Habibullah, a resident of Siwan district in Bihar, was the first person from his area to venture out to the Gulf region. After settling in Qatar, he called his four brothers to join him. Today, four decades later, Habibullah owns a small glass manufacturing industry in Dubai, and he runs the business with his brothers.
Habibullah’s son, Shahid, has a management degree from Amity University in Noida. Habibullah’s success inspired people in his village and neighboring settlements like Chakia, Chandpalli, and Bhada to explore opportunities abroad.
The Gulf Boom and Its Impact
The Gulf boom is now visible in the region, as almost every family has at least one member working in the Arab countries. The expatriates are keen on using their earnings to provide higher education to their children.
In the village of Indarawa, Abdullah, a resident of the adjoining Gopalganj district, has built a magnificent four-storey house amidst clusters of small and kutcha houses. This house is the talk of the town, as villagers remember Bhim Singh and Ashu Singh, the owners, growing up in a mud house. Their father owned a grocery shop, earning just Rs 4,000 monthly, which was hardly enough to support the large family.
Education and Changing Mindsets
The Gulf boom has also influenced the villagers’ attitudes towards education. People working abroad are sending their children to English medium schools and cities for professional courses. Though education among girls is not yet as popular, the community leaders hope that this trend will change with all-round development.
According to media reports, an estimated 80 percent of the local economy in Gopalganj and neighboring Siwan is dependent on remittances. Bihar has emerged as a new hotspot for immigrants, especially those headed to West Asia. The money sent from abroad is estimated to be Rs 4,800 crore annually in this district alone, leading to a rise in various economic activities and a transformation in the lives of the villagers.
For detailed story, please visit: Awaz the voice
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