Bihar. You think you know it. Poor. Backward. Lawless. That's what English news tells you.
But I read Bihar news in Hindi today — and I found 5 headlines that will haunt your privilege.
1. Girl Studied All Night — Passed Her Exam
Her family has no electricity. She studied under a streetlight. She walked 8 km to the exam centre. She passed. She is the first in her family to finish school.
The headline: "First generation learner passes."
The truth: Your child has a lamp on their desk. Hers was a streetlight.
2. Father Sold His Bicycle — Daughter Became Doctor
He was a daily wage worker. He saved for years. He sold his only bicycle to pay for her coaching. She is now a doctor in a government hospital.
The headline: "Doctor's journey from poverty."
The truth: He still walks to work. 10 km every day.
3. School Closed for 2 Years — Children Cross River to Study
A village in Bihar has no school. Children cross a river on a broken bridge to reach the nearest school. Last month, a girl fell in. She survived.
The headline: "Children risk lives for education."
The truth: Your child's school bus has AC. They have a river.
4. Farmer Didn't Eat for 2 Days — Was Saving Money for Seeds
He had ₹500. Seeds cost ₹300. He didn't eat for 2 days to save ₹200 for fertilizer.
The headline: "Farmer struggles for inputs."
The truth: You spend ₹500 on coffee in a week.
5. Bihar's Boy Who Puts Screws in the World's Biggest Rocket
A young man from a village in Bihar works at ISRO. He doesn't design rockets. He tightens screws. But without his screws, the rocket doesn't fly.
The headline: "ISRO employee from Bihar."
The truth: His village still has no road. But his screws are in space.
Check Your Privilege
You complain about slow internet. They cross rivers to study. You complain about expensive coffee. They skip meals for seeds. Bihar is not poor. You are privileged.