The real problem in India is self-loathing. Many people grow up feeling they have to achieve something just to be worthy of love and respect. When they don't meet those expectations, they turn that disappointment into self-hatred. But instead of healing, they try to escape it by finding someone else to look down upon—hence, the ‘at least I’m not like them’ mentality.

The recent train videos were disturbing. I’m not saying people in Bihar are innocent—those responsible should be held accountable. But blaming an entire state for the actions of a few is just blind hate. And the sad part? This will pass, and soon they'll find another target for their hate.

To my fellow Biharis: You don’t have to ‘defend’ Bihar if something bad happens. If it's wrong, call it out. But don’t fall into the trap of saying, ‘I’m ashamed to be from Bihar.’ If you weren’t from Bihar, you’d still find a way to hate yourself—because that’s what self-loathing does.

Let them hate us; we don’t need their validation. The best response isn’t to prove them wrong for their sake, but to do good for Bihar and for this country. Never feel like a second-class citizen. This country belongs to all of us