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Efforts to have a smooth city bus service in the state capital turned full circle on Thursday with buses plying on all the designated five routes, easing out woes of commuters.
The general manager of the Jharkhand Tourism Development Corporation, Alok Kumar informed that each route has 14 buses plying at an interval of 10 minutes.he said the final lot of 40 buses were released on Thursday after a test run for around 20 days.
"As the fare is low and affordable, most people prefer going by bus", says Alok Kumar.
Currently a total of 70 city buses are plying on the five routes of the city

रांची: झारखंड की राजधानी रांची सहित तीन बडे शहरों से सिलिंग ऐक्‍ट समाप्‍त कर दिया गया है। राज्‍यपाल के सलाहकार परिषद ने एक महत्‍वपूर्ण बैठक में यह फैसला लिया है। फैसले के अनुसार, इस अधिनियम को एक संकल्प के जरिये समाप्त किया जायेगा। संकल्प भू-राजस्व विभाग की ओर से जारी किया जायेगा। अधिसूचना जारी होते ही राज्य में इसके तहत चल रहे सारे मामले समाप्त हो जायेंगे। जिन मामलों का निबटारा कर जमीन का अधिग्रहण कर लिया गया है, उन पर इस फैसले का कोई प्रभाव नहीं पड़ेगा।

सिलिंग ऐक्‍ट की यह यह वापसी राज्‍य में चालू राष्‍ट्रपति शासन की यह एक बडी उपलब्धि मानी जा रही है। इस फैसले से संबंधित शहरों में विकास की संभावनाएं देखी जा रही हैं। जबकि, एक वर्ग विशेष इसे पूंजीपतियों का हित साधनेवाला फैसला करार दे रहा है। सिलिंग ऐक्‍ट हटने के बाद बाद अब कोई भी नागरिक 30 कठ्ठे से अधिक जमीन का मालिक हो सकता है। भूखंड और निजी भवन निर्माण व्‍यापार को इससे जबरदस्‍त लाभ मिलेगा। कीमतें बेतहाशा बढेंगी।

कोलकाता | प्रख्यात आलोचक व जनवादी लेखक संघ के राष्ट्रीय अध्यक्ष शिवकुमार मिश्र ने कहा कि वर्तमान समय में साहित्य ,कला , व संस्कृति गहरे संकट के दौर से गुजर रहा हैं | इस दौर में आदमी की रचनाधर्मिता चुनौतियों के बीच खड़ी है |उन्होंने कहा कि ये निहायत ही रचना विरोधी समय है और साहित्य अभिव्यक्ति का इतना स्खलन पहले कभी नहीं हुआ था | मिश्र ने कहा कि यदि समय का चरित्र यही रहा तो फिर सबसे बड़ा सवाल यह है कि आने वाले दिन में आदमी कितना आदमी रह जाएगा | देखा जाए तो आज आदमी का भी क्षरण हो रहा है और बाजारतंत्र हम पर हावी है | शिवकुमार मिश्र ने ये बातें भारतीय भाषा परिषद् सभागार में आयोजित एक समारोह को संबोधित करते हुए कहा | इस मौके पर मानिक दफ्तरी ज्ञानविभा ट्रस्ट कि ओर से हिंदी के प्रख्यात कथाकार शेखर जोशी को चंद्रयान पुरस्कार – २०१० से नवाजा गया |संस्था के ट्रस्टी धनराज दफ्तरी ने पुरस्कार स्वरुप जोशी को ३१ हजार रुपये की राशि,शॉल व श्रीफल प्रदान किए |
शिवकुमार मिश्र ने इस मौके पर शेखर जोशी के सम्मान में कहा कि जोशी नई कहानी आन्दोलन के उन सदस्यों में से हैं ,जिन्होंने नई कहानी को गाँव से जोड़ा | उन्होंने कहा कि जोशी ने औद्दोगिक मजदूरों पर कहानी लिखी ,जिसमे यथार्थ के सही संदर्भों को उन्होंने उभारा | यही नहीं जोशी ने नई कहानी के तमाम दुसरे लोगों के साथ इसे व्यापक आयाम भी दिया था | मिश्र ने कहा कि गांव को आधार बनाने के बावजूद शेखर जोशी 'मैला आँचल' के लेखक फणीश्वरनाथ रेणु की तरह आंचलिकता के शिकार नहीं बने |उन्होंने कहा कि जोशी की कहानी यथार्थ की व्याख्या करते हुए जरूरी व गैर -जरूरी के बीच के फर्क को स्पष्ट करती है | दूसरी ओर रेणु की त्रासदी यह रही कि आंचलिकता की रौ में उनसे जरूरी चीज़ें पीछे छूट गयी | मिश्र के मुताबिक 'मैला आँचल ' में आंचलिकता के रूपवाद को मनोरंजन के रूप में पेश किया गया है | इसी संदर्भ में मिश्र ने शेखर जोशी की 'दाज्यू ' , 'कोसी का घटवार ' , 'नौरंगी बीमार है ' आदि कई कहानियों का जिक्र करते हुए कहा कि जोशी कि कहानियों में यथार्थ का चित्रण हमें मिलता हैं | इस मौके पर शेखर जोशी ने सम्मान के लिए आयोजक संस्था के प्रति आभार जताते हुए कहा -मैंने बहुत नहीं लिखा और यदि मैं सलीके से लिख पाया और आपकी नजर उस पर पड़ी है तो उसके प्रति भी आभार प्रकट करता हूँ | उन्होंने कहा कि यह सम्मान उनका नहीं बल्कि उनका उन पात्रों का है जो पाठकों के मन में रच बस गए हैं | उन्होंने कहा कि दिल्ली प्रवास के दौरान वामपंथी राजनीति की तरफ उनका रुझान होने लगा | जोशी ने कहा -जो थोडा बहुत मैं सलीके से लिख पढ़ पाया उसका श्रेय इलाहाबाद के साहित्यिक माहौल को हैं | इस मौके पर नई पीढ़ी के लेखकों से निवेदन करते हुए जोशी ने कहा -जो हम लिखें ,उसमे कुछ प्रकाश हो ,हताशा न हो | उनके मुताबिक साहित्य से हमें कुछ ऐसा भी मिलना चाहिए जिससे प्रेरणा मिले | कार्यक्रम की अध्यक्षता करते हुए भारतीय भाषा परिषद् के निदेशक विजय बहादुर सिंह ने लेखक को साहित्य का "डेंजर ज़ोन " करार देते हुए कहा कि वह (लेखक ) हमें बताता है कि समाज कितने हद तक खतरे के निशान से ऊपर जा रहा है | उन्होंने कहा कि संकट के समय समाज में हमेशा आता रहता है | देखा जाए तो कभी -कभी वेदना भी समाज को जागृत करती है | सिंह ने कहा कि कवि व वेदना हमें बताते है कि समाज में अभी बहुत कुछ जीवित है | उनके मुताबिक बैचैनी व उकताहट से ही साहित्य बचा रहता हैं | कार्यक्रम का संचालन पत्रकार प्रकाश चंडालिया ने किया. उन्होंने शेखर जोशी की कहानी "दाज्यू " का पाठ भी किया | समारोह में डा. कृष्ण बिहारी मिश्र, आलोचक व कथाकार विमल वर्मा, श्रीहर्ष, अरुण महेश्वरी, डा. अमरनाथ, आयोजक संस्था के ट्रस्ट अध्यक्ष प्रीतम दफ्तरी व नन्दलाल टांटिया आदि भी मौजूद थे | धनराज दफ्तरी ने धन्यवाद दिया |

|| Dr. Dhirendra Sharma ||
Once I asked a Mandaleshwar why was he constructing a temple where there was no hospital. My friendly Sanyasi retorted, “I am doctor of Spiritual sickness, not physical doctor. ” However, last week many dharm-gurus, and concerned citizens were reported to have demanded stoppage of all Dams and developmental projects on the Glacial rivers of Himalaya. Under the banner “ Ganga Raksha Sabha” a meeting was held in New Delhi on Friday, 16 July 2010, attended by Swami Avimukteshwaranand , the Shankaracharya designate of Joytirmath and Dwarka, that decided to launch an All-India agitation. Admittedly, there are strong cultural sentiments against any construction, diversion or management of Ganga waters. But to launch an agitational campaign against any development plan is an irrational political reasoning. With a futuristic paradigm, it is necessary for the well being of future generations that we plan today and prepare better management of our natural resources which include the perennial flow of the mighty Ganga.
Our Himalaya is rich in natural resources particularly with the Glacial lakes and rivers which are full of perennial life saving Energy. The problem however is how scientifically could we manage them to serve the life and liberties of future generations. That calls for concerted efforts of all parties concerned.
Anti-development agitations would not help us when deluge, floods, and melting glaciers would inundate the Gangetic slopes of Himalaya. There is no dharma-shastra that says that any river water can absolve you of your sins (Moksha-daayani). In the Vedas, the Upanishads, and in the entire Indian philosophical works there is no mention of any Glacial river water flow necessary for Moksha or Mukti.
Pollution of Ganga is evidently a scientific fact. But there is no traditional or spiritual method available to us to manage the water and power demands of modern technological civic society. And without scientific management of the Glacier rivers and lakes of the Himalaya, there is no other way to meet demands of future generations. But the completion of the Dams and other engineering developmental projects calls for cooperation of all political parties and the concerned citizens.
Admittedly, protection of Environment is also a scientific issue and. Ganga purification ( Ganga Shuddhi) cannot be done by pouring milk and offering flowers. There are many traditional – cultural practices that cause damage to purity of Ganga.. For instance, burning and ritual dumping of dead bodies in the river is a serious pollutant to our Holy Ganga.
The Shankaracharya and custodians of Holy Ganga should ban the disposal of the dead bodies at the Holy Ghats, and should install Solar Powered Crematoria. Our dharma-adhikaris should also enact a law against dumping the ashes and the bodies in the Holy river.
Today, we have advanced scientific tools and engineering experience. The advanced scientific knowledge gives us the confidence for construction of earthquake resistant designs, which could surely withstand disasters of high magnitudes. Dr. Vinod K. Gaur, former Director National Geophysical Research Institute, writing on Earthquake Hazard in the Himalaya, says that with application of modern technology we have learnt the Himalayan structure of seismic processes and of rock parameters. We are now in position “to quantify earthquake hazard in this (Himalayan) high seismic area with greater insight and confidence.”
There are 13 high Peaks; 9 Major Passes, and 12 major and 5,000 Glaciers, and an estimated 200,000 MW hydropower potential in our Himalaya. In the past 50 million years, the Himalayan peaks, (Mt. Everest), have risen to 9 km heights and continue to rise more than 1 cm a year — a growth rate of 10 km in a million years! Scientists believe that the Eurasian Plate may now be stretching out rather than thrusting up, and such stretching would result in some subsidence due to gravity. Thus, shrinking and melting of thousands of glaciers offer afresh 21st century challenges.
In Finland, e.g., prospecting of melting glaciers are being mapped and construction of dams for water management, flood control and power generation are being planned.
As the glaciers are receding the land price in Finland is rising. With the warmer climatic future, the Fins are preparing for a Green Revolution and Unemployed Europeans are applying for citizenship in Finland.
Since we cannot control the natural forces, we should be prepared for natural disturbances. Our Himalayan region is super rich in natural resources particularly with the Glacial lakes and rivers which are full of perennial life saving Energy. The problem however is how scientifically could we manage them. And that calls for concerted efforts of all parties concerned. Anti-development agitations would not help the future generations when the deluge, floods, and melting glaciers most likely to occur.
(Author is the Director of Centre for Science Policy, Dehradun 248009. (0135) 2735 627.). Mob. 989788 3741.)

Ranchi: India’s leading telecom service provider Tata Indicom has rained offers galore for its customer this monsoon. The prepaid segment offers attractive hand-sets at throwaway prices along with a beautiful umbrella, while the post paid new connection offers travel vouchers for couple and their two kids, for 3days/2nights at selected tourist spots.
The COO of Tata Indicom, Jharkhand said that this year’s monsoon offer for both the pre-paid as well as the post-paid segments are sure to be welcomed by our customers as they would be getting a fantastic bargain at bare minimum price.

Ranchi: The two day national level meet of the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) will be held at the Town Hall in Ranchi on the 17th and 18th of July. Announcing this at a press-meet, the State INTUC President Chandra Shekar Dubey said that nearly 1000 delegates from all parts of the country would assemble to discuss various issues related to nearly 40cr workers from the unorganized sectors of Industry, Coal and other sectors.
He said that the meet would also discuss matters related to revision of the Industrial Disputes act, improvising on the existing PF, ESI,EPF acts to suit the workers, make tax free the benefits accumulated in Gratuity and other social security acts. He added that the decisions made in the two day meet would be conveyed to the Centre for immediate consideration.
Dubey said that the owner-labour nexus would be strenghthened to provide better productivity and industrial harmony
The meet would also elect new national committee members as well as a new National President of INTUC.
He agreed that there were two factions of INTUC in the country and claimed that his group was the legitimate union as it strived for the welfare of the workers whereas the other group led by Sanjiva Reddy was corrupt and more Industrialists’ friendly than of the workers. He refused to acknowledge Rajendra Singh as his leader and said that no Industrialist could be his leader. Rajendra Singh is the State President of the other faction of INTUC.
Many other office bearers of the State’s INTUC (Dubey group) were also present and expressed their solidarity with the current president of INTUC in the State.

Ranchi: Raju Srivastava (name changed) of Ranchi was in an exuberant mood as he threw a party for his close friends. He and his friends had a gala time dining and wining.

Raju happily shelled out the Rs.8000 bill and generously tipped the waiters. The occasion was that he had received an email stating that he was the lucky winner of $500,000! His happiness knew no bounds when he saw the supporting certificates and that too purportedly by none other than the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) itself.
Next afternoon Raju got the shock of his life when one of the friends informed him about the fraud being perpetrated by certain tricksters who lure gullible people (like Raju) into believing that they actually are giving out such huge amount. His friend showed him a newspaper clipping he had just downloaded from the site in which the RBI warned the common man to be cautious about such lucrative offers as they were nothing but fraud.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) General Manager, Jharkhand H N Panda (C) addressing media persons at his office in Ranchi on Friday, July 16, 2010, to disclose the fraudulent means adopted by tricksters to dupe innocent victims by tempting e-mail and sms by offering huge sums of money as gift and duping them by taking thousands of rupees as service and other charges in advance through bank transfer. Picture : Somnath Sen (Ranchi).

The news stated that the fraudsters managed to extract thousands of rupees as process fees, transfer charges and taxes. Thereafter the fraudsters would vanish in thin air leaving the innocent victim shattered.
Raju was shocked that even he had just been duped as just in the morning he had transferred 25000 rupees into an account for the same reasons as mentioned in the newspaper clipping.
Both Raju and his friend rushed to the bank to stop the transfer but it was too late as the transfer had not only been made but even withdrawn from the receiving bank.
Reserve Bank of India General Manager, Ranchi H N Panda, convened a press meet at his office to send warning signals to the general public against such frauds. He was more worried that the tricksters were now resorting to uploading such mails using the RBI logo as authentication to lure more and more gullible victims. The GM produced two such certificates which not only carried the logo of the RBI but also had the ID card of a senior official of the bank.
Panda categorically stated that RBI never conducted any business with an individual or Trust and as the case amounts to forgery the Enforcement Directorate (ED) will take up the investigation part. He warned the general public via the media to ignore such ludicrous offers and not fall prey to greed and temptation.
He added that all the banks dealing in foreign exchange have been advised to put up notices prominently of the fraud being committed in name of gift. He further advised that such mails or SMS should immediately be brought to the notice of the nearest police station so that prompt action could be taken to apprehend the culprit/s. He warned the public that apart from losing their well earned money to such temptations, they also become liable for prosecution under the contravention of Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) 1999. He said that the common man could clear the doubts in RBI’s official web site.

- P. Vijay Raghavan

Ranchi: The first meeting of the Tribal Advisory Council (TAC) was held at the BNR Hotel in Ranchi under the Chairmanship of Padmashree Dr. Ram Dayal Munda. The nominated adivasi legislators to the TAC and the Secretaries, Deputy Secretaries and Directors of all the departments of the State were present.
The main agenda was to earmark the problems faced by the Adivasis in the State and take immediate remedial steps The Council also discuused the rights of the Adivasi community and how proper protection could be given to the same.
The Council discussed on 17 issues. These include assessment of work being done in the scheduled areas, review of the directives concerning the tribals, by the various departments, review of the 107 MOUs affecting the tribal land,review of the various scholarship program to the tribals, illegal grabbing of tribal land and establishing an Tribal Commission was discussed.
It was decided that unanimous decisions would be made by the Council on the above matter and action taken accordingly.
Those present included legislators Geetashree Oraon, Raja Peter, Hemant Soren, Bandhu Tirkey, Chamra Linda, Champai Soren, Development Commissioner and Secretaries of all departments.

Ranchi: The Kuju area on NH-33, just 30-35 kms from Ranchi is now taking alarming turn. Fresh cracks have developed and flames are seen erupting from these cracks. The entire surrounding area comprising of villages and residential colonies are in a precarious condition as the land is in danger of subsiding.
It may be recalled that the cracks developed around five-six months ago and fire erupting from it. CCL authorities had summoned experts from Kolkata to control the fire but could manage to just superficially extinguish it. Huge bales of smoke was continuously emitting from the cracks.
A diversion was created to accommodate the heavy vehicular traffic on the highway and the damage control at the affected site remained unattended. The main cracks are near the Lohagate in Kuju. The cracks are widening every passing day and huge bales of smoke and flames are only increasing.
The flames and crack are spreading underground and the ground temperature steadily increasing in the area. The worst affected are 10, 9, 8 and 7 no.Settlements, Lakri Gate area, Hesagera, Vanvaar, Chattan Dhaura, Kuju Colliery colony and 3no. colony along with neighboring villages.
When contacted, the CCL area General Manager R V Prasad said that the matter was being looked into seriously and an investigation team was being sent to re-assess the damage and relief work started on war footing thereafter. He was confident that the raging underground fire would be brought under control and extinguished completely.

Ranchi: 13 people came under the JSEB dragnet for pilferage of power in the Dhurva area. The Vigilance team of the Board conducted large scale raids in many areas of HEC and found that large scale irregularities were being regularly followed.
The department earmarked 13 such persons, including those employed in senior posts by the department. Immediately FIR was lodged against these offenders under section 136 & 138 0f IPC.
The names include Mahadeo Oraon, Bipin Chandra Malik, Miraj Ansari Ritu Devi, Ketwai Lohrain, Mukesh Kumar, Binod Kumar, Mundu Besra, Ravi Sharma,, Chotulal Teed, Aloknath Prasad, K R Sahu and S K Dubey.
The Junior Engineer heading the raid said that strict action will be taken against all such offenders as the new Chairman has categorically stated that strictest possible vigil is to be maintained against habitual offenders.
The minimum penalty as per law is Rs.5300 and a maximum of Rs. 15000 plus imprisonment upto two years.

Ranchi: The Adki police foiled the attempt of Maoists to blow up the Kesaribera and Masunga roads through which the police contingent was scheduled to pass. The Adki police under station in-charge Anup Karmakar raided the spot on getting a tip-off that Maoists were laying land mines on the above mentioned roads. Seeing the police arrival most of the Maoists managed to escape to the nearby jungles but two of them Sobran Munda and Rajesh Kumar Sahu were nabbed red handed.
The police recovered 28 pieces of high power Gel explosives. The arrested Maoists were sent to jail. During the interrogation the culprits revealed that they were instructed by senior Maoists Madhu Ahir, Prasad Ahir and Gurwa Ahir to plant land mines on the entire Kesaribera and Masunga roads as the police activities were gaining momentum in the area. They were further instructed to plant bombs in the entire jungle to ensure that none of the policemen entering the jungle returns alive.
Anup Karmakar was assisted by constables Faneshwar oraon,Binod bhagat,devendra Lohra, Sufal Tidu, Arfas Minj, Munesh Mahto, Prakash Boipai and Rajendra Yadav. The Station incharge Anup Karmakar was congratulated by senior police officers for the commendable work.

Ranchi: The nine day long Rath Yatra festival went underway at the Jagannathpur temple. Millions of people witnessed the traditional rituals being performed prior to the departure of the Rath, being pulled by hundreds of devotees. The rain god joined in the festivities as he showered his blessings. The priests chanted the vedic hymns and the Lord Jagannath, his brother Balabadhra and sister Subadhra were ready for the ‘darshan’.

Devotees offers prayer to Lord Jagannath, Goddess Subhadra and Lord Balabhadra, on the occasion of Rath Yatra or Chariot procession in Ranchi on Tuesday, July 13, 2010. Millions of Hindu devotees participate every year in an annual religious procession outside the temple of Jagannath, who is considered by Hindus to be the lord of the universe. Picture : Mahadeo Sen (Ranchi).

The wait was over for the ocean of devotees present at the site and the tiredness of the long walk and humid atmosphere vanished with the very glimpse of the divine figures. These people eagerly wait the whole year just for this glorious moment.
The three deities will spend a nine day vacation at their aunt’s house the ‘Mausi Bari’ as it is fondly known.
The return trip called the ‘Gurthi Rath’ will take place on 21st instant
The entire Jagannathpur area was a picture of rejoicement. Children and adult alike enjoyed the ‘mela’. There were serpentine queues at the Giant-wheel and merry-go-round awaiting their turn. The Dragon train was an instant hit with the young ones. There was circus and ‘well of death’ to add to the variety.
Thousands of stalls were erected and anything and everything right from fast food, Chaat, Chinese, south Indian delicacies,Litti-choka to name a few, were available. Traditional musical instruments and weapons were on display and attracting huge buyers.
The rain also took a breather to let the people have a gala time. Security personnel in hundreds ensured that nothing untoward happened to upset the rhythm of festivities.

Ranchi: The State Youth Congress concluded in Ranchi and the dashing Manas Sinha emerged victorious as the new State Youth Congress President. He secured 216 votes as compared to 163 procured by Rajendra Singh’s son Akshay Singh. The third position went to former Speaker Alamgir Alam’s son Tanvir and fourth to Sardar Jyoti Singh.
Congress National Secretary Jeetendra Singh and Youth Congress National President Rajiv Saatav were present in Ranchi to supervise the proceedings.

Ranchi: The Governor M O H Farook , inaugurating the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Ranchi University said that the University was proving to be the hub of education in the State. He added in his address that the ranchi University was the oldest in the State and it decides upon the future of higher education while having nostalgic memories of the past since its foundation. The University can feel proud of the fact that noted scholars have passed out of this university and have shaped the State’s future.
The Governor added that the late PM Jawaharlal Nehru had visualised the State for being an Industrial Hub which was being ful;filled now with the efforts of Sonia Gandhi and Dr. Manmohan Singh.
On the occasion the Governor felicitated the former VCs and the University students presented a cultural program.
The Advisors to the Governor and other dignitaries were present at the occasion.

Ranchi: Situated on a 250ft high hill in Jagannathpur, just 10kms away from the city of Ranchi, the temple of Lord Jagannath, stands towering over the entire city, symbolizing divine protection.
The now 100ft tall temple was built in the year 1691 by the then Raja Thakur Aninath Shahdeo of Barkhagarh Chotanagpur. The design of the temple is based on Uttar Pradesh’s ancient architecture and is awe inspiring. This ancient heritage structure of the Chotanagpur region has aroused the interest of many noted archaeologists and historians.

The main temple tower was renovated recently and succeeds in presenting the age old traditions, cultural and religious heritage to the current generation. Lord Jagannath along with his elder brother Balabadhra and sister Subadhra’s idol are seated on a majestic stone throne inside the temple at the sanctum sanctorum.
The entrance to the main temple is through a steep stone stairway and the temple is surrounded by 15ft high solid rock boundary, giving it a look of fortress. As soon as one enters the temple gate a huge ‘Garud’ statue welcomes the devotees and crossing across a huge 100ft x 80 ft open hall the devotees get the divine blessings of the lord.
According to the local folk lore, many farmers choose the auspicious day of Rath Yatra for sowing the seeds in their farms as it is believed that the lord showers his special blessings on the farmers on this day. This custom is being followed for centuries now and with amazing results.
The Jagannathpur Rath Yatra was started by the then King Aninath Shahdeo and continued for the last 320 years with the same fervour. Apart from being a religious festival the Rath Yatra bridges the communal differences in a huge way as people from all castes and religion join in the historic 10 day festivity.
The entire Jagannathpur area is beautifully decorated and presents a huge fair like atmosphere with merry-go-rounds, giant-wheels, air-gun shooting stalls combined with thousands of stalls selling fast food and local delicacies and traditional musical instruments. A complete section vends the traditional weapons with the bow & arrow stalls drawing the most crowds.
The festivity commences with the Lord Jagannath along with Balabadhra and Subadhra proceed to their aunt’s house on the ‘Rath’ pulled by hundreds of devotees and spend a nine day vacation with her. The ten day festival concludes with the ‘Gurthi Rath’ (return journey). On all the ten days the people from neighbouring areas are seen making a beeline to Jagannathpur.
With every passing year the crowd swells and the city police are on full alert to maintain law & order. Huge towers have been erected to keep strict round the clock vigil.
As the festival is during the monsoon season, invariably the Rath Yatra is greeted with showers as symbolic of heavenly blessing.
The country’s first Lord Jagannath Temple was erected in Puri thousands of years ago by king Indudhumn of Malwa.

- P. Vijay Raghavan

Nurses take care of newly born babies inside a ward of a maternity hospital on the occasion of "World Population Day" in Ranchi, the capital of Jharkhand state, on Sunday, July 11, 2010. World Population Day 2010 has the theme 'Everyone Counts', and aims to emphasise the importance of data for development and encourage people to participate in the census and other data collection efforts. Picture : Rajesh Kumar Sen (Ranchi, Jharkhand).

Ranchi: Tenth of July is celebrated country wide as National Fishermen’s Day. In Ranchi, the Director of Fisheries Department, Government of Jharkhand, felicitated more than 50 fishermen for their outstanding contribution. The director gave each of them bag full of fish fodder as token of appreciation.
A beaming Shanti Devi, a fish farmer from Bundu, was happy that the government remembered them on this day. Ironically she was unaware of the fact about today being the National Fishermen’s day. She expressed her gratitude to the department’s Director for his genuine concern. She said that the lack of rain this year too is a great cause for worry as the ponds had dried up. Manju Kumari of Tamar echoed Shanti Devi’s feelings.
Walter Toppo and Marshal Oraon from Silli were a worried lot and said that if the ponds did not get filled up fast, their entire hard work would go waste and the breed of ready fishes would only become fodder for the eagles and crows. They were still reeling under the heavy loss suffered due to the drought last year.
Fisheries Department Director Rajeev Kumar said that the lack of rains this year too is alarming for the fishermen. He added that he visited many villages in Bundu and adjoining areas of Silli. Most of the ponds had either totally dried up or barely having any water. The last year’s drought had a disastrous effect on the fishermen and prayed that this year the situation improves this season.
Kumar said that his department was the only one of its kind in the State which was fully equipped with the modern method of fish cultivation and are breeding four varieties including Rehu and Katla. Prawns are also being bred here he added. He assured the fishermen present that his department would provide all the help that was needed. He said that the fishermen were adopting the methods suggested by the department and heaping rich harvest.

Ranchi: The State Youth Congress elections for electing office bearers from the State as well as Lok Sabha Regional segment Committee will be held in Ranchi tomorrow. There are sixteen people in the fray for the 10 seats.
The wards of many bigwigs of the Pradesh Congress are in the fray and the competition expected to be tough. The person securing the maximum votes will become the State Youth Congress president. The contenders include leader of opposition in the Assembly Rajendra Singh’s son Abhishek, former Assembly Speaker Alalgir Alam’s son Tanvir Alam, former Mahila Pradesh Congress Pratibha Pandey’s daughter Dipika Pandey, Manas Sinha, considered to be very close to Union Minister and Ranchi MP Subodh Kant Sahay and others.
The candidates will address the voters prior to election and results to be declared by late evening. Apart from the President and Vice-president there will be eight General Secretaries.
Congress National Secretary Jeetendra Singh and Youth Congress National President Rajiv Saatav will be present in Ranchi tomorrow to supervise the proceedings.
Of the 10 seats five are reserved for SC, MT, Woman,OBC and Minority candidates.

Ranchi: Addressing a packed Chamber auditorium in Ranchi under the aegis of Police and Chamber Together (PACT), SSR Praveen Singh urged the members of the Federation of Jharkhand Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FJCCI) to consider police as their friend. He said the police was at their service round the clock 24 x 365 days.
The formation of PACT was done two years ago and the police – Chamber face to face becoming a regular affair. The SSP told the members that the crime in the State has taken a modern shape and it could be controlled only with the co-operation of businessmen as well as common man. 100 is functional all the 24 hours.
He coaxed the members to shed away the fear of meeting the police. He urged them to break the mental barrier and consider the police as their friend and the police will prove to be a friend indeed! He emphasized on the point that any crime should be reported immediately and even the tiniest of details provided to the investigating officers. He added that if the junior police officers’ response was unsatisfactory then a senior police officer should be informed immediately so that prompt action is taken.
The SSP said that even from the business community many serious crimes were committed and the Chamber should try to sincerely control them else the police intervention will become unavoidable. He urged the members to solve all petty disputes related to business rivalry and other small matters without involving the police and the police would intervene only when the matter gets out of hand.
He advised the members to immediately provide the police with full details of new tenants as this would help the police to identify notorious criminals and save harassment for the landlord. He urged the Hotel sector to keep proper records of all the visitors including copies of their valid proof of identity. There should be no exception in this regarded added Praveen Singh.
City SP Shambu Prasad told the members not to be cowed down by threats and during the identification parade they should fearlessly point the finger at the culprit. The criminals mostly rely on the fear factor and take undue advantage. Most of the criminals get exonerated from the court for want of witness and incriminating evidence.
FJCCI President Pradeep Sharma said that the Chamber had always been friendly with the police and PACT was formed couple of years ago only to strengthen this friendship. He agreed there were instances of negligence from both sides but it is being seriously rectified by both sides after formation of PACT. The members realize their responsibility towards the society and would extend full co-operation to the police to maintain law & order in the State.
Many senior police officers and all the office bearers of the FJCCI were present along with a large number of Chamber members. These include Praful Shahdeo, Poonam Anand, Kunal Ajmani, Bikash Singh and former Chamber presidents.

Ranchi: The DVC Jharkhand Mazdoor Union held a meeting in Ranchi and unanimously passed the resolution to work positively to strengthen the management’s hand in all the developmental work.
Mazdoor Union General Secretary Binod Prasad said that there were some unscrupulous officers within the Corporation who trying to create misunderstanding between the workers and the management for their selfish gains. He cautioned the workers to beware of such persons.
The Union lauded the efforts of the Secretary, DVC for his positive approach. Under his guidance the Mezia Thermal Power Station is generating power with increased capacity and even the coal stocks are improving every passing day.
Prasad said that under the current management things were looking up and the union has resolved to do away with confrontation and work for the development of the corporation.