News / Author / Reena Sopam

Reena Sopam

Reena has been a journalist for over two decades. She has the experience of covering wide range of issues, including art, culture, archaeology, tourism, forest and women issues. She has also authored a book and is a recipient of the ‘Ramdhari Singh Dinkar Award’, given by the government of Bihar.

Articles by Reena Sopam

Bihar launches app to help pilgrims

The app, Kanwar Yatra, 2022, will also offer options available to reach the famous Baidyanath Dham temple at Deoghar through road, trains and air.

Pilgrims undertaking Kanwar Yatra commencing from Thursday can access information about various arrangements and facilities developed on the 90-kilometre-long stretch of Kanwariya Path that falls in Bihar . (HT Photo)

cities

Updated on Jul 13, 2022 10:41 PM IST

ByReena Sopam, Patna

East Champaran reports highest no. of heritage trees in Bihar

State government had launched an app to collect details of such trees on World Biodiversity Day (May 22) this year.

The Bodhi tree at Bodh Gaya. (HT archive)

cities

Updated on Jul 09, 2022 09:22 PM IST

ByReena Sopam, Patna

Kanwar Yatra 2022: Bihar government to set up tourism info centres for pilgrims

The information centres will remain open for 24 hours to guide pilgrims for road transportation facilities, and also extend help in case of any emergency

Kanwar Yatra pilgrims assemble at a temple. (File Photo)

cities

Updated on Jul 04, 2022 10:28 AM IST

ByReena Sopam

Patna: Traders feel business sector not yet prepared for single-use plastic ban

The ban on single use plastic items is a part of the measure taken by the ministry of environment, forest and climate change to curb environmental pollution caused by plastic waste

The single-use plastic ban has come into effect from today, July 1. (HT file picture)

cities

Published on Jul 01, 2022 09:08 AM IST

ByReena Sopam

Kakolat waterfall set for a ₹23-cr facelift

Last month, chief minister Nitish Kumar had visited the waterfall and directed officials to develop the site.

The Kakolat waterfall in Bihar’s Nawada district. (HT Photo)

cities

Published on Jun 09, 2022 09:08 PM IST

ByReena Sopam, Patna

Survey set to begin in Patna for remains of ancient Patliputra

The state archaeology, which intends to explore the remains of Patliputra buried under the earth, has engaged the IIT- Roorkee, to conduct the GPR survey in Guljarbagh locality in Patna Sahib area in state capital.

The Bihar archaeology department in Guljarbagh, Patna. (HT Photo)

cities

Published on Jun 01, 2022 10:20 PM IST

ByReena Sopam, Patna

Heatwave conditions cause huge loss of mango crops in Bihar

65-70% of mango crops have got damaged in Bihar due to extreme weather conditions, say farmers and agri-scientists.

Never before had mango production been so low in Bihar in the last 50 years, says a scientist at BAU. (PTI)

cities

Published on May 22, 2022 11:10 AM IST

ByReena Sopam

Padma Shri awardee’s kin say facing threat to vacate land

Family of noted Dhrupad singer and Padma Shri awardee Pandit Ramchatur Mallick has alleged that they are being constantly threatened by land grabbers to vacate their ancestral property at Gangadah village in Darbhanga district, a person aware of the matter said on Wednesday

Senior superintendent of police, Darbhanga, said necessary legal measures will be taken (Representational photo)

india news

Published on May 19, 2022 12:35 AM IST

ByReena Sopam, Patna

Getting constant treats from land grabbers, says family of noted Dhrupad singer

The family of the noted Dhurpad singer stated that their ancestral property at Gangadah village in Darbhanga district is being targeted by some land grabbers.

The land around the ancestral house of Dhrupad singer. (HT Photo)

cities

Published on May 18, 2022 10:10 PM IST

ByReena Sopam

Experts at work at famous Kabar lake in Begusarai to study climate change

A team of scientists from the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences, Lucknow, have been camping near the famous Kabar lake in Begusarai district of Bihar since last week to study the kind of climate and seasonal variations that were there in our country nearly 40,000 years ago, a member of the team said.

Scientists at Kabar lake in Begusarai. (HT Photo)

cities

Updated on Apr 29, 2022 10:01 PM IST

ByReena Sopam, Patna

Peacocks perish from Bihar village named after them

Population of peacocks in More Gaon, a village in Bihar’s East Champaran district which was originally known as Madhopur Gobind but was renamed a few decades ago after the name of the national bird, is down from around 200 two decades ago to hardly a dozen now, according to locals.

Peacocks first came to More Gaon as pets nearly five-six decades ago when some villagers purchased the birds at the famous Sonepur fair and left them in open in the village. Over years, their population increased tremendously in the village. (HT PHOTO)

cities

Published on Apr 20, 2022 09:35 PM IST

ByReena Sopam, Patna

Govt set to roll out 20 disabled-friendly buses in Patna

The state government is all set to roll out 20 disabled-friendly CNG buses in Patna in the next few weeks, Bihar State Road Transport Corporation (BRSTC) officials said.

According to officials, the buses will be equipped with a lift that will help the disabled enter inside on a wheelchair. (Picture for representation /HT PHOTO)

cities

Published on Apr 17, 2022 09:59 PM IST

ByReena Sopam

Most kids with disabilities found under stress after special checkups in Bihar

The majority of them had been going through mental stress because of confinement caused by Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown

cities

Published on Apr 07, 2022 09:43 AM IST

ByReena Sopam

Ban on diesel-run autos, buses in Patna, suburbs kicks in

Commuters in Bihar’s capital Patna faced a harrowing time on Friday when the ban on diesel-run auto-rickshaws and buses in the city came into effect, forcing out 12,000 auto-rickshaws and more than 200 public transport buses off the road.

The ban which came into effect from April 1 has forced 12,000 autos and more than 200 public buses off the road. (HT Photo)

cities

Published on Apr 01, 2022 09:55 PM IST

ByReena Sopam, Patna

Bihar starts survey to prepare exclusive environment plans for all districts

The Bihar State Pollution Control Board (BSPCB) said that it has engaged an agency to conduct survey in all the districts to prepare the district environment plans.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) directed all the states and Union Territories in 2020 to create state environment plan based on the district environment plans. (File/Representational Image)

cities

Updated on Mar 13, 2022 11:28 AM IST

ByReena Sopam

International Women’s Day: Bihar deputy CM felicitates 75 women

Renu Devi said women have played a major role in the development of society, but they are still awaiting the space they deserve

cities

Published on Mar 08, 2022 09:07 AM IST

ByReena Sopam

Bihar Chamber of Commerce and Industries demands better civic amenities in Patna

The Bihar Chamber of Commerce and Industries members held an interactive meeting with the district administration and police officials in the state capital, Patna, late Saturday evening.

The Bihar Chamber of Commerce and Industries members requested to have a safe and secure environment for the traders in Patna, better law and order system for smooth business activities and arms licenses for the traders for their self defence. (File)

cities

Published on Mar 07, 2022 03:58 PM IST

ByReena Sopam

Bihar funds civil services aspirants, but has no data on scheme impact

The Bihar government, which gives one-time financial assistance of ₹1 lakh to civil services aspirants from various categories who have cleared the preliminary examination conducted by UPSC, maintains no data on the number of beneficiaries who finally pass the final examination and make it to the merit list, according to a top official of the SC/ST welfare department, which coordinates the exercise.

Under the welfare scheme, women who have cleared UPSC preliminary examinations and are preparing for the main examinations are given <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>1 lakh for coaching, special studies and guidance. (HT Archives)

cities

Published on Mar 03, 2022 09:43 PM IST

ByReena Sopam, Patna

Bihar govt asks sellers to phase out single-use plastic products by June 30

The production, sale and purchase of single-use plastic products will be completely banned throughout the country from July 1.

The identified single-use plastic items, which will be banned from July this year, include ear buds with plastic sticks, plastic bags, polystyrene or thermocol for decoration, plates, cups, glasses, cutlery such as forks, spoons, knives, straw, trays, wrapping or packing films around sweets boxes, invitation cards, cigarette packets etc. (HT archive)

cities

Updated on Feb 27, 2022 10:07 AM IST

ByReena Sopam

Bihar women to share experience after liquor ban with CM Nitish Kumar

The women will also share their experiences regarding dowry and child marriages at a function to be organised in Patna as part of chief minister Nitish Kumar’s Samaj Sudhar Abhiyan Yatra.

The women, who had once gone through the harrowing times due to alcoholism in their families, will share their experiences after Bihar’s liquor ban implementation in 2016. (File/PTI)

cities

Updated on Feb 26, 2022 03:42 PM IST

ByReena Sopam

Bihar Budget 2022: Women entrepreneurs seek special incentives

Several businesswomen in Bihar have cited lack of infrastructure and technical support for their enterprises to flourish

cities

Updated on Feb 25, 2022 09:24 AM IST

ByReena Sopam

Patna public library throws light on Raja Maan Singh, Navaratan of Emperor Akbar

Many cities, palaces and temples in the state of Bihar owe a lot to Raja Maan Singh, one of the least talked about personalities in Mughal age history.

Persian manuscripts like Ain- i Akbari and Akbarnama talk about Raja Maan Singh and his contributions. (Alamy Stock Photo)

cities

Published on Feb 21, 2022 02:10 PM IST

ByReena Sopam

Bihar conducts statewide waterbird census across 58 wetlands

Rare varieties of birds such as the falcated duck from Siberia, red crested pochard from Mongolia and long-legged buzzard from Africa were spotted during the survey

This is the first time a waterbird survey is being done by Bihar’s forest department. (HT/ Representational photo)

cities

Updated on Feb 18, 2022 11:01 AM IST

ByReena Sopam

Rajgir zoo safari opens for public, Nitish says one of its kind in eastern India

Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday inaugurated the zoo safari at Rajgir in Nalanda district and said it was one of its kind in the eastern part of the country.

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar during the zoo safari at Rajgir on Wednesday. (Santosh Kumar/HT Photo)

cities

Updated on Feb 16, 2022 10:13 PM IST

ByReena Sopam, Patna

Childline number 1098 to be displayed on school buses, walls to stop trafficking

The transport department will be asked to get the Childline number painted on all the school buses while the district education officers will be directed to ensure that this emergency number is displayed on the walls of all the government and private schools, said Patna district magistrate.

The Childline number will be put on display in bold letters on the walls of all the government and the private schools, said the district magistrate, Patna.

cities

Updated on Feb 13, 2022 02:50 PM IST

ByReena Sopam

Patna shelter home case: Woman in ‘viral video’ too files FIR

A second police case was filed against the shelter home for women based at Gaighat in Bihar’s capital Patna on the complaint of a former inmate on Thursday, a day after another former inmate lodged an FIR alleging maltreatment at the facility, a lawyer and activist associated with the case said.

In her complaint, the woman alleged that the superintendent of Gaighat shelter home behaved rudely with inmates, who were also sexually exploited, said Kishori Sahchari, inspector at the woman police station. (Picture for representation)

cities

Published on Feb 10, 2022 09:38 PM IST

ByReena Sopam, Patna

₹36.86 cr approved by tourism ministry for facelift of Sita’s birthplace in Bihar: Sushil Modi

The union ministry of tourism has included Punaura, the birthplace of Sita in Sitamarhi district of Bihar, in its revised list of sites identified for the development under its PRASAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation And Spirituality Augmentation Drive) scheme and has approved ₹36.86 crore for its development and beautification.

Punaura village, the birthplace of Sita in Sitamarhi. (Santosh Kumar/HT Photo)

cities

Updated on Feb 04, 2022 09:55 PM IST

ByReena Sopam, Patna

Starved of funds, trust set up to promote Gandhian thought is dying

Bihar State Gandhi Smarak Nidhi is a part of the National Gandhi Smarak Nidhi, a public charitable trust set up after Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination in 1948. It’s supposed to run on donations, which dried up 40 years ago.

Bihar State Gandhi Smarak Nidhi in Patna. (HT)

cities

Published on Jan 29, 2022 09:44 PM IST

ByReena Sopam, Patna

Patna has five original copies of Constitution in three libraries, one put on display

The Gandhi Sangrahalaya in Bihar’s capital Patna has put on display one of the original 1,000 copies of the Indian Constitution, which was gifted to it in 2017 by former Governor of Tripura, professor Sidheshwar Prasad, who was elected to the Lok Sabha from Nalanda in the first parliamentary elections in 1952, the museum’s joint director Asif said.

The Gandhi Sangrahalya in Patna. (Santosh Kumar/HT Photo)

cities

Published on Jan 25, 2022 10:15 PM IST

ByReena Sopam, Patna

6th year into prohibition, Bihar begins a social audit of liquor ban impact

Nearly six years since total prohibition was imposed in Bihar, the state’s excise and prohibition department has initiated an exercise to conduct a social audit of the impact of liquor ban on the lives of women and people in general and has assigned the job to Chanakya Law University (CLU) in Patna, officials familiar with the matter said.

A JCB machine crushes liquor bottles in Patna . (HT Photo)

cities

Published on Jan 20, 2022 09:12 PM IST

ByReena Sopam, Patna

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Reena Sopam

The app, Kanwar Yatra, 2022, will also offer options available to reach the famous Baidyanath Dham temple at Deoghar through road, trains and air.

State government had launched an app to collect details of such trees on World Biodiversity Day (May 22) this year.

The information centres will remain open for 24 hours to guide pilgrims for road transportation facilities, and also extend help in case of any emergency

The ban on single use plastic items is a part of the measure taken by the ministry of environment, forest and climate change to curb environmental pollution caused by plastic waste

Last month, chief minister Nitish Kumar had visited the waterfall and directed officials to develop the site.

The state archaeology, which intends to explore the remains of Patliputra buried under the earth, has engaged the IIT- Roorkee, to conduct the GPR survey in Guljarbagh locality in Patna Sahib area in state capital.

65-70% of mango crops have got damaged in Bihar due to extreme weather conditions, say farmers and agri-scientists.

Family of noted Dhrupad singer and Padma Shri awardee Pandit Ramchatur Mallick has alleged that they are being constantly threatened by land grabbers to vacate their ancestral property at Gangadah village in Darbhanga district, a person aware of the matter said on Wednesday

The family of the noted Dhurpad singer stated that their ancestral property at Gangadah village in Darbhanga district is being targeted by some land grabbers.

Population of peacocks in More Gaon, a village in Bihar’s East Champaran district which was originally known as Madhopur Gobind but was renamed a few decades ago after the name of the national bird, is down from around 200 two decades ago to hardly a dozen now, according to locals.

The state government is all set to roll out 20 disabled-friendly CNG buses in Patna in the next few weeks, Bihar State Road Transport Corporation (BRSTC) officials said.

The majority of them had been going through mental stress because of confinement caused by Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown

Commuters in Bihar’s capital Patna faced a harrowing time on Friday when the ban on diesel-run auto-rickshaws and buses in the city came into effect, forcing out 12,000 auto-rickshaws and more than 200 public transport buses off the road.

The Bihar State Pollution Control Board (BSPCB) said that it has engaged an agency to conduct survey in all the districts to prepare the district environment plans.

Renu Devi said women have played a major role in the development of society, but they are still awaiting the space they deserve

The Bihar Chamber of Commerce and Industries members held an interactive meeting with the district administration and police officials in the state capital, Patna, late Saturday evening.

The production, sale and purchase of single-use plastic products will be completely banned throughout the country from July 1.

The women will also share their experiences regarding dowry and child marriages at a function to be organised in Patna as part of chief minister Nitish Kumar’s Samaj Sudhar Abhiyan Yatra.

Several businesswomen in Bihar have cited lack of infrastructure and technical support for their enterprises to flourish

Many cities, palaces and temples in the state of Bihar owe a lot to Raja Maan Singh, one of the least talked about personalities in Mughal age history.

Rare varieties of birds such as the falcated duck from Siberia, red crested pochard from Mongolia and long-legged buzzard from Africa were spotted during the survey

Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday inaugurated the zoo safari at Rajgir in Nalanda district and said it was one of its kind in the eastern part of the country.

The transport department will be asked to get the Childline number painted on all the school buses while the district education officers will be directed to ensure that this emergency number is displayed on the walls of all the government and private schools, said Patna district magistrate.

A second police case was filed against the shelter home for women based at Gaighat in Bihar’s capital Patna on the complaint of a former inmate on Thursday, a day after another former inmate lodged an FIR alleging maltreatment at the facility, a lawyer and activist associated with the case said.

Bihar State Gandhi Smarak Nidhi is a part of the National Gandhi Smarak Nidhi, a public charitable trust set up after Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination in 1948. It’s supposed to run on donations, which dried up 40 years ago.

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