When PM Modi Gifted Makhana at the G20 Summit...
For decades, Bihar has been celebrated as the land of intellect, producing some of India's brightest minds in civil services and academia. But beyond UPSC halls and coaching centers, a quiet revolution is underway.
The gift of Bihar's famous Makhana at the G20 Summit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was more than a diplomatic gesture it symbolized Bihar's growing economic and entrepreneurial potential. From youth-led startups to women-driven enterprises, Bihar is emerging as a hub for skilling, innovation, and enterprise, signaling that the state is no longer just about producing administrators it's creating changemakers and innovators.
From Civil Services to Startups — Bihar's Changing Identity
Bihar's long-standing reputation in civil services nearly every 10th IAS officer hailing from the state is now evolving. Today, the youth are channeling their energy from exam preparation to enterprise creation. With access to digital tools, government schemes, and startup mentorship programs, Bihar is transforming from an aspirant-driven ecosystem to a creator-driven economy.
UPSC Capital
Bihar known for producing 1 in 10 IAS officers, youth migration to metros for exams and jobs
Infrastructure Push
Ganga Expressway, Patna Metro, industrial corridors laying foundation for growth
Startup Awakening
Bihar Startup Policy, ₹10 lakh interest-free loans, 3,766 DPIIT-recognized startups
New Bihar 2.0
National Makhana Board, 10,000 startup mission, women-led enterprises powering rural economy
Key Transformation: According to DPIIT data, Bihar recorded 3,766 recognized startups as of June 2025, with 3,049 recognized in just the last five years (2020–2025), showcasing exponential growth in entrepreneurial activity.
Makhana & Agri-Based Innovation — Bihar on the Global Stage
The G20 Makhana Moment
The gift of Bihar's Makhana at the G20 Summit was a statement: Bihar has products and talent ready for the global market. Prime Minister Modi stated, "Whenever I travel abroad, I gift a box of makhana to world leaders and tell them this is the livelihood of my farmers from Bihar". This wasn't just about a snack it was about showcasing Bihar's agricultural excellence to the world.
Following this global recognition, the government announced the National Makhana Board in Purnia, Bihar, to coordinate exports, research, and market development. PM Modi himself mentioned consuming Makhana "at least 300 out of 365 days," emphasizing its superfood status.
Agricultural exports in FY25, Makhana becoming superfood
PM Modi gifts Makhana at G20, Mauritius state visits
Of world's Makhana produced in Bihar
Darbhanga, Madhubani, Sitamarhi leading production
Young entrepreneurs like Gulfraz earning through Makhana
Modi Makhana brand generating employment
Investment in Bihar agriculture and flood management
Kisan Credit Card for farmers, export promotion
Mithila Makhana GI Tag: In 2022, Mithila Makhana was granted Geographical Indication (GI) tag status, enhancing international market recognition. Read more about Makhana's nutritional and economic significance.
Other Agri-Export Success Stories from Bihar
Muzaffarpur Shahi Litchi
Earning GI tag status, exported globally
Premium Fruit CategoryMaize Processing
Used in processed foods and biofuel industries
Industrial ApplicationDairy Cooperatives
Creating rural employment and improving nutrition
17,250+ Producers LinkedWomen Entrepreneurs — The Backbone of Rural Enterprise
Women are driving Bihar's entrepreneurial growth through an unprecedented economic movement. The JEEViKA (Bihar Rural Livelihoods Promotion Society) program has created India's largest women-led economic ecosystem, proving that trust-based lending and community support can transform rural economies.
JEEViKA Revolution
Key Impacts:
- 10.6 lakh Self-Help Groups
- ₹78,000 Cr credit flows
- Trust-based lending without collateral
Success Story: Parvati Devi: From ₹3,000 to ₹30,000 monthly income through livestock and food processing
Women Entrepreneur Scheme
Key Impacts:
- Champa Devi: Pottery business expansion
- Mamta Kumari: Sewing machine purchase
- Anita Devi: Beauty parlour growth
Success Story: Anita Devi (mushroom farming): Empowered 100+ women, now exploring Makhana production
Solar Mart Entrepreneurs
Key Impacts:
- J-WIRES women assemblers
- Clean energy product sales
- After-sales support network
Success Story: Annu: Confident entrepreneur earning steady income, gained social status in patriarchal society
World Bank Recognition: The JEEViKA model has been recognized globally for unleashing the power of women's collectives. Read the World Bank's case study on Bihar's women empowerment success. Also see YourStory's deep dive into JEEViKA's ₹1 lakh crore economic impact.
The Strength of Youth — India's Skilled Workforce
Bihar's youthful population is a major advantage transforming the state's economic trajectory. With strategic skill development initiatives and entrepreneurship support, this demographic dividend is being converted into a powerful economic engine.
- Affordable, trainable manpower attracting startups
- High digital literacy and mobile penetration
- Hunger for entrepreneurship over traditional jobs
- Digital skilling and mentorship initiatives
- Entrepreneurship Development Centers
- CIMP-BIIF, TiE Patna, B-HUB incubation support
Demographic Advantage: This combination of low-cost labor and high ambition is powering Bihar's economic transformation. Investors are recognizing Bihar as a talent hub with affordable operational costs and untapped market potential.
Infrastructure Rising — Laying the Foundation for Growth
Bihar's infrastructure is improving rapidly with over ₹40,000 crore in development projects launched in 2025 alone. These mega-projects are positioning Bihar as a strategic hub for MSMEs, startups, and manufacturing.
Purnia Airport
Inaugurated 2025Impact: Domestic flights connecting Seemanchal
Investment: Part of ₹40,000 Cr+ projects
Benefit: Boosting trade and tourism
Ganga Expressway
Under ConstructionImpact: Enhancing trade and logistics
Investment: Multi-billion dollar project
Benefit: Connecting Bihar to UP and beyond
Patna Metro
OperationalImpact: Urban mobility revolution
Investment: Boosting real estate
Benefit: Reducing travel time by 60%
Pirpainti Thermal Power
Foundation Laid 2025Impact: 2,400 MW capacity
Investment: ₹25,000 Cr largest private investment
Benefit: Ultra-supercritical low-emission tech
Kosi-Mechi River Link
Phase 1 StartedImpact: Irrigation + flood control
Investment: ₹2,680 Cr Phase 1
Benefit: Expanding from 15,000 to 20,000 cusecs
Araria-Galgalia Rail Line
Inaugurated 2025Impact: Connecting Seemanchal districts
Investment: ₹4,410 Cr
Benefit: Vande Bharat & Amrit Bharat trains
Infrastructure Impact: Improved roads, industrial clusters, and logistics parks are connecting Bihar to Eastern India trade networks. Read about PM Modi's ₹40,000+ crore infrastructure launch in Purnia.
Bihar's Innovation Ecosystem — From Local to Global
Bihar is no longer just an agricultural state it is transforming into a startup-friendly innovation hub. The Bihar Idea Festival and 10,000 Startup Mission represent India's most inclusive entrepreneurial initiatives, reaching every corner of the state's 38 districts.
25,000 Startup Ideas
Collected from all 38 districts through Bus Yatra
Expected to uncover 1 lakh+ early-stage ideas
BIIPP 2025 Policy
Bihar Industrial & Investment Promotion Policy - Most liberal in India
Free land, 300% SGST, capital subsidies, interest subvention
OBOP Initiative
One Block One Product across 534 blocks
Bhagalpur silk, Muzaffarpur litchi, Darbhanga makhana, Madhubani art
Union Support
Piyush Goyal: 4 new industrial parks + 3,000-acre Gaya township
Eastern India's development vital for developed India
Sector Transformation: Traditional to Tech-Enabled
Agriculture to Agri-Processing
Raw crop production
Value-added exports
Impact: ₹3.5 lakh Cr agricultural exports
Handicrafts to Global Brands
Local artisan work
E-commerce ready products
Impact: ODOP extended to OBOP across Bihar
Dairy to Organized Cooperatives
Unorganized milk selling
Rural employment & nutrition
Impact: Creating rural employment hubs
Youth from Job Seekers to Job Creators
Migration for UPSC coaching
Startup ecosystem builders
Impact: Affordable skilled workforce attracting investors
Bihar's Entrepreneurial Heroes: Inspiring Success Stories
Gulfraz - Modi Makhana Founder
23 years
Achievement:
Engineer turned entrepreneur, lakhs in monthly revenue
Journey:
Started in 500 sq ft unit, now operates across UP, Gujarat, West Bengal
Impact:
Employing locals from minority community in Katihar
Quote: "Everyone was chasing jobs, but I wanted to build something that would create jobs"
Inspiration: Named brand after PM Modi's vision on his birthday 2020
Future: Setting up high-tech machinery for 10 Makhana products
Anita Devi - Mushroom Farming Queen
Anantpur village, Nalanda
Achievement:
Empowered 100+ women through Madhopur Farmers Producer Company
Journey:
Trained under JEEViKA and NRLM, now runs company providing seeds, fertilizers
Impact:
Hundreds of women gaining livelihood and dignity
Quote: "Economic independence strengthens women's respect and social standing"
Inspiration: Took over PM Modi's X account on Women's Day 2025
Future: Expanding into Makhana production after Board announcement
Parvati Devi - JEEViKA Success
Gaya district
Achievement:
Family income increased from ₹3,000 to ₹30,000 per month
Journey:
Joined JEEViKA in 2014, didn't know how to talk to people initially
Impact:
Now runs livestock rearing and food processing business confidently
Quote: "Before this, I didn't even know how to talk to people. Now I run a business"
Inspiration: JEEViKA's trust-based lending without collateral
Future: Inspiring other women in village to join SHGs
Government Schemes Powering Bihar's Entrepreneurship
Bihar entrepreneurs have access to India's most generous startup incentives. Union Minister Piyush Goyal stated that "perhaps in the country no other state has such a liberal package available today." Here's how you can benefit:
Bihar Startup Policy 2025
2024Benefit: ₹10 lakh interest-free for 10 years
Impact: 5% extra for women, ₹3 lakh training grant
Eligibility: Youth, students, first-time entrepreneurs
PMEGP Scheme
2008Benefit: 15-35% subsidy for new businesses
Impact: Manufacturing & service ventures
Eligibility: Above 18 years, MSMEs
Stand-Up India
2016Benefit: ₹10 lakhs - 1 crore funding
Impact: 80% loans to women entrepreneurs
Eligibility: SC/ST and women entrepreneurs
CGTMSE
2000Benefit: Collateral-free loans up to ₹5 crore
Impact: Credit guarantee for MSMEs
Eligibility: New and existing MSMEs
Mudra Yojana
2015Benefit: ₹50,000 to ₹10 lakh loans
Impact: Shishu, Kishore, Tarun categories
Eligibility: Non-corporate small businesses
CM Entrepreneur Scheme
2024Benefit: State-backed branding & market access
Impact: 43,500+ entrepreneurs supported
Eligibility: Bihar-based entrepreneurs
Application Support: At Setubridge Solutions, we help Bihar entrepreneurs navigate these schemes and maximize benefits. From documentation to application submission, we provide end-to-end support.
Bihar's Competitive Advantage: Standing Out Nationally
Startup Policy
Land Incentive
Women Empowerment
Agriculture Export
Union Minister's Endorsement: Piyush Goyal at the Bihar Idea Festival stated: "Perhaps in the country no other state has such a liberal package available today. With incentives like free land, 300% SGST reimbursement, and support for startups, Bihar is not just ready for growth but ready for transformational change."
The Way Forward: Building the New Bihar
Bihar is no longer just preparing students for exams it is passing the test of economic transformation. From fields of Mithila to the metros of Patna, and from women-led cooperatives to youth-driven startups, Bihar is producing innovators, entrepreneurs, and changemakers.
Support Bihar's Swadeshi Products
Choose Bihar-made products - Makhana, Madhubani art, Bhagalpur silk, Muzaffarpur litchi
How to Take Action:
- Buy Modi Makhana and support young entrepreneurs
- Purchase GI-tagged products online
- Promote Bihar handicrafts
Apply for Bihar Startup Schemes
Take advantage of interest-free loans and generous incentives for starting businesses
How to Take Action:
- Bihar Startup Policy ₹10 lakh
- PMEGP 35% subsidy
- Stand-Up India ₹10L-1Cr
Join Women Empowerment Programs
Women entrepreneurs should leverage JEEViKA, Mahila Rojgar Yojana for financial independence
How to Take Action:
- Form/Join Self-Help Groups
- Access ₹10,000 direct transfer
- Get up to ₹2 lakh additional support
Invest in Bihar's Growth Story
Investors and corporates should explore Bihar's transformed business environment
How to Take Action:
- Free land up to 25 acres
- 300% SGST reimbursement
- Low-cost skilled workforce
For Entrepreneurs
- Apply for Bihar Startup Policy (₹10 lakh interest-free)
- Get PMEGP subsidy for manufacturing (15-35%)
- Join Bihar Idea Festival & 10,000 Startup Mission
For Women Entrepreneurs
- Join JEEViKA Self-Help Groups (1.35 Cr members)
- Access ₹10,000 direct transfer + up to ₹2 lakh additional
- Get 5% extra benefits under startup schemes
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is PM Modi's G20 Makhana gift significant for Bihar?
PM Modi's gift of Bihar's Makhana at the G20 Summit and to Mauritius President was more than diplomatic courtesy - it symbolized Bihar's agricultural excellence and global recognition. With Bihar producing 90% of the world's Makhana, this gesture brought international attention to the state's entrepreneurial potential. Following this, the government announced the National Makhana Board in Purnia, transforming Makhana from a local crop to a globally recognized superfood brand.
How is Bihar transforming from UPSC capital to startup hub?
Bihar has traditionally been known for producing 1 in 10 IAS officers in India. Now, with the Bihar Startup Policy 2025 offering ₹10 lakh interest-free loans for 10 years, 3,766 DPIIT-recognized startups, and the ambitious 10,000 startup mission across 38 districts, Bihar's youth are choosing to create businesses rather than migrate for jobs. The transformation is visible in success stories like 23-year-old Gulfraz's Modi Makhana brand earning lakhs monthly.
What is JEEViKA and how is it empowering Bihar's women?
JEEViKA (Bihar Rural Livelihoods Promotion Society) is India's largest women-led economic movement with 1.35 crore members across 10.6 lakh Self-Help Groups. The program has enabled ₹1 lakh crore in economic transactions with a remarkable 99.5% loan repayment rate - all without collateral or paperwork. Women like Parvati Devi increased family income from ₹3,000 to ₹30,000 monthly through livestock and food processing. JEEViKA proves that trust-based lending and community support can create sustainable rural entrepreneurship.
What makes Bihar's startup policy better than other states?
According to Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, Bihar's BIIPP 2025 is 'perhaps the most liberal package in the country.' Key benefits include: ₹10 lakh interest-free loans for 10 years (additional 5% for women), free land up to 25 acres for job-creating industries, 300% SGST reimbursement, capital subsidies up to ₹40 crore, 50% concession on BIADA land rates, and comprehensive export promotion support. Combined with 58% population under 25 years, Bihar offers affordable skilled workforce and untapped market potential.
How can someone start a Makhana-related business in Bihar?
With the National Makhana Board operational and Makhana Vikas Yojana providing training and equipment grants across 10 districts, aspiring entrepreneurs can: (1) Apply for Bihar Startup Policy's ₹10 lakh interest-free loan, (2) Get training through the National Makhana Research Centre in Darbhanga, (3) Access Kisan Credit Card loans and NABARD FPO assistance, (4) Utilize GI tag branding for Mithila Makhana, (5) Connect with existing producer companies for supply chain support. Success stories like Gulfraz's Modi Makhana show the sector's potential.
What government schemes support Bihar entrepreneurs?
Bihar entrepreneurs have access to multiple schemes: Bihar Startup Policy 2025 (₹10 lakh interest-free), PMEGP (15-35% subsidy), Stand-Up India (₹10L-1Cr for women/SC-ST), CGTMSE (collateral-free loans up to ₹5 crore), Mudra Yojana (₹50K-10L), CM Entrepreneur Scheme (43,500+ supported), JEEViKA for women (₹10,000 direct transfer with up to ₹2 lakh additional support). Women entrepreneurs get extra 5% benefits and dedicated support through these programs.
What infrastructure projects are transforming Bihar?
Bihar is witnessing unprecedented infrastructure development: Purnia Airport inaugurated (2025) connecting Seemanchal, Ganga Expressway enhancing trade logistics, Patna Metro operational reducing travel time, Pirpainti Thermal Power (2,400 MW, ₹25,000 Cr - Bihar's largest private investment), Kosi-Mechi River Link (₹2,680 Cr Phase 1) for irrigation and flood control, Araria-Galgalia Rail Line (₹4,410 Cr) with Vande Bharat and Amrit Bharat trains. These projects are creating an ecosystem for MSME and startup growth.
How is Bihar's youth demographic an advantage?
Bihar has 58% population under 25 years - one of India's youngest states. This demographic dividend provides: affordable trainable workforce, high digital literacy penetration, hunger for entrepreneurship over traditional jobs, and lower operational costs for startups. With digital skilling programs, mentorship initiatives through CIMP-BIIF, TiE Patna, and B-HUB, and government schemes targeting youth, Bihar is converting this demographic advantage into an entrepreneurial revolution attracting investors nationwide.
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Read MoreConclusion: Building the New Bihar
Bihar is no longer just preparing students for exams it is passing the test of economic transformation. From fields of Mithila to the metros of Patna, and from women-led cooperatives to youth-driven startups, Bihar is producing innovators, entrepreneurs, and changemakers.
The state's young workforce (58% under 25), rich agricultural resources (90% of world's Makhana), cultural heritage (Madhubani art, Bhagalpur silk), and resilient spirit are converging to break barriers and build a future of enterprise, skilling, and innovation.
The G20 Makhana gift is just the beginning a symbol that Bihar's growth story is moving from tradition to global recognition. The New Bihar is here. 🚀
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Popular Bihar Schemes: Bihar Startup Policy • PMEGP • Stand-Up India • CGTMSE • Mudra Yojana