3 Review(s)

Being Bihari! Of Love, Belonging and Courage What does it mean to be called a “Bihari”—a slur, a stereotype, or a source of strength? Set in the 1990s, when Bihar was infamous for crime, corruption, and collapse, Being Bihari! follows Ronnie (Rinku Kumar Singh) as he comes of age in a state both maligned and misunderstood. From classrooms in Patna to Delhi University’s North Campus and the charged desks of a newsroom, his journey traces the struggles of identity, migration, and love. At the heart of this story is Priyanka—first a classmate, later a companion—whose presence steadies him through migration, betrayal, and the compromises of journalism. Their relationship, fragile yet enduring, becomes a thread of belonging through years of distance and doubt. The novel captures the silent exodus from Bihar, the stigma carried by those who left, and the determination to rise above labels. It weaves together politics and scams—from the fodder scandal to the kidnappings that scarred the decade—with the courage demanded of journalists trying to speak truth in compromised newsrooms. Alongside, it reflects Bihar’s cultural heartbeat: the resilience of Patna’s streets, the faith of Chhath Puja, and echoes of Nalanda’s ancient glory. Being Bihari! is more than a novel—it is an odyssey of love, identity, and courage. Open these pages, and you may find yourself in its story.