Kalyanbigha (Nalanda) : It’s hot for October as we step inside a nondescript, brick and thatch house in Kalyanbigha in central Bihar. It is the most humble of houses in this fertile village of historically rich Nalanda district. Cow dung cakes on the wall and a broken door greet the visitor. No room in the house is quite intact. In one corner old Sitaram is bent over an aluminium plate of sattu mixed with salt and green chilly. His wife tells him that it’s another ”patrakar” and Sitaram nods without looking up. Sitaram and his wife are the proud caretakers of this humble house while all others houses have turned into pucca painted buildings. Even before you ask, Sitaram tells you that it’s time for Biharis to decide if they want development or not. ”Only Nitish Kumar understands Bihar and he alone can ensure development”, he declares. A few more villagers have gathered and they nod vigorously in agreement. Women are more in number. What strikes about the house is not just the falling bricks and wooden logs but the darkness. This house does not have a power connection. ”Nitish ji has made up his mind that no connection would be installed till every house in Bihar has an electric connection”, Sitaram”s wife points out. However, this is hardly the picture for the rest of the village. The traditional ”talaab” has now been turned into a ghat made of polished marble tiles. The community centre, a two floor structure is now a ”shooting range”. A hostel for the students coming to train here is underway. There is also a multi-storey hospital besides offices related to all govt schemes. The latest addition to Kalyanbigha is the much talked about memorial park where Nitish has installed statues of his late
father Ram Lakhan Singh and mother Parmeshwari Devi. As far as Kalyanbigha residents are concerned, Modi may be a big leader but Bihar has found its icon in Nitish Kumar. However, the pride evaporates when you mention the JDU candidate Harinarayan Singh. Singh has been representing the area for two terms. He was picked by Nitish but resentment has piled up this time.
Smita Mishra
