India is a nation with numerous dialects, languages, and a variety of cultures. Every culture has its own importance and brings something new and different to the incredible ethnicity of our country. But one issue that pertains in the country is the mindset of stereotyping states and their culture. People tend to believe only the false layer portrayed by a few elements.

For instance, Bihar. Once- not too long ago- the state was considered a center of power, learning, and culture. From Magadha arose India’s first empire, the Maurya Empire, as well as one of the world’s most widely adhered-to religions: Buddhism. But today, that essence of Bihar is lost somewhere and needs to be brought back into the mainstream.

To do so, IAS Palka Sahni, Resident Commissioner, Bihar Bhawan, is taking several steps to ensure the build-up of Bihar’s art and culture, all over again, about which she talked to Indian Masterminds exclusively.

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WORKING FOR THE STATE

Ms. Sahni, the 2004-batch officer from Bihar cadre has come a long way in her journey after becoming an IAS officer. She was a part of the team responsible for bringing out various electricity reforms and improving the per capita availability of electricity in the state. Later on, she joined the Ministry of Commerce and handled property rights and the Make in India campaign.

“We also worked with states to ensure they improved their investment scenario and make it easier for business. We worked to bring policy changes with regard to industrial policy and other reforms to make it easy for investors to come and invest,” stated Ms. Sahni.

WORK DURING COVID19

Ms. Sahni joined as Resident Commissioner, Bihar in Delhi in 2020, amidst the Covid19 pandemic. During those hard-hitting times, she facilitated the movement of migrant laborers into the state and back to Delhi.

Not only that, but she also provided assistance to people who were on move during the lockdown and accelerated the medical assistance that was required in Bihar, with the help of the Central government.

“We coordinated between the Central and State Government to ensure that there was no shortage of equipment and other necessary items during the pandemic,” she told Indian Masterminds.

Now, when things have settled down a bit, Ms. Sahni is trying to showcase and amplify the strength of Bihar in various sectors, especially in the agriculture, food processing, and tourism sectors.

PRESERVING BIHAR’S ART AND CULTURE

The essence of Bihar is something very close to Ms. Sahni’s heart. Now her efforts are in connecting numerous talented and local artists from Bihar so that they can showcase their talents as well as their art and culture to the entire country.

“The state is traditionally known for its Madhubani art to the outside world, and I am trying to connect local artists from various districts of Bihar so that art from Bihar, including Madhubani, Manjusha, Sikki, Sujini, etc. which are a part of the lifestyle of the people there but are not very well known outside Bihar, could come into people’s knowledge and receive the praise that it deserves,” she said.

Ms. Sahni is cataloging these artists and will be ready with digital catalogs very soon, which she will send across to everyone so they could order and buy their art and handicrafts.

“We are also working on our emporium in Delhi, called the Ambapali Emporium, where we will ensure that each district of Bihar gets represented and people are able to buy their material. We will also introduce authentic Bihari cuisines at a very reasonable rate in the Bihar Bhawan canteen, and will soon be upon Swiggy and Zomato for delivery” she told Indian Masterminds.

Ms Sahni is trying to bring the Bihari experience in terms of its food, art, culture and tourism all on one platform.

ALL THE WAY FROM BIHAR

Ms. Sahni is also planning to bring local artists from Bihar to Delhi, with all their products, and will arrange kind of an exhibition for them. Here they can display their articles and people could buy from them.

“We are building an online platform for the sale of such items because very few people know about these art forms outside of Bihar. Furthermore, we are also trying to change the mindset of the people, and their way of thinking with regard to the state. For that, we are trying to bring out the positive developments of the state on a regular basis, such as sending out newsletters. We are always open to feedback,” she added.

One hopes that actions such as these will make people more aware of Bihar’s culture and bring prosperity to the state and its residents.