The Silent Erosion: How Migration is Fraying Bihar and Jharkhand's Cultural Fabric

We often talk about the economic and intellectual brain drain from Bihar and Jharkhand. Young, bright minds moving to developed states for better education and employment. This has been going on for quite sometime now and there is no trend reversal visible unless we see new employment opportunities in our state.  A lot of things have been written on this topic and discussed as well. But there's a quieter, more deeper damage happening, one that touches the very soul of our identity: the erosion of our local traditions and culture. This has not drawn anyone's attention unless its the anti language movement in some of the developed states of India. 

It is about the slow, deep impact of our own younger generations moving out.

When we leave home for work or higher study, we gain opportunities, but it also create a distance which cannot be shortened by train or flights- cultural distance.  

Missing the Rhythm of Life: Our lives back home are structured around festivals, local customs, and traditions. Be it the Chhath Mahaparva, or the local folk songs sung at weddings, or even the dialects spoken at home. 

A Brief Return is Not Enough: we take leave for the big festivals, a brief, hectic visit. But for the rest of the year, we are just observing festivals from a distant. We are not there for the everyday rituals, the small, continuous acts that maintain a cultural heartbeat. We just para drop on the final day and mark our attendance but the much needed bonding, the connect is missing. During that brief visit, we keep juggling between phone, emails, "critical" action items from office and regular festival related chores.

For initial few years, we call it "away from from roots" but slowly that 'Transplantation" happens 

Slow Forgetting, Step by Step

This absence leads to a gradual, often unintentional, moving away from our roots.

Missing Out: We start by missing the events due to some critical work or leave not getting approved. We feel a pang of nostalgia, but life keeps moving. 

Dilution: We try to recreate a version of the festival in our  new city(visiting Chhath ghat in Hussain Sagar), but it lacks the authenticity, the specific local flavor, the community participation and above all very essence with which you can relate or connect your past celebrations. As a kid there were few memories attached to each event but with this transplantation, it's lost. 

Forgetting: Slowly, we begin to forget the finer details: the specific songs, the preparation steps for a traditional dish, the connect. These are the very things that make us Bihari or Jharkhandi.

The Looming Future

The real concern lies with the next couple of generations. Its visible in every day life-while i could 100% understand bhojpuri and can try to speak but the next generation is not even there. For them Chhath puja is something where papa takes them to Hussain Sagar or listen to Sharada Sinha songs on youtube. They never experienced the puja preparation, walking down few kms to Chhath Ghat with whole family. The joy and a sense of accomplishment once you complete the morning arghya on last day of Chhath-they have never experienced it.

Our children, born and raised in metros will never experience the festivals or the village life firsthand. Their connection will be secondhand, through stories and fragmented phone calls.

This subtle shift is happening right now. It's not a loud political or economic crisis, but a silent erosion of a cultural legacy. We must find ways—through digital means, community building in new cities, or conscious effort—to keep the connection alive, or risk seeing the rich, unique fabric of Bihar and Jharkhand's culture slowly fade into nostalgia.

The Unfading Legacy of Amit Kumar: A Son's Quest to Keep His Father's Musical Heritage Alive

As I listened to the timeless classic, re-recorded by Amit Kumar, the son of legendary playback singer Kishore Kumar, I couldn't help but reflect on the Ganguly family's illustrious legacy in the Indian film industry. The Ganguly brothers - Kishore Kumar, Ashok Kumar, and Anoop Kumar - were an integral part of Bollywood's golden era, producing hit after hit. This talented family, along with a constellation of musicians, directors, and producers, dominated the silver screen, creating an era of unparalleled musical excellence.

Amit Kumar, blessed with a melodious voice like his father, burst onto the scene like a meteor, delivering chartbuster hits and captivating audiences with his soulful renditions. However, his meteoric rise was short-lived, and his popularity began to wane over time. The emergence of cheaper copycats and the industry's possible bias against him due to his family's dominance may have contributed to his decline.

Despite this, Amit Kumar has continued to sing, albeit not for the big screen. Instead, he has found a new platform on YouTube, where he shares his music with fans who still cherish the good old days. At 72, Amit Kumar remains committed to his craft, and his fans continue to enjoy his timeless classics.

It's a poignant reminder that life is full of ups and downs. Amit Kumar's story is a testament to the fleeting nature of fame and the importance of resilience. Instead of lamenting his downfall, he has chosen to focus on his passion for music, singing for the love of it.

"Zindagi ke safar mei gujar jaate hain jo makaam... Wo phir nahi aate" (In the journey of life, we pass through places that never come again). Amit Kumar's journey is a beautiful illustration of this truth. Despite the unpredictability of life, he has found a way to keep his father's musical heritage alive, and for that, his fans will forever be grateful.

The Unseen Beauty of Bharat

As I reflected on my recent visit to a remote village in North Bihar, I was struck by the stark contrast between rural and urban India. While cities boast of modern amenities and a fast-paced lifestyle, rural India has a unique charm that is often overlooked.

The village I visited was a breath of fresh air – literally! The clean air, blue skies, and starry nights were a welcome respite from the pollution and chaos of city life. But what struck me most was the simplicity and kindness of the people.

During my visit, I witnessed an incredible act of kindness. It was exam season, and students from neighboring villages had come to take their 10th board exams and intermediate exams. However, with no hotels or hostels to accommodate them, the villagers stepped in to help. Without hesitation, they opened their homes and shops, offering the students free lodging for the duration of their exams.

This selfless act of kindness left a deep impression on me. In a world where urbanization is increasingly eroding our sense of community, rural India still holds on to the values of kindness, empathy, and generosity.

 Rural India may not have the glamour and glitz of city life, but it has a beauty and simplicity that is worth cherishing.

The Unskilled Labor Conundrum: A Threat to India's Real Estate Boom

The IT revolution has transformed India's job market and catapulted the country's real estate sector into a period of unprecedented growth. Cities are expanding, new areas are being developed, and foreign investment is pouring in. However, beneath the surface of this impressive growth lies a pressing concern: the acute shortage of skilled labor in the construction industry.

The harsh reality is that the workforce driving India's construction boom is largely untrained and unskilled. On-the-job training has become the norm, with workers learning as they go. This lack of formal training and expertise has far-reaching consequences, resulting in subpar construction quality and a plethora of problems for end-consumers.

The Ripple Effects of Unskilled Labor

The impact of unskilled labor is multifaceted. Homebuyers are often left to deal with a multitude of issues, ranging from minor annoyances like seepage and cracks to major structural problems. These defects not only compromise the safety and durability of buildings but also lead to significant financial losses for consumers.

Furthermore, the absence of skilled labor hinders the growth and development of the real estate sector as a whole. The lack of expertise and training discourages talent from entering the industry, perpetuating a vicious cycle of subpar construction and limited innovation.

A Call to Action: Upskilling India's Construction Workforce

To sustain India's impressive growth trajectory, it is imperative that we address the skilled labor shortage in the construction industry. The government and big builders must take proactive steps to invest in workforce training and development programs.

By providing formal training and upskilling India's construction workforce, we can significantly enhance the quality of construction, attract more talent to the sector, and drive innovation. Moreover, better pay structures and working conditions can help reduce contractor exploitation and improve the lives of migrant workers.

Conclusion

India's real estate boom is a testament to the country's potential for growth and development. However, to ensure that this growth is sustainable and inclusive, we must address the pressing issue of unskilled labor in the construction industry. By investing in workforce training and development, we can create a more skilled, productive, and innovative construction sector that benefits all stakeholders involved. The time to act is now.

Finding Your Passion-Responsibility Balance: The Key to Staying Motivated

Are you one of the lucky few who have turned their passion into a career, like Sachin Tendulkar, Md Rafi, or Walt Disney? Or do you find yourself stuck in a job that doesn't ignite your inner fire?

For many of us, our careers and passions may not align. However, this doesn't mean we should abandon our hobbies and interests. In fact, finding a balance between our passions and responsibilities is crucial for staying motivated and fulfilled.

This balance is what I call "PR balance" – Passion and Responsibilities. It's about nurturing both aspects of our lives, even if they seem unrelated. By doing so, we can tap into our inner drive, perform better in our professional careers, and potentially discover new opportunities.

So, how can you achieve this balance? Here are a few tips:

1. _Find common ground_: Look for ways to connect your passion to your job. Even if it's not a direct connection, finding some commonality can help make your work more enjoyable.

2. _Make time for your passion_: Schedule time for your hobbies and interests, just as you would any other important appointment. This will help you stay energized and motivated.

3. _Pursue your passion_: Don't be afraid to explore your passion, even if it's not directly related to your career. You never know where it might lead.

A friend of mine, an IT professional, keeps a share trading book next to his laptop. At first glance, it may seem unrelated to his job, but it's actually a testament to his PR balance. By nurturing his passion for share trading, he stays motivated and driven in his professional life.

In conclusion, finding your PR balance is essential for staying motivated and fulfilled. By nurturing both your passions and responsibilities, you can tap into your inner drive, perform better in your career, and potentially discover new opportunities. So, take the first step today and start finding your balance.