Feel-at-home non Biharis ready to vote-Oct 20, 2010

Feel-at-home non Biharis ready to vote

Parul Pandey, TNN, Oct 20, 2010, 03.30am IST



PATNA: The only difference between natives of Bihar and those who are not is perhaps the language. Like Biharis, the non-Bihari population is excited about the elections.

"We stay here as Biharis and not as Maharashtrians," said Ashok Suman, an office bearer of Maharashtra Mandal. He said this association was founded in 1950 and since then they are in Bihar. "A positive approach in the last five years has changed the atmosphere here, now complaints are not only heard but action is also taken," he said.

"Earlier, I used to change my car tyre each year but since the last three years I have not needed a change. The condition of roads has improved phenomenally," he said.

"Our participation in the elections is also necessary and we know this. That's why most of us have voter voter ID cards," said Sherly Vinson, secretary, South Indian Cultural Association (SICA).

"We have never faced any problem in the state. I feel at home in Bihar," she said.

G R Nair, vice-president, Kerala Club, who is in Patna for the past 35 years, said a lot of development was visible in the city in the past few years. "I strongly feel this development should continue," he said.

"Not only do we celebrate out regional festival Onam but other festivals, too, like Holi, Diwali and Chhath. We have become Biharis by heart," he said.

Nair added, "All trains from the South arrive here at midnight. Earlier because of the poor law and order situation, we used to stay at the station till morning. Now things have changed."

His views are shared by Jose Thomas, faculty at Don Bosco Academy, who is in Patna for the past two decades. He said Bihar is like a home away from home. "The best point is that whenever we have approached the government, we have received positive help," he said.

But in terms of hygiene he felt, the state has a long way to go. "There's no proper arrangement for garbage collection and sanitation in the state capital," he said.


Read more: Feel-at-home non Biharis ready to vote - The Times of India