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

Three-day Rajgir Festival from Nov 25, Pankaj Udhas set to perform

The Rajgir Festival will also feature a Gramshree Mela which has been planned at the vast hockey ground at the heritage town.

File photo of Rajgir Festival.(HT Photo)

cities

Published on Nov 22, 2019 02:23 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Patna | ByReena Sopam

Common toilets for boys, girls and security personnel in this Bihar school

The Bihar State Women’s Commission (BSWC) has now instructed the state education department to evict security personnel, start separate shifts for boys and girls.

Girls are being forced to share a toilet with boys from another school on the same campus in Bihar. (Representative image)(File Photo)

india news

Updated on Nov 16, 2019 09:51 AM IST

Hindustan Times, Patna | ByReena Sopam

Rights panel visits Bettiah rape victim, says ‘facts not clear’

The Commission’s team was, however, provided the call details of the girl’s mobile phone.

During its visit to Bettiah on Wednesday, the Commission met the victim, who is undergoing treatment at a hospital. Though she claimed she was abducted and raped, the Commission learnt that a CCTV footage at the site of her alleged abduction disputed her version.(HT FILE)

cities

Published on Sep 19, 2019 05:19 AM IST

Patna | ByReena Sopam

Tomb of Kashmir’s last Muslim ruler lies in ruins at Nalanda

Yusuf Shah Chak, the last independent Muslim Ruler of Kashmir Valley, is buried in Nalanda and his tomb is in disrepair and unprotected.

Yasir Iqbal, a descendant of Yusuf Shah Chak, at the tomb of Kashmir’s last Muslim ruler’s grave in Nalanda.(HT Photo)

cities

Published on Aug 07, 2019 01:02 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Patna | ByReena Sopam, Patna

Karpuri Devi, the eminent Mithila painting artist and creator of Mithila Museum in Japan passes away

A native of Ranti, which is widely known as Mithila art destination in Madhubani district, Karpuri Devi is survived by a son, Vinay Bhushan, who is a senior government official in Delhi and a daughter, Moti Karn who also happens to be a national and state award winning Madhubani artist.

Karpuri Devi had been ailing for the last several weeks and was undergoing treatment at the Heart Hospital at Mangarauni village in Madhubani where she breathed her last on Tuesday morning.

lifestyle

Updated on Jul 31, 2019 12:45 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Delhi | ByReena Sopam, Patna

Bihar Women’s Commission to issue notice to Azam Khan

Considering the comments made at the Lok Sabha session as ‘sexist and offensive’, the commission has decided to issue a notice to the Samajwadi Party lawmaker, demanding his apology for the comments and asking him to explain his actions.

Samajwadi Party MP Azam Khan.(Mohd Zakir/HT PHOTO)

india news

Updated on Jul 27, 2019 01:18 AM IST

Hindustan Times, Patna | ByReena Sopam

11 years and ₹1-cr later, conservation work on Patna’s Gol Ghar still not complete

The Gol Ghar in Patna is a granary built in 1786 by the then Governor General of India, Warren Hastings, following the famine in Bengal and Bihar in 1770.

Conservation work at Patna’s historical Gol Ghar started in 2008.(HT Photo)

cities

Published on Jul 12, 2019 03:57 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Patna | ByReena Sopam, Patna

Juvenile board asks minor to recite national anthem before acquittal

The minor was caught by the locals while trying to steal a bag containing money at a bus stand.

The Juvenile Justice Boards (JJB) in Nalanda on Friday asked a minor charged of theft to recite national anthem before acquitting his case.(Getty Images/iStockphoto)

cities

Published on Jul 07, 2019 02:19 PM IST

Patna | ByReena Sopam

Private schools still a pipe dream for poor in Bihar

10 years after RTE Act kicked in, enrolment of poor children in private schools remains abysmal.Far more shocking has been the performance in Patna district. Hardly 936 poor children got admission in private schools in 2016-17. In Nalanda, the home district of chief minister Nitish Kumar, the figure stood at 1,532.

education

Published on Jun 16, 2019 09:03 AM IST

Hindustan Times, Patna | ByReena Sopam

Push to get Mauryan-age wall at Rajgir, Unesco heritage status

The Bihar archaeology department has recommended to the ASI that the Mauryan age fortification wall at Rajgir should be included in the list of the UNESCO sites.

According to officials, the 40 km long wall which encircled the entire city of Rajgriha in ancient times, was erected by the Mauryans over a period of time to protect Magadhan kingdom from invaders and enemies.(HT Photo)

cities

Published on Jun 03, 2019 02:20 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Patna | ByReena Sopam, Patna

Minor gang rape victim in Bihar seeks to end pregnancy, women commission backs her

The 13-year-old gang rape victim from Kaimur and her father had approached the commission seeking its help in getting them the permission to terminate pregnancy.

A 13-year-old the gang rape victim from Kaimur is three months’ pregnant and wants to abort.(HT File Photo/ Representative Image)

cities

Updated on May 31, 2019 02:40 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Patna | ByReena Sopam

Patna’s Khuda Bakhsh library continues to draw foreign scholars

The Khuda Bakhsh library in Patna has more than 21,000 manuscripts in Persian, Arabic, Urdu, Turkish and Pashto. The collections at the library also have Mughal miniatures and books written on deer skin.

The Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Public Library in Patna.(HT Photo)

cities

Published on May 10, 2019 03:07 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Patna | ByReena Sopam, Patna

Buddhist complex in UK archaeologist’s1861 report, unearthed in East Champaran’s Kesaria

British archaeologist Alexander Cunningham, who had visited the Kesaria site in 1861, had claimed to have explored this mound, locally known as Raniwas, and had conducted excavations as well.

The monastic complex at Kesaria in East Champaran.(HT Photo)

cities

Published on May 09, 2019 04:34 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Patna | ByReena Sopam, Patna

Minorities Commission requests Government to ensure amenities during Ramzan

In a letter written to the urban development department, the Bihar State Minorities Commission has asked the department to make proper water supply facility in these areas especially at the time of Sehri (pre-dawn meal).

Sehari is consumed before the dawn breaks by the people who observe Roza or the day long fast during Ramzan and is considered obligatory for the people on fast. The month long festival is to begin in couple of days.(HT Photo)

cities

Published on May 04, 2019 01:46 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Patna | ByReena Sopam

Patna mosque to open its doors for women this Ramzan

The Khanquah Munemia and Masjid, the famous Sufi centre at Mitan Ghaat in Patna City locality, has decided to create this facility for the women and have already begun the preparations for the holy month expected to begin from May 6.

AtPatna’s Mitan Ghaat mosque, women namazees will have an exclusive corner for the prayers and recitation of the Quran during the month of Ramzan.(HT Photo)

cities

Updated on Apr 26, 2019 03:50 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Patna | ByReena Sopam

145- year- old railway terminal of Darbhanga Raj faces ‘death’ threat

Nargona Terminal, located inside the premises of LN Mithila University at Kameshwar Nagar in Darbhanga, has recently been ravaged and damaged severely by building construction machines and is being used as a sumping site for construction material.

cities

Published on Apr 19, 2019 12:03 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Darbhanga | ByReena Sopam

Khuda Bakhsh Library in Patna gets director after five years

The library has been known for its rare manuscripts, which count to more than 20,000 in its collections. These need to be digitised which is a kind of preservation. But this is also the process to make manuscripts available to a wider audience.

Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Public Library in Patna(Santosh Kumar/ HT)

cities

Published on Apr 19, 2019 12:01 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Patna | ByReena Sopam, Patna

Women not allowed in Nalanda temple during Navaratra festival

Though the Ashapuri temple in Nalanda is dedicated to Goddess Durga, it remains out of bounds for women during the Navratras.

Women are not allowed inside theA shapuri temple in Bihar’s Nalanda during the Navratras.(HT Photo)

elections

Updated on Apr 08, 2019 04:29 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Patna | ByReena Sopam, Patna

Politicians in Bihar rush to astrologers, fortune tellers ahead of Lok Sabha Elections 2019

“Most of my clients these days are politicians who want things to go in their favour in the coming elections and for that they request us to perform rituals that will eventually help them in fulfilling their poll dreams,” said Baidyanath Jha Shastri, a Patna based astrologer.

The astrologers claim they review the solar and lunar phases of their clients and calculate their positive and negative impacts before forecasting the outcome of their efforts in the upcoming elections .(HT)

elections

Updated on Mar 20, 2019 08:22 AM IST

Hindustan Times, Patna | ByReena Sopam, Patna:

I have never tried to follow others’ footsteps: Vidya Balan

Discussing politics and voting, the actor who has enacted roles of strong women in films like Parineeta, Paa and Kahaani, said people must exercise their voting rights.

Balan said she believed voting rights must be exercised. “ But I do not intend to join politics. I have no such plans,” she said.(HT Photo)

cities

Published on Mar 16, 2019 11:08 AM IST

Hindustan Times, Patna | ByReena Sopam

Unfazed by border tension, Lahore designers do brisk business in Patna

Utterly unfazed by the ongoing tension between India and his country Pakistan, he is liberally carrying out his business and moving around with élan on the Patna streets during free time.

Buyers picking the Pakistani designers cloths at stall during the Holi mela organized by Bihar Mahila Udhyog Sangh Patna at Indira Gandhi Science Auditorium in Patna, India, on Monday(Parwaz Khan /HT PHOTO)

cities

Updated on Mar 05, 2019 08:45 AM IST

Hindustan Times, Patna | ByReena Sopam, Patna

No bird flu at Patna zoo, says NIHSAD lab report

Patna zoo will now be opened for the visitors. The process has been started. Before reopening the zoo, we need a certificate from the animal husbandry department, as per the directives of the Central Zoo Authority (CZA)

The zoo was indefinitely closed from December 24 due to the bird flu scare.(Hindustan Times)

cities

Published on Jan 23, 2019 07:47 AM IST

Hindustan Times, Patna | ByReena Sopam, Patna:

Patna zoo is safe now: Set to reopen next week, bird flu ruled out

The zoo was shut for visitors on December 24 after peacocks found dead, Bhopal lab has ruled out bird flu. Recently, NIHSAD has confirmed there’s no bird flu virus at the Park and it is been safe for people.

The government decided to close the zoo to ensure segregation of birds and to spray anti-viral disinfectants.(File)

cities

Published on Jan 18, 2019 09:03 AM IST

Hindustan Times, Patna | ByReena Sopam, Patna:

Bihar government turns to Gandhi to teach life lessons to government employees

The Bihar government has directed its departments and institutions to prominently display Mahatma Gandhi’s photos and messages on their office premises as part of his 150th birth anniversary celebrations.

A display board at a government office sheds light on seven sins(HT)

cities

Published on Jan 11, 2019 12:26 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Patna | ByReena Sopam, Patna

Genealogical records of Bihar natives to be preserved by US based society

Under focus has been Panjis, the genealogical records of Maithil Brahmins and Karna Kayasthas who belong mostly to areas like Darbhanga-Madhubani, bordering districts of the state and from the Terai region of Nepal.

In next phase the Utah Genealogical Society will be working on digitisation and documentation of the family records maintained by the Pandas of Gaya and of Deoghar in Jharkhand.(HT File Photo)

india news

Published on Dec 12, 2018 08:46 AM IST

Hindustan Times, Patna | ByReena Sopam, Patna

After Lalu, former Bihar CM Manjhi now takes to silver screen

The movie revolves around the caste difference and discrimination in our society. It is a love story of a boy from a Mahadalit family and a girl from an upper caste family, their struggle and fight against the caste barriers.

Former CM of Bihar Jitan Ram Manjhi(File Photo)

cities

Published on Dec 10, 2018 11:21 AM IST

Hindustan Times, Patna | ByReena Sopam, Patna

Buddhists may soon offer prayers at World Peace Pagoda in Bihar’s Rajgir at the click of mouse

The Nalanda district administration is working overtime to have a special website operational before the annual celebrations at the World Peace Pagoda on October 25.

The largest congregation of tourists at the World Peace Pagoda in Bihar’s Rajgir is seen during the anniversary celebrations on October 25.(HT File Photo)

cities

Published on Oct 01, 2018 02:56 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Patna | ByReena Sopam, Patna

Bhojpur incident result of land dispute between locals, Nut community; woman targeted under plan: AIPWA

An AIPWA team that visited Bihiya to meet the victim claimed land dispute between locals and the Nuts, who are accused of running brothels in their locality, Dafali, had fuelled the mob attack. The victim belongs to the Nut community.

AIPWA activists taking out a protest march against Bihiya incident, in Patna on Wednesday.(AP Dube / HT Photo)

cities

Updated on Aug 23, 2018 03:43 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Patna | ByReena Sopam, Patna

Missing 12th century Buddha idol to be soon returned to Nalanda Museum

The Buddha statue is part of the collection of over a dozen bronze idols, which had disappeared from the Nalanda Museum nearly 60 years ago.

The ancient Buddha statue displayed at the High Commission of India in London Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2018, during a ceremony to hand it back to India, 57-years after it was stolen from an Indian museum and found its way to UK's art dealer market. Police returned the 12-century bronze Buddha statue during a ceremony Wednesday in London marking India's Independence Day.(AP)

cities

Updated on Aug 20, 2018 02:48 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByReena Sopam, Patna

Condoms, stimulants found at another Bihar shelter run by Muzaffarpur accused

The officials are likely to be questioned for the delay in filing FIR and pursuing the investigation even as a welfare official blamed the state headquarters for delaying the sanctions.

Police investigate the site where a rape victim was alleged buried, at a government shelter home in Muzaffarpur.(PTI File Photo)

india news

Updated on Aug 03, 2018 11:33 AM IST

Hindustan Times, Muzaffarpur/Patna | ByAjay Kumar & Reena Sopam, Muzaffarpur/patna

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Reena Sopam

The Rajgir Festival will also feature a Gramshree Mela which has been planned at the vast hockey ground at the heritage town.

The Bihar State Women’s Commission (BSWC) has now instructed the state education department to evict security personnel, start separate shifts for boys and girls.

The Commission’s team was, however, provided the call details of the girl’s mobile phone.

Yusuf Shah Chak, the last independent Muslim Ruler of Kashmir Valley, is buried in Nalanda and his tomb is in disrepair and unprotected.

A native of Ranti, which is widely known as Mithila art destination in Madhubani district, Karpuri Devi is survived by a son, Vinay Bhushan, who is a senior government official in Delhi and a daughter, Moti Karn who also happens to be a national and state award winning Madhubani artist.

Considering the comments made at the Lok Sabha session as ‘sexist and offensive’, the commission has decided to issue a notice to the Samajwadi Party lawmaker, demanding his apology for the comments and asking him to explain his actions.

The Gol Ghar in Patna is a granary built in 1786 by the then Governor General of India, Warren Hastings, following the famine in Bengal and Bihar in 1770.

The minor was caught by the locals while trying to steal a bag containing money at a bus stand.

The Bihar archaeology department has recommended to the ASI that the Mauryan age fortification wall at Rajgir should be included in the list of the UNESCO sites.

The 13-year-old gang rape victim from Kaimur and her father had approached the commission seeking its help in getting them the permission to terminate pregnancy.

The Khuda Bakhsh library in Patna has more than 21,000 manuscripts in Persian, Arabic, Urdu, Turkish and Pashto. The collections at the library also have Mughal miniatures and books written on deer skin.

British archaeologist Alexander Cunningham, who had visited the Kesaria site in 1861, had claimed to have explored this mound, locally known as Raniwas, and had conducted excavations as well.

In a letter written to the urban development department, the Bihar State Minorities Commission has asked the department to make proper water supply facility in these areas especially at the time of Sehri (pre-dawn meal).

The Khanquah Munemia and Masjid, the famous Sufi centre at Mitan Ghaat in Patna City locality, has decided to create this facility for the women and have already begun the preparations for the holy month expected to begin from May 6.

Nargona Terminal, located inside the premises of LN Mithila University at Kameshwar Nagar in Darbhanga, has recently been ravaged and damaged severely by building construction machines and is being used as a sumping site for construction material.

The library has been known for its rare manuscripts, which count to more than 20,000 in its collections. These need to be digitised which is a kind of preservation. But this is also the process to make manuscripts available to a wider audience.

Though the Ashapuri temple in Nalanda is dedicated to Goddess Durga, it remains out of bounds for women during the Navratras.

“Most of my clients these days are politicians who want things to go in their favour in the coming elections and for that they request us to perform rituals that will eventually help them in fulfilling their poll dreams,” said Baidyanath Jha Shastri, a Patna based astrologer.

Discussing politics and voting, the actor who has enacted roles of strong women in films like Parineeta, Paa and Kahaani, said people must exercise their voting rights.

Utterly unfazed by the ongoing tension between India and his country Pakistan, he is liberally carrying out his business and moving around with élan on the Patna streets during free time.

Patna zoo will now be opened for the visitors. The process has been started. Before reopening the zoo, we need a certificate from the animal husbandry department, as per the directives of the Central Zoo Authority (CZA)

The zoo was shut for visitors on December 24 after peacocks found dead, Bhopal lab has ruled out bird flu. Recently, NIHSAD has confirmed there’s no bird flu virus at the Park and it is been safe for people.

The Bihar government has directed its departments and institutions to prominently display Mahatma Gandhi’s photos and messages on their office premises as part of his 150th birth anniversary celebrations.

Under focus has been Panjis, the genealogical records of Maithil Brahmins and Karna Kayasthas who belong mostly to areas like Darbhanga-Madhubani, bordering districts of the state and from the Terai region of Nepal.

The movie revolves around the caste difference and discrimination in our society. It is a love story of a boy from a Mahadalit family and a girl from an upper caste family, their struggle and fight against the caste barriers.

The Nalanda district administration is working overtime to have a special website operational before the annual celebrations at the World Peace Pagoda on October 25.

An AIPWA team that visited Bihiya to meet the victim claimed land dispute between locals and the Nuts, who are accused of running brothels in their locality, Dafali, had fuelled the mob attack. The victim belongs to the Nut community.

The Buddha statue is part of the collection of over a dozen bronze idols, which had disappeared from the Nalanda Museum nearly 60 years ago.

The officials are likely to be questioned for the delay in filing FIR and pursuing the investigation even as a welfare official blamed the state headquarters for delaying the sanctions.

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