What has changed in Bihar? Kailash Manasarover Yatra Series

What has changed in Bihar?

Besides the change in the ruling party the power of a Government has been visibly demonstrated in Bihar. Within the short span of a mere one year the people of Bihar have started believing in themselves.

When we decided to undertake the Kasi yatra after the joyful days of Kailash Manasarovar in June 2006, there was confusion and debate whether the kasi yatra could be performed. People whom we met were all very apprehensive about the Gaya part of the Kasi yatra. Many advised us that it was dangerous to go to Gaya and that daylight robberies were quite common. Short of discouraging us to go to Gaya, they suggested that we do not wear any jewelry nor carry money excepting the barest that was required for the travel. That was the perception with which we went to Gaya. But to our surprise, we could travel by a hired auto at 11.30 PM even in the night from Gaya station to Kanchi Sankaracharya Mutt without being disturbed. The changed attitude and the realization of the power of the government ruling Bihar is undoubtedly the most memorable and important event of the decade.

Nitish Kumar no doubt is the winner and gets the credit of dethroning Lalu Prasad Yadav. But the way he has transformed the working of the Government from what he inherited is amazing. Bihar a year back was an absolute backward state, unbearable yoke of a state, which was in shambles- a tattered health and education system, lowest literacy rate in the country, highest crime rate, lowest employment and highest poverty rate. The state, marred by the problem of Naxalism, had empty coffers, red-tapism, corrupt and caste-ridden bureaucracy and practically no infrastructure. But these obstacles did not intimidate enthusiastic Nitish, who promised to change the face of Bihar.

For those critics, the change may not be very apparent but there are many who believe that the ambience no doubt has softened a bit. The capital which was a den of criminals and where all developments took place only in and around 1 Anne Road, presents a slightly better picture. Good roads, brighter lights, more cleanliness, less hooliganism in trains and less fear among residents are compliments for the present government.

The feather in the cap of Nitish is his resolve to cut down on the pomp and show which was the feature of RJD government.

Kailash Manasarover Yatra -- Joyful Moments in the Himalayas
There is no mountain like the Himalayas for on it are Kailash and Mansarovar. The first hand experience of driving through the Himalayan Desert from Nyalam to Saga (Altitude: Saga/4450m) and climbing Labug-La at 5050m on our way was joyful.