Though I hate to use cliches, this is a seminal writing from Rajiv. It's true that "Bihari" is a term of abuse - also in Delhi. I remember a time when I was studying for my masters in Mumbai, and an economics prof, very distinguished and polished, made a snide remark about Biharis. I was shocked, and it showed. The professor noticed it and said he was sorry if he'd hurt anyone, assuming I was a Bihari. I'm not.
Like colour prejudice, racism comes naturally to most of us Indians. Rajiv struggles to find positives for Bihar. I believe there are none. I also think the media is guilty of giving Laloo a "cutie pie" image. There's nothing funny about the number of murders and rapes in Bihar.
And yes, while the South has grown and thrown up politicians who are not scum, look at it this way: Singapore's per capita income is 20KUSD per year. Ours is less than 500. Yes there are other measures of progress, but whichever one you use the equation is this: if Singapore gets 100 points for development, India would get 2. Bihar may be at 0, the "good" states would be at 5,6 or 7. There's a long way to go for everyone!
I will rather wait for that time rather than risk life now. In a kingship it is "Yadhar Raja Thadaha Praja"-in a democaracy it "Yadha Praja Thadhar Raja". Buddhiraju.
As you say, if Bihar has to be successful in next 20 years, then it has to get rid of Rabri's, Laloo's, Nitish's and so many more... It is irking us when you make a point of fun saying Madrasi. What is wrong with Madrasi? We, in the south are continuosuly deprived as compared to North, in terms of power and glare. Still we maintain our success rate, as you mentioned. What else do you expect? Are these achievements not enough? Still we need to develop a bit, but that happens over time. It is easy to heal a small wound in our body. If Bihar or many other North states have to develop to what we are today, it need our good CMs to rule that place. But the power hungry North politicians won't allow us. See the no. of incapable ministers from North in the centre (baring a few very good ministers).
great aticle seen. Bihar has two extrtemeties on one side ricksa wala other side IAS . The resource we had or have no body can go above the level we have gone...
Hi, Being someone who had been working with development issues in Bihar and Jharkhand for the past two and a half years, I couldn't agree more with your views and the inherent optimism about the potential and the future of undivided Bihar. The press keeps talking about the law and order situation in the state but I thought that it was in Delhi itself that a Swiss diplomat was raped and almost simultaneously there was another molestation attempt in the same area. People speak endlessly of corruption in Bihar. Please show me one state in India (or anywhere else)where there is no such phenomenon. Govt. systems are in complete shambles in Bihar - what about the Health system in West Bengal? even as a Bengali, I would like to say that Pandora's box has been opened and it won't be shut so fast. While I'm not trying to give Bihar or Biharis an absolutely clean bill of health, I do believe that they deserve a better deal than they currently get in this country. Hurrah for Bihar!
Hi Rajiv, It was nicely started article but lost track in the flow.I being a Bihari,who after years of education in delhi,and working for sometime as S/W Dev.,still want to go back to bihar.But alas,i went,tried,only to see dead people around.in my analysis, there are only two kind of "alive" people living in bihar. 1) who have not seen the world, and can't think the world can be better than this.2)Others who are stuck there for their jobs,or peoperties.Rest others are dead. Try answering few questions about Bihar(Combined with jharkhand). 1)Maximum number of IITians from any one state(still Worst infra ?), Maximum number of CBSE Medical results(worst Medical sys),max IAS are from Bihar(worst goverened)? I have just taken the best exams in the rspective fields. Successful enretpreneurs like Sujit Kumar(Shreya Medicos, Russia),Sanjay Jha, Subroto Roy Sahara,and the list goes endless (Without a penny of investment in Bihar?).So try finding the answer in the political and social side. Laloo with 14%Yadav+14%Muslim, cant be dislodged,and he cant let bihar progress.But Is there a choice?
RE:A Society which has Only Past to Boast Has NO Furure !!
by nimesh on Oct 18, 2004 11:38 PM
article is very inspiring and gives a kind of 'kick' which these days is most enjoyable among non residential biharis.everything was good and will be good.but kick go down and hangover starts.anyway what is so participating for past glory of bihar for voters of laloo raj.wat is bihar?R n't jungle raj voters also bihari.why R they voting them. Raj has actualy inverted the caste based powerd design . money was never a source of honour in bihar. it was nowhere in india.compare the ratio of bihari student in upsc and iit(conventional source of respect) than business schools.honour and self respect is what this raj has given to lower caste people there. law and order has no value for a poor man who has nothing to posses.hithertoo government has always favoured the upper class. this time there is a government which will favour the lower class.this is anarchy.isn't it. and what interest of a poor people these m.n. c. will serve.we don't want hyderabad in bihar. cost is too heavy to pay. government is corrupt.but this "raj" is not looting my money. poor don't pay tax.this money was looted from us now get looted.don't worry.future is development.but it should be ours.otherwise we are happy
I think taht the comparsion of Bihar with the South part of India is well done!! However, we cannot understand the problems of development in Bihar as listed by Srinivasan as being caste system, invasions etc; The failure of Bihar is failure of India, it is a failure of BAngalore, Hyderabad or Kerala. If the same model of development that worked in the later states then why it cannot in Bihar too?Why has there been a complete neglect and discrimination in Bihar?? I believe that Bihar presents a situation wehre you cannot think about economic development before social development. Unlike in south where though there is economic progress, but very little social progress. This is hardly then progress!! I beleive, Bihar is presenting us a challenge which will change the face of India in the world for good. I believe people here are more than required politically empowered than South, very conscious about their rights and will change in no time!! A revolution in Bihar is going to revolutionize India. Also, we cannot understand this dichotomy in the face of India of North-South divide as being merely a regional difference. It is also an ethnic difference.
Cool.. good thinking, sir! i am a mumbaikar who had been bihar rickshaw wala and telephone wala bashing. i found them disgusting. till i sat and thought about it. i made it a point to talk to these guys. ask them why come here to earn money, why not generate it there. In Maharashtra we do it.. why cant u do it there? I got variety of answers to this question.. Still i couldnt accept the existence of this imperfection. And then i became a disciple of Swami Niranajananda Saraswati! Gurudeva's seat is Bihar... Why Bihar???? This question was answered by Swami Satyananda Sarawati. He could have made his centre-point in any of the cosmos. but he decided on Munger, because they needed it more than the cosmos. He says about these places Quote: Beyond the physical dimension where beauty is just skin deep, superficial and wears away with time, there is a dimension of such immense beauty generated through the sacred act of yajna that it withstands the ravages of time and accidents of history, govts and civilizations. Unquote. The armpit of the country has the most powerful vibrations. It is like the fairy tales where to reach the treasure the hunter has to through hell and humiliation. Amen
RE:Bihar is divinity shrouded
by smita yadav on Nov 09, 2003 12:49 AM
Sir,
I am also a mumbaikar likenyou. But I beg to disagree with you tha MAraharsthrians have helped in teh commercialization of Mumbai. It is largely the gujarati,marawadi, paressee,muslims, punjabis business communities who have haelped maahrasthrians to help maharshtra. please do not give undue importance to these different communities!! -Virginia(USA) Smita Yadav
