Bihar CM launches Rs 385 cr projects in Mahatma Gandhi-related district - not Champaran

In a bid to conserve a historical place related to Mahatma Gandhi, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday launched as many as 473 projects worth 385 crore and 20 lakhs in Bihar's Purnea district. Laying the foundation stone of the projects in historic place called Tikapatti in Purnea district of Bihar, Kumar ordered the district administration to conserve the place as Champaran - the place where Mahatma Gandhi began his Satyagrah. He also said that a life-size statue of Mahatma will be constructed here. 

READ: Nitish Kumar breaks silence on BJP-Shiv Sena fallout's impact on JD(U)

Informing about Mahatma Gandhi's visit in Purnea's Tikapatti, the chief minister, while addressing a public meeting, said that Mahatma had visited the place thrice - in 1925, 1927 and 1934. CM Kumar announced construction of a community centre and a library within the premises of the already existing Gandhi Sadan in Tikapatti. Making a big announcement, Kumar said that Tikapatti's name will be included in the list of new Blocks in the state and the same will be discussed by the committee chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi. 

READ: Bihar CM Nitish Kumar: 'Retiring age should be raised beyond 60'

CM inspected various development schemes: Purnea DM Rahul Kumar

Additionally, Nitish Kumar inspected various development schemes and interacted with beneficiaries, informed Purnea district's DM Rahul Kumar. Taking to Twitter, DM Rahul Kumar shared pictures from the CM's event. The official press release by the Bihar government added that the CM was gifted a portrait of Gandhi ji by the district administration. Nitish Kumar also inspected the schemes in Kishanganj and Madhepura district on the same day.  

 READ: Bihar spent Rs 67,000 cr on children from 2013-18: Sushil Modi

How is Mahatma Gandhi related to Tikapatti?

In 1934, Mahatma Gandhi had visited Bihar's Tikapatti and had stayed here for two days. As per reports, Swaraj Ashram has been built at the place where Gandhi ji stayed. The father of the nation had undertaken a padyatra from here to Kursela, a place approximately 12 kilometres away. The place also holds importance in India's freedom struggle and is the place of revolutionary like Freedom fighter Suryanarayan Mandal. The CM added that Mahatma had visited the place in 1925 and 1927 also. During CM Nitish Kumar's visit on Friday, he had offered floral tributes to the memorial statue of Mandal. 

READ: Bihar CM Nitish Kumar expresses grief over T N Seshan's death