This is the second article in “What Bihar Needs” Series. In this article the author focuses on the imperative of entrepreneurship development for economic growth and prosperity of Bihar. ”Innovation and entrepreneurship’’ is the only way out of poverty. Only ideology needed is that of ‘honesty’, ‘hard work’ and ‘wealth creation’. ‘’Being economically successful’’ MUST become the religion. Culture of ‘job-seeking’ must be renounced and entrepreneurship MUST become a social movement in Bihar.
‘’The principle goal of education should be creating men and women who are capable of doing new things, not simply repeating what other generations have done’’ said Jean Piaget, a Swiss Psychologist known for his theory of cognitive development.
It is high time students of Bihar in the Coaching Bazaars of Patna and Delhi say good bye to their sub-national vocation of striving for a ‘’naukri’’ (job) in government departments; instead channelize their famous intelligence, intellect and energies on coming out with innovations to address the issue of abject economic backwardness of the state given per capita income of a Bihari is still about Rs 3,000 per month against national average of Rs 13,000 per month and Rs 32,000 per month of Goa. Bihar’s per capita GDP is at the bottom most among 33 states of India and compares with that of Mali.
All the glorious past of ancient times, rich culture and heritage, socio-political developments and fabled hardworking Bihari students who excel in cracking tough government services examinations notwithstanding the stark irony is ‘’a Bihari earns about Rs 3,000 per month in terms of per capita GDP’’. The unwarranted pride of the past and representation in the central government services has made Biharis turn their eyes away from the backwardness and assume themselves to the best thereby restricting the growth of the state.
Poverty is not a virtue! It’ not other’s responsibility either.
There is huge growth gap, no major industry. And, no one wants to invest in Bihar. Poverty is certainly not something to be proud of. Yet whole lot of young generation of Bihar is in everlasting quest of power (through civil service) and political enlightenment.
Why pick young generation of Bihari? Obviously because the older generations miserably failed in wealth creation. They were too occupied with the caste and feudal politics and in showing ‘path’ to others that they missed to instil the value of wealth creation, economic growth and entrepreneurship in their children. So, has the government with political executives too occupied with the arithmetic of the elections based on caste politics and the public servants with survival realities of everyday lives. In any case, the government, politicians and the government servants can act as mere facilitator.
Said one student, …but you know, everybody will laugh at me if I say I want to become a businessman or industrialist or entrepreneur. My parents will be heartbroken if I drop the preparation of UPSC’’. Well, choice is yours if you want to be wealthy and powerful or remain poor as a mere employee if at all you get an employment. And who is going to give you wealth if you do not want to earn it?
In view of social ridicule and parental disapproval, it takes courage and guts on part of a Bihari student to even admit that he/she would like to be an entrepreneur. Certainly, the path to successful entrepreneurship is full of risks and is not easy. Hence the case for a robust system to support, protect, promote and honour young entrepreneurs.
A pool comprising of right people such as proven entrepreneurs, industry experts and investors who could identify, support and guide the young entrepreneurs in business planning and operation and the eased procedures of regulators would go a long way. The state would need to create industry and business friendly social climate, good law and order, property rights and the ease of doing business.
More importantly, make entrepreneurs feel proud of their efforts and the contributions to the state. Must protect the entrepreneurs and their enterprise. Rewarding and honouring them would be very very helpful in sustainable economic growth and encourage those sitting on the fringe as well to join the engines of growth and development.
No! No politics please. It is not about capitalism and socialism, not about haves and have nots. It is proven much beyond reasonable doubts that ‘’innovation and entrepreneurship’’ is the only way out of poverty. Only ideology needed is that of ‘honesty’, ‘hard work’ and ‘wealth creation’.
‘’Being economically successful’’ MUST become the religion for everyone in Bihar. After all the gods too require money!
Entrepreneurship must become a social movement in Bihar. The top public figures of Bihar such as the ministers and the government servants should contribute by setting examples before the people by running even a small enterprise such as a canteen in the secretariat profitably.
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“What Bihar Needs” Series Articles
I. What Bihar Needs is a Massive Revamp in its Value System
II. What Bihar Needs is a ‘Robust’ System to Support Young Entrepreneurs
III. What Bihar Needs is the Renaissance of ‘Vihari Identity’
IV. Bihar the land of Buddhist World (the web-book on renaissance of ‘Vihari Identity’ | www.Bihar.world )
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Author: Umesh Prasad
The author is an alumnus of the London School of Economics and a UK based former academic.
The views and opinions expressed on this website are solely those of the author(s) and other contributor(s), if any.
A very aptly structured article. Bihar can’t be just talking about it’s glorious past while being unperturbed about it’s economic backwardness . Biharis need to learn and inculcate the culture of entrepreneurship as mere skill acquiring and individual employment goal can only help them be a part of employable pool and not bring a turnaround in economic upliftment of Bihari masses .Bihar politicians need to understand that they can’t remain being workforce suppliers for entrepreneurs lured to com