Dear BSSBOYS, You are right, caste has played a pre-dominant role in Bihar and has been widely exploited by most politicians only for their own selfish reasons. This are resulted in abject poverty which has created many naxals (remember 40% people in Bihar live below the poverty line). Caste is a very strong determinant of things in Bihar and will continue to do so in future too. You are right that caste systems are so deep routed in majority of Biharis. The evidence for this is that often when a Bihari meets another Bihari , he will end up enquiring what caste the other Bihari belonged too. However he will not ask this question to people who are not Biharis. Thus caste is a major stigma engrained into Biharis from times immemorial.
However I differ in the view that development will not change the caste structure or prevalence in Bihar. The development that can bring around this change is multifaceted. While we need more infrastructure and industry to decrease unemployment which will reduce the naxal infestations , we need education to reduce the caste barriers in Bihar. Education can only bring about the change that is required in the caste ridden society of us Biharis. Thus it will take much more than 10 years to reduce the manifestation of caste system in Bihar. I am optimistic though that things are on the right path for change. The present government is not only focusing on infrastructure growth of industry, power, etc, it is also investing in improving the education system in Bihar by opening many more schools, employing teachers etc. These are steps in the right direction which will change the situation in Bihar. So it is onto us to make sure that these social changes are not disrupted by politicians for selfish reasons. As I mentioned in my article (http://progressivebihar.blogspot.com/2009/02/bihars-journey-into-wilderness -and-way.html) the developments in Bihar have not reached a self sustaining stage. Hence it is important for us to keep the people who can disrupt this development and change, away from these changes. This would mean not electing them in elections, etc. Lets vote in all our strength for progressive politicians of Bihar and keep away the ones who have not done anything for Bihar. So it is for us to be optimistic now than ever before and at the same time do our deed of voting for progress and development in Bihar. Thanks Prashant _____ To: [email protected] From: [email protected] Date: Mon, 9 Mar 2009 01:11:32 +0100 Subject: Re: [Bihar's - Change in Destiny and Progress] Elections, Politicians and Education Friend, Our Bihar is socially shattered in million pieces by region, religion, caste, district, language, dialects, income, poverty and hundreds of other causes. So, it is just unreal to think for any surreal change in even in next 10 years. With the development these social dynamics factors will grow further making more naxilites who will make a larger cut in the democratic framework of state than aiding them. Its something which no government or electorate can solve, for it to be solved the voice has to come from within, which unfortunately I have never seen in my life. The pandi-jis who are proud to be upper caste and oppresor of the lower section were clubbed with the very same doms and other maha dalits whom they hate and beaten by MNS. When we are outside the state we are all close friends regardless of the caste and creed. So,why cant we remain like that in our own homes? Unless this is resolved no amount of development can make Bihar developed!! The development can only prolong the problems but cannot solve them, it has to be solved from within!! Otherwise, be prepared for the wolverine Politicians to exploit the same deficiencies to their advantages! On Sun, Mar 8, 2009 at 1:33 PM, Prashant <[email protected]> wrote: On a another note, I don't see the government taking any specific new steps for infrastructure or any other type of growth, because of the poll code of conduct coming into effect . So for the next two months, it would be a fruitful exercise to highlight some of the possible political dimensions and impacts that can have an effect on the future of Bihar. Hence I will be posting some relevant views where ever possible relating to the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections. However everyone should take my views with a pinch of salt because like every other human being my views might be biased because of the perceptions I develop based on the events that are unfolding in Bihar. This article in Hindustan Times caught my eye "Peep into qualifications of representatives from Bihar <http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=3f15a77c-4183-43a 5-bddc-47da15eda430> " As per this article, Bihar was represented in the 14th Lok Sabha by some highly educated representatives especially when you consider the state of literacy in Bihar. Out of the 40 representatives in the Lok Sabha from Bihar, there were 34 who were at least graduates. Out of these thirty four, there were nineteen representatives who were either a postgraduate or had a technical degree like Engineering or MBBS or had a Ph D. Even out of the BAs/MAs , 9 had LLB degrees too. So if I consider the total number of representatives in Bihar who had more than a graduation, then the number would sure be greater than 20 or more than 50%. Thus 50% of the members in the parliament from Bihar were highly educated in the 14th Lok Sabha. Many of them had been part of the 13th Lok Sabha too. There were only 3 representatives who were non-matric. I therefore have a question... With so many educated representatives from Bihar, why is it that many of them have not done enough for Bihar's development. Why did these people, some of whom have been a MP for atleast 2 terms not think about the state? We thought education brought changes but does the Bihari politician prove this wrong? Or is it us, the people of Bihar who have given these politicians the free hand for not doing anything for Bihar? In my view, it is time for the people of Bihar to reject any politician who has not added to the development of Bihar, irrespective of whether she/he is highly educated or less educated or not educated ... Reject all politicians who have not supported the growth of Bihar. Let the political community know that the people of Bihar will not accept any non-performers in Bihar. I know it is not going to be easy and nor will it happen just because a handful of us think this way. But then the handful of us can be instrumental in getting across this message to a lot more people in Bihar. Are we willing to do so for Bihar? The break up of the education of Bihar MPs are as follows Non-matric: 3 Matriculate: 3 Intermediate: 3 BA: 12 MA: 13 Engineering: 2 MBBS: 1 Ph.D. 3 I would definitely love to find out what each one of the MPs has done for Bihar. If you do have any thoughts or ideas about the work done, specially if you have some links to relevant articles, please do post it, I would like to read about them. And I guess many others would want to do so too. -- _____
