Pakistan village in Bihar, India

 

“Pakistan” in Bihar—officially located in #Purnia district’s Srinagar Block

A Village Called Pakistan: The Forgotten Hamlet of Bihar

Tucked away in the lush, often-forgotten corners of Purnia district’s Srinagar block, lies a village with a name that stirs curiosity—and sometimes discomfort. It’s called Pakistan.

But don’t let the name fool you. This village has nothing to do with geopolitics. Its people, mostly from the Santhal tribal community, are as Indian as the soil they till, yet their lives remain burdened by a name that history gave them, and development forgot.

The People of Pakistan

Home to around 250 to 500 people, Pakistan village—locally known as Pakistan tola—is made up of about 25 families. Nearly all are Santhals, an indigenous tribe with a deep connection to the land. Among them are just over 100 registered voters, most of whom live in modest, bamboo-and-thatch homes that dot the dusty terrain.

Life here moves slowly. There are no city lights, no markets, no health clinics—just a tight-knit community, bound by shared hardship and quiet resilience.

No Doctors, Only Distance

If someone falls ill in Pakistan, there's no local doctor to call. The nearest primary health center lies 12 kilometers away, and the journey is anything but easy—especially during monsoons, when the narrow dirt paths vanish under muddy water.

For serious medical emergencies, the delay can mean the difference between life and death. Yet, this is a daily reality the villagers have learned to live with.

Survival: A Daily Battle

Reaching the village itself is a challenge. With no paved roads, no electricity, and little network coverage, isolation is part of life. During the rainy season, even walking out of the village can feel like crossing a swamp.

The houses—made of hay, bamboo, and earth—are basic but functional. These are not homes built for comfort but for survival.

The villagers rely almost entirely on subsistence farming. They cultivate paddy, wheat, and maize on small family plots, usually between 5 and 6 bighas. Whatever they grow, they eat—and if there’s extra, they try to sell it.

But there’s no agricultural support from the government. Seeds, fertilizer, irrigation tools—everything must be bought privately. Even hope, here, seems self-funded.

A Name They Didn't Choose

The name “Pakistan” was given to the area in the aftermath of Partition in 1947. When local Muslim families left for Pakistan, the remaining tribal families settled in the vacated land. Over time, the area became known as Pakistan tola—not out of affection, but perhaps as a quiet mark of history.

Today, the villagers want to shed that name. They’ve proposed changing it to Birsa Nagar, in honor of tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda. But the request, like so many others, lies buried in bureaucracy.

Broken Promises and Political Silence

Back in 2014, the villagers placed their hopes in change. They voted for Narendra Modi, believing his promises of development and upliftment would reach even their remote corner.

But over a decade later, the village still waits—for roads, for light, for schools, for someone to notice.

No School, No Shortcut

Children in Pakistan village do not have a school to go to nearby. The closest one is 2 kilometers away, which may not seem far—until you imagine walking through muddy fields, barefoot, in the rain.

Many children drop out before they’ve even learned to read. Education remains a distant dream, passed over like so many election-time promises.

What Pakistan Village Really Tells Us

This isn’t a story about a name—it’s a story about neglect.

A village in Bihar, called Pakistan, where citizens live without basic rights, where children walk miles to learn, and families grow their own food with no help—not because they want to, but because they must.
They’re not asking for luxury. They’re asking for roads, schools, healthcare, and most of all, a chance—to be seen as more than a name on a map.
And maybe, someday, Pakistan village won’t be known for its name, but for the spirit of people who refused to give up.

#Bihar #Village #Pakistan #Punia #India