The Bihari e-Family... Dare to Dream ... Dare to achive 

An attempt has been made to retain the messages in their original form. Except for changing typo errors, no major changes have been made

The Numero Uno.. The very first post by Harsh.. May be he had  never realized that his first ‘Welcome note’ will find a place here.

Message # 44: Arun B Patel, Japan , 28-Dec-2001
 
Dear members/friends
 
I was pleasantly surprised when I got a mail introducing this net-group. It
is welcome step. Let us make this net a worthwhile and a sincere and serious group to contribute something positive about BIHAR, our motherland who is victim of a Bihar-bashing. Let us stand together, think positive, be bold and imaginative to overcome them all. Despite of several problems, Bihar is much more live than other parts of the India/world. We know, we can do it together. I wish you all a very happy, prosperous and successful year.
 
By the way, as to contribute to the tradition of introducing ourselves to
the net members...My name is Arun Bhai Patel. I am 100% from Bihar and am very much proud of it (people often ask if I belonged to Gujrat!). I have done Bachelor in Fisheries Science (1987-90) from Rajendra Agricultural University. After my MS (Aquaculture) from AIT, Bangkok,, I did my PhD from Japan (March 2001). After my graduation, I am working with a national research institute in Japan which concentrates on international agricultural research in Asia.
 
My interests are reading literature. I want to discuss and actively
participate in talks/issues which are intended for overall development of
our state Bihar and our country India.
 
Once again, wishing you all a great year,
 
Arun
 

A two way connection is established
Message # 3: Ranjan is the first person to respond ! 20-Nov-2001

Harsh,

It indeed is a very good step and a needed one on that. I have been thinking on these lines for a long time, but guess, I was lazy enough not to get it started. But for once, I differ in the view with your earlier groups. Indians living outside of India have a natural bond and hence your efforts were successful. But in Biharis, as you have rightly observed, we have to fight lack of confidence. How many Biharis you meet in Delhi who can proudly say they are Bihari? Not much. Same is true here in Bangalore. People go to the extent of saying they are from Nepal or Assam ( I have examples right in front of me).

I appreciate what you are trying to do and hope people can come together. I wish you success in your third group. Let me know if I can do anything.

Ranjan
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Message # 42: Ravikant Rai, MN, USA , 27-Dec-2001
 
Hi Harsh and Hello readers
 
I think you are doing a great job as a moderator.Please keep it up.
 
I am sorry for being so sluggish with my emails.Work load has never ceased to slow.
 
I come from Sasaram (village bharkar, dist bhabua to be precise) Due to my Dad's transferrable job, I spent most of my early schooling in coal fields (hazaribagh, giridih, bokaro, etc.) before moving out of state to do my high school from Asansol. Then to Darjeeling and back to Jharia for 12th. Again out to Bangalore to do Comp. Sci. at Ramaiah. Now I am working in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA as a software consultant at Dept. of Revenue.
 
Having been out of the state for most of my life, I have grown to adore my roots. I feel very sorry for the state of affairs of the state. But I choose not to hide my origins. I follow the articles that relate to bihar and wish to associate with any moderate Bihari from any caste. Ranjan introduced me to this group and l share his and others views on the state. Although I may not be as frequent in responses, I do read every article in entirety.
 
One of the best ways to uplift the conditions is to actually do something
for people around you in the means. I liked Ranjan's approach to help (adopt) a girl during his lifetime. It does make a difference. I plan to do something on the same line. During my stay here in Minneapolis I came across Vijay Rastogi who intends to do the same thing.
 
I am perturbed by the vocalization of castes in groups related to Bihar.
Although I accept caste in Bihar as a fact of life, I do not support vocalizing it. I believe in unity and accept the difference we have right now.
 
My personal experience has been quite good with people from my home state. We tend to view the situation with great concern and interest.
 
Well that’s all for now as introduction.
 
Thanks
Ravi
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Hello everyone,

Delighted to see this group, and that most people live in Delhi or India. This way, things might eventually move on from discussions to an agenda for action (I agree with Leena there). I hope.

Most discussions this far seem to be centered around whether or not there's something that we Biharis have to be proud about. To summarize discussions, which echoes my own viewpoint, there's a lot in our past to be proud of, but the present is really squalid. There is close to nothing to reassure ourselves with.

I believe that the major reasons behind the present situation are NOT politicians, criminals and the like. WE, the people of Bihar, are responsible, particularly the educated, young (assumptions here), 'sensible' people. We choose to stay out of 'the dirty game', stand by, watch and offer platitudes. We denounce, complain, and feel bad about the situation and the system, but DO NOTHING. Cowardice is easy. Hiding behind one's immediate responsibilites (family etc), limitations and insignificance are easier still.

If this group is able to do anything, make even a small start eventually in doing, I'll support it with whatever is my might, understanding, and ability. Of course, pious intentions of changing things often meander into meaningless discussions about what needs to be done, and whether or not that happens on this group would depend on the moderators, and those who are running this group.

For those interested, I've written a 4 line bio of myself at the bottom of this message.

Regards
Adarsh Das

A Brief Bio:
I'm Adarsh, Master's student at the University of Massachusetts, near Boston. Born and brought up in Patna, but parents are from Darbhanga, and mother tongue is Maithili. Before coming here, completed my BTech from IIT Kharagpur, and worked for two years in Bangalore.

A question: How did you guys come across my email ID?