A human potential is capable of immense possibilities, each one uniquely possessing many skills, natural gifts, acquired expertise, and eventual explorations. Discovering one’s potential, skills, and interests, and utilizing their gifts to find a happy and fulfilling life, is what stands out as having led a meaningful life with a sense of contribution to the world in any form. HR-turned-Author Jyoti Jha’s story is that of grit, determination, self-discovery, and commitment to her creative calling.
Transcending a path chosen by family, society, and well-wishers for decades, she always felt she had her heart set on expressing through words. Whether it was her introverted childhood that would often find plenty of time to immerse in books or the literature-ingrained upbringing that instilled in her, the inclination towards writing and reading. It was her keen interest in observing and listening intently, or her deeply embedded feeling that tugged her heart whenever she saw a book with its author’s name inscribed on it. She always felt there was something else wired in her naturally that was waiting to find its way someday. Decades later during which she accomplished her life’s ever-evolving goals of aspiring to be a doctor and ending up studying Microbiology, pursuing Management later, and experiencing the corporate world as an HR Professional, being a doting mother and a happy homemaker after, and moving on to becoming an enthusiastic globetrotter, she enjoyed each phase and lived every role to its fullest. However, she always felt something was waiting for her. Having existed happily in a parallel universe, she found her creative calling through writing which made her life fulfilling and more meaningful. Not that she ever regretted any part, phase, stage, or choice of life, but she found writing to be her soul’s purpose.
And to her surprise, what began as a journey of self-discovery in her second inning, and what she had envisioned to be perfectly aligned with her reserved, lone, and aloof personality, she was amazingly surprised to discover that writing was so much more beyond penning down thoughts and expressions! The writing world was no more than being constricted to the confines of a writing corner in the house from where one could simply dive into the diverse imaginative sphere, come up with a handful of precious jewels, and present them to the real world through the magical expression of words! This was just the beginning of a long and daunting path with tremendous rewards of its own. Aspiring to be only a writer, she explored the literary landscape to create her niche as a TEDx Speaker, Speaker at several prestigious Literature Festivals, Speaker at the prestigious IITs and IIMs, Conducting Writing Workshops at IIT Jammu, NIT Jalandhar, and DTU, and being esteemed Guest, Judge, and Jury at various Institutes and Events including IITBHU-Kashiyatra, IMI New Delhi, Radiocity Pune, TOI Books, to name some. Having been featured in Femina, India Today, she has been interviewed and featured in multiple media houses. However, her visionary voice in the literary domain did not overpower her creative acumen in writing. As a Bilingual Author of remarkable depth, Jyoti has written, translated, and edited many books in both English and Hindi that have touched countless hearts and have been immensely appreciated by readers, prominent media houses, and the literary fraternity. Her writing has explored awareness and insight into crucial aspects of human sentiments, social topics, and life’s learnings and explorations that resonate with the soul. Known for her Bestselling Hindi novella ‘Aanandi’ on Women’s Empowerment, which has been adapted into theatrical representation and picked up to be made into an audiobook, she is working on her upcoming book on Autism that is under publication with Vishwakarma Publication. Her other authored books are – Around the World through My Lens, Heart’s Sanctuary & Other Stories, and The Realms of Human Emotions in English.
Her translated works are- Chaubatiya (Angika to Hindi), by Dr Shivchandra Jha, which is a literary tribute to her father; Iran- Paarsiyon Ka Teerthkshetra by Hindi Sahitya Akademi Winner Dr Avinash Biniwale (Marathi to Hindi); and Going Solo by Bestselling renowned author Sujata Parashar (English to Hindi). She has edited an awarded book on Padmashree Sindhutai. Her other literary contributions consist of stories, articles, and poems, in both English and Hindi being featured and published at prestigious media houses, literary journals, international anthologies, and literary magazines. She has been writing columns on topics related to lifestyle, relationships, love, literature, social topics etc. for The Literary Mirror for more than two years. As a Senior Editor of Today Magazine, she is dedicated to fostering the power of words and ideas to bring about meaningful change. Her books have been reviewed, featured, included, and displayed at several esteemed media houses, libraries, and book fairs. Her diverse genres of writing emerge from her extensive experience of travelling around the world for about a decade during which she lived in the UK and USA with family.
“When my readers feel connected to my work, I feel I have created my writing legacy” – Jyoti Jha
Having begun her writing career with the proud stamp of ‘Times of India Write India Season 3 Winner’ her extensive work and unstoppable efforts and contributions over the past six years have adorned her endeavors with several prestigious awards and accolades like Dr Shanti Jain Smriti Sammaan, Vidya Vachaspati, Savitribai Phule Rashtriya Sammaan, Asian Literary Award, Women Excellence Award, International Progressive Women Award, to name a few. She is the former President of Savitribai Seva Foundation.
Having lived and existed everywhere, she feels, it has always been her home country, India, that has given her the comfort feeling of ‘belonging’. That is why she could take the flight of fantasy and spread her wings far and wide into creative space with her strong roots keeping her tightly held to the assurance of nourishment and reality. Writers are empaths and compassionate people in general, and Jyoti has been no different. Carrying a sensitive mind and kind heart towards others’ feelings and requirements, she always felt one should always try to return to society and earth, from where we draw our existence. She delved into the social responsibilities of writers and every human being, and voluntarily became a part of a social campaign, Let’s Inspire Bihar, by Bihar’s popular IPS Officer, Vikas Vaibhav’s clarion call to bring positive change and development of Bihar and ultimately India. Heading the Literary Chapter of the campaign, which works on the three strong pillars of Education, Egalitarianism, and Entrepreneurship, and works incessantly towards bringing about large social change in all aspects to build developed Bihar in developed India, Jyoti has aligned her literary efforts to the noble cause. The campaign has more than hundreds of Chief Coordinators, District Coordinators, and Coordinators who abide by the vision, virtue, and mission of a greater cause, and more than 1.5 lakh members voluntarily pledging to become a part of the change process and contribute to the cause.
“अपनी व्यस्तता से कुछ वक़्त समाज को समर्पित करते हैं,
ज़िंदा तो हैं, चलो, ज़िंदगी को कुछ वापस कर चलते हैं”- ज्योति झा
Her writing takes the form of storytelling, and she lives through her stories that narrate tales of experience, observation, imagination, inspiration, expressions, thoughts, and ideas. She feels that despite her delving into various ventures and exploring many spheres of life and literary landscape, it is through her writing that she would want to leave behind her legacy. Connecting with readers and positively impacting their lives would be her writing legacy. She looks forward to her continued endeavors of contributing to the world through literary offerings and social service. She wishes to continue living through her stories while she enjoys being fully alive, writing them!
“साँसों का शोर है जबतक, औरों की सुनाती जाऊँगी
मु‘अय्यन खामोशी के बाद, शायद कुछ अपनी कह पाऊँ” – ज्योति झा
Thankyou so much 🙏 Humbled and honoured!