The Times of India

Delhi Public School Patna East hosted a vibrant Scholar Badge Ceremony, celebrating students who excelled academically. In a parallel celebration, Notre Dame Academy proudly presented the School Blues Award to four outstanding individuals for their remarkable contributions in academics, extracurricular activities, and leadership roles. Both ceremonies showcased unwavering student dedication and the pride these institutions take in their achievements.

In light of the intense heatwave predictions, all Patna schools for grades up to Class VIII will dismiss students by 11 am until May 21. With temperatures rising between 38C and 44C, the local authorities have also set up 400 complimentary water stations throughout the city and mobilized maintenance crews to secure water supplies during this extreme heat.

In a visionary move, Bihar's Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary is advocating for the growth of eco-tourism around the state's picturesque reservoirs through innovative public-private collaborations. He is calling for enhanced infrastructure, involving citizens in planning discussions, and creating accessible tourism packages.

In 2024, Bihar's prisons have become overwhelmed, with a staggering 759,482 court appearances made by inmates, marking the highest figure across the country. The root of this crisis lies in the ballooning number of undertrials and a depletion of staff, as over 4,500 positions remain unfilled.

CPI (ML) leader Dipankar Bhattacharya criticized the Bihar government's faulty policies, alleging they empowered the BJP and led to a ulldozer raj suppressing the poor and youth. He questioned the electoral process, citing voter list deletions, and condemned land acquisition for corporations.

Kaimur police have cracked a shocking quadruple murder case, arresting two brothers and two accomplices. The prime accused allegedly killed his elder brother, his wife, and their two children over family disputes. Bodies were dismembered and dumped in suitcases and sacks across the district. Investigators recovered weapons and bloodstains from the scene.

Bihar leads India in climate change awareness policies, with the Jal-Jeevan-Hariyali campaign significantly boosting green cover. Minister Shravan Kumar highlighted this success at a seminar, urging citizens to plant trees for family events. The event also recognized Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind's social harmony efforts, aligning with CM Nitish Kumar's reform agenda including liquor prohibition and curbing child marriage.

Patna is experiencing temporary traffic diversions due to crucial sewerage and flyover maintenance. The Patliputra area faces restrictions until May 30 for waterlogging solutions, with commuters advised to use alternative routes. Additionally, the GPO Patna-R Block flyover's south lane will see night-time closures until May 27 for essential repairs. Authorities urge public cooperation and adherence to traffic advisories.

Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani pledged a massive Rs 50,000-60,000 crore investment in Bihar over the next three to four years. This significant capital infusion will target key sectors including power, roads, gas distribution, cement, and broader infrastructure, aiming to boost the state's development and energy self-reliance.

Gautam Adani launched two major eye care institutions in Bihar's Saran district, pledging Rs 150 crore through the Adani Foundation. These facilities, attached to Akhand Jyoti Eye Hospital, will perform 3.3 lakh surgeries annually and train 1,000 professionals. Adani also personally committed Rs 500 crore to the Akhand Jyoti Foundation, aiming to expand affordable vision care nationwide.

Gaya's fuel stations face severe disruption due to the West Asia crisis, with oil companies slashing supply by 10%. Many outlets have shut down, leading to long queues when operational. Strict limits are imposed on petrol and diesel distribution, impacting rural areas like Sherghati even more acutely due to high demand.

Nalanda University revived ancient scholarly debates with 'Shastrarth 2026', a new academic tradition fostering intellectual dialogue and research. The event, featuring public dissertation defenses and thematic debates, precedes the university's third convocation. Vice-Chancellor Sachin Chaturvedi emphasized the need for intellectual struggle beyond AI, while new awards will recognize excellence in discourse.

A shocking incident unfolded in Siwan where a son and daughter-in-law allegedly murdered his mother by strangulation. Enraged villagers apprehended the couple, leading to a violent confrontation with police and damage to a police vehicle. Authorities have arrested the accused and are investigating the motive, which reportedly stems from a prior dispute.

Masked assailants targeted the homes of two pharmaceutical businessmen on Bihta-Sugar Mill Road early Sunday, making off with lakhs in jewellery and cash. The gang breached security, disabling some cameras but not before being partially recorded. One victim confronted an intruder, sustaining injuries before the robbers fled via the roof.

Bihar doctors, represented by BHSA, protested for improved workplace safety, faster promotions, and administrative reforms. They urged the government to reconsider a proposed ban on private practice, advocating for an optional Non-Practising Allowance model. Demands include stricter laws against attacks on medical staff, armed security, and reserved administrative posts for MBBS doctors.

In a significant crackdown on cyber crime, Begusarai police have detained Sunil Kumar, implicated in a vast online scam. His bank account was dubbed a 'mule account', enabling fraudulent transactions exceeding Rs 15.25 crore throughout the country. Sunil admitted to accepting Rs 3.75 lakh for sharing his account information with cybercriminals, resulting in the filing of 205 complaints.

In the heart of Bihar, farmers are grappling with the harsh realities of an unpredictable climate, where rising temperatures and erratic weather patterns wreak havoc on agriculture. Torrential rains and sudden storms are not just wreaking havoc on crops, but also tragically leading to increased lightning-related incidents.

Farmers in Bihar are reeling from a catastrophic 'triple blow' as erratic weather takes its toll. March and May brought unexpected rains, hailstorms, and fierce winds, decimating vital crops like maize and wheat, as well as cherished harvests of mangoes and litchis.

Bihar's summertime is under siege from erratic weather phenomena, as ferocious thunderstorms, sudden hail, and unprecedented rain levels wreak havoc on daily life. Meteorologists point to shifting atmospheric patterns, continuous easterly breezes, and the looming threat of climate change as catalysts for these severe storms and the extensive devastation that follows.

Patliputra University's Vice-Chancellor conducted surprise inspections, issuing show-cause notices to a college principal and several absent faculty members. During his third day of inspections, teachers were found missing from S U College and Ganga Devi Mahila College, with some classrooms even empty. Students provided feedback on these issues.

The NIA has charged five individuals, including absconding mastermind Anand Kumar Singh, in a Cambodia-linked human trafficking and cyber slavery case. Indian youth were lured with fake job offers, only to face forced labor, torture, and confinement in scam operations. The kingpin allegedly profited by selling victims to these fraudulent companies.

Patna cardiologists are urging regular health check-ups and healthier lifestyles amidst a surge in high blood pressure among younger individuals. Experts revealed a significant percentage of adults suffer from this silent killer. They emphasized early detection and timely treatment to avert serious health issues like heart attacks and strokes, reassuring the public about medication and its necessity.

A fatal clash erupted in Biharsharif's Punha village following a dispute at a community feast. Ravi Kumar, 25, lost his life, and five others sustained injuries. The violence escalated from a verbal argument between two individuals, leading to an armed assault on one family.

Buxar's District Magistrate has ordered an explanation from the District Transport Officer after liquor bottles were found at the DTO office during a raid. An inquiry committee has been formed to investigate the incident and a viral audio-visual clip allegedly linked to the department. Former MLA demands an FIR and evidence preservation.

A traffic constable in Sasaram, Mukesh Kumar, tragically lost his life after being run over by a sand-laden tractor. He was on duty enforcing heavy vehicle restrictions near S P Jain College when the incident occurred. The driver fled the scene, but police have seized the tractor and are actively pursuing the suspect for swift justice.

Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary has ordered a special campaign to expedite pending land survey and record rectification tasks, emphasizing their crucial role in curbing land dispute-related violence. He stressed that no negligence will be tolerated, with stern warnings issued to officials.

A ride at a 'Disneyland fair' in Sasaram, Bihar, collapsed on Friday, resulting in injuries to several children and women. The injured were promptly taken to Sadar Hospital for treatment. Authorities are investigating the cause of the incident and the exact number of casualties is yet to be confirmed.

In a pioneering medical milestone, a 76-year-old woman from Patna has become the first patient in India to undergo treatment for severe mitral regurgitation with the innovative MyClip device. Conducted at Jay Prabha Medanta, this minimally invasive approach presents a revolutionary alternative to high-risk open-heart surgery for patients with complex health challenges.

In a bold move, the RJD has launched a scathing attack on the NDA administrations in Bihar and at the national level, decrying the recent spike in petrol and diesel prices. Party officials argue that the increase was deliberately delayed until after the assembly elections, unfairly placing the burden of inflation on everyday citizens.

In Patna's gold market, there's a noticeable decline in leisure purchases as jewelers observe fewer shoppers visiting their stores. While bridal jewelry sales continue to hold strong, the appetite for gifting and investing in gold has diminished considerably.

In a small, underdeveloped village in Bihar, 27-year-old Deepak Chaudhary transformed his unemployment during the pandemic into a flourishing business that produces delectable corn chips. With an investment of Rs35 lakh, his enterprise not only provides jobs for 28 locals, predominantly women, but also distributes its products throughout Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.

In an innovative move to enhance governance, the Bihar government has executed a major shake-up in its administrative hierarchy. Mayank Warwade steps into the role of divisional commissioner for Patna, while Shubham Kumar takes the reins as deputy development commissioner. This reshuffle sees pivotal departmental secretaries being repositioned, with a mix of new responsibilities assigned and some officials being relieved.

During a ceremonial ground-breaking event in Saran, Bihar, Gautam Adani, the visionary chairman of Adani Group, will be accompanied by his family. This monumental initiative, in collaboration with Akhand Jyoti Eye Hospital, seeks to establish an expansive rural healthcare network dedicated to underserved areas in northern and central India, prioritizing affordable eye care and skill development training.