The real jazz of Indian Economy will commence only when the economies of the States of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Orissa, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh including all such undeveloped economies will perform. The rank of India at Human Development Index may take a galloping jump if these States pick up in Education, Health as well as in Poverty alleviation. Recently the administrative activism and political will of the mentor of Bihar has shown curiosity in all who are watching the most backward State in resurgence process. The way it is transforming, it will be a case study for all the States to pursue the strategy…..
The write up is a small contribution in the bucket of suggestions being received from all corner of the planet for development of a State leading to India Vision 2020. Part I

1. Transforming Bihar - Brand Equity:

Brand equity matters a lot for an Organisation/Institutions for attracting customer. When a company spends much on promotion of Sports/Brand name, the purpose is clear. It wants to create a positive image in the mind of their targeted customers. For States/Countries willing high value brand equity means more investment in the State. It has always been a practice of the countries which seek to grow fast and transform itself into developed category e.g. Kuwait, UAE in recent days. If the State like Gujarat can attract investment worth Rs. 2.5 lakhs crore in three days Vibrant Gujarat meet, it is just b'ze of their Brand name/positive perception in the mind of investor. Whereas if Bihar has to struggle a lot for an investment of only Rs. 25,000- 30,000 crore during last year, it is only b'ze Bihar needs to build Brand Equity in more aggressive way. States of Kerala, Madhya Pradesh are promoting their tourism sector and it is felt that they are on one hand attracting tourist in their States and on other hand creating a positive image in the people's mind. State Government need to explore the way through which campaign for building Brand image be done. Department of Tourism may take initiative in this direction, which will on one side attract tourists in the State and also bring a Maharashtra for getting technical education. The reasons, availability of institutions of higher learning in the field of Engineering, Medical, Bio-tech or other fields. Due to Globalisation things are changing fast. Once you are qualified in technical field, getting jobs becomes very easy. But simultaneously if we think other way thousands of crores of money from Bihar is pumped in higher learning institutions in other States. Can we reverse the process? Let there be higher learning institutions in good numbers in Bihar especially in IT/ITES sector education, Medical, Health Services, Financial Sector, Engineering etc. and make the technical education easily available in Bihar. Let there be similar situation as was during Nalanda University, Taxila University. Now the question is how this will be funded. There can be Private- Public Partnership, BOT methodology may be adopted or we can seek long term loan from the World level financial institutions viz. WB, ADB,IMF or any other body. If we maintain quality in the education, things will reverse and the loan taken for creating educational infrastructure may be repaid from the fees collected from the students in Bihar/other states studying in the state.

4. Transforming Bihar: Service Sector:



After the opening of the economy some 15-16 year back, this sector seen a boom and contribution in the GDP from this sector isincreasing day by day. One job in IT/ITES/ other Service Sector may provide additional 3-4 jobs in ancillary services. When IT sector was on boom, people felt that Bombay will take more and get more. But cities like Haryana (Gurgaon), Maharashtra (Pune, Mumbai), Andhra Pradesh (Hyderabad), Karnataka(Banglore), Tamil Nadu (Chennai) were at the receiving end, facilitated the Industry and today one can see the result. The service sector is giving jobs to lakhs of people of countries and simultaneously jobs for semi skilled, rural youth like Drivers, Caterers, Security Guards and other related areas are being created. As per an estimate one job in IT/ITES/Service sector provides 3-4 additional jobs, to other sector. Taking example from the developed countries, we can easily assess that the contribution of Service Sector is very high to the GDP (in some case 70-90%) and less no. of people are engaged in Agriculture sector (in some case 10-2%). In the case of Bihar, if it prospers this Industry with its hard working, intelligent people, it can improve GDP and give Economy of India a momentum. been called BIMARU States by Planning Commission) performs on all socio-economic indicator this will give high momentum in the growth of the country. Since they had been poor performer in the past, the scope of improvement is very high. (That is why there is Special Task Force for the Development of Bihar under Mr. Jha and there is monitoring from Prime Minister as well as Planning Commission). Centre has identified 150 backward districts for giving more concentration for development, SC/ST budgeting, Gender budgeting…... That is why His Excellency President going again and again to Bihar and motivating all. Every one knows, if Bihar performs, India will perform. The same can be applied in the case of districts as well, if u select, say 10 districts from the State with lowest Human Development Index (Education, Health, Per Capita Income) and give more concentration, with less endeavor the State can get more, do more. Starting from Kishanganj …..with lowest literate district of the country. We can see in the past, on HDI ranking India dropped from 124 to 127 since there was no expected improvement on the status of Education, Per Capita Income, and life expectancy. The ranking can only improve, only when the State like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Orissa.. performs…Government of Bihar may identify 10 most backward districts (some people may mind) not backward rather low on Human development Index or identify some 100 Blocks (starting from lowest HDI) and it should be monitored non other than Hon'ble Chief Minister/ Hon'ble Deputy Chief Minister and every body would agree that things would be visible within a limited span of time.
7. Transforming Bihar: Planned Township:

During last few years, we have seen that many of the States with planned township project have attracted thousands of crores from the people seeking residential/commercial plots/flats. Many of residents from Bihar have invested lakhs of rupees in purchasing flats/plots outside Bihar,which in most of cases will be repaid with their hard earned money for next 15-20 years. Big players in real estates are helping in the infrastructure development of the areas in different parts of the country. Perhaps we don't have such organized player and but there seems that State Government has not planned for wooing investment in the development of township in our State. Yes it is true that the cities of Bihar cannot be compared with Noida/Gurgaon/Mumbai or Delhi but if there are planned townships in the

9. Transforming Bihar: Training & Development of State Employees

Training and development plays an important role in improving productivity of an organization. In the day of competition it is very much desirable that the employees working in an organization are fully trained and motivated so that they can execute the plans & policy of the Institutions. Today, when the role of Chief Minister is changing to CMD (Chief Minister for Development) and District Magistrate to DM (Dynamic Managers) it is essential that the bureaucracy has a Managerial approach towards the welfare of Shareholder i.e. the people and have a clearcut objective in terms of achieving physical targets in literacy, employment, health, infrastructure, poverty alleviation.Similarly, the grass root employees are also required to be trained in operating Computers, dealing with RTI, Public Grievances and should be made understood the importance of their position and the work they execute. State Government must give prime importance in the training and development of their lakhs of employees, at least one month training in an year should be given to every employees so that they can cope up in the era of Liberalisation, Privatisation & Globalisation (LPG) which is going away from the License-Permit-Quota Raj (LPQ Raj).

10. Transforming Bihar- Planting Entrepreneurship:

Aaja tujhko pukare mera Bihar, perhaps this is the tune which Government is singing these days. Whole machinery is working hard to attract investment from the entrepreneurs. Bigger names like Mittal, Ambani, Tata, Birla, Mahindra…. List is long, but if one goes through the transitional phase of the developed States each State has a different Story, has a different Strength. We know Gujarat may have low literacy rate as compared to Kerala but its people’s entrepreneurship is ruling the world. The State created such environment for the people so as to find entrepreneurs among them. Today one entrepreneur can help lakhs of people in getting job, generating huge revenues…., the turnover of his company may be multiples of the total budgets of the States. The need of the hour is to create an environment in the State which may help in improving entrepreneur ability among the citizens. Make funds easily available to them for starting business (many Central Schemes are already available), train & develop, encourage, motivate… of the quarters allotted to the Doctors (these are in dilapidated conditions, not suitable to live in) and other facilities.

To be continued….

positive perception in the people seating outside the State and watching the developmental activities.
2. Transforming Bihar: Human Capital:

As per 2001 Census, population of Bihar is 8 crore (approx) and its literacy rate is only 47%. The situation has not improve and was below average as per the latest Outcome Budget of Department of Education. But it is sure if the human capital of the State is transformed to its true potential, it can bring revolution. The need of the hour is to recognize the areas where more focused approach is needed.

Girls education- 50% of the human capital is lying hidden, if it is properly explored, it can help in doubling the per capita income of the State. More focus must be given on the District where the literacy rate is very low: While going through the census report some of the districts are having very low literacy rate, esp. of female. The Districts with low literacy rate must be properly attended to on top priority basis.
Technical Education: We must realize that per capita income in the States like Kerala is 6-7 times more than the state like Bihar. It is b'ze a large no. of people from these States are working abroad and bring more foreign currencies there. They are in demand b'ze they are more technically skilled. In case of Bihar, most of the people, their first priority is to get a Govt. job, and if they fail, they try to go to private sector. This perception need to be changed. If more no. of people are from IT Sector, Bio-tech, Engineering, Medical they will be more employable in India & Abroad and their earning capacity too will be high. However, Govt. is taking initiative in this direction; technical education in the State needs more attention. Initiative taken by Govt. in Girl education (as there are two new schemes launched by Hon’ble CM) is really commendable

3. Transforming Bihar: Higher Learning Institutions Every year thousands of Students from Bihar go to Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh or to say 5. Transforming Bihar: Tourism

Tourism has played a very significant role in building process of many States. We may witness the cases of Goa, Kerala and recently Madhya Pradesh that are attracting good no. of tourists. Countries like Malaysia, Singapore are generating huge fund from this sector. After doing SWOT (Strength, Weakness, and Opportunity & Threat- from Marketing Management) analysis, we can easily assess that Bihar has a huge potential in Tourism, which could not be explored properly till date. If properly chalked out, we may generate a good portion of our GDP from Tourism. Suggestions: Proper advertisement for attracting Tourist to the State of Bihar needs to be prepared. If needed State Government may tie up with some big travel agencies to attract tourists. As we know 90% of the Buddhist followers are residing in China, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand & Myanmar. The emotional attachment of these Buddha followers with Bodh Gaya can also help in amelioration of India's relation with these neighboring countries. As Japan, China has agreed to fund the developmental projects particularly in roads in Buddha Circuit and somewhere 200 villages will be benefited. This all will depend on the proper plan/strategy for attracting tourists in the State. But it is sure there is huge lying in this sector, which is still unexplored. Madhya Pradesh's "India Ka dil dekho" really impresses. Perhaps the State also need some advertisement for wooing tourists in Bihar.. Although, as reported in Bihar times the number of tourists flocking in Bihar has already increased. It may be desirable that some investment on advertisement about Bihar’s tourist places linked with Lord Buddha, Lord Ram, Great Ashoka will certainly multiply the numbers… This will also improve the image of Bihar and also its marketability.
6. Transforming Bihar: Identifying weaker areas:

The overall performance of a class can only improve when the children with poor performance are given more concentration. It is easier too. Suppose a child gets 40% marks in the exam and simultaneously other one is getting 90% marks. The scope of improvement in the score of the child with 40% marks is high with less effort, even if he gets 80%, it means he can add his 40% marks in the total average. Similarly, states like Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh (these have cities like Patna/Greater Patna/Gaya/Bhagalpur or other cities with all facilities like power back up, schools,hospitals, banks and full security provisions, it can be understood that the Non-Residents Biharis will mostly invest back some hard earned money in their State. Tie up with Banks with such schemes as being followed in Haryana/Punjab/Estern UP for finance facility. This will also help in creation of infrastructure as well as creates lakhs of jobs for the residents of the State.
8. Transforming Bihar: Funds for Development:

Funds for development have always been a matter of concern for a State willing to transform. If one goes through the history of some of the developed State, one can easily assess that they have proper plan for generating funds for creating infrastructure, for health, education and other social sector, BIPASA (Bijli, Pani & Sarak). First of all there is a need to improve revenue collection. It has been witnessed in last financial year; tax collection of India has improved substantially. Bihar has a huge potential to improve the revenue collection. Secondly, we have Central Government with so many beautiful schemes with thousands of crores for the development in all areas from Education, Health, Employment, Women & Child development to BIPASA. But it needs optimum & timely utilization, timely submission of the proposals to Centre, tracking & monitoring of the Schemes, proper delegation as well convincing to the centre about the requirement with an assurance that the funds will be utilized properly. Thirdly we have so many world level financial institutions from where funds can be generated by way of grants, loan (long term with low interest rate) e.g. ADB, IMF, World Bank etc. Many a times we have seen that developed States like Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra has signed MOU with these Global bodies for financial assistance for developing infrastructure. Fourthly, we can have Public Private Partnership, also BOT (Build Operate & Transfer) system with private players for creation of infrastructure. Non-residents Bihar may be convinced with future plans of the State with a surety that their investment will have a better rate of return. NGOs, if properly monitored, can be a big helping hand in the development process. We have a bright past, people across the globe are there to help revival of Budha's place, they will certainly come to help in building Bihar. improve law & order… create market, …who knows tomorrow the State may have some Mittals, Amabanis, Tatas, Birlas … in its lap.

11. Transforming Bihar: Health Services :

"Ham sabne yah thana hain, swastha Bihar Banana hain" this is the slogan of Department of Health & Family Welfare of Bihar. Exactly, healthy Bihar means, Biharis with more working capacity, maximum of population in working category, more earning…Today, in a Primary Health Centre of a Block one can find that the no. of registration of the Patients has increased on an average to 100 per day (approx.). The Department of Health and family Welfare has constituted State Health Society (At State Head Quarter), District Health Society (District Head Quarter) & Patient Welfare Society (at Block level). Excellent monitoring and control can be perceived as the Government has appointed on contract basis Management Degree holders as Block Programme Manager (BPM), District Programme Manager (DPM) as well as Doctors on consolidated salary ranging from 12000 to 30-40 thousands per month for 1-3 years. The no. of child birth in Hospital has increased as Govt. has enhanced the assistance to the mother from Rs. 1200 to Rs. 1400 and also assistance to ASHA Worker from Rs. 200 to Rs. 300 for bringing them to hospital. Other many officials linked to alleviating Tuberculosis, other disease alleviation etc have been appointed on contract basis. Groups have been formed and have been put on roaster duty so that to provide 24X7 services to the patients as well as to deal with emergency cases. Renovation/reconstruction of the buildings in hospitals with the funds under National Rural Health Mission has been done. New aids/apparatus/appliances have been made available to the hospitals. Medicines are now available to the patients after getting registered with One Rupee Coin. Regular immunization programme on Wednesdays & on Saturdays in rural centers is being monitored and ensured. Funds for construction of hospital buildings are also being made with foreign donation. Many referral hospitals have been renovated and upgraded and there are many things on the card. Let us hope very soon to have a Healthy Bihar. There seems to be need of : More medicines to be available at Block level Hospitals. The personnel appointed on contract basis to monitor the functioning of hospitals, need to be very sensitive, coordinating, motivating, encouraging rather than having stick policy while dealing with the senior doctors/permanent officers. Renovation About the Author :This write up has been prepared by Shri Madhukar Pandey, Central Secretariat Service, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India and the observations are his personal views)