Category Archives: Records, All

Country’s second Bhojpuri study centre opens in city

Education, Records, All

Lucknow :

Dr Shakuntala Misra National Rehabilitation University became the second university in the country to start a centre for Bhojpuri studies. The centre, to be operational from this academic session, will promote Bhojpuri literature and language, besides showcasing the lively elements of Bhojpuri culture and civilization across areas of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh.

Banaras Hindu University is the only other institution to offer the course.

The centre will have undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral courses.

“Bhojpuri is significant to a large population and has considerable international presence. This linguistic region has been the life line of north India. The study of regional Bhojpuri life, including agriculture, lifestyle, indigenous knowledge and cultural profiles is of immense significance both from epistemological and practical angles,” said university vice-chancellor Nishith Rai, the ex-officio chairman of the centre.

Apart from academic activities, the Centre for Bhojpuri Studies will house a cultural museum to preserve rare manuscripts, art forms. The centre will als provide training for print, electronic media and film production, organise national and international conferences and publish books and journals. The university VC, said officials will soon constitute a committee of experts to work out the modalities for making the Centre functional

Bhojpuri diaspora merits special significance. According to academic advisor to V-C, AP Tiwari, Bhojpuri has worldwide linkages. It is spread not only in metros like Mumbai, Kolkata and Delhi but also in erstwhile colonial Islands like Mauritius, Surinam, Trinidad and Fiji, besides USA and UK. “People with Bhojpuri clout are rich businessmen, successful bureaucrats, poor laborers or small shopkeepers but their languages are the same. Despite heterogeneous economic status of Bhojpuri people, it has built in tendency of integration. Hence, the Centre will explore Bhojpuri connections across the world,” said Tiwari.

The Centre, said Tiwari will also endeavour to bring out the philosophical world-view of the Bhojpuri community, its traditional eco-friendly practices and life style, its creative and aesthetic richness and fineness and most significantly its innovative genius. “Let the Bhojpuri (speaking ) people take pride in their language instead of being apologetic about it. It is a great tragedy that very little is known of a language which is the language of the heart for millions of people,” Rai said.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Lucknow / by Isha Jain, TNN / April 01st, 2016

SP Shamli to get fifth gallantry award

Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All

Meerut:

Governor Ram Naik on behalf of President Pranab Mukherjee on April 1 will confer the Shaurya Padak, a gallantry award, to superintendent of police in Shamli district Vijay Bushan.

This will be the fifth gallantry award of Bhushan’s career. He will receive the award for showing “extraordinary courage” during an encounter with five kidnappers who had abducted a businessman’s son. The incident took place in 2007, when Bhushan posted in Lucknow as ASP (Special Forces).

According to SP Bhushan, in February 2007, one Praveen, a student of Class IV had been kidnapped by some miscreants who demanded Rs 50 lakh as ransom to release him. “That time I was ASP in the STF. The news had stunned the entire city and traders kept their shops closed for 10 days in press for the boy’s recovery,” he told TOI.

The STF got a tip-off that the boy was held hostage at Ramnagar of Barabanki district. When Bhushan, a sub inspector and a constable were trying to secure an ebntry into the house through the roof, the kidnappers opened fire at them. However, police countered the attack, rescued the boy after shooting down two of the kidnappers. Three of the kidnappers were nabbed during the encounter.

For showing indomitable courage, the names of Bhushan and a DSP, Shah Raseed Khan, were recommended for gallantry award.

On April 1, he would be honoured by the governor on behalf of the President at a ceremony in Lucknow. Bhushan has bagged the Shaurya Padak four times earlier during his career. He has also led an operation against Naxalites. UP government had sent him to Australia to get training to deal with terrorist attack and similar situations.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Meerut / by Pankul Sharma / TNN / March 26th, 2016

Smriti March to remember first war of independence

Amazing Feats, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All

Varanasi :

Volunteers of a social organization carried out ‘1857 Smriti March’ in the city on Tuesday to mark the March 29, 1857 when Mangal Pandey, a native of Ballia district and soldier in the 34th Bengal Native Infantry (BNI) regiment of the British East India Company, rebelled at Barrackpore and attacked British officers. It was the first major incident known as sepoy mutiny or the first war of independence.

Displaying the portraits of 1857 war heroes with national flags and raising slogans the volunteers carried out the march from Varunanagaram colony to Cultural Complex, Chowkaghat. Recalling the day as the first war of India’s independence, they remembered Mangal Pandey for the great uprising in the country.

According to records, at Barrackpore on the afternoon of March 29, 1857 Mangal Pandey attacked British officers of BNI. At that time the company had introduced new rifles, which used animal fat for greasing the cartridges. Mangal Panday refused to use the greased cartridges and broke into open mutiny and urged his fellow soldiers comrades to join him. Surrounded by guards and European officers, he tried to commit suicide by shooting himself and was seriously wounded. He was court-martialled, and hanged at Barrackpore on April 8, 1857. Indian Posts & Telegraphs Department issued commemorative stamp on him in 1984.

Later, Ballia became popular as ‘Bagi Ballia’ when it declared itself independent in 1942. To mark the occasion every year on August 19, people assemble at the gate of district jail and carry out a procession across the town. The procession culminates at Bapu Bhawan, Town Hall where a public meeting is held.

Known for rebellious nature, people of Ballia took active part in Quit India movement of August 9,1942. According to district records, during this period local natives and students took out processions, attacked the Bilthara Road Railway Station, Rasra treasury and Bairia police station.

Chittu Pandey headed the national government declared and established on August 19, 1942 for a few days before it was suppressed by the British. The parallel government succeeded in getting the Collector to hand over power and release all the arrested Congress leaders.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Varanasi / by Binay Singh / TNN / March 29th, 2016

Guv felicitates six oldest city schools

Education, Records, All

Kanpur :

Virendra Swarup Education Centre (Kidwai Nagar) celebrated its silver jubilee function in the school premises here on Saturday.

Governor Ram Naik, who was the chief guest on the occasion, felicitated six oldest schools of the city for their outstanding services in the field of education.

The principals and representatives of Methodist High School, St Mary’s Convent College, St Aloysius’ School, Huddard High School, Sheiling House and Seth Anandram Jaipuria School received trophies from the governor.

Naik also felicitated teachers and staff of Virendra Swarup Education Centre in recognition of their 25 years of service to the school.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Kanpur / TNN / March 28th, 2016

10 kg wood apple attracts all at AgriHorti Tech fair

Agriculture, Education, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Records, All

Kanpur:

A 10 kg wood apple, popularly known as bel, remained the centre of attraction on the second day of AgriHorti Tech international fair in Saifai, Etawah.

The wood apple has been displayed at the stall of Chandra Shekhar Azad Agriculture university of Kanpur.

The farmers visiting the fair also showed interest in ‘Rabi’ crop seeds, saplings, farming literature, agriculture equipment and new technologies, at various other stalls.

“During ‘Rabi’ season, the farmers should go for maize instead of sowing wheat crop as it’s yield is quite high as compared to latter,” said Dr Athar Husain Warsi, a scientist, Agriculrure department, Etawah.

Chief development officer Anil Kumar Singh said visitors are showing interest in farm machinery developed by various institutes and ‘chukandar’ and wood apple plantation, stalls of which have been put up by the CSA University of Kanpur authorities.

Scientists from the university said the seeds of the 10 kg wood apple are available at the university. Farmers are being trained on cultivating onion and garlic.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Kanpur / TNN / March 29th, 2016

City biker becomes first solo woman to cross Mana Pass

Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Records, All, Sports, Travel

Agra :

She did not stop after scaling eight Himalayan mountain passes, all above 5,000 metre, last year.

Pallavi Fauzdar, 35, from Agra became the first woman solo biker in the Limca Book of Records to reach the tip of Mana pass in Uttarakhand, arguably the world’s highest motorable mountain pass.

Mana rises to a staggering altitude of 5,638 m (18,497 ft) above sea level, on the border between India and Tibet, and is reckoned as one of the most difficult biking trails.

“I received the acknowledgement and a certificate from Limca earlier this week”, said an elated Pallavi.

Mother of two kids, Pallavi is married to Parikshit Mishra, an Army officer, who has been extremely supportive of her passion for biking. “My family do have apprehensions whenever I set off for my expeditions alone but they also have confidence in my abilities,” she said.

Pallavi rides an Avenger and said she had been passionate about biking for several years and the travel bug had bitten her early. Packed with a pepper spray to ward off miscreants and a GPS device to ensure she is not lost, Pallavi set off for her Himalayan journey of seven days.

Describing the expedition as ‘arduous’ involving inclined boulder tracks, numerous water crossings, snow-covered roads and low oxygen levels, Pallavi said biking has always given her an adrenaline rush.

“As a child, I was passionate about motorcycling and I’m lucky to be married to Parikshit who has been always supportive of my endeavours”, she said, while adding that the toughest part of the long and tiring road trips was leaving her kids and family. She also attributes a ‘divine intervention’ in her success.

Pallavi is also the first female rider to reach Deo Tal Lake, located at 17,950 ft, one of the world’s highest.

When not biking, this adventure lover is also an accomplished fashion designer, a social worker and a Rekki practitioner.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Agra / Anju Jaswal / TNN / March 27th, 2016

A queen’s story

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Leaders, Records, All
A still from Gallantly Fought the Queen Photo: Special Arrangement
A still from Gallantly Fought the Queen Photo: Special Arrangement

This weekend watch the life of Rani Laxmi Bai unfold on stage

“Some historians say Rani Laxmi Bai was 33-years-old. Others say she was 22 and of course, that sounds more gallant,” says V. Balakrishnan, founder and artistic director of Theatre Nisha.

His play, Gallantly Fought the Queen, which premieres in the city this weekend, chronicles her story, which is one of a young widow and a regent queen who rises to command many men in battle.

She was one of the leading warriors of the First War of Indian Independence in 1857, and also, a celebrated character in history.

Inspired by Mahasweta Devi’s book, The Queen of Jhansi and D.V. Tamhankar’s The Ranee of Jhansi, the play endeavours to stick to facts and historical references. “We start the play with the Doctrine of Lapse being imposed on her kingdom.

There’s a very famous line in history, where she is supposed to have said, ‘Meri Jhansi nahi dungi’ (I will not part with my Jhansi). For a woman of her stature, who had never been bold, to have said something like that, sets the tone for the next two years of her life.”

With music by Srivaralaxmi ‘Maya’ and percussion by Vishwa Bharath, the play is juxtaposed with Subhadra Kumari Chauhan’s famous poem Jhansi Ki Rani. “This play has all elements of theatre: storytelling, live singing, dancing and martial arts. All that should be part of an actor’s repertoire, Meera Sitaraman will be exhibiting on stage.”

The play, which is largely in English, interspersed with a little Hindi, will be staged at Alliance Francaise on March 26 and 27 (3 p.m. and 7 p.m.). Tickets are priced at Rs. 200 (Rs. 100 for schools) and available on eventjini.com. For details, call 96771 72897.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus / by Raveena Joseph / Chenai – March 24th, 2016

IAS officer Bahadur to join as World Bank advisor

Leaders, Records, All, World Opinion

Lucknow:

Senior IAS officer, Rakesh Bahadur, will soon join the World Bank as its advisor.

Rakesh Bahadur, who is also the president of UP IAS Association, is posted at Investment Commission in Delhi. Earlier, he was principal secretary to the CM.

Chosen by the World Bank to head its affordable housing section, Bahadur will take up the new assignment in May.

Confirming it to the TOI, Rakesh Bahadur said he would supervise construction of houses under the affordable category in Brazil and Turkey, where the World Bank is working at a very large scale.

Bahadur said that the low cost houses is the pressing need for majority of Indians, and if Government of India coordinates with the World Bank, he would certainly like to contribute for his country.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Lucknow / TNN / March 23rd, 2016

17-foot long photo album to mark 4th anniversary of Akhilesh govt in UP

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Leaders, Records, All

Lucknow :

The UP Award Society is preparing a 17-foot long photo album to mark the fourth anniversary of the Akhilesh Yadav led Samajwadi Party (SP) government in Uttar Pradesh (UP).

The album named ‘Swarnim UP’ will be a creation of 5000 images illustrating the development work carried out by the chief minister in UP. The album with a 100 pages and weighing 400 kilograms has been sent for entry to the Limca Book of Records.

“It will be 8-feet in length and 4-feet wide and on opening up the entire length will be 17-foot,” informed Subhash Bhalla, secretary, UP Award Society. The album is being claimed to be one of its kind in the world.

sourcce: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Lucknow / by Ashish Tripathi / March 05th, 2016

City boy youngest to earn royal astro fellowship

Education, Records, All, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Lucknow:

This 19-year-old has to his credit 23 research papers published in international journals. St Francis’ College, Lucknow alumnus Aadarsh Mishra holds the distinction of being one of the youngest Indians to be elected Fellow of Royal Astronomical Society in London.

Working as research and development engineer at Cardiff University, Aadarsh achieved the feat after he made a national record last year as ‘undergraduate with the most reseach papers published’, in the India Book of Records.

Cardiff School of Engineering had shared a Facebook post to highlight Aadarsh’s achievements. The post reads: ‘Cardiff School of Engineering is delighted to hear that our third-year (year in industry) mechanical engineering student Aadarsh Mishra has this week been elected Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society (FRAS). At 19, he is one of the youngest fellows in the society’s 196-year history, and also youngest Indian ever to become a fellow.’

A mechanical engineer from Manipal University, Karnataka, Aadarsh’s interest is in ‘material sciences’ which finds application in thermal, nuclear and biomedical fields. While in second year of his engineering, he started a research in ‘condensed matter physics’ and did significant work on ‘thin films of tin sulphide for use in solar cell devices’, the topic on which he later got a paper published.

His passion and work in condensed matter physics got him enrolled in a summer research programme at the coveted Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore. At IISc, his work dealt with titanium alloys which find significant application in the aerospace sector.

While at Cardiff University, Aadarsh published a book titled ‘Introduction to Wear’ which deals with wearing of materials. ‘Wear’ is one topic in tribology which is enjoying much attention of researchers and scientists , but has very few books focussing on it.

Besides, Aadarsh was also selected for a research project fellowship at the prestigious University of Oxford. Here, along with two doctoral scientists, he worked in the field of thermo-electricity. “I am working on a project which deals with eliminating surgical smoke during operations in an efficient and cost-effective way; and probably a patent will be filed on the same very soon,” said Aadarsh, adding that surgical smoke hinders the visibility during operation and it is hard for surgeons to operate during the same.

Styled as ‘Fellows’, members of Royal Astronomical Society-FRAS-are elected after the age of 18. The society acts as professional body for astronomers and geophysicists in the UK and fellows may apply for the Science Council’s Chartered Scientist status through the society.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Lucknow / TNN / March 03rd, 2016