Category: Ranchi

Winter to linger longer

Source: telegraphindia.com

The Ranchi Meteorological Centre has predicted an extended winter in Jharkhand.

Normally, the season of chill lasts till the second week of February. But this year, two back-to-back western disturbances will extend the phase, the weathermen said.

Both the Ranchi and Patna centres of the India Meteorological Department on Thursday issued an alert of rain in isolated pockets of the state around February 4-5 and cloudy weather and light showers around the middle of February.

Both the Met offices issued forecast of light to moderate rain in the north-west, central and southern Jharkhand on February 4 and 5 due to the impact of a western disturbance passing through the northern parts of the country.

“An induced cyclonic circulation is expected to form over western India close to Jharkhand due to the impact of the western disturbance. The cyclonic circulation will move eastwards resulting in unseasonal showers over Jharkhand. A trough formation was also expected in the middle and upper layers of the atmosphere around 5.8km above mean sea level,” said S.D. Kotal, director of the Ranchi Meteorological Centre. He said the phenomenon would stretch winter’s stay in Jharkhand beyond February 10 as night readings would again witness an abrupt fall after the system wanes.

Weathermen at the Regional Meteorological Centre in Alipore, Calcutta, confirmed a longer winter for Jharkhand. “Over half-a-dozen western disturbances had impacted Jharkhand’s weather in January coupled with the formation of anti-cyclonic circulations due to the confluence of northerly and easterly winds,” a duty officer at the Calcutta-based Regional Met centre said. “The western disturbances, which had resulted in unseasonal showers, was expected to impact Jharkhand’s weather in the first two weeks of February.”

The Met office makes the winter retreat official when minimum readings rise over 13°C for a consistent number of days.

On Thursday, the minimum reading in most parts of the state was hovering at 15°C because of the impact of a western disturbance. But, weathermen have predicted a fall in night temperature by 3-4°C during the next two days in most of the districts.

Weathermen in Patna said they did not see any sign of the withdrawal of winter.

“Currently, Jharkhand is in the grip of southerly wind, which is expected to change to northerly after the next 24 hours. The coming western disturbance in the first week of February will extend the winter,” a weather analyst in Patna said.

Uber goes full throttle in Jamshedpur.

Source – telegraphindia.com

App-based taxi service Uber on Tuesday announced the launch of its operations in Jamshedpur, making it the 58th city in India where people can book rides by downloading the Uber app on their smartphones.

The steel city is the second city in Jharkhand, after Ranchi, where the American company has launched its services.

Jamshedpur reported one of the fastest adoptions of the Uber service in comparison to all new Uber city launches in 2019 since the soft launch — with very few cars — of operations here in December last year.

In Ranchi, Uber had launched its services in April last year.

For now, steel city users can only book UberGo, the lowest in the category of rides in terms of quality and size of cars that the company offers.

Ratul Ghosh, head of Uber, East India and Bangladesh, who was present at the launch function at a Bistupur-based hotel, said the company plans to soon launch UberPremier (bigger and better cars than UberGo) and UberIntercity service between Ranchi and Jamshedpur.

“We believe that the introduction of our service in this city will provide riders a reliable and economical travel solution to fully experience the city,” Ghosh said.

“Major areas in and around the city, including Jugsalai, Sonari, Golmuri, Gamharia, Chhota Govindpur to the serene Dimna Lake, are now accessible on UberGo.”

The launch, he added, “will help us in providing convenient mobility options to riders as well as create micro-entrepreneurship opportunities for those who sign up as driver-partners in the steel city”.

Uber has around 600 vehicles in Jharkhand and the intercity service between Jamshedpur and Ranchi is expected to be rolled out by April this year, he said.

Ghosh said that in the past one year, Uber has introduced various safety features such as pin verification for extra security, ride check for proactive help, call anonymity to protect the privacy of riders, background checks of drivers, reminders to check one’s ride before boarding, and 24/7 safety helpline for any urgent assistance during the trip.

Ranchi airport gets free pick-and-drop lane.

Source – dailypioneer.com

The Birsa Munda Airport in Ranchi on Tuesday opened a dedicated lane for pick-and-drop vehicles, which passengers can use free of cost and avoid additional parking charges, Airport Director Vinod Sharma said. Several passengers, including politicians, businessmen and social activists, had raised objection to the additional parking charge for private vehicles that pick and drop passengers at the airport.

The decision of including a free pick-and-drop lane for vehicles entering the airport was taken at a meeting of the Airport Advisory Committee (AAC) recently.

While airport officials had said that there would be an upper limit on the duration for which pick-and-drop vehicles can use the parking without being charged, Sharma on Tuesday said that there was no upper limit as such but the vehicles should not stay parked in the lane as it would disrupt the traffic.

“The idea behind the dedicated lane is to provide passengers the option to get out of the airport and hop in their car without having to pay extra money. Same is applicable for passengers who board their flights from Ranchi. They can get down and allow the vehicle to leave the airport premises,” Sharma said.

The AAC meeting, which took the decision was presided over by Ranchi MP Sanjay Seth and attended by Rajya Sabha MP Mahesh Poddar, who has been an active member of the committee. Hatia legislator Navin Jaiswal also attended the meeting.

Besides taking the decision of relieving pick-and-drop vehicles from parking charges, the AAC also decided to use funds from Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) treasury of the airport to rehabilitate the villagers who had lost land due to construction and expansion of the airport and beautify the villages surrounding the airport.

The Birsa Munda Airport is fast growing in terms of connectivity with other cities. The largest airport in Jharkhand already has 30 flights connecting Ranchi to important cities like New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore and Hyderabad. The airport also has an international bay, but is yet to get any international flights. The increasing passenger traffic in Ranchi demands for better facilities and the Airport Authority of India (AAI) is consistently working on finding new ways to enhance the travel experience of passengers, said airport officials.   

Meanwhile, the airport authorities here have also floated tenders for restaurants and bar in the airport premises. Besides, several shops and showrooms have come up in the airport terminals in order to provide entertainment, refreshment and quality shopping experience to passengers here.

Rabri Devi meets Lalu Prasad at Ranchi hospital, their first meeting in 2 years.

Source – hindustantimes.com

Former Bihar chief minister Rabri Devi met her husband Lalu Prasad at Rajendra Institute of Medical Science (RIMS) on Monday, her first meeting with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief in Ranchi since December 2017 when he was awarded the jail sentence.

The former CM, who was accompanied by her elder daughter Misa Bharti, also paid a courtesy visit to Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren at the state secretariat before leaving for Patna.

Rabri landed at Birsa Munda Airport here around 10.30 am straight from New Delhi where she recently underwent cataract surgery. She came to RIMS around 12.25 pm to see her ailing husband and spent more than two hours at the hospital.

Rabri and Lalu were seen talking at the corridor on the hospital’s first floor. She left for Jharkhand secretariat around 2.45 pm.

Associate professor, RIMS, DK Jha, who is treating Prasad, said that Rabri Devi enquired from him about the health of her husband, apart from his usual activities. Sources in the RIMS said Prasad demonstrated unusual agility in receiving his wife, who he was meeting after 621 days. Both of them had met last in May 2018 during the marriage of Tej Pratap in Patna.

“Contrary to his late routine, Prasad got up quite early, had bath and breakfast before she landed in Ranchi. Both of them looked quite happy with smile on their faces till the moment of Rabri’s departure,” said a constable guarding the cottage, adding that Rabri Devi inspected the premises where Prasad lived and the kitchen were Prasad’s food is cooked.

“His condition is stable now. His problem is chronic, not critical,” Dr Jha said on Lalu Prasad’s health.

At the state secretariat, Rabri Devi told media, “I met Lalu ji at the hospital. He is fine health-wise.” On meeting Soren, she said it was just a courtesy visit and she wanted to congratulate him on becoming the chief minister. “I gave him blessings to run the government successfully.”

Abhay Singh, state RJD chief who accompanied the former chief minister, said, “There was merely a discussion about Lalu ji’s health. No other discussion was held.”

Although it is not known what exactly transpired in their meeting, as they spent most of the time alone, it is believed Rabri Devi must have talked about the crisis the family is facing due to break-up of their son Tej Pratap’s marriage with Aishwaraya.Tej Pratap’s in-laws had also filed dowry and domestic violence cases against Rabri Devi and others.

Political observer L K Kundan, who teaches political science at Ranchi University, said, “It was not a normal visit. Lalu’s sons and daughters have been meeting him on regular basis. But she came for the first time. I believe family dispute and Bihar politics must have been discussed between them. Besides, she also met Hemant Soren, which, I think, was an attempt to explore JMM’s contribution to Bihar politics.”

Prasad has been serving jail term since December 23, 2017, after his conviction in three separate fodder scam cases one after another. Two months after his sentencing, he developed health complications. Prasad was first shifted to RIMS and then to All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi. He was sent back to RIMS after AIIMS declared him fit in May 2018.

Soon, Prasad got parole to attend his elder son’s wedding. He was then released on provisional bail granted by the high court for advance treatment at a Mumbai hospital.

He returned to RIMS in the end of August 2018. Since then, he is under treatment at RIMS where he is admitted to the paying ward which is equipped with air conditioner and other facilities.

Though Prasad has been suffering from many diseases, the primary concern is his ‘type 2’ diabetes and hypertension.

Coronavirus: High alert in Jharkhand, Bihar; eye on international tourists.

Source – newindianexpress.com

PATNA/ RANCHI: Bihar and Jharkhand both issued alerts over Coronavirus, Sunday, advising its health surveillance units to keep an eye on suspected cases while issuing standard operating procedures to tackle the same.

Bihar shares over 600 km with Nepal-much of the stretch unguarded.

Officials in the state health secretariat said, there is a worry since there is free-flow of tourists into India and Nepal –mainly on the Buddhist circuit-many of them from China and South-East Asian countries.

With Kathamandu and Kapilvastu in Nepal and Sarnath in UP being starting points for the pilgrim route, Bihar ordered high alert along with the Bihar-Nepal border districts of East and West Champaran, Sheohar, Sitamarhi, Supaul, Madhubani, Araria and Kishanganj.

Principal Secretary Health, Bihar, Sanjay Kumar said that preventive measures were being taken after a boy in Nepal was diagnosed with the virus.

A standard operating procedure to be followed has also been notified to doctors, he said.

The state has also issued alert to Patna airport for the screening of foreign guests arriving and created a cell under Dr Ragini Mishra for Coronavirus surveillance.

Meanwhile, Jharkhand notified surveillance units in all districts asking doctors to monitor all suspected cases for at least 28 days, while issuing a reporting format for such cases, to a central facility.

The Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme units were instructed by Principal Secretary Nitin Madan Kulkarni to keep a close eye on all entrants.

IIM Ranchi celebrated Republic Day along with blood donation camp.

Source – campusvarta.com

Indian Institute of Management, Ranchi celebrated ‘Republic Day’; 71 years of Independence and Democratic Governance with a flag hoisting ceremony held at its new campus, located in Pundag. 

The Student Fraternity, the esteemed Faculty members lead by Prof. Dr Shailendra Singh and the ancillary staff gathered at the new campus to unfurl the tricolored national flag and celebrate this momentous occasion with invigorating speeches, a pledge and ended with a patriotic song melody as the atmosphere got engulfed in patriotism and pride. 

Major Achievements like the nation-wide appreciation received by ‘Unnat Bharat Initiative‘ for their incredible contribution towards the society, the huge leap into the Top 20 of ‘Most Desirable B-school,’ and the rise of IIM Ranchi as brand through corporate competition conquers were highlighted and celebrated.

The social responsibility Club of IIM Ranchi also organised a blood donation camp at the Khelgaon Hostel where students participated in huge numbers for the noble cause. Along with this, SOUL – a special-interest group at IIM Ranchi, inaugurated SPL-SOUL Premier League, on the lines of Gender Sensitization. To promote and celebrate Gender Equality, teams of both girls and boys are made to play the matches in the tournament. 

IIM Ranchi as always enthusiastically celebrated this occasion of national pride and paid due respect towards the nation and promised to uphold the Nation’s esteem till their very last breath at every stage of their life.

Chaibasa, Lohardaga case: BJP holds silent protest.

Source – dailypioneer.com

The State Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday held a silent protest near Raj Bhavan against the State Government’s action, in which it prevented a delegation of BJP to meet with the family members of victim. ‘

A delegation of BJP leaders also submitted a memorandum to Jharkhand Governor Draupadi Murmu in this regard.

The State BJP showed aggressive stance against the State Government with allegations of deteriorating law and order after Hemant Soren became the Chief Minister of Jharkhand. BJP leaders led by former Chief Minister Raghubar Das, the State BJP Chief, Laxman Gilua and almost all MLAs of the party participated in the protest.  The BJP leaders also submitted a memorandum to Governor Draupadi Murmu, protesting against the mass massacre of seven tribals at Gudri in Chaibasa and stone pelting on a rally in support of the Citizenship Amendment Act in Lohardaga took place Thursday.

Rajya Sabha MP, Sameer Oraon, Senior BJP leader and Ranchi MLA, CP Singh, former Legislative Assembly Speaker Dinesh Oraon, Lohardaga MP Sudarshan Bhagat and Neera Yadav among the prominent faces of the party who were present at the Rajya Bhavan in a one-day silent protest. The party demanded to the Governor that the whole issue should be investigated by a High Level judicial committee.

Former Chief Minister, Ragubar Das said on the occasion that Chief Minister Hemant Soren had given clear indication after holding his first Cabinet meeting. “The government has fueled the anti-national forces which has involved in the killing of innocent tribals. The Government which is saying that it is pro tribal but massacre of tribal taking place in the Government,” he added.

The BJP leaders, who were holding placards in their hands, demanded the arrest of the accused.

A delegation of BJP MPs was going to meet the families of the slain tribals on Friday which was prevented by the State Police at Karaikela in Chaibasa District. Citing security, Section 144 has been imposed in the area. Angered by this action of the Administration, the investigation team staged a protest near Karaikela under Sonuva Police Station. The MPs shouted slogans against the State Government. After this they sat on Chakradharpur-Ranchi National Highway 75, which blocked the jam for one and a half hours. After seven hours of sit-in, the BJP leaders finally had to return.

Lalu Prasad can meet lawyer 3 days a week.

Source – freepressjournal.in

Ranchi: A special CBI court has allowed Lalu Prasad to meet his counsel thrice a week as his case pertaining to fodder scam is in the stage of defence, the RJD chief’s advocate Prabhat Kumar said on Friday.

The advocate said he had met his client at the paying ward of the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Ranchi on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday accordingly.

“The CBI court has allowed our petition requesting to have meetings three days a week following day-to-day arguments. The court allowed us to meet between 4 pm and 5 pm after informing the jail authorities,” Kumar told PTI.

Prasad had on January 16 appeared before the special CBI court in connection with RC/47 case pertaining to fraudulent withdrawal of Rs 139.35 crore from Doranda Treasury during his chief ministerial regime in Bihar in the 1990s.

This is the fifth and last fodder scam case against Prasad in Ranchi while he has the sixth and final case in Bhagalpur in connection with the Animal Husbandry scam, popularly known as fodder scam.

He has been convicted in the previous four fodder scam cases, getting prison sentences ranging between three and a half years and fourteen years by different special CBI courts.

The Doranda Treasury case has 575 witnesses and 111 accused, a CBI official said, adding initially the investigating agency filed the charge sheet against 170 people.

Prasad, who has been in jail since December 2017, is undergoing treatment for multiple diseases at the RIMS.

Curfew after attack on pro-CAA procession.

Source – telegraphindia.com

A procession of 4,000 people, including women, out in support of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act was attacked in Lohardaga on Thursday, prompting the police to clamp an indefinite curfew in the town.

Over 50 persons, including policemen, were injured in the attack on the procession organised by local Hindutva outfit Jai Sriram Samiti with permission from the administration.

The procession, starting from the Lalit Narayan stadium, was supposed to end at Kutchery Chowk. But around 12.15pm, when it reached Somar Bazaar, a predominantly minority settlement, people, many from rooftops, started pelting stones on the procession. Eyewitnesses said at least 20 vehicles and a couple of houses and shops were also torched.

“They set my jewellery shop on fire and attacked my house. In front of my eyes, they set as many as four bikes on fire,” said Manoj Soni, owner of Shobha Jewellers.

Attackers then fanned out to Lohardaga Sadar Hospital and Amla Toli Chowk areas. They pelted stones at Lohardaga Sadar Hospital. Stray bullets were also fired.

“Patients were screaming in fear,” a hospital employee said. “Somehow we managed to lock the main gate.”

People, including women, ran for shelter and frantically called up the police.

Lohardaga superintendent of police Priyadarshi Alok and deputy commissioner Akanksha Ranjan hit the streets to control the situation. Additional forces arrived from Simdega.

Police also fired teargas shells and bullets in the air to disperse the crowd.

Later in the afternoon, the district administration imposed indefinite curfew.

South Chotanagpur range deputy inspector-general of police A.V. Homkar said everything was being done to prevent the flare-up from snowballing. “Attackers had resorted to arson. Firefighting vehicles have been pressed to douse the fires. We are carrying out heavy patrolling,” he said.

Unconfirmed sources said that the mob even snatched the gun of a cop.

A bodyguard of the Lohardaga SP was heard saying that stones pelted from near the site of worship left him injured.

An employee of sadar hospital said not only was there heavy stone pelting, gunshots were also fired at the hospital. “Patients were screaming in fear,” he said. “Somehow we managed to lock the main gate of the hospital.”

Lohardaga civil surgeon Dr Vijay Kumar said patients and employees were safe. “As many as 25 injured persons were treated here (sadar hospital) and discharged. One seriously injured person has been referred to RIMS in Ranchi,” he said.

IIM Ranchi ranks among top 20 B-schools in India.

Source – dailypioneer.com

With rising competition, students aspiring to pursue a Management in Business Administration (MBA) are in for some good news.

The ninth institute of Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ranchi established in the year 2010 has made it to the top 20 business schools according to Inside IIM MBA Rankings 2020.

IIM- Ranchi is the first second generation IIM to be featured in the list beating its counterparts like IIM Rohtak which till two years was amongst the top 25 business schools in the country.

“The institute- IIM Ranchi is very serious with whatever it is doing and our main concern is that wherever our students go, they should be known as the products of IIM Ranchi. Institutes are known by their own faculty members and products. The faculty here also strives to mould the students not just academically but also prepare them for the society. It is our endeavour that our products should be appreciated wherever they go,” said Professor Shailendra Singh, Director IIM Ranchi.

The institute has also made it to T.I.M.E’s list of top B- schools in India. Making it to the fourth spot, IIM Ranchi is in the AAA+ category of institutes which offer high quality of education, faculty, infrastructure and also have a 100 per cent placement record. It has beaten institutes like Management Development Institute (MDI) Gurugram and Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS) Mumbai which are in the fifth and sixth place respectively.

“The institute has immense potential and students get admission after facing difficult competition. They work extremely hard while our teachers are like potters who shape them with inspiration and motivation. Ultimately the products come out as good professionals who have a demand and stand out in the industry. It’s very encouraging to see our efforts being appreciated,” added the Director.