Mithilesh Kumar Jha

Our new article, "Towards a limited and 'quality' population: Debates on maternity benefits in mid-twentieth century India" (Co-authored with Prarthana Dutta), Modern Asian Studies, is out now.

An Open Letter to the Jantar Mantar protestors: My dear young friends, I address you today not as a politician or an MP, but as someone deeply troubled by what is happening to your generation of young Indians. This is personal for me. I was born to a middle-class family: my father was a salaried newspaper employee, my mother a homemaker, with three children to educate on one income. For a family like ours, merit was not a slogan. Scholarships, fair examinations, honest results — these were the only way one salary could carry three children's dreams. I went to school in Mumbai and Kolkata, to college here in Delhi, topped the University and earned admission into IIM — and chose instead to follow my passion for international affairs, in America, on a scholarship. Nothing was inherited; everything was earned by hard work and yes, Exams. So I know that a fair, merit-based system is the only ladder for young people from lower and middle-income families to climb up. When that ladder is broken — papers leaked, examinations cancelled, trust destroyed — the children of the rich and powerful do not suffer. They have other ladders. It is your dreams, and your families' sacrifices (and tragically, in some homes, young lives themselves) that are betrayed. To the young people gathered at Jantar Mantar, and those raising your voices peacefully across India: this country hears you. Your anger is not indiscipline — it is the anguish of a generation that did everything right and was still betrayed . You are not alone. And to the millions of young Indians watching quietly: your generation is not a problem to be managed. You are the answer to India's future. Do not lose hope. This ladder will be rebuilt — by you, and by every Indian who stands with you. To Shri Sonam Wangchuk-ji, my heartfelt appeal: please end your fast. You have awakened the conscience of the nation; that is what a fast is meant to do. India needs your voice for the long road ahead. With Parliament in session again from Monday, we will have an opportunity to raise the students’ issues in the highest forum of our democracy. That’s where the problem should be addressed, not by fasting unto death. Please heed my plea. And finally, to the Government: I respectfully urge you to reach out and engage in the dialogue our democracy owes its young citizens. That is not weakness; that is statesmanship.

Well.. it's truly frightening...it is already happening...but... within a generation of one or two majority of us would be living subscribed lives

Tribute to a gentle soul and remarkable scholar🙏💐

26-year-old Albert Einstein formulated the two postulates of special relativity on 30 June 1905 1. The Principle of Relativity 2. The Constancy of Speed of Light in Vacuum Photo: Albert Einstein in 1904 or 1905.

Yesterday 81 years ago the UN Charter was signed. Today it is as relevant as ever

National Study Report on Low Participation in Gram Sabha Across States/UTs Released in New Delhi The two-volume report analyses the barriers to effective participation in Gram Sabhas and puts forward evidence-based policy recommendations and strategic directions It provides actionable inputs for strengthening policy frameworks, reinforcing institutional mechanisms, and promoting meaningful citizen participation in #GramSabhas Vibrant Gram Sabhas are essential for delivering citizen-centric governance: Dr. R. Balasubramaniam, Member, @NITIAayog 🔗pib.gov.in/PressReleasePa… @mopr_goi

*expanding

A welcome judgement...ecpanding the scope of right based framework of governance... Right of way: On the right to walk on demarcated footpaths - thehindu.com/opinion/editor… For the best experience read this on The Hindu App. bit.ly/THNewsApp

Dr. Shubha Venkatesha Iyengar to be conferred with #PadmaShri, a renowned aerospace scientist advancing aviation safety. Developed Drishti-Visibility Measuring System and Aviation Weather Observation System, made unique contribution to India's missile and Ramjet- Scramjet engines programmes #PeoplesPadma2026 #PadmaAwards2026

Review of our book, Indian Politics and Political Processes: Ideas, Institutions and Practices (Co-edited with Kamal Nayan Choubey) in the recent issue of The Book Review. Review Link: thebookreviewindia.org/understanding-… Book Link: routledge.com/Indian-Politic…

Our recent publication (With @VarshaU68517148), Developing the Nation: Re-Inscribing Women's Thinking in Planned Economy for India (1930–1940s), aims to decenter and expand the boundaries of political and economic thinking in modern India. doi.org/10.1163/266631…

This paper is now available on @SSRN papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cf…

"Science is more than a body of knowledge. It's a way of thinking, a way of skeptically interrogating the universe with a fine understanding of human fallibility."

Yes, it’s a team sport. And this is a team victory. But every championship has a story that comes to define it. This one belongs, in no small measure, to this man. Because of his Loyalty, Commitment, Belief. He stayed the course through years of near misses and disappointment. His faith was rewarded. Inspiring, whatever your profession. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

बिहार और मिथिला की समृद्ध ज्ञान परंपरा पर हम सभी को गर्व है! आज छपी एक रिपोर्ट के मुताबिक, ‘ज्ञान भारतम् मिशन’ के तहत हुए महासर्वेक्षण में बिहार देशभर में अव्वल रहा है। राज्य के 38 जिलों में कुल 8,13,720 पुरानी पांडुलिपियों को सत्यापित किया गया है, जिनमें अकेले मधुबनी जिले में 3, 97,852 पांडुलिपियां मिली हैं। वहीं दरभंगा स्थित मिथिला शोध संस्थान में 12,500 से अधिक दुर्लभ पांडुलिपियां मौजूद हैं। हमारा शुरू से मानना रहा है कि मिथिला कभी ज्ञान का एक बड़ा वैश्विक केंद्र रहा था। इसके प्रमाण सैकड़ों वर्ष पुरानी पांडुलिपियों के रूप में मौजूद हैं, जिनका संरक्षण, डिजिटलीकरण और पुनर्जीवन आवश्यक है। मिथिला के महान विद्वानों द्वारा रचित इन पांडुलिपियों में निहित ज्ञान सामने आने पर न केवल वर्तमान पीढ़ी को अपनी समृद्ध बौद्धिक एवं सांस्कृतिक विरासत पर गर्व होगा, बल्कि आने वाली पीढ़ियों को भी इसका व्यापक लाभ मिलेगा। मिथिला की इस अनमोल धरोहर को संरक्षित कर आने वाली पीढ़ियों के लिए जीवंत बनाने की दिशा में हमारा प्रयास निरंतर जारी है। इसी क्रम में गत 19 मई को नई दिल्ली में माननीय केंद्रीय संस्कृति एवं पर्यटन मंत्री श्री @gssjodhpur जी से भी मुलाकात कर चर्चा की थी। इस दौरान उन्हें एक पत्र सौंपकर दरभंगा स्थित ‘मिथिला शोध संस्थान’ को राष्ट्रीय स्तर के ‘ज्ञान भारतम् मिशन’ में शामिल करने का आग्रह किया, ताकि वहां संरक्षित दुर्लभ पांडुलिपियों को राष्ट्रीय पहचान मिल सके। इस पहल से मिथिला में बिखरी ऐतिहासिक पांडुलिपियों का वैज्ञानिक तरीके से संरक्षण और डिजिटलीकरण हो सकेगा। इससे भारतीय ज्ञान परंपरा, इतिहास, संस्कृति, ज्योतिष, गणित, चिकित्सा एवं दर्शन जैसे विषयों पर शोध को नई गति और दिशा मिलेगी। मिथिला शोध संस्थान के बुनियादी ढांचे को राज्य सरकार द्वारा निरंतर सशक्त किया जा रहा है। मुझे विश्वास है कि ‘ज्ञान भारतम् मिशन’ से जुड़ने के बाद यह संस्थान पांडुलिपि संरक्षण और उन्नत अनुसंधान के एक महत्वपूर्ण क्षेत्रीय केंद्र के रूप में स्थापित होगा। #GyanBharatamMission #Madhubani #Darbhanga #Mithila #Bihar

My @nptel_official course, Introduction to Western Political Thought, is open for enrollment. Interested learners may find further details on the following link onlinecourses.nptel.ac.in/e-learning/pre… @SWAYAMMHRD

As the sun sets over the Brahmaputra, #Majuli, the world’s largest river island, offers striking river views. Majuli’s fame goes beyond its natural beauty, it is renowned for its satras, living repositories of Assamese culture, heritage, and deep connection with the river. (1/2)

@Ahmed1Hilal @Madanjhajourno1 Beautiful and memorable. I am glad to have met with all three greats🙏

With two great teachers of our time...Prof Sudipta Kaviraj and Prof M N Thakur.

Museums are living windows into a civilisation’s history, and Bihar’s legacy is among the richest - from the republican traditions of Vaishali and the Licchavis to the grandeur of the Mauryan Empire and ancient Pataliputra. The Bihar Museum brings this heritage alive through modern galleries, including the iconic 2,200-year-old Didarganj Yakshi. Patna Museum, fondly known as Jadu Ghar, preserves invaluable sculptures, artefacts, manuscripts, coins and relics reflecting Bihar’s deep historical roots. On #InternationalMuseumDay, we celebrate these institutions that preserve our heritage. #बिहार @MinOfCultureGoI @Bihar_Museum @ArtCultureBihar