Bihar to set up road development authority

Bihar has decided to set up a road development authority to speed up construction of roads in a state where infrastructure is in pitiful shape. According to official sources, the idea of setting up the Bihar State Road Development Authority (BSRDA) was mooted during a meeting on road construction chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar over the weekend. "The chief minister directed that BSRDA be set up to monitor the construction of roads across the state," an official said. Road Construction Minister Nand Kishor Yadav said: "Officials have been asked to constitute the BSRDA soon." BSRDA would be a small body comprising technical and management experts and would have independent financial and administrative powers. It would be entrusted with the power to acquire land for road construction. Bihar is notorious for poor road connectivity. Most of the existing roads and highways are believed to be in a bad condition. This is despite budget allocations that run into billions of rupees. Last year the Patna High Court rapped the government on its failure to improve the condition of roads. In January again, the court directed the government to start building roads at the earliest and submit a report by March. The slow pace of road construction in Bihar is also attributed to threats criminal gangs mete out to construction firms. Last week, two engineers of Narsingh Constructions were killed in Madhepura, 200 km from Patna, for not paying an extortion of Rs 10 million.

Bihar's HIV-positive people on AIDS awareness mission

A group of HIV-positive men and women in Bihar have embarked on a mission to create mass awareness about the deadly disease AIDS.

Fighting their fate, the members of Bihar Network for People Living with HIV/AIDS Society have shed their initial inhibitions and have launched a programme against the disease, which has about 5.7 million victims in the country.

"We have become victims of HIV/AIDS because we were ignorant. So, we are working among the people to create awareness about HIV/AIDS. There are poor people who do not know anything about AIDS," says Kailash Bhagat, a member of the society who discovered his HIV positive status around eight years ago.

The organisation, which claims to have 1,600 members, also regularly distributes condoms to hawkers, beggars and destitute, particularly in poorer neighbourhoods of capital Patna.

"We are distributing condoms because we don't want anyone else to become a victim of this disease," said Seema, the treasurer of the organization.

Official figures say the virus has affected 1,078 people of the 83-million population of Bihar, though it is contested by health workers, who say the figures are highly under-reported.

UNAIDS says Bihar is vulnerable to the disease due to poverty and large-scale migration from the state.

Ten percent of the world's HIV-positive population is in India, according to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, a partnership that raises money to combat the deadliest global diseases.

British oil major set to begin survey in Bihar

British exploration major Cairn Energy Search Ltd (CESL) is set to begin a survey in Bihar's Ganges basin for oil and natural gas Monday afternoon, the first such exploration in the state.

The CESL and its sister concern, Cairn Energy Search India Ltd, which has been given a seven-year license, will begin the survey in the basin, which comprises 13 districts spread over 15,500 sq km.


'The much-awaited work for exploration would formally start with launching of an aero magnetic survey by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar,' Energy Minister Vijendra Prasad Yadav said Monday.

A specially designed and high-tech airplane was hired from Canada Sunday for conducting the survey, sources in the state mines and geological department said.

Official sources said the exploration project had got clearance from all central ministries, including defence, petroleum, civil aviation and atomic energy as well as the Geological Survey of India.

According to independent estimates, reserves in the Ganges basin, known locally as Purina basin, could be as high as 465 million tonnes of crude and natural gas.

Experts say the reserves can be tapped after drilling up to 4,400 metres. The government will get 10 percent royalty for every tonne extracted. The Edinburgh-based exploration firm had proposed the project three years ago but it got delayed due to various reasons.

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/20228.html

Stop the bias against Bihar-Sign this petition

Here we are in 2007 , embarking in this New Year with great hope and conviction to take our country to new heights. We are talking about world being flat and information being power, we are talking about tele density and broadband penetration but alas we still come across horrific incidents where people are being killed for just being Bihari.By destiny they were born as Bihari and that become the cause of their gruesome killing.

The recent gruesome of killing of Biharis in Assam by ULFA militants is yet another incident which shows the kind of bias which exits in our Country against Bihar and Biharis.So how do we react to this as a Bihari and citizens of this country?

How do we express our anguish and pain when our fellow country men are being killed for being Bihari ? Following the great tradition of this great country we humbly submit our petition to all , please spare a moment for the cause of the bereaved soul and lodge your protest against this incident in strongest possible word. Let’s hope and pray that incidents like these are never repeated and also express our solidarity with the family members of the bereaved ones.

I have started this petition drive to ensure that we raise our voice against this act of cowardice. I'll request you all to send this link to all your friends and relatives and request them to sign this petition, let's try and ensure that each Bihari put his protest against this heinous act.


http://www.petitiononline.com/1bihar/petition.html

MAHINDRA, SONALIKA & MAX HEALTHCARE LINE UP SIZEABLE INVESTMENTS IN STATE

INVESTMENTs are making their way into Bihar after a long hiatus. While the Mahindra & Mahindra group is planning to set up a food processing plant in the state, Sonalika Tractors is all set to invest Rs 130 crore in a tractor plant.

That’s not all. According to state officials, Max Healthcare chairman Analjit Singh is in talks with them to set up a multispecialty hospital.

“We have approved allotment of land to Sonalika Tractors. Other two proposals being processed,” a senior Bihar government official told ET. M&M is planning to set up an agroprocessing plant for litchi in Bihar. The state boasts of 71% of India’s total litchi produce.

For enabling private sector investment in the state, the Bihar government has already created a land bank.

“The companies interested in investing in the state, may approach the land bank and according to their need, they may select any plot,” said the official. The state has also set up a revolving fund of Rs 200 crore for encouraging investments in the state. The government has already lined up 1,000 acres at Bihtaand and Hazipur and 200 acres in Begusarai.

The state government has also introduced new Industrial Incentive Policy to woo companies. “The policy provides for 80% VAT exemption for 10 years. It also provides for exempting start ups from luxury tax for at least seven years,” the official said.

It is understood that the state government is keen on Max’s proposal. “Good health care facilities are the need of hour for the state,” he said. According to recent All Indian Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) estimates, about 70% of the population in Bihar often visit the hospital for treatment.

BIHAR to Bring Bill to set up University in NALANDA

The Bihar government has decided to bring a bill to set up a university in Nalanda, an ancient seat of learning.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has said that his government would place the bill in the state assembly.

"The government is ready with the draft. But it will act as a facilitator and not a coordinator," he said.

The government has allotted funds for the project, land acquisition is on and construction is likely to begin soon, officials said.

`Correct unequal distribution of medical colleges' Kumar (Dr.Ajay) and Kumar ( Nitish) Join hands

The newly elected president of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) Dr. Ajay Kumar and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar joined hands in making common cause over the discrimination in granting permission for opening new medical colleges across the country.

Soon after taking over as the president of the IMA Dr. Kumar, a noted urologist here, demanded that the Centre take measures to correct the unequal distribution of medical colleges and adhere to the recommendation of the Mudaliar Committee in this regard.

He said that Bihar had just eight medical colleges accounting for just one medical college for a population of one crore as against States like Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat which had as many as 40, 19, 29, 35, and 43 medical colleges respectively spread over a population of 1. 3 million to 3.6 million population.

The Chief Minister who attended the function, and felicitated the newly installed chief, hoped that the IMA and the Medical Council of India would do their best to take note of this discrimination and work to help States like Bihar and others which were not permitted to open new medical colleges.

Mr. Kumar said that the State Government would open more colleges on its own and also invite private players to cater to the needs of medical students of the State who were forced to go to other States for a degree.

The IMA chief was also critical of the United Progressive Alliance Government at the Centre in impinging on the MCI status as an autonomous body, which he pointed out, was against its proclamation in its electoral manifesto. He condemned the move as undemocratic.

He also demanded the constitution of the Medical Grants Commission on the lies of University Grants Commission for selection of medical teachers and granting them pay parity.

Dance Competition to Benefit Visually-Impaired People

Cine star turned Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Shatrughan Sinha, on Tuesday at Bhartiya Nritya Kala Mandir in Patna, inaugurated the three-day all-India dance competition sponsored by the Bihar Netraheen Parishad in association with the state art and culture department by lighting a candle at the event venue.

"Before we create temples or mosques, we should build temples to honor human beings," Sinha said in his inaugural speech while urging people to continue to work hard for the welfare of the blind people in the nation.

Meanwhile, dozens of participants, several with complete visual deficiency, from across the nation took part in dance competition impressing the judges as well as the audience.

Bihar Art and Culture Minister Janardan Singh Sigriwal said the NDA government in the state was sensitive to the needs of people with visual impairment.

Noted eye specialist Dr. Ajit Sinha, in his speech, said this was the first time such competition was being held in Bihar.

Sinha, mingling with the artists, said he would soon arrange to have an all-star night in Patna to raise money for the benefit of the blind people.

My govt's priority is Bihar’s development: Nitish

Supaul (Bihar), Dec 27: Charging the UPA government at the Centre with neglecting Bihar's development, the Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said paucity of funds will not be allowed to impede the state's development and asserted he would not seek votes in the next Assembly elections if his government failed to deliver.

"My government is committed to development and in the brief time it has been in existence, positive changes are visible. In little over a year that we have been in power, fruits of progress have begun to be seen," he said addressing a public meeting here after laying foundation of various development schemes worth Rs. 645 crore for this district.

Kumar said though the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre was not coming forth with adequate assistance for Bihar, the state's NDA government would not allow the development projects to "starve" due to paucity of resources.

"We are going to invest Rs 8,000 crore in roads. Likewise we have plans to make huge investments in other infrastructure. There would be very positive changes over the next four years, he said addressing the public meeting at the local Degree college.

Danish Company to Build Tool Factories in Bihar

Representatives of the Indo-Danish Tools Company, in Biharsharif on Tuesday, met with the District Magistrate Anand Kishore to discuss setting up of a state-of-the-art tool factory producing light and medium modern tools to be used in various engineering works, officials in Nalanda said.

The company plans to set up a similar unit in Chhapra district, it was learnt.

Besides the factory, the Indo-Danish joint venture also plans to set up a training center offering diploma courses in 1, 2, and 4-year in mechanical engineering, officials said.

Preferences will be given to local talents first before allowing admissions to interested candidates from other states, they said.

The training center itself is expected to cost Rs. 30 crore out of which the central government will fund about Rs. 9 crore.

Land for the factory and the training center will be provided by the state government which will also contribute in the construction of the building, hostels, and other amenities for the students.

Indo-Danish Tools Company already has five operating units in India including one in Jamshedpur.

Work on the factory is expected to begin in March 2007, it was learnt.

Lalu shares wisdom with Harvard,Wharton Pupil

Abhi to hum jawan hain. Baal pak jaane se kya hota hai (I am still young. Don’t read too much into the grey hair).” With these lines, as he concluded his hour-long interaction with 137 students from Wharton and Harvard Business School, Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav today announced that he had put his Prime Ministerial ambitions on hold for the time being.

“Everybody wants to rise to the top position in their respective fields. I would become the PM one day, but not now. I have put the matter in the pending list for now,” he said.

But the session with the students was a no-holds barred one with Lalu taking the opportunity to not only take a dig at his opponents, but also venting his views on a range of issues, with the Great Indian Railway turnaround story as the reliable background. As expected, the metaphor of “properly milking the jersey cow so as to make sure that she doesn’t fall sick” in the context of Railways did find it’s way into his address.

Narrating the makings of the turnaround in Hindi laced with a bit of English here and there, Lalu’s address boiled down to this advice: “Wherever you go, whichever top positions you may hold, work with honesty, dedication and determination. Take your employees and officers into confidence. Treat them like your family, not like bureaucrats.”

However, Lalu, it appeared, was prepared for the inevitable question. When a Harvard student asked him about his 15-year long rule in Bihar wherein the state’s condition did not change, Lalu replied, “Bihar was discriminated against by Delhi. The per-capita investment was negligible, particularly in infrastructure sector, as compared to other states. Then there were problems like floods and Naxalism. Till we were there, my opponents ensured that no money was given to Bihar. But I don’t discriminate. Now, my younger brother Nitish Kumar is there. We help him. If I was guilty of not developing the state, why doesn’t he deliver on his promises in five years?”

Asked how significant were the corruption-related issues, whether perceived or actual, in his ministry and how he addressed those challenges, Lalu said people in his ministry were very intelligent and they watched their master. He went on to add that since he was the man at the top, he had to lead by example.

“I even asked the Prime Minister to ask IB and other intelligence agencies to monitor Railways to see if anything wrong was going on,” Yadav said adding that those indulging in corrupt practices were handled through surprise checks and suitable punishments.

On the kind of support he got from the Railway Board, Yadav said, “The biggest achievement of the Board is that IAS officers have not been able to penetrate it so far. All the people in the Board are technical people. And it is good if IAS people don’t come to the Board. I have full confidence and cooperation of the Board and I treat them like a family. Keymen, gangmen, coolie are like my brothers.”

Asked about the future of Indian Railways if he ceased to be the minister, Yadav said: “Whether I remain as Railway minister or not, nobody will be able to reverse the processes we have begun.”

The group of foreign students, probably under instructions of the ministry, were not too keen to share their experiences. However, some of those who talked appeared to be in awe of the minister. While Simmons Jones from Harvard found Lalu “very charismatic, committed and impressive”, Rohan Haldea from Harvard said that “sustainability of this turnaround was yet to be seen”.

Earlier, Lalu’s OSD Sudhir Kumar left no stone unturned to sing the minister’s praises. “My minister’s only criticism is that he has too little time for Rail Bhawan and Railways. Nobody says he sits too much in the ministry, that he’s too busy doing politicking. That is the kind of leader you should be—that you are not there and still you are there and watching from a distance. So, when you have this kind of leadership, then you dispel the impression conclusively that nothing can change in government,” Kumar said going to highlight Lalu’s “rugged commonsense and rustic brilliance”.

‘Queen Bee’( A BIHARI Girl) is UNICEF poster girl

Her name – Anita Kushwaha – does not ring a bell yet. And as she cycles through the dirt tracks of her village in Muzaffarpur, the 17-year-old looks just that: a teenager, but with more than a hint of boldness in the way she tosses her head or looks straight at you. Remember that face: she is UNICEF’s new poster girl.

Kushwaha is also the youngest of three girls selected from all over the country by UNICEF as role models who countered gender bias and made a space for themselves.

But even before the UN body spotted her, making money out of honey and pocketing a profit of Rs 1 lakh, the villagers of Patatiyasa knew her as “queen bee”.

It has not been easy for Kushwaha. Four years ago, she opposed her parents who wanted her to get married. It was unheard of in that Dalit village. Her parents, labourers, finally gave in to the insistence of the girl.

Her sight was set on something else – bees and business. She bought a box with a queen bee for Rs 2,500. The seed money came from a year of giving tuitions to children.

The box started yielding honey and her mother, taken with the process, helped her buy a second one. Raw honey fetched Rs 40-45 per kg. Like good businesspeople, they saved money and bought more boxes. Today, the Kushwahas’ courtyard is abuzz with bees in over 100 boxes. The profit: Rs 1 lakh a year. “I even bought a motorcycle for my brother,” she says.

Kushwaha’s business has created interest in the entire village, with many households taking up bee rearing. “Everyone used to make fun of me,” smiles Kushwaha. “Now they don’t.” In the Kushwaha household, the business begins only after Anita returns from college, Mahant Darshsan Das Mahila Mahavidyalaya in Muzaffarpur, where she is studying for bachelor’s in arts.

Washington Post- Idiot Of The Year Awards- Mentions Cop of Muzaffarpur as special Mention

2006 Idiot of the Year: Laura Mallory, of Loganville, Georgia. This vigilant mother of four has demanded local schools remove Harry Potter from their libraries because, in her analysis, the books are an "evil" attempt to indoctrinate children in Wicca religion. Congratulations Laura, and good luck on your quest to eradicate the dark forces which pollute children's literature.

Silver Medal: Nevada state senator Bob Beers who's pushing the legislature to consider letting teachers carry guns in classrooms "to stem a rise in school violence." Ready, aim, learn!

Bronze Medal: The 22-year-old British war vet who attempted to launch a Black Cat Thunderbolt rocket out of his rear end, on Guy Fawkes Day.

Honorable Mention: The hard-working cops of Muzaffarpur, India who attempted to arrest a 3-month-old baby for robbing a bus only days after his birth.

So that's it for 2006. Thanks to everyone for your help and participation. Let's hope 2007 is a idiotic as this past year!

A direct flight Between New Delhi and PATNA- Thanks Indian

State carrier "Indian" has announced to launched a direct flight to Patna. The airline will fly an Airbus A320 three times a week — Monday, Wednesday and Friday — between Delhi and Patna. This flight is in addition to Indian’s already existing flight to Patna via Ranchi.

Sikhs hold spectacular 'nagar kirtan' in PATNA CITY

As part of the three-day 340th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Gobind Singh, a huge nagar kirtan was held here on Tuesday. Thousands of Sikh devotees from all over the country — as also from abroad— took part in it along with the locals.

The nagar kirtan held every year on the eve of the birth anniversary of the 10th Guru of Sikhs, also known as Prakashotsava, began after the morning's diwan at the Badi Sangat Gurdwara, Gaighat. Earlier, the akhand paath ended there. Right from early morning the devotees had started assembling there to take part in the morning session of the ardaas and pay their obeisance to the Guru. The entire area wore a festive look.

The nagar kirtan started in the afternoon. The devotees, including children and women, set out for the Takht Shri Harmandirji, Patna Saheb, the birthplace of the Guru. Students from the local Guru Nanak School, Guru Teg Bahadur Academy, Guru Gobind Singh School as also from schools from other places took part in it. The devotees sang shabad and chanted wahe guru all through the four-kilometre route. The Guru Granth Saheb ki Sawari was led by the punj pyare. The nagar kirtan reached the Takht Saheb in the evening after nearly four hours. A kirtan durbar was held there later.

Those who came from outside enthusiastically took part in the morning session at the Badi Sangat Gurdwara and thereafter in the nagar kirtan , and were delighted to be at the birthplace of their Guru. "It feels great to be here. Though we always wanted to come here, the opportunity to fulfil this wish came only this year," says Ratan Singh, a businessman from Rajpura of Patiala district in Punjab, who has come here with a group of eight. Though they are all first-timers they would like to come here in future too. "We'd like to come here again and again," says Charan Singh, one of the group members.

Unlike them, Narender singh, a manager with a textile unit at Birganj in Nepal, has been coming here for the last 20 years without break as part of a jatha. "It feels so good to be here in Guru ki nagari. Feels like we're in heaven," he says. Likewise, Kuldip Singh, an advocate from Mumbai, has been coming here for the last 10 years. He is part of a 250-strong jatha. "Main yahan antim saans tak aata rahunga (I'll keep coming here till I breathe may last)," he says.

Meanwhile, chief minister Nitish Kumar extended his greetings to the people of Bihar on the occasion of Guru Gobind Singh's birth anniversary.

Nalanda gets set for relic

The move to shift the holy relic of famous Chinese scholar Xuanzang to its original place at Nalanda has gained momentum following the visit of a team from the Union ministry for culture to Patna recently. The relic is currently kept at the Patna Museum under lock and key.

The team headed by RC Mishra, joint secretary in the Union ministry of culture, made physical verification of the Xuanzang's relic at Patna Museum a few days ago. The team also reviewed the renovation work being carried out at the Xuanzang Memorial during its visit to Nalanda.

The relic comprising the skull bone is kept in a crystal casket at the museum, will be permanently shifted to the Xuanzang Memorial Hall at Nalanda in a bulletproof case either in January-end or early February. Mishra is expected to write to the Bihar chief secretary soon with the request to make necessary arrangements so that the relic can be shifted to Nalanda safely," said a senior state government official.

It is understood that director of the Nav Nalanda Mahavihara Ravindra Pant has sought the description, measurement and other details of the relic from Patna Museum authorities to place it at Xuanzang Hall.

Meanwhile, a 26-member Chinese team led by director state administration of religious Affairs Wang Jian is currently on a 100-day visit to Nalanda to carry out restoration work of the famous Xuanzang Memorial Hall.

"The restoration work, which began in early December, is expected to be completed by January-end," said an official.

To make the Xuanzang Memorial Hall more magnificent, the Chinese government has engaged the best of craftsmen for its restoration including its surroundings comprising statues, mural work, bell pavilion etc. The team includes top civil engineers, architects and designers.

It was in January 12, 1957, the then Prime Minister Nehru received the Xuanzang's relic along with a cheque from the Dalai Lama for construction of a memorial for Xuanzang at a function organised at the Nav Nalanda University.

It was in 1956 that the Indo-China Friendship Communication along with the then Chinese premier Zhou Enlai and his Indian counterpart Nehru had approved the construction of Xuanzang Memorial Hall — barely a km away from the excavated site of ancient Nalanda University — in order to commemorate Xuanzang.

"The Union ministry for cultural affairs has already sanctioned Rs 1.5 crore for renovation of the hall which will also have an exhibition centre and texts to highlight the Chinese scholar's life and works," Pant said.

PU directive on National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) nod

PU has directed all its postgraduate departments and constituent colleges to get themselves accreditated from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) during the current financial year.

Only four colleges of PU, namely Patna Women's College, Magadh Mahila College, B N College and Patna Science College, have undertaken this exercise so far. PU and some of its colleges are yet to volunteer for assessment and accreditation.

PU departments and colleges have been directed to send their self study report (SSR) within a fortnight so that the same could be forwarded to NAAC latest by January 31.

The NAAC has set a deadline for submission of SSR by January 31, 2007 and completion of peer team visit by March 31.

Holidays rescheduled: PU has rescheduled Xmas holidays in the larger interest of students. According to a PU notification issued on Saturday, the university will now remain closed only on December 25 and 27 on account of Xmas and Guru Gobind Singh birth anniversary.

It is hoped that the rescheduling will ensure timely completion of courses of studies.

Books released: Two books written by former Magadh University vice chancellor and renowned psychologist Shamshad Hussain were released by HRD minister Brishen Patel at a function held here at Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Public Library.

While the book entitled "Ehsas (The feeling)" is a collection of poems depicting individual relations, social contacts and cultural conflicts, the book entitled "Hamara Vyavahar -- Ek Manovaigyanik Evam Samajik Vishleshan" provides valuable tips for understanding human behaviour. Both the books have been published in Hindi and Urdu.

Maithili department: The Maithili department of PU organised the "Maithili Samman Diwas Samaroh" on the third anniversary of the inclusion of Maithili language in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution.

Department head Veena Karna called upon the scholars to work for enrichment of Maithili language and literature.

Maithili is likely to be introduced as a subject in various competitive examinations conducted by UPSC and BPSC, she added.

Convention of chemists: Patna Science College teacher Radha Kant Prasad and Magadh Mahila College teacher Bina Rani left Patna on Friday to attend the 43rd annual convention of chemists, 2006 being held at BRA Marathwada University, Aurangabad (Maharashtra), from December 23 to 27.

They will present their paper on "spectral and magnetic behaviour of some metal complexes."

I will not seek votes if I fail to deliver: Nitish

Charging the UPA government at the Centre with neglecting Bihar's development, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar yesterday said paucity of funds will not be allowed to impede the state's development and asserted he would not seek votes in the next Assembly elections if his government failed to deliver.

"My government is committed to development and in the brief time it has been in existence, positive changes are visible. In little over a year that we have been in power, fruits of progress have begun to be seen," he said addressing a public meeting here after laying foundation of various development schemes worth Rs 645 crore for this district.

Kumar said though the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre was not coming forth with adequate assistance for Bihar, the state's NDA government would not allow the development projects to "starve" due to paucity of resources.

"We are going to invest Rs 8,000 crore in roads. Likewise we have plans to make huge investments in other infrastructure. There would be very positive changes over the next four years, he said addresing the public meeting at the local Degree college.

Kumar, often accused by his political adversaries for making "empty promises," reiterated his resolve to usher in a new era of progress and prosperity in Bihar.

"If my government fails to keep its promise of building a new and developed Bihar over the remaining four years of its tenure, I would not not seek votes in the next assembly polls," he said.

AchievementsEnumerating the achievements of his Government, Kumar said reservation of 50 per cent of seats for women in Panchayati Raj institutions was a "historic step."

The Chief Minister claimed the law and order situation has undergone a positive change after the NDA government came to power.

"In just one year, 6000 accused have been convicted of various crimes and of these over 1100 were sentenced to life imprisonment. Our endeavour to bring the criminals to justice has created fear of the law in the minds of anti-socials and respect among those who abide by it," he said.

Kumar said the government was actively considering a proposal for inter-linking of rivers to find a lasting solution to the recurrent problems of flood and drought in the state.

"If we succeed, the state would get rid of the twin- problems that have hindered our development for ages," he said.

Kumar also referred to the scheme under which people living below the poverty line would be provided coupons which they would hand over to public distribution system (PDS) dealers upon lifting foodgrains and kerosene at subsidised rates.

The dealers would be required to submit all the coupons collected by them to a government official and the number of coupons would form the basis for fixing the quantum of commodities the PDS outlet owners would be entitled to lift the next time.

"This has been done to check blackmarketing of foodgrains and other commodities meant for the poor. I am confident that the move would check irregularities in the PDS," he said.

Bhojpuri industry On a High

The glory of Bhojpuri films and culture is soaring new highs by the day. Recently actor-parliamentarian Govinda was appointed the official Brand Ambassador of the Bhojpuri Film Awards (BFA). The Union Minister for Food & Processing Industries, Subodhkant Sahay who was the chief guest of the function announced the actor’s name for the coveted post. It may be recalled that the year 2005 was a turning point when a young active and hardcore Bhojpuri film lover Vinod Gupta did something that no one dared to do in the last 45 years. He started the Bhojpuri Film Awards. He talks about his plans...

When do you plan to hold the next year’s awards ceremony?

We have planned to hold the 2nd Bhojpuri Film Awards on February 16 at the Goregaon Sports Club, the same venue where the ceremony was held last year. This time we have hired a bigger ground while the last year’s venue has been hired as a parking place for all VIP vehicles.


What do you feel is the reason for the growth of Bhojpuri films?

According to me, Bhojpuri films got a boost with the release of Sasura Bada Paisewala and since then there has been no looking back for the Bhojpuri film industry. Moreover, the Bhojpuri audience which likes to see more of their own culture has been ever-growing. And to top it all most films released after that have been successful.


Last year you had Dilip Kumar and Saira Banu as your chief guests at the function. Who do you plan to bring in this year?

Last year we started the awards as we felt the need to do something to encourage the Bhojpuri film industry. It was indeed touching that Dilipsaab and Sairaji consented to be a part of the ceremony. I am indebted to them forever and I was not surprised when an impressed Sairaji launched a Bhojpuri film after that. As for the next guest, we are going to spring a surprise.

After Ganga, do you think Bhojpuri films will go big-budget?

Firstly, I would like to thank Deepak Sawant for producing a Bhojpuri film even though he is a Maharashtrian. Talking about the budget, I feel that filmmakers shouldn’t broaden their budget. For incresing the budget would give rise to several problems as faced by the Hindi film industry.

Why did you choose Govinda as your brand ambassador?

Govinda’s roots lies in the Bhojpuri belt. His mother Nirmala Devi hails from Varanasi. In most of his films, Govinda has mouthed a lot of Bhojpuri dialogues. I was delighted when he said that he would be available to us whenever we needed him and that he would leave no stone unturned to serve the industry to the best of his abilities. In short we selected Govinda so that the Bhojpuri industry gets a further boost.

How would a common man get access to the awards ceremony?

Very soon we will start with the publicity. We shall be putting up hoardings across the city. All one has to do is to go and collect their passes from nominated centres.

Ivy league colleges seek out Lalu

Lalu Prasad Yadav has silenced critics by turning around the fortunes of the Railways.

As a result, he is now being feted by Ivy League management colleges that want an insight to Lalu's rail mantra.

It appears that the man who has more often than not made news for the wrong reasons is now set for an image makeover.

From a maverick politician to an able administrator, the man has single handedly set the Railway coffers ringing.

An invitation to give at a lecture at the prestigious IIM Ahmedabad forced one to sit back and take note of the Railway Minister, and now Lalu's popularity has gone past the seven seas.

In June this year, a beginning was made when he travelled to Europe to study their railway systems.

Management guru

On Wednesday, 137 students from Harvard and Wharton universities will come face to face with their new management guru.

"What is there to prepare? Whatever we do everyday we will tell them. I've been to their countries."

"Their railways are beautiful but running in losses, and that's why they are interested in us, to see how we have completely turned it around," said Lalu Prasad Yadav, Railway Minister.

There are reports that Lalu may visit the US next year. He has invitations from eight Ivy league colleges and universities to come and talk to the students.

But will his typical Bhojpuri accent serve his purpose?

"There will be translators but if any problem, whatever I have learnt in English I will speak. I am sure they will understand," said Lalu Prasad Yadav, Railway Minister.

After being written off by almost everyone, the Railways' profit now runs into crores, and clearly the minister is winning all the accolades.