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The TrickyScribe

A Tribute to 250 Years of the Copper Ticket & 107 Years of Patna GPO

by Editor's Desk November 22, 2024

Team TrickyScribe: In a historic celebration of postal heritage, the Chief Postmaster General of Bihar, Anil Kumar, released a special My Stamp at Meghdoot Bhawan, the Patna GPO campus. The stamp marks two milestones: 250 years of the Copper Ticket, the world’s first prepaid mail token, and 107 years of the iconic Patna GPO building.

Honoring Postal Innovations

Speaking at the ceremony, Kumar highlighted the significance of the Copper Ticket in revolutionizing communication. “On March 31, 1774, the Copper Ticket, the first ‘prepaid token,’ was introduced to facilitate the conveyance of mail from Azimabad, now Patna. Issued by the East India Bengal Presidency during the administration of Governor General Warren Hastings, this innovation laid the foundation for modern postal services,” he said. Kumar also recognized the roles of Thomas Evans, Postmaster General, and Charles Graeme, Deputy Postmaster General, in implementing this landmark initiative.

A Century of Patna GPO

Kumar also celebrated the architectural and historical legacy of the Patna GPO, which was designed in the British Revival Gothic style after Bihar’s separation from Bengal in 1912. Built on 22 acres with a total area of 1.93 lakh sq. ft., the GPO was constructed between 1915 and 1917 under the supervision of English architect Joseph Philips Munning. Kumar noted, “The building, inaugurated on July 1, 1917, at a cost of ₹2.69 lakh, remains a symbol of Bihar’s rich postal history. Renovated in 2000 at a cost of ₹1.25 crore, it now boasts five gardens, two murals, a majestic millennium gate, and three porticos.”

Public Engagement and Future Outreach

The My Stamp is available to the public, allowing individuals to personalize the stamp with their photographs alongside the theme of the Copper Ticket and Patna GPO. Kumar encouraged residents to visit their nearest post offices to avail themselves of this unique offering.

Distinguished Attendees

The event witnessed the presence of senior postal officials, including Parimal Sinha, Postmaster General (North Region, Muzaffarpur), Manoj Kumar, Postmaster General (East Region, Bhagalpur), and Pawan Kumar, Director Postal Services. Several officers, including Narsingh Mahto, Ranjay Kumar Singh, Manish Kumar, Robin Chandra, and Kumari Sarita, were also present. The event attracted philatelists, media personnel, and members of the general public, marking a proud moment for Bihar.

Preserving History

This initiative not only commemorates two significant chapters in postal history but also reinforces the importance of preserving and celebrating heritage. The Patna GPO and the Copper Ticket serve as enduring symbols of Bihar’s cultural and historical richness.

Total Views: 2,13,961

November 22, 2024

NewsFeed

Former PHC Judge Seeks CBI Inquiry Into Former CJI DY Chandrachud’s Conduct; Petition Highlights Alleged Abuse of Authority

by Editor's Desk November 22, 2024

written by Editor's Desk

Law Kumar Mishra | Team TrickyScribe: In a formal petition addressed to the President of India, retired Justice Rakesh Kumar has sought permission under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the actions of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dr. D.Y. Chandrachud. The complaint pertains to the alleged improper constitution of Supreme Court benches on July 1, 2023, during the court’s summer vacation, to grant interim relief to Teesta Setalvad, who is accused of serious crimes.

Teesta Setalvad’s Legal Saga

Teesta Setalvad has been accused of forging evidence and attempting to implicate unrelated individuals in politically sensitive cases, allegedly destabilizing the Gujarat government during Narendra Modi’s tenure as Chief Minister. Following the Gujarat High Court’s rejection of her bail plea on July 1, 2023, Setalvad swiftly appealed to the Supreme Court. A Special Bench was constituted on the same day to hear her appeal but could not reach a consensus. The matter was then escalated to a larger bench, which granted her interim relief.

Allegations Against the CJI

The petitioner alleges that CJI Chandrachud’s actions in constituting both benches on the same day displayed undue urgency, raising questions about procedural propriety. Furthermore, it is claimed that the larger bench was formed while Dr. Chandrachud was attending a cultural program, and not present at the court premises or his official residence, which adds to the allegations of impropriety.

Claims of Extraneous Influence

Justice Rakesh Kumar has suggested that the CJI’s conduct may have been influenced by external pressures, including financial inducements, aimed at destabilizing a democratically elected government. He argues that these actions warrant an independent investigation by the CBI, as they potentially violate Sections 7, 7A, and 8 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, which address abuse of position and undue advantage by public servants.

A Request for Presidential Intervention

The petition calls on the President of India to:

1. Grant permission under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act for an inquiry into the CJI’s conduct.

2. Direct the CBI to undertake an in-depth investigation, with the authority to file a regular case if other cognizable offenses are discovered during the inquiry.

Procedural Concerns in Bench Constitution

The petition also highlights procedural irregularities, noting that the Supreme Court was on summer vacation from May 22 to July 3, 2023. While the Registry remained operational, the urgency shown in constituting the Special and larger benches on July 1, immediately after the Gujarat High Court’s decision, was unusual and, according to the petitioner, indicative of external influences.

Call for Judicial Accountability

Justice Rakesh Kumar has clarified that his petition does not question the judicial orders passed by the Supreme Court but seeks accountability for the alleged misuse of authority by the CJI. The petition emphasizes the importance of upholding public confidence in the judiciary and ensuring that no individual, regardless of rank, is above scrutiny when allegations of impropriety arise.

Awaiting Presidential Decision

The petition now awaits the President’s decision to initiate the requested inquiry, which could have significant implications for judicial transparency and the integrity of India’s legal system.

Total Views: 2,51,845

November 22, 2024

Art & Culture

A ‘maikadah’ at a UP shrine

by Editor's Desk November 21, 2024

written by Editor's Desk

Faizan Ahmad | Team TrickyScribe: Last Friday I visited the suburban small town Dewa, a little 10 km away from Barabanki, where I was staying to attend a wedding. Dewa or called Dewa Sharif with reverence is famous for the shrine of Hazrat Waris Ali Shah, whose followers use the suffix of Warsi.

An annual mela or fare in this small town is held in the month of Kartik and 12 days before Diwali, which is also very popular not only among the followers of Haji Waris Piya but also the people living in the countryside of Dewa, 37 km from Lucknow.

Dewa has become a pilgrim town exclusively because of the mausoleum of Waris Ali Shah (1823-1905) whose followers are spread over the world and they come here to pay obeisance during the mela or Urs or any other time. Hundreds of people, belonging to different faiths, mainly women line up at the entrance of the mazar every time it is opened.

But what utterly surprised me to see a signboard on a small building, a little ahead of the mausoleum which reads in bold letters “Khanqah Aaliya Warsi Maikadah” in Urdu and English. As far as my knowledge goes Maikadah, a Persian word, is called a place where wine is served or in plain words a bar. Since it was locked that day, I couldn’t find out what it was and what it offered.

Haroon Warsi, chairman of Dewa Nagar Palika, said that this building was constructed by Waris Ali Shah’s Hindu woman devotee Jamal Shah Mastani who came from Gwalior. “There are some rooms there where her followers stay and nothing else happens there,” he said on phone from Dewa.

Asked why this word Maikadah was used there, Warsi said the word is seemingly linked to ‘nasha’ of devotion. “His devotees are intoxicated under the great devotion and for them this is the Nasha.”

It will not be out of place to mention here that one can easily find some outlets selling chilled bear and countrymade liquor close to the shrine campus obviously to fulfill the requirements of the devotees. Liquor is not prohibited in UP like Bihar but it should not be allowed at least near the pilgrim sites by the local administration.

Mausoof Ahmed Khan, the descendants of a zamindar family in Mawai block in Ayodhya district, said in that building raised by Jamal Shah Mastani, qawwali sessions are held during the Urs of Waris Shah’s father Syed Qurban Ali Shah, whose mazar is located nearby. He said Waris Piya used to visit his ancestors.

Another landed gentry Munir Ahmad Khan of Anar Patti village talked about one big landlord Thakur Pancham Singh during the lifetime of Waris Ali Shah and was a great devotee. He said possibly the observance of Holi was started by him when the saint was alive and he approved it.

It is said that Holi is played in the shrine’s campus by both Hindus and Muslims with flower petals and yellow abir. They believe that non Muslims from the nearby villages would visit the saint when he was alive and sprinkle abir and petals at his feet on Holi day and he would bless them. This practice still continues and his followers from far flung areas come to play Holi.

Total Views: 2,98,285

November 21, 2024

NewsFeed

Viral Video from Gaya Central Jail: Inmates Caught Talking Openly on Mobile Phones

by Editor's Desk November 21, 2024

written by Editor's Desk

Team TrickyScribe: Gaya Central Jail in Bihar is in the spotlight again, with a video going viral showing inmates openly using mobile phones inside the prison. This comes despite the Bihar Home Department’s guidelines aimed at preventing contraband and mobile phones from reaching inmates. The video not only reveals prisoners making calls but also captures other activities such as cooking and chopping vegetables, shedding light on the harsh reality inside the jail.

Frequent Raids, Yet No Results

District and jail administrations frequently claim to conduct weekly raids to seize unauthorized items. However, these claims ring hollow as mobile phones continue to thrive inside the facility. Recently, threats were allegedly issued from Gaya Central Jail via mobile phones, but no devices were recovered in subsequent raids. The viral video raises serious questions about the credibility of these raids, suggesting that inmates might be tipped off beforehand.

Administration Under Scrutiny

The video highlights two inmates using mobile phones—one talking while brushing his teeth, and another casually conversing. The video has sparked concerns over the administration’s effectiveness, with suspicions growing about the jail officials’ involvement in enabling such activities. One of the inmates seen in the video has been identified as Amarjit Tiger, a notorious criminal currently imprisoned in the jail. The fact that the video itself was recorded on a mobile phone indicates the widespread availability of such devices inside the jail.

Repeated Complaints and Allegations

Gaya Central Jail has a history of mobile phone misuse. Threats issued to Tikari SDM Sujit Kumar and a Patna-based businessman were previously traced back to this jail. Jail superintendent Rajesh Kumar Singh was reportedly warned by district authorities but continues to hold his position despite allegations of negligence and complicity. The Home Department has been informed multiple times about the jailer’s suspected role, but no action has been taken.

Authorities Assert Action After Public Backlash

Following the video’s emergence, questions have intensified regarding the jail administration’s accountability and the state’s inability to ensure strict compliance with rules. While Gaya SSP Ashish Bharti refrained from an on-camera comment, he acknowledged the recurring complaints and assured that the matter is being investigated thoroughly, promising stringent action against those responsible.

Total Views: 1,98,377

November 21, 2024

Art & Culture

Dev Deepawali: A Celebration of Divine Light and Dedication to the Ganges

by Editor's Desk November 17, 2024

written by Editor's Desk

Team TrickyScribe: Dev Deepawali, or the “Festival of Lights of the Gods,” marking the victory of Lord Shiva over the demon Tripurasura, is celebrated on Kartik Purnima. Dev Deepawali celebrations were organised in Munger under the joint aegis of Lions Club, Sanskar Bharati, Munger, Akhil Bharatiya Marwari Sammelan, Munger Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Arya Samaj and Indian Red Cross Society.

A Decade of Devotion to Maa Ganga

Initiative of organising an annual was taken a decade ago by seven members, including Amit and Ravi Prakash Chopra when an ITBP (Indo-Tibetan Border Police) river rafting team visited Munger, inspiring the founders to embark on a journey to the Ganga Sagar with the ITBP team.

Over the years, countless initiatives have been undertaken to serve and protect Maa Ganga, symbolizing a deep commitment to nature and spirituality.

Tradition and Rituals

The celebration of Dev Deepawali begins with a holy dip in the Ganga, a ritual believed to cleanse sins and purify the soul. As the sun sets, the Ganga ghats come alive with the glow of millions of earthen lamps (diyas), arranged meticulously to honor the gods. The air resonates with the chants of Vedic hymns, devotional songs, and the grand Ganga Aarti. The sight of floating diyas on the river creates a celestial ambiance, reflecting the spiritual fervor of the devotees.

On this occasion, Deep Daan (lamp donation) is performed, symbolizing the offering of light to the divine and seeking blessings for prosperity, peace, and spiritual growth.

Spiritual and Environmental Significance

Dev Deepawali is not just a celebration of divine light but also a reminder of our duty to protect and cherish the environment. The cultural programs, rituals, and community involvement underscore the festival’s broader purpose—preserving the sanctity of the Ganga and fostering harmony between humanity and nature.

As diyas illuminate the ghats and hearts of devotees, Dev Deepawali serves as a beacon of hope and spiritual awakening, inspiring individuals to connect with their roots and work toward the greater good. This festival continues to thrive as a unique blend of devotion, cultural richness, and environmental awareness, making it a cherished tradition across generations.

Total Views: 1,73,418

November 17, 2024

Public Health & Nutrition

Darbhanga Medical College & Hospital (DMCH) Hosts BAPICON 2024

by Editor's Desk November 17, 2024

written by Editor's Desk

Team TrickyScribe: BAPICON 2024, brought together hundreds of medical professionals at Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital (DMCH). The three-day event served as a platform for knowledge-sharing on advancements in medical science and treatment techniques.

Over 600 Delegates, Including Experts from Across India and Abroad

The conference witnessed the participation of over 600 delegates, including renowned physicians and specialists from Bihar and other states. The event was a melting pot of ideas and innovations, fostering discussions on the latest trends and challenges in medicine.

Students Gain Insight into Advanced Treatment Methods

Dr. U.C. Jha, the conference chairperson, highlighted the significance of the event in educating students and junior doctors. “Through this conference, our students will gain in-depth knowledge about complex diseases and their treatments directly from experts. This will immensely benefit their learning and patient care,” he said.

The event emphasized equipping young medical practitioners with cutting-edge techniques and fostering a culture of collaboration and exchange of ideas among medical professionals.

Pharmaceutical Companies Showcase Latest Innovations

The conference also featured 42 stalls set up by leading pharmaceutical companies, showcasing new medications and treatment options for emerging diseases. This interaction provided doctors with valuable insights into advancements in drug development and their applications in patient care.

Revival of Annual Conference After Years

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Jha expressed pride in hosting the 34th annual conference after a gap of several years. “This conference is a golden opportunity for junior doctors and students at DMCH to learn from eminent experts in the field of medicine,” he said.

A Platform for Knowledge Exchange and Collaboration

The event not only enriched the knowledge of students and practitioners but also fostered a sense of camaraderie among attendees. Discussions and presentations during the three-day conference served as a valuable resource for participants, paving the way for better treatment protocols and patient outcomes.

BAPICON 2024 at DMCH has set a benchmark for medical conferences, creating an environment for learning, collaboration, and innovation in the field of medicine.

Total Views: 71,859

November 17, 2024

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