I have been visiting my in-law’s house since I got married about a decade ago but of late for the first time I got to visit their native village. It was a nice experience to go there and observe a new Bihar. While going to Gaya I noticed that Bihar’s roads have become well constructed. During Lalu’s regime there was nothing called roads in Bihar. A man used to cover 4 hours journey in 11 hours. Everything was looking normal during the journey. No terror like situation was there; law and order was perfect.

The moment we reached the village we saw a hoarding where it was written that this village is benefitted under Rajeev Gandhi Rural Electrification Scheme. But when I reached home the things were different; there was no sign of electricity which showed the reality of this scheme. There were electricity poles but no electricity supply was there. While relaxing outside the home I saw two dozen children going to schools to get their food under the Mid-Day Meal Scheme. When I enquired them about their school, I found out that the teachers do not teach them at all they come to the schools, take student’s attendance and leave after giving them food. Anganbadis too are in the similar condition. The villagers themselves told that there is a lot of forgery in this scheme. There are health centers but the doctors come only for one and half hours and then they leave. But in this condition too the villagers are happy that at least the doctors are coming. Now, Nitish has to face a big challenge here as he has to transform the health and education sector in the state.

After staying in the Bandhava village for 4 days, we started again for Gaya. We were travelling on the Haspura route crossing Devkund and Amjharsharif. It was about dusk but we were not afraid as I have already said that law and order has become good in Nitish rule. During Lalu’s regime whenever I visited my father in law’s home he never allowed me to step outside the home in the evening. This was the terror in the peoples’ heart. I am amazed that one man totally changed the scene of Bihar in Just 5 years. This is really commendable. I will share an interesting incidence here with you. While I boarded a bus from Haspur to Gaya I saw a boy giving only 15 rupees to the conductor whereas the ticket cost 20 rupees. The conductor said that give me 20 rupees, the boy said “Do not you know me I will only pay 15 rupees for the ticket.” To this the conductor said, “Beware this is no more Lalu’s time. If you do not pay I will not let you travel in the bus plus I will put you in jail.” After this incidence I became sure of one thing that gradually the public of Bihar is developing faith in the law and order in the state.