Bihar Governor Lt Gen (Retd) Syed Ata Hasnain recently reflected on his administrative transition from a military background to leading a crucial state, declaring that the narrative of Bihar is currently on an upward trajectory. During an interactive discussion, he underscored the state's deep historical and civilizational significance, pointing to its ancient roots in Nalanda, the Mauryan and Gupta empires, and its lasting cultural footprint throughout Asia.
Addressing issues of governance and the state of higher education, Hasnain detailed his responsibilities as chancellor overseeing 17 state-run universities. His focus has been centered on institutional professionalization, merit-based appointments for vice-chancellors, and the implementation of university digitization through the Samarth portal. He remarked that despite Bihar's considerable human resources driving India's central bureaucracy, the state has historically faced internal challenges in fully translating that potential into local advancement.
Speaking on the realities of political and administrative leadership, Hasnain stressed the importance of patience and learning from mistakes within the framework of a vibrant democracy. Drawing from his extensive four-decade career in the Indian Army alongside six years with the National Disaster Management Authority, he underscored the necessity of taking personal ownership to help restore Bihar to its former historical prominence.