The boys are considering shifting base to Mumbai because there is no support for artists in Bihar. "No one wants to pay us, everyone wants a free performance." That's the irony of the young Bihari. They may have ventured out into un-chartered territory but have now hit a road block.
Social entrepreneurs Manish Kumar and Shashank Kumar have a different take. The IITians set up 'Dehat' in Vaishali district to help farmers with soil testing, better quality seeds and also acting as an interface with the market. Shashank says, "As entrepreneurs we have to find positives among million negatives, we observed transformations in the last 10 years, the condition of roads improved and that was a motivation."
Most Biharis agree that Nitish Kumar has moved mountains in his two terms as Chief Minister. Bihar is better connected today, its villages have electricity and girls move around freely on the streets.
Mammen Matthew, senior resident editor of Hindustan Times, says it’s difficult to manage the aspirations of the young Bihari who is constantly trying to compete with other states like Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. So, is Nitish today a prisoner of his developmental initiatives?
Way back in the 1990s Lalu Prasad Yadav, aboard his garib rath, had made an observation that would turn out to be prophetic. When questioned about bad roads in the state, he had pointed to a poor farmer on a bicycle negotiating his way through pot-holes. In his wisdom Lalu said, "The bicycle man’s focus is in ensuring that his goods don’t fall, that he doesn't get hurt. If pucca roads are built, villagers will move faster and will ask for more."
Those were the days when Lalu was finding it difficult to explain why he had compared the roads of Bihar to Hema Malini's cheeks.
A total of 56% of the 6.6 crore voters in Bihar are in the age group of 18-40. They are connected to the world through smart phones, whatsapp, twitter and facebook. The world is a smaller place; the young Bihari is aspiring for more.
Udayan Singh, a TV producer turned entrepreneur, returned to his hometown Banka, to set up a silk business. “People in Bombay used to use the word Bihari as an abuse. When Nitish spoke of asmita or pride many like me took the train back home"
But it's a decision he now regrets. "The atmosphere in Bihar is not conducive to business and in the last two years all I have seen is ego battles bewteen the center and the state. I am disappointed with Nitish." Udayan is also convinced with the BJP line that a state needs a friendly center to develop. "I like Modi's style of working. He has seen the world. He has a global outlook. He is good for business."
Dr Shaibal Gupta, the founder of ADRI, says the aspirations of young people in Bihar have changed. It cannot be associated with a provincial leader (read Nitish Kumar) but a national leader with a global outlook.
At Bhagalpur University, students talk about badlav or change. The students say the more educated you are the lesser the chances of getting a job in Bihar. At 17.5% unemployment in the state is way higher than the national average of 13%.
At Munna Sir's English speaking class in Chapra, 90% students say they will have to migrate to other states for a livelihood. English, a language of power and acceptance will open the doors of the world to them.
With virtually no jobs and industries in Bihar, 4.5 million people migrate from Bihar every year. Young men and women in Bihar are desperate for opportunity in their own land - it is this aspiration and disaffection that the BJP hopes will be it's Brahmastra in the battle for Bihar.
But the battle, at the end of the day will be won not through the Brahmastra – but through the Caste-Astra. "Casteism is in Bihar's blood," says Munna sir. "This election like all others in the state will be decided on who has got the "jaat" calculations right."
In Bihar, the more things change, the more they remain the same.
(Marya Shakil is Associate Editor Politics & Shreya Dhoundial is Senior Editor with CNN-IBN. Their show 'Young and Restless in Bihar' airs on Wednesday at 8.30pm on CNN-IBN)
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