B ihar, now voting to elect its 18th state assembly, says with pride that democracy was born here. That’s why Prime Minister Narendra Modi says India is the mother of democracy.

A signboard on the highway as you approach Bihar’s Vaishali district reads: “Welcome to the first Republic in the World.” This is no folklore. There is plenty of recorded history, rock edicts and academic writing affirming this. For a refresher you can swing by Patna’s spectacular museum.

Democracy, the idea of a republic where each individual has a voice and a choice, is Bihar’s greatest contribution to India, and India’s to the world. Which raises the question: How good has democracy been for Bihar? Where is its people’s democracy dividend? Show Full Article

The state of its society, people and economy shows

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