condition, but over the years we have seen that healthy food and lifestyle changes can enhance the life expectancy. All the credit goes to proper medication, healthy diet and regular psychological sessions that Ali and Ikramul have been able to survive for so long," says Dr Ajay Mukherjee, the senior researcher with the project. Ali is vivacious among them. He sounds more like an enthusiastic 11-year-old despite the 66-year-old body where he has been trapped. "I'm a die hard Salman Khan fan and could dance like him six months back. I danced well in a Rotary Club function. They had given us Rs 2,000 to get a set-top box." Ikramul loves Shahrukh Khan. But his frail body cannot retain this enthusiasm. He takes long breaths in between. His slow movement from one place to another inside the house proves that his brittle bones and stiff joints do not permit him to move freely. Both the boys know about the film Paa and want to meet Amitabh and Abhishek Bachchan. "I'll be very happy to meet them. At least they thought it important to work in a film based on our life," said Ikramul. For Ali also meeting Amitabh will be a memorable day of his life." The Khans look upon Dr Chatterjee as a family member. "He looks after us, bears all our expenses, provides us accommodation. Due to his kind cooperation we are now able to stay at our village home.
Our relatives and neighbours frequent our home to see Ikramul (23), the only progeric person to have survived this long. He is father figure for our children," said Bisul Khan, father of the boys. But in spite of all endeavours, life is far from normal for the boys. According to Dr Chatterjee, both of them suffer from astro-arthritis and cannot bend their legs or sit properly. Apart from weak bodies, they have underdeveloped livers and hearts. "They face difficulty in maintaining their balance when a fan is in full speed. They even need help for simple activities like changing clothes," says their mother. Ikramul, who speaks less and is depressed ever since his elder sister Rehana passed away, knows the pitiable condition of his disease. "I feel bad that I cannot run and play like other children. My ailments are like those of old people. I feel so sorry for myself," he laments. In spite of knowing that death is imminent for them, they enjoy their lives and have fun in their own way. Ali and Ikramul spend most of their time watching TV or downloading songs on the mobile phone, which Dr Chatterjee has gifted them and manage to find reasons to smile.link
Monday 21 December 2009
World Bank arm moots mantra for Bihar's development
A World Bank arm has suggested strengthening of the monitoring process in Bihar government's functioning and transparency in development works for the state's growth.
"Strengthening the monitoring process in government functioning and more transparency in the development measures will pave way for a developed Bihar," said World Bank Institute Vice-President Sanjay Pradhan.
Pradhan was addressing a session in a two-day conclave that concluded Sunday night. The World Bank Institute is the learning, training and capacity building arm of the World Bank.
Pradhan said lack of monitoring in government functioning and less transparency has been a stumbling block in the state's development.
"There was a need to strengthen the vigilance bureau and the Right to Information (RTI) to make headway for development of Bihar. People can use RTI to get any kind of information. The RTI has provided a rare opportunity to people to receive information," he said.
He said the RTI was yet to be implemented at grass root level and its benefit is yet to reach the marginalised sections of society.
Pradhan further said the World Bank was committed to pump $150 million for development of Bihar.
He said Bihar is poised for development as it recorded a growth rate of 7.7 percent during 2005-08.
Pradhan hails from Patna and was one of the over 100 professionals from Bihar who made a mark in various fields at home and abroad and attended the conclave.link
"Strengthening the monitoring process in government functioning and more transparency in the development measures will pave way for a developed Bihar," said World Bank Institute Vice-President Sanjay Pradhan.
Pradhan was addressing a session in a two-day conclave that concluded Sunday night. The World Bank Institute is the learning, training and capacity building arm of the World Bank.
Pradhan said lack of monitoring in government functioning and less transparency has been a stumbling block in the state's development.
"There was a need to strengthen the vigilance bureau and the Right to Information (RTI) to make headway for development of Bihar. People can use RTI to get any kind of information. The RTI has provided a rare opportunity to people to receive information," he said.
He said the RTI was yet to be implemented at grass root level and its benefit is yet to reach the marginalised sections of society.
Pradhan further said the World Bank was committed to pump $150 million for development of Bihar.
He said Bihar is poised for development as it recorded a growth rate of 7.7 percent during 2005-08.
Pradhan hails from Patna and was one of the over 100 professionals from Bihar who made a mark in various fields at home and abroad and attended the conclave.link
Wednesday 16 December 2009
Excess fluoride content in Darbhanga village
Bihar PHED minister Ashwani Choubey has directed officials to confirm excess fluoride content in water sources at Rampura village of Sighwara block in Darbhanga.
"Till date excess Fluoride was not detected Darbhnga. But I have asked officials to confirm the newpaper reports so that we can take appropriate steps," Choubey said pointing out that 12 districts of the state were afflicted by fluoride which causes fluorosis, a disease nicknamed by medical professionals as "bone crusher". Reported the detection of excess floride by a team of researchers.
Choubey conceded that fluoride and arsenic had been emerging as a major health problem in Bihar. "There are 13 districts in the state where arsenic poisioning have been detected and another 12 district where excess fluoride have been identified from the water source, There are three districts common in this list which have both arsenic and fluoride poisoning. They include Bhagalpur and Munger," he said. He pointed out that around 600 tolas and localities have been identified across the state which were identified as places where arsenic and floride were detected from the water source.
The minister claimed that the state government had mooted a Rs 1000- crore scheme for meeting the challenge. "It's a multi-village scheme in which tanks will be contructed and surface water will be supplied to the effected localities," he said. He said work has already started in Ara where 35 villages are hit due to arscenic, Vaishali and Patna(Maner). The three projects alone will cost over Rs 200 crore", he said.
He said the department had amlso mooted setting-up mini-plants for treatment of floride and arscenic water. "We will run these plants with solar power at places where there are no power", he stressed. He said in addtion to all these the department will install 2000 special tubewells which have mechanism to prevent fluoride and arsenic posioning",he remarked.
The minister claimed that the department had achieved about 60 per cent of its target in sinking 1.09 lakh tubewells across the state. He also spoke about the "Muktidham" Yojna of the state government aimed at making crematory ghats equiped with furnaces for burning bodies, shades, toilet, gardens and shops. He said that out of 50 such ghats selected, work was under progress in 21 of them and 15 would be copleted during this financial year. He, however, said that work was still to begin in many ghats because the land either belonged to private persons or the railways. link
"Till date excess Fluoride was not detected Darbhnga. But I have asked officials to confirm the newpaper reports so that we can take appropriate steps," Choubey said pointing out that 12 districts of the state were afflicted by fluoride which causes fluorosis, a disease nicknamed by medical professionals as "bone crusher". Reported the detection of excess floride by a team of researchers.
Choubey conceded that fluoride and arsenic had been emerging as a major health problem in Bihar. "There are 13 districts in the state where arsenic poisioning have been detected and another 12 district where excess fluoride have been identified from the water source, There are three districts common in this list which have both arsenic and fluoride poisoning. They include Bhagalpur and Munger," he said. He pointed out that around 600 tolas and localities have been identified across the state which were identified as places where arsenic and floride were detected from the water source.
The minister claimed that the state government had mooted a Rs 1000- crore scheme for meeting the challenge. "It's a multi-village scheme in which tanks will be contructed and surface water will be supplied to the effected localities," he said. He said work has already started in Ara where 35 villages are hit due to arscenic, Vaishali and Patna(Maner). The three projects alone will cost over Rs 200 crore", he said.
He said the department had amlso mooted setting-up mini-plants for treatment of floride and arscenic water. "We will run these plants with solar power at places where there are no power", he stressed. He said in addtion to all these the department will install 2000 special tubewells which have mechanism to prevent fluoride and arsenic posioning",he remarked.
The minister claimed that the department had achieved about 60 per cent of its target in sinking 1.09 lakh tubewells across the state. He also spoke about the "Muktidham" Yojna of the state government aimed at making crematory ghats equiped with furnaces for burning bodies, shades, toilet, gardens and shops. He said that out of 50 such ghats selected, work was under progress in 21 of them and 15 would be copleted during this financial year. He, however, said that work was still to begin in many ghats because the land either belonged to private persons or the railways. link
Friday 11 December 2009
SC directs Bihar govt to appoint 34,540 primary teachers
If you are a trained teacher and unemployed, you should head for Bihar which has just been directed by the Supreme Court to recruit a whopping 34,540 primary teachers within six months.
The recruitment cannot be delayed as the apex court has kept pending a contempt petition to see the sincerity of the Nitish Kumar government to abide by its undertaking given to SC on January 18 and 23 of 2006.
The Patna High Court on September 26, 1996, had directed the state government to resume recruitment of teachers and it was of the opinion that the order was meant to force the state government to execute a public plan to help eradicate illiteracy.
The Bihar government had appealed against the HC judgment. However, during the pendency of the appeal, it sought to withdraw it in view of the state's decision to comply with the HC judgment, saying, "The government has prepared a policy framework for education in the state."
It had stated that recruiting teachers and filling vacancies of teachers posts in primary schools was its top priority. Recording this undertaking, the SC had disposed of the appeal on January 23, 2006.
However, one Nand Kishore Ojha filed a petition alleging that the Nitish Kumar government had done precious little to fulfil its promise to the apex court. Appearing for the state, attorney general G E Vahanvati and senior advocate Kailash Vas dev tried to convince the court that it was not the intention of the state to sidestep the undertaking before the SC.
Accepting the vacancy figure as mentioned in the 2003 advertisement, a Bench comprising Justices Altamas Kabir and H L Dattu said, "Notwithstanding the number of trained teachers available, we direct that the said available vacancies of 34,540, shown in the advertisement for appointment of primary teachers, be filled up with the said number of trained teachers as a one-time measure to give effect to the undertaking which had been given on January 18, 2006 and January 23, 2006."
The Bench added, "Let the contempt petition be adjourned for a further period of six months to enable the state government to implement this order and to submit a report on the next date as to the result of the discussions held between the petitioner and the concerned authorities."
The recruitment cannot be delayed as the apex court has kept pending a contempt petition to see the sincerity of the Nitish Kumar government to abide by its undertaking given to SC on January 18 and 23 of 2006.
The Patna High Court on September 26, 1996, had directed the state government to resume recruitment of teachers and it was of the opinion that the order was meant to force the state government to execute a public plan to help eradicate illiteracy.
The Bihar government had appealed against the HC judgment. However, during the pendency of the appeal, it sought to withdraw it in view of the state's decision to comply with the HC judgment, saying, "The government has prepared a policy framework for education in the state."
It had stated that recruiting teachers and filling vacancies of teachers posts in primary schools was its top priority. Recording this undertaking, the SC had disposed of the appeal on January 23, 2006.
However, one Nand Kishore Ojha filed a petition alleging that the Nitish Kumar government had done precious little to fulfil its promise to the apex court. Appearing for the state, attorney general G E Vahanvati and senior advocate Kailash Vas dev tried to convince the court that it was not the intention of the state to sidestep the undertaking before the SC.
Accepting the vacancy figure as mentioned in the 2003 advertisement, a Bench comprising Justices Altamas Kabir and H L Dattu said, "Notwithstanding the number of trained teachers available, we direct that the said available vacancies of 34,540, shown in the advertisement for appointment of primary teachers, be filled up with the said number of trained teachers as a one-time measure to give effect to the undertaking which had been given on January 18, 2006 and January 23, 2006."
The Bench added, "Let the contempt petition be adjourned for a further period of six months to enable the state government to implement this order and to submit a report on the next date as to the result of the discussions held between the petitioner and the concerned authorities."
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