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Time of India
28-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Saurath Sabha inaugurated amid dwindling relevance
Madhubani: Though diminished in spirit, the tradition of Saurath Sabha continues to survive in form. On Wednesday, the ceremonial inauguration of this historic event was carried out by Sadar SDO Chandan Jha, keeping the age-old custom formally alive. Saurath Sabha is a centuries-old matrimonial convention held annually at Saurath village, situated around 6 km northeast of Madhubani. Traditionally conducted during the Hindu months of Jyestha-Aasadh (June–July), the gathering was once a grand affair, drawing thousands of Maithil Brahmins who convened to arrange marriages for their children. The sabha is held in a 22-acre mango orchard called Sabha Gachhi, a site generously donated by the erstwhile Maharaja of Darbhanga. A key feature of this event is the presence of Panjikars—genealogists—who authenticate family lineages from ancient records to ensure there is no blood relation between prospective couples. Only after such verification is an Asvajajanapatra (no-objection certificate) issued, permitting the marriage. Once attracting crowds in the lakhs, the popularity of Saurath Sabha has sharply declined in recent decades. Factors like modernization, growing acceptance of inter-caste marriages, and unfavourable portrayal by the media as a "groom market" have contributed to its fall in relevance.
Time of India
21-04-2025
- Time of India
14 tractors seized for illegal sand mining in Gaya river, owners slapped penalty
Gaya: In a bid to check illegal mining and transportation of sand from the Falgu river, a team of mining department and district administration officials conducted raids at Bhadeja-Bhadeji in Manpur block under Mufassil police station area of Gaya, and seized 14 tractors involved in illegal mining and transportation of sand. The team also lodged FIR against the owners of tractors and imposed penalty worth around Rs 70 lakh on them. District magistrate Thiyagarajan SM said, "All sub-divisional officers, sub-divisional police officers and the circle officers have been asked to check illegal mining and transportation of sand in their respective jurisdiction. The raid was conducted between 5 to 7am on Monday. Officials concerned have been instructed to strictly realize the penalty imposed and take appropriate legal action in this connection." Senior superintendent of police, Anand Kumar, said, "Penalty of Rs 70 lakh was imposed through challan and the case lodged with Mufassil police station in this connection. A team jointly headed by Sadar SDO Kislay Shrivastavva and Wazirganj SDPO Sunil Pandey was constituted to conduct the raids, following information about illegal mining from Falgu river at Bhadeja. Further legal action is being taken in this connection." Due to excess mining, deep craters are created in the riverbed, which causes incidents of drowning, especially during the rainy season. Apart from this, it also causes huge loss to state exchequer, officials said.
