Sunday, April 5

Bihar

Bihar’s Largest Greenfield International Airport to Come Up at Dariyapur Chanvar, Sonpur
Bihar, State

Bihar’s Largest Greenfield International Airport to Come Up at Dariyapur Chanvar, Sonpur

Patna, Bihar: Bihar is set to get its first greenfield international airport in Sonpur, Saran district (near Chapra), with the state government approving ₹1,302 crore for land acquisition. Spread over 4,200 acres, the airport is expected to be operational by 2030 and will be capable of handling large aircraft such as the Airbus A380. Location and Land AcquisitionThe airport will be developed in the Dariyapur Chanvar area, located between Hajipur and Dumaria. The allocated land ensures ample space for future expansion and the construction of a world-class airport terminal. The project aims to bridge the connectivity gap between Patna and North Bihar, situated just across the Ganga River, where the development of sufficient bridges will further enhance accessibility. Why Sonpur Airport...
BJP Adopts ‘New Look’ with Din Dayal Upadhyay Training Campaign, Gets ‘Winning Mantra’ from Varanasi
Bihar, Politics, State

BJP Adopts ‘New Look’ with Din Dayal Upadhyay Training Campaign, Gets ‘Winning Mantra’ from Varanasi

Patna/Varanasi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is gearing up to reach out to the grassroots with a refreshed approach as it launches the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Training Campaign in Bihar. The initiative, conceived in Varanasi, aims to strengthen party ideology and operational skills while equipping leaders with a ‘winning mantra’ ahead of upcoming political challenges. BJP’s ‘New Look’ in BiharThe Bihar unit of BJP intends to present itself in a renewed avatar, focusing on a deeper engagement with citizens. Termed a step toward “pure saffronisation,” the training campaign seeks to impart new political lessons and strengthen the party’s presence at every organizational level. Leaders from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand attended the Varanasi program, pledging to expand the cam...
“My Mother Is Not a Rajya Sabha Candidate”: Chirag Paswan Stakes NDA Claim on All Five Bihar Seats
Bihar, State

“My Mother Is Not a Rajya Sabha Candidate”: Chirag Paswan Stakes NDA Claim on All Five Bihar Seats

Patna, Bihar: With the 2026 Rajya Sabha elections approaching in Bihar, all five seats from the state are under focus. While the BJP and JDU have confirmed their candidates for four of the seats—two each—the fifth seat remains contentious. Speculation had been rife that Chirag Paswan’s mother, Reena Paswan, would contest the fifth seat. However, Chirag Paswan has now clarified that his mother will not be a candidate. Background Chirag Paswan dismissed the rumors regarding his mother’s candidacy, stating clearly in Patna that Reena Paswan will not contest the March Rajya Sabha elections. While he ruled out his mother’s participation, he did not comment on whether he or his party might stake a claim for the fifth seat. The speculation arose from previous arrangements during the 2025...
Tejashwi Yadav Slams Modi-Nitish Government Over Rising Crimes Against Women and Girls in Bihar
Bihar, Politics, State

Tejashwi Yadav Slams Modi-Nitish Government Over Rising Crimes Against Women and Girls in Bihar

Patna: Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and Leader of Opposition in the Bihar Assembly, Tejashwi Yadav, has once again launched a sharp attack on the state’s “double-engine” government led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Highlighting a series of recent crimes against women and minor girls, Yadav released a list of 14 disturbing incidents and demanded a response from the government. Social Media Post Sparks Controversy Tejashwi Yadav posted the list on social media, criticizing the government’s alleged failure to protect citizens. In his post, he wrote: “In the so-called Ram Rajya created by the Modi-Nitish government, such heinous incidents are occurring daily that even the media struggles to report them. From a 1.5-year-old girl to 11-year-old child...
From Royal Tables to International Plates: How Magahi Paan Became a Profitable Crop for Farmers
Bihar, State

From Royal Tables to International Plates: How Magahi Paan Became a Profitable Crop for Farmers

Patna, Bihar: Magahi Paan, a prized agricultural product from Bihar, has become a symbol of the state’s rich cultural and culinary heritage, finding its place not just in India but also on international tables in countries like Malaysia and Singapore. Renowned for its unique aroma and sharp, flavorful taste, Magahi Paan has received a GI (Geographical Indication) tag, reflecting its special identity and quality. Once favored in royal courts and nawabs’ gatherings, Magahi Paan is now a thriving business, providing livelihoods to thousands of families in Bihar, particularly in Aurangabad district. Why Is It Called Magahi Paan? The name originates from the Magadh region of southern Bihar, where the crop is primarily cultivated. Magahi Paan is grown across approximately 27 districts i...
Political Debate Rekindled in Bihar Over Liquor Ban: Will NDA Allies Sway Nitish Kumar?
Bihar, Politics, State

Political Debate Rekindled in Bihar Over Liquor Ban: Will NDA Allies Sway Nitish Kumar?

Patna, Bihar: The issue of Bihar’s liquor ban has once again sparked political debate, and this time the voices of dissent are coming from within the ruling coalition itself. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar faces a tricky situation as his own allies are now pushing for a review, raising questions about the future of prohibition in the state. Social Impact vs. Economic Concerns Nitish Kumar has consistently defended the liquor ban, emphasizing social reform and women’s safety over potential revenue loss. According to government data and police records, cases related to domestic violence and family disputes have reportedly decreased by 12–18% since the ban was implemented. The state claims that prohibition has also helped curb poverty and reduced the harmful effects of alcohol on household...
From Bihar to the UK Cabinet: Meet Kanishka Narayan, England’s AI Minister
Bihar, State

From Bihar to the UK Cabinet: Meet Kanishka Narayan, England’s AI Minister

Patna/Muzaffarpur: Kanishka Narayan, originally from Bihar, has made a remarkable journey from the heart of India to the corridors of power in the United Kingdom. Born in Muzaffarpur, Kanishka moved to the UK with his parents at the age of 12 in search of better opportunities. Two decades later, he returned to Bihar—not as a visitor, but as the UK’s Minister for Artificial Intelligence. Upon landing in Delhi, memories of his hometown flooded back. He took time out of his busy schedule to visit Muzaffarpur, meeting his extended family, including uncles, aunts, and cousins. Later, in Patna, he was warmly welcomed by JD(U) Member of Parliament and party executive president Sanjay Jha. Early Life and Education Kanishka Narayan was born in November 1989, hailing from his ancestral vill...
Exclusive: AIMIM Holds the Key in Bihar’s Rajya Sabha 2026 – The High-Stakes Game for the 5th Seat
Bihar, Politics, State

Exclusive: AIMIM Holds the Key in Bihar’s Rajya Sabha 2026 – The High-Stakes Game for the 5th Seat

Patna, February 21, 2026: Voting for the 2026 Rajya Sabha elections in Bihar is scheduled for March 16. While most seats seem straightforward for the major alliances, the contest for the fifth seat has turned into a high-stakes political chess game. Neither the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) nor the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) has an outright advantage, placing Asaduddin Owaisi’s AIMIM in a pivotal position. NDA’s Position The NDA, led by the BJP and JDU, can comfortably secure four Rajya Sabha seats using their assembly strength. However, the fifth seat poses a challenge. After allocating their votes for the first four, NDA will have only 10 votes remaining. Even if they bring in support from smaller allies—Chirag Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party (19 votes), Upendra Kushwaha’s ...
“My ₹2,000 from 1981—Will the Government Finally Give Us Land?” Senior Journalist Questions Bihar State Housing Board
Bihar, State

“My ₹2,000 from 1981—Will the Government Finally Give Us Land?” Senior Journalist Questions Bihar State Housing Board

Patna, February 21, 2026: The Bihar State Housing Board (BSHB) is once again in the spotlight, this time due to a long-standing grievance raised by senior journalist Surendra Kishore. Kishore has taken to social media to demand accountability for a deposit of ₹2,000 he made in 1981, which was meant to secure a plot of land in Patna’s Digha area. The 1981 Deposit Kishore explained that on April 15, 1981, he deposited ₹2,000 into the Housing Board’s account at the State Bank of India, taking a loan for the amount as he did not have sufficient personal funds. He retained the receipt, which he still carries, as the government, along with land mafias and other vested interests, allegedly sabotaged the housing scheme. The Board later instructed depositors to withdraw their advance payments...
Brahmins Become the New ‘Hotcakes’ of Politics from UP to Bihar
Bihar, Politics, State

Brahmins Become the New ‘Hotcakes’ of Politics from UP to Bihar

Patna, February 21, 2026: The Brahmin community has once again emerged as a pivotal force in Hindi heartland politics. From Akhilesh Yadav’s “Prabuddh” campaign in Uttar Pradesh to heated debates in the Bihar Assembly, the value of Brahmin votes is increasingly seen as the key to power. Political parties across states are now vying for their support, reflecting the community’s rising influence in elections. Uttar Pradesh: Brahmin Votes Key to Victory In Uttar Pradesh, where assembly elections are scheduled for next year, Brahmin votes hold immense sway. The Brahmin population, estimated at 11–13%, forms the largest segment among upper castes and plays a decisive role in over 100 assembly constituencies. Even leaders traditionally focused on Dalit and OBC politics, such as Akhilesh Ya...