Latest news with #Choubey
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
From Paris to puddles: Patna sinks beneath a deluge of political promises
1 2 Patna: Just a few hours of monsoon rain were enough to lay bare the crumbling dreams of an "international" Patna. Despite over two decades of grand declarations and political promises, Bihar's capital remains, quite literally, a "floating city". Forget transforming Patna into a smart city, many residents struggle simply to walk safely through its flooded roads with waterlogging now a defining feature, whether in low-income neighbourhoods or high-security VIP zones. It was shortly after the NDA came to power in Nov 2005, toppling the 15-year-long RJD rule, that then urban development and housing minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey vowed to remake Patna in the image of Paris. His dramatic pledge created hope and headlines. For the first time in years, there was talk of giving Patna a modern, global facelift. But the dream evaporated just as quickly as Choubey was moved to the health department and "Paris" became nothing more than political poetry. Fast-forward to March last year, deputy CM Samrat Choudhary conjured up a new fantasy – a London-style township in Patna. "In London, people feel comfortable while walking. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Swelling and internal bleeding in the brain, help this baby Donate For Health Donate Now Undo In Patna, high levels of air pollution make walking difficult. The air pollution level in Patna is 400 AQI, whereas in London it is 0.4," Choudhary said at a press briefing. He also promised CCTV surveillance in narrow lanes and serious efforts to combat pollution. But more than a year later, the city remains unchanged and choking. RJD leader and former deputy CM Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, now his party's face for chief ministership, went further in his "international" wish-list. "If our govt is formed, we will turn the state into Scotland," he told reporters earlier this month. "BJP leaders are all immature. They talk about religious practices and clerical scripts. We will not allow caste and religious politics in Bihar," he added. Even Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a vision for Patna, albeit a more localised one. "I would like to see Patna developed as Pune, just as Motihari should be developed like Mumbai and Gaya as Gurugram," he said while addressing a rally in Motihari on July 18. But while leaders daydreamed, the skies opened and the streets drowned. Just 10 hours of monsoon rain were enough to expose the farcical nature of these global ambitions. Localities such as Old Secretariat, the Haj Bhawan area, Patel Nagar, the railway station surroundings and even the Gardanibagh hospital campus were submerged under rainwater. Office-goers were seen wading through waist-deep water, shoes and sandals in hand. The minister for urban development and housing, however, offered a different explanation. "Waterlogging happened since Patna experienced heavy rain for a continuous 10 hours, but our officials are working hard to free from this problem," the minister said, adding he had personally visited several affected areas. But the public isn't buying it. "How is the idea of turning Patna into Paris, Modi ji?" asked former state Congress president Madan Mohan Jha, reacting to the scenes of flooded streets and frustrated citizens. "We heard big claims about making Patna Paris, London, Shanghai and Scotland, but the situation on the ground remains entirely different," said city resident Rajiv Kumar Singh. "Let aside Patna turning into an international city, we would be more than happy if it simply remains Patna, free from dirt, waterlogging and pollution." With a wry smile, he added, "Patna ko Patna hi rahne dijiye to thik hai (Just let Patna be Patna, that would be enough). "
Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
ACB told to file counter affidavit in IAS arrest
Ranchi: The Jharkhand high court on Friday directed the anti-corruption bureau (ACB) to file a supplementary affidavit in a petition filed by suspended IS officer, Vinay Choubey. Choubey has been behind bars and has been arrested on May 20, for his alleged involvement in the Rs 38 crore liquor scam. The case will again be heard on August 1. Choubey has challenged his arrest on the ground that the Supreme Court guidelines to be followed prior to arresting of an accused has not been followed by the bureau. Ranchi: The Jharkhand high court on Friday directed the anti-corruption bureau (ACB) to file a supplementary affidavit in a petition filed by suspended IS officer, Vinay Choubey. Choubey has been behind bars and has been arrested on May 20, for his alleged involvement in the Rs 38 crore liquor scam. The case will again be heard on August 1. Choubey has challenged his arrest on the ground that the Supreme Court guidelines to be followed prior to arresting of an accused has not been followed by the bureau.
Time of India
6 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Bokaro admin begins RTE admissions in pvt schools
Bokaro: The Bokaro district administration has initiated the enrolment process under the Right to Education (RTE) Act, facilitating the admission of students from Below Poverty Line (BPL) families to 47 private schools across the district. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now According to the district superintendent for education (DSE), Atul Kumar Choubey, a total of 1,506 online applications were received for the 2025-26 academic session. However, only 875 were found valid, while 631 were rejected due to incomplete or invalid documentation. In the first phase, the administration released a list of 588 selected students based on their school preferences. These students can secure admission in their allotted schools by July 31. Additionally, a waiting list of 287 students has been prepared for the next round. "The entire process was carried out online through the official RTE portal ( ensuring transparency and efficiency," said Choubey.
Time of India
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
‘Sanatan Mahakumbh a call for cultural unity'
Buxar: Former Union minister and senior BJP leader Ashwini Kumar Choubey visited Buxar on Thursday as part of a Janjagran Abhiyan to promote the upcoming Sanatan Mahakumbh, scheduled for July 6 at Gandhi Maidan in Patna. Addressing a press conference, Choubey said the event was more than a religious gathering. "The Mahakumbh is a socio-cultural Mahayagna for national awakening. It aims to revive Sanatan values, promote social harmony and reinforce India's cultural unity," he said. "If Sanatan exists, the nation exists and so do political parties. All Hindus and Muslims in this country are Sanatanis," he added. Choubey confirmed that the event would see participation from Shankaracharyas, Mahamandaleshwars, religious leaders and cultural organisations nationwide. Jagadguru Ramanandacharya Swami Shri Rambhadracharya Ji Maharaj and the heads of major Akhadas and Vedic institutions are also expected to attend. A key highlight will be an ideological seminar on the theme 'Waiting for Lord Parashuram'. "The theme represents an awakened social consciousness, one that stands against injustice, upholds equality and furthers nation-building through Sanatan culture," Choubey said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo He urged people from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan to attend and bring conches (shankhs) from home. "When thousands of conches are blown together at Gandhi Maidan, it will be a sight to behold," he said. Reiterating an earlier demand, Choubey called for a grand statue of Lord Ram to be installed in Buxar, his Karmabhoomi. He also revealed that renovations of the long-neglected Light and Sound House near Ramrekha Ghat are nearing completion. With Rs 6 crore sanctioned by the ministry of tourism, the site will soon feature a laser and light show based on epics like the Ramayana.
Time of India
12-06-2025
- Time of India
ACB court quashes liquor scam accused Vinay's plea
Ranchi: The special anti-corruption bureau (ACB) court on Thursday quashed a protest petition filed by suspended IAS officer and Rs 38-cr liquor scam accused, Vinay Choubey, against the extension of his judicial remand. Sources said Choubey had filed the petition claiming that even as his remand is being extended, no progress is shown in the probe. After hearing Choubey's arguments and the prosecution's side, the court rejected the plea. ACB had arrested Choubey along with excise officer Gajendra Singh on May 20. It nabbed Jharkhand State Beverage Corporation Limited's general manager (finance) Sudhir Kumar Das, and the corporation's GM (operations-cum-finance) Sudhir Kumar along with the local representative of M/s Marshann Innovate Security Service Limited Neeraj Kumar Singh on May 21. The court allowed a two-day remand of the accused persons to the ACB, which started the interrogation of the two GMs and Neeraj on Thursday. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
