Untold Story of Bihar

A country is a team and sum of its states, its pride, its sacrifices and aspirations of the people. Though the sum total of the parts can never be greater than the whole but we need to know the parts in order to appreciate the whole at times. I wish to tell you my story in nutshell.

My name is Bihar. Whatever you can recollect or not let me give you a glimpse of all I am under the mud and sheet of dust and weak memories.

It’s just yesterday when I gave the Ashoka Chakra and decorated the National Flag. I am proud of it. The world does know me as the first Republic. The world seldom stops talking of ECONOMICS and my son Chanakya left with so much for all of you to sneak in for a piece of advice. He is being revered even now. Ashoka grew up in my arms and went on to become greatest ruler ever irrespective of in war or self realization to go for peace. I clearly remember “Nalanda” which is the first known University of the world. Students from all across traveled to my campus for studies. I allowed and served the world. They say Indians are good at Mathematics and so was my ward Aryabhatt known for the ancient Mathematics.

Mahatma knew my power and had faith in my children. He set out from Champaran to tell the English empire that it was time for them to contemplate the defeat and move back. I forgot to remind that the Republic of India was served selflessly by my worthy son Dr. Rajendra Prasad as the first President and even as a freedom fighter.

Budha transformed himself with the breeze of knowledge and enlightenment in my lap and led the world to new rays of hope. I gave birth to Mahavir and followed the revered JAINISM. They come to touch me to their heads where Mahavir walked bare foot. Some of you come to me with mild eyes seeking divine blessings to PATNA SAHIB. Lord Ram complimented me for I gave Him better half, my daughter Sita. You still feel elated calling her MAITHILI. Your ancestors have gone to heavenly journey not before chanting SITA & RAM together.  Valmiki wrote Ramayan which made so many of us to grasp it well and realize why Ram is called “Maryada Purushottam”.

India is country of Cultures and Literature. Why shouldn’t I be proud that my humble son Ramdhari Singh is “National Poet”? You only titled him “DINKAR”.  One of the most revolutionary dedication shown to Indian common people in one line was by my great patriot son Dinkar, when he said “Singhasan Khaali Karo Ki Janata Aati Hai”. Around the same time I gave you one of my finest students “Laxmi Kant Jha” to serve mother India as the RBI Governor. He held many posts that took India to a new place including one as ambassador of India to the United States around sixties. Some old guards will tell you that Laxmi Kant advocated for liberalization during those days itself and gave Indian economy a new wavelength. My IAS son U. K. Sinha is wonderfully heading SEBI with an amazing stint of over two years. Do you recall his classical journey of turnaround of UTI Mutual Fund? IAS Yashwant Sinha with his elegance served the country as a Union Finance Minister and was well appreciated.

 When it comes to art and you proudly call my son Bismillah Khan as “USTAD” and Bharat Ratna, I silently smile. The wind of change flew when my son Jayprakash Narayan came in his colours and people loved him calling “Loknayak”. Mother India conferred him as “Bharat Ratna”. Meira Kumar, my daughter went on to become one of the most calm and composed Lok Sabha speakers of all times. I do take note of my daughter “Padma Shri” Sharda Sinha. She did give all of us plenty of soothing songs to rejoice and strengthen the society by singing how Lord Ram came across to Mithila to marry Sita.

Shatrughna Sinha whom you call SHOT-GUN grew in my laps and conquered the Hindi cinema with his hard fought battles and now is an active MP. My soil has given some hugely humble politicians and capable ministers in Jayant Sinha, Rajiv Pratap & Ravi Shankar Prasad and when you doubt their calmness then I have Giriraj who roars like lion and is serving silently at present to take the MSMEs of the country to next level. Partnering him is Radha Madhav trying his best to get the backbone of the economy in India Agriculture by doing his best to bring the farmers in mainstream.

Though the list goes on to have many who is who of not only India but also the world like Dada Muni Ashok Kumar, Anil Agarwal, Subrata Roy, Prakash Jha, Anand-Milind , MS Dhoni, Priyanka Chopra, Kirti Azad, Saba Karim who came out of my womb. I end up this writing with a hope that few of my children who are tarnishing my image will restore my old golden era.

Avinash Chandra Jha.