Bihar - is it really happening?

Bigzero · Sep 25th, 2006, 18:27

I found an interesting article on Bihar, with a slightly different viewpoint from that of the mainstream media about the affars of the state.

He talks about the silent change that is happening in Patna, and sees it as a representation on how the state itself is slowly turning around.

I dont know how to take this - whether to take this at face value and be happy or pass this off as a pro-government feel-good article.

http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?id=14298043

I know very little about Bihar to start with. The media for at least the last decade and a half had been quite severe on Bihar. What is the reality?

Will be interested to hear your views, especially those who are from there..

Nick-H · Sep 25th, 2006, 19:05

The guy who is writing has been there once and seems to know all about it. For instance he draws the conclusion that it is not a mafia state from the fact that he saw a senior politician in a simple car without an escort.

Maybe it is true, but the level of research behind this article doesn't carrymuch weight...

capt_mahajan · Sep 25th, 2006, 19:27

Things may be improving slowly, but the level of casteism, extreme lawlessness and security concerns would put patna close to the bottom of my list for places to live in.

I have heard some horror stories of day to day living in Bihar from friends, one of whom relocated to Delhi overnight after a particularly nasty incident two years ago.

mira4bai4 · Sep 25th, 2006, 20:54

Quote:

Nick-H The guy who is writing has been there once and seems to know all about it. For instance he draws the conclusion that it is not a mafia state from the fact that he saw a senior politician in a simple car without an escort.

So based on this, the Punjab is not only a Police State but also a Mafia State as there is always an escort for Politicians senior and lesser, every Tom Dick and Hari has a red flashing light with appropriate flags positioned. This is the State of Arrogance, or is it being in a state of arrogance that I submit this, now deemed to be off topic I think.

Nick-H · Sep 25th, 2006, 21:04

Hmmm, yes... not the best written article...

crvlvr · Sep 25th, 2006, 23:46

And here's another reason to visit, according to the author:

Quote:

I saw stretches of markets, not some odd number of shops, and I saw for myself the pattern of frenetic consumer buying: much more than what happens in our malls in the metros

capt_mahajan · Sep 25th, 2006, 23:49

ok. as soon as mcdonalds opens, we know bihar is happening, then.

its happening all right. thing is, it may be happening to you.

mira4bai4 · Sep 25th, 2006, 23:52

That sounds grim, maybe they are frenetically buying stuff before it all closes down again. It could also have been a festival coming up or the usual mela market that pops up weekly in the same spot.

mira4bai4 · Sep 25th, 2006, 23:59

Quote:

its happening all right. thing is, it may be happening to you.

Hmmm, so what you are saying is that I may in fact be happening, gwad, I could be doing it all over the place

but how would we know if we are 'happening'; would someone come up to us and say, hey man, you're happening

Something that would be a worry is that all this happening may make us stand out

and then we may be singled out

as easy pickins

guidedeba · Sep 26th, 2006, 00:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by capt_mahajan

ok. as soon as mcdonalds opens, we know bihar is happening, then.

I have seen McDonald in the most notorius places in the world - like in the Kabuki - cho of Shinzuku in Tokyo. where they fight every evening.

I don't know what do you mean by changing? Of course Lalu Prasad brought back the Cigarette/ Bidi selling in the train again in Bihar. And the Railway Police ask the passengers to be careful and keep the windows & doors close while moving through Bihar. But in Nitish's time Bihar is trying - at least in the Govt. Office higher level - a little more careful while taking the bribe. I remember while travelling all over India by Bi-cycle we used to get a stamp from all the Police stations to keep a proof to the sponsor. When in Bihar most of the Police stations they asked us to pay some money for give a stamp on our diary.

However loosing the Jharkhand (the milking cow) from the map of Bihar was a blow. So Bihar is now trying to relocate it's Economic resources. But the Mafias are there as usual. And of course a recent story states the deadline - an officer took all the British time Mehgni furniture from the Govt. Bungalow to his own residence thinking it was given to him as a retirement benefit....

greenchutney · Sep 30th, 2006, 23:09

i really admire nitish kumar. been following him for a while. far cry from the rabri days...and ofcourse buta & his sons! ..they really brought bihar to the ground. nitish is making good moves..and as is indicated by this article today.

The new republic of Bihar
Aditi Phadnis | September 30, 2006
rediff

more than bihar, i would be worried about uttar pradesh to be honest with mulayam still lingering around.

samosa · Oct 1st, 2006, 07:32

If you talk to any Indian, mere mention of Bihar results in peals of laughter. What is it about that place?! I doubt it will ever be "happening"

greenchutney · Oct 1st, 2006, 07:37

bihar state is the alabama/mississipi of the US....many stereotypes..(like from the forrest gump movie)..similar stereotypes of biharis but with local cultural twists...

wait though!..there are stereotypes for all groupings/communities here in india!

Quote:

Originally Posted by samosa

I doubt it will ever be "happening"

and why do you doubt it?...

steven_ber · Oct 1st, 2006, 07:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by samosa

If you talk to any Indian, mere mention of Bihar results in peals of laughter. What is it about that place?! I doubt it will ever be "happening"

Samosa, Welcome to indiamike.com

I guess you made a small mistake in this post, I'm sure you meant to say "If you talk to some Indians".
----------

Whilst looking at the thread title, I find myself wondering what Bihari people make of other Indian's view of their state?

machadinha · Oct 1st, 2006, 09:32

Maybe more of us (visitors) should make a mental note to include Bihar next time, then swap stories. I hear there's some great sights there. Hey, might even be like that old "off the beaten track" feeling! You could write (and stencil) Bihar On A Shoestring! If you're going to Bihar, just remember to wear some flowers in your hair! Be a modern-times hippie today, go Bihar all the way! Etc.!

(In a word, yes I wouldn't mind visiting. The less McDonalds's the better I'd say.)

btw

Quote:

Originally Posted by capt_mahajan

its happening all right. thing is, it may be happening to you.

Great thought.

Sep 25th, 2006, 18:27	#1
Bigzero back to my old ways Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 1,433	Bihar - is it really happening? I found an interesting article on Bihar, with a slightly different viewpoint from that of the mainstream media about the affars of the state. He talks about the silent change that is happening in Patna, and sees it as a representation on how the state itself is slowly turning around. I dont know how to take this - whether to take this at face value and be happy or pass this off as a pro-government feel-good article. http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?id=14298043 I know very little about Bihar to start with. The media for at least the last decade and a half had been quite severe on Bihar. What is the reality? Will be interested to hear your views, especially those who are from there.. __________________ miles to go.... Bigzero's Photo Gallery

Sep 25th, 2006, 19:05	#2
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 24,651	The guy who is writing has been there once and seems to know all about it. For instance he draws the conclusion that it is not a mafia state from the fact that he saw a senior politician in a simple car without an escort. Maybe it is true, but the level of research behind this article doesn't carrymuch weight... __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

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Sep 25th, 2006, 19:27	#3
capt_mahajan (in charge of navel affairs) Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 9,052	Things may be improving slowly, but the level of casteism, extreme lawlessness and security concerns would put patna close to the bottom of my list for places to live in. I have heard some horror stories of day to day living in Bihar from friends, one of whom relocated to Delhi overnight after a particularly nasty incident two years ago.

Sep 25th, 2006, 21:04	#5
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 24,651	Hmmm, yes... not the best written article...

Sep 25th, 2006, 23:49	#7
capt_mahajan (in charge of navel affairs) Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 9,052	ok. as soon as mcdonalds opens, we know bihar is happening, then. its happening all right. thing is, it may be happening to you.

Sep 25th, 2006, 23:52	#8
mira4bai4 Lost in Space Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: ND PaharGanj Permanently/Temporarily Posts: 1,164	That sounds grim, maybe they are frenetically buying stuff before it all closes down again. It could also have been a festival coming up or the usual mela market that pops up weekly in the same spot.

Sep 30th, 2006, 23:09	#11
greenchutney Account Closed Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: planet earth Posts: 1,579	i really admire nitish kumar. been following him for a while. far cry from the rabri days...and ofcourse buta & his sons! ..they really brought bihar to the ground. nitish is making good moves..and as is indicated by this article today. The new republic of Bihar Aditi Phadnis \| September 30, 2006 rediff more than bihar, i would be worried about uttar pradesh to be honest with mulayam still lingering around.

Oct 1st, 2006, 07:32	#12
samosa Account Closed Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Dorms Posts: 1	If you talk to any Indian, mere mention of Bihar results in peals of laughter. What is it about that place?! I doubt it will ever be "happening"

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