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First Dharni Sinha Memorial Lecture (Face 2 Face)

Dilemmas of Development Leadership : Challenges of Tomorrow

- Sri Nitish Kumar, Chief Minister, Bihar

Shekhar, Managing Editor made a short review of Nitish Kumar, Chief Minister, Govt. of Bihar's special remarks during his Memorial Lecture, organized at Patna on the 9th September 2006 by the Indian Society of Applied Behavioural Science and Aseed (Co-sponsor) along with L.N.Mishra Institute of Management that played host to the event.

The stupendous task of development has to move on a thorny path. It has not been an easy task to build a climate of people's trust on Governance. However, Nitish Kumar could do it, inspite of several odds. How do you feel? The change of Government in your day to day life/ "I asked a taxi driver who was taking me on the narrow streets of Patna.
"Bahut Phark ho gaya hai (it is quite a bit of difference)" he quipped in Hindi with a sense of great satisfaction and joy. Similar response was given by a rickshaw puller. "Yeh Sarkar to Hamare Liye Acchhi Hai". Hum raat ko bhe bahut kamai kar lete hai..... sawari mil jaat hai. (This government is better for me? I am able to get some passengers in the night and thus earn more money).

His satisfaction was loud and clear that has been impacting the life of even poor rickshaw puller. This was an incredible statement to support the growing optimism of people at the bottom line. Such marginalised do not feel the impact of chupe generally. But if one year rule of government can make it happen, it may be a feather in the cap for those who are ruling the state. Nitish's Government may like to pat its back. Of course it has miles to go before the efforts yield fruit.

"Challenge of today is no lesser than challenge of tomorrow. I knew Dharni Singa through limited interactino and felt the passion he had for Bihar. We missed him but he made a significant contribution to administrative reform task taken up by me. Whatever may be the situation of tomorrow, to me growth and equity are of equal significance in today's context of Bihar". Nitish spoke with a source of touch and grit in a packed auditorium of L.N.Mishra Institute of Management at Patna during his opening statement. He continued. "Many are concerned about tomorrow. They have many reasons to think so. But I am committed to meet challenges of the day. Since today builds the foundation of tomorrow. Challenges and complexities of today are meaningful both for our survival and growth. Challenges of resource mobilization, community participation and deventralization of decision making have assumed great significance. People at the lowest rung of the economy must have their say to influence the decision making of the government". He shared his incredible passion and gut.

"Should our development drive move to convergence process through people's work towards every local Institution and youth of the state who are the spinal chord of out development dream" Shri Kumar reaffirmed with conviction. He was very forceful while affirming the role of youth in building Bihar's future. Clarity of intellected goal with human resource has steered the youth of the state to spread around the country and establish their professional credentials globally. Tomorrow is going to be ruled by those who are knowledge creators. Bihar's youth have energy, intelligence and drive to make it happen". He said with conviction and faith amidst applause from the house.

Mr. Yogendra Prasad, Ex. Chairman of NHPC and others supplemented the view point. Many felt that knowledge economy does not address to social equity and social maladies. Socially there is little attempt on the part of policy makers to bridge the gap. Because growth is of greater concern for the leaders in general than development. Modern economist have joined the chorus over the years in perpetuating growth into development.