Share credit call to Bihar non-residents

Deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi inagurates the conclave organised by a news portal in Patna on Saturday. Picture by Nagendra Kumar Singh

Patna, Dec. 18: Hundreds of delegates, including 20 NRIs of Bihar origin, participated in a two-day conclave to discuss the challenges of change in the state today.

NRIs who have proven themselves in various fields outside the state and country discussed ways to accelerate the pace of socio-economic change in Bihar. The conclave was organised by a news portal called Bihartimes.com.

Deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi inaugurated the conclave along with the chief executive officer (CEO) of the portal, Ajay Kumar. Sushil Kumar Modi appealed to the delegates to contribute for Bihar’s development.

“I would request everyone to contribute for the state’s development. It is like developing their own village. We have created the environment of development and we welcome all those people who want to invest in the state. The situation is not the same as before,” he said. He added: “Everyone wonders about our scintillating win in the Assembly elections but let me tell you that to develop any state there has to be four elements which include good governance, credible leadership, development and inclusive politics. We have always provided these basic elements. I hope that in the coming years we will stick to our policy. It is very easy to polish a polished structure but it’s very difficult to re-build the structure which had been completely demolished but we have done it.” Talking about the challenges being faced by the state, Modi admitted that power is a problem. “Power shortage is the only difficulty that the state is facing at present. I am sure that in coming year, this too would be solved,” stressed Modi.

M.J. Warsi, an NRI hailing from Darbhanga and presently a professor in linguistics and culture of South Asia, Washington University, said: “I have a commitment towards my state. I want to open an institute of linguistic and cultural studies in Nalanda University. The matter is still under consideration. Secondly, I want all universities in Bihar to include linguistic studies in their subjects. If linguistics are included, it can create jobs for the people here.” He added: “There would be a great demand of linguistic experts in any sector. At railway stations and airports, the announcements are always made in Hindi and English. People belonging to different cultures like Bengali, Tamil, Oriya, Kannad, Malyalam and others who do not understand Hindi and English would be benefited.”

Another NRI, Anurag Sinha, who is running a firm on public diplomacy in South Asia, said: “I want to start a counselling centre on public diplomacy to make people aware about diplomacy and use it to bring peace and harmony in the society. It may be possible by organising workshops, symposiums, seminars, lectures and debates where people would learn the tools and skills of public diplomacy.” Two Japanese delegates, professor Saito, a researcher from Tsukuba, and Katsuhiko Kurosawa, a researcher from Seikei University, are interested in developing the dry lands of Bihar through an ecotechnological approach.

Speaking at the event, Ajay Kumar, CEO of the portal, said: “People who have proven themselves in different fields have gathered here today and it is a great occasion for all of us. Bihar is no more a subject of mockery. Today no Bihari feels insulted.”

In every corner of the world there are many Biharis who are making us feel proud.”