| Then I was a “Bihari” now I am a | | | | completes the industrial structure of Jharkhand. |
| “Jharkhandi” . Even though I left it for better | | | | Ranchi has changed……since that last fateful day |
| future in 1998, my heart is still there. | | | | of 1998 and I realized it when I was there last year |
| I miss those long bicycle rides….those very | | | | in April ,I remembered the tribal festivals of Jatras, |
| competitive cricket matches…….time spent doing | | | | Janni Sikar which added to uniqueness of the place. |
| nothing with friends…… moments of idealistic | | | | There are mini Connaught Places and Nariman Points |
| boyish dream about the future……but most of all | | | | here now,To think of it they always have been there |
| those memories of my home town……Mumbai has | | | | only the flashiness has increased. |
| given me everything that I wanted, but the heart still | | | | I saw “Café Coffee Day” here, in our time |
| lingers and misses Ranchi . | | | | we only had Uday Mistan Bhandar,Punjab Sweet |
| Mother nature had blessed Chotanagpur with a wide | | | | House and Madras Coffee House to go to, I use to |
| array of natural beauty. Rugged and richly wooded | | | | simply drool over softy ice creams that were sold at |
| mountains, serene and secluded valleys, serpentine | | | | Firayalal’s a landmark in itself . |
| rivers and gorgeous waterfalls providing ideal habitat | | | | The uptown Church Complex impressed me. It had |
| for people with thirst for beauty of nature, peace | | | | outlets of all the leading fashion brands. There were |
| and tranquility. Chotanagpur is also blessed with the | | | | youngsters withdrawing money from the ATM. The |
| munificence of verdant forest wealth as well as | | | | imposing Capitol Hill Hotel nearby has come up in a |
| sumptuous mineral reserves like coal, mica, bauxite, | | | | place that was, until a few years ago, barren and |
| Iron Ore etc. It is also home for numerous ethnic | | | | nonexistent. last time I remember I use to hang out |
| tribes like Santhals, Mundas, Oraons, Cols, etc. who | | | | in this place was with my friends to ogle at girls who |
| have their own rich tradition of art, craft and culture. | | | | use to shy away……This time, the flashy stores |
| At the heart of this region, amidst sylvan | | | | and confident-looking jeans-clad young women |
| surroundings nestles Ranchi the queen of | | | | revealing their navel baffled me. |
| Chotanagpur, which was once the summer capital of | | | | Bylanes are still the same, well almost! but small |
| Bihar and was in the forefront of several movements | | | | cottages and bungalows have started giving way to |
| of far-reaching significance both before and after the | | | | vertical malls and residential towers…..cars have |
| independence. | | | | increased on the roads…….roads that are still the |
| It is one of those places that might not find itself on | | | | same except wider. A lot has changed. |
| your 52 weekend gateways’ must-see places. | | | | I met this guy Rajendra (Rajender as we |
| It's a "hmm, intresting very cute" kind of place which | | | | pronounce)…….Rajendra was happy because he |
| you would leave while you are planning a vacation,but | | | | has got everything settled in life. His eldest son Ravi |
| even though it may not get a mention in tourist | | | | is studying MBA in one of those private institutes |
| “hot spots” it is very much a Christmas Card | | | | here. But Ravi was unhappy with the education |
| town that you can imagine, picturesquely situated in | | | | system in Jharkhand. He said "The session in the |
| the Plateau of Chotanagpur consisting of relatively | | | | Ranchi University is very late. It took me four years |
| flat terrain filled with green covers . | | | | to get my bachelor's degree. I could not get |
| The name Ranchi comes from "Archi" a village/villager | | | | admission in Delhi because of that.”He was left |
| of the time in the area I am not sure. An important | | | | with no choice but to take admission in a private |
| administrative and military base of the eastern India | | | | institute here. |
| during the Raj, Ranchi developed as an important | | | | Like most of his batch mates, he wants to go to |
| centre of trade and commerce, including a traditional | | | | Delhi or Bangalore for a job. He said there are very |
| base for sericulture and manufacture of shellac. After | | | | few job opportunities in Jharkhand…..There were |
| India gained independence, Ranchi continued to grow | | | | few in our time too pushing us out of the |
| and a number of industrial facilities were located in | | | | meandering experiences of our childhood to find a |
| and around the city, and it emerged as an important | | | | foothold in large metros…So somethings in life |
| industrial centre. Along with other two industrial | | | | never change. |
| townships of Jamshedpur and Bokaro, Ranchi | | | | |