Prashant Kishor calls Bihar a “failed state," urges Bihari diaspora to contribute
Washington: Jan Suraaj leader Prashant Kishor described Bihar as a "failed state" during a virtual interaction with the Bihari diaspora in the United States. He emphasised the urgent need for comprehensive efforts to address the state's developmental challenges.
Speaking at the launch of the US chapter of Jan Suraaj, Kishor expressed confidence in his party's ability to secure victory in the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections. He pledged to lift the prohibition on alcohol and use the resulting revenue to improve school education.
Highlighting the grim situation in Bihar, Kishor remarked, "If Bihar were a country, it would rank as the 11th largest globally by population. The state is in deep crisis and requires sustained commitment for at least five to six years to achieve meaningful change."
Kishor also pointed out societal despair as a significant obstacle to progress. "When people lose hope, immediate survival overshadows all other concerns," he said. However, he expressed optimism, citing the groundwork laid by Jan Suraaj over the past two and a half years.
Acknowledging the long road ahead, Kishor stated, "Even with a government in place by 2025 and consistent efforts, transforming Bihar into a middle-income state by 2029-30 would be a significant achievement."
Addressing the diaspora, Kishor criticised their limited contribution to Bihar's development, urging them to mobilise support for Jan Suraaj. "I have not seen tangible efforts on the ground beyond discussions. It’s time to act," he said.
Despite Jan Suraaj's recent setbacks in the Bihar bypolls, Kishor maintained confidence in his party’s prospects, reiterating his commitment to prioritising education and long-term development strategies.
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Minister Patil inaugurates Amazon’s Corporate Office in Bengaluru
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Minister for Large and Medium Industries M B Patil on Monday inaugurated Amazon’s newly constructed, fully equipped 11 lakh sq ft corporate office near Yelahanka here.
Built on a five-acre site approximately 15 kilometres from Kempegowda International Airport, Amazon said this is its second largest office in Asia.
The 12-storey campus will support over 7,000 employees across ecommerce, operations, payments, technology, and seller services in India, Amazon said in a statement.
Patil said this is Amazon’s 10th corporate office in the state. The company, which has shared a two-decade association with Karnataka, plans to invest USD 35 billion in India over the next four years.
"This investment is expected to support 15 million small businesses and generate lakhs of employment opportunities. Karnataka will receive a significant share of this investment," the minister said after inaugurating the new office.
The minister pointed out that Karnataka has an annual per capita income of over Rs 3.80 lakh, ranking highest in the country.
According to him, the state also stands second in annual GST contributions to the national exchequer, contributing Rs 1.6 lakh crore. Bengaluru has climbed to the 21st position globally in the Global Innovation Index and is the only Indian city to feature among the top 30 in the Tech-Cities Index.
Last year, the city recorded 14.6 million square feet of industrial leasing, the highest in the country, he said.
Of the 900 Global Capability Centres (GCCs) in India, nearly 35 per cent are located in Karnataka, he added.
In a statement issued by the minister's office, Patil said the state also leads in infrastructure required for e-commerce operations, with warehousing capacity of 42.48 lakh tonne and 233 cold storage units. Correspondingly, e-commerce transactions in the state are growing at 11 per cent annually.
To further promote industrial growth, projects such as dedicated freight rail corridors, multimodal logistics parks, dry ports and truck terminals have been planned. Patil urged Amazon and other global companies to leverage Karnataka’s industry-friendly ecosystem by enhancing their investments in the state, manufacturing here and exporting to global markets.
According to Samir Kumar, Country Manager, Amazon India, "India continues to be a long-term priority for Amazon, and Bengaluru has played a central role in our journey here. Over the years, the city has been home to some of our earliest technology and business teams, and today it remains a key hub for innovation and talent."
