BIHAR

The Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) of the Bihar Agricultural University (BAU) in Bhagalpur has successfully cultivated the exotic dragon fruit, paving the way for commercial production in the region. The fruit, known for its vibrant pink color and sweet taste, is already popular in countries like Mexico, Australia, and China. BAU scientists have conducted successful experiments, and by next year, farmers will receive seedlings to begin commercial cultivation. The dragon fruit offers several advantages, including low water requirements, disease resistance, and high market value. The fruit fetches prices between Rs 150 to 200 per kg and has a long shelf life, making it ideal for transportation and storage. With its high nutritional value and potential for high yields, the dragon fruit is poised to become a significant agricultural commodity in Bhagalpur and the eastern region of Bihar.

Bihar, India, is hosting the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy 2024, a prestigious international hockey tournament, for the first time. The event, which runs until November 20, features six teams: defending champion India, Olympic silver medalist China, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, and Thailand. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar inaugurated the tournament at the newly constructed Hockey Stadium in the Bihar Sports University-cum-state sports complex at Rajgir. The event also saw the inauguration of a newly developed athlete track and football ground in the same complex. The tournament is a significant milestone for Bihar, showcasing the state’s commitment to sports development and its ability to host international events. A robust security plan has been implemented to ensure the safety of players, spectators, and visitors, and arrangements have been made for the participating teams to explore the region’s tourist attractions.

The Bihar Sports University in Rajgir has appointed Shishir Sinha, a retired IAS officer and former chairman of the Bihar Public Service Commission, as its first vice-chancellor. This appointment, made by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, marks a significant step towards establishing Bihar as a sporting powerhouse. The university, inaugurated on Sports Day, is housed in a sprawling campus with state-of-the-art facilities and aims to provide a conducive environment for training and development of athletes. The university will be the sixth in India and will affiliate all sports-related institutes and colleges in Bihar, ensuring better infrastructure and training for aspiring athletes. With a 33% reservation for women, the university aims to encourage greater female participation in sports.

Aurangabad witnessed a record-breaking turnout for Chhath celebrations this year, with over 15 lakh devotees taking a holy dip in Surya Kund near Deo’s ancient sun temple. The district administration, which had anticipated a footfall of 10 lakh, reported a peaceful conclusion to the event. The success was attributed to the collaborative efforts of the administration, Bharat Scouts and Guides, National Service Scheme, NCC, and local residents. The focus now shifts to ensuring a safe exit of vehicles and people from the fair site, with a large police presence deployed for the purpose. Devotees began arriving from Wednesday, with the flow continuing until late Thursday evening. The temple, built in Nagar architectural style, saw a massive influx of devotees until 2 pm on Friday. The celebrations extended beyond the sun temple, with festivities taking place across the district.

The final day of Chhath Puja, a significant Hindu festival celebrated in Bihar, saw lakhs of devotees gather on Friday morning to offer prayers to the rising sun. The celebrations took place on the banks of the Ganga river and other water bodies across the state, with devotees offering ‘arghya’ (water offerings) to the sun god. Prominent figures like Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Union Minister Chirag Paswan also participated in the festivities. The Patna district administration implemented safety measures at various ghats along the Ganges, including medical camps and increased security personnel, to ensure a safe environment for the devotees. The four-day festival, which began on November 5th with the ‘nahay-khay’ ritual, concluded with the sunrise prayers on Friday, marking the end of the auspicious occasion.

Renowned folk singer Sharda Sinha, known for her soulful Chhath and folk songs, passed away at the age of 72 on Tuesday night. She was cremated with full state honors in Patna on Thursday, with hundreds of fans and admirers gathering to bid farewell. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar paid his respects, and her son, Anshuman Sinha, performed the last rites. Sinha, fondly known as “Bihar Kokila,” was celebrated for her unique blend of classical and folk elements in her renditions, particularly of Chhath and wedding songs. Her passing on the first day of Chhath, a significant festival in Bihar, has deeply resonated with fans. Her musical legacy extends beyond Bihar, reaching parts of eastern Uttar Pradesh, and she even graced the soundtrack of the 1990 Bollywood blockbuster “Maine Pyar Kiya” with her rendition of “Kahe tose sajna.”

The launch of the ‘Vay Vandana Card’ in Bihar marks a significant step towards ensuring the well-being of the state’s elderly population. This initiative, under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, promises to alleviate the financial burden of medical expenses for millions of senior citizens. Here’s a closer look at the key aspects of this compassionate program:

1. A Shield Against Financial Hardship: The ‘Vay Vandana Card’ provides a health insurance cover of Rs 5 lakh per year to individuals aged 70 and above. This financial safety net aims to prevent elderly individuals from facing the devastating consequences of high medical bills, ensuring they receive necessary treatment without compromising their financial security.

2. Empowering the Elderly: The initiative empowers senior citizens by providing them with access to quality healthcare without the fear of financial strain. This empowers them to live with dignity and independence, knowing that their health needs will be met.

3. Fulfilled Promise: The launch of the ‘Vay Vandana Card’ fulfills a promise made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Lok Sabha elections. This demonstrates the government’s commitment to prioritizing the well-being of senior citizens and ensuring their access to essential healthcare services.

4. A Compassionate Approach: The ‘Vay Vandana Card’ embodies a compassionate approach to healthcare, recognizing the unique needs and vulnerabilities of the elderly population. It aims to create a society where senior citizens are valued and supported, ensuring their health and well-being are prioritized.

5. A Model for Other States: The success of the ‘Vay Vandana Card’ in Bihar could serve as a model for other states to implement similar initiatives, extending the benefits of health insurance to their elderly populations. This could lead to a nationwide movement towards ensuring the well-being of senior citizens.

6. A Step Towards a More Inclusive Society: The ‘Vay Vandana Card’ is a step towards creating a more inclusive society where everyone, regardless of age, has access to quality healthcare. It highlights the importance of prioritizing the needs of vulnerable populations and ensuring their well-being.

• A Legacy of Melody: Sharda Sinha, the celebrated ‘Bihar Kokila,’ has passed away at the age of 72, leaving behind a rich legacy of folk music and cultural contributions that touched countless hearts.
• A Life Dedicated to Music: Renowned for her traditional wedding and Chhath songs in Bhojpuri, Sharda Sinha’s voice resonated with the soul of Bihar, bringing joy and celebration to countless lives.
• A Heart Grieving: Her passing comes shortly after the loss of her husband, Brajkishore Sinha, in September. The grief of losing her life partner deeply affected her health, leading to her hospitalization and eventual passing.
• A Voice of the People: Sharda Sinha’s music transcended boundaries, connecting with audiences across generations and social strata. Her songs celebrated the spirit of Bihar and its people, making her a beloved figure in the industry.
• A Padma Bhushan Recipient: Her contributions to music earned her the prestigious Padma Bhushan award, a testament to her immense talent and impact on Indian culture.
• A Mother’s Love: Her son, Anshuman, confirmed the news of her passing, expressing the profound loss of a beloved mother and an iconic artist.
• A Voice That Will Live On: Though her voice is now silent, Sharda Sinha’s music will continue to resonate, reminding us of her talent, her passion, and her enduring legacy.

The state capital faces its own set of problems when it comes to road safety. From jaywalking, talking over phone while driving, ignorance of lane-discipline to haphazard parking, causing road safety concerns. It has often been noticed that most pedestrian accidents occur because of jaywalking or crossing the busy road unlawfully.

However, till now no provisions have been made for pedestrians inBiharunder the clauses of The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act 2019, which empowers state to regulate the activities of both motorists as well as pedestrians.

Negligence of lane discipline is another frequently committed traffic offence on the roads of Patna. Though penalty can be imposed under section 190 of MV Act, clause 119 where the traffic Police can fine up to Rs100, but such action is hardly taken.