Patna: Bihar, the cradle of India’s rich heritage, must reconnect with its civilizational ethos to overcome present challenges, Governor Arif Mohammad Khan said at the GTRi 5.0 Dialog on its second day. He emphasized that centuries of foreign rule had instilled an inferiority complex in society, despite Bihar being home to a 5,000-year-old civilization.
“We should not look outside for solutions but within. The wisdom of the Vedas, Bhagavad Gita, and Upanishads teaches us to base our unity on the soul rather than divisions of colour, language, or creed,” Khan said. He underscored that India has always believed in unity in diversity.
In conversation with GTRi curator Aditi Nandan, Khan reflected on his early exposure to Bihar. He recalled how a vehicle used to visit his school at Jamia Millia Islamia to pick up children from Rashtrapati Bhavan. He also reminisced about his involvement in the JP movement, which frequently brought him to Patna. During the session, he unveiled the second edition of GTRi’s Bihar Journal.
The Changing Media Landscape
At the first panel discussion of the day, Amitabh Sinha, deputy editor of The Indian Express, highlighted the evolving media landscape, noting that expanding platforms have democratized information access. He acknowledged that trust deficits in the media are a global issue and pointed to Bihar’s infrastructure development in Rajgir, stressing the need for similar projects to showcase the state’s transformation effectively.
Brajmohan Singh, editor of News18 Bihar-Jharkhand, discussed the shift in Bihar’s media coverage. Unlike the 1990s and early 2000s, when national media focused on crime and caste-related violence, today’s narratives have evolved. However, he noted that political news continues to dominate over success stories. Singh also observed that social media had pressured traditional outlets to enhance their standards, though mainstream journalism remains regulated compared with digital platforms.
Tourism as a Driver of Development
In a panel titled Tourism: The Mover of Development, Vikas Kumar, founder and CEO of Trip to Temples, spoke about Bihar’s underutilized tourism potential. With its vast cultural circuits, including Buddhist, Ramayana, Jain, and Sufi trails, he argued that religious tourism could be scaled up significantly. His startup offers travel experiences integrated with rituals to enhance pilgrim engagement. Kumar also stressed the need for a strong network among pilgrims to attract more visitors.
Md. Syed Saheb, founder of Matargashti Travel Vlog, highlighted Bihar’s adventure tourism prospects, noting that the state has over 200 waterfalls yet to be fully explored. He emphasized the power of infotainment—blending information with entertainment—to increase awareness of Bihar’s heritage. His digital content has successfully engaged audiences and created new livelihood opportunities. He called for greater collaboration between local communities and the government to preserve historical sites and make them more tourist-friendly.
Insights on Investment in Bihar
In another discussion titled Why Bihar Is Still Not the Favourite Destination for Investment, Apoorv Kumar, regional lead for eastern states at Invest India, pointed out that Bihar still struggles to attract large-scale investments due to infrastructure deficiencies. He identified gaps in roads, electricity, and skilled labour as key barriers, although recent investments indicate progress. Bihar is still in a learning phase, he said, with both officials and investors adapting to new economic landscapes. Kumar also stressed the importance of engaging the Bihari diaspora and fostering a positive public attitude toward Bihar’s growth to enhance its investment appeal.
Exploring Nalanda’s Global Influence
The event also featured a book talk by Abhay K., joint secretary at the Ministry of External Affairs and deputy director general of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations. Discussing his book Nalanda: How It Changed the World, recently unveiled by Bihar’s deputy chief minister Samrat Choudhary, Abhay K. explored lesser-known aspects of Nalanda’s history. He praised the state government’s efforts to revive Nalanda University and position it once again as a global centre of learning.
