Patna's Pulse: The People's Anger on Unemployment, Liquor, and Broken Promises
The air in Patna is thick with more than just the familiar Ganga-humidity; it’s charged with a palpable sense of anticipation and frustration. As Bihar gears up for another electoral showdown, the grand political narratives and roaring rally speeches fade into background noise when you listen to the real experts—the people on the streets, in the tea stalls, and in the bustling markets.This isn't about political punditry. This is a ground report, a collection of voices from the heart of Patna, speaking in their own raw, unfiltered words about the issues that truly matter to them. Forget the manifestos for a moment, and listen to the public square.
The Agonising Cry of the Educated Unemployed
Rahul Kumar, a 26-year-old from Kankarbagh, shares his story with a weary sigh: “I have a Master’s degree. I’ve given five years of my life to preparing for a government job. ‘Tiffin mein note nahi, form bharna hai’ (There’s no money for lunch, but I have to fill out another application form). Every election, they promise lakhs of jobs. We see ads in papers, but the jobs never materialise. The same old names get the posts, and we are left with broken hopes and ageing parents to support.”*
His friend, Anjali Singh, nods in agreement. *“The private sector here is a joke for graduates like us. The pay is a pittance—₹8,000-₹10,000 a month for a graduate? How can one build a future on that? We are not lazy; we are desperate for opportunity. This election, my vote will only go to whoever has a concrete plan, not just empty vadan (promises).”*
The unemployment crisis isn't just a statistic; it's a silent epidemic of despair affecting millions of homes, making it the number one issue on every voter's mind.
The Liquor Mafia: A Toxic Menace in Everyday Life
Despite prohibition, the liquor trade hasn't dried up; it has just gone underground, becoming more dangerous and exploitative. The law, meant to protect, has in many ways unleashed a different kind of monster—the liquor mafia.Speaking cautiously near the outskirts of the city, a shopkeeper named Ramesh Ji explains: “Prohibition? It’s only for the poor. The rich get their foreign liquor delivered at home. For us, it’s the thekedars (mafia) who control it. The cheap, spurious liquor they sell… it has destroyed families. Men spend their wages on it, health is ruined, and women face the violence. The police? They are often in cahoots, taking their hafta (weekly bribe) and looking the other way.”
The human cost is immense. Sunita Devi, an Anganwadi worker from a suburban locality, speaks with visible anger: “They promised sharab bandi would bring peace. Instead, it brought crime. Our boys are getting addicted to this illicit hooch. We hear stories of deaths from poisoned alcohol, but they are hushed up. The real mafia sits comfortably, while our children suffer. We want a solution, not a slogan.”
The public sentiment is clear: the current policy has failed. It has created a black market, corrupted the system, and failed to address the root causes of addiction, leaving families to pay the price.
Beyond the Big Two: The Symphony of Daily Struggles
While unemployment and liquor dominate conversations, a symphony of other grievances plays out daily.- Infrastructure & Corruption: “Look at the roads after one spell of rain!” exclaims an auto-rickshaw driver, navigating a crater-sized pothole. “The nala (drainage) overflows every monsoon. And getting any work done in a government office requires chai-paani (a bribe) for even the smallest file to move.”
- Healthcare & Education: A retired teacher, Mr Sinha, laments, “We have buildings called hospitals and schools, but where are the doctors and teachers? We are forced to go to private clinics and colleges that drain our life savings. Basic dignity in healthcare and quality education for the poor is a distant dream.”
- Law and Order: A young professional notes, “There’s a sense of lawlessness. Goons feel empowered. For a common person, getting justice is a long, expensive battle. We want a government that ensures safety and swift justice, not one that protects criminals.”
The Election Verdict: A Demand for Accountability
As the political rallies grow louder, the people of Patna are listening with a more discerning ear than ever before. The era of blind voting based on caste or legacy is fading, replaced by a sharp, issue-based pragmatism.The collective voice, from the youth at the coffee shop to the elders at the paan stall, says one thing: “We are tired of promises. We want results.”
They are asking not for freebies, but for freedom—from fear, from unemployment, and from corruption. They want their lives to be better, not just their politicians. As one voter succinctly put it, “Jab tak naukri nahi, tab tak vote nahi” (No vote, until there are jobs).
This election, Patna is not just voting for a party; it is voting for its future. And the public square has never spoken more clearly.
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