Operation Naya Savera to Curb Human Trafficking | Bihar | 02 Aug 2025
Why in News?
To mark World Day Against Trafficking in Persons (30th July), the Bihar Police Headquarters launched ‘Operation Naya Savera’, a major drive to rescue and rehabilitate trafficking victims, especially minors, from exploitative sectors.
- The 2025 theme of World Day Against Trafficking in Persons is "Human trafficking is organised crime — End the exploitation."
Key Facts Regarding Operation Naya Savera and Human Trafficking in Bihar
- About Operation Naya Savera: It is a fortnight-long campaign (31st July to 14th August 2025) that aims to rescue and rehabilitate victims of human trafficking, child labour, flesh trade, and exploitation in orchestra groups.
- It is organised by the Weaker Sections Division of Bihar Police.
- Statistics on Trafficking in Bihar: From January to May 2025, a total of 231 human trafficking cases were registered in Bihar.
- During this period, 118 minor girls and 506 boys were rescued, and 144 traffickers were arrested.
- According to NCRB 2022, Bihar ranked third nationally in human trafficking cases with 260 cases, but it topped the country in the number of minors rescued.
- Anti-Trafficking Mechanism in Bihar:
- District-Level Mechanism: Each district has an Anti-Human Trafficking Committee and an Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (AHTTF) which conducts raids and rescues based on confidential inputs.
- Rehabilitation Process: Rescued victims are rehabilitated through Child Welfare Committees (CWC) and child care institutions.
- Challenges in Combating Trafficking: Proximity to borders aids traffickers' escape, while delayed information hampers rescues.
- Family non-cooperation and social stigma hinder rehabilitation and reintegration of survivors.
- Strategy to Enhance Anti-Trafficking Strategy: Bihar is deploying ground staff across roads and railways to trace victims and has strengthened coordination with NGOs, police, and welfare departments.
- It is also promoting community awareness, supporting survivor reintegration, and issuing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to guide police actions.
Bharat Ratna to Bhikhari Thakur | Bihar | 02 Aug 2025
Why in News?
BJP MP Manoj Tiwari has urged Union Home Minister to posthumously award Bharat Ratna to Bhikhari Thakur, the legendary Bhojpuri poet, playwright, singer, and social reformer.
- The demand for Bharat Ratna to Bhikhari Thakur faces no political opposition in Bihar, reflecting broad cross-party respect for him.
Key Points Regarding Bhikhari Thakur
- About: Bhikhari Thakur, born in 1887 in Qutubpur Diara village, Saran district, Bihar, is often hailed as the "Shakespeare of Bhojpuri".
- He later migrated to Calcutta (now Kolkata), where he keenly observed the struggles of migrant workers, which deeply influenced his work.
- Literary Contributions: He authored 29 books, beginning with Batohiya in 1912.
- His most famous play, Bidesiya, highlights the pain of separation caused by migration.
- Works like Beti Bechwa, Gabar Ghichor, and Achhoot Ki Shikayat addressed critical social issues such as child marriage, dowry, and untouchability.
- Achhoot Ki Shikayat is based on the life of Hira Dom, a Dalit character.
- Through his works, he addressed social issues such as child marriage, caste discrimination, gender inequality, alcoholism, and migration and displacement.
- Legacy: Bhikhari Thakur remains a symbol of Bhojpuri pride and Bihar’s cultural legacy, with his theatre and music continuing to educate, inspire, and promote social reform through grassroots art.