Nitish Kumar’s Enduring Legacy in Bihar
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will be remembered for many contributions, but two stand out as truly transformative for the people of the state. One of his most impactful initiatives was the distribution of free bicycles to school-going girls. I was deeply moved to witness hundreds of girls, during my last visit to Rajgir, confidently pedalling to schools located miles from their homes—something that was once nearly unimaginable. In the past, many girls were forced to abandon their education due to the constant threat posed by anti-social elements. Today, thanks to this initiative, along with the provision of mid-day meals and essential school supplies—books, notebooks, pens, and pencils—girls enjoy the same educational support as boys. This shift has had a profound effect: the literacy rate among girls in Bihar has seen a significant rise during Nitish Kumar’s tenure. Such a safe and encouraging environment for girls’ education was virtually unthinkable during the earlier Lalu ...