LETS CALL UOR YOUTH BACK TI VIHAR

Youth misses growth in Bihar

AAROHI KESHAV

Patna, Feb. 20: Homing pigeons have the innate ability to return to their nests after they are taken far away. But the homing instincts of the youth of the state — many of whom left for greener pastures — have been blunted. Improving law and order conditions, rising investments and social progress may be feathers in the cap of the NDA government but absence of growth opportunities in professional life, traditional society and lack of essential facilities like healthcare are still inhibiting youths from settling in the state. “I do not want to return to the state,” said Rajesh Kumar, a 24-year-old MBA graduate, now settled in Delhi. Rajesh, an alumnus of Chandragupt Institute of Management Patna, started his career in the state but does not want to return. Reason: absence of a proper working atmosphere and lack of job satisfaction. “People in Bihar still work in a traditional manner. Innovations are anathema to them. Unlike residents of metropolitan cities, they do not want to take risks,” he added. Rajesh is not the only one with a sceptical attitude towards the development in Bihar. Amit Verma (30), a native of the state now settled in Mumbai, said he would not return even if he was offered a job in the state. “Things have improved since Nitish Kumar became the chief minister but for me the image of Bihar is still that of corruption, bribery and abductions. Nitish has succeeded initially but there is no guarantee that he will succeed in the future. I think these are the reasons for the lack of any major investment in the state for the past five years,” said Verma. Many of those who returned to Bihar, lured by the development, are packing their bags, frustrated by the absence of growth opportunities. Mashoor Ahmed (25) is a case in point. Ahmed — a postgraduate from Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi — had returned to Patna two years ago. But now the HR professional has decided to move out in search of better opportunities. “My career has come to a standstill. I was promised appraisals every six months but the promise has not been met. It is very frustrating,” said Ahmed. Absence of professional opportunities is not the only deterrent. A deeply traditional society and conservative mindset are also keeping the youths away. “There is no freedom of expression. Social codes are given more importance than individual freedom,” said Rajesh. Ahmed added: “There is no place to hang out. I go to work and return home. It is very depressing.” Yachna S. Chandra (29), who works in Lucknow, feels the patriarchal attitude of most people is keeping the youths away. “People in Bihar are very traditional. Most of them cannot accept a girl going out with her boyfriend and having fun. You will hardly come across couples on the streets of Patna. Also the city has no nightlife — parties and discothèques are still a distant dream,” said Chandra. She added: “You are considered to be a good girl if you go to the temple everyday. But there will be hell to pay if you are spotted in a restaurant with your boyfriend. I know a married lady who went for a jog in a tracksuit. It became a scandal! There is hardly any entertainment for youths.” But what forced her to move out was the pathetic condition of healthcare facilities in the city. The child of her friend died because of medical negligence in a reputed city hospital. “I would love to live in my state but I cannot afford to. People in Bihar are too traditional,” said Amitabh K. Srivastava (32), a foreign language consultant. The conventional attitude seems to have percolated even to the sphere of love and marriage. As Srivastava has found out: professional success or even sharing your name with the most popular star of Bollywood is not enough to land you a girl. “I am unable to get married to any girl from Bihar. I earn a six-figure salary but parents of girls still prefer engineers or civil servants,” said a frustrated Srivastava. Hard luck mate! Chart Headline: Good but not enough Professional hurdles Lack of growth opportunities Anathema to risks. Most people prefer to stick to traditional professions like engineering or medicine Scepticism in youths about the future success of the state Personal hurdles Conventional society that puts social norms above individual freedom Absence of entertainment opportunities, even in Patna Lack of proper healthcare and other facilities