Harivansh

Harivansh is a journalist and writer by profession and currently serves as the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. With over 45 years of active and meaningful contributions to Hindi journalism, literature, politics, and social issues, he has made a significant impact in these fields.

He was born on June 30, 1956, in Sitab Diyara, a village in Ballia district, Uttar Pradesh. This village has a unique geographical and historical significance, as it is formed by the confluence of three districts from two states—Ballia (Uttar Pradesh), Bhojpur (Ara, Bihar), and Saran (Chhapra, Bihar). Surrounded by the Sarayu River in the north and the Ganges in the south, this riverine region (Diara) is also the birthplace of the great freedom fighter, socialist leader, and architect of the Bihar Movement, Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan.

Harivansh has spent nearly four decades in journalism, focusing on grassroots issues and public concerns. His ideological inclinations are rooted in Gandhian thought, and his political influences include Jayaprakash Narayan, Ram Manohar Lohia, Karpoori Thakur, and Chandra Shekhar.

He completed his early and secondary education in his village. He then pursued his intermediate studies at Uday Pratap College in Banaras and went on to earn a master’s degree in Economics from Banaras Hindu University (BHU). Beside, he obtained a diploma in journalism from BHU.

During his time at the university, he became involved in the student movement led by Jayaprakash Narayan.

His journalism career began when he was selected as a trainee journalist at The Times of India group in Mumbai. He started working with the prestigious weekly magazine Dharmyug (published by The Times of India group) and later gained experience in Ravivar, a weekly magazine published by the Anandabazar Patrika group, working there until October 1989.

Between 1981 and 1984, he briefly worked at the Bank of India in Hyderabad and Patna before returning to journalism. Despite opportunities in major media houses and metropolitan cities like Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata, he chose to work in Bihar. In late 1989, he took on the responsibility of reviving Prabhat Khabar, a struggling newspaper published from Ranchi.

During Chandra Shekhar’s tenure as Prime Minister, Harivansh served as an Additional Information Advisor (Joint Secretary) in the Prime Minister’s Office. After this stint, he returned to Prabhat Khabar and continued his journalism career.

As a writer, Harivansh has authored nearly three dozen books, including around two dozen original works and a dozen edited volumes. His writings reflect his deep engagement with social and political issues, as well as his commitment to public interest journalism.