People have forgotten floods. It was a matter of history. What small memories people have! many say this flood did nit kill as many or to say not many dead bodies were found, so what is world has declared it to be the worst flood in history! But that is history for the country. Bihar, unfortunately, has to fight this battle all alone. While it is doing that, but lot has to be done.
And it has taken toll on the over all development of the state. The most visible sign of administrative strain is visible when one gets off the train and sees the total collapse of municipal administration. One can find garbage all over. The only saving grace are the cattle who try to clear some debris on their own. Roads of Patna are in bad shape and so is the electricity supply. The general picture is that of despair and surrender. The Government has not been able to perform its duties towards common man because it is totally committed to fight the curse of unexpected floods. while it is good to fight natural calamity of this magnitude with all at disposal, regular administration can not be ignored or neglected. But this is being done in Bihar now. The babudom has failed to deliver and is hoodwinking the political top brass. They are now masters of their turf and wilfully defy the political masters. The result is out for all of us to see: the total failure of urban administration and collapse of administrative pyramid. And this despite the CM himself trying to pull the state through this worst tragedy. Full marks to him that this year not many people died due to dislocation and disease. The evacuation and rescue process have been huge success and the state came forward to help the people and mitigate their worries. It is due to his hard work that despite apathy of rest of India, Bihar has been able to pull through. But he must pull up officers and local administration.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Floods-2
The Bihar is off the national media's radar. The flood is no more the concern of the people and government of India. The Mehrauli blast is now more important. That's how press has worked which has become worse with electronic media. The news memory is till the next news. And after Bihar flood it may be the Mehrauli blast. So from one flood to another blast, tragedies are forgotten. Millions of human beings who have lost all their possessions and have not got even one implements to do agriculture and lost men/women and children and cattle are supposed to stand on their won feet!
I now know what is being like a poor state person! We just don't make a good story! Millions of poor and displaced people with little belonging and unfortunately not a very high mortality in Bihar has dampened the welfare and charity affairs. The daily does of miserable pictures and horror stories of human suffering is missing. And the public sympathy and government action matches the pathos shown by popular media. What if people suffer! They don't make a good copy.
Cry my beloved Bihar cry!
I now know what is being like a poor state person! We just don't make a good story! Millions of poor and displaced people with little belonging and unfortunately not a very high mortality in Bihar has dampened the welfare and charity affairs. The daily does of miserable pictures and horror stories of human suffering is missing. And the public sympathy and government action matches the pathos shown by popular media. What if people suffer! They don't make a good copy.
Cry my beloved Bihar cry!
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Bihar floods
Bihar today stands ravaged by floods. i was trying to do my bit and that kept me away from my blog. But the experience was bitter. People in Delhi don't care for Bihar. It is a distant state with no human lives. Only if the flood had taken place in Kashmir, Punjab, Maharashtra or Tamil Nadu that they would move. The plight of Bihar did not move them. Most were not concerned and most were not moved enough. The usual refrain was that the death toll was so low! If only 10,000 people had died! And politicians made politically correct noise about donations and put posters strategically to impress the Bihari population in Delhi to attract votes!
When came to donating even they dithered. i have come to know when in offices people resisted any suggestion about donation of money. They did not agree to one day salary. may be for them the tragedy was too distant and affected poorest of us. Not enough to move them!
Most did a show. And all this while the living in Bihar suffered, for they were not dead. Naturally they were not entitled to death money and relief was far away. I have not heard of corporate world moving earth to do some thing. would they have done the same of Rajasthan or Gujarat was effected? I guess not. For Bihar is not a market, not lucrative one. So human lives got weighed against their buying capacities. shame!
When came to donating even they dithered. i have come to know when in offices people resisted any suggestion about donation of money. They did not agree to one day salary. may be for them the tragedy was too distant and affected poorest of us. Not enough to move them!
Most did a show. And all this while the living in Bihar suffered, for they were not dead. Naturally they were not entitled to death money and relief was far away. I have not heard of corporate world moving earth to do some thing. would they have done the same of Rajasthan or Gujarat was effected? I guess not. For Bihar is not a market, not lucrative one. So human lives got weighed against their buying capacities. shame!
Sunday, August 10, 2008
300+ engineers in Bihar
The Government of Bihar has appointed 300+ engineers in one go. This is the most positive development. The state which aspires and gets an IIT has to show that they can employ them too. More over with massive construction work going on, the need to have engineers to complete the infrastructural work is even more urgent than ever in the history of the state. Nitish Kumar must be congratulated for this. In my opinion he has taken a step that will a long way in eradicating poverty. It takes a lot to be a leader who has vision and Nitish has them. This is most reassuring for any Bihari. With many colleges, central university, Nalanda university, a world class university, an NIIFT and also IIT, the state is on the way to become a mecca of higher learning. I think it can also become the medical hub of the country what with Burma,Bangladesh Nepal, and Bhutan being accessible to the state it can easily metamorphose into a medical/higher education hub.
I am sure this can be done. As we do not have much minerals and not many industries we have to go in for soft options and they can be IT, higher education and medical tourism. In this regard it would not be out of place if we advertise Buddhist and Jain tourism with medical packages. But to do that we have to improve the medical institutions in the state and attract investments in the fields. We can do it. We have the right and visionary leadership. so lets do it. And now!
Monday, August 4, 2008
Privatise PMC
The recent trouble created by rains for people of Patna was highly manageable and avoidable, if only Patna had a professional and well equipped Municipal Corporation. But like all government official run bodies this in shambles too. Just a cursory visit to PMC office will convince any one. The babu who heads PMC does so only because he wants to be in the capital and make money. He has no experience or interest in municipal affairs. In fact he is joked by the colleagues as Bada Mehtar. So much for service and dedication. No one in his or her sane mind would ever expect PMC to do any thing. It is the moribund organisation.
Sadly only solution seems to be whole sale privatisation of municipal works in the whole country including all cities and towns in Bihar. We can start with Patna and give the entire PMC for private management. This can be done if there is political will and sincerity. Not to say about financial honesty. Lets start now. Lets disband PMC and relocate the employees and auction the work to some major company, may be from outside Bihar and then allow them 5 years to change the face of the city. This can be done. This has to be done. The sooner the better.
Sadly only solution seems to be whole sale privatisation of municipal works in the whole country including all cities and towns in Bihar. We can start with Patna and give the entire PMC for private management. This can be done if there is political will and sincerity. Not to say about financial honesty. Lets start now. Lets disband PMC and relocate the employees and auction the work to some major company, may be from outside Bihar and then allow them 5 years to change the face of the city. This can be done. This has to be done. The sooner the better.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Water Logging of Patna: Who Cares?
The incessant rain had caused unprecedented water logging in Patna. Water was some times higher than a man and caused havoc and disruption. The schools had to be closed and people could not reach offices and workplaces. The outbreak of diseases is imminent now. But till then the mass destruction caused to the infrastructure is going to be a huge financial burden on the government and cause dislocations for the comman man. the urban infrastructure has exposed itself to m ismanagement and has led to this urban nightmare much like Mumbai.
It is the common man who has to bear and suffer. his car and house was soiled and he can not xpect the government to change them free of cost, much like it will be done for sarkari babus and ministers. his child missed the school. His area got filth which will perhaps never be cleared (they were never cleared ever in the first place, but now Patna Municiap Corporation will milk the money dry in doing relief work!). The roads that were damaged will eat the tyrs of cars and scooters and increase the fuel consumption. But then the contractor-babu-minister trio should be happy. They will get crores for reconstruction which will never take place other then on paper!
But the saddest part of the story is the general and criminal apathy towards this urban disaster in government and national press. perhaps this was not a kosher enough news for them. Such routine devcelopment do take place. And if the matter was ealted to Gujarat or Mumbai, the matter would become a national debate. similar urban fiasco in Patna does not make a good copy! No donations were collected and no PM or HM went for arial survey was undertaken. The national media both print and visual generally ignored the submerged Patna. Obviously so. Patna is not Delhi or Mumbai and the people have no voice at national prime time TV!
It is the common man who has to bear and suffer. his car and house was soiled and he can not xpect the government to change them free of cost, much like it will be done for sarkari babus and ministers. his child missed the school. His area got filth which will perhaps never be cleared (they were never cleared ever in the first place, but now Patna Municiap Corporation will milk the money dry in doing relief work!). The roads that were damaged will eat the tyrs of cars and scooters and increase the fuel consumption. But then the contractor-babu-minister trio should be happy. They will get crores for reconstruction which will never take place other then on paper!
But the saddest part of the story is the general and criminal apathy towards this urban disaster in government and national press. perhaps this was not a kosher enough news for them. Such routine devcelopment do take place. And if the matter was ealted to Gujarat or Mumbai, the matter would become a national debate. similar urban fiasco in Patna does not make a good copy! No donations were collected and no PM or HM went for arial survey was undertaken. The national media both print and visual generally ignored the submerged Patna. Obviously so. Patna is not Delhi or Mumbai and the people have no voice at national prime time TV!
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Dargah shah Maneri
This is the famous dargah of Shah Maneri located at maner near Patna. It is a magnificient monument in remarkably good state of repair with very few visitors. There is a huge functioning lake attached to it which gives it a surreal effect.
It houses the mortal remains of one of the most powerful Sufi saint in India. The presiding saint lived in an ear when sufi saints played a very important and powerful rile in society and even adminsitration. A must visit for Sufi circuit devotees. nearest train/air link is Patna and then take a taxi for this place. It has a very hospitable and charming guest house and a restuarant which serves acceptable food with love.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Nalanda Open University
this time in Patna I made an unplanned visit to Nalanda Open University located in BISCOMAUN building near Gandhi Maidan. It is an unique concept as the whole university, classes and examination halls are located in this one building. The Vice Chancellor is an ex-IAS officer V.S. Dubey, the legendary IAS officer of the state. I am opposed to IAS as VCs and told him in so many words. But he was very mild mannered, soft spoken and humble for the position he held. He is an apparent right winger, but very diligent administrator. Knowing fully well that I am looking at his university from Delhi university standards, he sent me with a man to have a look at ongoing examinations. And I returned fully impressed.
All rooms were spacious and airconditioned, invigilation staff was vigilant and strict, cameras were in all the rooms and was being monitored from a control room where magistrates and police officials were stationed, and VC was present to conduct the exams himself. I saw examinees of all age and sexes. There were even some in their 60s.
Then Dubey showed me the study material which were not as sophisticated as those of IGNOU, but then they were all written by local resource persons and were easy to understand. I met the man responsible for Political Science Professor Rahi who was my teacher too and was as sweet and amiable as he was then. I would say the university is in safer hands.
I feel that this well managed university needs to have a spacious campus and more of publicity. Good effort and full marks to Dubey, the VC. I wish other VCs were half as approachable.
All rooms were spacious and airconditioned, invigilation staff was vigilant and strict, cameras were in all the rooms and was being monitored from a control room where magistrates and police officials were stationed, and VC was present to conduct the exams himself. I saw examinees of all age and sexes. There were even some in their 60s.
Then Dubey showed me the study material which were not as sophisticated as those of IGNOU, but then they were all written by local resource persons and were easy to understand. I met the man responsible for Political Science Professor Rahi who was my teacher too and was as sweet and amiable as he was then. I would say the university is in safer hands.
I feel that this well managed university needs to have a spacious campus and more of publicity. Good effort and full marks to Dubey, the VC. I wish other VCs were half as approachable.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Lower Bihari migrations outside Bihar
The Delhi newspapers have reported the drastic fall in arrival of Bihari students to Delhi University (DU). They are far below UP! And yet the general impression in Delhi is that Bihari students take admissions in roves and deprive Delhites of seats! In fact the same report suggested that some of the boards like Tamil Nadu give 90+ percentages easily and hey corner the best seats. Bihar board is very conservative in awarding marks.
Now that the general education and health situation in Bihar have improved, such migrations have stopped. So have the flight of capital to outside Bihar. And icing on the cake is the news that this year there has been 50% reduction in arrival of Bihari labour to Punjab and the crisis that Punjab is facing. Now in the beginning we must note that unlike Maharashtra, Punjab has always been very hospitable and caring towards Bihari labourers. but still massive construction works in Biahr, the political revival and better law and order in the state and above all NREGA have stemmed the tide and Biharis are finding well paid work nearer home where they can eat and live in familiar conditions. So they have stopped migrating.
Same for students and patients. The Nitish Government have taken many steps that has revolutionized the health care in the state. now nearer home they can get treatment and minor surgeries at village health centres or at least nearest medical colleges. many institutions of higher learning have been opened and many engineering colleges are coming up. So students have stopped going in droves. the best and affluent will always migrate but it the migration of poorest and lower middle class students that caused worries. that has stopped now.
so Mr Raj Thackeray take a back seat and relax. we don't need your Mumbai or Pune and fill the seats of otherwise bhaiji Fergusson College. eat your vada pavs and enjoy. If students
from Bihar do not come to your colleges yo will have to turn them into cold storage and store your vada pavs in them.
Now that the general education and health situation in Bihar have improved, such migrations have stopped. So have the flight of capital to outside Bihar. And icing on the cake is the news that this year there has been 50% reduction in arrival of Bihari labour to Punjab and the crisis that Punjab is facing. Now in the beginning we must note that unlike Maharashtra, Punjab has always been very hospitable and caring towards Bihari labourers. but still massive construction works in Biahr, the political revival and better law and order in the state and above all NREGA have stemmed the tide and Biharis are finding well paid work nearer home where they can eat and live in familiar conditions. So they have stopped migrating.
Same for students and patients. The Nitish Government have taken many steps that has revolutionized the health care in the state. now nearer home they can get treatment and minor surgeries at village health centres or at least nearest medical colleges. many institutions of higher learning have been opened and many engineering colleges are coming up. So students have stopped going in droves. the best and affluent will always migrate but it the migration of poorest and lower middle class students that caused worries. that has stopped now.
so Mr Raj Thackeray take a back seat and relax. we don't need your Mumbai or Pune and fill the seats of otherwise bhaiji Fergusson College. eat your vada pavs and enjoy. If students
from Bihar do not come to your colleges yo will have to turn them into cold storage and store your vada pavs in them.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
A new Central University is needed
The central government of India has proposed to set up a central University in Bihar and the Bihar government wants Patna University to be upgraded to central university. It may be good politics but in the end interests of Bihar would not be served. To change the work culture, infrastructure and syllabi etc is difficult as the experience of Allahabad University has amply shown. The old university refuses to improve and just enjoys the better benefits.
A completely new university would mean employment to thousands of people, lots of construction and a totally new work culture and younger man power translating into world standards of infrastructure and pedagogy. As it is it would start with a clean slate and would not be bogged down with older baggage.
Higher education is witnessing tremendous improvement under the Nitish Kumar's government. A new IIT, IIIT, Central University, A world class University, Chanakya Law University, Chandragupta Institute of Management and what not! never before Bihar had so many good institutions. Now it is imperative on the government to establish many engineering and medical colleges so that millions of Bihari students don't go out to vengeful places like Pune and suffer. Lets teach Pune a lesson in nationalism by boycotting Pune based colleges so that the capitalists who want our money but bad mouth us should be content with Marathi students.
Nitish Kumar is dutibound to do this to protect the self respect of Biharis.
A completely new university would mean employment to thousands of people, lots of construction and a totally new work culture and younger man power translating into world standards of infrastructure and pedagogy. As it is it would start with a clean slate and would not be bogged down with older baggage.
Higher education is witnessing tremendous improvement under the Nitish Kumar's government. A new IIT, IIIT, Central University, A world class University, Chanakya Law University, Chandragupta Institute of Management and what not! never before Bihar had so many good institutions. Now it is imperative on the government to establish many engineering and medical colleges so that millions of Bihari students don't go out to vengeful places like Pune and suffer. Lets teach Pune a lesson in nationalism by boycotting Pune based colleges so that the capitalists who want our money but bad mouth us should be content with Marathi students.
Nitish Kumar is dutibound to do this to protect the self respect of Biharis.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
TOURISM IN BIHAR: SUGGESTIONS
Tourism has the potentials to change the economic fate of Bihar. It has many very important religious sites of all religions, but for Hindus, Buddhists,Jains and Sikhs there is no escape. from Gaya to Bodh Gaya to Rajgir to Vaishali to Nalanda to Pawapuri to Patna Sahib it has all. the state needs to organise tourism to rake in biggest dollar intake, certainly bigger than the golden triangle of Delhi-Agra- Jaipur. It is an accepted fact that religious tourism ensures organised and greater flow of tourists. This has been the experience world over. the Bihar government is doing some thing but it has very huge task of over all economic regeneration before it self and naturally Tourism has not got the due it deserves.
The government must realise that tourism is a low investment, zero-gestation and high return industry. the main problem was bad reputation it had for law and order situation and that has improved dramatically. Now one can easily say that is is safer to be in Bihar than in Mumbai or Delhi. Kidnappings have completely stopped, police is active and criminals are on the run. At various tourist places like Nalanda and Rajgir I saw posse of police force to inspire confidence and have had no unpleasant experience.
The second requirement for tourism is infrastructure. Now that is complex as that would mean almost everything that would mean easy and comfortable stay. From Roads to quality buses and cars to easy long distance connectivity to more international standards rooms and food and of course better power situation. All this can be done by government and that can benefit the local population too.
But then this requires political will and fine expert planning and caring execution. It just cant be done by an IAS or any other government babu. It has to be done by a professional Bihar should hire them at all costs and then take two steps: constitute a Tourism Development Authority with enough teeth and financial powers. It should not be another government corporation but may be given on PPP model. Secondly, the Bihar government should appoint a TRAI style regulator to hear cases against agencies/individuals and make rules for all stake holders to follow. It can also compel Banks to offer loans to investors in tourism sector who can be offered a ten year tax holiday for Tourism projects.
Tourism can give employment to lakhs of people directly and indirectly, bring investments and turn Bihar on global map. But all that can be done with lots of political courage and vision and guts to dream.
The government must realise that tourism is a low investment, zero-gestation and high return industry. the main problem was bad reputation it had for law and order situation and that has improved dramatically. Now one can easily say that is is safer to be in Bihar than in Mumbai or Delhi. Kidnappings have completely stopped, police is active and criminals are on the run. At various tourist places like Nalanda and Rajgir I saw posse of police force to inspire confidence and have had no unpleasant experience.
The second requirement for tourism is infrastructure. Now that is complex as that would mean almost everything that would mean easy and comfortable stay. From Roads to quality buses and cars to easy long distance connectivity to more international standards rooms and food and of course better power situation. All this can be done by government and that can benefit the local population too.
But then this requires political will and fine expert planning and caring execution. It just cant be done by an IAS or any other government babu. It has to be done by a professional Bihar should hire them at all costs and then take two steps: constitute a Tourism Development Authority with enough teeth and financial powers. It should not be another government corporation but may be given on PPP model. Secondly, the Bihar government should appoint a TRAI style regulator to hear cases against agencies/individuals and make rules for all stake holders to follow. It can also compel Banks to offer loans to investors in tourism sector who can be offered a ten year tax holiday for Tourism projects.
Tourism can give employment to lakhs of people directly and indirectly, bring investments and turn Bihar on global map. But all that can be done with lots of political courage and vision and guts to dream.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Film city in Bihar
The rise of Bhojpuri cinema and Bihari film makers in India have generated a new need: to have our own film industry in Bihar. With anti UP and Bihar slur by MNS and Shiv Sena, it is high time that we have our own film city on the line of Mumbai's film city or Ramoji Film city. That way we shall generate million of rupees in revenue and also give meaningful employments to many and also save ourselves from Raj and Uddhav types.
seeing the number of Bhojpuri film made, the project will be instant success. We need to help where others refuse to. For our nuclear programme we did that. Again Nitish's government ha hown that to develop the state we can tap our own accruals without crying hoarse for central funds. Similarly when MNS and SS has tried to boo u out of Mumbai, we must show them that we can do it.
Moreover such a high end film studio will be able to attract visitor, tourists and more investment and then make another success story. Bhojpuri cinema needs this and we can do it.
seeing the number of Bhojpuri film made, the project will be instant success. We need to help where others refuse to. For our nuclear programme we did that. Again Nitish's government ha hown that to develop the state we can tap our own accruals without crying hoarse for central funds. Similarly when MNS and SS has tried to boo u out of Mumbai, we must show them that we can do it.
Moreover such a high end film studio will be able to attract visitor, tourists and more investment and then make another success story. Bhojpuri cinema needs this and we can do it.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Patna Museum
The government of Bihar has granted a little over Rs. 2 crore for renovation of Patna museum. This is too little and too late. Bihar being the cradle of Indian civilsation fromearly centuries of Indian history, has lots of artefacts and evidences of early to imperial civilisation. Naturally Patna museum is a rich repository of the traces from the past. unfortunately the keepers of heritage and history have been callous i their bounden duty towards the nation and its people. the Museum is in real bad shape with creaking and leaking building, to poor display of objects, no organisation in display, no audio visual lectures, no trained guides, no proper drinking water and very inadequate and rude security. In a nutshell a visit to Patna museum is never pleasant. and it is always inconvenient. moreover since the general profile of the visitor is rural and uneducated, the museum authorities never bother to educate and entertain them. They think that if they have 'allowed' the visitors a peek into the bizarre history then that is sufficient. In fact the Hindi name of museum is ajayabghar (mysterious place) itself speaks volume of the expectations of people and authorities both.
And now the Bihar government has made a sanction of two crores of rupees for its renovation. This is a silly small amount and that too given without much planning. I am sure this would go in painting of the building and repair of the building. There would be nothing left. This is certainly not the way to put museum on the tourist map.
First the Bihar government and ASI needs to waken up to the need of very professional and world class museum management standards that includes world class exhibition and top class facilities to educate and entertain the visitors. Not all visitors are history experts and that's why an audio-visual lecture programme and also a demonstration on the process of excavation is called for.
More over there is an urgent need to reduce the rude and visible security in the form of untrained Bihar police/CISF to trained and educated police force to protect the artifacts and guide the visitors. At present they only intimidate.
The visitors must be able to enjoy the visit and all efforts must be made to make them comfortable and memorable. A cafeteria, book shop, a coffee shop, a curio shop, a photo studio with models of artifacts stored for backdrop and such things are needed to make them comfortable.
for this the government must need a world class architect and interior decorator with museology background. And a committee of historians/archaeologists should be formed(no IAS Please!!!) who can guide the restoration and renovation of the Patna museum. and the money must be in the level of 20 crores to achieve the goals. any thing less will make a mockery of the whole process.
And now the Bihar government has made a sanction of two crores of rupees for its renovation. This is a silly small amount and that too given without much planning. I am sure this would go in painting of the building and repair of the building. There would be nothing left. This is certainly not the way to put museum on the tourist map.
First the Bihar government and ASI needs to waken up to the need of very professional and world class museum management standards that includes world class exhibition and top class facilities to educate and entertain the visitors. Not all visitors are history experts and that's why an audio-visual lecture programme and also a demonstration on the process of excavation is called for.
More over there is an urgent need to reduce the rude and visible security in the form of untrained Bihar police/CISF to trained and educated police force to protect the artifacts and guide the visitors. At present they only intimidate.
The visitors must be able to enjoy the visit and all efforts must be made to make them comfortable and memorable. A cafeteria, book shop, a coffee shop, a curio shop, a photo studio with models of artifacts stored for backdrop and such things are needed to make them comfortable.
for this the government must need a world class architect and interior decorator with museology background. And a committee of historians/archaeologists should be formed(no IAS Please!!!) who can guide the restoration and renovation of the Patna museum. and the money must be in the level of 20 crores to achieve the goals. any thing less will make a mockery of the whole process.
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Idea for a village school
Jaikishun Bigha. It is a village in troubled Jahanabad district of Bihar that you may not have heard about. It is sleepy village in Ghosi police station that has not been in news. It has no market, no medical help, no phone connections, no TV. Not even school. In fact children, and in good numbers even girls have been trekking to Okari for higher school which is miles away. This village of my ancestors needs many things to be able to keep pace with the world. It needs all that what a modern world needs. It needs to educate its children in peace and comfort. And help the children find a place under the sun.
I want to build a good, modern and well equipped high school till 12th in this village. To start with I don't know where the land and money and all other resources will come from. But then we must as education can not wait. I shall start by making myself available for the project. I am an academic, I can teach. So I shall start with that.
I have already thought of the name. All schools need a name. So it will be Rajendra Public School, named after my father who has done so much for people and the village. He will inaugurate the project and be the chairman and then it will work for no profit, no loss principle and be affiliated to CBSE.For rest suggestions are welcome
I want to build a good, modern and well equipped high school till 12th in this village. To start with I don't know where the land and money and all other resources will come from. But then we must as education can not wait. I shall start by making myself available for the project. I am an academic, I can teach. So I shall start with that.
I have already thought of the name. All schools need a name. So it will be Rajendra Public School, named after my father who has done so much for people and the village. He will inaugurate the project and be the chairman and then it will work for no profit, no loss principle and be affiliated to CBSE.For rest suggestions are welcome
Monday, February 25, 2008
Ticket for Rajya Sabha MP from Bihar
The news says that many are in fray for RS ticket from Bihar. The names of many contenders are in fray and rightly so. Most have a sound political background and surely deserve a seat in the upper house. Parties have right to select a person who would voice their concern in the house.
In this light it would not be out of place to suggest that any person selected by a thinking party like JD(U) must be person with social commitments. S/he can't be just a politician. It has to be a person of extraordinary social concerns. S/He must symbolise what state wants: eradication of poverty, disease and corruption, one who has relentlessly worked for Bihar and not merely wants to gain politically.
In this sense JD(U) will be sending the right message if it selects an academician as the candidate and signal the revival and improvement in the state of higher education in the state.The intellectual condition of Bihar was in poor state of management. It only failed. And now that it is improving alongwith the massive revival of health services, it only means that only two persons can claim the nomination: Professor R.S. Sharma, the most eminent historian and Dr. C.P. Thakur, the eminent physician and Kala Azar expert. One is from left and another from right and yet both have remained rooted in the state. While most of the remarkable writings of R.S. Sharma was done while he was still at Patna University including his magnum opus Indian Feudalism, he moved to Delhi to gain national footprint but came back to the state after his retirement from Delhi University. A simple and sober man wearing dhoti kurta, Sharma is the tallest historian ever produced in India. His Marxist explanation of early history of India changed the way we looked at the country's ancient past. no one has been able to come any where closer to his contributions.
Thakur has been unique in more than one way. A popular doctor, a professor at medical college, a world renowned expert in Kala Azar and then very successful politician and cabinet minister to boot. His love for the state and his immense popularity as doctor has always been a source of pride for the state and people. He has always been an academic and researcher, much like Sharma.
Then what better way to salute the achievements of the state than nominating one of the two to the RS this year. I am sure the JD(U) will honour the state by picking one the two and prove that he is the true leader of Bihar.
In this light it would not be out of place to suggest that any person selected by a thinking party like JD(U) must be person with social commitments. S/he can't be just a politician. It has to be a person of extraordinary social concerns. S/He must symbolise what state wants: eradication of poverty, disease and corruption, one who has relentlessly worked for Bihar and not merely wants to gain politically.
In this sense JD(U) will be sending the right message if it selects an academician as the candidate and signal the revival and improvement in the state of higher education in the state.The intellectual condition of Bihar was in poor state of management. It only failed. And now that it is improving alongwith the massive revival of health services, it only means that only two persons can claim the nomination: Professor R.S. Sharma, the most eminent historian and Dr. C.P. Thakur, the eminent physician and Kala Azar expert. One is from left and another from right and yet both have remained rooted in the state. While most of the remarkable writings of R.S. Sharma was done while he was still at Patna University including his magnum opus Indian Feudalism, he moved to Delhi to gain national footprint but came back to the state after his retirement from Delhi University. A simple and sober man wearing dhoti kurta, Sharma is the tallest historian ever produced in India. His Marxist explanation of early history of India changed the way we looked at the country's ancient past. no one has been able to come any where closer to his contributions.
Thakur has been unique in more than one way. A popular doctor, a professor at medical college, a world renowned expert in Kala Azar and then very successful politician and cabinet minister to boot. His love for the state and his immense popularity as doctor has always been a source of pride for the state and people. He has always been an academic and researcher, much like Sharma.
Then what better way to salute the achievements of the state than nominating one of the two to the RS this year. I am sure the JD(U) will honour the state by picking one the two and prove that he is the true leader of Bihar.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Micro finance: Need of the Hour for Bihar
Bihar is on the path of economic recovery. The big picture looks assuring. Roads, health and education have improved tremendously. Though same cannot be said about certain areas like people’s need for credit. Biharis are talented and hard working people and need the state and infrastructural support. For lack of finance they are not able to open businesses, improve agricultural/manufacturing practices and generally better their productivity. Banks have woefully lagged behind in providing credit facilities to people of Bihar. There is a PIL in Patna High Court about abysmally bad credit-deposit ratio (CD Ratio) alleging that banks have not honoured the RBI mandated CD ratio. The banks prefer to dole out personal loans /car loans and housing loans more than real agricultural loans if it is not The Punjab!
Bangladesh has shown that poor and the poorest can be trusted for loan servicing more than rich. They need small amounts to manage small needs and most certainly return the loan as they associate pride with that. That’s why the micro finance experiment was such a success in that poor country. Same can be replicated in Bihar. There would be little adjustment here and there.
Bihar is rich in alluvium and has the largest fertile land tract in the country. Anybody who has a bigha or two of land will never go hungry. You must have noticed that unlike AP and Orissa, there were no hunger deaths in the state. And yet millions of Biharis are migrating despite owning some land and opportunity to live a dignified life. Given some cheaper and reliable credit most would have lived in the state and earned. But that was not to be. To buy some agricultural implement or buy a cart to sell goods or buy a pair of oxen to till the land or take the vegetables to the local market or may be tide over a medical emergency. The banks will never tender loan for these things as they consider them unreliable customers. That’s the thing that SHGs and microfinance will solve for all.
Government must evolve and encourage ways to promote this. Most Biharis are skilled as they migrate outside Bihar to work in mechanized fields and factories and have acquired some skill. This should be made use of. If they are given financial help then they do wonders. Government must adequately advertise the scheme and provide and we shall see scores of Biharis returning and making Bihar a success story.
Bangladesh has shown that poor and the poorest can be trusted for loan servicing more than rich. They need small amounts to manage small needs and most certainly return the loan as they associate pride with that. That’s why the micro finance experiment was such a success in that poor country. Same can be replicated in Bihar. There would be little adjustment here and there.
Bihar is rich in alluvium and has the largest fertile land tract in the country. Anybody who has a bigha or two of land will never go hungry. You must have noticed that unlike AP and Orissa, there were no hunger deaths in the state. And yet millions of Biharis are migrating despite owning some land and opportunity to live a dignified life. Given some cheaper and reliable credit most would have lived in the state and earned. But that was not to be. To buy some agricultural implement or buy a cart to sell goods or buy a pair of oxen to till the land or take the vegetables to the local market or may be tide over a medical emergency. The banks will never tender loan for these things as they consider them unreliable customers. That’s the thing that SHGs and microfinance will solve for all.
Government must evolve and encourage ways to promote this. Most Biharis are skilled as they migrate outside Bihar to work in mechanized fields and factories and have acquired some skill. This should be made use of. If they are given financial help then they do wonders. Government must adequately advertise the scheme and provide and we shall see scores of Biharis returning and making Bihar a success story.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Economic Recovery of Bihar
There are good news now. And about Bihar. It never happened earlier. Bihar meant all nasty things, negative happenings, criminal gangs, kidnappings, lawlessness, migrations and abject poverty. Being part of BIMARU states had become a habit. Media loved to bash the state in almost every field. No one gave you a second thought if you were from Bihar. Being called a Bihari had become an insult (like Pakis in UK) and a back handed compliment like ‘you don’t look like a Bihari’ was Delhi’s (and perhaps the entire India’s) way of ridiculing all that was Bihar.
But no longer. The change of government from Lalu-Rabari dispensation to Nitish Kumar has brought about the change that one could only dream of a few years ago. People talk of roads and flyovers being built all over the state, prime minister’s road project is on time wiping out the delay of four years, the hospitals and even health centres are functioning and it has resulted in drastic reduction of flight of patients outside Bihar. The higher education, which was causing the biggest drain in Bihar because of the rot set in the state’s colleges and universities, has already made a remarkable revival. Naturally the outflow of students from Bihar has come down heavily.
And now the Indian Express (“Bihar takes first steps to take-off”, 1/1/2008) has reported that the first baby steps that the new government was taking have taken deep roots. Independent agencies like universities and World Bank and Japan are lauding the strident steps that the state is taking. Sample this:
4.4 % growth in agriculture, fastest in the country, reports Punjab Agricultural University;
265 % rise in the corporate tax collection in the Patna circle alone, reports CBDT;
World Bank sanctions a $225 loan to Bihar for economic growth;
Rs.18000 crores being earmarked for road construction alone in the state;
Tata and Reliance along with PSUs showing interest in state’s sugar mills for possible blending of ethanol blended fossil fuel.
The list may be unending but the news report is spectacular in a sense that it was put on the front page by the paper which had made a life time business of running down the state( and not wrongly so). Instead of a corruption case being highlighted here was a serious, investigative paper going hammer and tongs for the state is really soothing to frayed nerves of an average Bihari. We have grown to become middle aged young men thinking and believing that the state was a failed state like Bangladesh and Pakistan. Caste and poverty had punctured forever and then Lalu-Rabari regimes had made Bihar a straight script for films like Apharan (Abduction) and Gangajal (Water of Ganga) or may be even Shool (Pain). But now we have a vibrant Bhojpuri film industry successfully taking on Hindi film industry. Things have turned so well that today even Tare Zameen Par (Stars on the Earth) and Cheeni Kum ( Sugar Free) may not find a screen for a full scale release. They all run Bhojpuri potboilers full of dance and drama where Bihar is being enjoyed on its own terms and not simply lampooned. The super success story of Bhojpuri films is a sign of firm recovery of the state.
Economically and state is on the path of recovery. Fruits and vegetables from the state are finding market outside the state. More and more farmers are growing herbs and making good money. While the Hajipur-Muzaffarpur belt are making their millions from banana and litchi plantations, the Purnea and Katihar districts are reaping the new found prosperity in tea gardens, mind you without any state support and not even a single tea processing factory in Bihar! The state is one of the biggest exporters of mangoes. Earlier the white revolution ushered in by milk cooperatives had shown that Bihar was ready for change and come out of economic backwardness.
The IE report has acted as a balm. Nitish Kumar has meant business. He wants to rule for development. And that is such a rare phenomenon in a third world country. And we thought they only rule for power. Nitish has singlehandedly proved that one man can make the difference. When he took over the reign of the state, Bihar was on the brink of collapse. There was no hope. Poor people could only migrate to earn meager income. And they did. With little rustic management skills and his sharp administrative acumen Nitish changed all that. We must remember that despite loud suggestions, he did not change even one officer. All were known to be loyal to Lalu-Rabari regime. From chief Secretary to DGP to police station chief to BDO- none were removed. And the same very tainted lot delivered. Law and order improved over time. The one-time bahubalis were put behind the bars. The Naxalite problem notwithstanding, He was able to reserve 33% seats in panchayats for women and hold elections to all panchayats and local bodies and evade the mandatory punishment for not holding local, level elections. Today a confident deputy chief Minister of Bihar Sushil Modi can happily give credit of economic development to state’s successful decentralization of power!
The road to recovery is well paved. The reverse migration has started. People serving as security guards in wintery nights in Delhi are returning to Bihar to earn a living and live in familiar surroundings. Trains to Punjab are still full of migrant labour, but then despite Indian success story in IT and exports, the cue outside USA,UK, Italy and gulf countries have not vanished. They, in fact, have lengthened! The footloose will migrate and they should. But the opening of IIT, IIM and Central universities, Engineering and medical colleges and colleges in each district will open the gates of reverse migration in the state. Of all the educated and trained are the most selfish lot. And when they start coming in you can well say cheers! With Nalanda International University, IIT, IIM and such institutions opening their shops in the state that might happen sooner than we can imagine. Amen!
But no longer. The change of government from Lalu-Rabari dispensation to Nitish Kumar has brought about the change that one could only dream of a few years ago. People talk of roads and flyovers being built all over the state, prime minister’s road project is on time wiping out the delay of four years, the hospitals and even health centres are functioning and it has resulted in drastic reduction of flight of patients outside Bihar. The higher education, which was causing the biggest drain in Bihar because of the rot set in the state’s colleges and universities, has already made a remarkable revival. Naturally the outflow of students from Bihar has come down heavily.
And now the Indian Express (“Bihar takes first steps to take-off”, 1/1/2008) has reported that the first baby steps that the new government was taking have taken deep roots. Independent agencies like universities and World Bank and Japan are lauding the strident steps that the state is taking. Sample this:
4.4 % growth in agriculture, fastest in the country, reports Punjab Agricultural University;
265 % rise in the corporate tax collection in the Patna circle alone, reports CBDT;
World Bank sanctions a $225 loan to Bihar for economic growth;
Rs.18000 crores being earmarked for road construction alone in the state;
Tata and Reliance along with PSUs showing interest in state’s sugar mills for possible blending of ethanol blended fossil fuel.
The list may be unending but the news report is spectacular in a sense that it was put on the front page by the paper which had made a life time business of running down the state( and not wrongly so). Instead of a corruption case being highlighted here was a serious, investigative paper going hammer and tongs for the state is really soothing to frayed nerves of an average Bihari. We have grown to become middle aged young men thinking and believing that the state was a failed state like Bangladesh and Pakistan. Caste and poverty had punctured forever and then Lalu-Rabari regimes had made Bihar a straight script for films like Apharan (Abduction) and Gangajal (Water of Ganga) or may be even Shool (Pain). But now we have a vibrant Bhojpuri film industry successfully taking on Hindi film industry. Things have turned so well that today even Tare Zameen Par (Stars on the Earth) and Cheeni Kum ( Sugar Free) may not find a screen for a full scale release. They all run Bhojpuri potboilers full of dance and drama where Bihar is being enjoyed on its own terms and not simply lampooned. The super success story of Bhojpuri films is a sign of firm recovery of the state.
Economically and state is on the path of recovery. Fruits and vegetables from the state are finding market outside the state. More and more farmers are growing herbs and making good money. While the Hajipur-Muzaffarpur belt are making their millions from banana and litchi plantations, the Purnea and Katihar districts are reaping the new found prosperity in tea gardens, mind you without any state support and not even a single tea processing factory in Bihar! The state is one of the biggest exporters of mangoes. Earlier the white revolution ushered in by milk cooperatives had shown that Bihar was ready for change and come out of economic backwardness.
The IE report has acted as a balm. Nitish Kumar has meant business. He wants to rule for development. And that is such a rare phenomenon in a third world country. And we thought they only rule for power. Nitish has singlehandedly proved that one man can make the difference. When he took over the reign of the state, Bihar was on the brink of collapse. There was no hope. Poor people could only migrate to earn meager income. And they did. With little rustic management skills and his sharp administrative acumen Nitish changed all that. We must remember that despite loud suggestions, he did not change even one officer. All were known to be loyal to Lalu-Rabari regime. From chief Secretary to DGP to police station chief to BDO- none were removed. And the same very tainted lot delivered. Law and order improved over time. The one-time bahubalis were put behind the bars. The Naxalite problem notwithstanding, He was able to reserve 33% seats in panchayats for women and hold elections to all panchayats and local bodies and evade the mandatory punishment for not holding local, level elections. Today a confident deputy chief Minister of Bihar Sushil Modi can happily give credit of economic development to state’s successful decentralization of power!
The road to recovery is well paved. The reverse migration has started. People serving as security guards in wintery nights in Delhi are returning to Bihar to earn a living and live in familiar surroundings. Trains to Punjab are still full of migrant labour, but then despite Indian success story in IT and exports, the cue outside USA,UK, Italy and gulf countries have not vanished. They, in fact, have lengthened! The footloose will migrate and they should. But the opening of IIT, IIM and Central universities, Engineering and medical colleges and colleges in each district will open the gates of reverse migration in the state. Of all the educated and trained are the most selfish lot. And when they start coming in you can well say cheers! With Nalanda International University, IIT, IIM and such institutions opening their shops in the state that might happen sooner than we can imagine. Amen!
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