Anyone can make tall promises and it is very easy to accept these promises if they guarantee even an iota of betterment for you, for your existence.
Even if these new assurances are accepted with a pinch of salt and discount the actual execution to 50%, even then the Bihari voter will be content, observes Asmita Bihari.
Approximately another 40 days of glory, sunshine, elevation, pampering, flattery and compliments for the people of Bihar.
Now that the dates for the assembly elections have been announced.
With the results to be declared on the 10th of November, expect a windfall of packages and promises to be announced.
This month-and-a-half will also feature many a leader flaunting their Bihar connect.
Case in point the Deputy Speaker of the Rajya Sabha, who in his letter to the President seemed less disturbed by the ruckus in the Rajya Sabha regarding the Farm Bill and more interested in flaunting his Bihari heritage.
There will also be an overdose of exploitation of iconic Bihar leaders of the past, like Jayaprakash Narayan, Karpoori Thakur and Ram Manohar Lohia.
This year might also see the biggest celebration of Chhath Puja, which will fall 10 days after the results are announced.
Which party or alliance has their prayers and wishes answered by Chhathi Maiya on the 10th of November, remains to be seen.
As of now, Biharis are happy with their time in the sun, basking and gathering all the attention that this limited period has to offer, which comes every five years.
Post the results, they can get back to their sedentary lives resigning their fate to the decisions of the government.
Will the next 5 years be filled with regret on the flattening of dreams or will the next five years be as is being promised in the months leading up to the elections after Dussera this year?
A report card regarding the implementation of projects and promises made in 2015 is most definitely a poor read and it reflects the apathy of the central government in the past five years.
Anyone can make tall promises and it is very easy to accept these promises if they guarantee even an iota of betterment for you, for your existence.
Promises are coming in thick and fast and the volley is going to get heavier.
These are being made to calm the Bihari of his anger on the unfulfilled assurances of the past.
To seduce the Bihari with fresh guarantees for the future.
Placing the heavy carrot of hope on a short stick, close enough to sniff and far enough from the hands.
Even if these new promises and assurances are accepted with a pinch of salt and discount the actual execution to 50%, even then the Bihari voter will be content.
Something is better than nothing, right.
The biggest problem of unemployement will surely be addressed in some measure by the LPG plants in Banka and Sugauli, also with the sewage treatment plants in Patna and the various projects under the rural and urban development funds.
But these are not enough.
Will all these projects and the crores being allocated to them actually make its way from the mouth to paper and ultimately fructify on the ground?
Will Bihar become Atmanirbhar, like the prime minister has envisaged in one of his recent speeches while launching yet another slew of packages for the state?
Words and promises mean nothing if not fulfilled.
It has happened to the people of Bihar in the past, not too long ago and it won't be really heartbreaking if it happens again.
Sometimes the leaders do not realise or keep track of the promises that they are making.
Sometimes they do not fully understand what they are promising.
But the silent man is the wisest.
Asmita Bihari is a non resident Bihari.
Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
