I have visited Bihar --for work -several times. On the face of it, you witness demonstrable progress- better roads, reliable power, signs of thriving consumerism, etc but deep down nothing has changed. Law and order remain a concern, casteism is rampant, an education renaissance is awaited, women are oppressed and the government is everywhere yet nowhere. Land records are in a mess and industrial land near Patna is so expensive that you might as well try Mumbai. Meanwhile, the educated intelligentsia continues escaping - seeing no respite.
It's like the entire society is in downward cycle of despair. Something external needs to break this cycle. Who ? What? I also think all the states in the gangetic plains suffer from the curse of having rich natural resources!
in the early 1990's i recall reading a book by Arvind N. Das ---The Republic of Bihar/ a thin Penguin which seems to have dealt with the same ideas---what happen to Bihar?? Why did it all fall down---good luck with your search for insights and look forward to reading your thoughts/
I have visited Bihar --for work -several times. On the face of it, you witness demonstrable progress- better roads, reliable power, signs of thriving consumerism, etc but deep down nothing has changed. Law and order remain a concern, casteism is rampant, an education renaissance is awaited, women are oppressed and the government is everywhere yet nowhere. Land records are in a mess and industrial land near Patna is so expensive that you might as well try Mumbai. Meanwhile, the educated intelligentsia continues escaping - seeing no respite.
A real crisis of leadership!
It's like the entire society is in downward cycle of despair. Something external needs to break this cycle. Who ? What? I also think all the states in the gangetic plains suffer from the curse of having rich natural resources!
Very instructive comments Chittu.
Thanks.
A strange paradox when the IAS cadres used to be dominated by Biharis but the state of the State is what it is .
True! Hadn't thought of that.
in the early 1990's i recall reading a book by Arvind N. Das ---The Republic of Bihar/ a thin Penguin which seems to have dealt with the same ideas---what happen to Bihar?? Why did it all fall down---good luck with your search for insights and look forward to reading your thoughts/
Thanks, Alan.
I will look for the book.
More freedom, justice and wealth for people in Bihar and Illinois