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The poster of Nitish Kumar, proudly announcing “करोड़ों युवाओं के सपने होंगे साकार “ (Crores of youth dreams will come true), may look hopeful. But when seen through the lens of Bihar’s literacy crisis, mass migration, industrial void, and two decades of governance, it raises serious doubts. This article takes a closer look based on official data and lived reality to ask whether JD(U)'s employment promise is real reform or just another election catchphrase.
A Chief Minister for Over Two Decades
Nitish Kumar has held Bihar’s top office since 2005, with only brief interruptions. That’s nearly 20 years in power. With such a long tenure, it’s fair to expect transformative changes in education, industry, and jobs. Yet in 2024, Bihar ranked second-last in literacy among Indian states, as per the National Statistical Office (NSO). The state’s literacy rate stood at 70.9%, far below the national average of 77.7%.
When the same leadership that has had nearly two decades in power now promises employment to crores, one can’t help but ask—what held them back all this time?
Mass Migration: The Unspoken Crisis
One of Bihar’s most painful and persistent challenges is mass migration. Every year, lakhs of Bihari youth leave their hometowns in search of work—heading to Delhi, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Punjab, and southern states. According to the 2011 Census, more than 35% of Bihar’s population reported migration due to employment or education.
In states like Kerala and Maharashtra, entire sectors such as construction, logistics, agriculture, and hospitality are powered by migrant workers from Bihar. This isn’t because Biharis lack skill or motivation. It’s because the state fails to offer opportunities at home.
Talking about jobs without addressing migration is like admiring the paint while ignoring a leaking roof.
The Industrial Void
Despite having fertile land, a central location, and an eager young population, Bihar’s industrial contribution to its Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) remains among the lowest in the country. The economy leans heavily on agriculture (20–25%) and government schemes like MNREGA, with minimal presence of private industry or tech hubs.
States like Telangana and Gujarat have used the last two decades to attract industries and create modern infrastructure. In contrast, Bihar still lacks even a single major IT park, large manufacturing cluster, or Special Economic Zone (SEZ). Despite abundant manpower, the absence of industrial vision has left the youth dependent on petty trade or government exams.
So where, realistically, will the “crores of jobs” come from?
Education: A Foundation Left Weak
No economy can rise without a strong educational base. Yet Bihar ranks at the bottom on nearly every measure—school infrastructure, teacher availability, basic learning levels, and higher education quality.
According to NITI Aayog’s SDG India Index, Bihar is the worst-performing state in Quality Education (SDG 4). The ASER 2023 report revealed that many Class 5 students in rural Bihar struggle to read Class 2-level texts or do basic arithmetic.
Higher education is in no better shape. Institutions like Patna University, once hailed as the 'Oxford of the East', are gasping for survival due to lack of funds, faculty, and modernization.
If the youth do not get proper education and training, how can they be ready for jobs?
Government Jobs: A False Hope?
In Bihar, a government job is often seen as a lottery. Every time a job notification is issued—for police, railways, teachers—lakhs of youth apply for a handful of posts. These exams are frequently delayed, cancelled, or plagued by scams.
Exams like BPSC and STET have been riddled with controversies, from question paper leaks to irregularities in results. This has left an entire generation stuck in preparation limbo—too old to study afresh, yet never given a fair shot.
It’s not just about job creation. It’s about restoring trust in the system.
A Democracy Mocked by Marketing
The troubling part isn’t that political parties promise jobs. That’s expected. What’s troubling is how voters are asked to forget the past so easily and believe the same slogans again and again.
In a true democracy, performance should matter more than posters. If the same government has failed to deliver on education, employment, and industry in 20 years, what new miracle will the next five bring?
While Nitish Kumar was once praised for improving law and order, today’s Bihar reflects more stagnation than progress. The youth deserve more than glossy hoardings. They need a system that delivers, not just one that promises.
Time for Honest Reflection
Crores of dreams are indeed sleeping in Bihar. But they don’t need another election speech to wake up. They need schools that teach, jobs that exist, and a government that performs.
As the election season returns and slogans fill the air, voters must ask the uncomfortable but essential questions:
What has changed in 20 years? Why does my child still want to leave Bihar? Will the next five years be any different?
The answers won’t come from posters. They lie in data, lived experiences, and the power of an informed vote.
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