Krishna Mohan Jha: An Inspiring Journey from Journalism to Nation Service
Shashikant Mishra
The birth of Shri Krishna Mohan Jha on February 21, 1976, in the Malguzar Pandit Bechulal Jha family in Mandla, a tribal district of Madhya Pradesh, was nothing short of a celebration. And why not? He was the first son of the new generation of the prestigious Malguzar lineage.
Krishna Mohan’s early education took place in Mandla itself. Right from his student days, his strong desire to do something different set him apart. This beloved son of the Malguzar family began displaying his commitment to social service, ideological alignment with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Narmada purification efforts, and sports. Observing his inclinations, his family realized that he was destined to break away from the traditional family setup and carve his own unique path.
His childhood exposure to RSS ideology significantly influenced him, leading him to develop a strong connection with physical activities and books. He started dedicating his time to playgrounds and libraries, eventually contributing articles to local newspapers. After completing his schooling, Krishna Mohan began writing regular columns for newspapers. Simultaneously, he actively participated in the Narmada purification movement, which earned him distinct recognition.
Upon completing his graduation, he started working as a reporter for newspapers. His innovative mindset led him to launch local news broadcasts on cable TV at a time when Doordarshan was the only established national news channel, and even Aaj Tak was being aired through Doordarshan. Krishna Mohan successfully popularized and stabilized this local news channel before moving to Bhopal, the state capital, where he embarked on a new journey as the State Head of Satellite Channel Number One.
Without any godfather in the unfamiliar metropolis of Bhopal, he established himself with remarkable resilience. In the initial phase itself, he leveraged his exceptional leadership skills to make Channel Number One widely popular and credible across all districts of the state. With a vision to strengthen the journalists’ fraternity, he also took on the role of National Head of the IAFZW organization, championing the rights of journalists and fostering their unity.
During this period, Krishna Mohan wrote numerous articles on contemporary and national issues, which were published in renowned newspapers across the country—a practice he continues even today. He is not only a successful journalist but also an accomplished author. His books on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan have garnered significant acclaim.
Known for his amiable personality, Krishna Mohan shares close relationships with both common people and political leaders across party lines. I, too, share a deep bond with him. Though he is much younger than me, his stature in terms of personality and achievements is immense. We worked together in Mandla’s journalism sector, during which I learned a great deal from him—lessons for which I can never fully repay my gratitude.
Today, on the birthday of this political and social thinker, writer, journalist, and critic, who has always treated me with great respect, I extend my heartfelt wishes, blessings, and prayers for his bright future.