Bihar takes centre stage at Confluence '06

AHMEDABAD: Paradoxical as it may sound, but Bihar took the centre stage at the discussion on The India Phenomenon — central theme at IIM-A’s Confluence ’06. Not for what it is today, but for what it will become and how a developed Bihar could translate into a bigger growth story for the country.

Months after Union railways minister Lalu Prasad Yadav mesmerised audiences at the premiere management institute, with his take on the turnaround of Indian Railways, it was the turn of his arch-rival and chief minister of Bihar, Nitish Kumar, to tell the world about the changes his one-year-old government has ushered in in such a ‘complex’ region.

Mr Kumar could not match Lalu’s show in terms of wit and humour. But he did collect his share of accolades, and a set of admirers at the B-school. By the end of the day, a group of IIM students, who hail from Bihar, were making a presentation to him on how to propel growth in the state.

And the institute’s bosses were left wondering about a ‘surprise’ proposal from the CM seeking IIM’s help to set up a premier B-school in Patna.

“We have focused on areas like law and order, speedy criminal justice, modernisation, healthcare and infrastructure to name a few. A year’s efforts have borne fruits that are for everybody to see,” he told a gathering at the Ravi Mathai Auditorium on Sunday.