| Ramesh Chandra Jha रमेशचन्द्र झा | |
| Nationality: | Indian |
| Birth Date: | 1928 5, df=yes |
| Birth Place: | Motihari, Bihar and Orissa Province, British India (now in Motihari, Bihar, India) |
| Death Place: | Motihari, Bihar, India |
| Occupation: | Poet, novelist, journalist, freedom fighter |
| Language: | Hindi, Bhojpuri, Maithili, Sanskrit |
| Period: | 1950s–1970s |
| Notableworks: | यह देश है वीर जवानों का, स्वागतिका, वत्सराज, मुरलिका, प्रियंवदा |
| Spouse: | Suryamukhi Devi |
| Children: | 2 |
| Relatives: | Anuranjan Jha (grandson), Sanjeev K Jha (mat. grandson) |
Ramesh Chandra Jha (8 May 1928 – 7 April 1994) was an Indian poet, novelist and freedom fighter. Son of a senior gandhian and freedom fighter Lakshmi Narayan Jha, who also contributed in Indian Freedom Struggle from Bihar. His maternal grandson Sanjeev K Jha is well-known Screenwriter who is working in Indian film industry.[1] Ramesh Chandra Jha's poems, ghazals and stories evoke patriotism and human values. Romanticism and struggle of life are also important aspects of his writing. His poetry expresses concerns of people's life struggle, their dreams and hopes.
His research published as Apne Aur Sapne : A Literary Journey Of Champaran in the 1960s traced the rich literary heritage of Champaran in Bihar and noted the upcoming young poets such as Dinesh Bhramar and Pandey Ashutosh.[2]
Ramesh Chandra Jha was born on 8 May 1928 in Fulwariya village of Sugauli in East Champaran district, known as Motihari, Bihar. His father, Laxmi Narayan Jha, was a well-known patriot and freedom fighter who fought against British rule and was arrested many times, including on 15 April 1917 when Mahatma Gandhi visited Champaran for his Satyagrah movement. That incident inspired the son to become rebellious and he was convicted of robbery at the age of 14. Even Ramesh Jha created various chaos inside of the jail and become problematic for British officers.[3]
Jha was not just a patriotic poet but went to jail many times during British rule because of his involvement in the Quit India Movement.[4] [5] He was student of Hazarimal High School, Raxaul that time and was entrapped into several cases of the robbery at police stations during freedom struggle. In his school days he led student protest and was later thrown out from the school.
S. R. Bakshi and Ritu Chaturvedi in his research based book have said that
Renowned litterateur Kanhiyalal Prabhakar Mishra writes about Ramesh Chandra Jha in the preface to a book, "The history of Ramesh Chandra Jha and his family is like laughing aloud in the face of ruin during the freedom struggle. He is among those who themselves put handcuffs to break the shackles of slavery. He also enjoyed the life of a dreaded absconder and is among those who did not get freedom but earned it."[6]
While serving his jail term, he was drawn to reading Indian and world literature. After coming out of prison, he became a poet and author instead of joining any political party.
On 04-5 March 2016 on the occasion of completing 200 years of Treaty of Sugauli BHOR Organization had conducted Sugauli Sandhi Samaroh 2016. In this festival an important historical book about Sugauli and its past, Swadheenta Samar Mein Sugauli, had been launched and the Ramesh Chandra Jha Smriti Samman for writer and journalist had been awarded.[7]
On 4 March 2016 the journalist Arvind Mohan, ex-DGP (Uttar Pradesh) and the former Vice-Chancellor of Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi Vishwavidyalaya, Vibhuti Narain Rai, along with many other special guests, launched Ramesh Chandra Jha's historical book titled Swadheenta Samar Mein Sugauli.[8]
Bhor Charitable Trust conducted 2nd Bhor Literature Festival 2017 on the occasion of 100 Years of famous Gandhi's Champaran Satyagrah. This event was held at historical Phulwaria village (Birth Place of Ramesh Chandra Jha) of Champaran on 15–16 April 2017, during the festival 2nd Ramesh Chandra Jha Smriti Samman was given to Laxmi Shankar Bajpai. Bhor has Started Guruvar Dinesh Chandra Jha Bhor Rural olympiad. BRO for rural school children. In the year 2017 it has given to 12 students of Champaran region. Guruvar Dinesh Chandra Jha was the renowned teacher and younger brother of Ramesh Chandra Jha.
Poetry Collection (काव्य-संग्रह)
Historical Novel (ऐतिहासिक उपन्यास)
Patriotic Work (राष्ट्रीय साहित्य)
Social-Political Novel (सामाजिक-राजनीतिक उपन्यास)
Children's Literature (बाल साहित्य)
Autobiographical Novel (आत्मकथात्मक उपन्यास)
Research Work (शोध कार्य)
Bhojpuri Novel (भोजपुरी उपन्यास)