IIPM Prof. Arindam Chaudhuri on Internet Hooliganism
At 10 PM on March 24, the last day of the three-day Bihar Mahotsava,
a vast crowd at Patna's historic Gandhi Maidan is in the throes of a unique homecoming – of the state entering its 100th year after being carved out of Bengal in 1912. The list of those who attended were varied, to say the least, from chief minister Nitish Kumar to Bill and Melinda Gates.
Those assembled for the celebrations include men, women and children, singing local folk songs and well represented by the state's predominant languages, Bhojpuri, Maithili and Maghahi.
By the sheerest of chances, the celebrations coincide with the Indian victory over Australia in the World Cup and the lines become blurred. Are the people rooting for India or the state's 100th anniversary? It is difficult to fathom.
The state's anniversary celebrations have come against the backdrop of Nitish Kumar's astounding electoral triumph two months ago and it is no surprise that the charismatic Bihar leader continues to hold fort. The single-most outstanding point of difference now is this: it was unthinkable for women and children to hang out so late in the evening outside their homes in a state riven not so long ago by political gangsterism.
Talking to a large cheering crowd, Nitish – after lighting 99 symbolic lamps - hit the right chord. "I need your help to take Bihar to the top. This can only happen with your assistance." To add to the pep, filmstar-turned-MP Shatrughan Sinha told the chief minister, "I congratulate you for organising such a grand show. I am sure no one can stop Bihar from reaching the top.'' The deafening roar that follows shows Nitish Kumar – at least for now – is on a good wicket.
In fact, the state for the three days between March 22 and 24 wore a look befitting a bride. The colour and pageantry of the state – once home to the most powerful Magadhan rulers – has acquired a logic of its own. What gripped the capital Patna and other prominent district headquarters in the state is nothing short of a cultural revolution.
After long being in the hands of philistines who had neither the taste, skill or aptitude to hone the state's rich culture, it is as if street theatre and plays have begun to stage a comeback of sorts.
The state, in part inspired by Nitish's `new deal' as well as decades of neglect and vote bank politics, is hopeful of seeing the light of a new day. A good example of this churning is the new slogan doing the rounds of schools in Bihar: "Hamen na chahiye biscuit or chocolate, hamen chahiye babuji pencil aur slate (we don't want biscuit and chocolates, sir we want pencils and state)," a far cry from the days when politicians deliberately muddied waters and virtually dismantled the state's educational structure of schools and universities to further their own nests, a fact best epitomised in the large-scale migration of Bihari students to other parts of the the country.
An interesting chapter in the Bihar anniversary celebrations was the appearance of President Pratibha Singh Patil who advised the state chief minister to concentrate on agriculture. Nitish Kumar, on his part, has been quick to respond to the suggestions made by the head of state.
A quiz centred on agriculture and the farming community became a top draw. As did the handloom exhibition organised by the state's industries department, where sizeable crowds, some for the first time, lapped up all that was put on display, clothes, fabrics and that abiding symbol of Bihari pride, Madhubani paintings.
Says visitor Kavita Kaur, "I am sure, the initiatives taken by the Nitish Kumar government is going to galvanise the state. Bihar needed this and it has taken some time coming.'' That was the prevailing sentiment among those who attended the three-day festivities in a state that has been racked by poverty and indifferent administration.
Another star attraction during the three-day festivities has been the commercial fair where litti-chokha, khaja from Supaul and roasted mutton do the rounds with aplomb. Despite the burning sun and kilos of sweat, no one has been willing to back out. To beat the thirst, some spiced sattu does the rounds and, frankly, no one was complaining about the weather.
The extra special fizz came at the cultural extravaganza where leading lights of the local theatre mingled freely with the masses. On display were large sized photographs of the state's well-known land marks; the Martyr's Chowk, Golghar, the world famous Bodhi temple at Gaya, a Shanti Stupa at Vaishali, a sufi shrine of Maner Sharif and others, a shining example of Bihar's inclusive and secular character.
Politically, the chief minister could not have chosen a better platform to promise sops that would help in stabalising his position. Nitish Kumar announced his party's health card scheme under which 3.4 crore children would be benefited. Under this scheme, girls up to the age of 18 and boys upto 14 will be issued cards, making an annual health check-up mandatory under the rules.
The occasion is graced by the likes of Bill Gates and wife Melinda, who while praising the steps taken by the state government on the health front, promise to become stakeholders in Bihar's agriculture through their Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. This is Bill Gates' second visit to the state in the last one year. That is more often than the world's richest man has cared to go to one place within a short time, at least in this country.
With shining new roads and a much-improved power situation to show for his efforts, Nitish Kumar has used this platform to promote his party's agenda. If investments do start coming into the state finally after years of being branded the least industrialised state and the scourge of India, then Bihar's 100th anniversary celebrations would really have been worth its while.
Visit below mentioned IIPM articles.
Arindam Chaudhuri: We need Hazare's leadership
IIPM: Indian Institute of Planning and Management
GIDF Club of IIPM Lucknow Organizes Blood Donation Camp
Professor Arindam Chaudhuri - A Man For The Society....
Dr Malay Chaudhuri, Founder Director IIPM, tells TSI why the IIPM Awards are in a league of their own
Bollywood's No.1 Mum Kajol: Step ahead MOM!
Katrina Kaif: A British Indian Actress Born on July 16, 1984
IIPM Professor Arindam Chaudhuri on 'OBAMA and OSAMA'
At 10 PM on March 24, the last day of the three-day Bihar Mahotsava,
a vast crowd at Patna's historic Gandhi Maidan is in the throes of a unique homecoming – of the state entering its 100th year after being carved out of Bengal in 1912. The list of those who attended were varied, to say the least, from chief minister Nitish Kumar to Bill and Melinda Gates.Those assembled for the celebrations include men, women and children, singing local folk songs and well represented by the state's predominant languages, Bhojpuri, Maithili and Maghahi.
By the sheerest of chances, the celebrations coincide with the Indian victory over Australia in the World Cup and the lines become blurred. Are the people rooting for India or the state's 100th anniversary? It is difficult to fathom.
The state's anniversary celebrations have come against the backdrop of Nitish Kumar's astounding electoral triumph two months ago and it is no surprise that the charismatic Bihar leader continues to hold fort. The single-most outstanding point of difference now is this: it was unthinkable for women and children to hang out so late in the evening outside their homes in a state riven not so long ago by political gangsterism.
Talking to a large cheering crowd, Nitish – after lighting 99 symbolic lamps - hit the right chord. "I need your help to take Bihar to the top. This can only happen with your assistance." To add to the pep, filmstar-turned-MP Shatrughan Sinha told the chief minister, "I congratulate you for organising such a grand show. I am sure no one can stop Bihar from reaching the top.'' The deafening roar that follows shows Nitish Kumar – at least for now – is on a good wicket.
In fact, the state for the three days between March 22 and 24 wore a look befitting a bride. The colour and pageantry of the state – once home to the most powerful Magadhan rulers – has acquired a logic of its own. What gripped the capital Patna and other prominent district headquarters in the state is nothing short of a cultural revolution.
After long being in the hands of philistines who had neither the taste, skill or aptitude to hone the state's rich culture, it is as if street theatre and plays have begun to stage a comeback of sorts.
The state, in part inspired by Nitish's `new deal' as well as decades of neglect and vote bank politics, is hopeful of seeing the light of a new day. A good example of this churning is the new slogan doing the rounds of schools in Bihar: "Hamen na chahiye biscuit or chocolate, hamen chahiye babuji pencil aur slate (we don't want biscuit and chocolates, sir we want pencils and state)," a far cry from the days when politicians deliberately muddied waters and virtually dismantled the state's educational structure of schools and universities to further their own nests, a fact best epitomised in the large-scale migration of Bihari students to other parts of the the country.
An interesting chapter in the Bihar anniversary celebrations was the appearance of President Pratibha Singh Patil who advised the state chief minister to concentrate on agriculture. Nitish Kumar, on his part, has been quick to respond to the suggestions made by the head of state.
A quiz centred on agriculture and the farming community became a top draw. As did the handloom exhibition organised by the state's industries department, where sizeable crowds, some for the first time, lapped up all that was put on display, clothes, fabrics and that abiding symbol of Bihari pride, Madhubani paintings.
Says visitor Kavita Kaur, "I am sure, the initiatives taken by the Nitish Kumar government is going to galvanise the state. Bihar needed this and it has taken some time coming.'' That was the prevailing sentiment among those who attended the three-day festivities in a state that has been racked by poverty and indifferent administration.
Another star attraction during the three-day festivities has been the commercial fair where litti-chokha, khaja from Supaul and roasted mutton do the rounds with aplomb. Despite the burning sun and kilos of sweat, no one has been willing to back out. To beat the thirst, some spiced sattu does the rounds and, frankly, no one was complaining about the weather.
The extra special fizz came at the cultural extravaganza where leading lights of the local theatre mingled freely with the masses. On display were large sized photographs of the state's well-known land marks; the Martyr's Chowk, Golghar, the world famous Bodhi temple at Gaya, a Shanti Stupa at Vaishali, a sufi shrine of Maner Sharif and others, a shining example of Bihar's inclusive and secular character.
Politically, the chief minister could not have chosen a better platform to promise sops that would help in stabalising his position. Nitish Kumar announced his party's health card scheme under which 3.4 crore children would be benefited. Under this scheme, girls up to the age of 18 and boys upto 14 will be issued cards, making an annual health check-up mandatory under the rules.
The occasion is graced by the likes of Bill Gates and wife Melinda, who while praising the steps taken by the state government on the health front, promise to become stakeholders in Bihar's agriculture through their Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. This is Bill Gates' second visit to the state in the last one year. That is more often than the world's richest man has cared to go to one place within a short time, at least in this country.
With shining new roads and a much-improved power situation to show for his efforts, Nitish Kumar has used this platform to promote his party's agenda. If investments do start coming into the state finally after years of being branded the least industrialised state and the scourge of India, then Bihar's 100th anniversary celebrations would really have been worth its while.
Visit below mentioned IIPM articles.
Arindam Chaudhuri: We need Hazare's leadership
IIPM: Indian Institute of Planning and Management
GIDF Club of IIPM Lucknow Organizes Blood Donation Camp
Professor Arindam Chaudhuri - A Man For The Society....
Dr Malay Chaudhuri, Founder Director IIPM, tells TSI why the IIPM Awards are in a league of their own
Bollywood's No.1 Mum Kajol: Step ahead MOM!
Katrina Kaif: A British Indian Actress Born on July 16, 1984
IIPM Professor Arindam Chaudhuri on 'OBAMA and OSAMA'
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