Cool Bihari

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Women Achievers from Bihar

Women achievers from Bihar are second to none when it comes drive change initiatives. They are truly inspiring, and setting notes for others to strive for more. Be it administration, social innovation, art, media or any other alternate career stream, we are seeing a major change in their contribution towards social change.

Bandana Priyadarshi achievements are exemplary ,as the is district magistrate of Siwan, Bihar she has set her eyes for conducting a fair and fearless lok sabha elections 2009 in Bihar. Known for her intrepid and fierce doggedness, she has clearly left indelible footprints in her domain. Her no nonsense has often put her on sticky wickets but every time the officer proves a point when she raises her voices.

Earlier in 2007, Preyashi's ire was felt by don-turned-ruling Janata Dal-United (JD-U) legislator Anant Singh. Known as Chhote Sarkar in the area, the lawmaker from Mokama found all his food grain godowns sealed by the official after the state government ordered all the godowns in the state to be shifted to market committees. She was also famous because there had not been a single violent incident during the panchayat polls in Barh and Mokama in 2006 when Preyashi was the sub divisional officer.

Preyashi has been spending hours out in the field, meeting voters, inspecting campaign vehicles herself, assessing the security at the polling booths and spreading the word that the strictest action will be taken against anyone who breaks the law on polling day.

"You have to delegate and trust. The grassroot work force has to be motivated and you have to lead by example," says the district magistrate who has built up a credible reputation in her relatively short career.

Another Bihari girl is making her mark in the tinsel town . Archana Sharma, a model based in Bihar, is all set to debut in Tamil. The film, titled ‘Thozhi’, has her paired with Prabha, who has so far played the hero in films like ‘Pirappu’ and ‘Mittaai’.

A story preaching reverence to one’s parents, ‘Thozhi’ is being directed by Ilango Lakshmanan, who has also penned the story and the screenplay. The film is said to revolve around the lives of four youngsters, and is being produced by V Pictures.

Labels: Archana Sharma, Bandana Priyadarshi, Bihari Talent, Bihari Young Turks, Bihari Youth Icon, Newsmaker from Bihar, Social Service, Women achiever from Bihar

Posted by Ajit Chouhan at 10:47 AM | Permalink | Comments

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Bihari Women Honoured by UNDP

A woman sarpanch of the gram kutchheri (rural court)in Minapur recently received global accolades for delivering instant, and correct, justice.

The United Nation Development Project (UNDP) also filmed her while delivering a verdict and will use the footage for a documentary on her.

Meet Kiran Devi, sarpanch of Raghai panchayat in Minapur block of the district. Declaring Kiran a role model, the UNDP said her story would be showcased on the TV in the United Nations for settling disputes efficiently in rural areas, without asking for a single penny in return. A team of the UNDP, led by VK Sinha, visited this sleepy hamlet and filmed her work during their day-long stay.

Talking to HT over phone from New Delhi, Dr Sinha, who supervises the development work of the UNDP in India, said the UN body declared Kiran the best judge after closely observing her performance at the gram kutchheri and comparing with those in seven states of India. Details of gram kutchheris had been procured from the Central Rural Development Department, he said.

A partially educated Kiran, who regularly holds gram kutchheri under a Pipal tree, enjoys full support of her fellow villagers. So far, she has delivered 163 verdicts and not a single one has been challenged till date as, says Kiran, she always tries to deliver an unbiased verdict.

The penalty amount is deposited with the District Calamity Relief Fund after consulting all gram kutchheri members, Kiran said.

Labels: Bihar 2.0, Newsmaker from Bihar, Social Service, Women achiever from Bihar

Posted by Ajit Chouhan at 11:23 PM | Permalink | Comments

Saturday, December 08, 2007

Appan Samachar-Women News channel in Bihar

Aapaan Samachar is an all-women community news network located in Bihar’s remote Ramlila Gachi village.

"We look around for issues that affect the villagers, shoot them and then put them on air,” says the channel’s news anchor Khushboo.

This news network runs on minimum resources. Reporters, camerapersons and anchors, all move around on bicycles with their handycams, looking for stories of human interest.

Aapaan Samachar is free to air. The network, in addition to providing news that is of use to these villagers, is also a vehicle for women empowerment. This makes Santosh Anand, who has funded the initiative, a proud man.

“It’s a great move in the direction of women empowerment. The parents of these girls want their daughters to move ahead in life and venture into such initiatives," he says.

Managing with bare minimum resources, the channel has far-reaching impact. The issues raised by these firebrand reporters concern everyone, making this news channel No. 1 in the race for eyeballs.

Watch the Video on IBN-CNN live.

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

Labels: Appan Samachar, Bihar 2.0, Development Projects in Bihar, Grassroot Innovation, Social Entrepreneurs, Women achiever from Bihar

Posted by Ajit Chouhan at 1:48 PM | Permalink | Comments

Monday, March 26, 2007

Bihari lady with a difference

Mahjabeen Sarwar is a lady with a difference. She was born and brought up and now lives with her husband and family in Patna, the capital of Bihar. The daughter of Abdul Hameed, a head clerk at Patna’s G.P.O., Mahjabeen studied at the Madrasa Sulaimania in Patna city, and eventually acquired a Fazil degree, equivalent to a conventional master of arts.

Sarwar says” I do social work because it gives me happiness, and a feeling of fulfillment. I aim to deliver what people need, for instance, if a woman is hungry, employment to continuously satisfy her hunger, or if a child desires an education, the means to study. Safeenah is an Urdu word denoting a boat. You could say my slogan is “besaharon ko manzil tak pahunchana” – reach the helpless to their desired destination. I achieve this via Safeenah – my platform, my boat.

In November 2006, she was conferred the Rani Laxmi Bai of Jhansi, Stree Shakti Puraskar for her outstanding work in the area of woman empowerment in the year 2002. She was actually singled out for fighting for justice for exploited women. Mahjabeen thus made a record – by becoming the first Muslim woman receive this award. Read here for more on how she feels about this recognition, why she was given the award and whether she has faced any difficulties along the way.

Labels: Mahjabeen Sarwar, Women achiever from Bihar

Posted by Ajit Chouhan at 12:07 AM | Permalink | Comments