Bihar.
You think you know it.
Poor. Backward. Lawless.
That's what English news tells you.
But I read dainik jagran bihar – the Hindi newspaper that tells the truth. The newspaper that covers the Bihar that English media ignores.
Here are 5 headlines.
They will haunt your privilege. Read them. Then check yourself.
Headline 1: “स्कूल में नहीं है दीवार – बच्चे पढ़ते हैं, पर चोरों से कोई बचाव नहीं”
Translation: "No wall in school. Children study, but no protection from thieves."
A government school in Bihar has no boundary wall. Thieves have stolen computers, fans, even desks. The headmaster sleeps in the school at night. With a stick.
The headline: "School seeks funds for wall."
The truth: They have been seeking for 5 years.
Why this haunts your privilege: Your child's school has a security guard. This school has a headmaster with a stick.
What you can do: Donate to a government school in Bihar. Even ₹500 can buy a lock for the gate.
Headline 2: “बाप ने बेची साइकिल – बेटी बनी डॉक्टर”
Translation: "Father sold his bicycle. Daughter became doctor."
A daily wage worker in Bihar saved for years. He sold his only bicycle to pay for his daughter's 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.
Why this haunts your privilege: You complain about petrol prices. He walks 10 km.
What you can do: Next time you see a doctor, ask where they came from. You might hear a story like this.
Headline 3: “गाँव में 2 साल से बंद है स्कूल – बच्चे नदी पार कर पढ़ने जाते हैं”
Translation: "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.
Why this haunts your privilege: You complain about school timings. They cross a river.
What you can do: Support NGOs that build bridges in rural Bihar.
Headline 4: “किसान ने नहीं खाया 2 दिन से – बीज खरीदने के लिए बचा रहा था पैसा”
Translation: "Farmer didn't eat for 2 days – was saving money to buy seeds."
A farmer in Bihar 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.
Why this haunts your privilege: You skip a meal for a diet. He skips a meal for survival.
What you can do: Buy directly from farmers. Cut out the middlemen.
Headline 5: “बिहार का लड़का जो दुनिया के सबसे बड़े रॉकेट में लगा है पेंच”
Translation: "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.
Why this haunts your privilege: You think Bihar is backward. His screws are in space.
What you can do: Stop judging Bihar by its headlines. Visit it. See for yourself.
Check Your Privilege
You complain about slow internet.
They cross rivers to study.
You complain about expensive coffee.
They skip meals for seeds.
You complain about your job.
They tighten screws on rockets.
Bihar is not poor.
You are privileged.
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