aprajita_1736

Channel for Talks for Mithila
Podcast Series

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝟖 | 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐚 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: 𝐃𝐫. 𝐂. 𝐏. 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐤𝐮𝐫, 𝐏𝐚𝐝𝐦𝐚 𝐁𝐡𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐞 & 𝐊𝐚𝐥𝐚-𝐚𝐳𝐚𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫

𝑻𝒂𝒍𝒌 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑴𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒂 𝑷𝒐𝒅𝒄𝒂𝒔𝒕 𝑺𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔 | 𝑬𝒑𝒊𝒔𝒐𝒅𝒆 8

𝑮𝒖𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒔: Dr. C. P. Thakur
Physician | Scientist | Former Union Cabinet Minister | Philanthropist

Shri Deepak Thakur
Advisor, Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India
Social Entrepreneur | Motivational Speaker

In this episode, we had the privilege of speaking with Dr. C. P. Thakur, one of India's most distinguished physician-scientists, whose research transformed the treatment of kala-azar worldwide and whose decades of public service have touched millions of lives. His journey began with a childhood battle against the very disease he would later help conquer.

Invited by the World Health Organization in 1982, he worked with the organization for over three decades, helping shape global treatment protocols for kala-azar and saving countless lives across India, Brazil, and Africa. He also played a key role in establishing AIIMS Patna.

Dr. Thakur went on to serve five terms in Parliament and held several key portfolios as a Union Cabinet Minister. Alongside his political career, he organized free medical camps for underserved communities and was honoured with the Padma Shri and the Padma Bhushan.

For Mithila, his legacy extends beyond medicine. He played an instrumental role in securing Maithili's inclusion in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India. In our conversation, he reflected on that journey, his family's ties to Mithila, and the pride he continues to take in that achievement.

Joining him is his son, Shri Deepak Thakur, an advisor to the Ministry of Culture and a social entrepreneur in his own right, who brings a rare, personal vantage point to his father's story. Having grown up watching a doctor, a scientist, a Union Minister, and a champion of Maithili all in one man, Deepak ji speaks candidly about what shaped his father, the values passed down through generations, and what it means to carry forward that legacy of service to Mithila.


© Video Copyright: Salhesh USA

#drcpthakur #deepakthakur #kalaazarresearch #maithili #salheshusa

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6WlxUCtXkw

𝗦𝗮𝗹𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗵 𝗨𝗦𝗔

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝟕 | 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐚 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: 𝐃𝐫. 𝐒𝐡𝐞𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐚 𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐚 | 𝐒𝐚𝐡𝐢𝐭𝐲𝐚 𝐀𝐤𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐢 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝-𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫

𝑻𝒂𝒍𝒌 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑴𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒂 𝑷𝒐𝒅𝒄𝒂𝒔𝒕 𝑺𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔 | 𝑬𝒑𝒊𝒔𝒐𝒅𝒆 7

Guest: Dr. Shefalika Verma
Writer | Sahitya Akademi Awardee

In this episode, we sat down with Dr. Shefalika Verma, born in Bhagalpur into a literary family. Her father, Shri Brajeshwar Mallick, was a noted Hindi writer and Bihar Civil Services officer, and the family lived next to the house of Sharat Chandra Chattopadhyay in Bhagalpur.

Shefalika ji often credits two people for shaping her literary journey: her father, who introduced her early to literature and language, and her husband, Shri Lalan Kumar Verma, a distinguished lawyer at the Patna High Court, who encouraged her to write in Maithili, her mother tongue.

She has been writing since 1961 in both Maithili and Hindi. Her autobiography Kist Kist Jeevan received the Sahitya Akademi Award. Her poem “My Village” was translated at the University of Chicago and later included in the board examination syllabus in the United Kingdom. Over the decades, her work has reached readers well beyond Mithila and Bihar.

Many younger writers continue to approach her for guidance and encouragement, and she remains closely connected to the literary world even today.

In this conversation, Shefalika ji speaks about her life, her writing, and her six decades in Maithili literature.


Vision: Aprajita Jha, Founder, Salhesh USA

Video Productions: @mithilacinema

© Video Copyright: Salhesh USA 


#drshefalikaverma #maithililiterature #sahityaakademiaward #mithila #indianliterature #sahityaakademi #salheshusa

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXwQqpesjOE

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝒆 6 | Swakshi Jha | Mithila Manners | Mithila Culture, Traditions & Digital Storytelling

𝑻𝒂𝒍𝒌 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑴𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒂 𝑷𝒐𝒅𝒄𝒂𝒔𝒕 𝑺𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔 | 𝑬𝒑𝒊𝒔𝒐𝒅𝒆 6

Swakshi Jha
Content Creator, @Mithilamanner 

In this episode, we sat down with Swakshi Jha, a young content creator from Patna, documenting and presenting the cultural facets of Mithila through her platform Mithila Manners. In this conversation, she shares her journey of stepping away from conventional career paths to build something of her own, despite doubt and criticism.

Her work focuses on rituals, traditions, folk practices, and the everyday cultural life that often goes undocumented. A fine orator, her diction is clear and her content remains clean, without chasing shortcuts for likes and followers. What began with minimal reach gradually grew into a space that feels like home for people living away from Mithila.

Today, she is emerging as a youth icon, reaching millions digitally, with a strong and growing follower base, endorsing brands and services while staying true to her cultural voice. She also speaks about the role her family, teachers, and close friends have played in shaping her journey.

Swakshi’s story reflects a clear and firm choice to preserve and present culture as it is, without dilution.

Vision: Aprajita Jha, Founder, Salhesh USA
Video Productions: @iavnv 
Director: AVNV
Location: Taj City Centre, Patna

© Video Copyright: Salhesh USA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yt4sNuyut7k

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 5 | 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐚 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: 𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐣𝐚𝐲 𝐊𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐫 𝐉𝐡𝐚 | IPS (Retd.), Former DGP

𝑻𝒂𝒍𝒌 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑴𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒂 𝑷𝒐𝒅𝒄𝒂𝒔𝒕 𝑺𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔 | 𝑬𝒑𝒊𝒔𝒐𝒅𝒆 5

Sanjay Kumar Jha
IPS (Retd.), Former DGP
Madhya Pradesh, India


In this episode, we sit down with Shri Sanjay Kumar Jha, IPS (Retd.), former DGP, a distinguished police officer from Madhya Pradesh. In this 53-minute conversation, he reflects on his journey across some of the most challenging regions of the country, from his work in Chambal, to restoring communal balance in Khandwa, and his deep involvement along the India–Nepal border.

He also shares one of his most impactful contributions, facilitating the recruitment of nearly 800 Maithil youths into the SSB from the Madhubani region, opening new paths for many families.

Even after retirement, his connection to Mithila continues through meaningful contributions.

The full episode is now live on our YouTube channel. Please watch and share your thoughts, comments, and suggestions.


Chapters:

00:00 Introduction: Becoming an IPS Officer
00:30 – 11:00 Early Journey & Entry into Service

12:00 – 22:00 Career Highlights: Chambal Posting, End of Dacoit Era, Khandwa & Communal Harmony

23:00 – 30:00 Contribution to Mithila: SSB Formation & 4 Years in the Region

31:00 – 40:00 India–Nepal Border: Challenges & Strengthening Security

40:47 Return to Mithila: Giving Back

48:00 – 51:00 Role of Maithil Americans & Salhesh USA

52:00 – 53:00 Bringing Together Locals & Diaspora for Mithila

Vision: Aprajita Jha, Founder, Salhesh USA
Video Productions: Mithilacinema
Director: AVNV
Studio: TeleWatch, Delhi 

© Video Copyright: Salhesh USA

#salheshusa #SaMA #mithila #maithil #podcast

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNxMBUry5D8

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 4 | 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐚 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: 𝐃𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐤 𝐋𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐥 | Folk & Classical Music of Mithila

In Episode 4 of Talk for Mithila Series, Shri Dhanik Lal Mandal, classical and folk singer, speaks with Nivedita Jha about his musical journey, his grounding in shastriya sangeet and Mithila’s lokdhun, and his reflections on the changing music world. 

He shares his deep concern about preserving folk singing traditions and the responsibility of carrying them forward to the next generation.

Vision : Aprajita Jha, Founder, Salhesh USA
Place : TeleWatch Studio, Delhi
Edit : Mithilacinema
Director : AvNv Mishra

© Salhesh USA | All audio and video rights reserved

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3a7fK4S9a6g

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 3 | 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐚 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: 𝐃𝐫. 𝐑𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐚 𝐃𝐚𝐬 𝐕𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐧𝐚𝐯  Ramayan Traditions of Matihani

𝑻𝒂𝒍𝒌 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑴𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒂 𝑷𝒐𝒅𝒄𝒂𝒔𝒕 𝑺𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔 | 𝑬𝒑𝒊𝒔𝒐𝒅𝒆 3

Guest : Man Mahant Dr. Ravindra Das Vaishnav
Successor, Lakshminarayan Math, Matihani, Nepal 

Talk for Mithila is a Salhesh podcast series where we try to bring forward voices from Mithila. In the third episode, we sit with Matihani’s Lakshminarayan Math’s successor Man Mahant Dr. Ravindra Das Vaishnav.

We talked about the importance of this Math and its traditions, the first sacred stop in Nepal along the Ramayan corridor, in the land of Sita.

Lakshminarayan Math was established in 1694 CE by Tasmaiya Baba and is known as the oldest Math of Nepal and a long-standing center of Sanskrit and Vedic learning. Matihani itself holds a special place in the Ramayan tradition as the first halt of Ram ji’s barat from Ayodhya in Nepal, where rituals connected to Ram–Sita Vivah and the Matkor ceremony are still remembered and practiced.

In this conversation, Man Mahant ji speaks about the history of the Math, its philosophy, and the responsibility of preserving such spaces. He shares his concern about how fragile these living traditions have become and how important it is to protect them.

He also talks about the gurukul that continues to function within the Math, where students receive education along with boarding, meals, and clothing, in the spirit of the old gurukul system.

He reminds young people to stay connected to their roots, to read and understand the Ramayan, and to live by sadachar, the values that shaped life in Ram’s time.

The story of Tasmaiya Baba, the saint who founded this Math, stayed with us long after the conversation ended.

Watch the full episode on Salhesh’s YouTube channel. Link in bio.

Vision : Aprajita Jha, Founder, Salhesh USA 
Place : Lakshminarayan Math, Matihani
Background Music : Sanket Mishra
Edit : @mithilacinema
Assistant Director : Sumit Jha
Director : AvNv Mishra

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2yWrFg-upY

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 2 | 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐚 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: 𝐃𝐞𝐯 𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐥 — Relearning Our Bond with Nature

𝑻𝒂𝒍𝒌 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑴𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒂 𝑷𝒐𝒅𝒄𝒂𝒔𝒕 𝑺𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔 | 𝑬𝒑𝒊𝒔𝒐𝒅𝒆 2

Dev Narayan Mandal
Founder, Mithila Wildlife Trust
Dhanusha, Nepal

In the second episode of Talk for Mithila, we sat down with Dev Narayan Mandal and found ourselves learning and unlearning many things about how we relate to nature in Mithila. Since 2013, he has been working closely with local communities on wildlife rescue, reducing snakebite related deaths, restoring forests and riverbeds, and building awareness around coexistence outside protected areas.

During the conversation, he spoke about the contradictions that shape our society today. Animals and birds are worshipped through rituals and festivals, yet are often harmed or displaced in everyday life due to fear, habitat loss, and human expansion. Drawing from years of hands-on field experience, he reflected on the ecological role of snakes, why they are widely misunderstood, and how loss of habitat and excessive pesticide use has pushed them into human spaces, especially during the monsoon.

The discussion widened to the gradual disappearance of migratory birds and small animals from Mithila. Once rich in ponds, greenery, and open spaces, the region has changed with drying water bodies, deforestation, and unchecked construction. He emphasized that return is still possible if water sources are revived and if regions are made safe again, and if communities choose awareness over fear.

It was one of those conversations that did not end when the microphones were turned off. It asked us to look at festivals not only as rituals, but as reminders of an older ecological wisdom. To question what it means when animals symbolically present in our culture are no longer present in our surroundings. This episode is not only about wildlife. It is about culture, actual practices, and how coexistence was once an everyday way of life in Mithila.

Watch the full episode on Salhesh’s YouTube channel. Link in bio.

Vision: Aprajita Jha, Founder, Salhesh_USA
Direction: @mithilacinema

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwCjQz1wqpw

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 1 | 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐚 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐤𝐮𝐫 From Passion to Purpose in Mithila Painting

The Salhesh Podcast Series is a space where we bring forward voices from Mithila who have shaped its cultural, social, and artistic landscape with sincerity and purpose. This series honors individuals whose journeys are deeply rooted in Mithila and whose work continues to strengthen its identity, traditions, and future.

Our very first episode features Sunaina Thakur, a Mithila painting artist from Janakpur, Nepal. Her story reflects enduring strength, persistence, and a deep bond with her heritage. What began as a personal love for art gradually evolved into a lifelong mission, shaping her not only as an artist, but also as a mentor, entrepreneur, and cultural ambassador for Mithila art.

In this conversation, Sunaina speaks about her early struggles, her growth, and her journey to becoming a respected name in Mithila painting. She also shares how her work has created opportunities for other women to learn, earn, and find their voices through this traditional art form.

Thank you for being part of the beginning of Salhesh Podcast.

Vision : Aprajita Jha 
Studio : Cultural Village, Dhanushadham
Background Music : Sanket Mishra
Edit : MithilaCinema
Assistant Director : Sumit Jha
Director : AvNv Mishra



#TalkforMithila
#SalheshPodcast
#SunainaThakur
#MithilaArt
#MaithilStories
#WomenInArt
#Janakpur
#MithilaHeritage
#CulturalVoices
#NepalArtists
#VoicesOfMithila

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYXqOHsSqxA

Channel for Mithila Discourse Series | Salhesh USA

<p>We will be showcasing the history of Raja Salhesh and the kingdom he created in Mithila through this channel.</p>

🇺🇸 USA-based initiative for preserving & advancing Mithila’s heritage 🇮🇳🇳🇵

Culture • Society • Environment
𝗯𝘆 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗷𝗶𝘁𝗮 Jha 🪷
