Bihar- My Home State

Why there is false image of Bihar in the minds of North Indians?

Since Biharis are also a part of the classification called " North Indians". Hence, we have to look within to find out why there is false image of Bihar. Is it true that we have a wrong image or that is our identity.

1. Caste System- Yesterday, I saw the speech of the state leaders of Bihar and found that we are still talking about casteism. Casteism is a reality in Bihar. I don't want to go into who said what but we must admit that still Bihar is gripped with caste system.
2. Dowry- My friends in Mumbai make fun of me whenever we talk about the ill practices of Dowry. There is truth that Dowry system is a part of many families in Bihar. People are giving dowry for their daughters and take it for their sons. But scenario is changing. It is often an embarrassment for me as even if I say that my family is against it still my friends don't shy away from pulling my leg . This has to be abolished and the youth must ensure that they don't accept it in any form.
3. Simplicity- Biharis are simple and down to earth in most of the cases. It makes them the butt of jokes because they are often less trendy and updated with the latest fad. But, this is a good quality so I don't feel ashamed about it. Hope others will recognise this.
4. Crime- When I went to Kota in 2004, Biharis were a oppressed lot, people used to ask me if I came from a Jungle. They asked me about the Kidnappings, Murders, etc even though the crime in Bihar is less than in places like Delhi. I felt so hurt and embarrassed that I had even lied a couple of times initially and told I am from Gurgaon. I was quite young and immature then and hence I was unable to deal with so much negative buzz about my home state. Today, I am not ashamed of anything. I feel proud to be from Patna, the capital of Bihar.
5. Brand Image- The Image of Bihar has improved drastically over the last 10-11 years. But, we have to go a step further and transform our Brand Image with lots of development. Things have changed and after 5-10 years, Bihar will again be a centre of Learning and a respectable place in India. Take it easy man! 

Why we should be Proud of Bihar?

1. Bihar is my home-state- This one reason is enough for me to be proud of it. Simple! because, I love my home, my family, my loved ones who have their roots in Bihar.
2. Bihar is the Land of Buddha & Mahavir- Read about the history of Bihar and you will feel proud to know that Bihar has been a centre of Learning. Once upon a time, people from foreign used to come to Bihar to study at Nalanda University.
3. Pataliputra was the capital of India- For a long duration the whole of India and present days pakistan, afghanistan, etc were ruled from my birth place, isn't it great.
4. Bihar is a melting pot of different religions- Patna is the birth place of Guru Gobind Singh. Gaya is a famous religious place for Hindus. Bodhgaya is the place where Lord Buddha got enlightment . Lord Mahavir also spread Jainism in Bihar. It also flourished during the Muslim rule of Sher Shah Suri and others. It is a blend of different religion and culture.
5. Bihar is poor but gives the country plenty of IITians, IAS, Doctors, Engineers, etc. We are hard working and we don't shy away from travelling to any part of India or the world to make a living. Despite all this we love Bihar.

(To be continued once I remember more points....)