UK industrialists, particularly those with Indian lineage, are interested in making investment in Bihar

 

"I met people associated with industries and their response was very good," Manjhi told reporters at Patna airport on his return here after a five-day tour of the UK.

 

Lord Karan Bilimoria, an Indian-origin British entrepreneur, told chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi at their meeting here on Tuesday.

Manjhi was in London last fortnight and Lord Bilimoria was instrumental in arranging his meetings with entrepreneurs there. The CM informed him about the decisions taken at the Udyami Panchayat . Bilimoria said the state is following the same trajectory of growth for which former CM Nitish Kumar had laid the foundation stone.

Earlier, at an interactive session at BIA, he said there were enormous opportunities in Bihar. Lord Bilimoria quoted Manjhi's struggle in life and said if a man from the most underprivileged section of the society could become the CM, one could achieve any height in the state. Highlighting the rich pedigree of the state that includes Emperor Ashoka and the ancient Nalanda University, he said Bihar is the foundation of India.

Congratulating the state for the re-establishment of Nalanda University, he said it was one of the oldest seats of education across the globe that was older than the Cambridge University founded in 1209.

He was all praise for the state government and its agencies that are working for ensuring hassle-free start-ups of business ventures in Bihar. He, however, ventilated his own agony of going through long procedures for getting necessary permissions here. He said he applied for some permission in April last but got them only after the summers were over. That apart, he highlighted the issue of scarcity of land for the establishment of industries in Bihar.

Describing himself as the "unofficial British ambassador to the state", Lord Bilimoria advised the budding entrepreneurs of the state to "start believing in themselves" and said once one decides to go against the grain, people follow his footsteps by joining his bandwagon. He said once one conceives a goal and finds the possible way of achieving it, success follows.

source TOI

Classes Begin in Nalanda University, more than 1000 Years

NALANDA:  After a break that lasted about 800 years, classes began today at the Nalanda University in Bihar with 15 students.
 
The  ancient Nalanda University, which  functioned from 413 AD to 1193 AD, was renowned internationally as a centre of learning and attracted research scholars from all over the world.  It was destroyed in the 12th century by an invading Turkish army.

For now, classes are being held at a conference centre about 100 kms from the state capital of Patna, but in about three years, the university will move to Rajgir, 12 kms from where the original once stood proud.

Taking inspiration from erstwhile Nalanda Mahavihara, which was reduced to ruins hundreds of years ago by foreign invaders, a 21st century varsity conceptualized with the same philosophy is all set to start its inaugural classes, just 12km from the ancient site, from September 1. The Nalanda University administration says it will not be a run-of-the-mill institution and the mission rather is to make it "the Nalanda of our times".

The revival of the university was mooted by former president APJ Abdul Kalam in 2006.

From over 1,000 applicants, just 15 have been accepted so far for two disciplines - Historical Sciences and the School of Environment and Ecology.  Defending the tiny student population,  Vice Chancellor Gopa Sabharwal said, "We are a research university and we wanted only the best." 

"I think this university will offer an excellent research opportunity and that's why I am here," said Jyotirmayee, a research scholar from Vijaywada.

Foreign students include a Bhutan University dean on study leave and a postgraduate in Buddhist Studies from Japan

The formal inauguration of the university will be held later this month by Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj.

The fully-residential university, to be completed by 2020, will eventually have seven schools, all for post-graduate and doctoral students, offering courses in science, philosophy and spirituality, and social sciences. Each discipline will have a maximum of 20 students.

The orientation programme for the students will be held on August 29 at the Rajgir's signature building, International Convention Centre. "It will be an interaction among the students and faculty members and they'll also get to know the expectations from one another," Sabharwal said, adding postgraduate classes of both the schools would be conducted in two rooms of the convention centre.

While the 455-acre permanent campus of NU is yet to see any construction work except a boundary wall, a run-down SDO office near the Rajgir bus stand is being renovated to serve as a temporary campus housing classrooms, offices and semi-furnished residences for faculty members.

For now, students will be lodged in a state government hotel adjacent to the convention centre. "We've hired 40 rooms and three suites which will be used as a temporary hostel for students and guesthouse for visiting faculty members. One floor of the hotel will be for boys while another for five girl students," the VC said. The university will also run a mess at the hotel for students and faculty members.

It will be a five-day week for the faculty at NU. But the VC says the administration will not micromanage the classes. "If students feel like studying on a Saturday or Sunday and teacher is fine with it, classes would be held on weekends too," Sabharwal said.

The tuition fee for PG courses is Rs three lakh per annum and the administrative charges round up to about Rs 75,000 besides costs related to boarding and lodging. The pioneering batch students, however, will have to pay only 50% of the tuition fee. According to sources, the faculty members are to get a pay package ranging from $20,000 to 50,000 per annum each.

suorce :TNN

Ancient stupa. the Buddha relic stupa was built by Lichhavis as a mud-stupa in the 5th century BC in Vaishali 55 km northwest of Patna.

An ancient structure at the Buddha relic stupa under which a casket containing ashes of the spiritual leader was kept and (right) the waterlogged premises of the park around the stupa in Vaishali. Pictures by Piyush Kumar Tripathi

Buddha relic stupa, enshrining one of the eight parts of the mortal remains of Lord Buddha after he attained Mahaparinirvana, is facing utter neglect in Vaishali.

Despite being one of the most revered sites for Buddhists and a protected one for Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), several security and management issues are posing threat to this stupa, located around 55km northwest of Patna in Vaishali district.

There is no security guard deputed here. Waste material, including plastic bags, can be seen spilled around the ancient stupa. Lack of drainage leads to waterlogging, posing threat of structural damage.

According to historical texts, the Buddha relic stupa was built by Lichhavis as a mud-stupa in the 5th century BC. The stupa was later discovered in an archaeological excavation carried out under the aegis of Patna-based K.P. Jayaswal Research Institute during 1958-1962.

The relic casket excavated from the core of the stupa contained the holy ashes of Lord Buddha mixed with earth, a piece of conch, pieces of beads, a thin golden leaf and a copper punch-marked coin. The casket was brought to Patna Museum in 1972.

Though the relic casket has been kept at Patna Museum to ensure its security and conservation, the upkeep of the relic stupa site at Vaishali is being neglected.

Sources in the ASI said there is no rainwater drainage system at the site. A senior ASI official at Vaishali said there was no permanent security guard deputed at the stupa. “Two guards were earlier deputed here for the security of the monument but they retired recently. We are facing a dearth of guards, as there has been no recruitment in the past few years. Consequently, we appoint local security guards on contract basis,” said the ASI official.

Residents claimed the stupa, famous here as Buddha Asthi-Kalash Asthal, is visited by Buddhist pilgrims from across the globe.

“Buddhists treat the stupa with utmost reverence and devotion. Every year, thousands of tourists from Korea, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and Taiwan among others, visit the site, especially during the peak season between August and March. However, issues like scattered garbage and waterlogging leave a bad impression on them,” said Amitabh Keshav, an entrepreneur at Vaishali.

Director of K.P. Jayaswal Research Institute Bijoy Kumar Chaudhary said the excavations carried out by the institute had revealed that the relic stupa was enlarged thrice between the 4th century BC and the 1st century AD, during the reigns of Mauryan, Shung and Kushan dynasties.

“After the Mahaparinirvana of Buddha, his corporeal remains were kept in the parliament house of the Republic of Mallas. However, several other republics and states also desired to possess portions of the holy relics on the basis of their association with Buddha,” said Bijoy.

He added that according to the Mahaparinibban-Sutta of Digha Nikaya, finally it was decided to distribute the mortal remains of Lord Buddha among eight republics — King Ajatshatru of Magadh (Rajgir, Nalanda), The Mallas of Kushinagar (UP), the Mallas of Pava (Saran, Bihar), the Brahman of Vetha Dipa (Bettiah, Bihar), the Bulis of Alakappa (Saran), the Sakyas of Kapilvastu (UP), the Koliyas of Ramagram (Nepal) and the Republic of the Licchavi of Vaishali.

According to Buddhist literature, king Asoka collected three-fourth mortal remains of Lord Buddha from the seven stupas enshrined with Buddha’s relics — except the Koliyas of Ramagram — and divided the mortal remains into 84,000 parts.

Asoka then built Asokan stupa and Asokan pillars on the nirvana — path of Lord Buddha from Lumbini to Kushinagar.

Most of the Asoka stupas vanished in the 2,500 years’ time but four such stupas can still be seen in Bihar.

source :The Telegraph

Urban development and housing department (UDHD) is set to launch the first lot of 20 semi-low floor buses in PATNA

 

UDHD minister Samrat Chaudhary will commission the buses to be deployed under the Centre-sponsored Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM). The minister said the operators would have to maintain the vehicles.

Bihar urban infrastructure development corporation (BUIDCo) managing director Anupam Kumar Suman said the buses would be parked at the Phulwarisharif and Malsalami depots belonging to Bihar State Road Transport Corporation (BSTRC). Suman said Adie Broswon, a Delhi-based firm, would look after the operation of the buses and their drivers, conductors and other support staff. It would also look after the daily cleaning of the buses once they reach the depots.

Commuters would be issued printed tickets from electronic ticketing machines (ETMs) and a strict vigil would also be kept on overloading on the buses using high-end surveillance system, including closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras and global positioning system (GPS). The provision for monthly passes is likely to be introduced in a month.

The buses will ply on two routes ? Gandhi Maidan to Saguna Mor via Bailey Road and Gandhi Maidan to Danapur via Digha-Kurji. A per the JNNURM provisions, Rs 2 will be the fare for the first two kilometres, Rs 7 for 5km, Rs 11 for 10km and Rs 15 for 15km.

The 32-seater buses will have dedicated space for one wheelchair. The GPS and CCTV cameras will be installed on them for surveillance. Light emitting diode-based electronic route display system besides an announcement system will also be installed on the buses.

Ozone Overseas Private Limited, a Delhi-based firm, has already started installing 216 swanky queue shelters at 108 locations across the city. The locations have been decided considering the existing major corridors for traffic movement in the city, including Ashok Rajpath, Patna-Digha-Danapur Road, Bailey Road, Hardinge Road and Kankarbagh road, among others. The new queue shelters are being made of stainless steel, polycarbonate sheets and prefab material at estimated cost of Rs 13.72 crore.

The central sanctioning and monitoring committee under the JNNURM at its 69th meeting on February 20 and 21, 2009, had approved Rs 135 crore for purchasing buses for Patna and Bodh Gaya under the urban transport scheme.

source TNN>TOI

Bihar's first time Spinal Cord Injury successfully treated by Stem Cell Therapy in AIIMS PATNA.

AIIMS-Patna achieved a major feat  by performing first stem cell therapy in Bihar. A very rare experiment done in select hospitals of the country, stem cells therapy was performed on a Chhapra patient whose spinal cord has been damaged.

Stem cell therapy includes impregnation of cells of bone marrow in a patient. It is done in cases when all other therapies fail to repair the damaged cells of an organ, a team of AIIMS doctors extracted 190ml of bone marrow from the patient. A special kit was procured for the purpose by the institute from Delhi. The marrow cells were then sent to Mahavir Cancer Sansthan, which is very close to AIIMS, for centrifugation. After centrifugation, 30 ml of stem cells were obtained from the marrow.

The doctors brought the marrow cells back to the institute in afternoon and at 1pm they impregnated the cells in the patient. They were able to successfully impregnate them into vertebral artery. Via brain, the cells travelled to the artery of spinal cord and settled exactly at that portion of the cord in which the cells were damaged. The doctors took all precautions to avoid any complication, that included a possible brain stroke.

The speciality of the stem cells is that they settle only in that portion where they are required, and not anywhere else. The cells are now expected to grow of their own and it is expected that they will replace the damaged cells of the cord. As of now, the doctors are not in position to say anything about the success of the therapy. Empirically, they say, the success rate of such experiments is not bad.

The patient, 24-year old Shankar, had fallen from roof and got his spinal cord damaged. He was admitted to AIIMS-Patna a month ago. The doctors were thinking of doing stem cell therapy on him for 20 days.

If the cells grow successfully in the damaged spinal cord of Shankar, it will be a great boon for him because, as of now, the lower half of the body is completely paralysed. He is not able to move his lower limbs.

AIIMS-Patna director Dr G K Singh said, "It is a major achievement for us. After three months, we will be able to asses the development of growth of cells. The patient is fit and under observation." The team that performed the therapy included doctors of orthopaedic, biochemistry, anaesthesia and radiology departments.

source TOI

Bihar always has had a culture of kabaddi will be great success in near future -The chairman of the Bihar State Kabaddi Association (BSKA), Anjani Kumar Singh

It's not very often that the most sought after and nurtured sport in the country takes a back seat to an indigenous game like kabaddi. But if the chairman of the Bihar State Kabaddi Association (BSKA), Anjani Kumar Singh, is to be believed the latter holds the edge over cricket in the state right now.

"The state always has had a culture of kabaddi. It's surprising but people here are more a kin to it than cricket or any other sport where the glamour quotient may be higher," says Singh. "Most of the youngsters who pursue sports belong to the rural areas. They do not have sufficient funds to provide or take up some sport that requires costly equipment. Kabaddi requires nothing of the sort; it can be played anywhere. All you need is an empty ground."

With the Patna Pirates set to take centre stage  at Patliputra Sports Complex here, Singh believes the Pro-Kabaddi league will provide the much-needed boost to take the game to an international platform. Singh is also happy that the players can lead a better life because of the league.

"The players have great expectations from this tournament. This is a good opportunity for them for getting noticed and get government jobs. Since most of them come from underprivileged families, it ensures much-needed financial support."

Speaking on the issue of various media organizations and celebrities like Abhishek Bachchan having acquired a stake in the league, an elated Singh said, "Earlier one had to depend on the government to get money but now with the corporate houses and celebrities eager to be a part of the development, I hope the sport will grow from strength to strength."

Having hosted the 2012 kabaddi World Cup with success, BSKA secretary Kumar Vijay, too, is optimistic that the home association will deliver again. "It will be a milestone in the realm of kabaddi in India," he said.

With each of the eight teams in the league featuring three foreign players, the secretary believes the league is the best bet to get the sport registered as an Olympic discipline. "To be an Olympic sport, the game needs to be played by at least 50 countries. At the moment, kabaddi is played in around 30 nations and with three foreign players in each of the team in the league, with a worldwide audience, we can hope to spread the game farther."

Singh, who has been a part of the Indian kabaddi contingent to China during the Asian Games in 2010, feels India has the infrastructure to do well internationally. "We are always assured of the gold in Asian Games because our players perform exceedingly well there. The country has the right infrastructure to develop the game but what the youngsters need is more exposure to the sport. District-level matches should be organized to get people's attention," said Singh.

The league, which has already seen to frenzied support in Mumbai and Kolkata, will be an even greater success in the state, he said. With women to be part of the league next year, things can only get better for kabaddi in Bihar.

Abhishek's cheerleaders: Amitabh, Aishwarya Rai, Shah Rukh, Aamir Khan

By 

Bollywood Correspondent

Published Monday, July 28, 2014

 

The first edition of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) in India, started on 26 July with eight franchises in the fray. The tournament, which is modelled after the hugely successful Indian Premier League (IPL), ends on 31 August.

source :TOI

Bihari girl Shreyasi Singh has left a mark, literally, at Barry Buddon Shooting Centre in Glasgow on a sunny Sunday morning.

Shreyasi Singh exults during the women’s double trap shooting final at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, 
Scotland, on Sunday. (PTI) 

GLASGOW: Young markswoman Shreyasi Singh was the best performer of the day for India with her silver- medal winning feat even as shooter Mohammed Asab and weightlifter Punam Yadav added a bronze each to India's collection on the fourth day of competitions in the 20th Commonwealth Games

22 year-old Shreyasi Singh brought laurels to Bihar and the country as she clinched a silver medal in women's double trap event at the 20th Commonwealth Games (CWG) at Glasgow, Scotland, on Sunday.

Daughter of former Union minister late Digvijay Singh and former Banka MP Putul Devi, Shreyasi is probably the only sportsperson having roots in Bihar who's representing the country at the CWG this year. "We're all very happy and friends and family will be coming over to celebrate Shreyasi's success," her elder sister Mansi Singh told TOI over phone on Sunday evening. Delhi-born Shreyasi has done her schooling from Delhi Public School, R K Puram, and graduation from Hansraj College, Delhi.

Shreyasi, whose ancestral home is at village Gidhaur in Jamui district, was preparing for the event for the last six months and qualified in the trials in April. "She trained in Patiala and Italy for the CWG and her coaches have helped her a lot," Mansi said, adding Shreyasi shot 76 in the finals to finish second in the event at the Barry Buddon Shooting Range. She is accompanied by her mother Putul Devi and the duo will return to India on August 3.

The silver medallist's friends and relatives were not just praying for her success but also confident of her chances at the CWG. "She took up shooting in 2006 and forayed into professional trapshooting from 2007, after which she won gold medal in the junior single trap event in national shooting competition in 2008. Shreyasi is currently ranked 18 in the world-ranking in women's trap," Mansi told TOI. She had also reached the finals in the New Delhi CWG in 2010 but could not win.

Shreyasi shot down a total target of 92 to bag the silver, two shots behind gold winner Charlotte Kerwood of England. Another Englishwoman Rachel Parish won the bronze with 91 points, after a shoot-off with Cynthia Meyer of Canada.

A not-so-impressive first round of 22 points saw Shreyasi trailing at the third spot after the third and penultimate round but the Delhi shooter recovered some lost ground in the final round. to win the silver at the Barry Buddon Centre at Dundee near here.

With Kerwood, in whose name the Commonwealth Games record of 106 points (at 2006 Melbourne) stands, struggling in the final round, Shreyasi was in with a chance to go for a shoot-off for the gold but missed the double target twice to settle for the white metal. Shreyasi had rounds of 22, 24, 23, 23.

Bihar too, was proud of Shreyasi, said DGP P K Thakur, the ex-officio president of Bihar State Rifle Association. "She has not just brought laurels to the state but also carried on with the family tradition. I knew her father since the university days," Thakur told TOI, hoping that more talents will emerge from Bihar. Shreyasi's father late Digvijay Singh was the president of National Rifle Association of India (NRAI).

Shreyasi will again aim for a medallion on Monday as she will represent the country in the women's single trap event at the Games.

Sports organisations also praised Shreyasi’s achievement. Bihar Players’ Association president Mritunjay Tiwari said: “The success and achievement of Shreyasi will boost the morale of sportsperson in Bihar. The state has talent but lacks government support.”

source : TOI

Menka Mishra opened a center named Interactive Autism Centre in the city.

She is a woman of grit and determination. An advocate of autism research and education, she is also the parent of a five-year-old autistic child.

Soon after the birth of her son, Menka Mishra realized he was unlike a normal child. Her husband Prakash Mishra, a doctor (rehabilitation medicine expert), also realized that their child was different and needed special care. It was actually around age 3 when he started reacting poorly to other kids around him. He was bothered by the noise, wouldn't play on the playground and had problems with certain activities. He was also poor in eye contact, resistant to new clothes and had poor gross motor skills.

"I started with his paediatrician and progressed quickly to an occupational therapist, who diagnosed him with sensory integration disorder, and a physical therapist who diagnosed him with hypotonia (low muscle tone) and delayed gross motor skills. He has been in one therapy or another since then. In fact, I travelled right from Mumbai to Bangalore for treatment of my child and then slowly learnt the skills of how to groom an autistic child," says Menka.

"My son's autism inspired me to help and groom other autistic children, especially those coming from the underprivileged section of society free of cost. Soon I opened a centre named Interactive Autism Centre in the city for such kids with the active support of my husband. Initially, there were six kids. But now I groom 24 autistic children who come from different strata of society," she added.

Financially, I had to face many challenges, but with the active support of my husband and some of the parents I managed to overcome all the hurdles, said Menka. She also has six experienced trainers trained in various aspects like speech therapy, occupational therapy, sensory integration therapy and pre-skill learning therapy.

When asked which parental qualities work best with an autistic child, she quickly said that acceptance is the most important quality that parents of an autistic child need to have.

Early detection and intervention has a positive impact on children with autism. Unfortunately, there is still very little awareness about autism in our society. Similarly, there are very few places where these children can be managed, she sad.

"Learn as much as possible about autism and the different kinds of treatments, so you can see what works for your child. Make sure that the school is able to provide appropriate education. Parents must be their child's advocate in this area. I would advise families to use whatever funds are available to them to get care at home. One-on-one attention for autistic children not only helps them progress, but also gives family members a break," said Dr Prakash Mishra.





















source :TOI

Astro - Tourism will be Develop very soon In BIHAR.

The state government has formulated an 'Astro-Tourism Project' to preserve and develop the historical locations associated with renowned astronomer and mathematician Aryabhata, namely Khagaul, Taregna and Taregna Top, barely 35km from Patna.

Replying to a question of Neeraj Kumar (JD-U) and Harendra Prasad Pandey (BJP), science and technology minister Shahid Ali Khan informed the legislative council that the department was looking for a consultant for developing a master plan for this project. An expert team of Kolkata has also been contacted to make a blueprint of this project, he said.

Under the project, a museum, research centre and observatory will be set up. These would showcase various concepts, theories and models formulated by Aryabhata. One of the locations will be equipped with facilities and latest equipments to facilitate further studies in the field of astronomy, he said.

Aryabhata, incidentally, was born in Pataliputra (then Kusumpur) in AD 476, and at the age of 23 wrote his monumental work 'Aryabhatiyam'.

Taregna (meaning calculating stars) village had suddenly come alive with scientists, students and urban enthusiasts flocking it to view the total solar eclipse on July 20, 2009. In 2009, the then CM, Nitish Kumar, had announced to develop this region as an astro-tourism circuit.

Light & sound show: Minister of art and culture Vinay Bihari on Friday said the government was ready to start a light and sound show on the life and times of Mahatma Gandhi at Motihari in East Champaran district. He was replying to a question of Satish Kumar (JD-U).

The minister said the government had given Rs 1.50 crore in the last financial year to a registered society, headed by East Champaran DM, to protect and preserve the places associated with Gandhiji and his personal belongings. The government would be happy to provide additional amount, if required, he said.

Stadiums in blocks: Sports minister Vinay Bihari said in the council the government would construct a stadium at each of the 534 block headquarters, of which 77 have been completed. Replying to a question of Ram Chandra Bharati (BJP), he said funds had been sanctioned to construct an additional 202 stadiums in block headquarters.

Fake degrees: Education minister Brishen Patel on Friday said 1,000 school teachers in different parts of the state were found to have been appointed on the basis of fake degrees. He was replying to a question of Sanjay Prasad (RJD). Intervening during the minister's reply, leader of opposition in the council Sushil Kumar Modi sought to know how many FIRs were lodged against the erring officials.

source :TOI