How AAP plans to target Bihar, UP for 2014 LS polls

Even as the Aam Aadmi Party gets ready to be sworn in to form the government in Delhi, the party workers have their energies equally focused on the upcoming Lok Sabha Election in 2014. Keeping the same in mind, the party seems to have completed a recce of the a handful of states in central and northern India. Having taken stock of the poll issues in these states, the party is mostly likely to now focus exclusively on the Bimaru states - the ones reeling under poverty, caste violence, corruption and administrative failure. "In Bihar, we found that people are very eager to join the party. Not only are they prospective voters, they are even willing to work as grassroots cadres," said a party insider who has been overseeing the support mobilization process in Bihar and Madhya Pradesh. Arvind Kejriwal. AFP. 

According to experts too, states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh - crippled by a combination of issues like unemployment, communal unrest and a declining standards of living - are ideal for the AAP as it tries expanding its base. "People in Bihar have and UP have only seen corruption and muscle-flexing by political leaders. AAP will come as a breath of fresh air to these people who have the BJP, RJD, SP or BSP as options," says Hari Vash and senior journalist, political analyst and editor of a national daily. AAP seems to have zeroed in on the most economically and socially deprived section of voters in the said states. "In Bihar, we will be focusing on 14,000 villages where the population is less that 200. Hardly any development has taken place in theses villages. We will try take them along in our stride," says the AAP source. 

The party also has its sights set on the the tribal belt in the Bundelkhand region in Uttar Pradesh. "The district convenor in Sonbhadra is a tribal himself," he adds. AAP insiders admit that their party would have already created a stronger support base in these areas had the recognized leaders like Kejriwal himself got a chance to campaign. However, they are busy making amends and a campaign will kick off soon. "Sanjay Singh and Pankaj Gupta, two of our national leaders will head a committee to set up a strategy for the sates in the upcoming election. And very soon the leaders will start travelling in these states outside Delhi," said Yogendra Yadav of AAP. 

Even though AAP has declared that it is yet to finalise a strategy for the general elections, the party seems to have started making inroads and an impact already. For instance, in Bihar, RJD leader Raghuvansh Prasad recently created a stir when he said that his party will not give a ticket to one of its ally's candidates as she is the wife of a muscleman. "This incident definitely shows that the political discourse is changing. And the political parties are also stressing on the clean politics factor," says SK Tyagi of JD(U), who claims that the AAP effect will barely dent their vote-bank. "Bihar is not Delhi. There are caste dynamics and communal issues that need to be considered. It will be difficult for AAP to repeat what they did in Delhi, in Bihar," he said.

Source : FP

Bihar: Slipper thrown at Nitish Kumar at public function in Begusarai

'Sankalp Rally' is planned by the JDU to make a commitment before people to continue the fight for winning special category status for the state.

"Both (RJD and Congress) are equally responsible for 'badhali' (bad condition) of Bihar for 15 years," he said, slamming the two parties for their efforts to form alliance for the next Lok Sabha polls.

"Efforts are (being) made to revive the ties to bring back those dark days of poor law and order and misgovernance," he said.

Nitish said after assuming power for the first time in November 25, 2005, he had worked day and night to bring the state back on track in the past eight years.

"Rule of law has been established and people no longer fear to go out of home even late in night. Development work has been taken up," he said, asking people if they would like to return to "the bad days of the past".

'Sankalp Rally' is third in the series of 12 such rallies planned by the JDU to make a commitment before people to continue the fight for winning special category status for the state and not allowing communal forces to triumph.

Making a scathing attack at his rival and RJD chief Lalu Prasad, he said the fanfare with which he returned to Patna from Ranchi prison after bail in a fodder scam case made it seem like he had gone to jail for participating in some "freedom movement".

A slipper was thrown at Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar at a public function in Begusarai on Sunday. The slipper missed the chief minister.

Nitish was speaking at the Janata Dal United's 'Sankalp Rally' and said the two old partners (Congress, RJD) were coming together again to bring back the "dark" days of poor law and order and misgovernance.

"Who does not know that RJD and Congress shared power in those days when people feared to venture out of home after sunset to avoid getting kidnapped?" Nitish said.

Source: IBN

Lalu’s ‘coalition of the discredited’ could challenge BJP, Nitish in Bihar

Lalu Prasad Yadav had only just stepped out of the gates of Ranchi’s Birsa Munda jail when he took aim at Narendra Modi and the BJP. The RJD supremo, granted bail by the Supreme Court pending his appeal against a lower court order convicting him in the Fodder Scam case, promised to “unite all secular parties…to strengthen secular forces…(so that) Narendra Modi, RSS and BJP would not be able to fulfil their dreams.”

His target though was not Narendra Modi. It was Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. The JD(U) chief, Lalu’s one time colleague turned arch rival, has been claiming the secular mantle in Bihar since he broke his 17 year long alliance with the BJP over the Prime Ministerial candidature of Narendra Modi.

Lalu Prasad Yadav. PTI In Bihar’s fractured polity, secularism is a catch phrase to win the votes of the minority Muslim population, which at around 17 percent of the state’s population is a significant vote bank. Without the Muslim vote to add to his Yadav base, Lalu is a marginal player in Bihar. Having broken away from the BJP (and its upper caste and urban pockets vote), Nitish too might end up a marginal player should he fail to garner a big majority of the Muslim vote. Only one of Lalu or Nitish will end up a serious contender to a Modi-led BJP in the next Lok Sabha election. The sight of Lalu, the original anti-BJP crusader who had arrested LK Advani in 1990, walking out of jail (with the sympathy factor tailing him) would have displeased no one more than Nitish Kumar.

Lalu's release is obviously good news for his RJD which was routed in 2009 and would have found the going difficult in 2014 without its charismatic leader. It is also good news for the Congress, which now has two potential allies in a crucial state — RJD and JD(U). In the circumstances, it can hope to strike a good bargain. The Congress’s core vote, around 10 percent of the total (which could rise in the event of a religiously polarised campaign) could be an important addition for both Lalu and Nitish. Of course, there are perils of allying with Congress. The UPA is a widely discredited Government held responsible for rampant inflation and corruption. Nitish Kumar, who prides himself on a good governance record in Bihar, would lose considerable sheen should he form an opportunistic alliance with the Congress. Lalu, on the other hand, would have no such compulsions. Like UPA 2, Lalu is only remembered for bad governance and corruption during his party’s fifteen-year-reign in Bihar between 1990 and 2005. Still, a RJD-Congress-LJP (Paswan’s outfit) ‘coalition of the discredited’ could form a potent force by getting its caste and religious arithmetic right.

It would give the BJP a run for its money and would almost certainly hand Nitish an adverse outcome. The threat of losing the entire Muslim vote to a RJD-Congress alliance may yet force Nitish to woo the Congress. That would be good news for BJP as the Muslim vote may get split between Lalu and a JD(U)-Congress alliance. It would also destroy Nitish’s reputation as an able and honest administrator. Whatever the outcome, Bihar is heading into its most interesting and uncertain election in decades. After two reasonably successful term sin Government, Nitish Kumar ought to have been in pole position. But the Modi factor and the Lalu wildcard have left him in an uneasy spot. The Congress, which by itself would not be a player in Bihar, may find itself in the rather attractive position of being wooed by two regional satraps. Add to this combustible mix the fact that Narendra Modi’s Prime Ministerial hopes may well depend on the Bihar outcome. The stakes are high. Expect some serious manipulative politics ahead.

Source: FP

Lalu walks out of jail, says will fight communal forces

Lalu also lashed out Anna Hazare saying he was trying to create a structure above the judiciary.

The apex court had on Friday granted bail to the RJD chief in the fodder scam case pertaining to fraudulent withdrawal of Rs 37.7 crore from the Chaibasa Treasury during his tenure as chief minister. However, he couldn't be released on Friday as the order didn't reach the special CBI court that had to issue the necessary release orders.

Lalu had earlier got bail in four other fodder scam cases, in which he was concurrently in judicial custody after he was convicted by a special CBI court in a fodder scam case on September 30, he said.

He was sentenced to five years rigorous imprisonment and fined Rs 25 lakh on October 3. During jail custody, Lalu appeared before different CBI courts through video conferencing in four other fodder cases for alleged fraudulent withdrawal of Rs 97 lakh from Deogarh Treasury, Rs 3.97 crore from Dumka Treasury, Rs 36 crore from Chaibasa Treasury and Rs 184 crore from the Doranda Treasury.

(With additional information from PTI)

Source: IBN

Lalu Prasad granted bail by SC in fodder scam case

In a huge respite to Lalu Prasad Yadav, the Supreme Court on Friday granted bail to the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief in connection with the fodder scam case.

December 13 was fixed as the date for hearing the bail plea of the former Bihar chief minister by a two-judge bench of the apex court.

The apex court bench of Chief Justice P. Sathasivam and Justice Ranjan Gogoi had issued notice to the CBI after senior counsel Ram Jethmalani told the court that 44 people were convicted in the case, of whom 37 have already been granted bail and bail applications of six others are under consideration.

Lalu's lawyer also said that the RJD chief had already spent enough time in jail and was not in a position to influence the investigation as the probe was already over.

Lalu, moved the apex court challenging the order of the Jharkhand high court which had dismissed his bail plea.

Lalu, another former Bihar chief minister Jagannath Mishra and 43 others were on September 30, convicted by a special CBI court in the fodder scam case involving fraudulent withdrawal of 37.7 crore rupees from Chaibasa Treasury during the RJD regime.

He has been disqualified from the Lok Sabha after being convicted in the case and banned from contesting elections for six years.

The fodder scam involved the siphoning of funds from the Bihar government treasury. The alleged theft spanned over several years, and many Bihar state government administrative and elected officials across multiple administrations were allegedly engaged in it.

The fodder scam was unearthed in Bihar in 1996 when Lalu was chief minister.

Source: TOI

Bihar Police have no proof against six ‘terrorists’

In the first week of November, Bihar Police arrested over a dozen people accusing them of being a part of an illegal fund transfer racket involving Pakistan that was suspected to be case of "terror funding". Media reports from Patna, quoting police sources, said that the accused could be linked to ISI and Indian Mujahideen (IM) and could have even funded Patna blasts. There was even speculation on "Hindu terror" as four of the accused were Hindus.

A month after investigations, Bihar Police is yet get any evidence linking the accused to any terror outfit or even the fund transfers to any act of terror. The National Investigation Agency (NIA), which is investigating two blast cases in Bihar, has not even bothered to question the accused in custody.

The Central security establishment, including the home ministry, is unhappy with the way Bihar Police has handled the case, which looks more of illegal fund transfers rather than a suspected case of terror funding.

A senior home ministry official said, "They have made some claims which are thin on evidence. The case should have been handled more cautiously and in a better way."

A senior security establishment officer added, "As yet we have not found any link of the accused to terror funding. The funds have largely come from Saudi Arabia and certain Gulf countries. Much of the money has gone to certain mosques and madarsas. It would be wrong to call them terror funding unless someone can establish that from these madarsas the money has gone to certain terror outfit. The accused have been paid commission for the transactions and are completely unaware of the use the money is being put to. Such transactions from the Gulf are common. Suspicion of the police was raised only because of telephone calls to Pakistan."

NIA, which also has a dedicated terror-funding cell, has not touched the case even though Bihar Police has claimed that it conducted the operation on an "NIA tip-off". A senior NIA officer said, "We have nothing to do with this operation. We will look into it as and when a terror angle emerges. As of now we are not aware of any such thing."

On November 9, Lakhisarai police in Bihar arrested four youths, identified as Gopal Kumar Goyal, Pawan Kumar, Vikash Kumar and Ganesh Kumar, for being part of this alleged racket. Days later they arrested a Muslim couple, Ayesha Bano and her husband Zubair, from Mangalore charging them along with Mohammad Faiyaz and Mohammad Kismet Ansari alias Dawood Ansari, who are on the run, of being the racket's kingpins.

Police recovered dozens of ATM cards, passbooks and SIM cards from the accused and claimed that they were in constant touch with one Ibrahim Khan in Pakistan. Police also found evidence of over Rs 1.5 crore transacted through the accounts held by the accused in the past few months alone. Most of the accused, including the Mangalore couple, are poor, said sources.

Though Bihar Police has officially maintained that it has not got any evidence linking the accused to terror outfits, Bihar DGP Abhayanand was quoted in the media as saying "terror funding" in the case could not be ruled out. Media reports quoting police sources have repeatedly mentioned " ISI-links" and "IM funding" in context of the case.

Source: TOI

Nitish Kumar's Bihar to have road ambulances for emergency care of potholes

Bihar is all set to introduce a novel concept - ambulances to fix its roads. The first of these unique vehicles will hit the roads on January 14.

During its first term between 2005-10, the Nitish Kumar government was synonymous with improving the law and order situation, better health facilities and above all - good roads.

But many roads in the state have now fallen into disrepair - important highways like the ones connecting Patna to Aurangabad - are full of potholes.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who is now in-charge of the roads department, has kicked off an ambitious 2500-crore programme to repair over nine thousand kilometres of state highways and village roads by May.

Mr Kumar also announced that 76 'road ambulances' will work round the clock to attend to complaints of people. Soon people in the state will be able to contact a 24 hours call centre and ask for these 'ambulances' to fix their roads.

These vehicles will be equipped with all materials to fix potholes. They will be fitted with Global Positioning System (GPS) and will be tracked from a central control room being set up in Patna. They will be owned and run by private contractors but the government will control the design and operations of these 'ambulances.'

Pratyay Amrit, the state's Road construction secretary says Bihar is perhaps the first state to have such a large fleet of these vehicles. "The first ambulance will be available after January 14 and we hope the entire fleet of 76 is on the road by March 15," Mr Amrit said.

Source: NDTV

Homosexuality an offence, says Supreme Court

New Delhi, Dec 11 (IANS) In a jolt to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgenders, the Supreme Court Wednesday held that consensual sex between adults of the same gender is an offence.

Setting aside the Delhi High Court verdict of 2009, the apex court bench of Justice G.S. Singhvi and Justice S.J. Mukhopadhayay said that there was no constitutional room for change in Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code.

Section 377 of IPC holds that sexual relationship against the order of the nature is an offence.

The Delhi High Court by its, now set aside, verdict had decriminalised the sexual relationship between adults of the same gender under Section 377.

Restoring back Section 377 under the statute book, the court referring to the Attorney General said that government could, if it so desired, amend the law.

The apex court verdict upholding Section 377 came 21 months after it had reserved its verdict in March 2012.

One killed by Nitish's convoy in Muzaffarpur

Muzaffarpur, Dec 9: A man, Shambhu Yadav, was mowed down by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's convoy in Muzaffarpur. Sources say that the car was escorting the Chief Minister on his way back from Motihari. Eye-witnesses claim that the car didn't even stop after running over the man.  

The man was taken to Shri Krishna Medical College and Hospital where he was declared brought dead. The Chief Minister was returning to Patna by road after addressing a rally by JD(U) called the 'Sankalp Rally' at the East Champaran district. Local villagers are said to have blocked the road in protest. 

Source: OneIndia News

Big winners and losers in Delhi: AAP loses 15 seats by less than 5,000 votes

Delhi has never seen an election like the 2013 one in which some of the most famous faces of Delhi have been humbled by unknown candidates of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). AAP National Convener Arvind Kejriwal has proved his might by defeating the most powerful Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit by more than 26,000 votes in New Delhi constituency.

At least 15 AAP candidates have lost their seats by less than 5,000 votes depriving the party of creating history by coming to power. Out of 15 candidates, many AAP candidates have lost their seats by less than 2000-3000 votes.

The longest serving elected representative in Delhi, Chaudhury Prem Singh also lost his Ambedkar Nagar seat after almost 60 years. He had won his first election in mid-1950s. He came third in his bastion which has been won by AAP's Ashok Kumar.

The longest serving elected representative in Delhi, Chaudhury Prem Singh lost his Ambedkar Nagar seat after almost 60 years.

Former Speaker and Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC) president Subhash Chopra lost from Kalkaji. Senior ministers in the Sheila Dikshit government Raj Kumar Chauhan from Mangol Puri, Dr. Yoganand Shastri from Mehrauli, Rama Kant Goswami from Rajinder Nagar, Dr. Kiran Walia from Malaviya Nagar have lost, sending shock waves across the Congress.

Two young Congress candidates with the National Students Union of India (NSUI) background Ragini Nayak from Janakpuri and Amrita Dhawan from Tilak Nagar have also lost.

One of the best known faces of the AAP and former television journalist Shazia Ilmi lost RK Puram seat by a mere 318 votes. Her brother Rashid Ilmi, who had contested against Shazia got just 99 votes.

BJP's chief ministerial candidate Dr. Harsh Vardhan won by over 43,000 votes in Krishna Nagar. Ministers in the Sheila government Arvinder Singh Lovely from Gandhi Nagar and Haroon Yousuf from Ballimaran have managed to win after a tough fight.

Senior MLA and former deputy speaker Shoib Iqbal retained his Matia Mahal seat for the 5th straight term. This time he contested on the JDU ticket.

The lone Independent candidate who managed to win is Rambir Shokeen from Mundka. Since the BJP does not have a clear majority in the Assembly, he is likely to hit the jackpot. Journalist-turned-AAP leader Manish Sisodia won from Patparganj. Anil Kumar Jha of the BJP has won by the biggest margin of over 49,000 votes in Kirari.

Source: IBN

Maoists threaten to kill Sushil Modi, Bihar BJP leaders

Maoists have put up posters in Jharkhand's Latehar district, threatening to kill top Bihar BJP leaders, including former deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi.

Modi along with party colleague and former minister Giriraj Singh have been advocating strong police action against Maoists in Bihar. The two leaders have alleged the Nitish Kumar government is soft on the Maoists who have recently carried out attacks in Bihar.

"We have recovered the posters that threaten to target Modi, Giriraj, Rajya Sabha MP C P Thakur and other BJP leaders," Latehar SP Michael S Raj said on Thursday. The posters have urged people not to come under the influence of these leaders because they are "fascists".

Police have sounded an alert in the district. "We have communicated to Bihar police," said additional SP Manish Kumar Bharti.

Police said the posters read, "Sampradayeek aur fascist party Bhajapa tatha khunkhar pratikriyawadiyo ke chakkar me na padey. Aam admi se anurodh hai ki samanti pratikriyawadi Sushil Kumar Modi, Giriraj Singh, C P Thakur and other leaders ko maar girayein (Do not get influenced by communal and fascist BJP. Common people are requested to kill feudal reactionaries Sushil, Giriraj, Thakur and other leaders)."

Latehar is close to Chatra district in Jharkhand where Maoists from Bihar allegedly take shelter. "It could be a possibility that the posters were meant to be used in Bihar, but the banned outfit's men inadvertently brought and pasted them here," a police officer said.

Three such posters and two banners were recovered from two different places on Wednesday. One poster said CPI(Maoist) has opened a recruitment cell each in all panchayats. "The posters invited schoolchildren to join the party," said the police officer.

Two Maoist posters were recovered from Deoghar district on Thursday. Police said the posters condemned police action against the Maoists and asked people to support their cause.

Source: TOI

Bihar launched birth registration campaign

Little girl plays with the globe on the table of the school principal....she is oblivious to the discussion her father is having with the principal about birth registration certificate.

The father is clueless of the registration process, its benefits and utility. Her face lights up when the principal turns to her and asks; 'what is your name.....timidly she responds'...Meena!

Meena like the millions of children in Bihar, are yet to get their birth registered. The directorate of Economics and Statistics under the department of Planning and Development, Bihar on Tuesday launched a birth registration campaign for 28 days. The campaign will be on for almost a month (until 31 December 2013).

The birth registration campaign is a state led unique initiative inaugurated by the chief minister Nitish Kumar. The campaign will cover all enrolled children in the rural primary and upper primary schools to have their birth registered. Altogether there are 71,000 schools in the state which will promote the birth registration campaign for a month, said a senior Bihar government official.

Unicef has technically supported the campaign design and products to stimulate demand and promote maximum coverage for birth registration. Dr Yameen Mazumder, chief of field office, UNICEF Bihar informed that the "birth registration campaign will go a long way in realizing the right of identity of children in Bihar".

Source: TOI

French Ambassador begins three-day visit to Bihar

The French Ambassador to India, Francois Richier, is on a three-day visit to Bihar from December 2. Looking to increase Indo-French participation in education, science and culture, the French Ambassador to India, Francois Richier, has made over 26 trips to 14 different cities across India since January this year.

Ambassador Richier will be in Bihar till December 4. From touring the site of the upcoming Nalanda International University with the university vice chancellor, Gopa Sabharwal, to meeting with students and faculty members at the National Institute of Technology in Patna, the Ambassador is hopeful that his meetings and interactions particularly in the field of academics will help increase Indian student and researcher numbers in France.

"We already have over 2,600 Indians studying in France and are keen to attract more such talent in the future and strengthen Indo-France partnerships in the field of education and research. Paris was voted as the world's best student city second year in a row by QS last month. So there are certainly plenty of excellent opportunities, support and facilities available for Indian academics and students in France," says Ambassador Richier, who will also be meeting with Bihar Chief Minister, Nitish Kumar during his trip to discuss areas of economic and political cooperation.

The French Ambassador will also engage with the cultural and academic community in Patna and exchange with scientific research institutes like the National Institute of Technology based in Patna on December 4.

Despite a packed schedule, the ambassador has set aside some time for sightseeing and will be visiting the Mahabodhi Temple at Bodh Gaya along with representatives of the Mahavira society that preserves this world heritage site.


Source: IT

BJP MLA adopts three gangrape survivors in Bihar

BJP MLA from Hajipur in Bihar Nityanand Rai in an unprecedented move has adopted three gangrape survivors and promised to bear their educational and medical expenses for life. The victims who belong to the backward class were sexually assaulted by local youths in September this year. Perhaps this is the first case in the state where a lawmaker has taken such a step. These rape victims are from Kajbati village falling under Bidupur block of Vaishali. All the three were sexually assaulted in broad day light triggering massive public outburst. Rai's effort has come as a ray of hope for these rape survivors who have promised to take care of the survivors educational and medical expenses for life. Speaking exclusively to Headlines Today-Aaj Tak, Rai said, "I have adopted three rape victims. I will bear expenses for their education and medical needs. I want to see them stand on their own feet. They are poor girls and they have been raped. My intention is to take good care of them after the trauma they have faced."

The rape survivors and their families have welcomed the support from the political quarter and demanded speedy arrest of the accused who are still absconding after the incident. One of the rape survivors Rita (name changed) spoke to Headlines Today-Aaj Tak and narrated her ordeal. She said, "The accused raped me and threatened me not to speak about this incident to anyone or else they would eliminate me and my family." Her parent said, "We are glad that the lawmaker will be taking care of my daughters from now on, we want the accused to be arrested at the earliest."

However, Rai's efforts has raised many a eyebrows in the ruling JD-U with leaders questioning the real intention of the lawmaker. Minister in Nitish Kumar govt, Ramai Ram said, "Why has he adopted the rape survivors has to be found out. We need to know what is his motive behind this. May be there is a political motive behind adopting the rape survivors."

Rai, on the other hand, slammed the Nitish Kumar administration for deteriorating law & order situation in the state because of which there has been spurt in cases of rapes. He also dismissed Ramai Ram's charges that his intentions were political behind rehabilitating the girls. Rai said, "The government only gives a small compensation when such incidents happen but such compensation are peanuts. I have taken a pledge to take care of them. There is no politics in this."

According to Bihar government's own reports, almost 900 rape cases have already been reported till September this year in comparison to 927 in 2012 and 934 in 2011. This is a clear indication on the rising trend of crime in Nitish's regime and politics is also being played over rape survivors for electoral gains ahead of 2014.

Source: IT

French Ambassador begins 3-day visit to Bihar

The French Ambassador to India, Francois Richier, has embarked on a three-day visit to Bihar starting today, the Embassy has said in a press statement.

This trip is part of a series of travels throughout India to expand the scope of Indo-French cooperation and develop joint, forward-looking projects in various fields, notably economic exchanges, education, science and culture.

The statement adds that the envoy will travel to Bodhgaya, Rajgir, Nalanda, Patna and Sonepur, to interact with various interest groups and eminent personalities in the State.

On December 3, Ambassador Richier will meet with the Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to discuss potential areas of cooperation while the following day the Envoy will have a meeting with various members of the Bihar business community in Patna. Until now, only a few French companies have started to engage with Bihar.

On December 3, the Ambassador will meet Gopa Sabharwal, Vice Chancellor, International University, Nalanda, and tour this site which has been the brainchild of India’s foremost economist and Nobel laureate Amartya Sen.

The French Ambassador will also engage with the cultural and academic community in Patna and exchange with scientific research institutes like the National Institute of Technology based in Patna on December 4.

NIT faculty and students have demonstrated outstanding ability and aptitude for research in areas in which France has developed fundamental research, strong expertise and high-end technology.

Source: BL

Fake currency gangs recruiting kids in Bihar

Militants and extremists have been known to recruit children to carry out their activities in strife-torn areas. Evidence emerged yesterday that children are also being deployed in fake Indian currency note (FICN) trade by international gangs.

Sleuths of the directorate of revenue intelligence (DRI), acting on a tip-off, on Thursday intercepted a bus coming from Siliguri in West Bengal at Chakia toll post near Muzaffarpur, about 90km north of Patna.

They were taken aback when the FICN carrier turned out to be a 14-year-old boy. The teenager, identified as a resident of Kumarbagh Chowk in West Champaran district, was carrying fake notes of Rs. 500 and Rs1000 denominations with a total face value of Rs. 1.06 lakh.

During interrogation, the boy broke down and revealed how one 'Dada' had handed over to him the FICN consignment to be carried to Motihari town in East Champaran district, where a person would be waiting to collect it.

He also confessed he had been a carrier a couple of times earlier as well. Not only that, a few other kids are also being used by the gang for such purposes, he said. The arrested boy was produced in Muzaffarpur economic offences court and sent to a remand home.

"This 'Dada' is a notorious FICN smuggler who operates from the India-Bangladesh border. He brings the fakes from Bangladesh and then circulates them across India," added the DRI official.

He said the children are recruited by these gangs believing security agencies won't suspect them.

"Moreover, these minors are often unaware about the gravity of the crime," said a DRI official.

He recalled how the DRI last August busted a gang that was using young girls to smuggle fake notes.

On March 21 this year, a 14-year-old boy was caught by the police while he was trying to circulate fake currency notes in Katihar town in north-east Bihar.

The boy was caught when he was trying to buy a mobile phone from a store.

"The shopkeeper grew suspicious when the boy demanded a very expensive mobile phone set and informed the town police," police said.

The boy was taken into custody and 20 fake currency notes of Rs. 500 denomination were recovered from him.

In the past too, children have been caught peddling fake currency. In October 2008, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) had nabbed two 15-year-old boys from Bihar at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus railway station for allegedly circulating counterfeit currency.

Fake notes of Rs. 1,07,500 lakh face value were seized from them.

In July 2009, the police in Devarajeevanahalli (Bangalore) had busted a fake currency racket and arrested a 14-year-old boy from Bihar who was allegedly part of the gang circulating counterfeit notes.

The police had said the gang members were from Motihari district of Bihar and had come to Bangalore to circulate fake notes in the IT hub under the garb of doing menial jobs. Fake notes of Rs. 500 denomination with a face value of Rs. 10 lakh were seized from them.

Revenue intelligence officials also said fake currency gangs were now smuggling small consignments to avoid detection and cut down losses in case the couriers are caught. An official said fake notes having a total face value of Rs18 lakh were recovered from nine persons so far this year.

Other agencies such as Bihar police, Sashastra Seema Bal and Narcotics Control Bureau have also seized fake notes with a face value of Rs. 20 lakh this year.

Source: HT

IIT-Delhi signs MOU with Bihar Bridge Corporation for traffic models

IIT-Delhi today entered into an agreement with the Bihar State Bridge Corporation for use of high speed traffic models in Patna to decongest the city's main roads of heavy vehicular density.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed today between the Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer (FITT) of IIT-Delhi and the Bihar State Bridge Development Corporation (BSBDC) in this regard, sources said.

As per the MOU, BSBDC can use Swap Based Traffic Interchange (SBTI) and GSUI (Grade Separated U-turn Interchange) models developed by IIT-Delhi, which will be used here for the first time in the country, BSBDC chairman Sanjeev Hans told reporters.

Hans said the foundation is going for a patent of the models and in future if somebody wants to opt for them, it has to approach the BSBDC.

According to a survey, the traffic density on this stretch of Bailey Road, which houses important government offices and where an international museum is also coming, is presently 2000 passenger car units. 

Source: ET

Portion of flyover collapses on goods train in Muzaffarpur

A portion of a flyover with vehicles passing through collapsed on a stationary goods train on Wednesday in Bihar’s Muzaffarpur town, injuring seven persons, railway and police sources said.

The 50-feet portion of the flyover caved in at Maripur area of the town, 90 km from state capital Patna, the sources said.

Senior officers are at the accident site, they said.

The injured have been admitted to the Sadar Hospital.

One more dies of 'mysterious' disease in Bihar; toll rises to 10

One more person has died, taking the toll to 10, due to a 'mysterious' disease in Sugauli Nagar Panchayat in east Champaran district, police said today.

35-year-old Jainarayan Raut succumbed at his home last night, Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) P K Mandal said.

An autopsy was carried out, but it failed to specify the cause of Raut's death, he said.

Nine persons, including two women, had died in Bahrupia and Phulwaria villages on Sunday following the outbreak of the mysterious disease as some villagers had cremated the body of one Rita Devi on their own without informing local police, Mandal said.

East Champaran district's civil surgeon Meera Verma said that the post-mortem report was awaited to ascertain the cause of death of the victims.

The viscera of the bodies will be kept at hospital for further investigation, she said.

Former Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi claimed that cause of death is consumption of hooch and accused the JD(U) government of suppressing facts.

Source: TOI

Bihar-UP: Why doesn't Bollywood look beyond crime stories?

UP and Bihar became the beneficiaries of paradigm shift in Bollywood during the 2000s. These apparently less sophisticated states were taken to the prominence by the filmmakers who hailed from the other side of North India. First, Delhi became the new Mumbai and then the story travelled towards the east. Of course, this was not happening for the first time, but it was definitely more authoritative and prominent than before. Some technically sound filmmakers were trying to bring crime affected areas to the spotlight, and the multiplex audience felt thrilled on the prospect of experiencing the juicy-scandalous underbelly of rural India.

Most of these films received positive comments from critics as they brought-out a relatively lesser known side of Indian economy and socio-political structure. These films were based on the themes that fulfilled all the criteria of a 'Mumbaiyya' pot-boiler. Some smart screenplay writing paved way for the perfect combination of songs, drama and item numbers. Prakash Jha's 'Apaharan' holds an important space in this regard as it gave the illusion of being a realistic film in spite of following the formula system.

Probably, it was director Kabeer Kaushik's 'Sehar' (2005) that ventured into the world of crime with a different perspective for the first time. There were films including the likes of 'Mrityudand', 'Shool' and 'Gangaajal' already existing in the Hindi film industry, but they didn't explore the world of crime as much as 'Sehar' did. Said to be based on real incidents, the film decoded the threads of organised crime in an innovative way, where the audience felt that the criminals had their reasons of behaving in a certain manner. What 'Mrityudand' started was established by 'Sehar'.


UP and Bihar became the beneficiaries of paradigm shift in Bollywood during the 2000s.

Then a series of films released which centred on and around characters with dark shades. From 'Omkara' to recently released 'Ishaqzaade', the same cynical characters were presented in new cocoons. Filmmakers such as Anurag Kashyap and Tigmanshu Dhulia presented all facets of the dice via their critically-commercially acclaimed films. 'Haasil', 'Gangs of Wasseypur', 'Ishqiya' and 'Dabangg' travelled to deep East and churned out protagonists who had larger than life aura. Occasionally, we saw 'Tanu Weds Manu' or 'Raanjhanaa', but their presence was really limited.

Does that mean Bihar-UP are short on stories, apart from crime stories, that are worth telling on the celluloid?

It must not be the case because life changing experiences are taking place everywhere. If Delhi can be presented in a new light, then these states too can be shown from a new angle.

Are these places not glamorous?

Go for it even if the stories lack in glamorous elements. Who would have thought of 'Paan Singh Tomar' as the film it eventually turned out! The audience is ready for all sorts of well told stories now, so you can target them with some inconvenient truths. A rightly paced story is any day more welcome than a lethargic-uselessly glossy film.

Who would be interested in these stories?

Every person who is fond of good cinema. Haven't we appreciated 'Hazaaron Khwahishein Aisi' and 'Daamul' in the past.

If Salim-Javed could single handedly snatch away the charm of Mumbai and take it to towns like Benares and Allahabad then the new writers can also do the same, the conditions are certainly more favourable now.

It's the time to move on from crime stories and to bring new themes to the forefront. From a biopic to an avant-garde film, it could be anything.

It won't be an attempt to propagate the feel good theory, and the reality should be portrayed, but do you think crime is the only reality of these states? The feel, charm, culture and appeal of Northern India are way beyond just crime stories. I hope the producers are listening.

Source: IBN

93 schoolgirls sexually harassed for over four hours in train: reports

93 schoolgirls were allegedly sexually harassed in a train by a group of men for over four hours in the early hours of Sunday, reports say.

The students were traveling from Patna to Dhanbad, along with three teachers, after attending an environmental camp.

At around 10 pm on Saturday, when the girls boarded their train, the Ganga Damodar Express, at the Patna station, they reportedly found their seats taken by a large group of men.

The students reportedly went to the railway police, who did not take any action but told them to board the train, saying the men would vacate the seats.

But when the train started moving at 11:40 pm, the men not only stayed put, they allegedly started harassing the girls. When the teachers tried to stop them, they were also allegedly assaulted and slapped.

The girls reportedly huddled together as the men grabbed at them and allegedly molested them. No train staff or passenger came forward to help, according to reports.

The relentless assault went on for four hours until the men got off the train at the Koderma station, nearly 150 km from Patna.

According to reports, the teachers and the girls will file a police complaint at Dhanbad today.

Source: NDTV

Bihar gets ATS, after Bodh Gaya, Patna blasts

After serial bomb blasts in Patna and Bodh Gaya, Bihar is set to have its own Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and the state government has appointed its first inspector general (IG), officials said on Friday.

"The much-awaited Bihar ATS will be a reality soon, as the state government has finally initiated the move to set it up with the appointment of senior IPS (Indian Police Service) officer Paresh Saxena as IG of the ATS," an official in the chief minister's office said.

The appointment was made on Thursday.

The process for the selection of personnel and their training will soon get underway, the official said.

The ATS will have, besides the IG, a deputy inspector general, a superintendent of police, deputy superintendent of police and six sub-inspectors. The government has cleared 344 posts for the ATS.

Officials said the ATS would cost Rs 18.13 crore, each year.

Early this month, Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar had announced that the process of setting up the ATS had begun.

The state cabinet approved a proposal to set up the ATS after the July 7 serial bomb blasts at the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya.

Ten bombs had exploded at or in the vicinity of the temple, and two Buddhist monks were injured. Three live bombs were recovered and defused that day.

The Mahabodhi Temple - a Unesco World Heritage Site - is where the Buddha, born in neighbouring Nepal, attained enlightenment around 2,550 years ago.

On October 27, ahead of a rally to be addressed by Bharatiya Janata Party's prime minister candidate and Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi, blasts went off in the state capital, leaving seven dead, including a suspected bomber.

Source: TOI

Samastipur district at a glance

Samastipur is a district in Bihar which is spread over an area of 2904 sq. kms. Samastipur is bounded on the north by the Bagmati River which separates it from Darbhanga district. On the west it is bordered by Vaishali and some part of Muzaffarpur district, on the south by the Ganges, while on its east it has Begusarai and some part of Khagaria district. The district headquarters is located at Samastipur. The people of Samastipur mainly speak Hindi. According to the 2011 census, Population Density in the District is 1465 per sq.km. and the total population is 4.25 million. The district comprises of 4 sub-divisions, and 20 Community Development Blocks. It has 5 towns and 1248 villages.

Infrastructure wise Samastipur is very strong. It is the Divisional Headquarters of the North Eastern railway. The district has direct train links with Patna, Kolkata, Delhi, Dhanbad, Jamshedpur and other places of importance. National Highway No. 28 passes through the district.

History of Samastipur

As per district Gazetteers, Darbhanga, pages 33 to 34 Darbhanga under the Oinwaras (1325-1525 AD), After a temporary period of instability, Darbhanga came under the control of the Oinwaras, also known as the Kameshwara Thakur or Sugauna Dynasty. These Hindu Chiefs were left undisturbed by the Muslim conquerors, who has by now conquered the whole of Mithila and whose exploits are indicated. The Oinwara Dynasty is noted for their encouragement of leaning and fine arts and their court served as the centre of Sanskrit belle's letters and philosophy. Among the prominent scholars of age were Gadadhara, Sankara, Vachaspati Mishra, Vidyapati, Amartakara and Amiykara. Kameshwara, the founder of dynasty, was resident of village Oini, near Pusa Road, in the District of Darbhanga. When Hazi Ilyas of Bengal divided Torhut into two parts, the Oinwara Raja shifted his Capital to Sugauna near Madhubani. The southern part of the district was under Hazi Ilyas and the northern part under the Oinwaras. The modern subdivision of Samastipur (originally Shamsuddinpur) was founded by Hazi Shamsuddin Ilyas of West Bengal.

Samastipur became a district in 1972 when it was split from Darbhanga district.

Geography of Samastipur

Samastipur district occupies an area of 2,904 square kilometres (1,121 sq mi), [2] comparatively equivalent to Indonesia's Muna Island.[3] Samastipur is bounded on the north by the Bagmati River which separates it from Darbhanga district. On the west it is bordered by Vaishali and some part of Muzaffarpur district, on the south by the Ganges, while on its east it has Begusarai and some part of Khagaria district. The district headquarters is located at Samastipur.

Rivers 

Samastipur is traversed by a number of rivers including Budhi Gandak, Baya, Kosi, Kamla, Kareh and Jhamwari and Balan, which are both the offshoots of Burhi Gandak. The Ganges also skirts the district on the south.

Agriculture of Samastipur

Samastipur is rich in agriculture, because of its fertile plain. Tobacco, maize, rice and wheat are the main crops. Leechi and mango fruits are grown in abundance. There is a jute mill in Samsastipur at Muktapur Village. This is very famous jute mill (Rameshwar Jute Mill), employing around 5000 people. Shekhopur is one of the best agricultural villages and it also has famous temple, Bhagwatisthan at Manipur. Samastipur has many a sugar mills which make it a prominent player in state's sugar production.

Samastipur is major producer of potatoes. There are more than 20 cold storages in the district, all storing potatoes and total capacity is 650000 quintles.

Samastipur has also in race of consuming fertilizers.

Language & Culture of Samastipur

Culture of Samastipur is simple, beautiful & secular . It has an old tradition of folk songs & folk Famous Mithila paintings, sung and done during festival and important social occasions like marrige &birth ceremonies . Several folk dance form also practised as Kathghorwa nach , natua nach dom domin and jhijhia . Famous Sama chakeva and Dom kach is also practised as a culture in this area, Bhat dal & aaloo chokha is the happiest meal for every being & dhoti kurta for man & sari and salwar kurti for women is regular dress to wear!
People of Samastipur mainly speak Hindi, Maithili & Angika languages.

Famous Temples

Thaneshwar Temple is a very famous tample of Lord Shiva, and is situated at the heart of the city. Other new temples are also popping up. There are numerous other temples as well. A very famous temple 'KHUDNESHWAR STHAN' is also there situated in the village MORWA (RAYTOL).

Durga temple in Kessopatti is one of the oldest temple. Every year on the eve of Durga Puja pilgrims come for worship. VIDYAPATI BALESHWAR Sthan (Shiva Temple) is one of the famous temple at Vidyapatinagar. Vidyapatinagar is known as the Nirvana sthali of the great Saint & Poet Vidyapati. Dekari, in Dalsinghsarai subdivision, is the place where vidypathi took his last breath.

Manipur bhagwatisthan is one of the oldest and lively durga temple in Shekhopur, Samastipur. People come in numbers to pray lordess durga everyday from far off places. This place makes realise your dream, takes away your sin. It is said that it is more than 200 years old temple and Panditji is a very learned Brahmin in samastipur.

KHUDNESWAR SIVA Temple located 17 km form Samastipur near Morwa block is unique example of Hindu-Muslim unity. In side the temple within a distance of few meters there is majar of Khudno Bibi along with Sivling. Temple is presently under renovation by local society members. During Mahasivratri festival religious crowd from all corners of district are visiting this place for the prayer. Famous kali temple in samastipur district situated in hrail village in mohiuddinnagar block just beside of babu nathuni singh house.

Demographics

Description	2011	2001
Actual Population	4,254,782	3,394,793
Male	2,228,432	1,760,692
Female	2,026,350	1,634,101
Population Growth	25.33%	25.63%
Area Sq. Km	2904	2904
Density/Sq.2	1465	1169
Proportion to Bihar Population	4.10%	4.09%
Sex Ratio (Per 1000)	909	928
Child Sex Ratio (0-6 Age)	941	938
Average Literacy	63.81	45.13
Male Literacy	73.09	57.59
Female Literacy	53.52	31.67
Total Child Population (0-6 Age)	784,203	711,168
Male Population (0-6 Age)	404,068	366,978
Female Population (0-6 Age)	380,135	344,190
Literates	2,214,498	1,211,152
Male Literates	1,333,406	802,593
Female Literates	881,092	408,559
Child Proportion (0-6 Age)	18.43%	20.95%
Boys Proportion (0-6 Age)	18.13%	20.84%
Girls Proportion (0-6 Age)	18.76%	21.06%
Description	Rural	Urban
Population (%)	96.54%	3.46
Total Population	4,107,725	147,057
Male Population	2,150,966	77,466
Female Population	1,956,759	69,591
Sex Ratio	910	898
Child Sex Ratio (0-6)	942	897
Child Population (0-6)	764,004	20,199
Male Child (0-6)	393,421	10,647
Female Child (0-6)	370,583	9,552
Literates	2,110,007	104,491
Male Literates	1,274,768	58,638
Female Literates	835,239	45,853
Average Literacy	63.10 %	82.37 %
Male Literacy	72.53 %	87.76 %
Female Literacy

Documentary on George Orwell being shot in Bihar

Shooting of the first documentary film on legendary British author George Orwell began at his birthplace in Motihari town of Bihar Wednesday, the head of a committee dedicated to the commemoration of the author said.

"This is the first time that a documentary is being shot on George Orwell, to draw attention to his birth place and promote it as a tourism destination," said Debapriya Mukherjee, who heads the George Orwell Commemorative Committee.

Mukherjee said the documentary film was directed by noted filmmaker Vishwajeet Mukherjee.

"The documentary would focus on Orwell's birthplace in Motihari, and the close relationship the author had with Mahatma Gandhi and his first Satyagraha movement," he said.

Motihari is the district headquarters of East Champaran, the site of Gandhi's first Satyagraha or rights movement in 1917, which was a protest against the exorbitant taxes imposed on indigo farmers by the British government. That movement came to be known as the Champaran Satyagraha.

Vishwajeet Mukherjee is assisted by a team of technical experts from Mumbai. The documentary will be of 25 minutes' duration.

The director said he has used material from the library of Delhi University in his research. He also contacted members of Orwell's family living in England, and interviewed them for the documentary.

Debapriya Mukherjee told IANS over telephone that his film would focus on the neglected birthplace of George Orwell.

The state government has declared the house in which Orwell was born June 25, 1903, a monument under the Ancient Monuments Act.

The house now lies dilapidated, and stray cattle graze in its premises.

"The structure has become a hub of anti-social elements, drunkards, gamblers, urchins and beggars," a district official said.

Eric Arthur Blair shot to fame under the pen name of George Orwell in the mid-20th century with his novels "Animal Farm" and "1984".

Orwell's father was in the Indian Civil Service, serving the British colonial government.

No toilet? Can’t contest Bihar local body polls, Nitish Kumar says

Those not having a toilet in their home will not be allowed to contest panchayat or urban local body elections in Bihar.

Announcing this at a World Toilet Day function on Tuesday, chief minister Nitish Kumar said the state government will bring the necessary amendments to the Bihar Panchayati Raj Act and other statutes governing the elections of urban bodies to raise public awareness about the benefits of toilets in houses.

Kumar said the central government aimed to construct 1.11 crore toilets in the state, but government records show over two crore families do not have a toilet in their home. "I personally request every financially capable person, including those associated with governmental institutions, to get toilets constructed on their premises," the CM said at the function, which was organized by the rural development and public health engineering department.

Initially, the Centre's Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan was designed to cover only below poverty line families but the state government brought even above poverty line families within its ambit, he said.

Without naming any politician, Kumar said the concept of giving priority to the construction of toilets over temples was implemented in Bihar in 2007. "Some leaders are now highlighting the importance of toilets," he said in a reference to his Gujarat counterpart Narendra Modi. "It must be mentioned that I personally created awareness about the benefits of toilets on residential premises during the Vikas Yatra and other public meetings from 2007 to 2009."

The chief minister said the panchayats that achieve the 100% target of constructing toilets will be given the Nirmal Gram Panchayat prize of Rs 5 lakh each. The Nirmal Prakhand award will carry Rs25 lakh in prize for blocks for conducting a cleanliness drive.

Rural development minister Nitish Mishra said the government has given priority to constructing toilets in houses across the state and will soon achieve the goal of constructing one toilet in each house.

Source: TOI

Sachin Tendulkar, gets new temple in Bihar by Bhojpuri film star Manoj Tiwari

Sachin Tendulkar, the most celebrated cricketer in India, who is worshipped as the "God of cricket" by his millions of fans, is now all set to get a temple in Bihar in his honour. The temple, which has been built in Bihar's Kaimur district has been dedicated as a tribute to Tendulkar with a "life-sized statue" for his immense contribution and wonderful career in cricket. 

The decision to erect the temple for Sachin was taken by Bhojpuri actor and singer Manoj Tiwari, who is an ardent fan of Sachin. The white marble statue was erected amid the chanting of Vedic prayers in Atarwalia, the village of Manoj Tiwari in Kaimur district. "It is a small gesture for the 'God of Cricket'," Manoj Tiwari said. "It is a small gesture for the 'God of Cricket'," Tiwari told media in the village. Tiwari said Tendulkar, who played his last cricket match for India against West Indies in Mumbai, was "an incarnation of God in the world of cricket". 

Sachin bid farewell to his long cricket- career at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Saturday. In an emotional speech, Sachin thanked everyone from his family to his fans for supporting him and giving him so much love. Soon after his retirement, the centre government announced that the India's highest civilian honour, "Bharat Ratna" will be conferred to the cricketer legend.

SONEPUR MELA; The largest animal Fair of ASIA, opens today

Harihar Kshetra Mela, the largest cattle fair of Asia, will kick off at Sonepur on Saturday. Organized jointly by the Bihar Tourism and the Saran and Vaishali district administration, the fair, popularly known as Sonepur fail, would conclude on December 17.

"We expect over seven lakh visitors on Kartik Poornima on Saturday," state tourism department's principal secretary Bimbadhar Pradhan said at a press conference on Friday. A colourful cultural programme organized to coincide with the inauguration would begin at 5pm.

Various infrastructure schemes worth over Rs 162 lakh have been taken up at Sonepur to improve the tourism facilities. Development and beautification of the mela area (Rs 148.89 lakh), expansion of stage (Rs 5.11 lakh) and construction of toilets and water supply (Rs 8.79 lakh) are some of the major facilities provided at the fair venue. "Vaishali police have made adequate security arrangements, deploying cops both in uniform and mufti at the venue," Pradhan said.

For the promotion of the mela, hoardings and advertisements have been put up at the Delhi airport, in Delhi Metro Rail and also in Air India's in-flight magazine 'Shubh Yatra'. The department is also doing publicity of the fair through ads on TV and in cinema halls.

As many as 20 Swiss cottages have been made for the tourists and 33 retro reflective signage have been installed to guide the tourists at the fair venue," said Pradhan. The tourism department has also published a souvenir to highlight the different aspects and facets of mela.

However, the department is a little sceptic about the footfall owing to the ongoing India International Trade Fair (IITF) at Pragati Maidan in Delhi. "IITF can hold back our tourists, but we want to develop Sonepur mela like Surajkund craft mela organized in Haryana and Pushkar cattle fair in Rajasthan," Pradhan said.

The tourism department is organizing various cultural programmes, aqua sports, adventure sports and competitions throughout the month. These events include kabaddi, boat race and horse race. The department is also planning to hold a camel race this year.

Ganga Maha Aarti will be organized every Tuesday and Saturday from November 19 to December 17 at 6pm at Pul Ghat, Sonepur. Ramleela and discourses will be organized every evening from November 18 to December 26 at Baba Hariharnath Temple at Sonepur at 6.30pm.

Panic buying of salt in Bihar

There was panic buying of salt in four Bihar districts following rumours which led to the arrest of three persons and left the state food and consumer affairs minister Shyam Rajak blaming opposition BJP for it.

"An unsubstantiated rumour has spread in Darbhanga, Sitamarhi, Samastipur and Madhubani districts about shortage of salt in the market due to reduced supply of the commodity from Gujarat prompting the consumers to panic and buy it for Rs 70 per kg at some places," he told reporters at a hurriedly convened press conference.

Three persons were arrested for spreading rumours about shortage of salt after he directed officials of the affected districts to probe the situation and crack down on the hoarders, Rajak said.

The arrested persons have been booked under provisions of Essential Commodities Act and were being interrogated by local police officers, Rajak said.

The department officers made public announcements about abundant availability of salt in the market at prescribed rates and consumers stopped the panic buying, he said.

Rajak lashed out at BJP for spreading the rumour to destabilize the JD(U) government in Bihar.

"The BJP and its affiliate organizations are proven masters of rumour mongering and the rumour about shortage of salt was no exception," he said and warned the opposition party of stern action if its involvement was proved.

Source: TOI

Bihar-Nepal border to be sealed from Nov 17 to 19

Owing to Constituency Assembly Election in Nepal on November 19, DM Aditya Kumar Das has ordered to seal the 114-km-long Bihar - Nepal border, through Thakurganj, Dighalbank and Terhagachh blocks in Kishanganj district, from November 17 to 19.

The decision was taken following a letter from Jhapa chief district officer (CDO) issued on October 28. The DM has also ordered rigorous checking of vehicles by police forces on both sides of the border to check any flow of arms and ammunition besides liquor. The border police have also been asked to keep a tab on the movement of nefarious and antisocial elements along the border.

Meanwhile, Purnia Range DIG Parasnath, talking to newsmen here on Wednesday, said police are taking all possible preventive measures in view of turmoil in poll-bound Himalayan nation where an indefinite strike has been called by Communist Party of Nepal (Maoists). Replying to a query regarding alert sounded by Bihar police in the wake of Patna serial blasts, the Purnia Range DIG said, "Though we are alert, there is no specific input from anywhere across the division about the antinational operatives."

As regards the spurt in sexual assault on minor girls as well as atrocities on women under Purnia division, the DIG said these incidents, more than policing, are related to the change in outlook and mindset of the society in these vastly changing times. "The parents and guardians will have to take a call in rearing up their children in this regard," he said.

The DIG, who came here to review probe into embezzlement and fraud in the slew of government schemes like MNREGA and Indira Awas Yojna (IAY), said the investigating officers ( IOs) and the SDPOs and others have been directed to peruse such cases minutely and scrutinize the evidences collected in this connection.

Source: TOI

Bihar BJP invites Narendra Modi to contest LS polls from state

The state unit of BJP has invited party's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi to contest from any Lok Sabha seat in Bihar, a senior leader said on Wednesday.

"We have invited Modi to contest from any Lok Sabha seat in Bihar during the next general elections," former deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi told reporters here.

All our sitting MPs are keen to vacate their seats to enable Modi to contest from any Lok Sabha seat, he said, adding, "We will ensure that Modi wins hands down from any seat in Bihar during the next general elections."

A formal proposal has been sent to the BJP leadership apprising about the sentiments of the BJP state leadership and workers on Modi contesting from Bihar, but a final decision would be taken by the party's parliamentary board, he said.

The Bihar BJP's invite to Modi to contest the general elections from the state comes a day after a proposal was sent to him requesting him to visit the state for a third time to address public meetings between December-end and mid-January next year.

Modi had recently visited Bihar twice within a span of a week - first to address the party's 'Hunkar Rally' at the Gandhi Maidan on October 27 last which was marred by serial blasts claiming six lives and second, to express condolences to the kins of the blasts victims on November 2 last.

Source: TOI

EC issues notice to Narendra Modi for his 'khooni panja' remark

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) prime ministerial candidate and Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi has been issued a notice by the Election Commission for an alleged model code of conduct violation over his "khooni panja" remark. The Election Commission has asked Modi to explain by 5 pm on November 16 why action should not be initiated against him for the alleged model code of conduct violation.

The notice was issued on a complain by the Congress party which sought stern action against Modi for his "khooni panja" barb against the party.

In its communication to Chief Election Commissioner VS Sampath, Congress accused BJP's prime ministerial candidate of making "intemperate, malicious and defamatory" remarks by referring to the hand symbol, allotted by the Commission to Congress, as "Khooni Panja" and "Jalim Haath".

"The use of the expression 'khooni panja' is extremely significant and deplorable and has an effect of terrorising the public at large against Congress," the party had said in its petition.

The Congress move to approach the EC came days after the Election Commission notice to the party Vice-President Rahul Gandhi over his remark that Pakistani intelligence agency ISI was in touch with some victims of Muzaffarnagar violence.

After BJP's petition to EC in this regard, Rahul Gandhi was served a notice to which he had replied on Friday stating that he had not violated the model code of conduct.

Congress also sent to the EC a DVD of Modi's speech at Dongargarh in Chhattisgarh in which he had made the remarks as well as clippings of a newspaper report.

The party also sent the EC, the text of Modi's speech in which the BJP leader had said, "Yadi aap chahte hain ki Chattisgarh ke upar kisi khooni panje ka saya na pade to aap sabhi kamal mein button dabana aur Chhattisgarh ko khooni panje se bachana. (If you want that the shadow of bloodied hand does not fall on Chattisgarh, press the button on Lotus)"

The party has alleged that Modi had gone on to say - "Jalim hatho mein Chattisgarh ko dena chahate ho?.... Galti se bhee jalim panja ke hatho me Chattisgarh nahi jane dena." (Do you want to give away Chattisgarh to brutal hands....Don't let Chhatisgarh slip into the grip of brutal hands even by mistake)."

Source: IBN

Thai commandos guard 300 kg gold for Mahabodhi temple

Two dozen commandos from Thailand are guarding nearly 300 kg gold in 13 boxes in Bihar's Bodh Gaya town as work began to cover the dome of 1,500-year old Mahabodhi temple in glitter.

The much awaited work to gold-plate the dome is being carried out by a team of technical experts from Thailand, officials said.

Two days after the 289 kg gold, donated by Buddhist devotees from Thailand, was brought at Bodh Gaya in a special plane from Bangkok, technical experts have finally started the work under tight security in and around the temple, said N. Dorjee, secretary of the Bodh Gaya temple management committee.

"It is a happy moment for all of us that the spire of the temple will get a glittering look with gold," Dorjee said.

Arvind Kumar Singh, a member of the committee, said the work by experts from Thailand is being videographed since it involves handling gold.

"A 40-member team, including a dozen experts and two dozen commandos, from Thailand arrived at Bodh Gaya with gold in 13 boxes to complete the work in 40 to 50 days," Singh said.

He said the team is led by Thailand's former deputy prime minister General Pricha.
"About 24 Thailand commandos are providing security to the gold boxes kept in the temple premises," Singh said.

The district administration too has deployed additional security to safeguard the gold.

Thailand-based company Kreing Thavorn Containers Co. Ltd. is carrying out the work.
Dorjee said last year Thailand's King Bhumibol Atulya took the decision to cover the dome of the temple with gold.

But it took some time to get clearance from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for the work. The ASI officials will also provide technical supervision for the gold inlay work.

A special prayer will be held under the holy Bodhi tree behind the main temple Nov 16 in which around 500 devotees from Thailand, including those who donated gold, are likely to participate, Dorjee said.

According to him, the first phase of the work involving chemical treatment was completed in August to prepare the foundation for gold plating.

"Now stairs have been installed around the temple's dome to enable experts to reach the top of the structure to inlay it with thin gold sheet," he said.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has also shown keen interest in the work.
A string of low-intensity bombs exploded in the temple complex in July. But there were no casualties and no damage was caused to the structure.

The ancient 180 feet structure of the Mahabodhi temple is estimated to have been built between the 5th and 6th century AD. It was lost and rediscovered in the 19th century by Alexander Cunningham, who founded the ASI in 1861.

The Mahabodhi temple is the holiest pilgrimage centre for Buddhists from around the world. It marks the place where Lord Gautama is believed to attained his enlightenment, turning him into the Buddha.