JD(U) MP Mahabali Singh's son Dharmenda Kushwaha joins RJD

Sitting JD(U) MP Mahabali Singh's son Dharmenda Kushwaha joined RJD in presence of RJD chief Lalu Prasad in Patna on September 26, 2010.

Congress leader Mokhtar Alam from East Champaran district also joined the RJD.

Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

Indian Union Muslim League releases first list of candidates for Bihar polls

Indian Union Muslim League released the first list of candidates for Bihar Assembly election in Patna on September 26, 2010.

Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

Symposium on clinical pharmacology held in Patna

Indian Pharmacological Society Patna Chapter organsied a symposium on " Development of new techniques in clinical pharmacology and use of medicines" at IMA Hall in Patna ob September 26, 2010 under its Continuing Medical Education (CME) programme. Bihar Government's Principal Secretary of Health Department CK Msihra inaugurated the symposium.

Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

Ideal Eyes Business School organises Freshers Day function

Ideal Eyes Business School organised a Freshers Day programme for its BBA, BCA, BSc (IT) students in Patna on September 26, 2010. A seminar was also organised to mark the occasion.

Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

Nukkad Natak staged at Gandhi Maidan

A cultural group Prerana staged street play at Gandhi Maidan in Patna on September 26, 2010 to commemorate the birth anniversary celebration of Shaheed Bhagat Singh.

Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

'RJD workers disenchanted with Lalu'

BJP national vice-president Kiran Ghai said the burning of effigy of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) president Lalu Prasad by a group youths said to be from RJD's youth wing, sounded RJD's 'death knell'.

Talking to scribes in Patna on September 26, 2010 Kiran claimed those who burnt Prasad's effigy were RJD youth workers. “It was only some years ago that no worker or leader dared to stand in front of him (Prasad) or question him on any issue,” she said.

"But the RJD workers were so disenchanted with him that they burnt his effigy right in front of the party office on Saturday last," Ghai said.

Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

PU students hunger strike enters second day

The hunger strike by All India Students' Federation (AISF) activists led by its state secretary entered the second day in Patna on September 26, 2010. The AISF activists have been sitting on a fast unto death since September 25 against alleged unsavoury remarks made by the Patna University Pro-VC against Bihari students, cancellation of Rs 1000 fine imposed on them as late fine for filing of registration forms.

The agitating AISF members also demanded that proper action should be taken against those responsible for ragging of a Patna Women's college student last month.

Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

Teli Sangharsh Morcha president Naresh Sao joins JD(U)

Former secretary of RJD and present president of Teli Sangharsh Morcha Naresh Sao and other office-bearers of the association joined JD (U) in presence of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in Pata on September 25, 2010.

Speaking on the occasion, Nitish Kumar said there was no confusion between JD(U) and BJP in seat-sharing deal for Bihar Assembly election.

Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar in Patna

Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar was in Patna on September 25, 2010 to participate in a function organised by Samast Kisan Mazdoor Vikas Sangathan to celebrate the 88th birth anniversary of Bihar's first women minister Sumitra Devi.

Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

Abu Kaiser goes through the bio-data of prospective candidates

United Front Party chief Abu Kaiser scrutinized the bio-data of prospective candidates of his party for Bihar Assembly election in Patna on September 25, 2010.

Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya remembered

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Bihar unit organised birth anniversary celebration of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya at party office in Patna on September 25, 2010. Several BJP leaders and workers paid rich tributes to Pandit Deendayal.

Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

Samajwadi Party releases second list of candidates for Bihar Assembly election

Bihar Pradesh Samajwadi Party released its first list of candidates for Bihar Assembly election in Patna on September 25, 2010.

Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

AISF activists begin hunger strike

Patna University students under the banner of All India Students Federation sat on indefinite fast in front of PU vice-chancellor office in support of several demands in Patna on September 25, 2010. The demands include withdrawal of late fine on Rs 1000 for registration.

Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

HR conclave held in Patna

National Human Resource Development Network Patna Chapter in association with CIMAGE organized first HR conclave in Patna on September 25, 2010.

Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

Former MLC Kaplideo Singh, JD (U) leader Raghvendra Singh join LJP

Former MLC Kaplideo Singh, JD (U) state secretary Raghvendra Singh, Arun Bind, Sudhir Kumar and several other leaders joined LJP in Patna on September 25, 2010 in presence of LJP chief Ram Vilas Paswan.

Speaking on the occasion, Paswan alleged that fake voter ID cards were made to secure Nitish Kumar return to power. He showed several fake ID cards of Vikram Assembly constituency. “In Vikram about 700 fake voter ID cards were made and all belong to Dalit community”, he said.

Paswan said he would lodge a formal complaint with election commission.

Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

Greenpeace challenges political parties to fight Bihar Assembly elections on development plank

Patna, September 25, 2010: Greenpeace today called upon political parties to focus on people’s issues in the elections instead of jeering at each other. The past few days have seen political parties and key leaders targeting each other through poetic mudslinging.

Bihar is in the thick of political activity and parties are busy working on their strategy. Leaders are busy changing their position, party and ideology. Media space is being overtaken by issues related to political dynasty, attacks and counter attacks, poem renditions, corruption charges, caste, class and religion. As is the case generally in elections, all political parties have forgotten the main issues of development, which should be fundamental to their election.

“Before the election dates were announced, there was optimism in Bihar that the transformation will continue and elections will be fought on issues of development. This hope has been replaced with despair with the return of identity politics, and political mockery. This melodrama needs to be stop and be replaced with political consensus for development”, said Ramapati Kumar, campaigner, Greenpeace India.

Many issues are plaguing Bihar – lack of electricity being the foremost. There have been constant protests all over the state for better supply of energy. The state government is even purchasing electricity from other states at higher rates. But that also is not helping. A recent report by Assocham says that Bihar has the highest peak deficit at -33.7 per cent.

In spite of such pressing issues, not a single party until now has come forward to present their vision on how the state could become self reliant in terms of energy.

“Bihar Renewable Energy Development Support Network has been demanding political parties to espouse renewable energy to empower Bihar and illuminate the lives of millions still living in darkness. There is an opportunity for Bihar to choose an alternative energy path which will take the state in the direction of sustainable and inclusive development,” said Ramapati Kumar.

To compel parties to focus again on development issues during elections, Greenpeace along with civil society network is going to launch a campaign to advocate decentralized renewable energy as the solution for the energy needs of the state. The campaign will reach out to lakhs of people and political leaders to make sure that development remains the centre stage of elections.

Press release from Greenpeace

Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

Inter-school folk song and dance competition held in Patna

Rotary Club of Patliputra organised inter-school folk song and dance competition at SK Memorial Hall in Patna on September 25, 2010.

Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

Heavy rush of ticket seekers at JD (U) office in Patna

Prospective candidates and their supporters gathered at the JD (U) office in Patna on September 25, 2010 to seek party tickets for Bihar Assembly election.

Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

Street corner play staged at Gandhi Maidan

A cultural group Prerana staged a street corner play (Nukkad Natak) at Gandhi Maidan in Patna on September 25, 2010.

Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

BSP releases second list of candidates for Bihar Assembly election

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP)'s state president Gandhi Azad released the second list of candidates for Bihar Assembly election in Patna on September 25, 2010. BSP will contest in all 243 seats of Bihar Assembly.

Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

Jharkhand Vikas Morcha president Babulal Marandi in Patna

Jharkhand Vikas Morcha president Babulal Marandi was in Patna on September 24, 2010 to participate in a meeting of Bharat Vikas Morcha. Later, Marandi announced a list of 21 candidates for Bihar Assembly election. He said Bharat Vikas Morcha would contest in 50 assembly seats.

Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

Students smell rat in Magadh University PG merit list

AISF activists staged demonstration at Patna office of Magadh University in protest against alleged manipulation in the merit list of Post Graduate courses. They locked the office and forced the employees to go out. They demanded admission process to be done by the Patna office.

Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

NSS Foundation Day celebrated in Patna

JD Women’s College organized an awareness programme on “Women’s Rights and Violence against Women” to celebrate National Service Scheme (NSS) Day in Patna on September 24, 2010.

In New Delhi, Minister of State of Youth Affairs and Sports Pratik Prakashbapu Patil said that National Service Scheme (NSS) is being improved with introduction of innovative content so as to enhance its relevance among youth of the country. He was addressing at a function organized to mark the 41st NSS Foundation Day on Friday.

Patil emphasized the need to spread the scheme, especially in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkand in view of the less enrolment of students under NSS from these States. He also lauded the role played by the RSS volunteers in various nation-building activities.

On the occasion, Patil also distributed the awards under the Indira Gandhi National Saving Scheme to the Programme Coordinators, Programme Officers and NSS volunteers of colleges/schools for their contribution in the community service.

In his welcome address, A.K. Upadhyay, Secretary, Youth Affairs, gave the total overview of the National Service Scheme and its achievements. He said that NSS volunteers with the enrolment of more than 32 lakh volunteer of various colleges and universities, it is the largest organized movement and one of the flagship programme of Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

While addressing, Secretary, Sports, Sindhushree Khullar, said that NSS provides inspiration, volunteerism and make the youth good citizens. NSS volunteers are representing in the forthcoming Commonwealth Games in a big way and the experience gained by them will be of immense value to the volunteers. She called upon volunteers working in the Commonwealth games not only to reflect the spirit of India but the core value of NSS also.

The awardees are:

Programme Coordinator: Dr. Sanjeet Kumar Gupta, Deen Dayal Upadhayay Gorakhpur University, Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh.

Programme Officers:

1. Dr.Vibha Wadhwa, Sri Sathya Sai PG College for Women, Jaipur, Rajasthan;

2. Ms. Archana, Shri LBS Arya Mahila College, Barnala, Punjab

3. Mr. G.V.S.Nageshwara Rao, Aditya Degree College,Rajamundhry, Andhra Pradesh.;

4. Mr.Bendangnungsang, PATKAI Christian College, Dimapur, Nagaland

5. Dr.Sharad Mahadev, Golande College of Agriculture, Pune, Maharashtra; and

6. Dr.V. Alagar Ramanyam, Government Arts College, Ooty, Tamil Nadu

Volunteers:

1. Rendla Srinivas, S.R.R. Government Degree College, Warangal, Andhra Pradesh.

2. Mr. Tage Ranka, St. Claret College, Ziro, Arunachal Pradesh.

3. Ms. Girisha Manohar Raikar, Damodar College of Commerce & Economics, Comba, Goa.

4. Mr. Rabari Vishnubhai Bhimabhai, Journalism Deptt. M.D. Mahavidyalaya, Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

5. Mr. Sandesh Kumar B, Niranjan Swami College, Mangalor University. Karnataka.

6. Ms Shashirekha K.M. Maharaja’s Degree College, Mysore, Karnataka.

7. Mr. R. Sandeep, NSS College, Cherthala, Kerala University, Kerala.

8. Mr. Rajkumar Verma, Govt. Degree College, Timrali, Barkatullah University, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.

9. Ms. Neha Jain, Govt. M.H. Home Science & Science Autonomous Women’s College, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh.

10. Ms. Kasturi Apte, Kishinchand Chellaram College, Churchgate, Mumbai, Maharashtra.

11. Ms. Palvy Dora Kharkongor, Shillong College, Boyce Road, NEHU, Meghalaya.

12. Mr. Hardev Singh, Guru Nanak College, Budhlada, Mansa, Punjabi University, Punjab.

13. Ms. Prasputita Nanda, Sri Sathya Sai PG College for Women, Jaipur, Rajasthan

14. Mr. M. Saravanan, Hindustan College of Arts and Science, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

15. Ms. Preethi Priya Darshini, DG Vaishnav College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

16. Ms. Shivani Singh, Gramanchal Degree College, Barabanki, U.P.

Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

Bihar Governor Debanand Konwar visits flood relief camps at Gopalganj

Bihar Governor Debanand Konwar took an aerial survey of the Gandak flood-hit areas of Saran division on September 24, 2010. Konwar also visited the flood relief camps at Gopalganj.

Photo: I and PRD, Government of Bihar

sent by Aftab Alam Siddiqui

Contractor duped of Rs 2 lakh

An unidentified criminal masquerading as policeman duped about Rs 2 lakh from a contractor Sadhu Prasad Chowrasia near Moinul Haq Stadium under Kadamkuan police station area in Patna on September 24, 2010.

Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

Three sitting MLAs join LJP

Three sitting MLAs Vijendra Choudhary (Independent), Sri Narayan Sao (BSP from Nautan) and Ram Vinod Paswan (CPI from Bakhri) joined Lok Janashakti Party (LJP) in presence of LJP chief Ram Vilas Paswan in Patna on September 24, 2010.

Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

LJP Most Backward Class Cell merges with JD(U)

Lok Janashakti Party (LJP)’s Most Backward Class Cell led by Vijay Sahni merged with the ruling Janata Dal (United) in presence of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and JD (U) state president Vijay Kumar Choudhary in Patna on September 24, 2010.

Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

BJP and JD (U) youth leaders join RJD

Youth leaders of BJP Yuva Morcha and JD(U) joined RJD in presence of JD(U) national general secretary and Rajya Sabha MP Ram Kripal Yadav in Patna on September 24, 2010.

Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

Rich tributes paid to Pratilata Vaddedar

All India Democratic Students Organisation (AIDSO) held its convention at College of Commerce in Patna on September 24, 2010 to pay tributes to Pratilata Vaddedar on her 78th death anniversary.

Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

RJD MP Jagdanand Singh's son Sudhakar Singh joins BJP

Sudhakar Singh son of senior RJD leader and MP Jagdanand Singh joined Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in presence of Bihar’s Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi in Patna on September 24, 2010.

Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

BJP Loknayak Mandal holds workers conference

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Loknayak Mandal organised workers conference in Patna on September 24, 2010. BJP MLA Arun Sinha was the chief guest.

Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

Karate grading test held in Patna

Karate grading test was organised at Physical Training College hall in Patna on September 24, 2010. Seventy-one boys and girls were declared successful in black belt test.

Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

Seminar on 'Climate Change' held in Patna

A seminar on "Climate trouble and Bihar" was organised at Bihar Industry Association hall in Patna on September 24, 2010.

Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

Left leaders finalise seat-sharing deal

Leaders of the Left alliance (CPI-ML, CPI, and CPM) said seat-sharing deal on 130 assembly constituencies were complete. Talking to reporters in Patna on September 23, 2010, they said negotiations were on for 60 more seats. In 130 seats, CPI-ML (Liberation) will fight for 78 seats, CPI 32 and CPM on 20 seats.

Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

NCP to contest in all 243 seats in Bihar

NCP general secretary Tariq Anwar said first list of candidates would be declared two-day before filing of the nomination papers of the first phase of election. Earlier, Anwar addressed the meeting of NCP Minority Cell in Patna on September 23, 2010. He said NCP would contest in all 243 seats in Bihar Assembly election.

Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

Activists of Ashray Abhiyan stage dharna in Patna

Activists of Ashray Abhiyan staged a day-long dharna at Kargil Chowk in Patna on September 23, 2010 in support of their demands.

Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

Gang of criminals busted in Patna

Patna Police claimed to have busted a gang of criminals who have been involved in several cases of murder, loot, kidnapping, extortion and arms smuggling. Police arrested 10 criminals and recovered eight country-made firearms, 30 live cartridges and six cell phones from their possessions.

Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

Seminar on Right to Education organised in Patna

Bhumika Bihar organized a seminar on “Right to Education Act 2009: Problems in Execution and Responsibilities" at Gandhi Museum in Patna on September 23, 2010. Gandhi Museum chief Arun Kumar Singh, Vinay Kumar Kanth and Ganga Prasad spoke on the occasion.

Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

Watan Vikas Sangathan to fight for the cause of Muslims

Watan Viaks Sangathan president Anzarul Haq said that majority of Muslims were on the last stair case of development after 63 years of independence. Talking to reporters in Patna on September 23, 2010, Haq said Watan Vikas Sangathan would support the party which would fight for the cause of Muslims in the forthcoming Bihar Assembly election.

Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

AISF activists disrupt classes in Patna University

AISF activists disrupted the classes in protest against hike in registration fees in Patna on September 23, 2010.

Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui