The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the whole world. Even the developed countries and Indian states that are considered developed are unable to fight coronavirus single-handedly. In such a scenario, it would be unreasonable to expect a state like Bihar to deal with such a crisis correctly. But, Bihar is not just fighting the pandemic badly; it is also unable to control the situation.
The truth behind this situation is horrific. Have you thought why Bihar’s condition is so pathetic in the first place? The honest answer is that in the last 30 years, Bihar has seen developmental work only for 3-4 years, that too in Nitish Kumar’s first tenure.
During Lalu Yadav’s tenure, no one cared or talked about development. At that time, it was an achievement to live and earn peacefully without getting threats! After that, Nitish Kumar came to power. He did work for the people in his first term, and because of that work—compared to nothing done by RJD—people appreciated him. But he is in power for 15 years now, and Bihar still lags in many areas. If he really did perform so well, then why there are no medical facilities like Delhi in Bihar? Why is the state unable to provide quality education to all?
Before the pandemic, people used to argue that the Nitish government has done wonders, if it is so, then why are Bihar’s hospitals in such condition? The state is not even able to track positive cases, forget providing support! NMCH (Nalanda Medical College & Hospital, Patna), the nodal hospital for COVID-19 looks horrible and suicidal for patients. And what did the Health Minister Mangal Pandey, CM Nitish Kumar or Deputy CM Sushil Modi do? They only transferred the officers!
As of 5th August 2020, about 2701 new coronavirus positive cases were detected in Bihar. With this, the number of infections in the state increased to 64,732, and there have been around 369 deaths so far. About 42, 370 infected patients have recovered after treatment, the recovery rate is 65.45%.
As Assembly elections near, it seems that in Bihar, only a party contesting in the coalition will win. Therefore, Nitish Kumar and BJP are indispensable to each other. The RJD, which is now the opposition, is silenced whenever they question about their tenure.
It’s high time people of Bihar understood that voting on caste lines, one of the main voting pattern in the state, will not help anymore. It’s time they realise that Nitish Kumar is not doing any wonder, the crime graph is high with no development in sight. The basic difference between Lalu and Nitish is that Lalu was like a student who always failed, and Nitish is the one who fails but sometimes passes. Bihar needs work, and for that, people of Bihar need to change their attitude.
In Delhi, a few hours of water-logging at Minto Road creates problems for Delhi CM for many days, and in Bihar, even flood-related severe issues could not make national headlines point the finger at the Chief Minister.
Recently, a renowned doctor’s wife died without treatment in Patna, and now floods are creating havoc. The most surprising part is that the JDU is with BJP because ‘secular’ Nitish Kumar needs centre’s support, but where’s the support in every press conference where Bihar’s doctors, ministers talked about the lack of funds, infrastructure and PPE kits? How will Bihar fight the floods, when all the politicians care about is the upcoming election?
Now everything depends on the people of Bihar. We need to stop boasting about immunity and accept the truth about the lack of infrastructure even for basic treatment, jobs, and quality education. If people need to leave their home state in search of better opportunities and to fulfil their basic needs, then what kind of ‘development’ is it?