The Bright Dawn is not Far Away

by Najam Gilani

Jan 23, 2007

Global meet for resurgent Bihar: this precisely was the topic under which numerous high profile residents and non-residents Biharis gathered on the request of state government, a Janata Dal-U and BJP coalition led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar of Janata Dal-U.

Non-resident Biharis from around seventy countries gathered in Patna for three continuous days to participate in “Global meet for resurgent Bihar.” Participation on their part is indeed worth the appreciation and applause, because it was not just the attraction and motivation of making in few more moolah’s by investing in (would be) investment friendly Bihar. I guess it was something more than that. It was the desire to do something for the state/city/district, which may have not given them much in terms of professional opportunity and material comfort, but the days of their innocent childhood and youthful adventurism has been spent on those lanes and by-lanes, gullies, nukkad and mohalla with which they are emotionally attached. It was that emotional attachment which motivated them to attend the "Global Meet"


Chief Minster Mr. Nitish Kumar has shown vision by organizing this Global Meet. It was heartening to see that after the meet most of the invitees have expressed their pleasure in being part of the Global Meet and have shown great level of satisfaction with the ways things have moved so far. The only conclusion that can be drawn from their optimistic words and smile, which generally comes with hope, is that, among the air there is a "feel good factor"

The message, which this meet has sent across, is that everybody, be that state government, opportunity seeking investors or ordinary individuals, everyone is serious about development which will take this ancient state of great historical importance to a new era of modern history. If thing goes according to plans, promises, vision and initiatives then few decades down the line Bihar will shine again on national and international map.

As of now Bihar may not be contributing much to the national exchequer; but it is contributing a great deal year after year by sending numerous bureaucrats through the medium of Union Public Service Commission. A government cannot function without the help of able administrators/bureaucrats. Unfortunately this great asset has not resulted in much of help for the state and numerous reasons can be attached to that; one of them is casteism.

However the “feel good factor” which this Global Meet has send across should be looked in optimistic way by one and all. In coming decades contribution of Bihar will not remain confined only to the corridors of bureaucracy, but after all those serious investment in the field education, health, tourism, transport, roadways, power, etc, etc -it will become a major contributor to the national exchequer and intellectual manpower.

So far Bihar has been labeled as the land which is historically rich, politically fertile, culturally diverse, intellectually sound but economically very poor, not because of lack of resources but due to less political will and inward looking approach of all the previous government. From the time of Independence till now - Biharis have witnessed and tolerated just the politics of appeasement and exploitation; both in the name of casteism and religion. But those who thought that they can keep exploiting the people (read electorate) for long got the befitting reply in the previous Assembly election. It was a sign that people are now fed up with these inward looking governmental policies (approach) and they now want some serious development in their state. Development which is progressive is nature and without any rhetoric. Developments which can stop the ongoing mass scale inter state migration for economic reasons.

The present government has shown the sensitivity in understanding the people’s mood. If they want a second term for themselves and if they want to register their name with golden words in the modern history of Bihar, then they have to adopt the philosophy of promising less and delivering more.

My advice to the state government; Instead of speeches, let the data speak for itself.

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