Students from Qatar who will come to Patna on March 22 to take part in Bihar Divas celebrations

Residents of the state are not the only ones eagerly waiting for the state’s centenary celebrations. People of Bihar origin living overseas are equally enthusiastic about the festivities.

Forty-one students from Qatar will arrive in Patna on March 22 to take part in Bihar Divas, accompanied by a few teachers. The team members will take part in the programmes scheduled at Gandhi Maidan, visit important places in the state and meet chief minister Nitish Kumar to invite him to Qatar.

Nadir Abdul Salam, a child artiste in the Gulf countries, and other students from different schools in Doha, Qatar, will perform songs in Arabic and Bihari languages on the theme of Bihar Divas. “We have heard a lot about the changes in Bihar and I want to personally experience these changes. I am excited to sing songs in Arabic and Bihari languages in front of whole Bihar during our visit,” said Nadir.

The team is also looking forward to meeting Nitish and inviting him for the Bihar Divas celebrations in Qatar on April 13. Eight-year-old Sharjeel, one of the youngest team members, said: “I want to meet Nitish uncle and invite him to Qatar.” to meet my other friends there.”

Shakil Ahmed Kakvi, the chairman of Bihar Foundation, told The Telegraph over phone from Qatar: “Students are the real ambassadors of Bihar. The objective of bringing these students to the state is to allow them to connect with their roots. Their ancestors are from Bihar, this is where most of their parents were born and brought up. The students would also be able to see the developments in the state and narrate it to others after returning to Qatar. It would augment branding and would spread the message of peace and love of Bihar.”

The Qatar chapter of Bihar Foundation is sending the students to the state with the support of Embassy of India, Doha-Qatar.

Several girls in the team, who will be coming to Bihar for the first time, are enthusiastic about their chance to explore the state. Tanweer Fatima, one of the team members, said: “I want to see the Legislative Assembly and witness the proceedings of the House. I also want to meet the legislators, who set the state on the path of development.”

The team also plans to visit places of educational and historical importance in Patna and other tourist sites, including Kako Sufi circuit (on the outskirts of Patna), Jehanabad, Bodhgaya. The team members, who also want to see the Ganga, plan to visit non-government organisations.

Aadhil P.M., a team member, said: “I have read a lot about the historical places in Bihar, including Golghar and Maner Sharif in Patna and the famous Mahabodhi temple in Bodhgaya. I want to visit as many places as possible and take photographs to show my friends in Qatar.”

Kakvi said the team would leave Patna for Qatar on March 26.