The postal department seems to be in tandem with the state government which is celebrating 100th year of its establishment. On Monday the Dept. of Post, Patna circle has announced to organize a 4 days “Stamp Exhibition Expo-2012” from 10 to 13 February. The exhibition will be held in the Wheeler Senate Hall at Patna University. This being the centenary year of Bihar, “Celebrating Bihar”, is the theme of the coming stamp show and obviously it is a historical and remarkable occasion.

Rare postal stamps, stationeries of earlier days including some other things of rarity will be at display at the exhibition. Officials of the Patna Postal Circle called a press meet in the conference hall at the Meghdoot Bhawan in GPO (General Post Office) in Patna on Monday and informed the media about this.

A colorful world of stamps will be at display on this occasion. Some of the star attraction will be:-

First Copper stamp released from Patna in 1774 may be shown.

First Postal Stamp Penny Black (replica).

Sindh Daak(replica).

Such event will be helpful in popularizing Philately as hobby and passion. On this occasion people could get their picture on postal stamps, and with this innovative idea department seemed to sure, that this will attract large crowds at the exhibition. A large number of schools say 40-45 in numbers has already applied to register their participation at the exhibition. Moreover, Philatelist, Children, Individuals and students are approaching daily in big numbers and registering themselves. Approximately 1200 registrations for self-portraying stamp already been booked, informed the officer.

Lord Buddha, Aryabhatt, Chanakya, ChandraGupta, SherShar and few other great peoples of Bihar will be felicitated in an artistic display. Buddha Circuit, Jain circuit, Gandhi circuit, Sikh panth and Sufi are some of the special subject on which special presentation is being made to be broadcasted at the proposed exhibition.  Any one can contact or registration at following numbers:- 0612-2236927/2226395/2232000.  On this occasion a logo based on green and yellow pattern will be released representing “Harit Bihar”  and  “the rich art and ultural heritage of bihar” respectively.

The controversy between the two different groups of city bus pliers does not seem to die as the govt. backed BSRTC's Eden Bus Service and the City Bus Service Association standing face-to-face to one another. The City Bus Service Association went on a day long like strike on Monday in Patna and sit on a dharna near Kargill roundabout to press their demand.

At present, running buses on 11 intercity routes connecting the city from Danapur to Patna city, there are about 250 buses running under city bus service, serving the daily commuters. It is well known that these buses face a tough competition since the Eden Bus Services were launched in Patna some years ago.

General Secretary of the City Bus Service Association, Umesh Prasad Sinha criticized the state government for adopting different policy for these two groups. “We want a level playing field, a true competition and this is how the service will improved and commuters will be benefited”.  Eden which is backed by the govt. does not follow the route-norms claims the association secretary. “Moreover, we can’t share bus stand with Eden at bankipore”, he continues. He shown several documents related to assurance from administration and other govt. quarters to provide them separate stand and address their various demands.

The theatre artist of Patna has paid their tribute to the father of the nation on his martyr day in their own way. About two dozens theatre groups from different parts of Bihar together played a series of nukkad natak and open theatre in Gandhi Maidan, Dakbunglow etc. Continues for the second day on Monday various plays, songs, bhajans etc. were organized in Gandhi Maidan. “Main Bihar Hun”, the play attracted much applauses from the audience who were watching the play amid the gust of wind in before the statue of Mahatma in Gandhi Maidan.

Koshish, EPTA, Al-khair charitable trut, Sampradayik Ekta Committee, Nirman kala munch, Natmandap, East and West Educational Society, Bihar Art Theatre, Prerna, Pravin Sanskriti Munch, Rangkarm, Rangmati, Oxygen, Samar, Phulwari Sharif, Adarsh Divya Vikas, Patna City Epta, Anupam Sewa Samaj Sansthan, Gandhi Sangrahalaya, Sutradhar, Prangan, Manthan Kala Parishad, Hiraval, Divine Social Development Organization and Bihar Kalakar Manch are together sponsored the event.

Talking to our correspondent, the program coordinator, Piyush Kumar expressed his happiness over the overwhelming response by the public and the media. Earlier to this the philosophy of Ahimsa, Dharma, and Sarvhit Sukhaya were lighted on by some speakers and relevancy of Gandhi’s thought at present time were  also discussed.

The role of Junior Doctors in the health system of Bihar is of great significance. The state health ministry groping in the dark as the Junior Doctors were not agree to roll back their strike, proposed from 31^st of January across the state.  But thanks to the Doctors, Medical Association and government representative who together worked out a plan and the strike which was looming ahead from the midnight of 31^st January is called-off. After the government assurance of relevant hike in the stipend alike central govt. and the demand of JUDA (JUnior Doctors Association, which is dissolved at present) to get the rank of senior residents will now be monitored by an inquiry committee which will submit its report in three months.

Earlier to this, the state government requested the junior doctors to called-off their proposed strike. Amid all the effort from the government quarters, a “slip of tongue”, by the health minister, Ashwini Chowbey turns the scene upside down on Sunday. For the last couple of days Amarjeet Sinha, health secretary of Bihar was in constant touch with the principal and the Superintendent O.P.Chowdhry trying his best to appease the Junior Docs. The health secretary welcomes the decision and assured the Junior Doctors that their grievances will be addressed within 3-4 months.

It’s well known that DMCH Darbhanga, NMCH Patna, ANM Gaya, JNLM Bhagalpur, KMC Katihar and PMCH patna having a total of about 1000 junior doctors. Most of the medical works are done by these doctors. Giving their critical importance, each time such situation arise governments seems perplexed as neither it can be over strict nor it can loose the string.  

“To chop their hands off”, is a quote which does construed in wrong sense by media, said the furious health minister. “It’s just a quote and I only meant not to allow any one cripple the health system and hijack the entire state by going on strike”, he said.

As the junior doctors of the state medical service are delayed of their demands to get the status of “senior residents”, they threaten to go on strike. Proving their demands as reasonable enough, the junior doctors of PMCH are leading the lobby of the states’ junior doctors.

On the other side the Ministry of Health seems to be in no mood to compromise and the Health minister, Mr. Ashwani Chowbey himself warned the Junior Doctors that these threat will not work and Doctors will be thrown out of service. “This is a threat not just to government but it is to public and the poor. We will not let the Doctors do what they want not let the poor die” he says. “We will terminate their service as immediate action and in future they won’t be able to practice in the state”, said a somewhat irritated minister.

“I don’t care for their association and how it react but our government won’t let them hijack the state for another spell. If they (Jn. Docs.) are not happy working in the state and the policies they are free to leave their job”, the minister said.

Archaeological Survey of India completed its 150 years in 2011.  To mark the significant of role of Bihar in adding value to the Archaeological records of India, the Patna Circle of ASI has organized an opening function at A.N.Sinha Institute on Saturday.

Governor of Bihar Debanand Konwar inaugurated the function in the state Capital in the presence of Minister of Art, Culture and Youth, Govt. of Bihar, Dr. Sukhda Pandey and Joint Director General of ASI C.Dorje. Also present were Post Master General of India, Uday Krishnan and Supritending Archaeologist of Patna Circle, S.K.Manjul.

A special brochure cover designed with centrally protected monuments under jurisdiction of Patna Circle has been released on the occasion by the Governor. A brouchure on “Vaishali revealing the Past” and an official website of Excavation Branch-III, Patna of ASI has also been launched.

Marking it as coincidence the Governor says that he is pleased to see the ASI and the govt. of Bihar is hand-in-hand in celebrating their 150^th and 100^th years respectively adding values to one another. The governor stressed the need to recognize the roots as human being and says ASI helps to find roots. He focused light on paali and mourmoun histories and appreciated the efforts of eminent British archaeologist who deciphers some complex language of those ancient times. He also thanked the Khuda Baksh Oriental Library as its contribution was selected by the UNESCO to preserve.

A few eminent Archaeologists (both serving and retired) were felicitated for their valuable contribution to the Dept. of Archaeology. Dr. B.S.Verma, former director of ASI, Dr. B.K.Saran and Dr. D.P.Sinha are few names among those honored by the Governor at the function. S.K.Manjul, the Supritending Archaeologist of Patna Circle informed the media and others that at present, there are 71 sites in Bihar under the purview of ASI, and more work is going on most of them.

Citing her recent tours to Balrajgarh and Nandangarh the Minister, Dr. Sukhda Pandey, requested the ASI to expand its work area as there are too much beneath earth of Bihar as it being the a historical place from the time of Buddha and so. “The Magadh Dynasty was too much expanded and after visiting some interiors I do believer there are too much regarding our roots”. She also talked about CM’s Nitish kumar recent visit to Kutumbagarh in Aurangabad district, a historical area where relics from Buddha and Mahavir eras have been found where the Chief Minister spent nearly an hour brainstorming with the district officials to gather ideas about putting the region on the tourism map of Bihar during his Seva Yatra. The govt. of Bihar will formally request to you ASI people. Moreover I do personally attract your attention that you need to expand your search, excavation and preservation work”, she said.

पटना, स्थानीय संवाददाता - राजधानी के विभिन्न शिक्षण संस्थानों में शनिवार को मां सरस्वती की पूजा बहुत ही धूमधाम से की गई। शिक्षण संस्थाओं को विभिन्न प्रकार की फूल-मालाओं से सजाया गया था। दिन के 12 से 2 बजे तक लगभग सभी पूजा पंड़ालों में पूजा संपन्न हो गई थी और माँ सरस्वती की प्रतिमा पट् को श्रद्धालुओं के दर्शनार्थ खोल दिया गया था। कदमकुँआ युवा मंडल, कदमकुऑ बह्म स्थान पूजा समिति, दरियापुर, बिहार हिन्दी साहित्य सम्मेलन में माँ की प्रतिमा स्थापित की गई थी। पटना विश्वविद्यालय के भिखना पहाड़ी स्थित पटेल छात्रावास में प्रत्येक बर्ष की भांति माँ की भव्य प्रतिमा स्थापित की गई है।

स्थानीय सियाबिहारी कुँज ठाकुरबाड़ी के महंत नागेन्द्र दास ने बताया कि माँ सरस्वती की अराधना संसार के उन सभी व्यक्ति को करनी चाहिए जो किसी भी विद्या में अपने को प्रखर करना चाहते हैं। इसी कारण पुस्तक पढने वाले विद्यार्थी को ही नहीं अपितु वाद्य् यंत्र वाचक, मंच कलाकार, नृत्य कलाकार, गीतकार, संगीतकार, सूचना प्रौद्योगिकी सहित सभी विद्या के लोगो के लिए माँ सरस्वती की अराधना फलदायी होती है।

हालांकि राजधानी में पूजा पंडालों की संख्या में व्यापक कमी आई है। ज्ञात्ततव है कि उच्च शिक्षा हेतु पटना से स्थानीय विद्यार्थियों के पलायन का जो सिलसिला लगभग 20 बर्षों पहले शुरू हुआ था वह बहुत पहले ही संस्कृति बन चुकी है। यही कारण है कि स्थानीय छात्रों का विद्यालयोपरांत कोई भी छात्र समूह पहले जैसे संगठित और सक्रिय नहीं रह गया है। जिसका सीधा प्रभाव पटना के संस्कृति पर स्पष्ट रूप से देखा जा सकता है। पटना के स्थानीय लोगों के अनुसार, सरस्वती पूजा पंडालो की संख्या अब बहुत कम हो गयी है, यह आयोजन अब सिर्फ बच्चों के लिए ही रह गयी है। युवाओं की धटती भागीदारी से वह जोश अब नहीं दिखता है- ऐसा कहना है 52 बर्षीय प्रोफेसर अनुकार सिन्हा का जो खुद कई बर्षो तक गर्दनीबाग सरस्वती पूजा आयोजन समिति मे सक्रिय भूमिका निभाते रहें हैं।

Appealing to the urban poor of Patna to not to let the government take their place of living, Social activist and reformer Megha Patekar address the crowd of thousands at Kargill Chowk near Gandhi Maidan. “Let’s Fight, We’ll Win”, quoted an energetic and somewhat angry leader who criticized the Nitish govt’s decision to take back the govt. land in urban area under newly adopted slum scheme.

She said from the dais that the governments across the country have been apathetic towards the concerns of lower class working people and time to time their conurbation gets damaged on the name of encroachment or beautification drive of the city. She called, “The newly adopted slum scheme in Bihar is a tactics made by the govt. in connivance with builders”. “You will be battered and brushed aside as no one in the society. Therefore it’s time to unite and not to let the govt. take their place of living at any cost”, she continues.

Representatives, leaders and volunteers from about a dozen social organization including Jhuggi-Jhopri Sangharsh Morcha, India Against Corruption, Ashray Abhiyan, Wanchit Jan Morcha, Nidan, Nari-Gunjan were participated in the day long program meant to warn the govt. and to compel it to bring back the new slum scheme.

पटना संवाददाता, 26 जनवरी 2012 – गणतंत्र दिवस के अवसर पर आज मुख्य कार्यक्रम पटना के गांधी मैदान में आयोजित किया गया। सुरक्षा के कड़े इंतजाम के बीच राज्यपाल देवानंद कुंवर बिलकुल समय से गांधी मैदान पहुंच गये। मुख्यमंत्री नीतिश कुमार, उप-मुख्यमंत्री सुशील कुमार मोदी, विधानसभा उदय अध्यक्ष नारायण चौधरी एवं विधानपरिषद् अध्यक्ष ताराकांत झा ने भी भव्य परेड को देखा। मंच पर राज्यपाल के साथ पटना आयुक्त के.पी.रम्यया और डीजीपी अभ्यानंद भी मौजूद थे। सुबह के ठीक नौ बजे राज्यपाल ने झंड़ोत्तोलन किया। अपने छोटे से भाषण में उन्होनें ईश्वर से बिहार के उन्नत्ति की प्रार्थना की। परेड निरीक्षण के दौरान गांधी मैदान के पूर्वी छोर से युवाओं ने सामुहिक आवाज लगाकर राज्यपाल को ध्यानाकृष्ट किया जिसपर राज्यपाल ने हाथ दिखाकर उनका अभिवादन स्वीकार किया।

इस अवसर पर मिलिट्री और बिहार पुलिस सहित अन्य विभागों के चुनिंदा जवानों को उनके कर्तव्यनिष्ठा एवं पालन के लिए उत्कृष्ट सम्मान से सम्मानित किया गया। सम्मान के रूप में नगद एवं प्रशस्ति पत्र शामिल थे। सम्मान पाने वालों में कई जवान शौर्य चक्र प्राप्त हैं, एवं कई को सेना मेडल से नवाजा जा चुका है। मरणोपरांत सम्मान पाने वालों में हवलदार रंजीत सिंह एवं सिपाही शैलेश कुमार का नाम चुना गया था।

शौर्य चक्र प्राप्त - कैप्टन अमित कुमार एवं, सुबेदार े्ि  को 1.50 लाख रूपये नगद से सम्मानित किया गया। सिपाही शैलेस कुमार सिंह को मरणोपरांत यह सम्मान दिया गया। उनकी पत्नी सोनी देवी ने राज्यपाल से सम्मान ग्रहण किया।

सेना मेडल प्राप्त - मेजर आशीष, मेजर राज, मेजर अभय चन्द्र चौधरी, मेजर मनोज कुमार पांडेय, कैप्टन गौतम कुमार, लेफ्टिनेंट शमशेर सिंह एवं अविनाश कुमार में प्रत्येक को 75 हजार रूपये नगद एवं प्रशस्ति पत्र देकर सम्मानित किया गया। हवलदार रंजीत कुमार को मरणोपरांत यह सम्मान दिया गया। 1 लाख रूपये एवं प्रशस्ति पत्र पाने वाले श्याम बिहारी प्रसाद अकेले व्यक्ति रहे।

झंडोत्तोलन एवं भव्य परेड के बाद झांकियां निकाली गयी। ज्ञात्तत्व है कि बिहार इस बर्ष अपनी स्थापना का शताब्दी बर्ष मना रहा है फलतः झांकियां भी इसी प्रभाव में दिखी। कई विभागों कि झांकिया अत्यधिक प्रभावी रहीं और माननीय सदस्यों ने ताली बजाकर उनका उत्साह बढाया।