Bihar gets Rs 100 crore to develop Gandhi circuit

Bihar, which plans to develop a 'Gandhi circuit', has received Rs 100 crore from the Centre, officials said on Friday.

"The state government has received Rs 100 crore from the Centre to develop Champaran districts, where Mahatma Gandhi launched his satyagraha movement against the British rule in 1917, as a 'Gandhi circuit' to attract tourists, particularly foreigners," a district official said.

The government has decided to utilize the funds to develop places associated with Gandhi during his satyagraha movement in Champaran.

"All places associated with Gandhi during his satyagraha movement in Champaran would be developed as a part of the Gandhi circuit," Brajkishore Singh, secretary of Motihari Gandhi Sangharahalya and Smarak Stambh, told IANS over telephone.

Two years ago Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced the development of a Gandhi circuit in West and East Champaran districts with the help of the central government.

Singh said special arrangements would be made for lights and music to air Gandhi's favourite bhajans in Motihari. Besides, there would be a light and sound show on the satyagraha.

"There is also a plan for revival of Gandhi's basic schools in Champaran. The schools set up by him are in a shambles now," another district official said.

The schools were set up by Gandhi to impart basic education to boys and girls in rural areas. They were also meant to provide vocational training in spinning, carpentry, farming, weaving and leatherwork so that people could live with self respect and dignity.

The first 'Buniyadi Vidyalaya' or basic school was set up in 1939 at Brindavan in West Champaran district. Later, Gandhi set up more such schools on the lines of the Buniyadi Vidyalaya.

Nitish Kumar urged Vice President Hamid Ansari and Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar on Thursday to name one of the two central universities coming up in Motihari after Mahatma Gandhi.

Bihar also plans to celebrate the centenary year of the Mahatma's satyagraha against British rule in 2017 on a large scale.

Mahatma Gandhi launched his satyagraha against British rule in Bihar's Champaran district on April 10, 1917 after his return from South Africa.