We avoid politics of exclusivity: Nitish

A large number of Non resident Biharis settled over more than 60 countries excelling in different professional fields want to share their success with the people of their motherland. So do you have any strategy to tap them?

Definitely we are well aware of these resources. Bihar Govt. has established “Bihar Foundation”. We are opening its chapters in different parts of the country and abroad. It is not very important to get only investment in Bihar. But their large pool of talent, contacts and innovative ideas will be of great importance for transforming the socio-economic condition of Bihar.

In last two years many industrialists and corporate houses have shown their interest in Bihar. But still a major investment is yet to come. Why?

No, the investment has started pouring in different sectors. Recently a tractor factory near Patna has come up and many investors have applied to us and their projects are in pipeline. At the same time a lot of investors are taking advantage of our new industrial policy and changed environment in Bihar. All major corporate houses have shown interest in our state and some key industrialists have themselves visited Bihar. But our major initiative in sugar and ethanol industries got a set back due to recent slump in international market. Now Bihar is also one of their destinations.

Our initiative of “Nalanda International University” is a major initiative in this direction. We have appointed Kalam Saheb as a visitor of this university. We also involved noted economist Amartya Sen in this project. We tried to seek international support from different corners of the World. We raised this issue in ASEAN and other international forums. It will be an international centre of excellence. Even our Prime Minister has evinced keen interest. Recently an exhibition was organized in Singapore with the name “Nalanda trail”. Representatives from China, Japan and Singapore visited our state and showed keen interest to get involved in Nalanda and other tourism related projects. So Bihar will soon emerge a great brand.

We received recommendations from Land Reforms Commission and Bhudan Yagya samiti. Some important recommendations will be enforced taking confidence of all sections of the society. We will make necessary amendment in our Bataidari Act to facilitate agricultural growth. The interest of farmers and tenants will be taken into consideration before taking any major decision. Land is a very delicate issue and it should be handled properly. Let me share you frankly where are the big farmers in Bihar.

How has been your experience with your partner BJP in last two years. Recent expansion of your social constituency in minority, extreme backward castes and maha dalits might have marginalized BJP to a great extent?

Our experience with BJP has been excellent. We have agreed to work as a cohesive team. The expansion of social base is not party specific rather it is expansion of the support base of the present govt. in Bihar. We can say that we didn't follow the politics of exclusivity. Our govt. is comprised of its coalition partners and both of the allies are equal beneficiary of the positive work of the government. People are intelligent enough to understand the people's mandate.

I watched the video clips of interview. I also keep track of happenings in Bihar via Bihar Times and Jagran. Mr. Chief Minister is very correct in his claims about different changes that had been initiated at different levels. But I have seen so many politicians who go ga..ga about what they have done for the state and all, and I am still waiting for someone bold to come ahead and speak about the things that needs to be done in Bihar and not what government has achieved. Nitish Kumar sounded no different when it came to count his achievements.

But all said, it does appear that things are changing in Bihar and I also welcome the comments from Mr. Kumar couple of weeks back that he would not let the things change at the cost of Nandigram. I hope he stands by what he has said and does no take a U turn the way Left govt. did in West Bengal and BJP did in center after acquiring power riding on Swadeshi slogan and then selling the profit making PSUs to private parties for nothing but to widen the gap between poor and rich.

Pavan Kumar Sharma

sharma.pavankumar@gmail.com

Ray of hope
There is a ray of hope at end of every tunnel. When Sri Nitish Kumar joined as the CM of the state, I like many other had great hopes and expectation from this man of better integrity and accountability than his predecessors. Result in two years have not been that immense but definitely encouraging. Development in infrastructure in state capital is visible; there has been improvement in work culture in academic institutions and health services. I am extremely glad to see campus placement going on across many colleges. But situation is engineering, medical colleges, management institutes is still grim. The efforts put in by government do not by any means commensurate with the kind of zeal and commitment desired. We were at such bottom of development that anything would look good thereafter. There was only one way of movement and that was upwards.
What about investments in Bihar? Where are sugar companies? When we can expect cement companies to start their operation in Bihar? Where is super specialty hospital that was proposed? What is the status of proposed film city? Still has long way to go for the present and succeeding government.
Is government honestly willing to make atmosphere in Bihar conducive for Bihar sub-nationalism to flourish?

I want to build my career in Bihar. I want to stay there and put my efforts that would add to the development of the state. There are many like us. My generation has got descending Bihar from our previous generation. Please put serious efforts, else, I am afraid coming generation would find even decent survival in Bihar difficult.

First I would like to say congrats to Mr. Nitish kumar for 2yrs completion. Thanks for Bihar Times to bring all these in your news portal.
Bihar is changing, that is for sure and I think people there are recognizing it. But one thing that I am worrying about the role of national media.
Our national media is continuing to show only bad news from Bihar and tagging bihar as state where only bad things happen. They do not show even big positive news/events of Bihar.
People outiside bihar still carrying old picture of Bihar despite of recent changes. I think it is also blocking developments of Bihar.
Today we see big investments coming to Bangalore, why?, it is not because of only good governance but mainly because of brand 'Bangalore'. So, Making good brand is very important in these days and Media plays big role here. I am expecting Honorable CM Nitish Kumar must do something in this area. If we are able to make brand 'Bihar', then we would definitely see flow of investments in Bihar.