Gaining an insight from the architect of Indian Constitution, Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar, who once said “English is like the milk of lioness, one who drinks it becomes a lion”, Birbal Jha once destitute imbibed the same to such an extent that he began to share his knowledge and experiences with those deprived of English Skills.
Moved by the pathetic situation of his home state he coined the slogan, ‘English for all’ of his social venture – British Lingua 26 years back with a mission of helping people, more particularly country’s youth to avail the advantages of English communication skills.
Lacs of youth from the unprivileged section of society who were initially deprived of English education and employability skills have been able to improve their lifestyles, thanks to his initiative and commitment to the social cause.
Heading British Lingua specializing in communication skills training in the country Dr Birbal expounded a unique Structural-cum-Interactive Method ( SIM) for a quick and easy grasp of English language skills, His SIM has been endorsed and appreciated by various international schools of thoughts on the subject.
Today self-made Dr Birbal is well-known as a World Celebrity featuring in the lists of celebrities on the net. His multifaceted personality includes those as a noted author, social entrepreneur, social thinker-worker, cultural activist, lyricist, linguist, columnist and communication skills trainer, all rolled into one.
Born in 1972 to an extremely poor family of a riverine village Sijoul of Madhubani, a district of Bihar, Birbal lost his father when he was hardly one year old. He lived a very miserable life as a child. His mother Jaipura Jha, who brought him up worked in farmland to eke out a living and make both ends meet.
“Education is something that can change one’s life and prospects”, says Dr Birbal, who for the first time ventured to move out of his remote village to Patna on 3rd April 1988 in search of a job and possibly further education.
With 27 rupees in the pocket, he reached the state capital where he had no option but to work as a waiter at a street eatery of Musallahpur. However, he came in contact with his current colleague Pradeep Jha, who helped him get a job of a peon at erstwhile Murlidhar Press.
He went through all trying times. There was a time when a brick was his pillow to support the head while sleeping. The footpath was his roofless shelter to pass the night only to wake up at the crack of dawn. The endless blue sky was his wrap over his body. A khadi lungee was his quilt to lie on. The lungee he had was from his mother who had got it from Khadigramodyog for spinning. It was all in the street of Musallahpur.
Dr. Birbal Jha is a Ph D and holds 2 Master degrees from Patna University, where his name figures in the category of notable alumni. Having received early and secondary education in the village, he did his 10th Board from Bihar School Examination Board in 1988.
He is an acclaimed author, having penned over 30 books to date on aspects of English communication skills, personal growth, manual, parenting, culture and society. Remarkably, he received a lot of compliments for his weekly columns ‘Seekhen Sahi Angreji’ in Dainik Jagran and ‘Jano English’ in Hindustan, both national dailies. Apart from many others, Oxford University Professor Elizabeth Schoel has endorsed Dr Jha’s magnum opus- Celebrate Your Life. He is an institution in himself considering his erudition and prolific works. His latest book- ‘English for Social Justice’ is an eye-opener. He has also won several awards.
In 2013, putting a spotlight on the need for English education, he wrote a drama, namely ‘Englishiya Boli’. Moreover, he has composed many poems in three languages- English, Hindi and Maithili, showing poetic skills.
In the 2010 Commonwealth Games held in Delhi, he headed the training team of British Lingua which imparted the first-ever training in Spoken English and Behavior Skills to those, who were the first points of contacts at the international event.
Recognizing his expertise and scholarship, the Government of Bihar entrusted his organisation with implementing the first-ever ‘Spoken English and Capacity Building’ training program for Government High School-teachers, in 2009. The program’s successful completion has set the benchmark for English education in the state. Furthermore, in collaboration with the Government, his social enterprise has been able to bring about noticeable changes in the lives of millions of the poorest of the poor in the country.