(Nitish Kumar has taken oath as the Chief Minister of Bihar for the fourth time today.)
I am humbled by the opportunity to serve the people of Bihar.
Historians confidently say that the glorious history of ancient India is the history of ancient Bihar. However, it is common knowledge today that Bihar is the poorest state in India and can independently be rated among the poorest state of its size in the world.
Is this all? I do not think so. I believe that Bihar is the state of greatest potential in the country, and the story of developed India is not possible without the story of developed Bihar. I have and will continue to work forever to make this a reality.
Even a simple analysis of the model of strength, weakness, opportunity, and threats to its progress can outline the potential of Bihar. The strength of Bihar lies in its people especially its women and youth, its fertile land, abundant water resources, the thousands of years of its rich heritage, and a rapidly expanding multi-skilled diaspora.
At the same time, the state faces multiple weak fronts. For decades, Bihar lagged behind the rest of the country in the development of basic infrastructure and institutions which is not the case with any rich and better developed state in India. The deficit in infrastructure and institutions has led to a deep deficit in knowledge creation. In addition, Bihar is land-locked. After Jharkhand was carved out of Bihar, the state was left with no natural resources. So there are inherent weaknesses that the state has to deal with.
However, the future is bright. While no one can take away the strengths of Bihar, one can work in a systematic manner on the weaknesses. This is where the greatest opportunity exists. No state can gain as much from policy formulations and good governance as Bihar. The Central Government has the responsibility to bridge the yawning regional disparity of the country through supportive policy formulations. The Special Category Status is one such policy measure. Merely investing in Bihar to achieve parity in basic infrastructure of road, rail, power, education, and health will propel the state's economy. Leadership and governance will play a key role in ensuring that Bihar gets its due and that projects are executed in time to achieve the necessary infrastructural and institutional upgrade.
Bihar today can leapfrog several steps in development through the use of technology. A digitally-powered Bihar will be able to deliver better quality education, healthcare, and social welfare to all in a cost-effective manner. The upgrade in basic infrastructure of the state, better education and training of the youth, resilient law and order, and availability of electricity will set the much-needed foundation for investments and entrepreneurship. This is where lending from banks will play a key role in driving the growth of the private sector. In this frame, no matter where you see, there is a role for investment - be it in developing the infrastructure, upgrading the knowledge and skills of the youth, or enabling investments and entrepreneurship. The investment case of Bihar is simple and will provide time-bound returns to the investor, state, and society.
In addition, work must continue on the Agricultural Roadmap laid down by the state to lead India into the second green revolution which I often conceptualize as a Rainbow Revolution. Bihar is a land of small farmers who own the most fertile land of the country. The Agricultural Roadmap clearly lays down the policy approach to make agriculture significantly more productive.
Urbanization is another key area where Bihar is at the fore-front of opportunity. Today, only one in nine persons in Bihar lives in an urban area. This is naturally set to rise and at least double in less than a decade. The state can ride this phenomenon by ensuring that the emerging urban centres of Bihar are planned better, have power, and become anchors for job creation. With modern technologies, this can be achieved at a faster pace with predictable outcomes.
A key opportunity for Bihar is the large and diversified skill and resource base of the non- resident people of the state. Their connect with Bihar is not just limited to property and their extended family which is still living in the state, but it is also deeply emotional and drives their interest to work for development of Bihar. I see tremendous potential in channeling the knowledge, resources and aspiration of non-resident Biharis towards the development agenda of the state.
I am also fully awakened to the threats that Bihar faces on a constant basis. One, the state is vulnerable to natural disasters mainly in the form of floods and drought. The threat which is already high can further rise due to climate change. Two, caste and religion play a defining role in our densely populated and poor state. Therefore, Bihar is vulnerable to injustice, inaction and divisiveness. While proactive governance is the way to mitigate the risk of natural disasters, the only way to make the state resilient on the social front is the approach of Development with Justice. The Government in Bihar has to be able to drive Development, deliver its fruits to the weakest section, and continuously strengthen social harmony. Nowhere in the world have divisive policies and politics transformed a poor state. So, the only way forward for Bihar is strong leadership, good governance and development with justice.
Even this simple analysis of the strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats outlines the tremendous potential that the state has. My vision is to realize this potential. The strengths must be tapped - youth must have skills to compete and contribute, women must be able to play their rightful role in society, the productivity of our land must rise, the utilization of water resources must be productive, and people from across the world must be able to experience our rich cultural heritage. The weaknesses have to be alleviated. No matter what it takes, Bihar has to achieve parity in infrastructure, institutions and knowledge. This is the responsibility of the state and the central government.
Often, people speak about the missed opportunities of Bihar. Not anymore. My vision is to set the approach that Bihar will ride with the opportunities ahead of us. Our youth, girls and boys - and they are in tens of millions - will be trained better and enabled more than those in any other state. Our cities and towns will provide good living standards and job opportunities. And the state will be developed into a hub for entrepreneurs and investors. Alongside, our villages will be vibrant and self- sufficient. This time Bihar will not just participate but in fact lead the second green revolution.
As I work towards these goals, I must also highlight the most important public message. I will strive to build a state which emerges forever from the shadow of narratives of bad governance. The idea and fear that Bihar can snap back to any regime of unaccountable governance and law and order must be erased from people's hearts and minds.
My principal strength is the ability to provide good governance, inclusive growth and social harmony. As I have tried in the last nine years, I aspire to build a state where this strength becomes institutionalized. And as I would continue to try forever, I aspire to build a state that confidently carries the narrative of positive future, vibrant culture and resilient harmony.
And in doing so, I will readily work with the honourable Prime Minister and the Government of India in the interest of Bihar.
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