Darbhanga Today
from Editor's desk
published on 16 July 2014
Darbhanga, a city where people from all walk of life and religion have always co-existed happily together.
A city which necessarily changes its deco and colour in every festivals irrespective of which religious stream that festival belongs to.
Not much has changed in city in the recent past. This city in last ten years has witnessed the same growing middle class phenomenon as the
whole country but still retains its exterior and upto major extent it's social fabric. Taking a walk around the market place still reminds me
the city in which I was born and grown up. Chances are that you will still find the same road side temporary stalls still there which use to be
fifteen years back.
The prominent Darbhagna Tower, the Laheriasarai tower, the Government Offices, the University,
the Medical College, the railway stations all have witnessed many weathers and have signs of torn out but still holding strong. Expectation of
change should not be much high keeping in mind that we are talking about a city in Bihar. The state itself considered the slowest developing state in India.
But there are other aspects of the city life and its surrounding which makes you believe that the few things has indeed changed and the urge for the change
is prominent among the people. One can witness the increased number of parents going to drop their kids to school in early morning.
The increased numbers of students from remote villages boarding local bus early winter morning to attend their schools can only point towards
their aspiration to become better. It was heartening to see many girls taking public transport and travelling considerable distances every day to
attend their school/colleges, having not to be ignored confidence on their faces. This is indeed a change as it would have been a rare sight in Bihar
fifteen years back.
The government offices have witnessed change too. Corruption, slow processes etc are still there, little less though, but one can find the officials at least
sitting on their chair listening to the people. There use to be time when finding an official itself was more daunting a task than the task itself. One can
see their contact numbers are posted on Government notice boards, an initiative from the state government to make them accessible to the public. Sometimes
the call goes unanswered but on the positive side sometimes they got connected as well. The village level Gram Sevaks and Panchayet Sachives can be tracked
in their respective fields offices doing their work but with a little effort.
One of the major issues which is because of growing affluent middle class is the issue of ever increasing number of vehicles on the road and that combined
with high density population's ratio makes the travelling experience in the city very frustrating at times. The city infrastructure like many other
cities across Bihar and up to certain extents across India, are just not good enough to meet the current demand. Yes, the road has improved a little
but number of vehicles and people travelling has multiplied many folds as well. The electricity supply is more than what it used to be but the demand
has sore up so much that it's no match.
The progress is slow here but like other small cities in India this city too has its aura. Its food, the Maithili culture, the university ambience
among other things gives it it's unique identity.
The age old thinking Mahatma Gandhi statue on Laheriasarai tower, I find, still relevant and somehow inspiring, expecting us to think through our deeds,
work for the benefit of the city and make this place better for generations to come.
