Adventures in Patna: A Day of Strikes, Shopping, and Insights

 Today, I found myself traveling to Patna once again with my mother, with the main reason being her participation in a strike, which I'd prefer not to disclose further details about. Let's start with some thoughts about our central and state governments.

I acknowledge that governments have a lot of responsibilities, and politicians carry a significant burden. Nevertheless, it's a harsh reality that we may never find the 'perfect' politician. It's crucial to remember that governments are funded by the taxes of the poor and middle class, while often serving the interests of the elite class.

Now, let's dive into my journey. As usual, I was running late and had to catch a train by any means necessary. We managed to find a seat in an AC coach without a ticket, which did make us a bit apprehensive about encountering the Ticket Collector (TC). After about an hour, we decided to move to the general or sleeper compartment. The IRCTC staff suggested, 'You can sit here,' which was a relief.

During the journey, I struck up a conversation with two individuals discussing Indian politics. While I understood the discussion to some extent, it made me realize that I have much to learn in this field.

Eventually, we reached Phulwari Shareef and continued to Gandhi Maidan for the strike. I left my mother at the strike location and decided to visit a Lifestyle store in Patna to buy some T-shirts using a gift card. After my shopping, I headed to Golghar and later returned to Gandhi Maidan.

Now, let me share some personal observations. Unfortunately, my overall experience was not entirely positive. There was a noticeable lack of cleanliness and a shortage of public water facilities, which was unexpected for a state capital like Patna.

However, I must highlight one significant positive aspect: the people. In Bihar, the residents are incredibly cooperative and consistently strive for improvement.