BIHAR ON PATH TO RECLAIMING ITS PAST GLORY, MANY CHALLENGES STILL REMAIN

BIHAR ON PATH TO RECLAIMING ITS PAST GLORY, MANY CHALLENGES STILL REMAIN

22-MARCH-ENG 12

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

PATNA-------------------------Bihar is renowned for its rich cultural, social, and religious history. The land of Bihar has borne witness to numerous movements throughout history. The state of Bihar came into existence in 1912 following the partition of Bengal, and in 1935, Odisha was separated from it. The process of division did not end there; in 2000, the state of Jharkhand was also carved out of Bihar.

Speaking of the past, the name "Bihar" is derived from the word *Vihara*—referring to Buddhist monasteries—by which the region eventually came to be known. Bihar was also historically referred to as Magadha. Patna, the capital of Bihar, was formerly known as Pataliputra. Bihar once served as a global hub for education; the international university at Nalanda enjoyed worldwide recognition, while people from across the country and abroad flocked to the Vikramshila University in Bhagalpur to pursue their studies.

Both Mahatma Buddha and Lord Mahavira shared a deep connection with Bihar, choosing this very land as the *Karmabhoomi* (land of action) for their respective religious movements. This sacred soil gave birth to illustrious rulers such as Emperor Jarasandha, Emperor Ashoka, Ajatashatru, and Bimbisara.

To foster a sense of Bihari identity and pride, the tradition of celebrating "Bihar Diwas" (Bihar Day) was initiated during the tenure of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. The Nitish government designated March 22nd as the official date for this celebration. Typically, the festivities would span three days; however, this year—due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic—the celebrations could not be held for the second consecutive time.

Efforts are currently underway to restore Bihar's international prominence once again. While an international university has already been established in Nalanda at a cost running into crores, initiatives have also begun to revive the historic Vikramshila University. The Bihar government aspires to reclaim the state's glorious educational legacy. However, the government still faces numerous challenges. Revitalizing the ailing higher education sector remains a monumental responsibility for the administration.

"Under the governance of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), Bihar has achieved new milestones in development. We have successfully extended water supply to every village, and citizens now enjoy uninterrupted electricity supply 24 hours a day." "Celebrating Bihar Diwas is a matter of pride for us." — Renu Devi, Deputy Chief Minister, Bihar

"For us, celebrating Bihar Diwas represents our honor, dignity, and glory. Bihar has embarked upon the path of progress. However, to fully reclaim Bihar's glorious past, much remains to be done in the fields of education, healthcare, and employment." — Shyam Rajak, RJD Leader

"The Bihar government has set new benchmarks for development. The Nitish administration has brought about transformative changes in the sectors of water, electricity, and roads. Yet, challenges continue to knock at the government's door; apart from reforming higher education, employment generation and addressing the issue of migration remain major challenges facing the government." — Dr. Sanjay Kumar, Political Analyst

Efforts are now underway to take the journey of development—which first began in the infrastructure sector during the era of Shri Krishna Singh—to even greater heights. Roads have now reached every single village across the state, and simultaneously, an uninterrupted supply of electricity is being provided right down to the village level. However, Bihar has undoubtedly lagged behind in terms of industrialization; the industries that were established during the tenure of Shri Krishna Singh eventually shut down over the course of time.