Bihar

• 14 May 2022

Proposal to rename Gaya as 'Gayaji' passed

Why In News

• On May 13, 2022, Gaya Municipal Corporation Deputy Mayor Mohan Srivastava informed that the municipal corporation has unanimously passed a resolution to rename Gaya as 'Gayaji' and has submitted an application to the state and the Government of India.

Key Point

• It may be recalled that on May 11, 2022, a resolution was passed to rename Gaya as 'Gayaji' in a meeting of the Standing Committee of the Gaya Municipal Corporation.
• Gaya is an internationally renowned city. Gaya is very important in Sanatan Dharma. At the same time, there is the enlightenment of Mahatma Buddha in Bodh Gaya. Being a land of salvation, people from all over the country and abroad come here to do pinddaan.
• Historically Gaya was part of the ancient Magadha Empire. The city is situated on the banks of the Falgu River and is one of the holiest places recognized for hindus.
• Behind the naming of the city of Gaya, there is a belief that here Lord Vishnu killed Gayasur in a duel. It is mentioned in the ancient texts that here Lord Rama himself had done the pinddaan of his fathers.

350-year-old building in Patna taluka to be demolished

Why In News

• On May 13, 2022, the Supreme Court allowed the demolition of a 350-year-old building of the collectorate office in Bihar's capital Patna.

Key Point

• The Patna unit of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) had filed a petition in the Supreme Court to save the building. The court in its order said that not every building of the British Raj is fit to be protected.
• Challenging the state government's decision to demolish the building, the petition had said that the building is a major part of the city's cultural heritage. It should be preserved rather than demolished.
• The Bihar government had issued orders on July 31, 2019, deciding to demolish this dilapidated building of the Patna collector's office. The Supreme Court had in September 2020 directed to maintain the status quo in the building.
• The Bihar Urban Arts and Heritage Commission had on June 4, 2020 approved the demolition of the collectorate complex. In 1972, archaeological survey of India (ASI) conducted a survey in Bihar. It too had not included the Collectorate of Patna in the list of protected buildings.
• It is worth mentioning that this building was used by the British as a warehouse for opium and salt storage.