Patna, March 23 (NationPress) Bihar Diwas 2025 commenced with great excitement at Gandhi Maidan in Patna on Saturday, with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar formally launching the five-day festivities.

On the inaugural day, the event showcased a rich mix of cultural performances, innovative displays, and awareness campaigns, attracting a diverse audience from across the nation.

One of the prominent highlights was the Road Safety Awareness Exhibition organized by the Bihar Transport Department.

This initiative aimed at promoting safe driving habits and eco-friendly transport, particularly focusing on CNG and electric vehicles.

The transport department's pavilion featured a traffic park with engaging interactive displays on road safety, a puppet show conveying road safety messages, live demonstrations of electric vehicle charging stations, and two vehicle inspection simulators for public interaction. Additional services included mobile number updates for driving licenses, an eye check-up camp for drivers, and a bus pass facility for students with exclusive offers.

The pavilion was inaugurated by Transport Minister Sheela Kumari Mandal, who praised the department’s initiatives.

During her visit, she commended the innovative approach to raising awareness about road safety.

Transport Secretary Sanjay Kumar Agarwal emphasized the government's dedication to sustainable transportation.

'Registration for establishing charging stations in residential complexes or private areas is available at our stall. The state government will also offer grants for this,' Agarwal stated.

To encourage social responsibility, individuals who assist the injured in road accidents will receive special recognition, motivating more citizens to help accident victims.

A painting and slogan writing competition on road safety was held, featuring exciting prizes like helmets, key rings, and reflective bands.

This initiative not only raises awareness about safe driving but also promotes eco-conscious mobility.

As part of the ongoing Bihar Diwas 2025 celebrations at Gandhi Maidan, the Social Welfare Department has established 13 unique stalls presenting various welfare schemes and community initiatives.

These stalls provide essential information regarding schemes under Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), Social Security, Social Welfare, and Divyangjan Empowerment Directorates. A primary attraction at the stall is the emphasis on the welfare of senior citizens.

Visitors receive step-by-step guidance on how to apply for the government pension scheme, detailed in an easy-to-understand manner, which encourages more elderly individuals to benefit from it.

A dedicated eye check-up camp for the elderly has been organized, allowing senior citizens to receive free eye tests, thereby promoting the significance of eye health among older individuals.

The ICDS department hosted two traditional community ceremonies aimed at promoting maternal and child health: Godhbharai Sanskar (Baby Shower for Pregnant Women) provides crucial information on vaccination, nutrition, hygiene, and rest during pregnancy.

This initiative seeks to educate and empower expectant mothers for a healthy pregnancy.

Annaprashan Sanskar (First Solid Food Ceremony) introduced six-month-old children to solid food, following this cultural ritual.

The focus is on enhancing early nutrition to support proper growth and development in infants.

The Social Welfare Department also presented a detailed model of Anganwadi centres illustrating how essential nutrition and health services are delivered to children under six years old and to pregnant and lactating women.

This model highlights the importance of community involvement in early childhood development. A special section showcased the value of millets, recognized for their nutritional advantages.

The display aimed to revive the popularity of traditional grains, advocating them as a healthy and sustainable dietary choice.

The Labour Resources Department unveiled its high-tech stall on Saturday, featuring advanced technologies and information on various government schemes.

The stall aims to present employment opportunities for youth, women, and workers through skill development.

Deepak Anand, Secretary of the Labour Resources Department, inaugurated the stall, extending his greetings to the public on Bihar Diwas.

'The Labour Resources Department is dedicated to serving all workers in the state. We are equipping youth, women, and workers according to market demands through skill training, which will provide better employment opportunities, leading to rapid state development,' Anand stated.

The stall displayed a live model of the Centre of Excellence (CoE), created in partnership with Tata Technologies at the Government Industrial Training Institute (ITI).

The CoE aspires to connect traditional skills with modern industry needs.

During the event, technologies demonstrated included automation and industrial robotics, showcasing how connected devices can transform industries, promoting sustainable transportation technologies, innovative prototyping, and manufacturing techniques, and providing immersive learning experiences.

The robotics demonstration by Tata Tech captivated attendees, offering a glimpse into the future of industries and job opportunities.

The CoE is designed to equip youth with advanced technical skills to meet industry standards, fostering self-employment and entrepreneurship through innovative technologies and providing better job prospects in high-demand sectors.

Notable figures present during the event included Alok Kumar, Special Secretary; Sunil Kumar Yadav, Director of Planning and Training; Rajesh Bharti, Labour Commissioner of Bihar; Suresh Kumar Singh, Mission Director of Bihar Skill Development Mission; and Manish Kumar, a representative from Tata Tech.

The stall highlighted how the Labour Resources Department is transforming Bihar's workforce by aligning it with modern industry requirements.

Through skill training and advanced technologies, the department aims to empower youth, women, and workers, thereby accelerating the state's economic development.

The National Book Trust (NBT), India, under the Ministry of Education's guidance, is hosting the Patna Book Festival 2025 at Gandhi Maidan in Patna.

This event is part of NBT's ongoing mission to foster a culture of reading and literature across India through fairs, workshops, and literary events.

Following the successful conclusion of the New Delhi World Book Fair 2025, the focus now shifts to the capital of Bihar, where book enthusiasts from the state and beyond gather to celebrate literature.

The festival features nearly 300 book stalls, with publishers and exhibitors from various regions of India, presenting a diverse array of books in Hindi, English, and various regional languages.

Book lovers can explore genres such as fiction, non-fiction, children's literature, academic texts, and more.

Authors and representatives from all corners of India are participating in this event.

A significant highlight of the festival is the Children's Corner, offering an exciting daily lineup of activities designed to inspire and engage young minds.

Activities include Puppetry and Storytelling Sessions, interactive stories and performances, poetry and theatre workshops, an art competition celebrating Bihar Day, a Madhubani art workshop showcasing Bihar's traditional art form, and a session for aspiring young poets.

One of the most anticipated segments is the participation of young writers from Bihar, mentored under the first and second editions of the PM-YUVA Mentorship Scheme.

Prominent young writers such as Utkarsh Anand, Nisar Ahmed, Safia Akhtar Subhani, and Deepshikha are taking part.

The recently launched PM-YUVA 3.0 scheme is now open for aspiring writers across India until April 10, 2025, encouraging new literary voices to emerge.

The Patna Book Festival 2025 is more than just an event; it is a celebration of knowledge, culture, and creativity.

With its combination of book stalls, interactive sessions, and cultural programs, the festival promises something for everyone, from avid readers to aspiring writers.