July 6, 2026

November 2025

AQI close to ‘severe’ NEW DELHI: The capital’s air quality continued to deteriorate for the fourth day running, with the city’s average AQI inching closer to ‘severe’ levels on Sunday. The day’s average air quality index was recorded at 370, in the upper range of ‘very poor’, the second worst of the season so far after October 30, when the index was at 373. Delhi woke up to another morning of toxic smog but, just as on the previous day, winds picked up towards late afternoon, providing some relief. The average AQI at 8 am Sunday was 391, close to the ‘severe’ range that starts from 401. By 11 am, the air remained just as bad, with the AQI at 389. The day’s official 24-hour average is taken at 4 pm, when the air had improved a bit. The share of pollutants from farm fires in Punjab and Haryana on Delhi’s PM2.5 levels continues to be low, with the figure dipping to nearly 5% from 8% on Saturday. “The wind speed reached 14-15 kmph in the afternoon. While yesterday the wind was northwesterly, coming from Punjab and Haryana, today it changed to westerly and south-westerly. Thus, the fire farm impact,” said Mahesh Palawat of Skymet.’Improving Trend’: CAQM says GRAP-III not needed as of now According to the Centre’s Decision Support System (DSS), the share of farm fires was 5.3% on Sunday. The share has been less than 10% so far this season while in the past years it has peaked at over 40%. The DSS did not issue any forecast on the impact of stubble burning for Monday. The air quality early warning system expects the air quality to remain within the very poor category. “The air quality is very likely to be in the very poor category from November 10 to 12,” it stated. The AQI is expected to stay ‘very poor’ for the subsequent six days as well, the note added. Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) said that they are not imposing strict pollution preventive measures under Grap-III. The CAQM issued a statement asserting that in the wake of Delhi’s daily average AQI hovering around the higher end of the very poor category in the morning, a review meeting was held on GRAP. “However, the sub-committee, while reviewing the current air quality scenario of Delhi-NCR and forecasts for weather/meteorological conditions made available by IMD/IITM, noted that at 10am the hourly average AQI of Delhi was 391… Given that Delhi’s daily average AQI has since shown a consistent declining trend, with AQI improving to 370 at 4 pm and further improving to 365 at 5 pm today, with the dynamic model and forecasts for weather/meteorological conditions and AQI by IMD/IITM also indicating the overall AQI of Delhi to stay in the ‘very poor’ category in the coming days, the sub-committee opined that invocation of stage-III of GRAP is not required at the moment,” CAQM stated. Delhi environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa pointed to a slew of measure being taken by the city govt, including installing sprinklers, fixing pollution norms for industries etc, while attacking the previous AAP govt, stating that while they let Delhi’s pollution worsen for 10 years and expect it to be cleaned in 7 months. “The inaction of pollution of 10 years cannot be fixed in 7 months… AAP commented on the location of the Bawana monitoring station, which was installed by them. They spent money on advertisements and not on fixing pollution. We are working to make the situation better,” said Sirsa. Delhi, meanwhile, continued to feel the chill, recording a minimum temperature of 11.6 degress Celsius on Sunday, which was three degrees below normal. This was marginally higher than Saturday’s season low of 11 degress Celsius. The maximum was 28.1 degrees Celsius, which was a degree above normal. IMD has forecast shallow fog on Monday morning, with both maximum and minimum temperatures expected to stay in a similar range.About the AuthorKushagra DixitKushagra Dixit writes on environmental issues, wildlife conservation, climate change, agriculture, human rights, and scientific research. His investigative coverage encompasses river contamination with emphasis on the Yamuna, air pollution, urban waste and their collective effects on public wellbeing.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosRiga Sugar Mill Revival: Locals Speak On Change And Challenges Ahead Of Bihar PollsPrez Murmu Pushes For Oil, Critical Minerals, Tech Cooperation During Angola Visit; Key MoUs signed‘Modi, Shah, Gyanesh Fear Gen Z’: Rahul Gandhi Hits Out Over ‘Vote Theft’ At Bihar RallyTeen Shoots Classmate With Father’s Pistol At Posh Gurugram Society; Victim Critical‘Peeping Into Our Residence’: Aaditya Thackeray Slams MMRDA After Drone Spotted Near Matoshree‘India Is A Continental And Maritime Power, Holds Key Role In Indian Ocean Region’: CDS Anil ChauhanPM Modi Unveils ₹8,000 Crore Projects to Boost Uttarakhand’s InfrastructureEvery Indian Shares Ancestral Roots, No ‘Ahindu’ Exists: Mohan BhagwatFormer Army Commander Warns of Rising Extremist Threat from BangladeshPM Modi Highlights Legal Reforms, Stresses Need for Law in Local Languages123Photostories5 effective and easy ways to build a stronger relationship with the boss5 national parks in India where you can spot the endangered wild dogs (dholes)5 high-protein soups you can whip up in 15 minutes or lessBirthday special: Arhaan Khan’s sweetest social media moments with mom Malaika Arora5 must-have Kashmiri winter outfitsFrom heart health to better sleep: 5 reasons why one should consume pumpkin seedsFrom not having enough money to buy a house to putting in their entire savings; Rohit Purohit and Sheena Bajaj’s white haven in Mumbai5 foods that secretly make your face bloated and what to eat insteadHow to make mornings easier before school: 10 real-life tips for moms and dads that actually work’Laal Singh Chaddha’, ‘Action Replayy’, ‘Dil Bole Hadippa!’: Bollywood remakes of Hollywood hits that failed to impress at the box office123Hot PicksStock market holidayBank HolidayBihar Election 2025Gold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays NovemberBank Holidays NovemberTop TrendingMarshawn Kneeland Cause of DeathMLB Trade RumorsMLB Trade Rumors Detroit TigersMicah ParsonsFortnite OG Butterfly Live EventMarshawn Kneeland NewsNHL Injury UpdateBO Nix WifeNew Vande Bharat ExpressIndia World Cup Cash Prize

AQI close to ‘severe’ NEW DELHI: The capital’s air quality continued to deteriorate for the fourth day running, with the city’s average AQI inching closer to ‘severe’ levels on Sunday. The day’s average air quality index was recorded at 370, in the upper range of ‘very poor’, the second worst of the season so far after October 30, when the index was at 373. Delhi woke up to another morning of toxic smog but, just as on the previous day, winds picked up towards late afternoon, providing some relief. The average AQI at 8 am Sunday was 391, close to the ‘severe’ range that starts from 401. By 11 am, the air remained just as bad, with the AQI at 389. The day’s official 24-hour average is taken at 4 pm, when the air had improved a bit. The share of pollutants from farm fires in Punjab and Haryana on Delhi’s PM2.5 levels continues to be low, with the figure dipping to nearly 5% from 8% on Saturday. “The wind speed reached 14-15 kmph in the afternoon. While yesterday the wind was northwesterly, coming from Punjab and Haryana, today it changed to westerly and south-westerly. Thus, the fire farm impact,” said Mahesh Palawat of Skymet.’Improving Trend’: CAQM says GRAP-III not needed as of now According to the Centre’s Decision Support System (DSS), the share of farm fires was 5.3% on Sunday. The share has been less than 10% so far this season while in the past years it has peaked at over 40%. The DSS did not issue any forecast on the impact of stubble burning for Monday. The air quality early warning system expects the air quality to remain within the very poor category. “The air quality is very likely to be in the very poor category from November 10 to 12,” it stated. The AQI is expected to stay ‘very poor’ for the subsequent six days as well, the note added. Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) said that they are not imposing strict pollution preventive measures under Grap-III. The CAQM issued a statement asserting that in the wake of Delhi’s daily average AQI hovering around the higher end of the very poor category in the morning, a review meeting was held on GRAP. “However, the sub-committee, while reviewing the current air quality scenario of Delhi-NCR and forecasts for weather/meteorological conditions made available by IMD/IITM, noted that at 10am the hourly average AQI of Delhi was 391… Given that Delhi’s daily average AQI has since shown a consistent declining trend, with AQI improving to 370 at 4 pm and further improving to 365 at 5 pm today, with the dynamic model and forecasts for weather/meteorological conditions and AQI by IMD/IITM also indicating the overall AQI of Delhi to stay in the ‘very poor’ category in the coming days, the sub-committee opined that invocation of stage-III of GRAP is not required at the moment,” CAQM stated. Delhi environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa pointed to a slew of measure being taken by the city govt, including installing sprinklers, fixing pollution norms for industries etc, while attacking the previous AAP govt, stating that while they let Delhi’s pollution worsen for 10 years and expect it to be cleaned in 7 months. “The inaction of pollution of 10 years cannot be fixed in 7 months… AAP commented on the location of the Bawana monitoring station, which was installed by them. They spent money on advertisements and not on fixing pollution. We are working to make the situation better,” said Sirsa. Delhi, meanwhile, continued to feel the chill, recording a minimum temperature of 11.6 degress Celsius on Sunday, which was three degrees below normal. This was marginally higher than Saturday’s season low of 11 degress Celsius. The maximum was 28.1 degrees Celsius, which was a degree above normal. IMD has forecast shallow fog on Monday morning, with both maximum and minimum temperatures expected to stay in a similar range.About the AuthorKushagra DixitKushagra Dixit writes on environmental issues, wildlife conservation, climate change, agriculture, human rights, and scientific research. His investigative coverage encompasses river contamination with emphasis on the Yamuna, air pollution, urban waste and their collective effects on public wellbeing.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosRiga Sugar Mill Revival: Locals Speak On Change And Challenges Ahead Of Bihar PollsPrez Murmu Pushes For Oil, Critical Minerals, Tech Cooperation During Angola Visit; Key MoUs signed‘Modi, Shah, Gyanesh Fear Gen Z’: Rahul Gandhi Hits Out Over ‘Vote Theft’ At Bihar RallyTeen Shoots Classmate With Father’s Pistol At Posh Gurugram Society; Victim Critical‘Peeping Into Our Residence’: Aaditya Thackeray Slams MMRDA After Drone Spotted Near Matoshree‘India Is A Continental And Maritime Power, Holds Key Role In Indian Ocean Region’: CDS Anil ChauhanPM Modi Unveils ₹8,000 Crore Projects to Boost Uttarakhand’s InfrastructureEvery Indian Shares Ancestral Roots, No ‘Ahindu’ Exists: Mohan BhagwatFormer Army Commander Warns of Rising Extremist Threat from BangladeshPM Modi Highlights Legal Reforms, Stresses Need for Law in Local Languages123Photostories5 effective and easy ways to build a stronger relationship with the boss5 national parks in India where you can spot the endangered wild dogs (dholes)5 high-protein soups you can whip up in 15 minutes or lessBirthday special: Arhaan Khan’s sweetest social media moments with mom Malaika Arora5 must-have Kashmiri winter outfitsFrom heart health to better sleep: 5 reasons why one should consume pumpkin seedsFrom not having enough money to buy a house to putting in their entire savings; Rohit Purohit and Sheena Bajaj’s white haven in Mumbai5 foods that secretly make your face bloated and what to eat insteadHow to make mornings easier before school: 10 real-life tips for moms and dads that actually work’Laal Singh Chaddha’, ‘Action Replayy’, ‘Dil Bole Hadippa!’: Bollywood remakes of Hollywood hits that failed to impress at the box office123Hot PicksStock market holidayBank HolidayBihar Election 2025Gold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays NovemberBank Holidays NovemberTop TrendingMarshawn Kneeland Cause of DeathMLB Trade RumorsMLB Trade Rumors Detroit TigersMicah ParsonsFortnite OG Butterfly Live EventMarshawn Kneeland NewsNHL Injury UpdateBO Nix WifeNew Vande Bharat ExpressIndia World Cup Cash Prize

Vamsikrishna04 mins mins

AQI close to ‘severe’ NEW DELHI: The capital’s air quality continued to deteriorate for the fourth day running, with the city’s average AQI inching closer to ‘severe’ levels on Sunday. The day’s average air quality index was recorded at 370, in the upper range of ‘very poor’, the second worst of the season so far…

Read More
From ‘Last Summer’ to ‘Dynamite Kiss’, new releases heating up November 2025

From ‘Last Summer’ to ‘Dynamite Kiss’, new releases heating up November 2025

Vamsikrishna01 mins mins

Get ready for the empowering female-led dramedy ‘No Next Life’, debuting on November 10. Starring Kim Hee-sun, Han Hye-jin, and Jin Seo-yeon, and directed by Kim Jeong-min, the series follows three friends in their forties who are done juggling work, motherhood, and endless expectations. Together, they decide to chase the better, more fulfilling lives they’ve…

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Why did BBC director-general Tim Davie resign? Inside the row over doctored Trump January 6 speech

Why did BBC director-general Tim Davie resign? Inside the row over doctored Trump January 6 speech

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

The head of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Tim Davie, announced his resignation on Sunday, ending a 20‑year career with the broadcaster and his five‑year tenure as director‑general. His departure comes amid a swirling row over the corporation’s editorial standards. What triggered the move The immediate cause was a documentary from the BBC’s flagship current‑affairs…

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. PATNA: A child sits cross-legged on the mud floor of a dark hut. His tiny, dirty hands dip into a bowl of rice and watery lentils. Grains stick to his face as he focuses on his meal, oblivious to the harsh conditions that shape his world. Outside, the fields stretch towards the horizon, dotted with thatched huts. When the rains come, snakes from the waterlogged land slither into these homes. Some have died from snakebite here in the past. Next door, a family of seven shares a room the size of a small shop, nine-by-nine-foot. The cracked concrete roof – miraculously held together by rusted iron rods – droops in the middle. Parts of it have come loose, injuring occupants as they fell. Yet, with nowhere else to go, the family continues to live, cook and sleep under it – living in constant fear that the next collapse could prove fatal. These are pictures from a colony of Musahars, a community that makes up 3.1% of Bihar’s population. They have long lived on the edges of survival, socially and economically. One of the most marginalised among the Dalit communities, the Musahars (mus means rat) – who commonly use surnames such as Rishidev, Sada, and Manjhi – have historically faced stigma owing to their traditional occupation as catchers and eaters of rats. According to the Bihar Caste Survey 2022-23, nearly 40 lakh Musahars live in the state. Barely 0.3% of them have govt jobs. Nearly 45% live in huts, 29% in khapda or tin sheds, and 18% in one-room pucca houses. Fewer than one in a hundred own a computer or laptop – with or without internet – and 99.6% do not own any vehicle. Vivek Kumar Rai, a PhD scholar studying the Musahars of Bihar at the TERI School of Advanced Studies in New Delhi, said, “The overall condition of the Musahar community in the state has improved compared to what it was in the 1960s or 1970s, when a majority of them survived on food that was ignored by the dominant communities. In many parts of Bihar, the community remained in bondage for generations. “The Musahars now largely depend on agricultural labour and whatever work they can find. But widespread inequality persists within the Scheduled Caste category.” Many members of the Musahar community in Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur, and Samastipur told TOI that the practice of rat-eating has now become “extinct”, largely because of govt-supplied free rations that are available to most families. But in Fatehpur Bala village in Samastipur district, many Musahar families said they had to bribe officials to obtain ration cards. Rekha Devi, a young mother of four, said, “My mother-in-law receives ration, but I do not. The amount she gets is not enough for all of us.” Life, as the Musahars have known it – theirs is a community that has long suffered the scourge of untouchability and discrimination – may have changed, but mostly in form. “It’s better than it used to be,” said Hari Chandra Sada, 42, a resident of the Musahar settlement in the village, “but people still don’t want Musahars to enter their house for repair work.” Community members said they mainly earn their livelihood now as daily-wagers, with most forced to migrate to Punjab, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal for work. A decade ago, and for a brief period, the community found its most visible face in Jitan Ram Manjhi, a Musahar who became the chief minister of Bihar in 2014 and is now a Union minister in the NDA govt. His ascent was celebrated as a rare moment of representation for one of India’s most marginalised castes. Manjhi’s party, the Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM), joined hands with the NDA, giving the alliance a dependable base among the Mahadalit groups. Yet, many Musahars say representation has not necessarily brought change. “Where the Musahar community is concerned, Manjhi’s rise, along with a handful of other political representatives, has been mainly symbolic,” said Tanvir Aeijaz, associate professor of political science at Delhi University’s Ramjas College. “Their leadership has not created a broader network of empowered Musahar leaders. The community’s visibility in politics has not translated into substantive policy action,” Aeijaz said. As Bihar heads into the second phase of polling, both the NDA and the opposition INDIA bloc are vying for the Musahar vote. Promises abound: jobs, housing, education, dignity. INDIA bloc leader Tejashwi Yadav has pledged “one govt job per family” and vowed to build permanent homes for those living in slums. The governing NDA, on the other hand, has promised one crore jobs, skill centres in every district, and financial assistance for marginalised groups. Both alliances have also pledged better access to education, housing, and welfare subsidies. On the outskirts of Darbhanga, in Dhoi village, about 300 Musahars live in shanties with tarpaulin roofs. Ram Narain Sadai, who lives with 10 relatives in a single room, said, “We don’t have a toilet and have to go to the fields.” Many women here still give birth at home. A handful of families received govt-built pucca houses two decades ago; most are now cracked, their roofs leaking. “The walls are giving way,” said Budhan Sadai, a labourer. “But we can’t leave them. Where will we go?” In Muzaffarpur, Vinod Manjhi, a construction worker, said a few hand pumps is all that the 400 people in his settlement have by way of water supply. “We have not received piped water connections yet,” he said. Only a few have managed to escape poverty. Bappy Rishi, a block development officer in Kishanganj district, says he’s one of the fortunate few. He said reports and surveys show that literacy among the Musahars in Bihar is only around 35%. In 2016, Bihar banned alcohol. In Musahar settlements though, the ban is mostly on paper. In Samastipur, a woman said her husband drinks every night. “After getting drunk, the men beat their wives over petty disputes. Liquor is available in the village, there is no prohibition here.” Liquor is cheap, often brewed at home, and sometimes deadly. “They drink what they can afford,” said Anil Kumar, who lives near a Musahar cluster in Darbhanga. “It kills slowly, but they keep drinking. It’s the only escape they know.”About the AuthorAlok MishraAlok Mishra. CEO at Bag2BagEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosRiga Sugar Mill Revival: Locals Speak On Change And Challenges Ahead Of Bihar PollsPrez Murmu Pushes For Oil, Critical Minerals, Tech Cooperation During Angola Visit; Key MoUs signed‘Modi, Shah, Gyanesh Fear Gen Z’: Rahul Gandhi Hits Out Over ‘Vote Theft’ At Bihar RallyTeen Shoots Classmate With Father’s Pistol At Posh Gurugram Society; Victim Critical‘Peeping Into Our Residence’: Aaditya Thackeray Slams MMRDA After Drone Spotted Near Matoshree‘India Is A Continental And Maritime Power, Holds Key Role In Indian Ocean Region’: CDS Anil ChauhanPM Modi Unveils ₹8,000 Crore Projects to Boost Uttarakhand’s InfrastructureEvery Indian Shares Ancestral Roots, No ‘Ahindu’ Exists: Mohan BhagwatFormer Army Commander Warns of Rising Extremist Threat from BangladeshPM Modi Highlights Legal Reforms, Stresses Need for Law in Local Languages123Photostories5 effective and easy ways to build a stronger relationship with the boss5 national parks in India where you can spot the endangered wild dogs (dholes)5 high-protein soups you can whip up in 15 minutes or lessBirthday special: Arhaan Khan’s sweetest social media moments with mom Malaika Arora5 must-have Kashmiri winter outfitsFrom heart health to better sleep: 5 reasons why one should consume pumpkin seedsFrom not having enough money to buy a house to putting in their entire savings; Rohit Purohit and Sheena Bajaj’s white haven in Mumbai5 foods that secretly make your face bloated and what to eat insteadHow to make mornings easier before school: 10 real-life tips for moms and dads that actually work’Laal Singh Chaddha’, ‘Action Replayy’, ‘Dil Bole Hadippa!’: Bollywood remakes of Hollywood hits that failed to impress at the box office123Hot PicksStock market holidayBank HolidayBihar Election 2025Gold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays NovemberBank Holidays NovemberTop TrendingMarshawn Kneeland Cause of DeathMLB Trade RumorsMLB Trade Rumors Detroit TigersMicah ParsonsFortnite OG Butterfly Live EventMarshawn Kneeland NewsNHL Injury UpdateBO Nix WifeNew Vande Bharat ExpressIndia World Cup Cash Prize

. PATNA: A child sits cross-legged on the mud floor of a dark hut. His tiny, dirty hands dip into a bowl of rice and watery lentils. Grains stick to his face as he focuses on his meal, oblivious to the harsh conditions that shape his world. Outside, the fields stretch towards the horizon, dotted with thatched huts. When the rains come, snakes from the waterlogged land slither into these homes. Some have died from snakebite here in the past. Next door, a family of seven shares a room the size of a small shop, nine-by-nine-foot. The cracked concrete roof – miraculously held together by rusted iron rods – droops in the middle. Parts of it have come loose, injuring occupants as they fell. Yet, with nowhere else to go, the family continues to live, cook and sleep under it – living in constant fear that the next collapse could prove fatal. These are pictures from a colony of Musahars, a community that makes up 3.1% of Bihar’s population. They have long lived on the edges of survival, socially and economically. One of the most marginalised among the Dalit communities, the Musahars (mus means rat) – who commonly use surnames such as Rishidev, Sada, and Manjhi – have historically faced stigma owing to their traditional occupation as catchers and eaters of rats. According to the Bihar Caste Survey 2022-23, nearly 40 lakh Musahars live in the state. Barely 0.3% of them have govt jobs. Nearly 45% live in huts, 29% in khapda or tin sheds, and 18% in one-room pucca houses. Fewer than one in a hundred own a computer or laptop – with or without internet – and 99.6% do not own any vehicle. Vivek Kumar Rai, a PhD scholar studying the Musahars of Bihar at the TERI School of Advanced Studies in New Delhi, said, “The overall condition of the Musahar community in the state has improved compared to what it was in the 1960s or 1970s, when a majority of them survived on food that was ignored by the dominant communities. In many parts of Bihar, the community remained in bondage for generations. “The Musahars now largely depend on agricultural labour and whatever work they can find. But widespread inequality persists within the Scheduled Caste category.” Many members of the Musahar community in Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur, and Samastipur told TOI that the practice of rat-eating has now become “extinct”, largely because of govt-supplied free rations that are available to most families. But in Fatehpur Bala village in Samastipur district, many Musahar families said they had to bribe officials to obtain ration cards. Rekha Devi, a young mother of four, said, “My mother-in-law receives ration, but I do not. The amount she gets is not enough for all of us.” Life, as the Musahars have known it – theirs is a community that has long suffered the scourge of untouchability and discrimination – may have changed, but mostly in form. “It’s better than it used to be,” said Hari Chandra Sada, 42, a resident of the Musahar settlement in the village, “but people still don’t want Musahars to enter their house for repair work.” Community members said they mainly earn their livelihood now as daily-wagers, with most forced to migrate to Punjab, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal for work. A decade ago, and for a brief period, the community found its most visible face in Jitan Ram Manjhi, a Musahar who became the chief minister of Bihar in 2014 and is now a Union minister in the NDA govt. His ascent was celebrated as a rare moment of representation for one of India’s most marginalised castes. Manjhi’s party, the Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM), joined hands with the NDA, giving the alliance a dependable base among the Mahadalit groups. Yet, many Musahars say representation has not necessarily brought change. “Where the Musahar community is concerned, Manjhi’s rise, along with a handful of other political representatives, has been mainly symbolic,” said Tanvir Aeijaz, associate professor of political science at Delhi University’s Ramjas College. “Their leadership has not created a broader network of empowered Musahar leaders. The community’s visibility in politics has not translated into substantive policy action,” Aeijaz said. As Bihar heads into the second phase of polling, both the NDA and the opposition INDIA bloc are vying for the Musahar vote. Promises abound: jobs, housing, education, dignity. INDIA bloc leader Tejashwi Yadav has pledged “one govt job per family” and vowed to build permanent homes for those living in slums. The governing NDA, on the other hand, has promised one crore jobs, skill centres in every district, and financial assistance for marginalised groups. Both alliances have also pledged better access to education, housing, and welfare subsidies. On the outskirts of Darbhanga, in Dhoi village, about 300 Musahars live in shanties with tarpaulin roofs. Ram Narain Sadai, who lives with 10 relatives in a single room, said, “We don’t have a toilet and have to go to the fields.” Many women here still give birth at home. A handful of families received govt-built pucca houses two decades ago; most are now cracked, their roofs leaking. “The walls are giving way,” said Budhan Sadai, a labourer. “But we can’t leave them. Where will we go?” In Muzaffarpur, Vinod Manjhi, a construction worker, said a few hand pumps is all that the 400 people in his settlement have by way of water supply. “We have not received piped water connections yet,” he said. Only a few have managed to escape poverty. Bappy Rishi, a block development officer in Kishanganj district, says he’s one of the fortunate few. He said reports and surveys show that literacy among the Musahars in Bihar is only around 35%. In 2016, Bihar banned alcohol. In Musahar settlements though, the ban is mostly on paper. In Samastipur, a woman said her husband drinks every night. “After getting drunk, the men beat their wives over petty disputes. Liquor is available in the village, there is no prohibition here.” Liquor is cheap, often brewed at home, and sometimes deadly. “They drink what they can afford,” said Anil Kumar, who lives near a Musahar cluster in Darbhanga. “It kills slowly, but they keep drinking. It’s the only escape they know.”About the AuthorAlok MishraAlok Mishra. CEO at Bag2BagEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosRiga Sugar Mill Revival: Locals Speak On Change And Challenges Ahead Of Bihar PollsPrez Murmu Pushes For Oil, Critical Minerals, Tech Cooperation During Angola Visit; Key MoUs signed‘Modi, Shah, Gyanesh Fear Gen Z’: Rahul Gandhi Hits Out Over ‘Vote Theft’ At Bihar RallyTeen Shoots Classmate With Father’s Pistol At Posh Gurugram Society; Victim Critical‘Peeping Into Our Residence’: Aaditya Thackeray Slams MMRDA After Drone Spotted Near Matoshree‘India Is A Continental And Maritime Power, Holds Key Role In Indian Ocean Region’: CDS Anil ChauhanPM Modi Unveils ₹8,000 Crore Projects to Boost Uttarakhand’s InfrastructureEvery Indian Shares Ancestral Roots, No ‘Ahindu’ Exists: Mohan BhagwatFormer Army Commander Warns of Rising Extremist Threat from BangladeshPM Modi Highlights Legal Reforms, Stresses Need for Law in Local Languages123Photostories5 effective and easy ways to build a stronger relationship with the boss5 national parks in India where you can spot the endangered wild dogs (dholes)5 high-protein soups you can whip up in 15 minutes or lessBirthday special: Arhaan Khan’s sweetest social media moments with mom Malaika Arora5 must-have Kashmiri winter outfitsFrom heart health to better sleep: 5 reasons why one should consume pumpkin seedsFrom not having enough money to buy a house to putting in their entire savings; Rohit Purohit and Sheena Bajaj’s white haven in Mumbai5 foods that secretly make your face bloated and what to eat insteadHow to make mornings easier before school: 10 real-life tips for moms and dads that actually work’Laal Singh Chaddha’, ‘Action Replayy’, ‘Dil Bole Hadippa!’: Bollywood remakes of Hollywood hits that failed to impress at the box office123Hot PicksStock market holidayBank HolidayBihar Election 2025Gold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays NovemberBank Holidays NovemberTop TrendingMarshawn Kneeland Cause of DeathMLB Trade RumorsMLB Trade Rumors Detroit TigersMicah ParsonsFortnite OG Butterfly Live EventMarshawn Kneeland NewsNHL Injury UpdateBO Nix WifeNew Vande Bharat ExpressIndia World Cup Cash Prize

Vamsikrishna06 mins mins

PATNA: A child sits cross-legged on the mud floor of a dark hut. His tiny, dirty hands dip into a bowl of rice and watery lentils. Grains stick to his face as he focuses on his meal, oblivious to the harsh conditions that shape his world. Outside, the fields stretch towards the horizon, dotted with…

Read More
US–China trade ties: Beijing halts export ban on ‘dual-use’ materials; gallium, germanium, antimony set to flow again

US–China trade ties: Beijing halts export ban on ‘dual-use’ materials; gallium, germanium, antimony set to flow again

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

China has stepped back from one of its toughest trade measures against the United States, pausing a ban that restricted exports of gallium, germanium, antimony and other products linked to high-tech manufacturing. The commerce ministry said on Sunday that the suspension applies to “dual-use” items, goods that can be used for both civilian and military…

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Rajesh Khanna’s guru kurtas, Amitabh bachchan’s denim on demin look to Kamal Haasan’s crisp attires; The evolution of men’s style in Indian Cinema

Rajesh Khanna’s guru kurtas, Amitabh bachchan’s denim on demin look to Kamal Haasan’s crisp attires; The evolution of men’s style in Indian Cinema

Vamsikrishna06 mins mins

The realm of Bollywood has seen male stars who are not just actors but sartorial pioneers. With Dev Anand’s sophisticated allure, Amitabh Bachchan’s iconic rebel vibe, Feroz Khan’s bold panache, and Kamal Haasan’s adaptive style, these men transformed each decade with their unique fashion sensibilities. Indian cinema has always been blessed with style icons who…

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Former Prince Andrew brought prostitutes to Buckingham Palace ‘on a regular basis’; Queen Elizabeth was aware, claims historian

Former Prince Andrew brought prostitutes to Buckingham Palace ‘on a regular basis’; Queen Elizabeth was aware, claims historian

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

Former Prince Andrew reportedly turned Buckingham Palace into his personal pleasure palace, bringing prostitutes into the royal home for years while Queen Elizabeth was aware of the deeds, according to historian Andrew Lownie.“He brought in prostitutes to Buckingham Palace for years. It was done on a regular basis. People who worked there complained to people…

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Pakistan’s manufacturing sector slump: Private investment plunges 46%; experts warn of long-term industrial decay

Pakistan’s manufacturing sector slump: Private investment plunges 46%; experts warn of long-term industrial decay

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

Representative image (Picture credit: ANI) Pakistan’s manufacturing industry, once considered a key driver of economic growth and employment, is undergoing one of its worst downturns in recent history. The sector has seen a steep 46 per cent fall in private investment over the past six years, raising fears of long-term stagnation among economists and industrial…

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9 historical monuments in India which are over 1,000 years old!

9 historical monuments in India which are over 1,000 years old!

Vamsikrishna04 mins mins

India is dotted with some incredible architecture which is not only historically significant but also holds immense spiritual values. But what makes them extraordinary is the fact that most of these monuments stretch back thousands of years! These monuments have withstood time, dynastic change, and natural calamities which add to their historical importance. These ancient…

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