In the quiet, unassuming village of Mendabari, a metamorphosis has taken place. A tribal community, once grappling with hardship and stagnation, has now found a beacon of hope and ambition. This transformation could take place because of the efforts of a single individual—Biswajit Jha. His unwavering dedication has breathed new life into Mendabari, one of the most backward villages in West Bengal, propelling it towards self-sufficiency through a remarkable self-sacrificing initiative.
Biswajit Jha’s journey had begun in the rustic village of Rajganj in the Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal, far from the quaint settings of Mandabari in the Alipurduar district of West Bengal. His upbringing, marked by struggles and hardships, laid the foundation for his altruistic endeavors.
Biswajit studied in a Bengali-medium school with minimal exposure to English which led to a failure in an English exam in class eight. This setback ignited a strong internal desire to conquer the language. In pursuit of this goal, his father approached an English teacher, seeking assistance. However, not only did the teacher refuse to help, but also subjected both Biswajit and his father to ridicule and humiliation. This adversity became a catalyst for Biswajit, sparking a determined resolve to overcome the linguistic barrier.
He tirelessly immersed himself in reading English newspapers, gradually breaking through the language barrier. His unwavering determination eventually led him to earn a degree in English. He then went on to pursue a master’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication. In search of a job, he then moved to Delhi and was recruited by The Pioneer. As he progressed in his professional journey, he attained prestigious positions, culminating in the role of the Sports Editor at Zee News. By that time both Biswajit and his wife were well settled in Delhi, both pursuing a promising career trajectory.
However, a pivotal moment reshaped Jha’s life, a burgeoning desire to uplift his roots superseded his thriving career. Returning to Rajganj, he dedicated himself to reviving the local welfare society and a beleaguered football academy. Though he succeeded in his mission, of helping many players reach top football clubs, internal politics compelled his withdrawal from these endeavors.
But fate intervened when he crossed paths with Karimul Haque, a Padmashree awardee social worker, inspiring Jha to pen a book titled Bike Ambulance Dada that garnered success. The book is now all set to turn into a mainstream Bollywood movie. This triumph encouraged his second literary endeavor, Modern Buddha.
It was during this period that Biswajit recognized a need to establish a school in his region that could offer a blend of modern education and a deep understanding of Indian heritage as none of the existing schools of the area had such a curriculum. He, along with his academician wife Dr Sanjukta Saha, decided to open Epic Public School in Cooch Behar, where they also included real-life farming in their course curriculum. This proved to be a game changer for the development of the students.
Jha’s desire to serve the community found a new milestone when he ‘adopted’ the tribal village Mendabari. He took a frontal role in bringing the drop-out students back to the mainstream. His initiatives include fostering a self-help group, establishing a free school where students are provided free coaching after their regular school, a football academy where young talents are identified and nurtured, and a modern dance school, which generates a new energy in this backward village.
Biswajit Jha epitomizes the transformative power of selflessness. His journey, from a thriving career in journalism in Delhi to selflessly serving the underprivileged in a far-off village in northern parts of West Bengal, reflects an unwavering commitment to societal betterment. Mendabari stands as a testament to his vision—a village reinvigorated by hope, resilience, and the unyielding spirit of one man dedicated to igniting change.
When we asked Jha what motivated him to forgo his thriving career as a journalist and a well-settled life in Delhi and come back to serve the people, he said, “I faced a lot of struggles during my childhood. Being from a rural environment, I never got proper guidance about my career. There was no one to teach me English in my village. So when I became successful, I felt the people back home needed me more which led to my decision to quit my job in Delhi and come back to my roots.”
When asked about his plans for the future, he said, “I want a world where every child should get a fair chance. I plan to help as many children as possible and to the best of my capabilities. I want to adopt more tribal villages in North Bengal and make them self-sufficient like Mendabari.”
His ceaseless dedication has birthed a fact-based novel by Somashis Gupta which is due to publish shortly. Notably, the prospect of a cinematic adaptation of Jha’s life story has increased as Bollywood director Vinay Mudgil has recently shown interest in Biswajit Jha’s life and discussed with him a possible Bollywood biopic on Jha’s inspirational life.
In a world often overshadowed by self-interest, Biswajit Jha’s story illuminates the profound impact one individual can have by choosing service over personal gain. As his tale unfolds, it serves as an inspiration—a reminder that true success lies not in personal accolades but in the transformative influence one has on the lives of others.
