tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292849059053349232024-03-02T09:29:09.231-08:00Nitish Kumar's BlogNitish Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02165925884481745079noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-629284905905334923.post-83962974108826757252013-11-22T02:28:00.000-08:002013-11-25T22:48:58.623-08:00आइये, इस शर्म को हमेशा के लिए समाप्त करे||<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span lang="HI" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Mangal","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">मेरा हमेशा से ये
मानना रहा है, कि खुले में शौच जाना मानव की गरिमा पर अभिशाप है</span><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">| </span><span lang="HI" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Mangal","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">लोगों ने आदर और सम्मान दे कर मुझे यह पद दिया है
तो यह मेरा कर्तव्य बनता है कि मैं उन्हें एक गरिमामयी जीवन दूँ</span><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">, </span><span lang="HI" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Mangal","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">जिसमें घरेलु शौचालय सबसे महत्वपूर्ण स्थान रखता है</span><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">| </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="HI" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Mangal","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">हाल ही मैंने एक
घोषणा की है कि जिनके घर में घरेलू शौचालय नहीं होगा</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">, </span><span lang="HI" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Mangal","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">वे नगर निकाय एवं
पंचायत चुनाव नहीं लड़ पायेंगे</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">| </span><span lang="HI" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Mangal","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">इस घोषणा के बाद मेरी
उम्मीद है की लोगों एवं सरकारी संस्थओं के अन्दर इस समस्या के प्रति जागरूकता
आयेगी</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">| </span><span lang="HI" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Mangal","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">मैं हमेशा से इस मुद्दे पर काम करना
चाहता था</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">| </span><span lang="HI" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Mangal","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">मुख्यमंत्री पद की शपथ लेने के बाद ही
मैंने इस समस्या के प्रति जागरूकता लाने का काम शुरू किया</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">|<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="HI" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Mangal","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">मैं हमेशा से राम
मनोहर लोहिया से प्रेरित रहा</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">| 1950 </span><span lang="HI" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Mangal","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">के दशक में जब कोई
शौचालय के बारे में सोचता भी नहीं था</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">, </span><span lang="HI" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Mangal","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">उन्होंने शौचालय
एवं नदियों की सफाई की बात कही थी </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">| </span><span lang="HI" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Mangal","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">लोहिया जी
प्रधानमंत्री पंडित जवाहर लाल नेहरु के धुर विरोधी थे</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">| </span><span lang="HI" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Mangal","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">इसके बावजूद </span><span lang="HI" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Mangal","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">उन्होंने एक बार कहा था कि “अगर पंडित नेहरु भारत में सभी महिलाओं
के लिए शौचालय बना दे तो मैं उनका विरोध करना छोड़ दूंगा” </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">| </span><span lang="HI" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Mangal","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">उनका यह कथन इस मुद्दे पर उनकी
सोच,गम्भीरता तथा </span><span lang="HI" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Mangal","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">उनकी दूरदर्शिता का
प्रमाण है</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">|<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2008 </span><span lang="HI" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Mangal","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">में लोहिया जी से प्रेरणा ले कर मैंने
बिहार में </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">'</span><span lang="HI" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Mangal","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">लोहिया स्वच्छता योजना</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">' </span><span lang="HI" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Mangal","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">की </span><span lang="HI" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Mangal","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">शुरुआत की</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">| </span><span lang="HI" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Mangal","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">इस अभियान के
अंतर्गत हमारा उद्देश्य सब के लिए शौचालय की सुविधा उपलब्ध कराना है</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">| </span><span lang="HI" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Mangal","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">यह बात बताते हुए
मुझे गर्व का अहसास हो रहा हैं कि पुरे भारत में सिर्फ महाराष्ट्र को छोड़ केवल बिहार
ही ऐसा राज्य हैं जिसने खुला शौचालय खत्म करने की दिशा में ऐसी पहल की </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">|<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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योजना के तहत हमारा लक्ष्य </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2015 </span><span lang="HI" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Mangal","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">तक बिहार में
शौचालय विहीन घरों को शौचालय सुविधा से युक्त बनाने का है</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">| </span><span lang="HI" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Mangal","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">इससे पहले बिहार में</span><span lang="HI" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Mangal","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;"> शौचालय की व्यवस्था सुनिश्चित करने
के लिए केंद्र सरकार द्वारा निर्मल भारत अभियान चलाया जा रहा था, लेकिन शुरुआत में
इसका लक्ष्य केवल बी.पी.एल. परिवारों तक ही सिमित था </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">| </span><span lang="HI" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Mangal","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">हमलोगों ने बिहार
में इस कार्यक्रम का विस्तार किया जिससे इस योजना का लाभ अधिक से अधिक परिवार उठा
सके</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">| </span><span lang="HI" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Mangal","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">इस योजना के विस्तार के लिए </span><span lang="HI" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Mangal","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">राज्य सरकार की तरफ से इसमें अंशदान बढाया गया तथा बी.पी.एल
परिवारों के साथ ए.पी.एल. परिवारों भी शामिल किया गया</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">| </span><span lang="HI" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Mangal","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">इन योजनाओं को शुरू
करने के पीछे मुख्य उद्देश्य, लोगों को घरेलू शौचालय बनवाने के लिए प्रेरित और
जागरूक करना है</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">| </span><span lang="HI" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Mangal","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">मुझे यह देख कर आश्चर्य होता है की
गाँव में कुछ परिवार जिनके के पास पैसे होते है, परन्तु वे अपने घर में शौचालय
नहीं बनवाते है</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">| </span><span lang="HI" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Mangal","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">इसलिए हमनें ए.पी.एल. परिवारों को भी
इस योजना में शामिल किया जिसके अंतर्गत घरेलु शौचालय बनवाने के लिए </span><span lang="HI" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span lang="HI" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Mangal","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">सरकार की तरफ से
उन्हें भी रकम मुहैया कराइ जाएगी|</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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प्रोत्साहन देने के लिए मैंने यह घोषणा की है कि जिस ग्राम पंचायत में शत प्रतिशत
शौचालय का निर्माण होगा</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">,
</span><span lang="HI" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Mangal","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">उस ग्राम पंचायत को निर्मल ग्राम
पंचायत का पुरस्कार दिया जायेगा</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">| </span><span lang="HI" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Mangal","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">निर्मल ग्राम
पंचायत को </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">5 </span><span lang="HI" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Mangal","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">लाख की नकद राशी प्रदान की जाएगी </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">| </span><span lang="HI" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Mangal","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">इसी प्रकार जिस
प्रखंड के संपूर्ण पंचायतों में शत-प्रतिशत शौचालय का निर्माण होगा</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">, </span><span lang="HI" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Mangal","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">उस प्रखंड को
निर्मल प्रखंड का पुरस्कार दिया जायेगा</span><span lang="HI" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Mangal","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;"> जिसमें उस</span><span lang="HI" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Mangal","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;"> प्रखंड को </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">25 </span><span lang="HI" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Mangal","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">लाख की नकद राशी
प्रदान की जाएगी जिसका उपयोग उन्हें </span><span lang="HI" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span lang="HI" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Mangal","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">स्वच्छता कार्यक्रमों में करना होगा</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">| <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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युक्त घरों के अभियान से मैं लोगों के मौलिक अधिकारों को बचाना चाहता हूँ</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">| </span><span lang="HI" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Mangal","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">घर में शौचालय होना
हर इन्सान का मौलिक अधिकार है</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">| </span><span lang="HI" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Mangal","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">इसी मौलिक अधिकार
के लिए राष्ट पिता महात्मा गाँधी ने बहुत काम किया </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">| </span><span lang="HI" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Mangal","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">जब मैं यह सुनता
हूँ कि भारत में </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">600 </span><span lang="HI" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Mangal","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">करोड़ लोग तथा </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">53% </span><span lang="HI" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Mangal","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">भारतीय परिवार को
खुले में शौचालय करने के अपमान से गुजरना पड़ता है, तो मेरा सर शर्म से नीचे हो
जाता है</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> | </span><span lang="HI" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Mangal","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">विश्व स्वास्थ्य संगठन </span><span lang="HI" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span lang="HI" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Mangal","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">की रिपोर्ट कहती है कि</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span lang="HI" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Mangal","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">प्रतिदिन करीब </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2 </span><span lang="HI" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Mangal","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">बिलियन टन मल</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">, </span><span lang="HI" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Mangal","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">जिनमें बैक्टीरिया</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">, </span><span lang="HI" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Mangal","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">वायरस होते हैं</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">, </span><span lang="HI" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Mangal","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">हमारी पृथ्वी पर छूने</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">, </span><span lang="HI" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Mangal","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">खाने और पानी में
मिल जाने को तैयार रहता है जो कि काफी दुखद है</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">| <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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परिणाम स्वरुप डायरिया होता है जिससे प्रतिदिन </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1,600 </span><span lang="HI" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Mangal","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">से ज्यादा बच्चों
की मौत होती है</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">| </span><span lang="HI" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Mangal","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">डायरिया जैसी बीमारियाँ समुचित सफाई
व्ययवस्था से आसानी से रोकी जा सकती है</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">| </span><span lang="HI" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Mangal","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">यह काफी आश्चर्यजनक
है कि मिलेनियम डेवलपमेंट गोल</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">, 2000 </span><span lang="HI" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Mangal","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">के अन्दर समुचित
सफाई व्यवस्था अंकित भी नहीं थी</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">|<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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शौचालय के प्रति जागरूकता लाने के लिए पंचायती राज अधिनियम में संशोधन किया जायेगा</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">| </span><span lang="HI" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Mangal","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">केंद्र सरकार ने जनगणना
के आधार पर बिहार में </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1
</span><span lang="HI" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Mangal","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">करोड़ </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">11 </span><span lang="HI" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Mangal","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">लाख ग्रामीण
परिवारों में शौचालय बनाने का लक्ष्य रखा है</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">| </span><span lang="HI" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Mangal","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">जबकि हमारे
पारिवारिक सर्वेक्षण में </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2 </span><span lang="HI" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Mangal","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">करोड़ </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">19 </span><span lang="HI" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Mangal","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">लाख शौचालय विहीन
परिवार मिले है</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">|<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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कि प्रत्येक राज्य सरकार का यह कर्तव्य है कि राज्य के लोगों को मुलभुत सुविधाए
उपलब्ध करा के उनके लिए एक प्रतिष्ठित जीवन सुनिश्चित करे</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">| </span><span lang="HI" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Mangal","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">अगर मेरी सरकार
लोगों की गरिमा को कायम रखने में सफल होती है तो यह मेरे लिए एक बहुत बड़ी उपलब्धि
होगी</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">|<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Nitish Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02165925884481745079noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-629284905905334923.post-42241618628061210332013-11-21T05:44:00.000-08:002013-11-25T22:49:29.719-08:00END THIS GLARING AND ENDURING SHAME<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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For many years now, I have believed, and said that open defecation is an affront to human dignity, a curse to humanity. As someone bestowed with people’s affection to serve them, I feel it is my utmost duty to ensure them a life of dignity. Access to toilets are at the core of this. </div>
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I recently made an announcement that those not having a toilet in their homes will not be allowed to contest panchayat or urban local body elections in Bihar. With this I sincerely hope there will be greater urgency among people and government agencies to work on this issue. You would know this concern has been at the core of my heart, and soon after I assumed charge as Chief Minister, I have been working on creating awareness on access to toilets.</div>
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I have always been inspired by our great leader Shri Ram Manohar Lohia – way back in 1950 Shri Lohia had advocated cleanliness of toilets and rivers. Shri Lohia who was a staunch critic of Shri Jawahar Lal Nehru had once said that “I would stop my opposition to Nehru if he built toilets for all the women in the country.” Such was Lohia’s conviction towards ensuring this dignified existence for people. </div>
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Inspired by Lohia’s vision and my personal conviction, we had designed and launched the unique Lohia Swachhata Yojana in 2008 with an aim to ensure <i>Toilets for All</i>. I am proud to note that, other than Maharashtra, Bihar was the only state to have launched a unique scheme to address the problem of open defecation.</div>
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The Lohia Swachhata Yojana was designed to achieve the objective of providing sustainable toilets to all households by 2015. While the BPL families were covered under the Central Scheme of Total Sanitation Campaign, we also made provisions for incentives to APL families. This was unique in many ways. The incentives / subsidies was a tool to encourage people to think on the significance of toilets. I was aghast to note that many people had toilets yet they did not use it – and my endevour was to create a compelling attentiveness among people on the need for the same. </div>
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I have announced this year that panchayats that achieve the 100% target of constructing toilets will be given the Nirmal Gram Panchayat prize of Rs 5 lakh each. The Nirmal Prakhand award will carry Rs 25 lakh in prize for blocks for conducting a cleanliness drive.</div>
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My effort is aimed at addressing a fundamental woe of human civilization, a cause for which Mahatma Gandhi spent considerable efforts. My head sinks with shame when I am told that over 600 million people in India or 53% of Indian households today have to suffer the humiliation of defecating in the open. It is sad, as WHO has noted, that "Every day, nearly two billion tons of human faeces, with a dizzying number of potential viruses, bacteria and worm eggs, are lying around our planet ready to be trodden on, touched or ingested in water and food."</div>
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The consequences are not difficult to calculate: Diarrhoea, caused by that contaminated food, water and environment, is still the second deadliest killer of children in the world, killing 1,600 children every day. Yet, as the WHO has rightly noted, the attention and funding given to sanitation and diarrhoea - which is easily preventable with adequate sanitation, safe water and good hygiene – have for decades been dwarfed by that given to other causes and challenges such as HIV/AIDS. When the Millennium Development Goals – a set of targets to reduce poverty and better maternal health and education amongst other things – were signed in 2000, sanitation wasn’t even mentioned.</div>
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We are committed to bring the necessary amendments to the Bihar Panchayati Raj Act and other statutes governing the elections of urban bodies to raise public awareness about the benefits of toilets in houses. The central government had aimed to construct 1.11 crore toilets in the state, our records show that 2.19 crore families do not have a toilet in their home.</div>
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I am of the firm belief that ensuring a dignified life – and providing basic facilities to its people – is a fundamental duty of the state. If my government can ensure this existential decorum for the people of Bihar, this will be one of my biggest achievements. This has been an enduring dream, and close to my heart – and seeing it happening in my lifetime shall give me immense solace.</div>
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Nitish Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02165925884481745079noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-629284905905334923.post-19749293797767461092013-09-20T09:54:00.003-07:002013-09-20T09:54:43.655-07:00Annual Lecture at the National Commission for Minorities, September 20, 2013, New Delhi<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Janab Wajahat Habibullah,
Chairman National Commission of Minorities, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and
Gentlemen</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I am deeply honoured by
the invitation extended to me to deliver the Annual Lecture of the National
Commission for Minorities. I have deep
respect for the National Commission for Minorities. I believe that this institution has done
valuable work towards ensuring the welfare of those of our citizens who are
Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists or Zoroastrians. Since the Commission was
established in 1992, it has worked with vigilance and sensitivity to safeguard
the constitutional and legal rights of these minorities. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There is a fundamental
question before all of us today. It is a
question which is critical for our young Republic and Nation. It is a question
which will determine our future. And, it
is a question which must necessarily invoke our past. It is a question about who we are, about our
identity, how we see ourselves, and how we want the world to see us. It is a question, in short, about our
survival, and our ability to flourish and prosper. Simply put, the question is: WHAT IS THE IDEA
OF INDIA which we cherish? Or, what is
the thinking that animates the Indian ethos, and how can we preserve and strengthen
it? </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This is not a theoretical
question. It is not a question confined
to text books, or to the cloistered world of academics. It is a question which affects our lives
directly, and will influence the kind of world we bequeath to succeeding
generations. This question must be
answered, and answered definitively. If
we choose not to answer it, or provide the wrong answer, our future as a nation
and as a civilization will be in peril.
It is a peril all Indians must work jointly to avoid. Otherwise history will never forgive us. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>My personal conviction is
that the idea of India has inherent in it the idea of love, respect and
inclusiveness. Our history and
civilization stand on the strong roots of peaceful co-existence. On a foundational basis India has always been
a land where people of different faiths and ethnicities have found a home, and an
opportunity to mould their future. There
is hardly any area of national endeavour—language, art, architecture, music,
scholarship, cuisine, dress, and so many more areas—where they are not an
intrinsic part. </b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Our culture has evolved to
become a <i>ganga-jamuni </i>synthesis of
Hinduism and Islam, and, indeed, of all the faiths that India is home to. The remarkable Sufi and Bhakti movements,
once again reinforced the message of India’s essential profile as a nation that
refuses to build narrow religious hatreds, and values the essential message of
co-existence and respect for people of all faiths.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>My state of Bihar provides
a graphic illustration of this reality of India.</b> Within a radius of a roughly a hundred
kilometres from Patna, you will find some of the most revered religious sites
of Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Jainism and Buddhism. In Patna, we have Patna Sahib, which was
visited by first guru of Sikhs Guru Nanak Dev ji, and where Guru Gobind Singh
ji was born; a little out of Patna, we have Bihar Sharif, which, like Ajmer
Sharif, is one of the most revered sites for Sufism and Islam; not too far away
from here we have Pawa Puri, where the founder of the Jain faith, Bhagwan
Mahavira, was cremated; adjacent to it is the most holy pilgrimage site for
Buddhists—Bodhgaya, where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment; and right next to
it is Gaya, where Hindus congregate in huge numbers for the pind daan of their
ancestors. Here, in Bihar, then you have visibly, dramatically, the reality of
our country, a country of many faiths co-existing with each other, and
collectively contributing to the vibrant plurality that is India. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>In my view the foundation
of a progressive India is communal harmony, social harmony and inclusive
growth.</b> Until we do not strengthen the
tapestry of communal harmony and social harmony we cannot have economic development
on an enduring basis. We will need to adopt an inclusive approach to all
sections of our people. Along with
development, good governance and progress, we will also have to strengthen a
culture wherein India’s plurality and diversity are vibrantly represented. We will have to accept that people of all
creeds and faiths are an indivisible part of India, in accordance with the
vision of the founding fathers of our Constitution. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>We will definitely have to
adopt an inclusive approach in our governance and administration.</b> This is directly
contrary to that narrow and elitist thinking where development is interpreted
to mean only the further strengthening of those already privileged. India is a country of many internal
contradictions. As against a few very
affluent and privileged people, there are the huge numbers of the poor and the
deprived. Even after six decades and
more after Independence, our country is burdened with abject poverty,
illiteracy, malnutrition and hunger.
Some parts of our nation have moved further towards well being and
prosperity, while other parts, in spite of their best efforts, have been left
quite far behind in the race towards development. There are some historical and cultural
reasons for this. The development of any
country must be seen holistically, not in water tight compartments. It is this thinking which has motivated my
government to adopt the ideological premise of development with justice. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>We need to work with
harmony and dedication to end inequality.
Such a commitment should definitely be reflected also in our approach
towards our minorities. All Indians are
citizens of our Republic, but, within this framework, if a minority community
needs any special assistance then it is in accord with our civilizational
values and philosophical vision, to accord it.</b> Such an approach, stemming from
genuine concern, of helping those who are in need, is also a sign of a mature
democracy and a socially sensitive society.
According full faith and respect to all religions is, of course, a sign of
our secularism; but it is also a fulfilment of what is enshrined in our
Constitution and the tenets on which our Republic is founded.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If a society functions on
the basis of justice, love and harmony then the doors to good governance and
development automatically open. But there is a school of thought which has
popularized the theory that good governance and inclusive growth are two
separate and mutually opposed goals. Our country needs good governance, but
there can be no good governance if it is divisive or non-inclusive. Good
governance and an inclusive vision are two sides of the same coin. Of what good
is the slogan of good governance if it works only to make the rich richer and
ignores the plight of the deprived and the marginalized? Of what use is the
claim to good governance if in its wake it creates communal barriers and
divides society? Of what use is a manifesto of good governance if it ignores
the regional diversity of India and the special needs of those who are less
developed? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Our belief is in inclusive
progress which embraces all people, regions and classes.</b> It is on this idea
that Bihar’s claim for Special Category status rests. Our demand is an expression of the desire of
the ten crore people of Bihar to fully participate in the fruits of
development. We shall continue to strongly voice our view that injustice has
been done in the matter of the development of Bihar, and that the current
criterion for according special category status are not capable of delivering justice to backward
States like Bihar. The fact that we are a landlocked backward State lagging far
behind in the indices of development gives strength to our demand. Bihar, and
other backward States, require special treatment, so that we too can become
partners in the journey of the country’s economic development and contribute to
the further growth in the nation’s GDP. This will only happen when Bihar gets
what is legitimate due. We are fighting
for our right to development. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The truth is that any
government that is not inclusive is a danger to India. India can never progress if the vast majority
who are at the lowest rung of society do not also progress. If the fruits of
progress do not reach those at the very bottom of our society—the dalits and
mahadalits, the backward and the extremely backward classes, and the minority
communities—then India cannot progress. Any other approach will unleash social
unrest, generate endemic communal strife, instigate instability, nurture
suspicion and hostility, and, in general, create an atmosphere of endemic
national tension that will jeopardize the project of governance itself. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Whenever there is communal
violence we see, more often than not, the involvement of anti-social elements
which draw their strength in collusion with the political class. We have seen what
happened at Muzaffarnagar. This is a matter of deep concern. We cannot allow
this violence to spread all over the country. Some forces fan the fire of
communal tensions in order to polarize the situation in their favour. This kind
of political thinking completely stuns me.
We must fight such forces with all the strength at our command and not
allow their nefarious plans to succeed. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Bihar has been witness to
such developments in the last few weeks when every attempt has been made to
foment and spread communal tension. This
is in stark contrast to the last eight years when there was the fullest
communal harmony. We need to ask
ourselves who is responsible for this, and why does this happen? We shall face these challenges with the
fullest dedication and all the power at our command, and remain firm in our
resolve to achieve the goal of development with justice. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>In the last eight years,
we have used the tools of good governance to convert a State reeling under the
curse of poverty, backwardness and administrative anarchy into the fastest
growing State of the country.</b> For five
continuous years Bihar notched the highest GDP growth rates in the nation, averaging
around 11 per cent.Starting almost from scratch, and in very difficult
circumstances, we restored law and order, built roads, upgraded basic
infrastructure, introduced new initiatives in education and health,
revolutionized many aspects of agriculture, brought in financial stability and
restored the administrative framework. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>I am particularly happy
about our efforts to curb corruption.</b> We
enacted the far reaching Right to Public Services Act, which brings many
services for which an ordinary citizen has to interface with the State, under a
systematically monitored, time-bound system, with penalties for every day that
the pre-identified official earmarked to render the service delays its
delivery. We were the first States in
India to enact the Special Courts Act which allows the government to confiscate
the properties of public servants if they face corruption charges and if their
assets are disproportionate to their known sources of income. Several of these properties have already been
confiscated, and have made into public schools so that they are available for
the benefit of <a href="" name="_GoBack"></a>the public. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But we did not achieve
high economic growth rates and other achievements at the cost of inclusive
goals. We began such programmes that
would reach out to the poorest of the poor and the marginalized. <b>Special welfare programmes are being
implemented for the mahadalits, the dalits, the extremely backward and backward
classes, the minorities and women. For the scheduled castes, schedule tribes
and extremely backward castes we are giving scholarship for children at a three
times higher revised rate.</b> At the same time, we have decided to give scholarship
at higher revised rate to children of backward castesas well, whose family’s annual
income is less than Rs one lakh. This year we have taken a decision to give scholarship
to all girls from class I to X in government schools. We want to strengthen the voice of the
deprived. Our mechanical GDP rates could
have been even higher if we had ignored this aim. But we realized that good governance, if it
is to yield lasting dividends, must take into account the needs of the people from
all sections of society. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It was the same approach
that made us to take up a host of programmes for the minorities. From the very beginning the State government
has given emphasis on the educational development of the students of the
minority communities. That is why today
only a meagre 1.68 per cent of the children of the minority community between
the ages of 6 to 14 are out of school. The State government gives grants to
1128 madarsa, 108 non-government minority primary schools and 76 minority middle
schools. In continuation of this effort,
the government has made rules to enlist 205 more madarsa for assistance through
grant. Work to fill up 29,000 vacant positions for Urdu teachers is
ongoing. Districts where the population
density of minorities is greater have been prioritizedfor establishment of
higher secondary schools. In order to
incentivize students of the minority community to go to school, a scholarship
scheme was begun from 2007 under which Rs 10,000 is given to any minority student
who gets first division in the matriculation exam. In 2007 the number of such students who
passed with first division was 2600; today, the number has gone up to
29,000. Through the efforts of the State
government a branch of the Aligarh Muslim University is to open in Kishangarh
district, and land for this has already been earmarked and handed over. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>In order to increase the
literacy rate for women in the minority community the State government has,through
Talimi Markaz volunteers, organized the setting up of educational centres for
informal learning. Our aim is to have Talimi Markaz volunteers for all minority
settlements so that in the coming years more and more women become literate.</b> The
State government also commenced in 2008 a ‘Hunar’ programme for the vocational skill
training of minority girl children.Training for such children is provided in
identified vocational training centres. Thousands of girl children have so far
received vocational training at such centres. Our aim this year is to impart
training to 50,000 girl children from the minority community. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For the benefit of the
minorities, institutions such as the Bihar Urdu Academy, the State Sunni Wakf
Board, State Shia Wakf Board, the State Haj Committee, the Minority Finance
Corporation, and the State Minority Commission are working independently, and
financial assistance is being given to facilitate their optimal
functioning. A Directorate for the
welfare of minorities has also been set up, and posts have been created for the
appointment of minority welfare officer in each district. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Among the measures to
maintain communal harmony, the fencing of graveyardshas been undertaken. Until now some 3600 graveyards have been
provided appropriate fencing. For the welfare of the minorities the Chief
Minister’s Shram Shakti Scheme, the scheme for constructing hostels for
minority students, the Chief Minister’s Minority Educational Loan Scheme and
the Chief Minister’s Minority Employment Loan Scheme are being implemented, and
are being gainfully availed by the minority youth with great enthusiasm. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Buildings in the name of
iconic figures from among the minorities, such as the late Maulana Mazrul Haq,
the late Abdul Qayum Ansari and the late Ghulam Sarwar, have been inaugurated,
and these have become important trusts for the minority community. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For us it is also a matter
of great satisfaction that an atmosphere of communal good will and social
harmony is evident in every corner of the State. The administration is under
strict orders to take effective measures to immediately stop any attempt to
disrupt this atmosphere.The truth is that among my one of the first official
act after assuming office was to ensure reinvestigation of the cases against
the politically influential perpetrators of the Bhagalpur incident. Furthermore
we also ensured payment of pension for life to the destitutes of the riot
affected families from state government’s exchequer. This sent the right message
across the State. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In short, our aim
throughout was to reinforce the avowed goal of our Republic to provide equal
opportunity to all our citizens. Muslims
are a valuable part of our citizenry. As part of our strategy to empower all
our citizens who are relatively deprived or marginalized, we must provide to
Muslims also equal opportunity and equip them to avail of it, so that they
become a part of the mainstream of development. I consider this an inclusive
approach to development. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>The basic truth is that
the people of India want to live in peace and harmony. They want to see greater economic development
in our country. They want to avail of
new economic opportunities. They do not
want to be entangled in old slogans of division and hatred. They want good governance, but not at the
cost of societal instability and violence.</b>
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In India, co-existence and
harmony are a part of our culture. They
can never be compromised and must be allowed to flourish. But we will have to
be vigilant against those seeking to unravel this national consensus. In my idea of India, India will prevail. Our centuries old legacy of assimilation,
diversity and tolerance, will prevail. The unity of India will prevail. The
vibrant plurality of India which gives us our identity will prevail. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>My goal is to work to
create the India of our dreams, an India of inclusive progress, communal
harmony, and prosperity for all. In
Bihar, I am working to make this dream come true. Transient political gains
have never been my aim. I am confident
that with the principles of harmony and inclusiveness as our guide, we will be
partners in the creation of a glorious India tomorrow. </b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span lang="EN-IN" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Jai
Hind </span></span></div>
Nitish Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02165925884481745079noreply@blogger.com10New Delhi, Delhi, India28.635308 77.2249600000000128.1893855 76.579513 29.081230499999997 77.870407000000014tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-629284905905334923.post-51069345443015482862013-09-19T00:27:00.003-07:002013-09-19T00:30:13.103-07:00Women’s education ushering in a silent social revolution in Bihar<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">My dear friends,</span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">I am glad to be back here again. It feels great to share my thoughts with people
living in different parts of the world. I am happy to share that an important
decision has been taken to further boost the girls’ education in Bihar and I
find it most appropriate to share this distinctive development with you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">During my Independence Day speech at Gandhi Maidan
in Patna this year, <b>I was happy to announce scholarships across the board for
all girls, from Class I to Class X, studying in different government schools
across Bihar.</b></span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">What is significant about this decision is that
schoolgirls from all sections of society regardless of caste, creed, community
and economic background will benefit from it. The only criterion is that the
beneficiary should be a student of a government school. That’s all.</span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">This, in my opinion, is a revolutionary step which
will give a tremendous boost to women’s education in the state. A few years
ago, </span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">for
incentivising enrolment especially for girl child in schools, the <i>Mukhya Mantri
Balika Poshak Yojna</i> was started with cash support for school uniform to every
enrolled girl child of Class VI to VII. Later it was extended all students from
Class I to VIII and girl students of classes IX and XII. Another innovative
landmark scheme <i>Mukhya Mantri Balika Cycle Yojna</i> was introduced in 2007-08 in
which cash was given to girl students of class IX for purchase of cycles. This
scheme not only saw a drastic increase in enrolment of girls but brought a new
found confidence in them leading to a social transformation. The scheme has now
been extended to cover all students of class IX.</span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> Prior to implementation of the
scheme, a large number of girls used to drop out of their schools after Class
VIII. But </span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">these
schemes</span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> reversed the trend.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC5Ug8NSi9oHlboAPWmMDvryjQqVjXlwTa6JXvMJgrmmXPDB_UYLNuDlXqYr9OAqlfpSN96Fw12LXMx0Z3Zk8cxdqmyYX3rSynue26Jgrb07NpwdRswxadYRQxrxW4hBWoBGKOdvgJFQY/s1600/cycle-yojna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC5Ug8NSi9oHlboAPWmMDvryjQqVjXlwTa6JXvMJgrmmXPDB_UYLNuDlXqYr9OAqlfpSN96Fw12LXMx0Z3Zk8cxdqmyYX3rSynue26Jgrb07NpwdRswxadYRQxrxW4hBWoBGKOdvgJFQY/s1600/cycle-yojna.jpg" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br />
That undoubtedly turned out to be a m<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=629284905905334923" name="_GoBack"></a>ilestone in the
field of girls’ education in Bihar. That</span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"> cycle</span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> scheme brought about a social revolution and made
the cycle-riding schoolgirls a veritable mascot of Bihar, especially in the
rural areas. The success of that scheme could be gauged from the fact that
altogether 9,61,109, including 4,92,899 girls, availed of the scheme in
2012-13.</span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">When the scheme was launched in 2007-08, only
1,56,092 girls had benefited from it. The scheme was later extended for the
boys as well. <b>I am happy to see that the total number of the beneficiaries
bicycle scheme has risen to 47,44,966, including 24,57,539 girls, towards the
end of last fiscal.</b></span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><b>The bicycle project has indeed heralded a silent
revolution in the hinterland of Bihar as far as woman empowerment is concerned.
It has instilled a sense of confidence in the girls. The sight of the groups of
girls going to their schools from their villages on their bicycles bears an
ample testimony to that.</b> It is a kind of social revolution which has altered
the way girls education has been looked at in Bihar, historically. I am certain
the impact of this revolution will be felt in the long run when women would be
truly empowered. An empowered woman makes a vibrant society.</span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><b>It is in keeping with my government’s thrust on
women’s education that I resolved to give women’s education a further boost
through scholarship scheme.</b> This scheme may well turn out to be an equally significant
decision not only because it will encourage families to send their daughters to
school but also because it will act as a catalyst for social change in the long
run. I have always believed that educating a girl means educating an entire
family.</span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">A recent study has revealed that the population of
Bihar has gone up by 25 per cent in the past decade. This is an alarming rate.
All development work and GDP growth rate will come to a naught if we are not
able to stabilise population. I think education plays a vital role in helping
stabilise the population as well.</span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Bihar has the fertility rate of 3.6 but it is only
2 among the Matric-pass girls. This is on par with the national rate but it
gets further reduced to 1.6 among the Intermediate-pass girls which is less
than the national average (1.7). This clearly indicates that education creates
awareness about such things.</span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><b>I have, therefore, decided to establish a high
school in each panchayat. At present, there is shortage of about 4,500 high
schools across Bihar. The Cabinet has already approved of setting up of 1,000
high schools in the current financial year.</b></span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">There are other burning social issues such as child
marriage and gender inequality which are reasons for several social problems.
These too can be tackled through girls’ education. </span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><b>It is a matter of concern that the number of female
population is going down because of rampant female foeticide.</b> At present, the
male-female ratio is 1,000:916 in Bihar which needs to be improved. I am of the
view that proper and holistic education of girls will definitely help reverse
this unhealthy trend as well. In my opinion an educated girl will never allow
female foeticide.</span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The new scholarship scheme will give a tremendous
fillip to their education. Its impact may not be understood immediately but it
will usher in the social change in the coming years. Women’s education can be
the most effective tool to usher in social revolution.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I hope more and more girls will avail of this new
scheme and join schools to study. As I told you, an educated girl means an
educated family. </span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Thank you very much.</span></div>
Nitish Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02165925884481745079noreply@blogger.com18Patna, Bihar, India25.61046 85.14166699999998425.61046 85.141666999999984 25.61046 85.141666999999984tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-629284905905334923.post-74991773976687099502013-09-18T23:51:00.001-07:002013-09-18T23:55:20.032-07:00महिला शिक्षा से बिहार में हो रही है क्रांति की शुरुआत<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Mangal","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Mangal","serif"; line-height: 115%;">मेरे
प्रिय मित्रो</span><span style="font-family: "Kruti Dev 010"; line-height: 115%;">]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Mangal","serif"; line-height: 115%;">आप सब
से एक बार फिर मुखातिब होते हुए मुझे बहुत खुशी महसूस हो रही है। दुनिया के विभिन्न
हिस्सों में रहने वाले लोगों के साथ अपने विचार साझा करना मुझे बहुत अच्छा लगता है।
मुझे आपसे यह जानकारी बांटते हुए बहुत हर्ष हो रहा है कि बिहार में बालिका शिक्षा को
और अधिक प्रोत्साहन देने के लिए एक महत्वपूर्ण निर्णय किया गया है। और मुझे लगता है
कि इस नए कदम के बारे में आपसे साझा करना सबसे सही रहेगा।</span><span style="font-family: "Kruti Dev 010"; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Mangal","serif"; line-height: 115%;">इस साल
पटना में गांधी मैदान में स्वतंत्रता दिवस के अपने भाषण में बड़ी प्रसन्नता के साथ मैंने
पूरे बिहार के विभिन्न सरकारी स्कूलों में पढ़ने वाली पहली से दसवीं कक्षा की सभी बालिकाओं
के लिए छात्रवृत्ति की घोषणा की थी।</span><span style="font-family: "Kruti Dev 010"; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Mangal","serif"; line-height: 115%;">इस निर्णय
के बारे में जो बात सबसे अहम है वह यह है कि जाति</span><span style="font-family: "Kruti Dev 010"; line-height: 115%;">] </span><span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Mangal","serif"; line-height: 115%;">पंथ</span><span style="font-family: "Kruti Dev 010"; line-height: 115%;">] </span><span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Mangal","serif"; line-height: 115%;">समुदाय और आर्थिक पृष्ठभूमि
से परे समाज के सभी वर्गों की छात्राओं को इससे लाभ मिलेगा। इसके लिए केवल एक ही शर्त
है और वह यह कि लाभार्थी सरकारी स्कूल से होनी चाहिए</span><span style="font-family: "Kruti Dev 010"; line-height: 115%;">] </span><span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Mangal","serif"; line-height: 115%;">बस।</span><span style="font-family: "Kruti Dev 010"; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Mangal","serif"; line-height: 115%;">मेरी
राय में यह एक क्रांतिकारी कदम है जो प्रदेश में महिला शिक्षा को जबरदस्त बढ़ावा देगा।
कुछ वर्ष पहले स्कूलों में विशेष तौर पर लड़कियों के प्रवेश को प्रोत्साहन देने के लिए
मुख्य मंत्री बालिका पोशाक योजना आरंभ की गई थी जिसके तहत कक्षा </span><span style="font-family: "Kruti Dev 010"; line-height: 115%;">6</span><span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Mangal","serif"; line-height: 115%;"> व </span><span style="font-family: "Kruti Dev 010"; line-height: 115%;">7</span><span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Mangal","serif"; line-height: 115%;"> में प्रवेश लेने वाली
प्रत्येक बालिका को स्कूल यूनिफॉर्म के लिए नकद सहयोग दिया गया। बाद में इस योजना को
पहली से </span><span style="font-family: "Kruti Dev 010"; line-height: 115%;">8</span><span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Mangal","serif"; line-height: 115%;">वीं कक्षा के सभी विद्यार्थियों तथा कक्षा </span><span style="font-family: "Kruti Dev 010"; line-height: 115%;">9</span><span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Mangal","serif"; line-height: 115%;">वीं से </span><span style="font-family: "Kruti Dev 010"; line-height: 115%;">12</span><span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Mangal","serif"; line-height: 115%;">वीं की छात्राओं के लिए
विस्तार दिया गया। एक अन्य अभिनव योजना </span><span style="font-family: "Kruti Dev 010"; line-height: 115%;">’</span><span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Mangal","serif"; line-height: 115%;">मुख्य मंत्री बालिका साइकिल योजना</span><span style="font-family: "Kruti Dev 010"; line-height: 115%;"> 2007&08</span><span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Mangal","serif"; line-height: 115%;"> में प्रारंभ की गई जिसमें कक्षा </span><span style="font-family: "Kruti Dev 010"; line-height: 115%;">9</span><span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Mangal","serif"; line-height: 115%;">वीं की छात्राओं को साइकिल खरीदने के लिए धनराशि प्रदान की गई।
इस योजना से न केवल लड़कियों की स्कूल भर्ती में प्रबल वृद्धि हुई बल्कि इससे उनमें
एक नया आत्मविश्वास भी आया कि वे भी सामाजिक परिवर्तन का कारक बन सकती हैं। अब यह योजना
विस्तारित करके </span><span style="font-family: "Kruti Dev 010"; line-height: 115%;">9</span><span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Mangal","serif"; line-height: 115%;">वीं कक्षा के सभी विद्यार्थियों
तक पहुंचा दी गई है। इस योजना के अमल से पहले बड़ी तादाद में लड़कियां </span><span style="font-family: "Kruti Dev 010"; line-height: 115%;">8</span><span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Mangal","serif"; line-height: 115%;">वीं कक्षा के बाद स्कूल छोड़ दिया करती थीं</span><span style="font-family: "Kruti Dev 010"; line-height: 115%;">] </span><span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Mangal","serif"; line-height: 115%;">किंतु इन योजनाओं ने हालात बदल दिए हैं।</span><span style="font-family: "Kruti Dev 010"; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Mangal","serif"; line-height: 115%;">बिहार
में बालिका शिक्षा के क्षेत्र में यह कदम मील का पत्थर साबित हुआ है। साइकिल स्कीम
सामाजिक क्रांति लेकर आई और साइकिल पर स्कूल जाती हुई छात्राओं को बदलते बिहार का सच्चा
शुभंकर बना दिया</span><span style="font-family: "Kruti Dev 010"; line-height: 115%;">, </span><span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Mangal","serif"; line-height: 115%;">विशेषकर ग्रामीण इलाकों
में। इस स्कीम की सफलता इस तथ्य से मापी जा सकती है कि वर्ष </span><span style="line-height: 115%;">2012-13</span><span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Mangal","serif"; line-height: 115%;"> में </span><span style="line-height: 115%;">4,92,899</span><span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Mangal","serif"; line-height: 115%;"> बालिकाओं समेत कुल </span><span style="line-height: 115%;">9,61,109</span><span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Mangal","serif"; line-height: 115%;"> विद्यार्थियों को इस से फायदा हुआ।</span><span style="font-family: "Kruti Dev 010"; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;">2007-08</span><span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Mangal","serif"; line-height: 115%;"> में जब यह स्कीम लांच हुई थी तो केवल </span><span style="line-height: 115%;">1,56,092</span><span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Mangal","serif"; line-height: 115%;"> लड़कियां इससे लाभान्वित हुई थी। बाद में इस स्कीम को लड़कों
के लिए भी लागू किया गया। मुझे यह देख कर बहुत खुशी हुई की साइकिल स्कीम के लाभार्थियों
की संख्या</span><span style="line-height: 115%;">,</span><span style="font-family: "Kruti Dev 010"; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Mangal","serif"; line-height: 115%;">पिछले वित्त वर्ष के
अंत तक </span><span style="line-height: 115%;">47,44,966</span><span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Mangal","serif"; line-height: 115%;"> पर पहुंच गई</span><span style="line-height: 115%;">,</span><span style="font-family: "Kruti Dev 010"; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Mangal","serif"; line-height: 115%;">जिनमें </span><span style="line-height: 115%;">24,57,539</span><span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Mangal","serif"; line-height: 115%;"> लड़कियां हैं।</span><span style="font-family: "Kruti Dev 010"; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Mangal","serif"; line-height: 115%;">जहां
तक महिला सशक्तिकरण का संबंध है- साइकिल परियोजना ने वास्तव में बिहार प्रदेश के आंतरिक
भागों में एक क्रांति का सूत्रपात किया है। इसने बालिकाओं में विश्वास की भावना जगाई
है। गांवों में साइकिल पर अपने स्कूल जाती हुई लड़कियों का दृश्य इस बात का पर्याप्त
साक्ष्य है। यह एक किस्म की सामाजिक क्रांति है जिसने बिहार की बालिकाओं की शिक्षा
में ऐतिहासिक परिवर्तन किया है। मुझे यकीन है कि इस क्रांति का प्रभाव दीर्घकाल में
महसूस किया जा सकेगा जब महिलाएं सही मायनों में सशक्त होंगी। सशक्त महिलाएं ही प्रखर
समाज बनाती हैं। </span><span style="font-family: "Kruti Dev 010"; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Mangal","serif"; line-height: 115%;">हमारी
सरकार का जोर स्त्री शिक्षा पर है और इसी के अनुसार मैंने महिलाओं की पढ़ाई-लिखाई को
छात्रवृत्ति योजनाओं के जरिए बढ़ावा देने का प्रण किया। यह योजना भी उतना ही अहम फैसला
साबित हो सकती है</span><span style="font-family: "Kruti Dev 010"; line-height: 115%;">, </span><span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Mangal","serif"; line-height: 115%;">सिर्फ इसलिए नहीं क्योंकि
यह परिवारों को अपनी बच्चियों को स्कूल भेजने के लिए प्रोत्साहित करेगी बल्कि इसलिए
भी की यह दीर्घकाल में सामाजिक परिवर्तन के उत्प्रेरक के तौर पर काम करेगी। मेरा शुरु
से यह मानना रहा है कि बालिका को शिक्षित करने का मतलब है पूरे परिवार को शिक्षित करना।</span><span style="font-family: "Kruti Dev 010"; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Mangal","serif"; line-height: 115%;">हाल
ही में हुए एक अध्ययन से पता लगा है कि बीते दशक में बिहार की जनसंख्या </span><span style="font-family: "Kruti Dev 010"; line-height: 115%;">25</span><span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Mangal","serif"; line-height: 115%;"> प्रतिशत बढ़ी है। यह चिंताजनक बढ़त है। अगर हम आबादी को काबू
न कर पाए तो विकास की सभी योजनाएं और सकल घरेलू उत्पाद की वृद्धि दर शून्य हो जाएगी
। मेरा मानना है कि जनसंख्या को स्थिर रखने में शिक्षा अहम भूमिका निभाती है।</span><span style="font-family: "Kruti Dev 010"; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Mangal","serif"; line-height: 115%;">बिहार
में प्रजनन दर </span><span style="line-height: 115%;">3.6</span><span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Mangal","serif"; line-height: 115%;"> है</span><span style="line-height: 115%;">,</span><span style="font-family: "Kruti Dev 010"; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Mangal","serif"; line-height: 115%;">किंतु दसवीं पास महिलाओं के मामले में यह दर </span><span style="font-family: "Kruti Dev 010"; line-height: 115%;">2</span><span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Mangal","serif"; line-height: 115%;"> है। यह राष्ट्रीय दर के लगभग है किंतु </span><span style="font-family: "Kruti Dev 010"; line-height: 115%;">12</span><span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Mangal","serif"; line-height: 115%;">वीं पास महिलाओं के मामले में यह और भी कम यानी </span><span style="line-height: 115%;">1.6</span><span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Mangal","serif"; line-height: 115%;"> है</span><span style="line-height: 115%;">,</span><span style="font-family: "Kruti Dev 010"; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Mangal","serif"; line-height: 115%;">जो कि </span><span style="line-height: 115%;">1.7</span><span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Mangal","serif"; line-height: 115%;"> की राष्ट्रीय औसत से कम है। इससे स्पष्ट जाहिर होता है कि शिक्षा
से इन बातों की समझ पैदा होती है।</span><span style="font-family: "Kruti Dev 010"; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Mangal","serif"; line-height: 115%;">इसलिए
मैंने फैसला किया है कि प्रत्येक पंचायत में एक हाई स्कूल स्थापित किया जाए। इस समय
बिहार में </span><span style="font-family: "Kruti Dev 010"; line-height: 115%;">4500</span><span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Mangal","serif"; line-height: 115%;"> हाई स्कूलों की कमी
है। कैबिनेट ने वर्तमान वित्त वर्ष में </span><span style="line-height: 115%;">1,000</span><span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Mangal","serif"; line-height: 115%;"> हाई स्कूल स्थापित करने की योजना को अनुमति दे दी है।</span><span style="font-family: "Kruti Dev 010"; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Mangal","serif"; line-height: 115%;">हमारे
सामने अन्य ज्वलंत सामाजिक मुद्दे भी खड़े हैं जैसे- बाल विवाह और स्त्री-पुरुष असमानता</span><span style="line-height: 115%;">, </span><span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Mangal","serif"; line-height: 115%;">जो कि कई सामाजिक समस्याओं की वजहें हैं। बालिका शिक्षा के जरिए
इनसे निपटा जा सकता है।</span><span style="font-family: "Kruti Dev 010"; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Mangal","serif"; line-height: 115%;">यह चिंता
की बात है कि कन्या भ्रूण हत्या के कारण लड़कियों की संख्या घट रही है। बिहार में पुरुष
व स्त्री का अनुपात </span><span style="line-height: 115%;">1000:916</span><span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Mangal","serif"; line-height: 115%;"> है
जिसमें सुधार की आवश्यकता है। मेरा विचार यह है कि लड़कियों की सही और संपूर्ण शिक्षा
से निश्चित तौर पर इस गलत प्रवृत्ति को पलटाया जा सकेगा। मेरी राय में कोई भी शिक्षित
युवती कन्या भ्रूण हत्या नहीं होने देगी।</span><span style="font-family: "Kruti Dev 010"; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Mangal","serif"; line-height: 115%;">नई छात्रवृत्ति
योजना से बालिका शिक्षा को जबरदस्त प्रोत्साहन मिलेगा। भले ही इसका असर तुरंत समझा
न जा सके किंतु आने वाले वर्षों में यह कदम सामाजिक परिवर्तन का कारक बनेगा। सामाजिक
क्रांति लाने में स्त्री शिक्षा सबसे प्रभावी साधन साबित हो सकती है।</span><span style="font-family: "Kruti Dev 010"; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Mangal","serif"; line-height: 115%;">मुझे
आशा है कि अधिक से अधिक लड़कियां इस नई योजना का लाभ उठाएंगी और स्कूल में प्रवेश लेकर
शिक्षा प्राप्त करेंगी। जैसा कि मैंने आपसे कहा था- एक शिक्षित लड़की का अर्थ है एक
शिक्षित परिवार।</span><span style="font-family: "Kruti Dev 010"; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Mangal","serif"; line-height: 115%;">बहुत बहुत धन्यवाद।</span></div>
Nitish Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02165925884481745079noreply@blogger.com8Patna, Bihar, India25.61046 85.14166699999998425.4959095 84.980305499999986 25.7250105 85.303028499999982tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-629284905905334923.post-17900633560546482072013-08-04T23:27:00.000-07:002013-08-04T23:27:02.060-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Nitish Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02165925884481745079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-629284905905334923.post-60009072426738029372011-10-10T01:01:00.000-07:002011-10-10T01:02:40.307-07:00''एक वादा निभाया... भ्रष्टाचार के खिलाफ जंग जारी रहेगी''<div align="justify">बीते विधान सभा चुनावों के बाद यह पहला अवसर है जब इस ब्लॉग के माध्यम से मैं अपने विचार आपसे साझा कर रहा हूँ ।<br /><br />सबसे पहले बिहारवासियों को धन्यवाद देना चाहूँगा, जिन्होंने हमारी सरकार को खुले दिल से बेमिसाल समर्थन दिया और अपनी निष्ठा व्यक्त की ।<br /><br />बिगत कुछ महिनों में दुनियॉं के विभिन्न कोने से लोगों ने यह जिज्ञासा प्रकट की मैंने ब्लॉग लेखन को विराम क्यों दे दिया । दरअसल मैंने ब्लॉग लिखना बंद नहीं किया था । मैं तो उस महत्वपूर्ण क्षण का इंतजार कर रहा था जब किसी ठोस मुद्दा और विषय के साथ आपके समक्ष आऊं । मैं समझता हूँ वह मौका आ गया है ।<br /><br />बिगत सप्ताह हमारी सरकार ने एक ऐसे मुकाम को हासिल किया जिसके लिये में मैं प्रतिबद्व था । हमारी सरकार ने एक ऐसे वरीय लोक सेवक के घर में एक प्राथमिक विद्यालय की शुरूआत की, जिनपर आय से अधिक संपत्ति रखने के आरोप में मुकदमा चल रहा है । हमारी सरकार ने उक्त भवन में उस प्राथमिक विद्यालय का स्थानांतरण किया जहॉं गरीब एवं वंचित समाज के बच्चे पढ़ते थे ।<br /><br />इस भवन का बिहार विशेष न्यायालय कानून के अंतर्गत अधिग्रहण किया गया था जिसे हमारी सरकार ने पिछले वर्ष से लागू किया था । इस भवन को पटना जिला प्रशासन ने विशेष न्यायालय जो भ्रष्टाचार संबंधी मामलों की सुनवाई कर रही है, के निर्देश पर हाल ही में जब्त किया है और इसे मानव संसाधन विभाग को सुर्पुद किया गया जिसने अल्प अवधि में ही वहॉं प्राथिमक विद्यालय की शुरूआत की ।<br /><br />इस कानून के अंतर्गत संबंधित प्राधिकार को यह अधिकार है कि वह किसी ऐसे लोक सेवक की चल और अंचल संपत्तियों को जब्त करने का आदेश दे सके जिनके खिलाफ भ्रष्टाचार के मामले लंबित हों । हमारी सरकार ने ऐसे मामलों के त्वरित निष्पादन हेतु छ: विशेष न्यायालयों का गठन किया है । मुझे बस इसी वक्त का बेसब्री से इंतजार था । ज्योंहि उक्त भवन में बच्चों की पढ़ाई शुरू हुई, मैंने आपसे अपने विचार साझा करने का निर्णय लिया ।<br /><br />इस भवन में विद्यालय खुलना एक साधारण घटना कतई नहीं है । ऐसा दरअसल देश में पहली बार हुआ है । यह न सिर्फ हमारी सरकार कि भ्रष्टाचार को मिटाने की प्रतिबद्वता का नतीजा है वरण उस उद्देश्य की प्राप्ित हेतु एक व्यावहारिक कदम भी है ।<br /><br />भ्रष्टाचार उन्मूलन हेतु लाये गये इस कानून के पीछे मेरा मुख्य उद्देश्य यह है इससे भ्रष्ट लोक सेवकों के मन में कानून का भय पैदा हो । मेरा मानना है कि संपत्तियों के जब्त करने का प्रावधान लोक सेवकों में गैरकानूनी तरीकों से धन अर्जित करने की प्रवृति को दूर करने में कारगर सिद्व होंगे । उन्हें जब यह महसूस होगा कि इन भ्रष्ट तरीकों से धन अर्जित करने का क्या हश्र होता है तो ऐसे आचारण से परहेज करने लगेंगे ।<br /><br />उक्त कानून के लागू होने के पूर्व लोक सेवकों के खिलाफ चल रहे भ्रष्टाचार के मुकदमों के निष्पादन में वर्षो लग जाते थे । इसके आरोपी अपनी गैरकानूनी तरीके से अर्जित धन की बदौलत बेहतरीन वकीलों की सेवा मुकदमों की पैरवी के लिये हासिल करते थे । पूर्व के कानूनों में मुकदमों के लंबित होने की अवधि में आरोपी की संपत्ति जब्त करने का भी कोई प्रावधान नहीं था ।<br /><br />भ्रष्ट लोक सेवकों की संपत्ति जब्त करने का प्रयास इस कानून के अंतर्गत विशेष न्यायलयों की स्थापना के बाद ही शुरू हो गये थे किन्तु कानूनी प्रक्रिया के कारण इसके अनुपालन में कुछ विलम्ब हुआ । जब विशेष न्यायालयों ने कुछ आरोपियों की संपत्ति जब्त करने का आदेश दिया तो उनमें से कुछ ने उक्त आदेश को ऊंची अदालतों में चुनौती दी । अंतत: पटना उच्च न्यायालय ने इस कानून की वैधता को सही ठहराया जिससे आरोपितों के भवनों में विद्यालयों की स्थापना का मार्ग प्रशस्त हुआ ।<br /><br />इस घटना से उन सभी लोक सेवकों को सचेत हो जाना चाहिये जिन्होंने भ्रष्ट तरीकों से अकूत संपत्ति अर्जित की है । अगले कुछ महीनों में, इस तरह के अनेक भवनों को जब्त किया जायेगा और वहॉं विद्यालय, रात्रि विश्राम गृह और जनता की जरूरतों से जुड़े किसी केन्द्र की स्थापना की जायेगी ।<br /><br />यहॉं मैं लोक सेवक के बारे में भ्रांतियों को दूर करना चाहूँगा । मेरे विचार से लोक सेवकों की भूमिका का निर्धारण उनके द्वारा आम लोगों के लिये निर्धारित कार्यों के स्वरूप एवं जिम्मेदारियों के आलोक में होना चाहिये । इस संदर्भ में तमाम जनता के प्रतिनिधि जैसे सांसद, विधायक, मंत्री के साथ-साथ तमाम सरकारी पदाधिकारी भी लोक सेवकों के दायरे में आते हैं ।<br /><br />गत विधानसभा चुनाव के दौरान मैंने बिहार के लोगों से यह वादा किया था कि मैं भ्रष्ट लोक सेवकों के घर में विद्यालयों की स्थापना करूँगा । जब पिछले सप्ताह इसे मूर्त्त रूप दिया गया तो मुझे अहसास हुआ कि मैंने अपना वादा पूरा किया ।<br /><br />लेकिन इसका अर्थ यह कतई नहीं है कि हमारी सरकार ने भ्रष्टाचार उन्मूलन हेतु चुनाव जीतने के पश्चात कोई अन्य प्रयास नहीं किये । इस दौरान हमने भ्रष्टाचार खत्म करने एवं लालफीताशाही को कम करने की दिशा में अनेक महत्वपूर्ण कदम उठाये । सर्वप्रथम मैंने बिहार सरकार के तमाम मंत्रियों समेत अपनी संपत्तियों का ब्योरा सरकारी वेबसाइट पर अपलोड करा दिया । इसके पश्चात तमाम सरकारी अधिकारी एवं वर्ग-3 तक के कर्मचारीयों ने भी अपनी संपत्तियों का ब्यौरा वेबसाइट पर अपलोड किया ।<br /><br />हमारी सरकार ने यह भी निर्णय लिया कि विधायकों के विवादास्पद स्थानीय विधायक कोष को भी समाप्त किया जाये और इसके स्थान पर एक पारदर्शी व्यवस्था लायी जाये जिसमें स्थानीय विधायकों की भागीदारी सुनिश्िचत कर राज्य के चहुमुखी विकाश के लक्ष्य की प्राप्ित की जा सके ।<br /><br />पिछले कुछ वर्षों में बिहार के विभिन्न क्षेत्रों के भ्रमण के दौरान मुझे लोगों से जमीनी स्तर पर व्याप्त भ्रष्टाचार के मामलों की शिकायतें व्यापक पैमाने पर प्राप्त हुई । उन्होंने कहा कि उन्हें जाति एवं आय प्रमाण पत्र से लेकर ड्राइविंग लाइसेंस एवं पासपोर्ट हेतु पुलिस सत्यापन जैसे छोटे कार्यों के लिए भी रिश्वत देनी पड़ती है ।<br />इसे नियंत्रित करने के लिये पिछले माह हमारी सरकार ने ''राइट टू पब्िलक सर्विस ऐक्ट'' राज्य में लागू किया, जिसके अंतर्गत जन सेवाओं से जुड़े कार्यों का एक निर्धारित समय-सीमा के अंदर निष्पादन की व्यवस्था है । इस कानून के अंतर्गत, जिसे पिछले स्वतंत्रता दिवस से लागू किया गया है, सरकारी अधिकारियों एवं कर्मचारियों को लोगों के आवेदन निर्धारित समय-सीमा के अंदर निष्पादित करने पड़ेंगे अन्यथा उन्हें जुर्माना भरना पड़ेगा । मेरा उद्देश्य यह है कि लोगों को इन कार्यों के लिये तो रिश्वत न देनी पड़े और न ही सरकारी दफ्तरों के चक्कर काटना पड़े । आमलोगों को बस आवेदन देना पड़ेगा और निर्धारित समय-सीमा के भीतर कार्यों के निष्पादन का इंतजार करना पड़ेगा ।<br /><br />अब हमारी सरकार ने लोकायुक्त की संस्था को बिहार में अधिक प्रभावी एवं व्यापक बनाने की दिशा में प्रयास शुरू कर दिये हैं । बिहार में 1973 से ही लोकयुक्त की व्यवस्था है किन्तु मुझे लगता है इस संस्था के अधिकारों को व्यापक बनाने की आवश्यकता है । मैं इस पक्ष में भी हूँ कि मुख्यमंत्री को इस कानून के दायरे में लाने की जरूरत है । हमारी सरकार इस कानून से संबंधित संशोधित बिल को विधानमंडल के आगामी सत्र में पेश करेगी ।<br /><br />ये ऐसे कुछ कदम हैं जिसे हमारी सरकार ने पिछले कुछ महीनों में उठाये हैं । मैं आपको आश्वस्त करना चाहूँगा कि भ्रष्टाचार के खिलाफ हमारी लड़ाई भविष्य में भी जारी रहेगी । हाल के दिनों में देश के विभिन्न भागों में भ्रष्टाचार विरोधी मुहिमों को व्यापक जन समर्थन प्राप्त हुआ है । यह साबित करता है कि आमलोगों में इस बात का क्षोभ हैं कि भ्रष्टाचार ने जन जीवन के हर क्षेत्र में अपनी पैठ बना ली है ।<br /><br />इसीलिए मुझे लगता है कि भ्रष्टाचार-उन्मूलन हेतु प्रभावी कानूनों की आवश्यकता आज पहले की अपेक्षा अधिक है । भ्रष्ट लोक सेवकों की संपत्तियों को जब्त करना इस दिशा में उठाया गया एक छोटा किन्तु प्रभावशाली कदम है । इससे लोगों में व्यवस्था के प्रति पुन: आस्था जगेगी, कानून-व्यवस्था पालन कराने वाली संस्थाओं को प्रेरित करेगी एवं भ्रष्ट लोगों को गैरकानूनी ढंग से धन अर्जित करने से दूर रखेगी । अगर हमें भ्रष्टाचार को समूल उखाड़ना है तो हमें हर जगह ऐसे कदम उठाने पड़ेंगे ।<br />अत: में, मैं दो अन्य बातों का संक्षेप में जिक्र करना चाहूँगा । मुझे यह बताते हुये हर्ष हो रहा है कि मुख्यमंत्री साईकिल योजना के अंतर्गत छ: लाख से अधिक विद्यार्थी जिसमें 2.25 लाख लड़के हैं, इस वर्ष लाभान्िवत हुए हैं । यह योजना पूर्व में सिर्फ लड़कियों के लिये शुरू की गयी थी, किन्तु बाद में इसे लड़कों के लिये भी लागू किया गया । शुरूआत में इस योजना के अंतर्गत सिर्फ 1.50 लाख लड़कियों को साईकिल खरीदने हेतु राशि दी गयी थी, किन्तु अब उनकी संख्या 3.75 लाख से ऊपर पहूँच गयी है ।<br /><br />मैं यहॉं राज्य में चलाये जा रहे 'हरित बिहार' अभियान का भी जिक्र करना चाहूँगा । इस अभियान के अंतर्गत हमारी सरकार और पार्टी ने वृक्षारोपण पर बल दिया है ताकि हम राज्य में कम से कम 15 प्रतिशत वन क्षेत्र के लक्ष्य को प्राप्त कर सकें । हमने न सिर्फ वृक्षारोपण की शुरूआत की है बल्िक पौधों की सुरक्षा हेतु भी आवश्यक कदम उठाये हैं ताकि वे वृक्षों में परिणत हो सकें । मुझे लगता है कि समय आ गया है कि हमारी नयी पीढ़ी पर्यावरण की सुरक्षा हेतु अपनी प्रतिबद्वता दिखाये ।<br />शुभकामनाओं के साथ<br /><br />आपके सुझावों के इंतजार में,<br /><br />नीतीश कुमार </div>Nitish Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02165925884481745079noreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-629284905905334923.post-51403264037659253612011-09-13T03:34:00.000-07:002011-09-13T08:38:31.919-07:00A promise fulfilled, ………….. but my fight against corruption will go on<div align="justify"><strong>I</strong> am writing after a long time. As a matter of fact, it is the first occasion since the results of the Bihar assembly election came out in November last year that I am sharing my thoughts with you.<br /><br />It tickles me to be connecting with you again through this blog. I would begin by thanking the people of the state for their wholehearted support and unflinching faith in our government.<br /><br />Many people from different parts of the world asked me in the past few months as to why I stopped writing my blogs. To be honest, I had not stopped writing this blog altogether. I was just waiting for a worthwhile moment to connect with you online. Now, that time has come.<br />Last week, our government finally demonstrated something that I had been rather passionate about all the while We have opened a primary school in the house of a senior government official facing a disproportionate assets case. Last Thursday, we shifted a primary school for underprivileged children into this house in Patna, seized under the Bihar Special Courts Act which our government had enacted last year. </div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><br />This building, confiscated recently by the Patna district administration following a directive from a special court trying corruption cases in the state, was handed over to the Human Resources Department which subsequently converted it into a primary school in no time.<br /><br />This Act empowers the competent authority to confiscate the movable and immovable property of a public servant even during the trial. Our government has set up six special courts for the speedy trials in corruption cases.<br /><br />Such was a moment I had been patiently waiting for all these months to resume my blog writing. When it finally happened I decided to share my thoughts with you.<br /><br />The opening of a school in this building is no ordinary event, to say the least In fact, this has happened for the very first time in the country. It embodies our government’s resolve to address corruption, even as it is being touted as a practicable measure to deal with incidences of corruption. </div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><br />The basic objective of the state's anti-graft legislation is to instill a sense of fear in the minds of corrupt public servants. I think the provision for the confiscation of the assets of the accused will act as a deterrent among the public servants indulging in unscrupulous practices to earn wealth. When they see that their property earned through corrupt practices is ultimately seized by the government, they will realise the futility of amassing wealth. Our aim is to inflate the component of “loss” to such deterrent levels that it automatically defeats the notion of “gain” that impels people into dubious and corrupt pursuits to amass wealth.<br /><br />Before this Act came into force, corruption cases against public servants used to drag on for years. In fact, the accused used to hire the best of lawyers to fight their cases while enjoying the fruits of their ill-gotten money. There was no law for the confiscation of their property during trial.<br /><br />The bid to confiscate the property of the corrupt public servants had started soon after the setting up of the fast-track courts but it got delayed because of the legal processes involved. When the special courts ordered confiscation of property of a few accused, they moved the superior courts to seek stay. But the decks were recently cleared for opening a school in one of the buildings owned by an accused after the Patna High Court upheld the validity of the Act.<br /><br />This should serve as a warning to all those public servants who have acquired ill-gotten money In the coming months, many more buildings are likely to be seized and turned into schools, night shelters or any centre related to public utility across Bihar. </div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><br />I find it useful here to dispel doubts about who would constitute a public servant. I think that the nature and scale of public role and responsibility being handled by an individual must be the key to deciding his /her categorization as a public servant. Clearly thus, peoples’ representatives like MLAs, MPs, and ministers, besides the category of officials would fall under the “public servant’ nomenclature.<br /><br />During my assembly election rallies last year, I had made a promise to the people of Bihar I had told them that I would open schools in the buildings of the corrupt public servants. When it finally happened this week I thought I had fulfilled my promise. </div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><br />But that does not mean that our government had not been doing anything to tame the scourge of corruption since winning the elections last year. We took many landmark initiatives to minimize red-tapism and check corruption at all levels. Firstly, I decided to put the details of my assets as well as those of the members of the council of ministers on the official website of the state government.<br /><br />This was followed by the decision of our government to make it mandatory for all government employees, up to Group III staff, to declare their assets on the official websites. From the Chief Secretary to all the Group III employees, everybody subsequently posted the details of their property on the government websites.<br /><br />I also decided to get the Local Area Development Fund of legislators abolished because it had come under the cloud. There were several complaints about the way this scheme was executed across the state. I thought it was better to abolish this fund altogether and introduce an alternate, more transparent scheme involving the legislators to ensure all-round growth of the state. </div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><br />During my visits to different parts of Bihar, I am often confronted with people complaining about corruption at the grassroots level. They complain about difficulties in getting work done at government offices. They allege that they have to pay bribes for things like caste and income certificates to driving licenses and police verification for getting passports, etc. </div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><br />With a view to checking it, our government last month enacted the Right to Public Service Act which ensured completion of work related to public services within fixed timeframes. This law came into force on the Independence Day this year. Under this Act, the government officials have to dispose of the people’s applications related to public utility services within a stipulated period. There is also a provision under this Act for imposition of fine on the defaulters for any delay on their part. We have now ensured that our people do not have to run around the offices and grease the palms of the public servants to get their work done. All they have to do is submit their applications and wait for their work to be done within the time-frame fixed by the government.<br /><br />Now, I am working towards making the institution of Lokayukta more effective and broad-based in the state. Bihar has had a Lokayukta since 1973 but I feel there is a need for giving it more powers. I am also in favour of bringing the Chief Minister under its ambit. We are already working on the draft to bring about an amendment bill in the winter session of the state legislature.<br /><br />These are a few steps that I have taken as part of my fight against corruption I can assure you that this fight will go on in the future as well. There has been widespread support from people across the country for the campaigns against corruption in recent times. It proves that the people in general are disgusted by the menace of corruption that appears to have made inroads into all spheres of public life. </div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><br />We, therefore, need effective legislations more than ever before Confiscation of assets of the corrupt is one small step in that direction. This will restore the faith of the common man in the system of governance, encourage law-enforcing agencies to act against the corrupt and deter those who believe in acquiring ill-gotten wealth. If we have to stamp out corruption we will have to take steps like these everywhere to achieve our goal. </div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><br />Before I conclude, let me also briefly touch upon two of our novel initiatives. Firstly, the number of beneficiaries under the bicycle scheme for school students has now exceeded 6 lakh, including 2.25 lakh boys, in the state. As you know, this project was initially launched only for schoolgirls, but was later extended to schoolboys as well. At start, the government had distributed bicycles among 1.50 lakh girls. This number has gone up to 3.75 lakh now.<br /><br />I would also like to talk about the Harit Bihar (Greener Bihar) campaign we have recently launched in the state. Under this campaign, both the state government and our party, Janata Dal (United), have resolved to increase the forest cover to at least 15 per cent by planting saplings across the state in a big way, and instituting measures to see these plants grow into trees. I think it is time that generations of today demonstrate their commitment to act and protect our environment.<br /><br />I look forward to your views.<br /><br />Nitish Kumar </div>Nitish Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02165925884481745079noreply@blogger.com115tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-629284905905334923.post-11300619433694396882010-10-05T01:50:00.000-07:002010-10-05T03:22:01.475-07:00निर्माण या विध्वंस आपके हाथ में है, इसलिए आईए और वोट डालिए<div align="justify">काफी लंबे अरसे बाद मैं आपको लिख रहा हूँ। जब से बिहार विधानसभा चुनावों की तारीखों की घोषणा हुई है तब से मैं काफी व्यस्त हो गया हूँ। पिछले करीब एक महीने से चुनाव संबंधी विभिन्न गतिविधियों ने मुझे घेर रखा है जिनमें उम्मीदवारों के चयन से लेकर पार्टी की तैयारी तक तमाम काम शामिल हैं।<br /><br />मैंने हमेशा यह कहा है कि आगामी चुनाव पिछले सभी चुनावों से कई मामलों में अलग हैं। मेरा विचार है कि हमारे प्रदेश के लिए यह 'बनाओ या बिगाड़ो' किस्म के चुनाव सिद्व होंगे। राज्य के इतिहास में पहली बार इन चुनावों में 'विकास' सबसे महत्वपूर्ण मुद्दा बन कर उभरा है। आप में से हर एक को यह फैसला करना है कि विकास की इस गति को आगे भी जारी रखा जाए या फिर जात, बिरादरी व संप्रदाय के नाम पर फिर विकास को कुरबान करके फिर उसी अंधियारे दौर में लौट जाएं।<br /><br />मैंने हमेशा यही माना है कि इन चुनावों में विकास का मुद्दा ही सबसे आगे रहेगा और मुझे यह देख कर बहुत अच्छा लगा की आप में से अधिकतर लोगों के विचार भी मेरे जैसे ही हैं। हाल ही एक अखबार के सर्वेक्षण से यह जानकार मुझे बहुत प्रसन्नता हुई कि बहुत बड़ी संख्या ने लोगों के विकास के पक्ष में अपनी प्रतिक्रिया दी है और विकास को ही चुनाव का अहम मुद्दा स्वीकार किया है। </div><div align="justify"><br />एक ऐसा राज्य जहां चुनावों में बहुमत के लिए जात बिरादरी के समीकरण बनाए जाते थे, वहां पर इस किस्म की राय सकारात्मक परिवर्तन का परिचायक है। दुनिया भर के लोग मुझे लिखते हैं और कहते हैं कि उन्होंने बिहार के कायापलट की उम्मीद छोड़ दी थी। लेकिन हमारे कार्यकाल में जो सुधार हुए हैं उन्हें देखते हुए उनकी राय अब बदल गई है । </div><div align="justify"><br />अपने कार्यकाल के प्रारंभ में मैं ने बिहार वासियों से वादा किया था कि अगर मैं बिहार में बदलाव की बयार लाने में सफल न हो सका तो दोबारा वोट मांगने नहीं आउंगा। हालांकि मुझे यह कहने में संकोच हो रहा है किंतु हकीकत यह है कि आज पूरे राज्य में परिवर्तन दिखाई पड़ता है। और यही वजह है कि मैं अपनी सरकार के एक और कार्यकाल के लिए आपसे वोट मांग रहा हूँ। हमने अभी बहुत थोड़ा हासिल किया है अभी तो लंबा सफर बाकी है। </div><div align="justify"><br />बिहार में कार्य संस्कृति बदल गई है। कानून व्यवस्था में लोगों का भरोसा कायम हुआ है। हमने गरीबों, महिलाओं, अल्पसंख्यकों, महादलितों व समाज के अन्य कमजोर तबकों के लिए कई कल्याणकारी काम किए हैं। आगे क्या करना है इस बात पर मेरी दृष्टि टिकी हुई है। हमें साधनहीन व हाशिए पर पड़े लोगों को सशक्त बनाना है।<br /><br />यदि हम फिर से सत्ता में आते हैं तो हमारा पहला काम जनवितरण प्रणाली को मुक्कमल करना होगा। हमने फूड कूपन को लेकर कुछ प्रयोग किए हैं और मैं इस प्रणाली को जल्द से जल्द पुख्ता आकार देना चाहता हूँ। मैं अपनी इस प्रतिबद्वता को दोहराना चाहता हूँ कि हर गरीब को उसके हिस्से का राशन बिना किसी अड़चन के मिले। बिजली की स्थिति को बेहतर बनाने के लिए मैं ज्यादा शिद्दत के साथ ध्यान केन्द्रित करना चाहता हूँ क्योंकि विकास के लिए यह मूलभूत आवश्यकता है और हम सभी इस बारे में बखूबी जानते हैं। हमने इस मुद्दे पर निरंतर काम किया है और अब जल्द ही परिणाम सामने आने लगे हैं। </div><div align="justify"><br />मुझे बताया गया है कि कई देशी व विदेशी निवेशक बिहार के चुनावों पर ध्यान केन्द्रित किए हुए हैं। मैं उन्हें फिर से यह आश्वासन देता हूँ कि आगे आने वाले समय में निवेश तथा उद्योग के लिए हालात और भी अनुकूल हो जाएंगे। </div><div align="justify"><br />सन् 2015 तक बिहार को एक विकसित राज्य बनाने के लिए मैं कृतसंकल्प हूँ। राज्य की विकास दर बहुत प्रभावशाली रही है और हम इसे आगे और बढ़ाएंगे। यह तब तक नहीं हो सकता जब तक कि हम सब मिलकर इस मुहिम में एक दूसरे का साथ नहीं देंगे।<br /><br />मेरा आप सबसे विनम्र निवेदन है कि कृप्या आप वोट देने जरूर आएं। आपके सहयोग से ही जनतंत्र मजबूत होगा और आपके योगदान से ही बिहार प्रगति व समृद्वि पथ पर अग्रसर होगा। सवाल यह नहीं है कि आप किसे अपना मत देते हैं लेकिन यदि आप अपने मताधिकार का बिना चूक इस्तेमाल करें तो निसंदेह यह हम सभी के हित में होगा। </div><div align="justify"><br />त्योहारों का मौसम है, दशहरा, दीवाली और छठ पर्व बस आने को हैं और त्योहारों के इस मौसम में चुनाव पर्व भी घुलमिल जाएगा। आइए और बिहार के जज्बे का जश्न मनाइए। इन त्यौहारों के दौरान अपने परिवारों के साथ मिल कर बिहार के भविष्य का फैसला कीजिए। आपका एक छोटा सा सरल प्रयास बिहार की नियति को तय करने में सक्षम है।</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:+0;"></span><br />अक्सर हम पर आत्म संतुष्ट होने का आरोप लगाया जाता है। समय आ गया है कि उन आलोचकों को गलत साबित किया जाए। यही वक्त है कि विकास की ओर एक लंबी छलांग लगाने का।<br /><span style="font-size:+0;"></span></div><div align="justify">मैं ने हमेशा कहा है कि एक ऐसा जीवंत व गतिशील प्रदेश का निर्माण करें जिस पर हमें गर्व हो। हमें बिहार को एक ऐसा राज्य बनाना है जिसकी बदौलत बिहारी कहा जाना गर्व का विषय बने और तब बिहारी होना मान की बात होगी, अपमान की नहीं।<br /><br />शुभकामनाओं के साथ<br /><br />नीतीश कुमार </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">पुनश्च: आगामी कुछ हफ्तों के दौरान मैं चुनाव प्रचार में व्यस्त रहूँगा, इसलिए ज्यादा नहीं लिख पाउँगा । यद्यपि आपके विचार में पढ़ता रहूँगा इसलिए आप लिखते रहिएगा और हां, हम सभी के लिए अपनी शुभकामनाऍं भी भेजिएगा । </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div>Nitish Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02165925884481745079noreply@blogger.com257tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-629284905905334923.post-33811132572564595482010-10-04T01:27:00.000-07:002010-10-04T01:29:43.543-07:00This is a make or mar election, come out and vote<div align="justify">I am writing to you after a long gap. I have been extremely busy since the dates for Bihar Assembly elections were announced. Various activities related to the polls, from selection of candidates to overall preparedness of the party, have kept me preoccupied for the past one month or so.<br /><br />As I have always said, the coming election is going to be different from the ones in the past in more ways than one. I think it is going to be a “make-or-mar” election for the state. For the first time in the electoral history of the state, development has emerged as a key factor in the polls this time. Each one of you have to decide whether you want the process of development to continue after the polls or want to go back to the days when progress was sacrificed at the altar of politics of caste, community and religion.<br /><br />I have always maintained that development will take precedence over all other considerations in this election. It is heartening to see that most of you share my views. In a recent survey of a leading newspaper, I was pleased to note that an overwhelming majority had cited development to be most important factor in the polls.<br /><br />In a state obsessed in the past with caste and community equations in the run-up to the polls, it is certainly a refreshing change. People from across the world often write to me saying they had given up hope for Bihar’s turnaround but the positive wave of reforms and change that took place during our tenure had changed their perception about the state.<br /><br />At the outset of our tenure, I had made a promise to the people of Bihar that I would not come back to seek their votes if I would not succeed in bringing about the changes. I have little hesitation in saying changes are visible across the state now. This is why I have come back to the people to seek another term for our government. We have achieved quite a bit and we have miles to go.<br /><br />The work culture in Bihar has changed. People have begun to repose their faith in law and order. We have taken several initiatives to work for the welfare of the poor, women, minorities, Mahadalits and other weaker sections of society. I have my eyes firm on what further needs to be done to ensure comprehensive empowerment of the impoverished and marginalised.<br /><br />If voted back to power, it would be our priority to streamline the PDS system. We have done some experiments with food coupon and I want to give it a concrete shape at the earliest. I wish to reiterate my commitment that each poor should get his or her share of ration goods in a hassle-free manner. I also wish to focus more aggressively on improving the power scenario in the state as it is a prerequisite of development and we are brutally aware of this. We have relentlessly worked towards this and the results will begin to surface soon.<br /><br />I am informed there are many national and international investors who are keenly observing the elections in Bihar. I wish to reassure them, the situation will become more congenial and investor-industry-friendly in times ahead.<br /><br />I am resolute we have to turn Bihar into a Developed State by 2015. The rate of growth has been impressive and we wish to further capitalise on this. This can’t happen unless each one of us stand up and join the crusade.<br /><br />My humble plea to all of you spread all over is to come out and use your right to vote. You will strengthen democracy and be the impetus towards intensify Bihar’s historic march to progress and prosperity. It does not matter whom you should vote for, but as long as you cast your franchise it would augur well for all of us.<br /><br />It is festival time – Dussehra, Diwali and Chhatth is round the corner and it shall be peppered with the festival of franchisee. Come and rejoice the spirit of Bihar. Join your families during these festivities in deciding the shape of Bihar of the future. Your one tiny effort shall determine the fate and future of Bihar.<br /><br />We are often accused by many of being complacent. Time has come to prove them wrong. Time has come to take that giant leap forward towards development.<br /><br />I have always said we shall create such a vibrant and dynamic state which shall make us all proud. We shall create a Bihar where being called a Bihari will be a matter of pride. Being a Bihari henceforth will be a matter of Maan, and not Apmaan.<br /><br /><br />With best wishes,<br /><br />Nitish Kumar<br /><br /><br />Postscript: I shall be busy campaigning for next few weeks and may not be able to write as often. However, I shall keep in touch with your ideas. Keep writing in. And do drop in your best wishes for us as well.<br /><br /></div>Nitish Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02165925884481745079noreply@blogger.com121tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-629284905905334923.post-27087914761760874362010-08-09T00:32:00.000-07:002010-08-09T00:35:37.591-07:00Development will take precedence over caste in Bihar polls<div align="justify">POLITICAL parties in the country nowadays seek the services of various agencies to conduct pre-poll surveys to get the feedback of the people whenever any elections are due. This apparently helps them prejudge their position and chalk out their strategy for the upcoming electoral battle.<br /><br />There are various parameters adopted by such agencies for their assessment. In Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, caste has invariably been the most important yardstick to measure the ‘winnability' of any candidate.<br /><br />Every agency entrusted with the task of gauging the mood of the electorate in the run-up to the elections painstakingly compiles the minutest details of the caste profile of different constituencies. They dig up old voting patterns, draw up booth-wise lists of the voters belonging to different castes and draw their own conclusions as to which caste or community will vote for which candidate or the party in the polls. In short, the caste factor remains the ultimate touchstone for feeling the pulse of the electorate over the years.<br /><br />But things are beginning to change in Bihar. I think the caste factor will be relegated to the back seat for the first time in the coming assembly elections in the state. The polls will witness the majority of people rising above narrow caste considerations to vote for the development-centric politics.<br /><br />This is why I think it is imperative for the surveying agencies to be hired by the political parties not to overlook this fact when they set out to compile data for their pre-poll assessment prior to the next elections.<br /><br />In fact, this trend was already discernible during the parliamentary elections last year when the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) won 32 out of the total 40 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar. As the results indicated, development-oriented politics had replaced caste factor as the most important factor for the victory of a candidate. For the first time majority of the people exercised their voting rights not on the basis of the caste of a candidate but on the development work initiated by the state government.<br /><br />Of course, a section of people continued to swear by caste or community allegiance but their number had considerably reduced now.<br /><br />My belief was further reinforced during my recent visit to the different parts of the state. The elections in Bihar are to be held in a few months time but I can tell you for sure that development will definitely take precedence over caste in the coming polls.<br /><br />I also believe that the change in the profile of women voters will be another important parameter in Bihar this year. In previous polls, women did not have any separate identity as voters. It was generally believed that the women would vote for the same candidate that their male relatives would ask them to. They had remained part of the caste system over the years.<br /><br />But now, there is a growing sense of awareness among women because of several initiatives taken for their uplift and empowerment in Bihar. The women have 50 per cent reservation in the Panchayati Raj institutions and the urban local bodies in the state. There is also ample thrust on education for women in Bihar. Schoolgirls are riding bicycles in the rural areas to go to their schools every day.<br /><br />The women in Bihar have started realising as to what is right and what is wrong for them. It can no longer be assumed that they would still vote for the candidate selected by the male members of their families.<br /><br />The last but not the least, the young voters will also be crucial. Today’s forward-looking youths are not going to be swayed on the caste lines. They will evaluate the work of each party or the candidate in the electoral fray before deciding as to who deserves their vote. Unlike in the past, they can even influence their parents to vote for somebody on the basis of his or her performance and not on his or her caste.<br /><br />Several youths have responded to my blog in recent days saying that they would vote for no consideration other than development of Bihar.<br /><br />This makes me believe that the old order is certainly breaking down. It is not caste or community. It is about being Bihari, especially with the youth and women. One can sense perceptible changes in the state today.<br /><br />I am convinced that most of the people of Bihar will leave caste considerations behind and move ahead. I am sure the agencies conducting pre-poll surveys will take note of that now.<br /><br />Thank You<br />Nitish<br /></div>Nitish Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02165925884481745079noreply@blogger.com108tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-629284905905334923.post-78195385625584384072010-07-04T02:34:00.000-07:002010-07-04T02:43:41.550-07:00'विश्वास यात्रा का अनुभव सुखद रहा''<div align="justify">पिछले दो महीनों में अनगिनत विश्वास यात्राओं को लेकर अत्यधिक व्यस्त रहा । इतना कि आपसे इस ब्लॉग पर चर्चा भी लगभग नगण्य रही । थकान से पस्त हूँ, लेकिन जो अभूतपूर्व अनुभव इन यात्राओं में हुआ वो बहुत सुखद है ।<br /><br />सच कहूँ, बिहार की जनता से उनके द्वार पर रूबरू होना मेरे लिए अनिवार्य था । कई राजनीतिक प्रतिक्रियाऍं विश्वास यात्रा को लेकर लोग देते रहें हैं, परन्तु मैं जानता हूँ मैंने पिछले विधान सभा चुनावों में जनता से एक खास वादा किया था- वो ये कि मैं आगे उनके समर्थन की अपेक्षा तभी रखूँगा जब मेरी सरकार का काम सराहनीय रहा हो । उस वक्त की गई विकास यात्रा के दौरान प्रदेश कि मूलभूत सच्चाईयों का ब्योरा हमारे लिए एक कसौटी के रूप में था । इसलिए आज - अपनी सरकार के साढ़े चार साल के उपरान्त - विश्वास यात्रा को एक सही समीक्षा करने के जरिए के रूप में आयोजित किया ।<br /><br />मुझे खुशी है कि प्रदेश के अन्य लोगों की तरह मैं भी इन यात्राओं से वापस आकर बहुत हद तक आश्वस्त हूँ कि अब बिहार एक सही और तटस्थ रूप में अग्रसर है । विभिन्न इकाइयों की अनेकों परियोजनाओं की समीक्षा के दौरान पूर्णत्या महसूस होता है कि इन सालों में रखी गई नींव भविष्य में उन्नति के लिए मजबूत और सक्षम सिद्व होंगी । आप मानेंगे की उन परिस्थिति में किसी भी नई सरकार के लिए इन नींवों का निर्माण करना ही न सिर्फ अत्यंत महत्वपूर्ण था परन्तु पूर्णत्या चुनौतीपूर्ण भी ।<br /><br />आज मूलभूत क्षेत्रों में चौमुंहे विकास की दशा, दिशा एवं गति खुद अपना बयान कर रही हैं । हांलाकि मैं यह भी जानता हूँ कि ये मात्र शुरूआत है--- और अभी बहुत कुछ करना बाकी है । कुछ इकाईयों कि त्रुटियों को दूर कर उन्हें सृदुढ़ करने का काम भी रह गया है । पर इन सब से अलग मुझे आंतरिक खुशी समाज में आयी एक नई सोच और जागरूकता को महसूस कर हो रही है ।<br /><br />किसी भी विकास में जबतक आम जनता की सहभागिता नहीं होगी तबतक वो अधूरा ही रहेगा । आज दूर दराज के क्षेत्रों में भी विकास के मुद्दों में जनता की रूचि एवं उनकी सहकर्मिता देखने योग्य है । हमारे प्रयासों के कारण महिलाओं में सशक्तिकरण एवं खासकर गरीब एवं पिछड़े वर्गो में शिक्षा को लेकर आई जागृति का इसमें एक महत्वपूर्ण योगदान है । स्वास्थ्य सेवाओं, आधारभूत सुविधाओं जैसे सड़क, पुल, संचार इत्यादि में सुधार इन सामाजिक बदलावों को मजबूती प्रदान कर रही हैं ।<br /><br />यहॉं ये भी जिक्र करना अनिवार्य है कि इस विकास को हासिल करने में सामाजिक सौहार्दय बनाये रखना निहायत ही जरूरी था । आपको ज्ञात हो कि हमारे कार्यकाल में कोई भी सामप्रदायिक या अन्य द्वेशपूर्ण भावना को पनपने नही दिया गया । मैंने अपने एक पिछले पोस्ट में भी जिक्र किया था कि सामाजिक सौहार्दय बनाये रखना मेरे प्रशासन की प्राथमिकता थी । मूझे खुशी है कि आज ये सबकुछ फलीभूत होता दिख रहा है ।<br /><br />विश्वास यात्रा के दौरान मैं विकास योजनाओं की प्रगति की समीक्षा करना चाहता था । यह संभव तभी होता जब मैं विभिन्न जिलों का भ्रमण करता, लोगों से उनकी राय लेता और संबंधित पदाधिकारियों से विचार-विमर्श करता ।<br />मैंने विश्वास यात्रा का स्वरूप कुछ ऐसा बनाया जिससे मुझे इसमें मदद मिली । मैं यात्रा की शुरूआत किसी गांव के भ्रमण से करता था जिसमें सरकार के मुख्य सचिव या विकास आयुक्त मौजूद रहते थे । इस दौरान राज्य के उन सर्वोच्च पदाधिकारियों ने बहुत सारे ऐसे गॉंवों का दौरा किया जहॉं विगत में शायद कोई प्रखंड विकास पदाधिकारी भी नहीं गये होंगे ।<br /><br />इस यात्रा से मुझे विभिन्न योजनाओं के क्रियान्व्यन से जुड़े तथ्यों को समझने में मदद मिली । कई मामलों में त्वरित निर्णय भी लिये गये । हम सरकार को वास्तविक रूप में जनता के द्वार तक ले जाने में सफल हुये ।<br /><br />यात्रा के दौरान में जिले के अधिकारियों के साथ समीक्षा बैठक करता था जो कम से कम चार घंटे चलती थी । मैंने विकास योजनाओं का जायजा लेने के लिये 23 पैमाने निर्धारित किये थे । इस दौरान हम विकास योजनाओं के कार्यान्वन के दौरान आये अवरोधों को दूर करने की चेष्टा करते थे ।<br /><br />यात्रा के दौरान मैं शाम में प्रत्येक जिला मुख्यालय में एक आम सभा करता था किन्तु शीघ्र ही मुझे एक ही दिन में दो-दो जनसभाएं करनी पड़ी । प्रात: काल जब भी मैं किसी गॉंव का भ्रमण करता तो ग्रामीणों की एक बड़ी भीड़ आतुरता से हमारा स्वागत करती थी । मुझे उन्हें संबोधित करना पड़ता था । इस तरह मुझे एक दिन में कम से कम 30,000 लोगों को संबोधित करने का मौका मिला ।<br />विश्वास यात्रा का संबंध महज सरकारी योजनाओं की समीक्षा और विकास योजनाओं के संबंध में आमलोगों की राय लेना नहीं था । इसमें मुझे यह भी अवसर मिला कि मैं बिहार में सकारात्मक दिशा में बह रहे बयार को अनुभव कर सकूँ ।<br /><br />यात्रा के दौरान मैंने कई सकारात्मक परिवर्त्तन को स्वयं महसूस किया । मैंने भागलपुर के धरहरा गांव में देखा कि लोग कन्या के जन्म पर दस-दस वृक्ष लगाते थे । यह न सिर्फ पर्यावरण की दृष्टि से अनुकरणीय कदम था बल्कि लड़कियों के भविष्य के लिये किया गया एक प्रशंसनीय प्रयास भी ।<br /><br />मैं कटिहार जिले की खुश्बु के भोगॉंव स्थित घर पर भी गया । खुश्बु ने इस वर्ष बिहार विद्यालय परीक्षा समिती द्वारा आयोजित कक्षा दस की परीक्षा की मेधा तालिका में दूसरा स्थान प्राप्त किया । उसने यह सम्मान विपरीत परिस्थितियों के बावजूद हासिल किया । वह अपने गॉंव से पांच किलोमीटर दूर स्थित विद्यालय में पढ़ने जाती थी । उसने कहा कि उसे मुख्यमंत्री साईकिल के कारण परीक्षा की तैयारी में बहुत मदद मिली । पहले उसे विद्यालय पैदल आने-जाने में जो वक्त लगता था उसे वह पढ़ाई में लगाती थी । मुझे यह जानकार एक संतोष का भाव हुआ जब मैंने खुश्बु को उसकी सफलता के लिये सरकार द्वारा घोषित मेधा पुरस्कारों के तहत चेक प्रदान किये । मेरे चाहत है कि खुश्बु जैसे होनहार बच्चे अन्य बालक-बालिकाओ के लिए प्रेरणास्रोत बनें ।<br /><br />यात्रा के दौरान मुझे कुछ हृदय स्पर्शी अनुभव भी हुये । मैं मशहूर लेखक फनीश्वर नाथ रेणु के गॉंव औराही हिगंना जो अररिया जिले में स्थित है गया जहॉं मेरी मुलाकात रेणु जी की दो पत्नियों पद्दमा जी और लतिका जी से हुई । मैंने उनके चरण स्पर्श कर उनका आर्शीवाद लिया । उन्होंने मुझसे मेरे पुत्र के बारे में भी जिज्ञासा की ।<br /><br />रेणु जी ने ''मैला आंचल और पुरती परि कथा जैसी'' कालजयी कृतिया में कोशी क्षेत्र के वंचित समाज के लोंगो के बारे में लिखा था । मैंने इसीलिये इस क्षेत्र का दौरा सड़क मार्ग से किया ताकि रेणु जी द्वारा वर्णित समाज को करीब से देख सकूँ ।<br /><br />रेणु जी का इलाका कभी कत्था के लिये मशहूर था । इसीलिये इसके विकास के लिये मैंने खैर की खेती एक बड़े पैमाने पर वहॉं कराने निश्चय किया जिसे रेणुवन के नाम से जाना जायेगा ।<br /><br />यात्रा का हर अनुभव मुझे सुखद ही हुआ हो ऐसा नहीं है । मुंगेर के एक गांव के भ्रमण के दौरान मुझे जानकारी मिली कि वहॉं के पानी में फ्लोराइड की मात्रा अत्यधिक होने से लोग वर्षों से अपंग होते जा रहे हैं । मुझे अफसोस हुआ कि आजादी के इतने दशको बाद भी इन ग्रामीणों को स्वच्छ जल भी मुहैया नही हो पाया है । इसके अलावे राज्य के अनेक क्षेत्रों में आर्सेनिक की समस्या रही है जो अनेक स्वास्थ्य संबंधी समस्याओं को जन्म दे रही है ।<br /><br />इसी लिये मैंने शुरूआत में कहा कि मैं अभी पूर्णत: संतुष्ट नहीं हूँ । अभी बहुत सारे विकास कार्य किये जाने शेष हैं, और मेरा यकीन करें कि हमने इनमें से कईयों को प्राथमिकता तौर पर तरजीह देनी शुरू कर दी है । जाहिर है, इनमें 24 घंटों की संलग्नता रहती है ।<br /><br />शायद इसलिए मैं विगत साढ़े चार वर्षों में कोई आधिकारिक छुट्टी नहीं ले पाया हूँ । इस दौरान एक दिन के लिये मैं मुंबई एक अवार्ड स्वीकार करने के लिये गया और एक रात के लिये एक शादी समारोह में शामिल होने बंगलोर गया । मैं पंजाब और कलकत्ता चुनाव प्रचार के लिया गया और एक सरकारी प्रतिनिधीमंडल के साथ मॉरीशस गया ।<br /><br />'अहर्निश सेवा' को याद करता हुआ मैं बिना विराम कार्य करता आ रहा हूँ । ये भी जानता हूँ इसे कायम रखना जरूरी होगा --- इस उम्मीद में कि दिन ब दिन और लोगों को बिहार के विकास में जोड़ पाऊँ ।<br /><br /><br />आपका शुभेक्षु<br /><br />नीतीश<br /></div>Nitish Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02165925884481745079noreply@blogger.com64tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-629284905905334923.post-24812030716158120952010-07-01T04:04:00.000-07:002010-07-01T04:07:02.963-07:00Vishwas Yatras, an enriching experience<div align="justify">The last two months – devoted to the ‘Vishwash Yatras’ - have been excruciatingly hectic… reason why I could hardly interact on the blog। But these have been truly and immensely insightful. </div><div align="justify"><br />Honestly speaking, I felt duty-bound to undertake this campaign। On assuming charge as the CM, I had promised that I would not go back to the people to seek their votes for another term if I realized that my government had failed to deliver. The benchmarks were laid out by the Vikas Yatra undertaken then by us…॥ This Vishwash Yatra (after four and a half years of our government) therefore became essentially an exercise in self appraisal and assessment. </div><div align="justify"><br />Having concluded the Yatra, I have today, like most of our brethren in the state, a fairly modest sense of assertion that Bihar is very much on the way to better, more secure times। One could easily sense that across sectors, schemes and programmes, the foundations that have been laid are strong enough to sustain progresses over time. You would surely appreciate that laying down the footings was the most critical and yet most consuming of the tasks cut out for any new government here. </div><div align="justify"><br />Of course, I am not entirely satisfied, and a lot is still to be done। Having said that, rapid growths in key spheres achieved over the past four-and-a-half years do not escape notice anymore. Importantly, we are also witnessing a very positive social assertion, thanks particularly to the empowerment of our womenfolk, and a genuinely growing sensitivity among the rural poor towards education. I have always maintained that only when the masses begin to have a natural sense of ownership can any development sustain. It feels good that bettering health services, transport and communication infrastructures, etc are there to aid this social change. </div><div align="justify"><br />It is vital to note here that this social transformation, or for that matter, any development, would not have been possible without peace in society। I had shared in one of my previous posts that ensuring lasting peace was a critical bottom-line for my administration. I am happy at the yields today. </div><div align="justify"><br />In the course of my Vishwas Yatra, I wanted to review the development projects launched by the state government in different districts. This would have been possible only by visiting different areas, interacting with people and reviewing the progress of the work with the district officials.<br />The format of the Vishwas Yatra enabled me to achieve my objective। I started off my yatra with a visit to a village in the morning during which the chief secretary or the development commissioner used to accompany me. These top bureaucrats sometimes were in such villages where even a block development officer may hardly ever have turned up in the past. </div><div align="justify"><br />This enabled us to oversee projects and schemes, identify problems on the spot and take suitable immediate steps. It was essentially a reality check even as we took governance to people’s doorsteps.<br />A review meeting with the district officials after the visit to the village was part of the yatra। It was the first time a chief minister held such a meeting at the district headquarters. I had fixed 23 subjects to assess the development works in a district. Each meeting used to last for at least four hours during which we identified bottlenecks and tried to remove them. </div><div align="justify"><br />I used to address a public rally at the district headquarters in the evening before dropping in on a local associate or a party worker’s house for dinner। At the outset, it was originally planned that I would address only one rally at the district headquarters. But I invariably ended up addressing two rallies in a day. henever I went to a village in the morning, I always found a large crowd waiting patiently for us. During these two rallies, I used to address at least 30,000 people a day. </div><div align="justify"><br />The Vishwas Yatra was, however, not merely an exercise to review the development projects or to get a feedback of the people on my government’s performance। It was also an opportunity to feel the winds of changes across the state. During this yatra, I experienced many positive changes. There are a few examples which come quickly to my mind. </div><div align="justify"><br />I visited Dharhara village in Bhagalpur district where people planted ten trees of fruits for every girl child born there. This was a novel concept which was not only environment-friendly but was also aimed at safeguarding the future of the girl child. Its novelty apart, it is so intimately contextual in our times that I wouldn’t be amazed if this model is soon showcased as an ideal social practice in many part of India.<br /><br />I also visited the house of a schoolgirl Khushboo at her Bhogaon village in Katihar district। Khushboo was the second topper in this year’s matriculation examination. She fought against all odds to achieve this distinction. Her school was located five kilometre away from her village but that was no deterrent for her. She said the bicycle that she got under the Mukhyamantri Balika Cycle Yojna helped her in her preparation for the examination. She could save her time earlier spent on commuting and devoted it towards her studies. I had a sense of satisfaction when I handed over the cheques to her for her achievements….and a hope that she becomes a role model for many youngsters. </div><div align="justify"><br />My visit to Aurahi Hingna in Araria district, the native place of the great Hindi litterateur Phanishwar Nath Renu was a very emotional experience. Renuji had penned down several novels and stories like Maila Anachal and Parti Parikatha, depicting the lives of the people from the underprivileged sections of society in the Kosi belt. I chose to travel by road in the Kosi belt to see the region so vividly described in Renu’s masterpieces.<br /><br />I met two of Renu ji’s wives -- Padmaji and Latikaji -- at the village. When I touched their feet, they blessed me affectionately. They later send local delicacy patua ka sag & roti for me in circuit house. Since the region has been famous for kattha (catechu), I decided to develop a forest for khairwood which will be known as “Renuvan”…. a small tribute to Renuji’s great legacy.<br /><br />I must admit however that some other experiences have been terribly moving as well। I visited a village in Munger district where scores of people were disabled because of the excessive fluoride content in water. I was dismayed to learn that successive government had failed to provide safe drinking water to the village. .There are other areas in the state where arsenic content in water is posing health problems to a large number of people. </div><div align="justify"><br />This is why I said in the beginning that I am not fully satisfied. A lot of things are to be done, and we are already in the process of prioritizing some of these.<br /><br />On a more personal note, I must share with you that I have not taken any leave as such during my tenure. I once went to Mumbai for a day to receive an award, and stayed in Bangalore for a night for a wedding. I also went to Punjab and Kolkata for election campaigns and visited Mauritius once as part of an official delegation.<br />I have been working everyday without a break, thinking often of the philosophy of “aharnish seva (uninterrupted work through day and night)”। I understand this will need to go on, without any let up…. in the hope of more and more people joining together to bring a brighter future for all of us. </div><div align="justify"><br />Until next, Thank you। </div><div align="justify"><br />Nitish Kumar<br /><br /></div>Nitish Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02165925884481745079noreply@blogger.com60tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-629284905905334923.post-30081337190048239742010-06-19T06:46:00.000-07:002010-06-19T06:49:11.852-07:00बिहार के विकास में युवाओं की बढ़ती सहभागिता.......एक अरसे बाद आपसे मुखातिब हूँ । मूलत: इसकी एक ही वजह रही है- पिछले महीनों में आपके रिस्पॉंसेस में जो सराहनाएं मिलीं मैं उन्हें अपनी विश्वास यात्रा के दौरान आम नागरिकों की कसौटियों पर रखकर देखने की कोशिश में था । <br /><br />इन जन-संपर्क अभियानों से जमीनी स्तर पर विभिन्न योजनाओं के क्रियान्व्न से जुड़ी चीजों में सुधार लाने का अवसर मिला । लगभग मामलों में संबद्व अधिकारियों की जनता के बीच उपस्थिति से त्वरित निर्णय लिए गए । मैंने ये भी महसूस किया कि कई मुद्दों - मसलन प्रदूषित भूगर्भीय व सतही जल एवं इसका हमारे स्वास्थ्य पर असर- पर दीर्घकालिक कार्य की जरूरत है । कई मूलभूत नीतियों व योजनाओं को अंदरूनी स्तर पर सुगठित करने के लिए दीर्घकालीक प्रतिबद्वता अनिवार्य होगी । ये कुछ ऐसे मुद्दे हैं जो हमारी आने वाली पीढि़यों को ग्रसित कर सकती हैं । <br /><br />साथ ही, हमारे सरकार के कोशिशों के बाबत आज राज्य के ग्रामीण इलाकों में खेतीहरों एवं मजदूर भाइयों की खासी बढ़ी तादात, स्कूलों में बच्चों का निरन्तर बढ़ता भर्ती दर, हमारे युवाओं का राज्य के भीतर ही रोजगार अवसरों की ओर रूझान, को देख मेरे आत्मबल को बहुत मजबूती मिली । मुझे इसका भी हर्ष है कि आज राज्य में बेहतर आवागमन सुविधा, सड़क व पुलों की बढ़ती संख्या के साथ-साथ निजी क्षेत्र की ईकाइयों के साथ मजबूत होते हमारे व्यावसायिक संबंधों को आप इस सरकार के चार साल के प्रयासों के फल के रूप में स्वीकार रहे हैं । पिछली तिमाहियों में नागरिक उड्ड्यन में बढ़ोतरी व दूरसंचार के 3G Spectrum की निविदा में बिहार का अग्रिम स्थान इत्यादि इन्हें इंगित करते हैं । <br /><br />मेरा मानना है कि इन बदलावों में गुणात्मक गति कहीं बाहर से नहीं बल्कि हमारे जनमानस के निरन्तर सहयोग एवं सहकर्मिता से ही आयेगी । इसमें खासकर बिहार के युवाओं की भूमिका अत्यन्त महत्वपूर्ण होगी । <br /><br />अपनी इन यात्राओं में जनमानस से संपर्क के दौरान मैंने कई बार देखा कि आज के युवाओं ने अपने Role Model के रूप में तथाकथित बाहुबलियों के बजाय ऐसे लोगों को चुनना शुरू कर दिया है जिनका समाज व शिक्षा से सीधा व गुणात्मक सरोकार रहा हो । ये एक अत्यन्त ही प्रभावी सामाजिक बदलाव है । आने वाले समय में ये एक ऐसे सुदृढ़ व प्रगतिशील चरित्र का सृजन करेगी जो समाज, राजनीतिक या प्रशासन में mediocrity या अकर्मण्यता को बिल्कुल स्वीकार नहीं करेगी । <br /><br />यूँ कहें कि बिहार के युवाओं ने प्रत्याशित नीतिनिर्धारकों व जनप्रतिनिधियों के लिए एक स्वस्थ कसौटी का निर्माण आरंभ कर दिया है । मैं इसे एक दीर्घकालिक सामाजिक परिर्वतन के बीज के रूप में देख रहा हूँ । मेरा प्रयत्न है कि अपने राजनीतिक व प्रशासनिक जिम्मेदारीयों के निर्वाह में मैं इसे एक स्वच्छ चुनौती के रूप में स्वीकार कर बिहार के लोगों का समर्थन पा सकूँ । <br /><br />आपके सुझावों के यथावत इन्तजार में -- <br /><br />नीतीशNitish Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02165925884481745079noreply@blogger.com105tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-629284905905334923.post-56521657979438976872010-04-29T05:23:00.000-07:002010-04-29T05:25:01.242-07:00राज्य में अपराध नियंत्रण एक बड़ी चुनौती थीपिछले विधान सभा के चुनाव के दौरान बिहार की जनता से मैंने एक वादा किया था कि मैं राज्य में कानून के शासन को पुन: बहाल करूँगा । <br /><br />ये कतई आसान न था । मुझे इस प्रयास में उस मिथक को तोड़ना था कि बिहार में अपराध नियंत्रण किसी के वश में नहीं है । मैं इसके लिये कृतसंकल्प था किन्तु मुझे इस बात का ख्याल रखना था कि हमें इस उद्देश्य की प्राप्ति कानून के दायरे में ही करनी थी । विगत में देश के विभिन्न भागों से आयी खबरों के कारण मुझे इस बात का इल्म था कि कानून-व्यवस्था के नियंत्रण के नाम पर अक्सर मानवाधिकारों का उल्लंघन होता है । इसी लिये मुझे यह सुनिश्चित करना था कि हमारी लक्ष्य प्राप्ति की दिशा में इस प्रकार की चूक न हो । अपराध नियंत्रण के संदर्भ में सर्वप्रथम मेरा ध्यान आर्म्स एक्ट के अंतर्गत दायर किये उन हजारों मामलों की तरफ गया जो वर्षों से लंबित थे । आर्म्स एक्ट के अंतर्गत तीन साल तक की सजा का प्रावधान है और इन मामलों में मुख्यत: राज्य के पुलिसकर्मी ही गवाह होते हैं । मैंने महसूस किया कि इन केसों का शीघ्र निष्पादन संभव है ------ अगर उनसे जुड़े गवाहों की उपस्थिति न्यायालयों में सुनिश्चित की जाए । <br /><br />हमारी सरकार ने तत्पश्चात बिहार पुलिस मुख्यालय में एक विशेष कोषांग की स्थापना ऐसे ही सारे मामलों के निष्पादन एवं इनसे जुड़े गवाहों को न्यायालयों में उपस्थित कराने के लिए की------ जिससे कानून तोड़ने वालों को समुचित सजा मिल सके । मैंने अधिकारियों की निर्देश दिया कि गवाहों को उपस्थित कराने के लिए वे यथासंभव न्यायालय से एक से अधिक तिथि की मांग न करें । <br /><br />मेरा ऐसा मानना है कि न्याय करना न्यायालय का कार्य है किन्तु सरकार का यह दायित्व है कि वह त्वरित न्याय के हेतु समुचित व्यवस्था करें । इस दिशा में हमारी सरकार ने न्यायालयों ऐसे कई गवाहों की उपस्थिति भी सुनिश्चित कराई जो झारखंड राज्य की स्थापना के बाद वहॉं चले गये थे । हमारे इन प्रयासों का जल्द असर हुआ और आर्म्स एक्ट के हजारों मामलों का निष्पादन त्वरित गति से हुआ । इस संदर्भ में मैं अपना-पराया भूल गया । इस बात से शीघ्र ही सभी अवगत हो गये कि कानून अपना काम करने लगी है । अपराधियों के बीच जुर्म करने के बाद कानून की पहूँच से दूर बने रहने का गुमान खत्म होता दिखने लगाA <br /><br />इन प्रयासों से आम लोगों में एक संदेश गया और उनमें सरकार के प्रति विश्वास जागृत हुई । उन्हें यह अहसास हुआ कि अब कानून तोड़ कर सजा से बचना किसी के लिये संभव न हो । तत्पश्चात राज्य के विभिन्न क्षेत्रों में बहुत ऐसे लोग, जो किसी न किसी पुराने मामलों में सजा दिलाने के लिये न्यायालयों में उपस्थित होना चाहते थे] अब खासे भयमुक्त हो कर आगे आने लगे । <br /><br />इससे कानून तोड़ने वालों को भी समझ में आ गया कि हमारी सरकार अपराध नियंत्रण हेतु कितनी सजग है । जिन्हें अपनी काले शीशे चढ़े वाहनों की खिड़कियों से बंदूके दिखाने का शौक था या फिर उन्हें जिन्हें शादी-विवाह के अवसर पर शामियाने में अपनी गैर-लाईसेंसी हथियार से गोली दागकर शक्ति प्रदर्शन की अभिरूचि थी यह समझने में कतई वक्त नहीं लगा । <br /><br />सन 2006 में मैंने लंबित मामलों के त्वरित निष्पादन हेतु एक मींटिग आहूत की जिसमें पटना उच्च न्यायालय के मुख्य न्यायाधीश और अन्य न्यायाधीशों के अलावे सभी जिलाधीश, पुलिस अधीक्षक और लोक अभियोजक शामिल हुये । मेरी जानकारी में भारत में ये अपने प्रकार की पहली पहल थी । हमने एक 'एक्शन प्लान' के तहत हजारों लंबित मामलों की सुनवाई हेतु 'स्पीडी ट्रायल' की व्यवस्था की, जिसके कारण हजारों मुजरिमों को सजा मिली । कई मामलों की सुनवाई जेल प्रांगण में भी शुरू की गई । इन मामलों में हुये त्वरित कार्यवाही से अपराधियों में कानून के प्रति भय हुआ । मैंने तो बस यह संदेश दिया था कि हमारी सरकार अपराध नियंत्रण की दिशा में किसी तरह की कोताही बर्दाश्त नहीं करेगी । इस संदर्भ में माननीय न्यायालयों एवं न्यायिक प्रक्रिया से संबद्ध प्रबुद्ध मानस का सहयोग सराहनीय रहा । <br />आपको भी खुशी होगी कि अब तक के हमारे शासन काल में एक भी संप्रदायिक दंगे या जातीय संघर्ष की घटना नही हुई है । हमनें प्रत्येक जिलाधिकारियों एवं पुलिस अधीक्षकों को स्पष्ट निर्देश दिया हुआ है कि समाज में शान्ति एवं सद्-भाव बरकरार करना उनकी व्यक्तिगत जिम्मेदारी है । जब हमनें बिहार में शासन की कमान संभाली तो हमनें महसूस किया कि हमारे थानों में संसाधन का नितांत अभाव है । अगर कोई नागरिक कोई शिकायत दर्ज कराने जाता था तो उससे कहा जाता था कि वह स्वयं कागज की व्यवस्था करे । हमारी सरकार ने थानों के रख-रखाब के लिये एक विशेष वार्षिक कोष का गठन किया । <br />इन तमाम प्रयासों से हमें एक भय-मुक्त समाज बनाने में मदद मिली । वर्षों बाद लोग देर रात तक अपने परिवार के सदस्यों के साथ सड़क पर पु:न दिखने लगे । एक वक्त था जब समाज में भय इस कदर व्याप्त था कि पटना के रेस्त्ररां में बमुश्किल एक या दो ग्राहक रात्रि में देखे जाते थे । अब आलम यह है कि लोंगों को होटलों में प्रवेश के लिये कतार में लंबे समय तक इंतजार करना पड़ता है । यहॉं तक कि लोग परिवार सहित नाईट शो में भी सिनेमा हॉल में फिर से दिखने लगे हैं । मुझे यह कहने में लेशमात्र झिझक नहीं है कि यह परिवर्त्तन मूलत: अपराध पर नियंत्रण होने के कारण संभव हो पाया । इसका प्रभाव अन्य क्षेत्रों पर भी हुआ । मुझे आजकल अक्सर कहा जाता है कि पटना में एक फ्लैट की कीमत देश के अन्य विकसित शहरों की तुलना में अधिक है । ऐसा तब हुआ जब पिछले वर्ष की आर्थिक मंदी ने बाजार को हर जगह प्रभावित किया । हमारे शासन काल के पहले पंद्रह वर्षो में बिहार में व्यापार के क्षेत्र में विकास नहीं हुआ था । लोग अपनी संपत्ति को कम दामों में बेचकर राज्य छोड़कर अन्यत्र बसने लगे । बिहार में उस समय में 'डिसट्रेल सेल' के अनेक उदाहरण अभी भी मिल सकते है । आज के बदले माहौल में व्यापार और व्यवसाय जिस गति से बढ़ते दिख रहे हैं उससे मुझे विश्वास है कि निकट भविष्य में हमारी व्यवस्था खुद अपनी सचेतक व नियंत्रक की भूमिका जिम्मेदारी पूर्वक निवार्ह कर सकेगी । <br /><br />विगत दिनों में गया में एक जापानी पर्यटक से दुष्कर्म का मामला सामने आया। जिस दिन मुझे इसकी जानकारी मिली मुझे उस रात नींद नहीं आयी । मैंने पुलिस अधिकारियों को निर्देश दिया कि अपराधियों के खिलाफ सख्त कार्यवाही हो और इस मामले को निपटारा त्वरित न्यायालय में हो । इस मामले में आरोपियों का गिरफ्तार किया जा चुका है और न्यायालय में पुलिस ने आरोप-पत्र दाखिल भी कर दिया है । इस घटना में संलग्न सभी अपराधियों को शीघ्र सजा मिलेगी । <br /><br />यह सच है कि समाज से अपराध का खात्मा पूर्णत: नहीं किया जा सकता है किन्तु समुचित प्रशासिनक व्यवस्था एवं समयबद्ध न्याय के साथ उसका नियंत्रण संभव है । खास बात यह है कि जनमानस पटल पर सुरक्षा को लेकर लकीरें न दिखें । अवाम में असुरक्षा की भावना अपराधियों को ही बल देगी ।<br /><br />हमारी सरकार ने अपराध के लिये समुचित सजा सुनिश्चित कर जनता का विश्वास जीता है । बिहार में यह अब संभव नही है कि कोई व्यक्ति जुर्म करके सजा से बचा रह सके ।---ऐसी हमारी दृढ़संकल्पिता है । <br /><br />उन्हें अब इस बात का पता है कि कोई है जो उन पर नजर बनाये हुये है । <br /><br />नीतीशNitish Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02165925884481745079noreply@blogger.com233tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-629284905905334923.post-7423892116829184032010-04-27T23:35:00.000-07:002010-04-28T00:12:33.888-07:00Checking crime in Bihar was a big challengeI had made a solemn promise to the people during my election campaigns in the run-up to the 2005 Bihar Assembly polls that I would re-establish the rule of the law in the state. <br />That was a challenging task, to say the least. After all, I had to demystify the myth that crime could not be kept on a tight leash in the state. <br />But it had to be accomplished within the framework of the law. I had often come across reports from different parts of the country about alleged excesses committed by the law enforcement agencies in the name of maintaining law of order. I, therefore, had to ensure that nobody violated human rights in pursuit of the avowed objective of our government.<br />With that purpose in mind, I first turned my attention to the logs of cases registered under the Arms Act which were pending before various courts for long. I realised that they could be disposed of quickly because the witnesses in all those cases were primarily the policemen. <br />I thought if those witnesses could depose in the courts it would lead to speedy disposal of the cases. If convicted, the accused could be imprisoned up to three years under the Arms Act. Our government subsequently set up a dedicated cell at the police headquarters to facilitate that. I instructed the officials to ensure that they should not seek more than one date from the courts for deposition of those witnesses. I told them that it was for the courts to give verdict in any case but it was the bounden duty of the government to develop a system for facilitating the speedy process of justice. Many witnesses, who had shifted to Jharkhand after the creation of a new state in 2000, were also brought to Bihar to depose before the courts.<br />This proved very effective in bringing down the number of pending cases under the Arms Act, as scores of accused were convicted or acquitted at the end of their trials.<br />As the juggernaut of speedy justice rolled on, I simply forgot who were involved in those cases. It became immaterial whether the accused was known to me or not. It soon became clear to everybody that law ultimately had to take its own course. Anybody committing the crime in Bihar could not have hoped for evading the long arms of the law.<br />That instilled enough confidence in the common man. They realised that it was no longer possible for anybody, howsoever mighty, to go scot-free after breaking the laws of the land. Witnesses in several long-standing cases thereafter shunned fear and met the district superintendents of police on their own to say that they were ready to depose before the courts and help bring the culprits to book.<br />Hardly surprising then, the habitual offenders who broke the law with impunity in the past knew that our government meant business when it reiterated its commitment to rein in the crime at any cost. Those who loved to flaunt their guns through tinted windowpanes of their vehicles or others who loved to fire gunshots in the air through the shamiana of a wedding ceremony with their unlicensed guns got the message in no time as well.<br />I wanted to formulate an action plan to accelerate the process for speedy justice. In 2006, I convened a two-day meeting which was attended by the chief justice and other judges of the Patna High Court besides all the public prosecutors, district magistrates and superintendents of police. We decided to follow the action plan in letter and spirit. It resulted in conviction of thousands of accused in different cases through speedy trials. Many trials involving high-profile accused were even held in the jail premises on a day-to-day basis.<br />The sheer expediency of the whole process instilled a sense of fear in the minds of gun-toting brigade so much so that the brazen display of arms during wedding ceremonies, which was a normal feature earlier, came to a halt. All I needed was to underline the fact that our government had a zero-tolerance policy vis-à-vis crime in the state.<br />I would also like to mention here that not even a single incident of communal tension or caste strife took place in the state over the past four-and-a-half years. I decided to make the district magistrates and superintendents of police directly accountable for maintaining social harmony in the areas under their jurisdiction.<br />When I had taken over I realised that many police stations in the state did not have adequate infrastructure. They were even bereft of basic needs for effective policing. If anybody went to the police stations to lodge an FIR, he was told to bring his own paper and other stationery material. <br />Our government earmarked a separate annual fund to meet the demands of the police stations. These efforts quickly led to restoring the people’s faith in the system of justice. The fear had gone out of their minds. It was after many years that people could be seen moving out with their families on the streets till late night in the cities of Bihar. <br />It was because of the all-pervasive fear that people had earlier stopped going out with their families in the late evenings. There was a time when the best of restaurants in Patna used to have barely one or two customers at night. But now, you can see long queues of the people waiting for their turn outside many eateries in Patna. <br />The family audience, which had shunned watching movies long ago, also returned to the theatres even in the night shows. I have no hesitation to say that the change was the reflection of the overall improvement in the law and order scenario. The considerable decline in crime also had salubrious impact on other sectors. The contractors started taking up work on many road projects across the state. They were no longer afraid of doing work even in the remotest areas of Bihar because there was no extortionist around to demand their ‘commission’ from them. <br />There has also been a boom in the real estate in Bihar. I am often told that the cost of a flat in Patna at present is higher than many developed cities in the country. This has happened in spite of the last year’s economic slowdown which had depreciated property prices elsewhere. <br />The property prices had remained stagnant in Bihar for many years preceding my tenure. Though there are no official figures of distress sale during the previous regime, it is a fact that many people had sold off their houses and other property and migrated to other states after being disillusioned with the sorry state of affairs here.<br />I was very upset when I came to know about an unfortunate incident involving a Japanese tourist in Gaya recently. In fact, I could not sleep the whole night when I came to know about it. I directed the police officials to take quick action against the rape accused and put them through speedy trial. The accused in the case were arrested and charge-sheeted within a week. The culprits will be convicted soon.<br />It is true that crime cannot be eradicated completely from society. But it can effectively be checked through proper policing and time-bound justice. Our government has won the confidence of people by ensuring punishment for each and every crime. It is no longer possible for anybody to commit any crime and get away with it in Bihar.<br />They know that somebody is watching!Nitish Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02165925884481745079noreply@blogger.com118tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-629284905905334923.post-85725735322935269882010-04-27T22:42:00.000-07:002010-04-27T10:13:11.341-07:00आपके साथ संवाद प्रेरणादायक है.......मेरे पहले पोस्ट के एक सप्ताह में सैकड़ों रेस्पोंस मिले हैं सच कहूँ तो इनमे से कई मेरे लिए बेहद उपयोगी और प्रेरक हैं चाहे अररिया जिला के मो राशिद रजा हों या हैदराबाद के विश्वजीत या फिर अमेरिका से सीमा ..... इन सबने उन प्रमुख बिन्दुओं का बखूबी जिक्र किया है जिनकी बदौलत बिहार में बदलाव का माहौल सुगठित होता जा रहा है।<br /><span style="font-size:100%;">यह मेरे लिए बहुत उत्साहजनक है कि आपलोगों ने मुख्यमंत्री बालिका साइकिल योजना कि अपरिहार्यता को गंभीरता से लिया है। मैंने अपने पहले पोस्ट में इस योजना क़ी साथर्कता और प्रासंगिकता का जिक्र किया था। आपके संवाद से साफ़ है कि इस योजना में राज्य में सुदूर से शहरी इलाकों में रहने वाली बच्चियों और उनके परिवारों की महत्त्वकाँक्षा को सुदृढ़ किया है। इन बाबत आपके संवाद मेरे लिए अत्यंत प्रेरणादायक हैं। आपकी तमाम व्यस्तताओं के बावजूद बहुमूल्य रेस्पोंस भेजने के लिए मैं आपका आभारी हूँ । हर एक का जबाब दे पाना शायद मुमकिन न हो । सप्ताह भर में सैकड़ों रेस्पोंस के जरिये व्यक्त किये गए आपके विचार न केवल सराहनीय हैं बल्कि मेरे लिए बेहद अहम् हैं । इन्हें पढने के बाद मैं तठस्थ और अडिग महसूस कर रहा हूँ । इनमें बिहार को नई ऊँचाई तक ले जाने वाली लाखो प्रेरणाएं साफ़ निहित दिख रही हैं जो भविष्य में यह सुनिश्चित करेगी की राज्य में अवसरों की उपलब्धता लोगों की क्षमताओं और उम्मीदों को परिपुर्णित करे।<br />सरकार के प्रयासों के जरिये बिहार में बदलाव दिख रहा है .... व् इस परिवर्तन के प्रति सकारात्मकता व्याप्त है। बिहार और बिहारियों के प्रति इन सकारात्मक्ताओ की कहानीयाँ आपने गाँव , शहर एवम यहाँ तक की अमेरिका के प्रान्तों से भी सुनाई हैं । सरकार और प्रशासन के प्रयास अकादमिक , मिडिया एवम प्रबुद्ध लोगों के योगदान के अलावा जिस एक ख़ास चीज़ का महत्त्व इस माहौल को व्याप्त बनाने के प्रति रहा है , वो मेरी समझ से हम आम नागरिकों के बीच दिन-प्रतिदिन होने वाले बहुतेरे संवाद हैं । मैं इनकी महता को शायद कुछ-कुछ समझता हूँ...... यही वजह हो कि आज ब्लॉग के जरिये मैं आपसे मुखातिब हूँ ।<br />लोग बिहार में आये दिन बन रही नई सड़कों , अस्पतालों , इत्यादी के साथ साथ प्रशासनिक व्यवस्था में झलक रही नई सोच व् कर्मठता , एवम आवाम में झलकते विश्वास व् सौहार्द्य को बदलते बिहार का प्रारूप मानते हैं। हालाकि, साथ ही बिजली कि कमी और निजी क्षेत्र कि हिस्सेदारी को बढ़ावा देने जैसी कई चुनौतियों का जिक्र करना भी लाज़मी है। आपको ज्ञात होगा कि हमने कई विधुत परियोजनाओं के लिए पहल की है, व् इनकी स्थापना की प्रक्रिया विभिन्न चरणों पर है। विधुत उत्पादन इकाईयों से सम्बंधित प्रस्ताव तैयार करना और फिर इसके आधार पर परियोजना की स्थापना करने में काफी वक्त लगता है। जाहिर है की यह एक जटिल काम है। खासकर केंद्र से पहल कर coal linkage जैसी चीजों को सुनिश्चित कराना कई बार चुनौतीपूर्ण होता है। आपको ज्ञात होगा की वर्ष 2004-2005 में हमें विरासत में विधुत की शून्य उत्पादकता मिली थी... लेकिन हमने इसे चुनौती के बतौर स्वीकार किया और इस दिशा में लगातार काम कर रहे हैं । हम सामाजिक एवम व्यवसायिक विकास में निजी और सार्वजनिक साझेदारी की संभावनाओं पर भी लगातार काम कर रहे हैं । हमने बिहार पुल निर्माण निगम जैसे सार्वजनिक उपक्रम को पुनर्जीवित कर आज एक अग्रणी की सूचि में ला खड़ा किया है। अन्तराष्ट्रीय लेवल की कई agencies के साथ हमारी साझेदारी फलीभूत होती दिखने लगी हैं।<br />मैं हर्षित हूँ की उच्च शिक्षा को आपने भी एक बेहद महत्वपूर्ण विषय के रूप में देखा है। इस बावत , खासकर बिहार के होनहार विद्यार्थियों के सुझाव एवम विचार इंगित करते हैं कि वर्तमान परिपेक्ष में बिहार के लिए इस विषय पर काम करना बेहद प्रासंगिक है । बिहार सरकार ने इन चंद वर्षों में उच्च शिक्षा के विकल्पों को बढ़ाने के लिए BIT Meshra की बिहार शाखा , चाणक्य law university , चन्द्रगुप्त मैनेजमेंट इंस्टिट्यूट और आर्यभट knowledge university जैसी इकाईयों की स्थापना कराई है । राज्य सरकार IIT patna और नालंदा अन्तराष्ट्रीय विश्वविद्यालय की स्थापना को लेकर सारे जरुरी प्रावधानों को सुनिश्चित कर चुकी है। आने वाले समय में आप ऐसी कई योजनाओं को फलीभूत होते देखेंगे ।<br />अंत में , ब्लॉग पर लिखने के मेरे इस नए प्रयास का आपने जिस गर्मजोशी से स्वागत किया है उससे मैं पूर्णतया आश्वस्त हूँ कि मेरी भविष्य कि सोच, नीतियों और कार्यप्रारुपों को निश्चित दिशा देने में सक्षमता आएगी। एक ब्लॉगर के रूप में मेरा स्वागत करने के लिए कोटि कोटि धन्यवाद । मैं इन्टरनेट की पीढ़ी के वन्धुत्व को सादर स्वीकार करता हूँ।<br />आने वाले समय में मैं अपने अनेक विचार आपसे साझा करता रहूंगा । आपके रेस्पोंस जानने के बाद मैं समझता हूँ कि आप भी बिहार में क़ानून व्यवस्था और जिम्मेदार प्रशासन को हमारी सरकार की ख़ास उपलब्धियों की सूचीं में देखते हैं। मेरे पहले ही पोस्ट पर आपके इतने सारे विचार मुझे इन्हें प्राथमिकता में रखने को प्रेरित कर रहे हैं । मेरी कोशिश है की अगले पोस्ट में मैं इन पर चर्चा करूँ ।</span><span style="font-size:0;"><span style="font-size:0;"><span style="font-size:0;"><span style="font-size:0;"> </span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">आपके विचारों का इंतज़ार रहेगा । </span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">हार्दिक साधुवाद सहित ,</span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">नीतीश </span>Nitish Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02165925884481745079noreply@blogger.com90tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-629284905905334923.post-65297053812349957552010-04-27T05:46:00.000-07:002010-04-27T05:48:02.945-07:00This Novel Blog Experience is EnrichingTuesday, April 27, 2010<br />The whole of last week I have been going through the hundreds of responses that have been coming by to my first post. To be honest, for someone like me, they are hugely enriching and insightful. Even as I have grappled for ways to be able to attend to as many of the responses individually, I continue being swamped by a deep sense of beholdedness by the sheer interest that people as distantly located as Md Rashid Reza in Araria district to Viswajeet in Hyderabad to Seema in the United States have shown to the very cause of development of the state of Bihar.<br /><br />I feel truly humbled that you have so overwhelmingly seen genuine merit in the Mukhya Mantri Balika Cycle Yojana. I shared in my first post the earnestness with which I had approached this Scheme. Your responses clearly prove that in doing so I may have touched the aspirations of young girls and their families in far-flung areas in the state. It naturally gives me a renewed sense of strength. <br /><br />I use this space to extend my sincere gratefulness to all those who have spared time to respond. You would surely agree that it is humanly impossible to attend to each one of the responses individually. The sheer expanse and diversity of the issues raised across the over six hundred responses so far is a case in point. I feel greatly emboldened though that millions of true aspirations are there to provide the strength of conviction needed to steer Bihar onto a roadmap where opportunities match people’s expectations and capacities.<br /><br />It is immensely touching to hear from scores of you real life and anecdotal incidences of how the general perception of people towards Bihar and its natives is beginning to show positively healthy shifts across populations. Surely, the goodwill is spreading ….partly by way of the silent works of the government and administration, the radars and scanners of the academia, media and various professional pursuits, but mainly through the many public and private discourses that we as lay citizens engage in on a day-to-day basis. I value the latter immensely, …..possibly why I have ventured to be on such an interactive media as a blogspace. <br /><br />Surely, this fair sense of goodwill…reverberating alike in places as distant as Bangalore, Noida /NCR and the US…is not for nothing. People often talk of the new roads in Bihar, the refurbished district hospitals and PHCs, a sense of purpose evident in the structures of governance, the general sense of reassurance and ease with which people in the state are going about their daily lives, et al as evidence of a changing Bihar. At the same time, many point to issues like the shortfall in electricity generation, private sector participation, etc. as challenges that need to be addressed. I could agree no more. The two however are distantly different paradigms. While one term of a fairly inclined provincial government may be just about enough to bring about better road connectivity, the exigencies of establishing sustainable sources of energy and entrepreneurship demand far greater spadeworks. <br /><br />You would be aware that many of the power projects that we initiated in the state are at various stages in the process of establishment and commissioning. From estimation of need to drawing up of detailed proposals to securing resources to finally commissioning power units……it is a tediously extended process. Interspersed are issues like ensuring coal linkages and others that need to be negotiated with the Centre. And, having inherited a state with zero electricity production in 2004-05, we are doing it most assertively. We also continue to explore possibilities of Public Private Partnerships across proposals and interests evidenced by genuine groups in both social and business sectors, even as we have tried to ensure thorough revival of public entities like the Bihar Pul Nirman Nigam into thriving enterprises first. <br /><br />I am particularly also pleased that the issue of quality higher education is dear to so many of you. Especially when it comes from the fraternity of young aspiring students from Bihar, it carries an unmistakable sense of genuineness. You would have noted the strides the present government has made by way of provisioning for institutions of higher education and learning in the state such as the Bihar chapter of the famous BIT, Meshra, the Chanakya Law University, the Chandragupta Management Institute and the Aryabhatta Knowledge University. The state has proactively facilitated modalities for the setting up of an IIT at Patna and is actively seeking formalisation of the Nalanda International University. We are also looking forward to setting up a new agriculture university in the coming days. <br /><br />I am beginning to reckon that while the beauty of such an interactive media lies in its universal appeal and accessibility, it draws its core strength from its inclusiveness. How else could this jet-paced fraternity of netizens accept someone like me with such warmth and vibrancy! I have lost count of the number of felicitations welcoming me to be a blogger. Thank you. And, notwithstanding its compatibility to the English language, I would also use the space to write and respond in Hindi.<br /><br />Moving ahead, I will have opportunities to share several of my thoughts in the times to come. The two issues of law and order and responsive governance in Bihar have probably been the most talked about achievements of this regime. Your responses to the first post, too, prod me to take these up on priority. I will therefore, in this post, try to demystify some of the key strands of these.<br /><br />I look forward to your views. <br />Thank you and sincerely, <br /><br />NitishNitish Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02165925884481745079noreply@blogger.com83tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-629284905905334923.post-65723564246633137912010-04-19T16:30:00.000-07:002010-04-19T04:14:27.002-07:00Mukhyamantri Balika Cycle YojnaAmong several welfare initiatives taken by our government over the past four years, the ‘Mukhyamantri Balika Cycle Yojna’ is very close to my heart. It has changed the face of Bihar with lakhs of schoolgirls riding bicycles to their schools every day with a purpose.<br />Prior to the launch of this project more than three years ago it was rare to find a schoolgirl riding a bicycle even on the streets of Patna. But now, you can watch scores of confident-looking schoolgirls pedalling away with gusto everywhere – from the narrow lanes of a remote village to the bustling roads of the cities across the state.<br />Under this scheme, a schoolgirl gets a cheque of Rs 2,000 upon passing class VIII to buy a bicycle so that she can go to school every day. <br />It would be no exaggeration to say that the scheme has been an unqualified success. It has given me a lot of satisfaction since it has helped check the dropout rate of schoolgirls to a great extent across the state. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUPtKX3zPZNjHKNXcR_lOsyd_7UXacJvT5OxpSdZizm1m12Y4NTyyt-q_-DIjNIsEeM74SJ20F0dJ-QTMmqedBRlyWOxuHhZjM4zwJy9N_bk-Tu4p5w58pUM6ZfY6nVLlemb4eZidiMPU/s1600/cycle-yojna.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 303px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUPtKX3zPZNjHKNXcR_lOsyd_7UXacJvT5OxpSdZizm1m12Y4NTyyt-q_-DIjNIsEeM74SJ20F0dJ-QTMmqedBRlyWOxuHhZjM4zwJy9N_bk-Tu4p5w58pUM6ZfY6nVLlemb4eZidiMPU/s320/cycle-yojna.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461791936959593218" /></a><br />Take a look at the figures of the past three financial years to measure the success of this scheme. In 2007-08, our government spent Rs 32.60 crore to enable 1.63 lakh schoolgirls to buy bicycles; in 2008-09, we allocated Rs 54.43 crore towards this project facilitating purchase of the same by 2.72 lakh schoolgirls and in the year 2009-10, the number of beneficiaries rose to 4.36 lakh who bought bicycles worth Rs 87.33crore. To sum up, our government spent Rs 174.36 crore in the past three years to make 8.71 lakh schoolgirls proud owners of bicycles which they are all using to educate themselves now. <br />These are not mere statistics. This is, in fact, an affirmation of the fact that a small initiative can really go a long way in bringing about a big change. In Bihar, bicycles have now become a veritable instrument for social change which can be felt in any part of the state. <br />The dropout rate among the schoolgirls has been very high in Bihar over the years. The girls, particularly those from rural areas, often discontinue their studies beyond the primary or middle schools. Most of them are often married at an early age, which leave them with fewer opportunities to contribute their mite towards economic development of society.<br />After taking the reins of the state, I kept thinking of various ways to reduce the dropout rate of students in general and the schoolgirls in particular. It was in 2006 that I decided to give away bicycles to all the schoolgirls of classes VIII, IX and X studying in government schools. I was sure that this incentive would go a long way not only in arresting the dropout rate of schoolgirls in the high schools but also be a significant step towards woman empowerment.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8gIZFEmqLkHDo4t3ZhBXhPrJ5KwXbhYV_d8RXKGpQWDWwYZHglP6eDttfQNM9IqklESNqteMOJN-pSHh2pW_SNVGcR34TuAQEmve6mofMOYCWSvq2lpKsOxhU2K8g3d94Evzn9l6Spug/s1600/cycle-yojna1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 296px; height: 252px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8gIZFEmqLkHDo4t3ZhBXhPrJ5KwXbhYV_d8RXKGpQWDWwYZHglP6eDttfQNM9IqklESNqteMOJN-pSHh2pW_SNVGcR34TuAQEmve6mofMOYCWSvq2lpKsOxhU2K8g3d94Evzn9l6Spug/s320/cycle-yojna1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461794648929698450" /></a><br />When our government had taken over, the number of dropouts in the schools in the state was a staggering 25 lakh. Today, it has come down to around 10 lakh only. I have no hesitation to say that this scheme has also played a significant part in bringing about this positive change. <br />Many people have called it a ‘revolutionary’ concept and asked me when did I first think of this project? To tell you the truth, I got the idea while I was at an official programme organised by the Patna district administration in 2006. On that occasion, I had distributed a few bicycles among children from the underprivileged sections of society. When I handed over the keys to them, I could see happiness all over their faces.<br />The memories of those happy faces of poor children remained with me long after the ceremony was over. Soon, I held a meeting with senior officials of the Human Resource department asking them to work out a plan for distribution of free bicycles among all high school girls.<br />The department promptly invited tenders from the companies and the lowest quoted price was Rs 1,840 for each bicycle.<br />The officials of the department advocated for bulk purchase of bicycles and their distribution through official machinery. They also suggested that each bicycle bear the insignia of the Bihar government.<br />But I did not approve of the ideas. I thought that purchase of bicycles through tenders might give rise to corruption in future. Instead, I was in favour of handing over money through cheques directly to the beneficiaries. I thought it would not only simplify the entire process but also make the scheme transparent.<br />I, therefore, asked the then secretary of the Human Resource department to add Rs 160 to the lowest quoted price for each bicycle and launch the project straightaway. <br />Looking back, I derive a lot of satisfaction from the success of this project. It has brought about a real transformation in the field of girls’ education in Bihar. Now, our government has extended this scheme for schoolboys as well. Wherever I travelled in the state over the past three years, I used to find girls bubbling with enthusiasm but the boys looked downcast because they were not getting bicycles. But now, they have no reasons to complain.<br />A remarkable aspect of this project is that this has benefited students from all sections of society. It does not exclude anybody on the basis of caste, creed or economic background. The only eligibility criterion is that the beneficiary should be studying in Class VIII and above in a government-run school. <br />I have always believed that any society cannot progress unless its women progress -- and the women in any society cannot progress unless they are educated. This scheme is a small step in that direction. <br />This project personifies the winds of change blowing across the state today. Its long-term impact will be felt in a few years from now. But I have no hesitation to say that this has already helped Bihar emerge as a vibrant state which truly believes in empowering its women through various ways. Educating girls is one of them.Nitish Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02165925884481745079noreply@blogger.com791