Bihar has been a parochial state in India : Amartya Sen
New Delhi,(BiharTimes): After the end of the meeting of the Governing Board for Nalanda University, the nalanda Mentor Group Members gathered for a two day Workshop at Peking University to mark the 100th birth anniversary of the renowned Indologist, Senior Professor Ji Xianlin (1911-2009), who translated Ramayana into Chinese and was conferred the Padma Bhushan Award by the Indian Government in 2008.
The opening Session was chaired by Gopa Sabharwal, appointed VC-designate of Nalanda University. Amartya Sen and George Yeo were the main speaker. In the interactive session of the Opening Session, an Indian academician in the audience raised the issue of appointment of the VC-designate and the media reports about dissociation of A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. The speaker said that though the new VC is pretty and speaks good English, that might not be sufficient reason for becoming the first VC of such a grand project.
Amartya Sen responded to the issue by putting blame on the local media in Bihar. Amartya Sen stated, “The local media report is not correct and far from the fact. We have the full cooperation of the Bihar government and the Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has given full support to us.”On the issue of dissociation of former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Sen stated,”I made a call to him while in India and Kalam Sahab is ready to guide us throughout the project. It was the mistake of MEA that they did not contact him for more than six months. That is why Kalam Sahab did not agree to join us for Beijing. Kalam Sahab has asked to send Gopa to meet him anytime for any consultation. “
He further clarified with regard to the appointment of the VC that Gopa Sabharwal is a VC-designate as of now. On being asked that the VC-designate is not expected to travel internationally on the fund of the University, Amartya Sen quoted certain Parliament Act tangentially. He also disclosed the criteria for handpicking the VC and mentioned that he wanted a VC who can go to the site and coordinate the work. This is another matter the handpicked VC shifted the HQ of the University to New Delhi surreptitiously and moving across the world on public exchequer without bothering to station herself at the base in Nalanda-Rajgir.
When more questions were raised, Amartya Sen reiterated the proposition about mindset of Bihar. He said, “in the top 200 universities of the world there is not a single
university form India. Bihar has been a parochial state in India.
We are trying to give people of Bihar a world class university. But if the people of Bihar want to live a parochial life then we can not help
it. We are trying to revive the ancient glory of Bihar with the revival
of Nalanda university.” Earlier in NewYork, he had charged academicians in Bihar with hierarchic and caste-ridden mindset. Though, Minister of State for External Affairs, E.Ahmad stated in Parliament on 25th August, that no VC has been appointed and Amartya Sen openly admits that only VC-Designate has been appointed, the brochure circulated by Indian Embassy in China has contradicted own Ministry’s position in Parliament. The brochure mentions Gopa Sabharwal as the Vice Chancellor ,and also part of Mentor Group & the First Governing Board itself, creating a serious breach of diplomatic codes. (MEA reply on Nalanda VC at MEA site can be retrieved from http://www.mea.gov.in/mystart.php?id=220118166
Amartya Sen is a internationally acclaimed person and god knows why he has passed such comments on the bihar or biharis, but it certainly reminds that every year bihar produces a large number of engineers, doctors, IAS IPS etc. some even becoming very prominent persons, but we still do not have a single reputed university, college or institutions. Every year there is large exodus of students for higher education to other parts of country. I think bihar needs a serious reform in every aspects like education, law order, economy and for that people of bihar have to make a large effort, otherwise, Amartya Sen or Raj Thakray like people will be using bihar for their personal goal.
Prof. Sen is suffering from colonial mindset. Before saying anything on Bihar and Biharis he should have aknowledge of Bihar. He and his group is minting money and at the sametime abusing Bihar. Surprised to see that no other newspaper carried this story except Nalanda University to have IT faculty; Sen complains of parochialism - Times of India . Its high time for the people of Bihar to force Sen to withdrraw his statement on Bihar.
First of all, Apologize to the people of Bihar for your crap statement. Bihar or even India does not need a useless NRI like you. You please move out of this Nalanda University Project. People of Bihar can handle it way better than you. Other than winning the Noble prize, that too, living abroad, what value addition have you done for India or any state of India? People like you are the blot on the face of our Country. Please don’t ever come to Bihar, at least.
The most worldly people of the world are being defined now as parochial. chinese silk and greek wine were sold in patliputra more than 2000 yrs ago.greek copied the mauryan war chariot and romans conquered a vast area around meditaraenean by using this from the greeks.
despite bihar's neglect by british and congress party bihar could have been a modern state.the problem of bihar has been hyper indiannationalism and a total lack of bihari nationalism. now bihar has reached such a low point that it can not recover from it's losses.bihar is at a point of no return.if past 62 yrs with india did not do the job for bihar i do not see how bihar can progress now.after many request from bihar's chief minister india's big industrial houses have refused to invest in bihar although they love to sell their manyfactured products in bihar.bihar regiment was used to repel pakistani invaders from cargil.several hundreds jawans from bihar lost their lives to protect indian territory.how has india shown it's gratitude to bihar?by beating up bihari on the streets of bombay.by insulting biharis presence in delhi and by showing a total disdain for biharis and bihar.
J&K, that has a population of one tenth of bihar gets 10 times more in development funds from the center than bihar.does bihar need india?i think not.india needs bihar.bihar does not need india.
1. Nobody respects his Motherland less than you do. For your kind information Sir, I am also on the same side, in terms of Biharis & Delhites. Please be informed that there are also, scores of people like me, who openly take pride in not only being a Bihari, but demonstrating & celebrating it, every moment, in Bihar as well as in Delhi or anywhere. But this discussion was meant for another important issue.
2. I understand & better feel the pain, when, We as a state, are being termed - parochial. But, at the same time, we need to understand the causes which compelled Prof. Sen, to use the term. So much effort is being put to establish the NIU. World is converging, again, onto Bihar to modernize our Motherland, to help her regain the lost glory, so that She may again be able to show the path of wisdom to the hopeful world. In this magnanimous endeavor, minor loopholes & deficiencies may have been found, which need to be addressed. But, I feel being parochial (narrow minded), when these criticisms make way for leg-pulling & suspecting motto of the people involved, which threatens to stall the much delayed process of building a world class institution in today's Bihar.
3. WE need not be overwhelmed by the CHANGE, that has happened in recent past in Bihar. Its only the start. Biharis have the potential to make our state not only best in the country, but I feel that our every city and village deserves to be at par with cities of first world countries. But for that to happen, we need to support the ongoing process. Criticism is always welcome, leg-pulling is certainly being anti-Bihari at this critical juncture of time......... We will discuss much more, but currently, these 3 points need your kind attention.
It is unfortunate to note that people of Bihar and the Government of Bihar are still awaiting a) “Lord Macaulay” in the form of Amartya Sen and others to fix their educational misfortunes…, and b) “East India Company” in the form India’s big corporate houses to fix their economic wounds. Neither India’s big corporate houses are going to invest in Bihar nor are the "Macaulays of India" going to build any institutes of national reputes in Bihar. This is a bitter truth…. Lets’ realize - the sooner the better…. Ignore and move on….. However, there is no doubt that Bihar had shown narrow-mindedness after the death of Bihar’s first Chief Minister Dr. S. K. Sinha, and it is still quite visible on the streets of Bihar… it hurts….. As long as Bihar continues to expel their children to private engineering/medical/professional colleges across India, Bihar and Biharis have to bear the brunt of others including Dr. Amartya Sen.
SUDHIR RANJAN
USA
--------------------------------
Dear Friend Amit Rai,
(Begusarai/New Delhi)
Bihar was not formed during Lalu's era ,neither it ended with his political end ! Bihar like any major civilisation goes through transition phase . Lalu's era was like one . A society evolves like this .Learns from the same and moves ahead .
However , Bihar is not about 1990-2005. One need to see the history since at least 23 centuries! 20 years is too short a period for stereotyping a society .Please re-vist the history , not 2300 years old . Bihar was in the forefront against fighting "Emergency " . We all are aware of the state of Bihar vis-a-vis India . If Amartya sen is right when he says people of Bihar want to live a parochial life , change what we are seeing in current Bihar would not have been possible . Bihari's caling themselves as Delhites and others have also contibuted to the present perception of BIHARI'S as backward as the modern Bihari's does not have the guts to disclose their identities as Bihari defend their motherhood's status and
themselves .
I hope our Modern Bihari friends take pride in their motherland as mother commands respect and reverence even if she is not modern and beautiful!Please appreciate that!
Mrs Sen appears to be too arrogant to respond to the irregularities /inconsistencies/ lack of openness in all the activities related to NALANDA University . Rather he has chosen a state level politician's approach to defend his position . This makes the issues raised by Media of Bihar more relevant requiring a top level one to one clarification from either the Government or by Mr Sen himself . For calling Bihar a 'parochial state' , we may pardon him as Bihar and Bihari's have been very magnanimous in this respect . This is the land where Hinduism , Budhism , Jainism , and other religions flourished as its society has been open to new ideas for centuries . Bihar is the mother of Democracy as well . It ruled for centuries for most of South Asia . For details Mr Sen must read the History of Bihar . Chanakya , Aryabhatt , and
many more name is endless . Today's Hindi , Bengali , Oriya and many languages are finer products of Bihar's language . Mr sen has read about Bihar perhaps of its past 10 years only .
For “in the top 200 universities of the world there is not a single university form India. Bihar has been a parochial state in India", Mr Sen needs to see the current state of western economy and as well US . Its on the verge of collapse . Not the top universities but the loot of centuries and its impact has sustained their economy till now . The real test will come in
next 50 years. India and Bihar is ready for the moment .
Mr Sen please speck our responsibly nad to the point to clarify the points raised .
Prof Sen don;t be cynical to the people of Bihar, We have always been universal in our approach, Since you know little bit of Indian History so must be aware of our contribution to the world. Be honest to yourself and answer questions raised to you. The facts speak that a team of your friends are only makinng pleasure trips to different countries and payning hefty salaries to your VC and others. Don't try to be fool people of India in the name of intellectualism.
Bihar which has been a magnanimous land for millennia and which has been standing behind outside-state leaders like Gandhiji, George Fernandes is being accused by a man who has made a mockery of rules of law and the pious tradition of Asia. His own Mentor group consists his namesakes, distant relatives; alumni from his colleges and the only appointments made though illegally are from a single campus of Delhi University ; seems to have entered into geriatric mode. Its high time for him to seek retirement before an agitated Asia rise up to erase the wrongs perpetrated merely to destroy a pious tradition of Nalanda that holds the key to Asian integration at this juncture when Anglo-American system is tattering beyond repairs. The Oxbridge brown troopers can not be allowed to vandalize the symbols of Asian integration.Sen's statement reflect he is increasingly becoming unfit to carry out any higher responsibilities in a significant project.
Mother Kurukulla!
A smug-maestro
of Nobel fame
roams in air-planes.
Mother Kurukulla!
His senile limbs
metamorphose
into virgin wings;
flutters so high
with disdainful sigh;
" Parochial Bihar,
Me, academic Czar!"
Kurukulla!
A smug-maestro
Hovers above Bihar
with Oxbridge mark
to lift from dark
a parochial world
who learns to abhor
an academic czar
in argumentative war!
Kurukulla!
Nalanda lost
shall be regained
without spilling blood
of naga king
Thine children rise up to sing
Om Kurukulle hum hrih svaha!
Kurukulla!
A smug-master
adamant to foster
shamless acts
and forgery pacts.
Come ,Nagarjuna, come!
with alchemy and tantra!
Come, Bhuskupa,come!
with black cat, seasame oil
and nude monk to foil;
the game smug plays
in name of Nalanda.
Kurukulla!
It's time to chase
An academic czar
From "Parochial Bihar".
Om Kurukulle hum hrih svaha!
(Niraj Kumar, New Delhi)
Amartya sen is right when he says people of Bihar want to live a parochial life. No body other than these so-called intellectuals and the general public of Bihar are responsible for this bad condition of the state. Where were these people in the Jagannath - Laloo era of Bihar's misfortune. The question is to see what anyone has done himself for Bihar before commenting on those, who are trying to revive the fortune of the state. Only Talking and complaining will not do any good. If one has the fire to do something big, who stops you, make another big University, Hospital etc, a lot of things still remain to be done for the development of Bihar. We need to understand that there is difference between Talking & Doing. But, to be able to realize it, first you need to do something - and feel - how much effort is required getting it done.
