Bihar Divas Report 2010

8/6/2019 Bihar Divas Report 2010

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BIHAR DIVAS

Re ort 2010



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Table of Contents

Introduction 3

CEOs Message 4

History Creation of Bihar 5

Celebration around the world

- California, United States of America 7

- Dubai, United Arab Emirates 8

- Manama, Bahrain 9

- Doha, Qatar 10

- Sydney, Australia 11

- Mumbai, India 12

- Delhi, India 14

-

Bangalore, India 15



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Introduction

Bihar Day is much more than barbeques and fireworks. It is more than another public holiday. It is more

than the pride and excitement of citizens who call themselves Biharis. Bihar Day is the one day of the

year where over 85 million individual Biharis can come together in shared experience; an experience

that may not be easy or necessary to articulate, but that - often unconsciously - binds them to this

remarkable state and its people.

When taken as a whole, Bihar Day is in fact a day that builds and strengthens the fabric that holds us

together as a community. It has the power to weave the threads of social inclusion and social cohesion

into a unique Bihari texture. It provides the impetus to once a year share and celebrate this large and

diverse community, to reflect on how we could make it better, and to instill meaning and substance

behind our identity.

The Bihar Foundation aims to lead the state in building inclusiveness and cohesiveness into every one of

these celebrations: thus establishing a solid foundation for the continuing contribution of Bihar Day tothe national social fabric.

It pursued its mission through three focus areas:

y Participation: Uniting all Biharis through celebration.

y Meaning : Promoting the meaning of Bihar Day

y Recognition : Acknowledging active citizenship and achievement

The Foundation grows participation through national and international events and communications and

by its leading role in its chapters across the world.

The Foundation fosters meaning in Bihar Day through national events, engaging in public discussion and

debate, and by joining with chapters to deliver communications to its large Diaspora.



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CEOsMessage

Dear Friends,

The Bihar turnaround has made the world turn around. Global economy watchers like the

World Bank, Newsweek, Economist, just to name a few, have gone gaga over the Bihar revival

saga. Even the staunchest sceptic today, has no choice, but to appreciate the growth story,

Bihar has so diligently authored in a very brief span of time.

The state, which has always served a rich platter of heritage, now proudly boasts of a menu

comprising growth garnished with justice, prosperity steeped in peace. The eleven percent-plus

growth figure is a mere mathematical index of the progress this state has made. The real

change has been manifest in the sense of security and well-being, the gentry of Bihar has

experienced. While the hospitals, roads and bridges have witnessed the more tangible change,

it has been the cultural renaissance and the joie de vivre of the people at large, that has silently

but surely made the change universally perceptible.

Bihar and its people today are happy and proud. We have proven, and now we want to show,

that worldwide, we are second to none. Bihar Day, being celebrated today, on the 22nd of

March, the day the creation of this state was notified almost a century ago, has given us a

chance to highlight our achievements and achievers, to showcase our culture, craft and

cuisine, and to demonstrate, that rising above the petty considerations of caste, creed and

color, we are one, globally.

With your initiative and help, the Bihar Foundation is organizing programs all over the world.

We want all of you to celebrate Bihar Day celebrations, wherever you are, in whatever way you

deem fit. We would also like you to use the opportunity, to further the motto of your very own

Bihar Foundation- Bonding, Branding, Business.

With best wishes for a wonderful Bihar Day,

Very much yours,

Vivek Singh

CEO, Bihar Foundation



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Bihar Day celebrations around the globe

With the objective to spread awareness about Bihar's culture and heritage, the Foundation organised

'Bihar Day' not as an event but as three-day celebrations from March 22 to 24. The celebrations,

organized by its various chapters across the globe, witnessed a colourful mixture of competitive

programmes on arts, culture, education, sports, foods and other festivities. It was celebrated across the

state and also in the national capital.



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Doha (Q atar)

Different facets of Bihar were evoked with passionate intensity at the celebration of Bihar Divas

organised by the Indian Association of Bihar and Jharkhand (IABJ), a socio-cultural organisation affiliated

to the Indian Cultural Centre, at Qatar Charity hall on Friday. Qatar Tribune was the media partner of theIABJ for organising the event. If the Indian Ambassador to Qatar Her Excellency Deepa Gopalan Wadhwa

drew the audiences attention to the glorious past of Bihar, the Editor of Qatar Tribune, Ajit Kumar Jha,

talked about the paradoxes that characterise the state.

HE Wadhwa said, According to a survey done by a Briton in 1952, Bihar was the best governed state in

India. Bihar had a glorious past. It has the distinction of having cradled faiths like Jainism and Buddhism.

Today, Bihar is one of the youngest states with 58 percent of its population being young.

Though agreeing fully with the Indian Ambassador so far as historical richness of Bihar was concerned,

Jha drew peoples attention to the conflicting identity of Bihar as historically and culturally one of the

richest states of the country but at the same time one of the most backward economically. Jha

remarked, Bihars paradox is that despite its rich past, the state is today at the bottom of development,

thanks to the apathy of successive central governments and dearth of visionary leaders in the state for

the past several decades. You will be surprised to know that the Barabar caves, which has been

discovered recently and is among the seven wonders of Bihar today, finds mention in EM Forsters novel

A Passage to India, which was written way back in 1940s.

According to Jha, absence of industries, poor infrastructure, crime and negligence of agriculture, which

did not enter the second phase of the green revolution because of lack of vision of the state leadership,

coupled with the step-motherly attitude of the central governments are the factors responsible for the

backwardness of Bihar. He said, It is an irony that Bihar, which had produced visionary rulers likeAshoka, Chandragupta Maurya and Sher Shah Suri in the past, has no leader today who has a vision for

the states allround development.

The Qatar Tribune Editor, however, expressed hope for the future arguing that Bihar also had high

political consciousness and a reservoir of talented people. In this regard, he referred to the rich crop of

musicians and other artistes as well as the contribution of the shehnai maestro late Ustad Bismillah

Khan to the world of classical music and noted filmmaker Prakash Jhas contribution to meaningful

cinema.

Jha exhorted the members of IABJ, Qatar chapter, and members of the Bihari community to contribute

to the intellectual activity in Bihar rather than looking to the governments. Jha also called for greater

participation of women in Bihar politics to bring about a qualitative change.

The other speakers, including the President of IABJ Shakil Ahmad Kakvi, the President of ICC, KM

Varghese, the President of ICBF, Nilangshu Dey, and the Chairman of ICCs Advisory Council, Hasan

Chogule, congratulated the Bihari expatriates on the occasion. Meanwhile, HE Wadhwa presented Veer

Kunwar Singh award and Maulana Mazharul Haque award to two Bihari poets, Iftekhar Raghib and



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Amjad Ali Sarwar, for their works done in Qatar. Raghibs poetry collections include Khayal-e- Chehra

and Lafzon mein Ehsaas whereas Sarwar has written Zia-e-Haramain.

The programme was followed by a captivating cultural evening titled Ek Sham Bihar ke Naam, which

featured staging of a contemporary play by young members of Kainat Foundation and Kakvi, holding of a

poetry recital session called mushaira besides rendition of Bojpuri songs and folk dances.

A short film on the seven wonders of Bihar was also shown on the occasion with a message from Chief

Minister Nitish Kumar that the restoration of Nalanda Universitys glory would bring about great

changes in Bihar.

Mumbai

Regaling a packed audience to the genesis of how the Bihar Day came to be celebrated for the

first time in 2010, the Bihar minister for disaster management, Shri Devesh Thakur, addressed

the packed audience in Hindi with a sprinkling of Marathi, bringing a smile on the faces of localMP Sri Eknath Gaikwad and other distinguished Maharashtrians! Shri Thakur waxed eloquent

about the fast track of progress that the Nitish Kumars government has taken the much

beleaguered state onto.

His speech was followed by local MP and Guest of Honor Sri Eknath Gaikwad who praised

industriousness and contended nature of Bihari labour. He praised the chairman Mumbai

chapter for hosting such a successful program. Looking at the overfilled Shanmukhanand Hall

which is the largest auditorium in Mumbai, he hailed the Biharis to host next Bihar Day at

Shivaji Park, Dadar. He emphatically declared Aap agala Bihar Din Shivaji Park me karo. Hum

aapke saath hai. Earlier, Sri Ramesh Salve, General Secretary (SC-ST wing), NCP suggested

forging of new bond between Biharis and Maharashtrians through facilitation of visits to the

pilgrim circuit of Gaya-Bodhgaya-Rajgir.

Eminent statesman and former union minister for Finance and External Affairs, Shri Yashwant

Sinha, who has come as chief guest extolled positive contribution of Bihari Diaspora to the

world. He explained as to how the first Diaspora spread Buddhism and Jainism to the world and

how second Diaspora built modern nations like Mauritius, Surinam, Fizi, South Africa etc. He

praised the reforms undertaken by Sri Nitish Kumar, CM of Bihar and expressed hope that if

reforms and developments in Bihar continued at this fast pace , reverse brain drain will soon

happen to Bihar.

Earlier in the evening, six emerging Biharis from different walk of life were awarded by the

Chief Guest. Prominent amongst them were a realtor, Ahmad Brothers, shipping tycoon, Sri

Sarvesh Shahi and food processing industrialist Sri KN Thakur (Lichika).

The evening also saw a varied mix of cultural performances including Shrotra Gayan recited by

Vipin Mishra and Siddhi Shankar, traditional Bihari folk song/dance ensemble by Smt. Pushpa

Prasad and a repertoire of Girmitiya songs in fusion format by Sri Raj Mohan from Netherlands.



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Noted film producer Sri Abhay Sinha introduced Bhojpuri superstar Sri Nirhaua and others

amidst thunderous applause to the audience. Sri Nirahua regaled the audience by his popular

numbers. Coincidentally, it was also his birthday.

The program was made successful through the unstinting support and hard work of

Foundations fellow members from Anjuman Bashindagaan-e-Bihar (Mumbai), Bihar MitraMandal and Bihar Navchetana Samiti. The programme was highly appreciated by all and

received excellent media coverage.

Dubai (UAE)

Bihar Foundation, UAE Chapter celebrated Bihar Diwas (Day) on 22nd March at Hotel

Movenpick, Dubai. The function started in traditional Indian way by lighting the lamp. All the

participants remembered their motherland Bihar and presented their ideas for development of

Bihar.

The meet started with an introduction by all members followed by a welcome speech and

presentation by Mr. Omer Hejazeen, the Chairman of the UAE chapter of Bihar Foundation. Mr.

Hejazeen after introducing Bihar Foundation spoke about the importance of bringing all the

Biharis in the UAE together on the occasion to bring forward new ideas for the development of

Bihar. There are estimated 46,000 people of Bihari origin live in UAE. He encouraged members

to come up with action plan in the area they would like to contribute.

The Chief Guest for the event Dr. Monazir Hasan, Member of Parliament, who came from India

especially to attend this function, spoke about the success of the present government in Bihar

in all aspects of development. He also encouraged the Bihari Diaspora to come forward and

contribute to the development of motherland.

The Guest of Honor Mr. Francis Xavier Xaxa, First Secretary and Consul (Labour & Welfare),

Consulate General of India in Dubai, spoke about the effort they are putting in solving all or any

problem Indian Diaspora has in Dubai and Northern Emirates. He also promised to help UAE

Chapter of Bihar Foundation always.

This was followed by a speech by Mr. Krishnamurthy Kumar, Convenor, Indian Community

Welfare Committee (ICWC) Dubai. He welcomed Bihar Foundation as member to help the

community and he assured to the UAE Chapter of Bihar Foundation his full support.

The meeting was concluded with the brief speech of Mr. Sushil Kumar, where he emphasized

the importance of having Bihari identity and the historical background of Bihar.

After cutting the cake for Bihar Diwas 2010, members and the guests enjoyed the dinner at

Hotel Movenpick.



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Adilya (Bahrain)

Bihar Diwas was celebrated on March 22 under the aegis of Bahrain chapter of the Bihar Foundation at

Al Basha Hall, Hotel Palace Inn, Adliya. Honourable Ambassador of India HE Mr George Joseph was the

guest of honour on the occasion. A large number of expatriates from all section of Bihari society

gathered to celebrate the foundation day of their state amidst much fanfare and joy.

Welcoming the guests Mr Shwetank Bhushan Singh, Vice Chairman of Bahrain chapter of the Bihar

Foundation said that it is for the first time that the Bihar Diwas is being celebrated globally at this scale.

He stressed the need to engage the NRIs from Bihar in the development of their mother land and

emphasised that this celebration is a small step in the right direction.

Calling Bahrain as the karmabhoomi (place of livelihood), he also said that there is enough scope to

engage the expatriate community from Bihar in the social activities in Bahrain. The Bahrain Chapter of

the Bihar Foundation plans to carry out many socially useful activities like holding blood donation

camps, planting trees, holding free health check-up camps, food distribution in the labour camps, etc.

Addressing the gathering, the guest of honour HE Mr George Joseph stressed the need for privileged

expatriates to engage in the social activities in their motherland. He stressed that it is duty of those who

are well off to use their position and wealth for those who are needy. Calling Bihar a land of highly rich

culture, tradition and history he emphasised the need to channelize the energy of Indian expatriate

community to help each other without considering their places of origin.

Mr Gayasuddin Ahmed, Chairman of Bahrain Chapter of the Bihar Foundation offered vote of thanks to

guests. He said that this celebration is just a humble beginning to unite Biharis in Bahrain to make a

useful impact in the local community as well as engage them in the development of their motherland.

He also hoped that the support and guidance provided by His Excellency, the ambassador of India would

continue to guide the activities of the Bihar Foundation in future too.

Mr Nilotpal Pathak, a member of the community deliberated on the need to revive the spirit of Bihari

sub-nationalism along the lines of Punjabi, Bengali and Gujarati sub-nationalism. Bihari Diaspora is

spread across 60 countries globally and is amongst the oldest from India. Such an occasion would bring

the Bihari NRIs and PIOs from these places to a common platform which in turn could be used to engage

them in the socially useful activities.

On this occasion children from the Bihari community also showcased their talent. While Baby Ritika sang

the welcome song, Baby Aiman Fatima recited verses from Holy Quran to sober the mood of theaudience. Baby Shiksha presented a solo dance number on popular Hindi song Aaja Nachle which was

very well appreciated by the crowd.

All the office bearers of the Bahrain chapter of the Bihar Foundation, Mr Satyendra Singh (Vice

Chairman), Mr Shamim Ahmed (Secretary), Mr Ashok Rai, Mr Kishore Chaudhry and others were also

present on the occasion.

Documents

Bihar Divas Report 2010