Breaking the Bihari Stereotype: A Bihari girl in Mumbai
Living in Mumbai for the past 2 years has been an experience full of contrasts. The city is a melting pot of hopes and desires & on the one hand, it pulsates with vibrant energy. However, it has also made me more aware of the brutal truth of discrimination against my region, which I, as a Bihari, have repeatedly encountered. Many people in Mumbai cling to prejudices & false beliefs about Bihar’s rich cultural legacy & its contributions to the country; as a result, my identity is frequently reduced to a string of disparaging comments.
As a Bihari, I have frequently come across individuals who think that this city belongs to them alone. I’m perceived by them as an outsider who doesn’t fit. Deep-rooted ignorance exists; some people aren’t even aware of simple geographical distinctions, like the separation of Uttar Pradesh & Bihar into two states. I can’t help but feel a mixture of sadness & aggravation when I see such people. This apathy is made worse by a lack of knowledge about Bihar’s important contributions to the nation, which include being the birthplace of notable figures like our first President, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, a well-known artists like Manoj Bajpayee, Pankaj Tripathi, etc., as well as the state that produces the greatest number of IAS and IPS officers.
Stereotypes are prevalent & frequently personal. It has been said to me that Bihari’s are backward, poor & illiterate. Such remarks downplay the rich cultural tradition of Bihar, the region that gave rise to Jainism & Buddhism. They fail to acknowledge that Bihar gave birth to some of India’s most renowned poets, such as Ramdhari Singh Dinkar, whose works have influenced countless generations. Even with all of my success, people still find it hard to believe that I come from Bihar. They say, “You don’t look like a Bihari.” “Why are you so educated? Why do you have such good English? These questions reveal not only a lack of awareness but also a pervasive preconception that is difficult to overcome.
One of the most jarring experiences was an encounter with a girl from UNICEF. When she asked for my details & I mentioned my birthplace as Patna, her blank stare and the question, “Where is it?” were profoundly disheartening. Here was a person employed by a charity that supported impoverished areas, but she didn’t know the fundamentals of the location of Bihar’s capital. Claiming to be concerned but being so ignorant about other regions only serves to emphasize how little knowledge many people have about them.
It’s tragic and sad that such narrow-minded views still exist in a free nation where diversity is meant to unify us. I have every right to live where I want; I pay my taxes; and I support the city’s economy. However, the fight to break free from preconceptions and be accepted continues. People from other states are greeted with open arms in Bihar, and their right to be there is never questioned. We welcome their talents and cultures because we know that togetherness, not division, is what gives us strength.
I take great pride representing my heritage and my people’s tenacity. I get a little taller every time someone attempts to minimise my identity because I am reminded of Bihar’s rich past and the amazing people who came from there.