Bihar News, Latest News from Bihar, News of Bihar, Biharprabha News

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• Nitish asks center to fund Nalanda International University
• Bill Gates lauds Nitish for his efforts in health sector
• Power tariff likely to see massive hike
• Meet Swadesh’s Sharukh Khan from Bihar
• Salman thanked fans for the National Award to Dabangg
• Top bank brass all praise for Bihar CM
• India launches GSAT 8 successfully
• Shane Warne expects to be get Knighthood
• IT Whiz bank robber nabbed in Bihar
• Muzaffarpur to get a new mall very soon

Nitish asks center to fund Nalanda International University Posted: 21 May 2011 05:48 PM PDT Keen on speeding up work on the Nalanda International University, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today met External Affairs Minster S M Krishna and sought timely release of funds and adequate budgetary provisions for the ambitious initiative. He also drew the Centre’s attention towards non-appointment of the Vice-Chancellor for the University. "Please ensure that there are no undue delays in making the necessary funds available by making adequate budgetary provision for the same and releasing the money as and when required by the University," Kumar said in a memorandum submitted to the Union Minister. He said the Vice- Chancellor has still not been formally appointed by the Visitor. "This is becoming somewhat of a source of embarrassment…," he said. Kumar also and apprised him of his last visit to Bhutan where he discussed matters relating to electricity for Bihar. Emphasising on the full commitment of Bihar government to the Nalanda University project, Kumar informed the Union Minister that the land had been transferred to the University in early February this year. "I would request the Central Government also to fully support the project. Of course the University is being established in Bihar but it is going to be an international university of national importance and since it began as an initiative of East Asia Summit, the pride of the country is linked to its early and successful completion," he said. Kumar told the minister that the next meeting of the Governing Board is scheduled to be held in Patna on July 6 and 7.

Bill Gates lauds Nitish for his efforts in health sector Posted: 21 May 2011 07:48 AM PDT Geneva: "Nitish Kumar (Bihar Chief minister) and Muhammad Pate (head of Nigeria's polio eradication programme) have demonstrated that the best leaders can overcome the worst circumstances," said  Bill Gates in his address to the 64th World Health Assembly (WHA), which is the governing body of the World Health Organisation (WHO) The Sixty-fourth session of the World Health Assembly started  in Geneva during 16–24 May 2011. The Health Assembly will discuss a specific health agenda prepared by the Executive Board as well as the programme budget, administration and management matters of WHO. Mrs Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of Bangladesh spoke today noting health and development targets she has set for Bangladesh to become a middle-income nation within the next ten years, proclaiming "health is wealth." Mr. Bill Gates Co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation called for increased political and financial support for vaccines so that by 2020, we can prevent 10 million deaths. The World Health Statistics 2011 released today shows that many countries are facing a double burden of disease. The prevalence of risk factors for chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart diseases and cancer is increasing while many countries are still struggling to reduce maternal and child deaths caused by infectious diseases. "You have some countries, Northern Nigeria or Chad or the DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo) where less than half the kids right now are getting the vaccines," Gates  said, referring to polio immunization in those countries. "They are just not putting good people on it, not tracking their results, not even getting out to parts of the country. The message has to be clear. They have to see this as their top priority. It hasn't been," he added.

Power tariff likely to see massive hike Posted: 21 May 2011 05:43 AM PDT PATNA: Bihar Electricity Regulatory Commission (BERC) is likely to allow a 10-15% hike in the existing power tariff for all category of consumers. Currently, BERC is working out the new tariff, which is likely to be implemented from next month’s energy bill. The BERC’s three-day public hearing of objections and suggestions related to the proposal of Bihar State Electricity Board (BSEB) seeking a steep hike in tariff came to an end here on Wednesday. The commission took note of the objections and suggestions made by various stakeholders – members of trade and commerce associations and the public. Sources in the BERC said the BSEB, in its tariff petition, has proposed a steep hike in power tariff for 2011-12 in order to minimize its losses.

Meet Swadesh’s Sharukh Khan from Bihar Posted: 21 May 2011 04:20 AM PDT Electrical engineer Gyanesh Pandey, 35, has never met Shahrukh Khan. But, his story, which won international accolade on Tuesday, is remarkably similar to Khan's portrayal of a NRI engineer providing water to his native village in the film Swadesh. Instead, of water, the 35 year old has given cheap and clean electricity generated from waste rice husk to 380 of the poorest villages in West Champaran district of Bihar and his work is now one of the five most innovative green projects in the world. Ashden Awards for sustainable energy in London said Pandey's company, Husk Power Systems provides clean, reliable electricity supply and cost less than the alternatives. "Husk Power's 65 plants gasify rice husks and other biomass waste to supply electricity to around 180,000 people and, by replacing kerosene, they cut greenhouse emissions by over 8,000 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide a year," said a statement issued by Ashden Awards. Pandey, at the age of 31, quit his lucrative MNC job in Los Angeles, eight years after passing out from the Benaras Hindu University and pursuing a dream career like many of his contemporaries in United States. All changed in 2006, when Pandey failed a Vipassana course in Los Angeles and his desire to carry out rural development work in his village and being "homesick" convinced him to shun is bright career option in the growing semi-conductor industry in US. "I was back in 2007 and discussed my dream with Ratnesh Yadav, my old friend," he recalled and said the break came when an official in the ministry of new and renewable energy offered help to generate electricity from rice husk. Later that year, on the anniversary of India's 60th year of independence, the two set up their first unit in the rundown village of Tamkuha (meaning Fog of Darkness) — one of the three lakh Indian villages that don't have electricity — in Dhanaha region of the district. It was for the first time the villagers experienced electricity like a few others in Bundelkhand in Central India, benefited from a similar clean energy project. For a monthly rental of Rs 100, 50 Watt of power, enough to light two compact fluorescent lamps and a mobile phone charger, is provided to each of the 32,500 households now. It has reduced monthly kerosene consumption by six to seven litres, translating into a saving of around Rs 200. The husk power system plant, which runs for eight hours every day, generates 35 KW of power and has a electricity distribution system to cover villages within two kilometers. "It just a start," Pandey told HT, claiming that he was made for rural development and it was his mission now. The company plans to set up 1,000 such units from 65 by 2014.

Salman thanked fans for the National Award to Dabangg Posted: 21 May 2011 03:20 AM PDT Bollywood hunk Salman Khan, on Thursday thanked his fans for making ‘Dabangg’ a grand success after his film was honoured with the prestigious National Award. The film won the coveted honour for the ‘Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment’ category. Khan showed his gratitude before hundreds of fans in Nagpur a, during the promotion of his upcoming release ‘Ready’. Loved by critics and moviegoers alike, ‘Dabangg’, which got the citation “answers the need of cinegoers for entertainment rooted in Indian soil”, has clinched several other popular awards this year.

Top bank brass all praise for Bihar CM Posted: 21 May 2011 12:20 AM PDT Patna,(PTI) Top executives of nationalised banks today praised Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for the ‘massive’ change in Bihar under him and asked their respective branches to give full attention to development in the state. “There is an atmosphere of development in Bihar … We should think of and give attention as to how the investments take place,” SBI Chairman Pratip Chaudhury said at the State Level Bankers’ Committee (SLBC) meeting here. The experience gathered in other states would be utilised in Bihar, Chaudhury said adding “My concentration will be towards the atmosphere of investments.” Special attention would be given to providing one branch for a population of 15000 in Bihar to put it on par with the national average, the bank executives. Central Bank of India CMD S Sridhar said there was a lot of potential in the rural sector, particularly in Bihar. “We have expanded our activities through North Bihar Kshetriya Gramin Bank even in the remote rural areas.” It was also necessary to take serious steps for roping in the people with the banks, he said. Allahabad Bank CMD J P Dua said there was good atmosphere prevailing in Bihar for banking and investment.”During the last five-six years there has been marked improvement in law and order, road structure and other basic infrastructure … It is the best-ever time for more and more investments in Bihar.” UCO Bank CMD Arun Kaul said there were new potentials seen in Bihar for promoting medium and small enterprises and therefore it was necessary that the banks introspect and consider afresh schemes to be launched in the state. RBI Regional Director M K Singh said the annual credit plan (ACP) target for the current fiscal fixed at Rs 45000 crore in Bihar was a major challenge and banks must review its functioning for financial inclusion of more and more people. He also laid stress on banks achieving the ACP target and providing loan to MSE. NABARD Executive Director Amlesh Kumar said banks should give more attention towards achieving Credit Deposit Ratio target during 2011-12 which could be fulfilled by way of provision of huge loans in agriculture sector. Secretary, Financial Services, Government of India, S K Sharma asked banks to achieve CDR in Bihar on par with the national average of 70 per cent from existing 34 per cent. “For this, the banks have to do a lot as the state has huge potentials in education, agriculture and uplift of the minorities, weaker sections of the society,” he said. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Deputy Chief Minister S K Modi, also spoke at the meeting.

India launches GSAT 8 successfully Posted: 21 May 2011 12:17 AM PDT Bangalore, May 21 (PTI) India’s advanced communication satellite GSAT-8, which is aimed at augmenting direct to home TV broadcast services, was today successfully launched by Arianespace from Kourou in French Guiana. GSAT-8 was injected into space by European launcher Arianespace?s Ariane 5 rocket which lifted-off at 02.08 am (IST), with Japan’s ST-2 spacecraft as co-passenger. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh congratulated the Department of Space for the successful launch of the communication satellite. Singh rang up Space Secretary K Radhakrishnan at the launch site and conveyed his greetings. With a design life exceeding 12 years, GSAT-8, which weighs 3,100 kg, is one of the heaviest and high-powered satellites built by the Indian Space Research Organisation. The satellite carried 24 transponders to augment India?s Ku-band relay capabilities ? primarily for direct-to-home TV broadcast services ? with a coverage zone including the entire Indian subcontinent.

Shane Warne expects to be get Knighthood Posted: 21 May 2011 12:16 AM PDT Washington, May 21 (ANI): Australian cricketer Shane Warne has said he deserves a knighthood for his contribution to cricket, though his country had abolished conferring such honour 40 years ago. “I’m not quite sure what the future holds, but I do note that the other four men who were chosen in Wisden’s Five Cricketers Of The Century are all Sirs,” news.com.au quoted Warne, as saying. “Perhaps my knighthood has been lost in the post. Sir Shane Warne – it has quite a ring to it, don’t you think?” he added. After defeating Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League yesterday, Rajasthan Royals captain Warne said he hoped he had made the game richer during his four-year stint with his team. “It’s been a privilege and a pleasure to captain the Royals. Hopefully, I’ve helped Indian cricket,” Warne said. Forty-one-year-old Warne played his last professional cricket match on Friday. (ANI)

IT Whiz bank robber nabbed in Bihar Posted: 21 May 2011 12:10 AM PDT Raipur: Bank dacoity has gone hi-tech in Raipur. The police have arrested a mastermind of recent bank dacoities in the city who is nothing short of an IT genius. He planned the whole dacoity from the beginning to the end with the help of Internet and his knowledge with regard to IT has put the cops to shame. Subodh Singh, who had conducted three bank dacoities in the city in recent past, is presently in the custody of the crime branch after being arrested from the Chishtipur district of Bihar. He has told the police that he relied completely on the internet to plan the dacoities from the scratch. He told the cops about such websites that they had not even heard of. Subodh had done a complete research of almost every nuke and corner of the city on the internet. He also found out details of all the bank branches across Raipur. And not just this, Subodh even planned about the road from where he would escape after the dacoities. After conducting an online research in detail, he did a recce of all the branches and surrounding areas on his motorcycle. He also got a decent idea of the possible barricades the police could install after getting to know about the bank dacoities. And thanks to the hi-tech planning, he escaped comfortably without getting caught. Subodh also told the police that he had also read several stories on bank dacoity on the internet. Besides, he checked the record of several bank dacoities conducted in Kolkata and Mumbai in the past.

Muzaffarpur to get a new mall very soon Posted: 21 May 2011 12:06 AM PDT Spread across over 1,85,000 sq.ft., Dwarika City Centre, a new mall by real estate firm S T Marketing Pvt Ltd, is set to be will be operational by March 2013 in Bihar. Located in Muzaffarpur on NH 28, with over 300 ft. access to the four lane expressway, the mall is easily accessible from all key pockets of the city. The construction of the mall will start in June 2011. The GLA is around 1,35,000 sq.ft, including G+2 of retail space, a food and entertainment zone on third floor and a three screen multiplex on fourth and fifth floor. In addition the mall has close to 47,000 sq.ft of parking space in two basements, and around 25,000 sq.ft of additional surface parking. Shaswat Kumar, director, S T Marketing Pvt Ltd, said, “I firmly believe that consumers in Muzaffarpur and rest of Bihar should be provided world class shopping experience, and Dwarika City Centre will strive to make the above a reality for the complete family, through retail, food and fun zone and multiplex.” The mall is focussed on creating a complete fun and entertainment destination for families. The mall will help create local employment and there is a pledge to donate over 5 per cent of the earnings to provide free education to girl child from weak economic background.

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