COUNCILLOR John Bell deals with enquiries at all times of the day and night but was surprised to receive one from 6,500 miles away.

Mr Bell, who represents Doon Valley, is accustomed to matters concerning Dalmellington and Patna as part of his workload but not getting calls from Patna in India, until he heard from a newspaper journalist who had discovered the East Ayrshire version of her home city.

He said: “I was contacted by a lady from Bihar in India. Her name is Banjot Kaur and she is a reporter with the Times of India and it was my pleasure to assist her with collating facts and figures about Patna as she was doing an article comparing her city to our village.

“I have in the past assisted another Indian citizen, a gentleman called Apoorva Krishna from the BBC World Service, who was on a similar quest. I was instrumental in setting up a meeting between him and local historian Donald Reid and the staff and children of Patna Primary School, and I find it heart-warming that people from so far away have taken such an interest in our little corner of the world.” Following the latest discussion, Mr Bell was amazed yet again to find that the information provided was deemed interesting enough to make the front page of the Times — of India, of course — which mentioned the church, youth group, and golf club, as well as referring to the train station’s closure in 1964.

The article reads: “Few in Bihar’s Patna or anywhere else in India know there’s another Patna, 11,000km away from Bihar’s capital, in the East Ayrshire Council area of Scotland. Bihar’s Patna city has a population of 17 lakh (1.7million) while Scotland’s Patna is inhabited by 2,000 people.

“Patna, the second surviving Doon Valley village, whose name conjures up visions of rice paddy fields, owes its title to the great Indian city on the Ganges. It was founded in the early years of the 19th century by William Fullarton, whose family had a close connection with the Bihar State.” Mr Reid added some details about how our Patna’s school pupils are aware of the connection, adding: “The children of Patna Primary School have been taught about a Patna situated on the bank of the Ganges. These kids have mastered Indian dance forms and songs. They are also eager to visit Bihar’s Patna just to see the difference.”