As I am now a regular visitor of Bihar, I hear a lot of talk about Bihar being lawless and corrupt. The picture of the past is still lingering, but people either haven’t seen the new Bihar, or are unwilling to let go of the old dusty stereotypes. For too long, Bihar has been seen as that weak little brother that everyone likes to make fun of. I find a different and promising Bihar.
1) Language and Cultural Stronghold
While Bihar has a reputation for being uneducated and backwards, I find that preserving culture and language is a priority here. Unlike some other places in India, where kids are growing up with butchered Hinglish, I’ve been shocked with modern youngsters in Bihar who are comfortable with speaking high level “shudh Hindi” in normal conversation along with studying English in school. In places like Delhi, I hear youngsters who can only speak their parent’s mother tongue half-heartedly or revert to English entirely. I can’t remember the last time in Delhi where I heard someone give me change at a store and without thinking hand me over “ek sau teis” rather than “hundred twenty three” rupees. Its refreshing to see high scale malls unashamedly flaunting billboards in pure simple Hindi, rather than adulterated ads like “Drink Karo, Enjoy Karo.” Bihar is a Hindi learner’s paradise.Another complaint of urban Indians is that highly populated cities are becoming Westernized in all the wrong ways, but I don’t find that in Patna. I find the people very connected to their traditions while also moving forward for a better Bihar.
2) Tourist Attractions
Although Bihar might not be the first place you think of when you think about the sights of India, but Bihar hosts international tourists at spots like
Bodh gaya. Between 2003 and 2008, the inflow of foreign tourists to Bihar saw a near-sixfold rise from 61,000 to 346,000. (Wikipedia) Who knows what else is around the corner?
3) Developing Forward
While the memory of Laluji still lingers on, the legacy of Bihar belongs to progress. If one plans to carry on any intelligent conversation, you cannot underestimate the importance of knowing about Nitish Kumar. He is leading the way in development and showing other states how to do it.
In 2011, Bihar was actually identified as the “least corrupt state” in a study by economists Bibek Debroy and Laveesh Bhandari.
Most of the people I find who criticize Bihar are A) people who have never here B) people who only know manual laborers and gypsies from Bihar who have settled elsewhere C) snobs from other states who are trying to prove their state is better. The future of Bihar is promising. The tides have turned. The old stereotypes of a rough, backwoods Bihar needs to be unraveled and forgotten.
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I think the stigma on Bihar and Biharis will not go away soon, but it is great that Bihar’s star is rising. Pataliputra regains its glory…
I am interested in your thoughts on language in Bihar. Bihari accented Urdu and Hindi is notorious and I thought this had to do with the fact that Biharis spoke well, Bihari…and Maithili, Bhojpuri-Purbi, and other dialects of Eastern Hindi (which are not immediately intelligible to people who speak/learn Standard Hindi). I think urban Biharis may label their home language Hindi and Urdu but in usage it is actually very regionally distinct. Are you saying the Hindi is pure because of the standard of education? What is your in-laws’ heritage language? Have you picked up any Bihari affectations after marrying into a Bihari family?
It is changing and Nitish has done a great job, I can say that because my close buddy comes from their. Its good to see Hindi being given importance and it should be too 🙂 Hope you are enjoying ur vacation.
Guy.s let people talk about biharis,,,we are best in world…..and we will prove it,,,,,,,,,
Yeah.. I’m agree wid u. Bihar nd Bihari’s ar going 2 change the img of this state which is made by Lalu or whatever..