Bihar a byword for India146;s worst: The Economist

The 14-page survey, which speaks of the revival of India8217;s economy, has a separate section on Bihar, 8216;8216;an area of darkness8217;8217; where many Indians are being left behind. It mentions Naxalite terrorist attacks and chronic misrule. 8216;8216;Bihar has a claim to be the ancient heart of India. These days, it is seen as the armpit,8217;8217; it said, adding that in much of India it is often joked, people do not cast votes so much as vote castes.

Quoting a study which covered 69 most disadvantaged of India8217;s 602 districts of which 26 are in Bihar, it said Bihar8217;s biggest growth industry is kidnapping for ransom. It added, however, that the state has suffered economic discrimination.