| Patna,
(Bihar Times): These are pairvis of different kinds, almost unheard of anywhere
in the country. And they come from politicians, celebrities etc cutting across
party and profession lines. Filmstar-turn-BJP
MP Hema Malini, wrestler-actor Dara Singh, former diplomat N N Jha, Union minister,
Kamal Nath, former Union minister Uma Bharati etc all have one type of pairvi
to do.  They
often approach Bihar’s deputy chief minister, Sushil Kumar Modi––obviously
over phone––with one request. To look into the problems of the family
of drivers, cooks or servants from Bihar they have appointed in their respective
places.
While
addressing the seminar organized on migration by the Overseas Development Institute
Modi narrated some very interesting stories regarding these semi-skilled Bihari
professionals appointed by celebrities and politicians living outside the state. “Whenever
they face problem at their native village in Bihar their employers––be
it Hema Malini or Dara Singh––approach us to get the work done. As granting
leave to their servants, cooks or drivers are not always possible we are asked
to see into their problems,” said Modi. He
narrated an interesting case in which drivers of Uma Bharati and Kamal Nath, who
are both from the same village in Sitamarhi district, had a quarrel over a plot
of land at their native village. Both the leaders kept calling Modi up urging
him to keep in mind the interests of their respective driver. Modi
disclosed that almost all cooks of these celebrities hail from Madhubani district.
He conceded that migrant labourers continue to be a major problems for Bihar. The
Census 2001 says that the number of permanent migrant labourers going out of the
state stood at over 24 lakh. The figure had got doubled between 1991 and 2001.
This figure does not include seasonal migrant labourers estimated at around another
70 lakh and working almost everywhere across the country. A recent survey done
by Overseas Development Institute, London, says that the money orders sent by
migrant labourers to their families amounts to approximately Rs 450 crore every
year. This is only five per cent or so of the money which comes to Bihar. The
rest comes through co-villagers. And many times the seasonal migrants bring money
once they are finally back at the end of the season. Besides, there are several
private money order firms flourishing in North Bihar.
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