Month: November 2019

JPSC Exam Dates 2019-20 for Civil Service, Assistant Engineer, Civil Judge and Other Posts Released @jpsc.gov.in

Source – jagranjosh.com

JPSC Exam Dates 2019-20: Jharkhand Public Service Commission has announced the revised exam or interview dates for various exams to be held in 2019-20. The exam/interview dates has been announced for Dy Collector, Combined Civil Service Exam 2016, Combined Civil Service Exam 2017, Combined Civil Service Exam 2017-19 (Mains), Assistant Public Prosecutor 2018, Assistant Director 2015, Scientific Officer, Assistant Engineer Mains, Account Officer and Assistant Public Health Officer Posts.

As per the notice issued by JPSC, the interview for Combined Civil Service 2016 will be held from 04 February to 16 February 2019. Combined Civil Service (Backlog) Exam 2017 is scheduled on 01 March 2020. The main exam for Combined Civil Service Exam 2017-19 will be held from 18 April to 21 April 2020 and he interview for the same will be from 15 June to 24 June 2019.

The main exam for Assistant Engineer under RCD/WRD/DW and SD is scheduled on 01 and 02 March 2020. Shortlisted candidates will be called for an interview round from 20 April to 05 May 2020. Assistant Engineer Main Exam for Urban Devt Department is scheduled on 18 and 19 April 2020 and interview will be held from 01 to 05 June 2020.

The written exam for Assistant Public Health Officer Posts is scheduled to be held on 16 January 2020 and the interview for all shortlisted candidates is from 07 to 09 April 2020.

Civil Judge Junior Division 2018 Interview is scheduled to be held in the month of December 2019 for 7 days.

The written exam for 1st Deputy Collector and 6th Deputy Collector will be held on 29 December 2019 and 16 February 2020 respectively.

The interview round for District Sports Officer is on 18 and 19 January 2019 and for Assistant Professor on 19, 20 and 21 December 2019.

Vajpayee govt created Jharkhand, Modi taking it forward: Amit Shah

Source – indiatoday.in

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Amit Shah on Thursday said that it was the Narendra Modi government at the Centre which was taking Jharkhand on the path of the development.

Speaking at an election rally Chatra he said that Jharkhand had witnessed large scale corruption during the previous governments but there is not a single charge of graft against the Raghubar Das government in the state.

He said the JMM, Congress and the RJD are fighting the state Assembly election in an alliance. “I would like to ask Hemant Babu (Soren) what was the stand of Congress when youth of Jharkhand were fighting for a separate state.”

“The Atal Bihari Vajpayee government had created Jharkhand and the Narendra Modi dispensation is taking it forward,” he said.

The Home minister claimed that the law and order situation has improved in the state and the “Raghubar Das government has buried Naxals “20 feet under the earth in Jharkhand”.

The BJP president that the Das government has provided electricity to 38 lakh households in the state.

Later speaking at another poll rally at Garhwa, where polls are slated to be held on November 30, Shah said that development cannot take place through use of brute power and warned Naxals that they would get “back with interest” for their violence.

Four policemen were martyred in Latehar recently. I tell the Naxals that they will get back “sudh samet” (with interest) for their actions and will be rooted out by the BJP government which will return to power in the state,” Shah, who is also the union home minister said.

Development cannot take take place through the use of bullets. It will happen when you press the button on Lotu (BJPs election symbol) in the assembly elections, Shah said, appealing to the people to give the BJP absolute majority to continue the development work in the state.

LWEs killed four state police personnel in Latehar district on November 22 and gunned down two persons, including a local BJP leader in Palamau district the next day.

Hitting out at the Congress and the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), which have a seat sharing understanding in Jharkhand in the coming Assembly poll, Shah said JMM leader

Hemant Soren is sitting in the lap of Congress for power.

Referring to the welfare schemes of the BJP-led government at the Centre, Shah said the Narendra Modi government had enhanced the allotment to the state to Rs 3,08,490 crore in five years from Rs 55,253 crore sanctioned by the Manmohan Singh government.

Speaking on the security measures taken by the Narendra Modi government, Shah said there were terrorist strikes during the Manmohan Singh dispensation, but it was the Narendra Modi government which gave a befitting reply after Uri and Pulwama terror attacks by targeting terrorist camps in Pakistan territory.

Our Army will not leave anybody staring or glaring at our borders, Shah said, adding youths from Jharkhand are also standing guard on the borders.

Amit Shah Says Jharkhand Will Again Pick ‘Twin-Engine’ Govt, Confident of Old Ally’s Return.

Source – news18.com

New Delhi: The BJP may have lost its old ally, the Shiv Sena, in Maharashtra, but party chief Amit Shah is confident of a reunion with estranged ally AJSU in Jharkhand, which goes to polls from November 30.

Speaking at News18’s Agenda Jharkhand summit on Thursday, the BJP chief expressed confidence that the All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU), which is contesting the upcoming Assembly elections alone, will return to the NDA fold after the elections.

“I am confident that the BJP will return to power with a thumping majority in Jharkhand and will not need support… Jharkhand will again chose the twin-engine government. But I am also confident that AJSU will be back by our side,” Shah said.

Invoking Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Shah said it was the former prime minister and BJP stalwart who ensured the creation of Jharkhand. “The state could not be created when Congress was at power in the centre despite the sacrifices of thousands of youth. It was only after Atal ji came to power that Jharkhand was created. Since 2014, PM Narendra Modi has given shape to the state and CM Raghubar Das is taking it forward,” he said.

Shah added that the state’s tribal population and residents feel cheated when they see a party like the JMM, which fought for Jharkhand’s creation, rubbing shoulders with the Congress.

The BJP chief also said at the event that incumbent Raghubar Das is the party’s CM face for the upcoming elections as well. Jharkhand will vote in five-phased elections beginning this Saturday and the counting of votes will be held on December 23.

In its manifesto, the BJP has promised to end Naxal violence in the state, provide job or self-employment opportunities to one member of the each BPL (below poverty line) family, launch of the Krishi Bima Yojna to provide full insurance cover to crops, and construction of water grid to every cultivable plot of land.

The manifesto also promises 33 per cent reservation to women in government jobs, 70 new Eklavya Schools by 2022, free job training camps for tribal students, construction of tribal hostels in every district, two skill development centres in each district and a new sports university. It assured Rs 1,000 crore fund to provide modern facilities at government schools and colleges, and setting up of an agro industrial corridor.

2 Killed in Celebratory Firings During Wedding Within 1 Week in Bihar.

Source – newsclick.in

Patna: Celebratory firing continues to claim lives of people in Bihar. Vijay Kumar and Manoj Shah alias Bittu were killed during celebratory firing at wedding ceremonies in the state in separate incidents within a week. These latest killings took place despite the fact that celebratory firing was banned by Bihar government following a guideline from the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Ignoring the government’s directives and warning of action against celebratory firings at social functions including marriages, influential members of society, particularly in rural areas, continue to indulge in this. The police and administration’s failure to take action against the perpetrators is further adding to the impunity of these violators.

In the latest cases, both the victims were photographer. Vijay was killed in a celebratory firing at a wedding ceremony in Samastipur district on late Thursday night (November 28). He was recording the dancing members of the groom’s marriage party near the bride’s house when a few members, who were intoxicated started the celebratory firing. “One or two bullets hit his chest, killing him on the spot,” according to an witness.Vijay was a resident of Begusarai district and was hired by the groom’s family to record the marriage party.

Another photographer cum videographer Manoj was killed last Friday night at a wedding ceremony in Chandi Dhanush village in Vaishali district. He was hit by a bullet when he was recording the exchange of garlands and died on the spot, as per the people present there.

What has left Manoj’s family members fuming is that the marriage party took his body in a vehicle and dumped it a few kilometres away from the venue to suppress the evidence of the incident. But the police has lodged a case against the family members of the groom and bride.

Not only these, several other cases of serious injuries after being hit by bullets during celebratory firing have been reported from a number of districts including Khagaria, Begusarai, Muzaffarpur and Begusarai in the last ten days.

A senior police officer at the police headquarters in Patna told NewsClick, “Since January this year, during the traditional marriage season—locally knowns as lagan—more than two dozen people have been killed in celebratory firing and several others injured.”

He added, “Among the people killed, there was a music band member, two girl dancers as well as close relatives of the grooms and brides.”

In July 2019, a groom was killed in Patna district when a bullet hit him during celebratory firing during the wedding ceremony.

Celebratory firing is used as a way of displaying money and muscle power during wedding ceremonies, which is common particularly in the rural areas in Bihar. The practice of celebratory firing is most popular among the powerful and dominant upper castes like Rajput, Bhumihar and OBCs like Yadav, Kurmi and Kushwaha, during the traditional marriage season.

Talking about the increasing incidents of celebratory firing, social activist Mahendar Yadav, associated with the National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM) said, “In Bihar, it is not unusual if someone is carrying firearms. People are used to celebratory firing during wedding ceremonies, victory processions of political parties and even during religious functions.”

He said there is a provision to cancel arms licence of the accused but it has remained only on paper. Besides this, most of the arms used during celebratory firings are allegedly illegal. “It is for the local police to check such practices but police have failed totally,” he added.

A senior police official admitted that the central government has recently sent a letter to all state governments directing them to take strict action against those who are found guilty of engaging in celebratory firing.

Law Student Abducted Near Ranchi’s VIP Zone, Raped at Gunpoint by 12 Men.

Source – news18.com

Ranchi: A 25-year-old law student was abducted and gang-raped by 12 men at gunpoint at a brick kiln near Ranchi’s high-security zone this week.

According to a report in Times of India, all 12 accused have confessed to the crime.

As per the FIR lodged by the victim at Kanke police station, the incident happened at around 5.30 pm on November 26 when she was with a friend at Sangrampur area in the city outskirts. Two motorcycle-borne men accosted them and abducted the victim at gunpoint after overpowering her friends, police said.

The spot is barely 4km from her law college campus and 10 km from the chief minister’s official residence. The locality also houses the residences of the DGP, chief justice of the Jharkhand high court and the leader of the opposition, the TOI report said.

The motorbike reportedly rain out of fuel at some distance when the two men called up friends and asked them to come with a car. They then drove to the brick kiln and took turns to rape the woman.

The victim managed to reach the police station the next morning and lodged an FIR, following which police arrested the 12 accused after conducting raids.

“They were booked under sections of the Indian Penal Code, SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and Arms Act. A car, a motorcycle, a pistol, eight mobile phones and the cellphone snatched from the victim have been seized from the possession of the accused,” a police statement added. ​

Aidan Singh Bhati to get Bihari Puraskar.

Source – hindustantimes.com

Dr. Aidan Singh Bhati will be awarded the 29th Bihari Puraskar for his poetry collection, Aankh Heeyae Ra Hariyal Sapna (Green Dreams of the Heart’s Eye), the KK Birla Foundation said in a statement Friday.

Bihari Puraskar is one of the three literary awards instituted by the Foundation in 1991. Named after famous Hindi poet Bihari, the award carries a cash prize of Rs 2.5 lakh, a citation and a plaque.

The award is given every year for an outstanding work in Hindi/Rajasthani published in the last 10 years by a Rajasthani writer.

After considering the works published during 2009-2018, poetry collection Aankh Heeyae Ra Hariyal Sapna by Dr. Bhati was selected for the 29th Bihari Puraskar, 2019.

The recipient is chosen by a selection committee. Its present chairman is Om Thanvi.

Born on December 10, 1952, in Jaisalmer’s Nokh village, Dr. Bhati is a noted poet and scholar in the Rajasthani language. His poetry reflects folk traditions of Rajasthan. His poetry collection, Hanstoda Hotan Rau Saanch (The Truth of Smiling Lips), is taught at Sukhadiya University.

After completing his master’s degree in Hindi, Dr. Bhati did his research on poetry from Jayanarayan University.

Aankh Heeyae Ra Hariyal Sapna, published in 2010, is a collection of poems that touch upon the geography of the Thar region, its culture and folk life. They also talk about the effects of globalisation. The collection delves into the plight of migrant villagers but also holds out hope and positivity.

The KK Birla Foundation also presents the Saraswati Samman, which is given to an outstanding literary work by an Indian citizen in any of the languages mentioned in Schedule VIII of the Constitution; and the Vyas Samman, given annually to an outstanding literary work in Hindi authored in the last 10 years.

Patna’s severe air quality due to Ganga’s shifting course: Govt study

Source – downtoearth.org.in

The shifting of the Ganga river away from Patna as well as biomass burning in the city’s vicinity are responsible for its current poor air quality, a study by the Bihar State Pollution Control Board (BSPCB) has said.

“The main cause of deteriorating air quality in Patna is the Ganga moving away from its banks in the city in the last two decades. The river has shifted four km to the north in a long stretch from Digha to Kalighat and dry sand on the exposed bed is mainly contributing to poor air quality,” BSPCB chairman, Ashok Kumar Ghosh, said.

“Winds blowing from the Himalayas are spreading the Ganga’s dry sand into Patna, thus contributing to the poor air quality,” he added.

Ghosh said there was currently no solution in sight to check the spread of the sand. While its mining had been stopped in Patna, transportation of the sand into the city in exposed vehicles from nearby areas was still going on, he added.

The BSPCB has prepared a plan to create a ‘green zone’ on the dry bed left behind by the Ganga as it has shifted away from Patna that has been increasing year by year as Ganga is continue to shift away from Patna in the last two decades.

The board will plant 117 varieties of trees in this ‘green zone’, taking into consideration, the threat posed by climate change. But this plan has been pending due to a lack of funds.

Besides the Ganga’s shifting course, biomass burning in Patna’s neighbourhood is also contributing to the poor air quality.

“People still burn wood or coal for cooking purposes. They also burn dry leaves and fodder on a large scale in the villages to keep themselves warm them in winter. This contributes to the severe air quality in Patna,” Ghosh said.

Vehicles, construction, brick kilns, diesel generator sets add to the deadly mix.

According to the BSPCB’s website, Patna’s Air Quality Index (AQI) was 430 at 12 pm on November 27, 2019. It was 427 at 3 pm and 425 at 4 pm on the same day. It was 419 on November 26 and 404 on November 25. All these figures are classified as ‘Severe’.

On November 28, it reduced to 395 and was 358 on November 29. These figures mean Patna’s air quality is now ‘Very Poor’ instead of ‘Severe’.

Ghosh said that despite the severe air quality in the city, monitoring was being done by only one station.  

He added that four new ambient air quality monitoring stations would be functional in Patna by the second week of December.

Want to crack UPSC? Here are 5 common UPSC myths debunked to help you relax.

Source – indiatoday.in

Joining the Indian civil services is considered a dream career by many ambitious and talented individuals aspiring to become an IAS, IPS or IFS officer. These prestigious jobs mark authority and power in India along with job security, salary package, the opportunity of a foreign tour, job satisfaction, etc.

Moreover, civil servants are the ones deciding the fate of the nation in terms of implementing all developmental and other government policies.

However, securing a job in one of these three posts demands to undergo a gruelling, three-tier UPSC civil services exam which is considered one of the toughest competitive examinations. Lakhs of aspirants appear for UPSC every year but only a few get selected.

Although proper preparation is necessary for cracking this examination, it’s also crucial for the candidates to handle the exam pressure and the myths floating around that further aggravates their fear, making them nervous towards pursuing such a field.

So aspirants, it’s time to debunk these common UPSC myths you might be hearing and gear up to ace the journey towards your dream career:

Myth 1: One needs years of preparation

Reality: UPSC might be a tough examination demanding complete dedication but that does not necessarily mean that one would need to start preparing from an early stage.

Even a year’s preparation can be good to clear the examination if aspirants are studying with perseverance.

There numerous success stories of aspirants cracking the examination in one go after just a year or even less than a year’s preparation.

Myth 2: IAS aspirants must be aware of every topic/subject

Reality: This is not true. Since this is a general exam, one needs to be well-read along with having a balanced outlook towards issues.

Moreover, as the syllabus itself is so vast covering multiple subjects, aspirants are already more aware than the others.

There is no need to mug up topics and become experts. Instead, simply focus on all the NCERT books, current affairs, and books by a few renowned authors.

The UPSC exam demands its aspirants to have a general awareness and analytical skills.

Myth 3: Aspirants need to give at least 2-3 attempts

Reality: This is just a misconception. There have been so many aspirants who have cleared the examination in the very first attempt.

All it needs is to keep your head straight and focus on your preparation. Revise once you are done and take multiple mock tests to evaluate your pitfalls and work on it.

If you have religiously revised everything in the syllabus and are confident to give the shot, nothing can stop you from clearing the UPSC exam (prelims) in a go.

Myth 4: Candidates should follow the toppers’ strategies

Reality: There is no quick route to crack the UPSC.

Even if you listen to the toppers revealing their strategies and study patterns, it is your hard work that will ultimately pay off.

Thus, it is crucial for the aspirants to follow their own rhythm and routine and make an informed choice when it comes to creating a preparation strategy.

Myth 5: It is mandatory to have a good command over English to ace the interview

Reality: This is a misapprehension, particularly among the regional language-speaking candidates. The UPSC examination assesses your awareness and analysing skills, and not the medium of language you write in.

The UPSC aspirants are allowed to attempt the paper and give the interview in almost 22 regional languages, as per their comfort level. So put your best foot forward!

While this exam can be a bit overwhelming, UPSC is just another competitive examination featuring a lengthy syllabus. So, rather than losing your confidence on the ground of some baseless myths, stay disciplined, determined and believe in your hard work to make through this journey smoothly.

– Article by Akhand Swaroop Pandit, Founder and CEO, Catalyst Group – Online Learning Platform

This village in Bihar wouldn’t care even if onions cost Rs 500. Know why?

Source – indiatoday.in

Onion prices are skyrocketing all over the country retail rate of onion has gone up to Rs 70 per kg to Rs 100 per kg in different parts of the country.

In Bihar, the price of onion has gone up to Rs 70-80 per kg. Onion prices are increasing in such a way that Bihar State Cooperative Marketing Association Limited (BISCOMAUN) has been supplying onions at Rs 35 per kg for the last few days to provide relief to people in many areas of Bihar’s capital Patna.

Interestingly there is a village in Bihar that has no interest in the prices of onion even if it touches Rs 500. The Triloki Bigha village in Chiri Panchayat of Jehanabad district, which is 80 kilometers from Patna. There are 35 families in this village and the population is about 300 to 400 people.

No matter how high the prices of onions are across the country, people of this village don’t care as no one eats onions in the entire village.

Surprisingly enough it was discovered that every person in this village is pure vegetarian and do not consume onion or garlic. No one in the village touches liquor too.

Elders in this village say no one has eaten onion or garlic in this village for many centuries.

A native of the village, Rampravesh Yadav said, “The people of this village stopped eating onions since centuries because there is a temple of Lord Vishnu in this village.” Even today the people of the village follow the practice started by their ancestors with full sincerity.

Yadav further added that he doesn’t even know what the price of onion is.

Rampravesh Yadav also claimed that some villagers who ate onions in the past met with accidents. Then the villagers decided not to ever consume onions.

Yadav also said that the villagers definitely have some difficulties in following the tradition but they adhere to it, adding that if any person ever goes out of the village, he tries to eat food in a place where onion and garlic are not used.

Bihar: Notre Dame Academy turns 60, governor graces diamond jubilee celebrations.

Source – indiatoday.in

he prestigious Notre Dame Academy, Patna, celebrated its diamond jubilee on Wednesday which was marked by a colourful event by the students of the school.

Bihar Governor Fagu Chauhan, who was the chief guest on the occasion, called for all the school to provide quality education and maintain highest level of transparency in admission of students.

“The purpose of education should not be just to prepare a youth to get a job. The purpose should be to prepare committed citizen to serve the nation,” said Fagu Chauhan, Governor of Bihar.

The guest of honour on this occasion was Patna Archbishop William D’Souza SJ. Patna Commissioner Sanjay Agarwal and District Magistrate Kumar Ravi also graced the occasion. Principal Sr. Mary Jessy, SND and Headmistress Sr. Tresa were present too.

Governor Fagu Chauhan, speaking during the event themed “Education for Transformation,” appreciated the effort made by the Notre Dame Academy to provide education to students from economically weaker section of the society by running Julie School for underprivileged children.

Principal Sr. Mary Jessy, on this occasion, presented a memorabilia to the Governor. Many teachers, sisters and former students were also felicitated by the principal during the event.

It may be mentioned that Notre Dame Academy has been ranked as the No.1 girls day school in Bihar for the fourth time by the Education World School rankings 2019-20.