The Times of India

Patna University, already engaged in adopting five villages for development since 2018 under the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan, is set to re-evaluate its progress. Initially managed by NSS, the initiative aimed to provide technological solutions and improve government scheme implementation. The university now plans a fresh start to ensure comprehensive socio-economic and cultural growth in these adopted villages.

Protests erupted at Kargil Chowk after a medical aspirant died, with parents alleging sexual assault. Police are investigating a potential sleeping pill overdose, citing urine analysis and recovered pills. A gynaecologist found no evidence of assault, and the deceased's phone showed searches on poisons. Further action awaits the postmortem report.

Bihar's Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit has ordered swift action against slow-moving contractors on key infrastructure projects, including the North Koel Reservoir and Mandai Weir. He stressed increasing resources if needed. Discussions also covered the Tajpur-Bakhtiyarpur bridge, with assurances of timely completion. Officials are to conduct regular site visits to resolve issues promptly.

In a shocking incident in Patna City, a seemingly minor disagreement escalated into a brutal street fight, resulting in the tragic death of 25-year-old Bittu Kumar and injuries to two other individuals. Eyewitnesses reported how quickly the situation spiraled, with knives drawn and a community left reeling.

RJD MP Surendra Yadav found himself at the center of controversy after a video emerged of him hurling abusive comments at voters and the Yadav community regarding the recent election outcomes.

A suspected honour killing has shaken Muzaffarpur, where a man allegedly murdered his son-in-law for marrying his daughter against the family's wishes. The victim, Ayush Kumar, was shot dead by his wife's father and relatives just weeks after their registered love marriage. The grieving widow has accused her family, who are now on the run, of the brutal act.

Darbhanga police apprehended an RJD youth wing leader and another individual for liquor smuggling, seizing over 187 litres of foreign liquor. The RJD functionary, Gobind Sah, has a history of seven liquor-related cases and allegedly operated with political backing. His wife is a local panchayat member. Investigations into the wider network are ongoing.

In a landmark decision, the empowered standing committee of the Patna Municipal Corporation has officially approved the 'Councillor Scheme 4.0', which sets aside Rs 1 crore for each ward to drive local development in the year 2025-26.

During a pivotal state police conference, Bihars Chief Minister Nitish Kumar championed integrity and strict enforcement among law enforcement officials as vital components of effective crime prevention. He unveiled new specialized bureaus dedicated to tackling liquor prohibition, narcotics, and cyber threats, gathering insights from a recent national summit of police leaders to combat pressing challenges in these areas.

In a remarkable stride towards children's health, Bihar's CM Child Heart Scheme has recently facilitated the treatment of 20 more children suffering from congenital diseases in Ahmedabad. This compassionate initiative has now reached a total of 2,665 young lives, alleviating families from the financial strain of travel costs.

In a landmark ruling, the Patna High Court has mandated that the Bihar government provide a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to a 15-year-old boy who was wrongfully detained for over two months. The court deemed the directive from the DIG to apprehend the boy, who had already been exonerated by law enforcement, a breach of his fundamental rights.

On January 16, Bihar's Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will embark on his landmark 17th 'Samriddhi Yatra,' traversing the entire state to evaluate the progress of various developmental projects initiated under previous campaigns such as Pragati Yatra and Saat Nischay.

In Bihar, Congress activists have taken to the streets, rallying against what they see as the government's dangerous initiative to replace the MGNREGA program with a new scheme dubbed VB-G-RAM-G. From now until January 29, they plan to inundate President Murmu with postcards, emphasizing the necessity of upholding employment guarantees for the vulnerable.

Tejashwi Prasad Yadav made a dramatic return to Patna, accusing the NDA of massive electoral fraud in the recent Bihar assembly elections. He pledged to hold his tongue against the ruling party for the next three months, calling on them to deliver on their election commitments.

In a dramatic turn of events, a Royal Bengal Tiger from Valmiki Tiger Reserve made headlines after wandering into West Champaran and taking down a cow. This 10-year-old male, known for its unexpected excursions into human territory, was promptly subdued by vigilant forest trackers and relocated to Patna zoo for a thorough health assessment.

Bihar is currently enduring a harsh winter, characterized by thick fog and biting winds. As a precaution, schools in Patna for students up to Class V will remain closed until January 13. Although theres a slight uptick in maximum temperatures, experts warn that clear, sunny skies can trick people into thinking it's warmer than it actually is.