BIHAR DEMANDS A CHANGE

Before 1905, (when the British divided The province of Bengal), Bengal was the most prosperous, well administered  and politically a very active region of British India. Then why was it divided! Probably for all the above and more similar reasons. If you deliberate over the reasons, it will shock you. It was a super cunningly, smart move. Any way - not discussing it here.

Though Bihar as a region, came into being after 1905, but the province was formally recognised on 22 Mar 1912. Both the Bengals still remained the most affluent regions but Bihar was not far behind. It was a land with good agriculture produces, administered under 'zamindari' system with politically pro-active people. Mahatma Gandhi too took his first major political step in Bihar, with Champaran Satyagraha - strongly supported by local leaders and professionals (including my Grandfather, Shri Janakdhari Prasad). 

Right from day one, Bihar has contributed suitably to the nation building - prominent academicians, judges, administrators,engineers,doctors including my nana Dr Brajbansi Prasad, who was a brilliant doctor of that time (my maternal grandmother was very upset, because Nana completed his FRCS in just about, six months. Her London holiday finished before it began).

To my understanding, one important field which Biharis' couldn't master was 'industrial' development. Some of the visionary entrepreneurs of the then Bihar (Dalmia, Morton Sweets etc) did take the path to industrialization - but lost the race. Bihar was the home to diverse projects like TATAs, Bokaro Steel, DVC etc, but still industrialization didn't catch up. Probably there was something drastically faulty with the policies and administration at the local level. An unstable political scenario didn't allow even the much acclaimed leaders to lead the state on the desired path. The bureaucracy too kind of surrendered to just managing day to day affairs. The most unfortunate part was that even the local populace, instead of standing against the sub-par system, began accepting the 'fait accompli'. चलता है। ठीक है। Individually I am biased and will blame the populace (I included) for being so gullible and indifferent to subjugation by the political gentry. Biharis proudly pay homage to Shri Jaiprakash Narayan, who led the students aka youth movement against the dictatorial policies of Smt Indira Gandhi - but after him none continued with the movement against sub-par administration and corruption. Infact, two of the trusted lieutenants of JP rose to become the CM of Bihar - but instead of leading the state to development, history will remember their period as the dark age (wish I am wrong). A quick comparison of Bihar to its neighbouring states will bring out the fault lines of Bihar. A few decades ago, they all looked up to Bihar, but look where have they reached now.

Unfortunately, the local Government Organization, by design , can offer employment to only a limited number of youth (but obvious). The majority should be employed by the Private Sector or be enterprising enough to setup their own 'start-ups'. Unfortunately, in Bihar, Private Sector is negligible and the indifferent administration doesn't support/ care for 'enterprises'. So where will the youth go?-- politics but ofcourse! Aspiring for power and money with no responsibility.

Biharis have to soon find a visionary administrator for themselves ,someone who is prepared to administer the state with an iron hand. He/she must be smart enough to explain his/her actions in support of development. There is a high probability that the maggots of current setup will do their best to destroy him. His only shield will be the unflinching support of the local populace - for which he/ she will have to slog for. Fortunately, as of now, there seems to be atleast one person who fits the bill. But what will happen in the future is difficult to predict. 

There was a time when Mr N Modi and Mr Nitish Kumar were compared to each other as equals. Sadly, today the difference is humungous. Gujarat developed at a fast pace whereas , Bihar kept on its slide towards the bottom. 

An idle mind is a devil's workshop. This proverb depicts the social setup of the state aptly. The local youth have limited avenue to employment and hardly any faith in the local system. No wonder one finds Bihari youth in every corner of the world, ready to accept any form of employment at a fraction of the emoluments. 

When Mr Nitish Kumar became the CM, most of us visualised the end of ' Jungle Raj'. He did begin well, and some of his initial policies were visionary. Unfortunately, he soon got sucked into petty issues and was forced to join hands with his rival. Now that's quite acceptable in politics - but the retrograde politics was not. Guiding the whole system towards the black hole by the two lieutenants of JP was sick. Wonder why the populace never object to this.

As of now Mr Prashant Kumar is making all the correct noise - promising a ' good ' administration. The unfortunate part is that his 'bench strength' is unproven, inexperienced and new. If he joins hands with the existing prominent politicians, then the terms of 'compromise' will be of interest to evaluate. Bihar doesn't deserve another Mr Nitish Kr. 

Since I now, do not reside in the state - my visualization is that of an outsider. Still, I am hoping that someone will pull out the rabbit from the hat to lead Bihar out of this dark hole. 

To some of you, I may be sounding a bit negative, beyond the required limits. I accept it, and hope you are correct. Waiting for a dawn.