Proud to be a Bihari?

After nearly an year, this December I had a chance to visit Bihar. My visits normally consist of resting in my home in Patna and occasional visits to my uncle's place. But this time it was different. I had to go to Gaya to attend my cousin sister's marriage ceremony. Stepping out of Patna made me question - Am I really proud to be a Bihari?

Patna is like any other city in India, struggling with pollution, traffic jams, crime, etc. Being snuggled in my bed in Patna had made me forget the reality of what Bihar really is; after all its been nearly 10 years since I had traveled to any town outside of Patna in Bihar. So, the illusion was broken the moment my uncle's brand new Maruti A-Star moved out of outskirts of Patna, to what is supposedly the "National Highway". If you haven't guessed it already, its an apology of a road.
The car groaned and complained as it bumped along at a snail's speed. As my uncle is in PWD (Public Works Dept.) - Roads division, I asked him why isn't the government repairing these roads? He told me that since that was a NH, it doesn't come under the purview of Bihar Government. The central govt. apathy towards Bihar results in these conditions.

Things did improve slightly when we passed a small village called Dhanarua and stopped for snacks. My uncle told me that few years back this was a Naxal-infested zone and people never stopped here even when there were no roads. Under the Nitish Govt., the road has been built by working under constant presence of paramilitary forces. I was speechless.

Somehow, we covered the 140 kms journey in more than 4 hours (yes, 4 hours!!) and finally reached Gaya -  the place where Gautam Buddha gained divine knowledge and where Hindus from around the world come for Pind Daan - offering to appease the souls of their dead ancestors. When we entered the town, I felt I had traveled 15 years back in time. There was no electricity. Garbage was strewn everywhere, with people and cattle walking on it. You cannot imagine the filth even when we were in the main market of the town. The entire town was under a thick black smoke coming from the numerous gensets that work round the clock there. I felt like I would develop asthma! The more I looked around, the more sick I became. So I just shut my mind and passed the rest 2 days of my stay in that condition.

I was relieved when I got back to Patna (after that excruciating journey again). But now things didn't seem so good here too. I saw rich people stealing electricity from poles by hooking up wires and then cursing the govt. when lights go out. I switched on the TV and watched the local news. It didn't help the matters as I could now feel the angst of people whose suffering goes unnoticed on National TV. I felt like being one with them. I wanted to do something for them but didn't know what.

Now back in Pune, I still think about it. I know I will slowly forget it, but I don't want to. So I am writing this blog so that even if I forget it, it will refresh my memory. I will wait for the day till I gather up the courage to leave everything and go back to my state and work for my people. Wish me luck!!