Category: Nalanda

Juvenile board asks minor to recite national anthem before acquittal

Source: hindustantimes.com

The Juvenile Justice Boards (JJB) in Nalanda on Friday asked a minor charged of theft to recite national anthem before acquitting his case. The JJ Board also asked the minor a few general knowledge questions and directed his guardians to take emotional care of the boy and make arrangements for his education.

The minor was caught by the locals while trying to steal a bag containing money at a bus stand under Parbalpur police station area in Nalanda in April this year and was handed over to the local police, who then sent him to Hilsa jail.

“It’s a case of violation of the child rights. Also, the way this case was handled by the police, indicates how insensitive people have been towards children and their rights and requirements. Now, things should be handled in very sensitive manner,” said Dharmendra Kumar, a member of the JJB.

“By the time the minor was brought to the JJB, he had already spent one and half month at the Hilsa prison while under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, he should have been brought here within 24-hours of arresting. He might have gone through emotional torture and must have suffered much at the prison.

“So during the hearing, the principal magistrate of JJB realised that no further investigation was necessary and that it would linger his trauma. He also felt that the minor needed emotional support and counselling instead of punishment. So he was asked a few general knowledge questions and was also asked whether he could recite national anthem,” the JJ Board member said. Rajesh Pathak, assistant prosecution officer, Nalanda, said the minor has been staying with his relatives as he has already lost his parents.

“He informed that he had a troubled life at his relatives place and on the day of the incident, he had hot discussion with the relatives and left home in a fit of anger. He was hungry and just to purchase food he had tried to steal money from the woman’s bag. He also said he had left school after passing class seven and now wanted to resume studies,” Pathak explained.

Dharmendra said his offence should have been put under general category.

“Instead, an FIR was lodged and he was put into Hilsa jail. Later a senior official at the prison noticed the minor among prisoners and recommended his case to the JJ Board where he was conformed to be a minor after medical examination,” Pathak added.

The JJ Board member said it was sad to see the lack of awareness among police about the JJ Act and its guidelines and they needed to be sensitised towards children’s rights.

“This was not the first time that a case was lodged against a minor and he was prisoned, there have been number of such cases. Though the JJ Board is supposed to dispose off the case within four months, in many cases the minor is brought to the board after weeks and months,” he said.

HEAVY MONSOON RAINS TO LASH PARTS OF PATNA, GAYA, PURNIA AND BEGUSARAI IN THE NEXT 24 HOURS

Source: skymetweather.com

Though the Monsoon has arrived long back over Bihar and Jharkhand, due to the absence of any significant weather systems, Monsoon remained deficit over these states. Only scattered rains were observed over a few places.

At present, a Cyclonic Circulation is lying over southeast Uttar Pradesh and adjoining Madhya Pradesh. Also, a trough is extending from Northwest India to Northwest Bay of Bengal across Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand.

These two systems will act as a catalyst and enhance the rainfall activities over Bihar and Jharkhand. We expect moderate rains over most of the places with few heavy spells during the next 24 hours. As a Trough is likely to shift further North, rainfall activity would cover most parts of Bihar and then the heavy rains might intensify. As per our experts, these heavy rains would continue over Bihar till July 11. Jharkhand too would receive moderate to heavy rains during the next three to four days. Thereafter, rainfall will decrease over the southern part but light to moderate rains will continue. Places like Supaul, Purnia, Araria, Patna, Gaya, Katihar, Aurangabad, Rohtas, Bhojpur, Begusarai, Munger, Nalanda, Buxar, etc are likely to be impacted by heavy to very heavy Monsoon rains in the next 24 hours.

This will be the first long spell after the initiation of Monsoon and the rains are likely to pay visit most parts of the states. Till date, for the Monsoon season, Bihar is rain deficit by 49% while Jharkhand is deficit by 44%. There are chances that with these hefty rains, deficiency levels might get recovered with a good percentage.

Annual Investiture Ceremony held in Hyderabad Public School

Source: thehansindia.com

Hyderabad: The Hyderabad Public School, Begumpet celebrated the Annual Investiture Ceremony on its magnificent campus on Saturday.

The chief guest was N V S Reddy, Managing Director, Metro Rail, Hyderabad. This traditional ceremony was graced by B Janardhan Reddy, Chairman , BOG , A Shyam Mohan President HPS Society, Gusti J Noria Vice Chairman , BOG, Faiz

Khan Secretary and Treasurer BOG. , M Radha Reddy, Secretary to BOG and other members of the HPS Society and the Board of Governors. H L Dutt , former Principal , The Hyderabad Public School was the Guest of Honour. The chief guest inspected the impressive parade led by The Nishan Toli bearing the School flag and the flags of the four colour houses- Nagarjuna, Nalanda, Taxila, and Vijayanagar, followed closely by NCC. The Parade Commander was II/o K Ravi Kumar.

Head Boy Designate Master Mihiran Choudhary , in his speech said he would strive to create an atmosphere that promotes creativity, and individuality among his fellow eaglets and incorporate new skill sets to help them develop as visionaries and self sufficient individuals, IshaGandham, Head Girl Designate, urged her peers , in her speech, to aim for the stars, always aspire to conquer new heights and rise to the challenges of life , unflinchingly. The audiences couldn’t help but marvel at their vision and clarity of thought.

SkandBali , The Principal ,presented the School Annual Report, lauding the multifarious achievements of the students in the academic and co- curricular fields in the year 2018-19.

The event ended in jubilation with the students forming a corridor, cheering on the Chief Guest and other dignitaries who graced the function.

Mindtree CEO Rostow Ravanan likely to resign in coming weeks as L&T becomes majority shareholder in IT fiRM

Source: firstpost.com

New Delhi: Mindtree Chief Executive Officer Rostow Ravanan is likely to resign in the coming weeks with infrastructure major L&T becoming a majority shareholder in the mid-sized IT company, according to sources.

Larsen and Toubro (L&T) had initiated a hostile takeover of Mindtree Ltd in March and has since then expanded its shareholding to a majority stake with large investors, like Nalanda, selling their shares in the ongoing open offer.

Mindtree founders had resisted the bid and had tried rallying support from Singapore-based Nalanda Capital and others.

One of the sources said Mindtree founders had supported Ravanan’s continuation to ensure business continuity but given the developments over the past few weeks, Ravanan will be expected to step down from his role in the coming weeks.

E-mails sent to Mindtree did not elicit any response.

Another source said the founders, which include Subroto Bagchi, NS Parthasarathy and Krishnakumar Natarajan (who together hold about 13 percent), may look at selling their shares as well in the open offer that concludes on 28 June.

Interestingly, L&T has recently secured three board positions at Mindtree that has eight members on the board (of which four were independent directors).

Mindtree co-founder Subroto Bagchi did not offer being considered for re-appointment to the board. The IT firm remained silent on how it plans to accommodate the three new L&T representatives.

In March, L&T had said it will buy 20.32 percent stake in Mindtree from VG Siddhartha and his coffee enterprise for over Rs 3,000 crore, marking India’s first-ever hostile takeover bid in the IT space.

Since then, L&T has steadily increased its holding in the Bengaluru-based tech firm to about 30 percent. L&T is currently in the process of an open offer to buy an additional 31 percent stake.

The open offer, with an offer price of Rs 980 per share, opened on 17 June and is slated to close on June 28. If the offer of 5.13 crore shares is subscribed fully, the engineering behemoth will end up with a 66.32 percent holding in Mindtree.

As of 26 June, L&T’s open offer had received bids for 4.83 crore shares or 94.16 percent of the offer.

Leh accords grand reception to ‘Pad Yatra for World Peace’

Source: statetimes.in

TSEWANG RIGZIN
LEH: A number of religious and political organisations of Leh accorded a grand reception to Pad Yatra at Shey, as around 200 monks, nuns and laypersons from Thailand reached Leh after a strenuous month-long ‘Pad Yatra (peace march) for World Peace’ from Bodhgaya via Dharamsala to Ladakh on foot.

The delegates of Pad Yatra started their journey from Bodhgaya last month after offering prayers at sacred Mahabodhi temple. After having an audience with Dalai Lama in Dharamsala and seeking his blessings on 25th May, the Sangha members embarked on a month-long spiritual journey on foot towards Ladakh, crossing the high Himalayan terrain. The yatra was led by lord Abbot of Royal Thai Temple, Singburi province in Thailand, Phrateppariyattisuthi Thongsuk and was organised in collaboration with Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre (MIMC), Leh. This was the 4th consecutive year of historic Dhamma Pad Yatra.

A number of leaders from different communities also took part in concluding part of Pad Yatra, for about 10 Km from Shey village to Central Institute of Buddhist Studies (CIBS) Choglamsar, and prayed for world peace. President Ladakh Gonpa Association, Gelong Shatup Chamba; Skyabje Tokdan Rinpoche, Dy Chairman LAHDC Leh, President Municipal Committee Leh Dr Isehy Namgyal, Vice President Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA) P T Kunzang, LBA Youth President Konchok Stag, LBA Women Wing President Rinchen Lamo, President Anjuman-Moin-Ul Islam Dr Abdul Qayom, President Anjuman Immamia Ashraf Ali Barcha, President Christian Association Dechen Chamgha, President District Congress Committee Tsering Namgyal, President Bar Association Leh Mohd Shafi Lasu, President All Ladakh Tour Operators Association Tsetan Angchok, Chief Patron Sindhu Darshan Yatra Samiti, Sr. RSS Pracharak Indresh Kumar and a number of people received the delegation of monks, nuns and laypersons on their arrival in Leh and also took part in the last leg of peace march.

Congratulating the delegates for a successful month-long Yatra for World Peace, founder-President MIMC, Bhikkhu Sanghasena expressed gratitude to all leaders from different communities of Leh for extending a warm welcome to the delegates from Thailand.

The Pad Yatra concluded at CIBS with inauguration of a three-day International Conference on ‘World Peace’, ‘150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’, and ‘Preservation of Cultural Heritage of Himalayas’ in Acharya Nagarjuna Auditorium of CIBS. The conference is being organised by MIMC in collaboration with Save the Himalayas Foundation, New Delhi; Nava Nalanda Mahavihara, Nalanda; Central Institute of Buddhist Studies (CIBS), Leh and Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, Leh.

Bihar man carries dead son on shoulders, district magistrate orders probe

Source: hindustantimes.com

The Nalanda district magistrate has ordered a probe after it came to light that a man was forced to carry the body of his eight-year-old son on his shoulders on Tuesday as the hearse at government hospital was unavailable at that time.

The incident brought back the memories last year’s incident in Odisha, where one Dana Manjhi was forced to walk 10 kilometers carrying his wife’s body on his shoulders as he was not provided any transport from the government hospital to his village in Kalahandi district.

Tuesday’s incident took place at the Sadar hospital at Biharsharif, 75 kms south-east of Patna.

Nalanda DM Yogendra Singh has sought clarification from the civil surgeon Parmanand Chowdhary and constituted a two-member team led by the SDM to investigate the matter.

“The incident has come to our knowledge but the lone hearse at Sadar hospital had gone to Silau and the man did not wait for its return. Instead, he preferred to carry the body on his shoulders,” the DM said.

Sources said the boy, from Sagar Sitabigha village of Parwalpur, fell unconscious while riding a bicycle. He was admitted to a private clinic from where he was referred to Biharsharif Sadar Hospital, where he died during the course of treatment.

The DM said this was second such incident in the district in recent times when an ambulance service had been found wanting. “A few months ago, the agency providing the service was penalised after it was found that the drivers were taking money from patients for the service provided,” he said.

Similar incidents in May 2017 in Majhaulia village of Muzaffarpur, and in October 2017 in Patna, had raised questions on health care system in the state.

Nalanda to exit Mindtree after Sebi questions role

Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com

MUMBAI: Nalanda Capital is exiting MindtreeNSE -1.54 %, having tendered its entire 10.6 per cent stake in the open offer by Larsen & Toubro on Monday, said sources aware of the development. Nalanda founder Pulok Prasad had opposed the takeover and held out against it for months. The fund will make a four-fold return on its investment if it sells all its shares.

The turnabout was attributed to the regulator having written to the Singapore-based public market fund, asking if it was acting in concert with the founders of Mindtree without triggering an open offer, sources said.

This came after a handful of institutional investors in L&T and Mindtree wrote to the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi), complaining against Prasad for allegedly provoking minority investors of Mindtree, ET reported on June 11. The investors asked the markets regulator to investigate if Prasad was acting in concert with Mindtree’s promoters and other investors opposed to L&T’s takeover.

If so, according to the letter, their combined shareholding as persons acting in concert (PAC) exceeded the regulatory threshold of 25 per cent, beyond which they needed to make an open offer to counter that of L&T.

Proxy advisory firm Ingovern also wrote to Sebi earlier this month on the issue, citing the independent directors’ committee recommendation of June 12.

The committee found L&T’s offer of Rs 980 a share a “fair and reasonable one.”

Legal sources said that even after tendering its shares, Nalanda, registered as a foreign portfolio investor (FPI) with Sebi, will have to respond to the show cause notice or face penal action by the regulator.

Nalanda, the single largest institutional investor in the midcap company, had from the start been vocal about its opposition to L&T’s $1.6-billion “hostile takeover attempts,” with Prasad rallying support from other minority shareholders such as Baburaj Pillai’s Singapore-based Arohi Asset Management Pte, which holds 2.44 per cent.

Prasad was of the opinion that L&T had undervalued Mindtree and that investors should hold out for a better deal. Nalanda’s average acquisition cost in Mindtree was Rs 260 per share and it has been holding its stake for 10 years, adding up to a 276 per cent return at Rs 1,254 crore if it manages to cash out entirely. The Sensex, in comparison, gained 168 per cent in the same 10-year period.

Prasad did not respond to queries and neither did Sebi.

Sources said Sebi has not yet received any response from Nalanda.

L&T currently has a 48 per cent stake, said people with knowledge of the matter. It mounted the takeover bid in March after entering into a deal to buy Cafe Coffee Day owner VG Siddhartha’s 20.32 per cent and placed an order with brokers to pick up another 15 per cent. It has been buying from Nemish Shah’s Enam Holdings, White Oak, Avendus Capital, HDFC Life Insurance and other public shareholders, such as mutual funds and foreign institutional investors (FIIs).

Subsequently, L&T launched an open offer for 51.3 million shares, or 31 per cent of Mindtree. It aims to take its holding to 66 per cent. Another institutional investor, Amansa Capital, sold its 2.6 per cent stake last Friday, while UTI Asset Management is likely to tender its 3 per cent holding later this week.

In the past few weeks, backchannel negotiations have seen the founders tone down their hostility. In a message to shareholders in the FY19 annual report, executive chairman Krishnakumar Natarajan and CEO and managing director Rostow Ravanan wrote that shareholders’ interests were paramount.

THAW IN THE BOARDROOM
Last week saw Mindtree giving the nod to L&T representatives on the board. The board will seek shareholder approval at the annual general meeting, scheduled in July, to induct five new members. They include three non-executive directors —SN Subrahmanyan, chief executive and managing director, L&T; R Shankar Raman, chief financial officer, L&T; and Jayant Patil, senior executive vice-president (defence business), L&T.

The others are independent directors — Prasanna Rangacharya Mysore and Deepa Wadhwa. Subroto Bagchi, one of the founders and a critic of the takeover, won’t seek reappointment.

Private schools still a pipe dream for poor in Bihar

Source: hindustantimes.com

A decade after Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, which mandated that 25% of seats in private schools be reserved for the poor children, Bihar presents a sorry picture in terms of the implementation of the landmark law, as revealed in a reply from state government under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.

For instance, in Arwal district, just 73 poor children got admission in private schools in 2016-17 while Sheohar fared marginally better with 213 such admissions.

Far more shocking has been the performance in Patna district. Hardly 936 poor children got admission in private schools in 2016-17. In Nalanda, the home district of chief minister Nitish Kumar, the figure stood at 1,532.

Darbhanga fared the best, with 4,329 poor children being admitted into private schools during 2016-17. Nawada came second with 4,300.

So far a the total number the poor children who got enrolled in private schools between 2011-12 and 2016-17 is concerned, Arwal again remained at the bottom with only 258 such admissions, followed by Shiekhpura (995).

Muzaffarpur fared the best in this five-year period, during which 7,782 poor children got admissions in private schools. Darbhanga (7,218), Nalanda (6,328) and Nawada (6,320) were also among the better off district in terms of education for poor children.

In Patna district, hardly 2,793 poor children were admitted into private schools during the five-year period.

“While the situation in Arwal is depressing, far more surprising is the performance of the state capital where the number of private schools is be very high,” said Shivprasad Rai, the RTI activist who had sought the information.

“Education department has also informed me that some amount, to be made to schools for such students, is due and will be cleared soon. Lapses seem to be at various levels,” he said.

Asked why he did not get the date for the last two years, Rai said, “I had asked for latest data as well, but the education department perhaps did not want to share the same. Even for this incomplete information, I had to struggle a lot. I had sought the information in March, but there was no response. In May, I moved the appellate authority and managed to procure the limited details.”

Giriwar Dayal Singh, additional secretary, education department, was not available to comment.

Five top districts Number of poor children enrolled in private school during 2016-17

*Darbhanga 4,329

*Nawada 4,300

*Saharsa 2,610

*Rohtas 2010

*Gopalganj 1,870

Five districts from the bottom poor children enrolled in private school during 2016-17

* Arwal 73

*Sheohar 213

* Gaya 232

*Khagaria 293

*Kishanganj 573

Five top districts poor children enrolled in private school from 2011-12 to 2016-17

* Muzaffarpur 7,782

* Darbhanga 7,218

* Nalanda 6,328

*Nawada 6,320

*Saharsa 4,918

Five districts from the bottom poor children enrolled in private school during 2016-17

* Arwal 258

* Shiekhpura 995

* Sheohar 1,003

*Khagaria 1070

* Lakhisarai, 1,342

(Source: Education department)

IRCTC Buddhist circuit tourist train: Explore destinations like Gaya, Nalanda, Lumbini in luxury; see details

Source: financialexpress.com

IRCTC Buddhist Circuit tourist train: This Indian railways tourism package offers a luxurious comfortable journey! According to Railway Minister Piyush Goyal, with its exquisite setting and wonderful services, the Buddhist Circuit tourist train ensures that passengers travel in absolute comfort. The new Buddhist Circuit Tourist train, launched last year, covers various key pilgrimage destinations across India and Nepal that are associated with the life of Gautam Buddha on an 8-day journey.

These pilgrimage places include Gaya, Bodhgaya, Rajgir, Nalanda, Varanasi, Sarnath, Kushinagar, Lumbini, Shravasti and Agra. Therefore, in case if you are planning to explore these destinations this year, these are the departure dates for the journey: September 21, October 5, 19, November 2, 16, 30, and December 14, 28.

Some of the salient features of the new Buddhist Circuit Tourist train are:

  • 4 First AC coaches, 2 Second AC coaches, 2 power cars, 1 Third AC coach for staff and one pantry car
  • Air-conditioned restaurant cars
  • Safety lockers for guests
  • Vinyl wrapped exteriors depicting monuments of India
  • CCTV cameras, fire detection and suppression system. passenger announcement system
  • Coffee vending machine, microwave oven, wine chiller, Baine marie
  • Automatic dish washer and plate dispensers, pantry car with electric hot plate, deep fat friers, deep freezers
  • Shower rooms and modular fittings in the toilets

As per the package rates, the journey on AC 1st Class will cost Rs 11,760 per night and Rs 82,260 for full tour (7 nights). While journey on AC 2nd Class will cost Rs 9,620 per night and Rs 67,310 for full tour. The tour package includes journey by exclusive air-conditioned train, road transport by AC coaches, sightseeing, accommodation, meals, English/Hindi speaking tour escort, entrance fees of monuments/sightseeing trips as well as travel insurance .

However, the package does not include visa fees, items of personal nature such as laundry, medicines, alcoholic drinks etc., road transfers to and from Delhi’s Safdarjung railway station, hotel stay in Delhi before and after the trip, air ticket, visa charges etc., fees for still/flash video camera at the monuments and other places as well as any other service that is not mentioned in the package.

On cancellation before 45 days or more before the commencement of the trip, 10% of the total cost is charged. Cancellation from 44 to 15 days, 25% is deducted; 14 to 7 days, 50% is deducted and within the period of 7 days or before the scheduled date of the departure, no refund is granted.

Mindtree takeover battle: SEBI urged to probe Nalanda Capital’s conduct

Source: moneycontrol.com

Soon after the announcement of L&T’s open offer for 31 percent stake in Mindtree, a section of the investors’ community has complained to the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), fanning the flames of discord between L&T and Mindtree promoters on the proposed transaction. CNBC-TV18 has learnt that a section of the domestic investors has complained to the market regulator about the conduct of Nalanda Capital and has charged it with acting in concert with the promoters of Mindtree.

In a fresh round of charges, minority shareholders of L&T have asked if Nalanda Capital is acting in concert with the Mindtree promoters and a few other investors. If so, their combined shareholding as persons acting in concert (PAC) certainly exceeds the regulatory threshold of 25 percent (as per regulations 3(1) and 4 of SAST regulations) which obliges them to make an open offer, or in this case a competing offer to L&T’s open offer as that got announced first.

According to sources, minority shareholders of L&T, mostly mutual funds, may have urged SEBI “to investigate and take appropriate action against the people involved in this violation of rules meant to safeguard the interest of minority shareholders.”

Mindtree has proposed an astronomical dividend pay-out of Rs 24/share this year, which is much higher than their dividend payout in past many years. This will erode the company of almost half its cash reserves at a time when another company is in the process of acquiring it and their open offer price factors in the cash component as part of the valuation. This may also lure the shareholders to hold on to the stock and not tender shares in the open offer as the record date for the dividend is early July, after the open offer date of June 17 to June 28.