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Patna,(BiharTimes): Nobel laureate Amartya Sen said on Monday evening that it is still very early to assess the accomplishments of Bihar, but the fact that it can be assessed is in itself a feat.
Releasing a book “Resurrection of the State: A Saga of Bihar”, essays in memory of Professor Papiya Ghosh he said that references to history would come regularly when one talks about Bihar.
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He cited examples of rich cultural heritage of Vikramshila, Kusumpur and Nalanda and said that works of great mathematicians, including that of Aryabhatta, were centred on Bihar.
He said the first Indian state was born in Patliputra and resurrection of Bihar is significant for the whole country.
Amartya Sen said resurrection is a good word to use. One should think of commitments and what the reinvention of Bihar implies for the democratic and secular state of India.
The book on Papiya, who was killed by criminals on December 6, 2006 in Patna’s posh, Patliputra Colony, has been edited by Sunita Lall, her student, and Shaibal Gupta at the Asian Development Research Institute (ADRI).
The book contains 13 essays that present an account of political process, state of economy, social agenda and issues of identity in Bihar. It also has four accounts of personal reminisces of Papiya Ghosh.
Sunita Lall said it contained contributions from eminent scholars who believe in the development of Bihar. She said the book is a repayment of debt that was due to Ghosh and it embodies respect for her.
Rajya Sabha member N K Singh, presided over the function.
Lord Meghnad Desai, formerly with London School of Economics, State’s education minister P K Shahi, State Assembly Speaker Uday Narain Choudhary were among those present on the occasion.
The vote of thanks was proposed by Tuktuk Ghosh, sister of Papiya Ghosh, and a senior bureaucrat.
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