The security of Bihar capital was beefed up along the road linking the airport to North Gandhi Maidan where Bhattarai was to inaugurate a three-day Global Summit on Changing Bihar. [break]
Inaugurating the summit, Bhattarai appreciated the rapid economic development achieved in the recent times by the backward Indian state and stated that the people of Nepal were envious of its changing socio-economic landscape.
“In the eyes of many Nepalis, Bihar is now a role model for development, economic advancement and social inclusion. I realize that you have miles to go, but what you have accomplished thus far makes us almost envious,” said Bhattarai. He pointed out the need for both Bihar and Nepal to revive their glorious past of economic prosperity and development.
Nitish Kumar, on the other hand, underscored the deep cultural and socio-economic ties shared by Bihar and Nepal. Referring to the physical proximity and reliance on same water resources, he said: “Bihar and Nepal have similar problems, but some problems of Nepal must be solved before they could be addressed in Bihar.”
“Bihar could achieve what looked impossible just a few years ago,” the popular chief minister of Bihar said, referring to the steps he took for crushing the pervasive criminality and establishing rule of law.
Immediately after routing Rastriya Janata Dal led by Lalu Prasad Yadav, who ruled Bihar for 15 years, in the 2005 Bihar Assembly elections, Kumar of Janata Dal (United) initiated a series of measures for economic reforms and crime control.
Bihar achieved an average economic growth of 12 percent in the last five years, and has one of the fastest growing economies among the 28 Indian states.
Bhattarai returned the same evening, but left behind five members of his 16-member delegation to learn and share experiences in the summit.
According to the prime minister’s aide Bishwadip Pandey, those who have stayed back are prime minister’s finance advisor Rameshwor Khanal, Vice-chairman of National Planning Commission Dipendra Bahadur Chhetri, Secretary at the prime minister’s office Lilamani Poudel and politicians Khem Bam and Jitendra Sonal.
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