Last Updated:
While most of Bihar is touched by roads and power supply, jobs remain a concern
The fact is, like West Bengal, most young Biharis have preferred to leave the state over the years in search of jobs. Representational pic/News18
I returned to Bihar after 15 years. The change was expected, but the stark transformation hit me hard. The first thing that struck me was the swanky Jayprakash Narayan Airport, recently renovated. It was clean, bustling with passengers, and had many flights. Very different from the hurriedly whitewashed single-story airport that was crying for development and cleaning.
For any city, especially a capital, the first impression is given by the port of landing. The same applies to this airport.
Cut to the days when I would travel through the state. Potholes, traffic snarls, and dark roads were the hallmark of the state I remember.
As I drove down from Patna to Sasaram, my car driver told me times have changed. What used to take him 6 hours now takes around three hours, thanks to the good highway and road conditions. Sasaram is also important because this is where Rahul Gandhi began his Voter Adhika Yatra from the RJD stronghold, with Tejashwi Yadav aiming to become the chief minister. The response to the Vote Chori charges by Rahul Gandhi’s yatra made many think about the possibility of change, but most people in this area accepted that those are not the grounds on which they cast their vote.
While most of Bihar is touched by roads and power supply, jobs remain a concern. This is why both Nitish Kumar and Tejashwi Yadav have promised jobs if they come to power. Tejashwi has said he would ensure one government job per family if he becomes CM, while Nitish Kumar has assured jobs for 1 crore youth over five years.
The fact is, like West Bengal, most young Biharis have preferred to leave the state over the years in search of jobs. One only has to look around in the cities where we stay to see how many Biharis have been successful. In Delhi alone, bureaucracy is dominated by people from Bihar.
While travelling through many areas from Patna to Sasaram, I noticed that some people wanted to come back. The lure of professional progress could be one reason for the return of the Bihari.
It may sound trivial to many, but I remember when I stayed in Patna, there were barely any restaurants to eat out. A new one had opened near Alankar Complex. It soon shut down. The reason: some ruffians entered, refused to pay, and when asked to, ransacked the place. I was at the restaurant. Such incidents act as a deterrent to new businesses opening up. But Bihar has changed. And it’s changing more. The capital is dotted with big brands, restaurants, and a sense of fearlessness to open shops.
Law and order have now emerged as a major issue. The NDA projects the return of the Mahagatbandhan as a return of the Jungle Raj, while the opposition argues that the government under CM Nitish Kumar is no longer equipped to ensure safety.
With this comes the issue of women’s safety. Both the Mahagatbandhan and NDA are wooing women voters, as they are clearly the swing factor. The NDA will project that a Tejashwi government will not ensure that women can feel safe going out.
Certainly, in Bihar, one has seen more and more young girls who are enterprising and going to schools and colleges, a change I have personally witnessed.
Other states proudly showcase their crafts and music across the country. Bihar has long lagged behind, despite having some of the best cuisines, like litti chokha and Champaran mutton. But now Bihar has grabbed attention for its Madhubani crafts (showcased in the gifts given by the PM to foreign dignitaries), fox nuts or Makhana, fashion, and music. The many YouTubers and Bhojpuri singers have ensured that the music of Bihar has transcended boundaries.
Once disparagingly called Biharis, the same word now denotes an aspiration. Something that will occupy centre stage in the battle for Bihar.
Pallavi Ghosh has covered politics and Parliament for 15 years, and has reported extensively on Congress, UPA-I and UPA-II, and has now included the Finance Ministry and Niti Aayog in her reportage. She has als…Read More
Pallavi Ghosh has covered politics and Parliament for 15 years, and has reported extensively on Congress, UPA-I and UPA-II, and has now included the Finance Ministry and Niti Aayog in her reportage. She has als… Read More
October 22, 2025, 08:00 IST
Read More
