Reflecting on his administrative transition from a military background to heading a key state, Bihar Governor Lt Gen (Retd) Syed Ata Hasnain stated that the region is experiencing a positive developmental trajectory. He emphasized the historical and civilizational prominence of Bihar, pointing to its heritage spanning Nalanda alongside the Mauryan and Gupta empires, as well as its enduring cultural influence across Asia.
Addressing governance issues and the state of higher education, Hasnain detailed his responsibilities as chancellor overseeing seventeen state universities. His efforts have concentrated on institutional professionalization, improving the selection of vice-chancellors, and advancing university digitization through the Samarth portal.
He noted a persistent paradox in which Bihar's human capital heavily populates India's central bureaucracy, yet the state has historically faced internal challenges in fully harnessing that potential for its own local development.
Reflecting on leadership within a vibrant democracy, Hasnain stressed the importance of patience and learning from mistakes, remarking that acknowledging and correcting errors is a crucial part of public administration. Bringing insights from four decades in the Indian Army and six years at the National Disaster Management Authority, he underscored the necessity of taking direct ownership to help restore Bihar to its historical legacy.