'Anna's aandhi' sweeps Bihar for second day

PATNA: The Anna wave continued to sweep Bihar for the second day on Wednesday. Thousands of Anna supporters took to streets in different parts of the state shouting slogans in support of his anti-corruption crusade. As many as 30 people are on indefinite fast near Gandhi Maidan.

Patriotic songs and slogans like "Bhrastachar ke jang mein, hum Anna ke sang mein", "Anna ki aandhi nahi thamegi" rent the air throughout the day. As the day progressed, more than 50 effigies of PM Manmohan Singh were burned in protest by various organizations.

Moved by their conscience, residents of the city participated in the movement. "It is the call of the conscience. The entire country is part of this struggle. So I can't help support it," Gunjan Singh, a supporter, said.

A group of India Against Corruption (IAC) took out a rally of over 300 medical practitioners from Maurya Lok here to Kargil Chowk at Gandhi Maidan on Wednesday morning.

"This is a manifestation of our freedom struggle. People in every part of the country are supporting this movement. It is a people's movement and it cannot be suppressed," said Dr Diwakar Tejaswi.

As the day progressed, the number of supporters at Kargil Chowk swelled to thousands as students, teachers, doctors, lawyers, retirees and others joined various protesting groups.

Functioning of the Patna high court and civil courts was hit by the Anna wave. Boycotting their work around 400 lawyers reached the Income-Tax roundabout and burned the effigies of PM.

"We are particularly opposed to the suppression of fundamental rights by the UPA government. We have a right to live with dignity. But, in a corrupt society people cannot live with dignity. The government will have to concede the demands of the country," senior lawyer Arvind Kumar told TOI.

Under the aegis of Nav Nirman Manch, a group of lawyers, once again, burned PM's effigies outside the Patna high court premises in the evening. At Kargil Chowk, more than 35 effigies of the PM were burned by different social organizations including Rashtriya Pragati Party, Bharat Vikash Morcha, Bihar Pradesh Lok Samiti, CPM activists and others.

"We take strong exception to the Prime Minister's statement in which he said that Anna cannot make Lokpal Bill. Anna has never said that he wants to make Lokpal Bill. The government is trying to crush the movement because it is itself corrupt," said president, Akhil Bhartiya Goshala Sangh, Rampal Agrawal.

A large number of students at B N College, Science College, A N College and Law College skipped classes to express solidarity with Anna. A large number of students of IIT Patna have registered themselves at an online community "Awaaz" and supported the Anna's cause.

Bihar's health minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey said the Congress government is afraid of a corruption-free society. "Strong support to this anti-corruption movement has made the government afraid of loosing its base," he said.

On the other hand, the Patna Mahanagar BJP activists organized a daylong dharna at the JP roundabout. Other wings of the BJP also protested the government action against Anna Hazare.

 

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Bihar likely to reap bumper paddy crop

PATNA: After two years of low paddy harvest in 2009 and 2010, Bihar is set for a bumper paddy crop during the current kharif season. With recent precipitation compensating for deficient rain in south Bihar districts in July, agricultural scene has brightened up. The mood among farmers have changed from that of despair to one of high spirits, and consumes worried at ever-rising prices have reason to take heart.

As compared to last year, the area under paddy cultivation has gone up by about 50% this year. Against 24 lakh hectares in 2010, the paddy acreage has increased to 35 lakh hectares.

"The state will witness bumper paddy harvest this kharif season. Of late, there were some concerns over drought-like situation in some parts of south Bihar due to lack of rains. But recent spells of rain have removed all such concerns," agriculture production commissioner Ashok Kumar Sinha told TOI.

He added: "Rainfall in the first week of this month has completely compensated for the minor deficit. Paddy transplantation is now almost complete. And, farmers are looking forward to high yield."

In 2010, paddy production per hectare was an average 13.11 quintals, with total production being 31.5 lakh tonnes in the state. The production is likely to more than double this year, according to official sources.
"We are expecting an average production of 19.85 quintals of paddy per hectare," said R K Sohane, a senior agricultural expert.

According to monthly district-wise rainfall report obtained from agriculture department, in June actual rainfall in most of the districts was more than normal rainfall. But in July, deficiency in rainfall was reported from most of the districts.

Rohtas district witnessed only 89.5mm rainfall against the normal expectation of 318.5mm, while Bhojpur witnessed only 33.9mm rainfall against the normal expectation of 295.5mm. Deficiency was also reported in Aurangabad and Kaimur districts in the same month.

In a first, the state agriculture department has introduced System Rise Intensification (SRI) system in a mission-mode. SRI is a unique technique which doubles paddy production.

"SRI has been implemented in 3.5 lakh hectares this year. It has been used as part of the second green revolution from eastern region plan," said A C Jain, a senior agriculture official.

"The SRI technique has been mainly implemented in Nalanda, Gaya, Jehanabad, Nawada and other southern districts.
SRI technique works in places which receive scanty rainfall, proving a boon," Jain told TOI.

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Big B finds Patna better than metros

PATNA: Patna talked about Amitabh Bachchan and he talked about Patna and Bihar - besides, of course, his upcoming movie 'Aarakshan' - on Wednesday.

"I have come here after so many years and I feel this place has definitely changed. Nitish Kumarji deserves kudos," said the actor coming out of the CM's residence at 1, Anne Marg where he intermingled with CM Kumar, his staff and family members for almost an hour. Asked if he is also a fan of the Big B, the CM smiled ear to ear and retorted, "Who is not (Amitabh's fan)? I am also fond of Dilip Kumar and Devanand."

"Patna does not look like a metropolitan city. It looks better," the legendary actor told a presser earlier and added that he saw the city as he moved around in his SUV. "Bihar has witnessed tremendous growth. The ambience has changed," he said.

In Patna to promote 'Aarakshan', the pinstriped celebrity expressed angst on widespread casteism in the country. "Every citizen should get equal attention and opportunity. Those hailing from humble background should be provided due prop," he said and appreciated the 'Super 30' initiative of Bihari maths wizard Anand Kumar, saying Anandji is doing a selfless service to meritorious students.

Incidentally, Amitabh took tips from Anand to play a principled principal in the movie.

The actor, however, parried a question whether he was for or against reservation. "Such questions would continue to arise but reservation is a constitutional reality in our country and we will have to accept it," he said and pleaded for quota on the basis of economic backwardness.

In reply to another query, the Big B said he has never differentiated between his son and daughter. "In my will, I will provide for equal share of my property for Abhishek and Shweta," he said.

The angry young man of yesteryears, who reacts angrily in reel life even now when anyone calls him an old man, however, appeared to be calm while handling idiotic questions. "Bhai saaheb, garbhawati main nahi hoon (Brother, I am not pregnant)," he told the reporter who asked him whether he expected his son and daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai Bachchan to be blessed with a son or a daughter.

Asked if he has any plan to do a movie on corruption, he said that he was game for it and would request Prakashji (Prakash Jha) to do something about it. As for Bhojpuri films, the Bachchan Sr said that he worked in two Bhojpuri movies for free because he was fond of the language.

'Aarakshan' director Jha said that making this film was a challenge. "Parents in our country try to provide education to children even if they do not have enough to eat. Against this backdrop, the issue of reservation needed to be revisited," he said.

Bihar's own Manoj Bajpai, who has also worked in 'Aarakshan', recalled the days when he would run away from his home to watch Amitji's movies in Patna's cinema halls. "I got the inspiration to become an actor from Amitji," he said.

Bajpai played a true son of the soil as he defended his native people after the huge crowd of fans made a desperate attempt to get past the bouncers and touch the superstar of the silver screen. "Amitji, people of my state are not an indisciplined lot; they are simple but sentimental people, full of enthusiasm," he said as if he was apologizing for the inconvenience, if any, caused to his role model.

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Big B gets tips from Bihar Math Wizard

Patna: Super star Amitabh Bachchan and Saif Ali Khan have learnt teaching skills in mathematics from Bihar’s Super 30 founder Anand Kumar.

Noted Bollywood director Prakash Jha, whose recent movie Aarakshan revolves around the subject of education, had sought Anand’s help in imparting teaching skills to Big B and Saif.
The Maths wizard had shot a video at Jha’s office in Mumbai while teaching. Anand conducted three to four such simulated classes at Jha’s office over a period of two days from December 30.

In Aarakshan Amitabh Bachchan is playing the role of Prabhakar Anand who is the principal of a college which does not abide by the government’s regulations on caste based reservation. Moved by the plight of poor children Amitabh Bachchan decides to provide coaching to students from underprivileged backgrounds in his free time in the evening. Saif Ali Khan also teaches at this school.

“For it Big-B and Saif Ali Khan needed teaching skills and I though no one was more capable to do it than Anand,” Jha told TOI over phone from Mumbai.

“Prakashji said Amitabh Bachchan needs skills to solve complex mathematical problems in a way which is easy for the students to grasp. And I agreed to conducted simulated classes,” Anand told TOI.

Later during the shooting of the movie in Bhopal as well, Anand guided the cast and crew on this portion of the film.

“Prakashji one day gave a call very early in the morning. He said he was shooting the movie and needed some help. I was glad to do that,” Anand said.

About it Prakash Jha, who has blockbusters like Mrityudand, Gangaaja, and Rajneeti among others to his credit, said: “I had to direct Big B and Saif Ali Khan on teaching mathematics to underprivileged children. And I did not know how to do that. So I requested Anandji to spare sometime with me for the purpose which he readily agreed.”

“Anandji is an innovative teacher. His unique style made the task, which I thought was daunting, easy. I am thankful to him for helping me out,” Jha told TOI over phone.

Anand, however, will not feature anywhere in the movie. On the other hand Amitabh Bachchan has been lauding Anand Kumar at several promos of Aarakshan in various cities.

“I have come to know about Anand Kumar, who prepares underprivileged but talented students for free in Patna. He has made many of them crack JEE during the past few years. We should encourage public-spirited efforts like Anand’s to improve the educational environment in the country. Such personalities really need encouragement,” Big B spoke during a promotional event of Aarakshan on a national TV.

During his expected visit to Patna in August, Big B will be having an exclusive meeting with Anand Kumar.

About compliments from the all-time super star Anand Kumar said: “Words of encouragement from Big B has reinforced his belief into his own abilities. It is inspiring that more and more people are recognizing my efforts. Every such word boosts confidence in my students to work hard and grow up in life.”

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