Hinterland
When I accompanied Dr APJ Abdul Kalam to Patna in Bihar State in 1999, he was the Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India. The Technology Information Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC), which Dr Kalam chaired, had initiated an agriculture project in Paliganj, 55 km from Patna on 2.4 hectares of land. He took me to see what could be done to help assist the healthcare system there, which together with livelihoods, were the two basic problems of the poor.
After becoming the President of India in 2002, Dr Kalam continued his tryst with Bihar, where he thought solutions to all problems of societal transformation can be developed. He made me a part of his entourage in his 3-day visit to Bihar in May 2003. We went to the Jain shrine at Pawapuri, the archaeological site of the ancient Nalanda University, the most sacred of Buddhist shrines – the Mahabodhi temple at Bodh Gaya, Takht Harmandir Sahib in Patna, and the Bihar School of Yoga at Munger. We traveled in the “presidential train,” a relic of the British Raj, from Harnaut to Patna. I felt as if I was living one of my past lives.
President Kalam got entangled in the declaration of President’s Rule in Bihar in May 2005. The Bihar Governor had recommended the dissolution of the Assembly, the Union Cabinet approved it and forwarded it to President Kalam, who was on a visit to Moscow at that time. He signed it there. It was challenged in the Supreme Court and the five-judge Constitution Bench, in a majority verdict, declared the proclamation unconstitutional. President Kalam was penitent saying he should have rejected the Cabinet’s decision and thought of resigning from his office. He was persuaded to continue.
My bonhomie with Bihar continued. In February 2010, I travelled to Muzaffarpur, pursuing my Don Quixotic mission of connecting all district headquarters on a telemedicine link, which we had restricted to Tele-radiology by that time. My student at Hyderabad Central University, where I was teaching MBA (Healthcare and Hospital Management) in School of Management Studies as Adjunct Professor, Dr Janki Raman, who was a native, escorted me. The picture is from the road trip from Patna to Muzaffarpur clicked by him.
Bihar continues to struggle with backwardness, which was inherited like any other hinterland of the British-ruled India but then perpetuated by severe form of caste politics and finally, rampant corruption made the best of Bihari youth migrate out of Bihar. Dr Kalam used to say that unless we solve the Bihar development tangle, India can never be a developed country. And who would do the honors? Of course, the people of Bihar. The opportunity is that they are the best of human resources anywhere in the world. The challenge is their political division.
To put things into the right perspective, Bihar, with more than 120 million people, is the third most populous state in the country after Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. But there is scarcity of land. With so many people and not even 100,000 sq. km., Bihar accounts for 3% of India’s land mass but 9% of its population. This skewed population density, which is three times of the national average, is the root cause of the backwardness. Bihar was ruled from Calcutta by the British. It was already lagging before independence. The difference got exacerbated after liberalization in the mid-1990s. While the other states grew, Bihar languished. Bad became worse. But why?
The creation of Jharkhand in November 2000 to separate out South Bihar took away much of the mineral repository. All the industrialization done in Bihar since independence had gone in a whiff. The problems of persistent poverty, complex social stratification, unsatisfactory infrastructure, and weak governance are well-known, but not well understood. With 80 million people younger than 35 years of age, Bihar needs jobs and that needs investment. Now, investment would need SEZ kind of arrangements, roads, electricity and above all, law and order. It is very easy to blame the government but who elects it? The despair is palpable.
I am not a visionary, but I live by hope. I consider imagination more powerful than knowledge. For me, myths are more potent than history and dreams are more powerful than facts. So, it is time to go a little bold and ask for a medical college in each of the 38 districts of Bihar. It is hard to believe and yet true that half of the 38 districts in the state have no more than three government doctors for every 100,000 people. The situation in Siwan is most acute where there is just one doctor for 100,000 people I am told. To put this into perspective, the national average is 134 doctors for 100,000, a little better than the WHO-prescribed level of 1:1,000. Of course this would also mean a nursing college and a paramedic college in every district.
Lack of funding is not an excuse for not doing what is needed. The government should show political will, make a sound proposal, circulate it globally, invite partners and seek investment through bond schemes. The people from Bihar living outside the state themselves would contribute the necessary funds if an honest and transparent scheme is put in place. The same model can be used to create thermal power plants and smart water grids to mitigate the chronic problem of floods, especially in North Bihar. And there should not be any politicking on this. And the best way to do this is to make the system free of political muddling.
Thomas L. Friedman, in his 1999 book, The Lexus and the Olive Tree writes, “You can be a rich person alone. You can be a smart person alone. But you cannot be a complete person alone. For that, you must be part of, and rooted in, an olive grove.” When I asked Dr Raman, currently living in Sydney, Australia, with his family, what would bring him back to Bihar, he said a Neurology & Plastic Surgery Speciality hospital, which he wishes to establish with his younger brothers, Dr Radha Raman and Gopi Raman in Muzaffarpur by 2025.
And I have no doubt that he is not alone in his dream to return and serve his own people. Dr Kalam used to say that if we forget whom we belong to, and if we forget that there is a God, something profoundly human in us will be lost. And after our return from our 2003 trip, he gave me Bertrand Russell’s 1951 book, New Hopes for a Changing World, highlighting the text that read, “Our great democracies still tend to think that a stupid man is more likely to be honest than a clever man, and our politicians take advantage of this prejudice by pretending to be even more stupid than nature made them.” He indeed knew his country well.
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A thought provoking perspective on our ancient Centre of Learning and Culture, Prof Tiwariji !
Your clarion call for making the system free of political muddling go a long way in providing Hope for Hinterland !!
Thank You, Sir, For very insightful and clear observations. Bihar was once a centre of power, learning and culture. Now contrasting Kerala it lies in the lowest rung of SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) composite index. The once the cradle of our civilization, the area can again become the garland of India…but as in Samudramanthan before Amrita could be formed, Halāhala was produced.
In the story, when both Devas and Asuras were collapsing they ran to Brahma who told them that only Shiva would be able to help them. Thinkers and doers like you and Dr Raman are initiating the process of Samudramanthan that would ultimately lead to invoking Shiva …The one who would kill the demons of poor politics and feudalistic bureaucracy.
The per capita GDP of Uttar Pradesh in PPP terms is just above $2200 and Bihar’s per capita GDP of $1400 is low in comparison to the national average of $6400. And when we compare it with China GDP in PPP terms $10,500. It is clear where things stand. Of course things are now changing in Uttar Pradesh and if it continues maybe in 10 years’ time the state may catch up with the national average, which I hope would be $10,000 by then. But as of today UP stands with Mali and Bihar with Mozambique in Africa in PPP GDP terms and it is not a very happy position.
Dear Prof. Tiwari, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh are the two most populous states of India. Unfortunately, both are also a drag on the national economy and development. Most of their population remains largely poor, struggling to make both ends meet and worrying about the healthcare of the family. The caste-based political division continues to be a bane of not only Bihar and Uttar Pradesh but also of the whole country. If Bihar and Uttar Pradesh were put on a developmental path, the country would have soon achieved the status of a developed nation because of their large population.
In the past, kidnapping, extortion and land grabbing were the only thriving industries in these two provinces. No other industry could dare to come up and survive in these two states. Fortunately, with the changed government dispensations in these two states, things are now looking better ensuring improved law and order situation. Bihar is endowed with very capable human resources, which perform very well outside the state. It is important to develop local infrastructure and create a conducive environment to contain migration of the talented persons from Bihar to other states in India and overseas.
Agriculture will remain the foundation block of the economy of these states for a long time to come. It would have been interesting, if some information on the outputs and outcomes of the Paliganj agricultural project were shared in the blog.
A fitting clarion call for all, not only in Bihar Prof, relevant as the reference point in this blog, its the best way to live the Ubuntu spirit we people of the African extraction live by! While Bihar needs native to spearhead the efforts, all ably blessed people of India and beyond should step in to help!
Very interesting observation. I think Bihar is in extra advanced stage of development..i.e. decay. Its cyclic. The so called greatest democracy is facing it now.
Bihar has everything going for itself. Superbly intelligent and hard working young population. Fertile soils and plentiful irrigation. There is no hunger as such in Bihar.
But probably just one bridge across Ganga!!!!
The bad governance is solely responsible I guess. Prohibition is a political decision…every body loves it…mostly the law enforcing establishment. Let people die. Nothing can be more stupid than prohibition.
Every individual needs to have access to healthcare despite their socioeconomic status. This would mean more medical, nursing colleges that deliver quality education and hospitals that provide quality care.
It’s nice to know that Dr. Janki Raman is alumnus of School of Management Studies, where I did my masters. I wish Dr. Janki Raman and team the very best.
Sir, this blog on Bihar makes me miss the trip we planned for UP hinterland that was abandoned due to your health issue. UP and Bihar are ‘examples’ of caste-based politics in India. Every political party talks about working for everyone but at the time of elections they approach voters on caste basis. This has been the story so far and whether it will change will be known by the results of forthcoming UP elections.
To me it appears BJP has done well in integrating backward castes into its fold and the ‘so called’ caste-centric parties, turned into family enterprises, are not able to harness the caste-based voters as earlier. A new type of leadership is emerging and in another 10 to 15 years, we hope to see these two states, almost one third of India in population, emerging out of their backwardness.
I wish Dr Janki Raman and his brothers all success in their hospital mission in Muzaffarpur. As I am writing this comment, TV is showing 15 people losing their eyesight for an infection they got during their cataract operation. This should not have happened and more than the failure of the government it is the failure of society for becoming conditioned to tolerate such mediocrity.
Thank you Arun ji for taking us back to Bihar work. I agree that lack of funding is not an excuse for not doing. My experience proved that funds always follow a good idea.
When I quit my corporate CEO job and joined EMRI 108, in 2005, YSR the CM told me that people like me should quit corporate sector to work for common people through Governments. I am very happy that I made the shift and I am more than happy.
The backwardness and multidimensional poverty of people in Bihar is a matter of serious concern for all Indians. Population density is certainly an important factor in shaping the development trajectory of this state. But equally important are factors like the feudal culture and caste-based politics in Bihar.
Dr. Kalam made several trips to Bihar and had discussions with Nitish Kumar and other leaders. I believe Dr. Kalam had deep empathy for the poor people of Bihar. As a visionary leader, he envisioned a bright future for Bihar.
In recent years, digital technologies have become quite popular in Bihar. I hope that Bihar will leapfrog to new heights in the coming years.
Dear Sir, It’s true that ‘Dreams are more powerful than fact’. We must see dreams to achieve our goals in life. I remember, during my MBA days, you had shown me a dream of going to Nigeria after completing my MBA on a Tele-radiology project. Since, then I was dreaming of to go to any foreign country, and my dream come true in 2019 when I got an opportunity thorough Infosys to work for Australian healthcare client, and now I am commenting on your blog from Sydney. Feeling blessed.
Thanks for mentioning about my dream of establishing a hospital in Bihar as centre of excellence for Neurology and Plastic surgery. My brothers Dr. Radha Raman & Gopi Raman are the part of this dream project and we are working on the same. Recently, we have finalised a land and trying to get that. Currently, we are struggling with finance but hopefully situation will improve and will get investors to invest in our project.
Bihar is a great state with great minds. The power of Bihar is the human resources, it has produced mind like Chankya, Dr.Rajendra Prasad, Mr. Vasistha Narayan etc. and is still producing maximum numbers of IAS, Doctors and Engineers every year but unfortunately, most of them leave their state.
Recently I visited a health checkup clinic in Sydney, and was amazed to know that out of 8 doctors in panel, 6 were from India and out of 6, 4 doctors were from Bihar. One doctor was from PGI Chandigarh, I talked to him as my brother Dr.Radha Raman, MCh. Plastic Surgeon is also from PGI Chandigarh. He had also an option to go abroad when was working in PGI as Asst. Professor. I asked him what you want to do in your life then he mentioned that, I want to serve my state, then I asked him to sync his vision with Dr. APJ Kalam’s vision of making Bihar as a health hub in future. That’s how we started dreaming a healthcare centre of excellence in our state Bihar.
I strongly believe that my dream is the part of God’s plan to serve the suffering humanity in our state, and with your blog on the same subject has given me a clear sign that things are moving in right direction and we are blessed.
See you in 2025 in Muzaffarpur for inauguration ceremony of the hospital and get your blessings!
The title ‘Hinterland’ speaks a thousand words for itself. Crisis, misery and mass exploitation are synonymous with Bihar. It’s sad that sheer apathy, unpreparedness and incompetence defines any government that governs this hinterland. Citizens strongly doubt if there is any leader who has any valuable insight into many of the pressing peace and security, human rights and sustainable development challenges facing this state.
A blessed handful who travelled with Dr. Kalam and had known him personally will continue to create and communicate a vision for change. During travels, as Dr. Kalam met people and saw things, we knew his humanity was embedded into everything, from the most fundamental daily interaction to the most complex issues/strategies. Without an iota of doubt he enabled others to think differently, transform more rapidly and more efficiently, even if anything created a sense of upheaval.
These days, there isn’t any dearth of dramatic stunts and rhetorical skills. However, only with a vision as compelling as Dr. Kalam’s, present day leaders can put proper mechanisms of organisational governance into place, using checks and balances to prevent faulty decision-making and the abuse of power.
If we see the backwardness of the state of Bihar, I find only one reason, a bitter truth, that is political failure in Bihar.
As usual a very readable and informative piece. I remember we invited Dr Kalam to inaugurate the Bihar Science Congress in Gaya. The Bihar Science Congress is a forum some of us established to promote science amongst the students of Bihar and also showcase the achievements of Biharis in S&T. I’m happy this forum continues to meet every year and is well respected.
I very recently visited Patna and Katihar in Bihar, and I could not believe that this was the same Patna who I used to visit. Katihar, despite being a far away small town, was far more developed. This experience reinforced my faith in Mr Nitish Kumar. Your suggestion on Bihari-driven agenda for progress is ‘THE solution’ for taking it to a different level of progress.
Bihar – Past Present and Future…..Through the eyes of Mr. Arun Tiwari made an interesting read. No wonders as mentioned in my earlier comments we tend to know lot of ins and outs and known and unknown, from your Blog, invigorating to put up a comment or two.
Yes! Surely because of its dense population, poor inhabitants and lack of facilities, some self implicated and some politically motivated, the state of Bihar was always considered several steps behind other states of India. The natives were also looked upon as novice and primitive. The first hand info I gathered was while in GB Pant University pursuing my engineering where we had several fellow students from Bihar. They struggled through the initial years lacking in understanding and moving along with others. But not later…soon they were shoulder to shoulder but for their background. Though, things have changed a lot in the last over three decades but still lots and lots needs to be done. The up gradation in terms of Roti…Kapda…Makan still haunts the thickly populated state of Bihar.
As rightly pointed out, with the mineral rich and industrial rich area now called as Jarkhand carved out from the state over two decades back, it calls for extra oxygen to be pumped in by the Centre in terms of Infrastructure and Industries. The lack of opportunities is what creates an exodus of several of the youth to other states in search of jobs and finally looking for a home away from home. The data mentioned by you Arun ji pertaining to area vs population of Bihar lets the cat out of the bag. If the bag is small and too many kittens are struggling for primarily food they look for the earliest opportunity to jump out and scatter to nook and corners for fulfillment of their needs.
Where this is a will there is a way… the potential is still there. A historical ancient state like Bihar with the seat of Buddha the shrines the temples and all allied and with the source of Buddhism sprouting from here and spreading world over can very well be exploited as A Tourist destination. Revenue will pour in for the state govt. Even without much fan fare it gets tourists but in my opinion a proper marketing, a proper show casing and proper addition of side attractions will fetch far more. The world is on the move. Tourism world over is rising exponentially and tourists looking for new places and especially those with historical background is on the rise year on year. It certainly calls for encashment.
Loved your lines “I am not a visionary, but I live by hope. I consider imagination more powerful than knowledge. For me, myths are more potent than history and dreams are more powerful than facts.” The idea of developing the state be it Health care, Education, Doctors, Nurses, Engineers, Industries, Tourism, Startups, IT and allied our fellow brethren Biharis are bound to rise to the occasion. It’s the opportunities they need for them to show case their worth. All said and done they are no less while holding key positions at various places outside their state. Let not politics prevail, let not corruption roost the goose, let not own interest ride over mass humans….. Bihar can be a force to reckon with.