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{{refimprove|date=July 2019}}
{{Short description|Indian-born British writer (1950–2025)}}
{{about|a writer|the politician|Jai Prakash Verma}}
{{about|a writer|the politician|Jai Prakash Verma}}
{{More citations needed|date=July 2019}}
{{Infobox academic
{{Infobox academic
|name          = Jai Verma
|name          = Jai Verma
|birth_date    = March, {{birth year and age|1950}}
|birth_date    = March 1950
|birth_place  = [[Meerut]], [[Uttar Pradesh]]
|birth_place  = [[Meerut]], [[Uttar Pradesh]], India
|death_date    = {{Death date and given age|df=y|2025|4|23|75}}
|death_place  =
|alma_mater    = [[Meerut University]]
|alma_mater    = [[Meerut University]]
|image        = Jaaaai.jpg
|image        = Jaaaai.jpg
Line 11: Line 14:
|awards        = Adharshila Magazine Award 2016, Lord Mayor's Award 2017
|awards        = Adharshila Magazine Award 2016, Lord Mayor's Award 2017
}}
}}
'''Jai Verma''' is an Indian-born [[Hindi]] writer, [[educationalist]], [[poet]], and advocate of Hindi language and culture.
 
'''Jai Verma''' (March 1950 – 23 April 2025) was an Indian-born [[Hindi]] writer, [[educationalist]], poet and advocate of Hindi language and culture.


== Early life ==
== Early life ==
Jai Verma was born in Jiwana, [[Meerut]], [[Uttar Pradesh]], India in March 1950, the eldest of five children. After her primary education in Rudrapur, Nainital; she received a BA in English Literature, Economics, and Drawing and Painting from [[Chaudhary Charan Singh University|Meerut University]].
[[File:PM Modi visit London.JPG|thumb|''Jai Verma (far right) meets with Indian Prime Minister N [[Narendra Modi|Modi]]'']]


Jai Verma was born in Jiwana, [[Meerut]], [[Uttar Pradesh]], India, March 1950, the eldest of five children. After her primary education in Rudrapur, Nainital; she received a BA in English Literature, Economics, and Drawing and Painting from [[Chaudhary Charan Singh University|Meerut University]].
She moved to Gateshead, Tyneside, England on [[Mahatma Gandhi|Gandhi]]'s birthday: 2 October, in 1971. In 1976, she moved to [[Nottingham]], UK, where she lived until her death.
[[File:PM Modi visit London.JPG|thumb|''Jai Verma (far right) meets with Indian Prime Minister N [[Narendra Modi|Modi]]'']]
She moved to Gateshead, Tyneside, UK on [[Mahatma Gandhi|Gandhi]]'s birthday: 2 October, in 1971. In 1976, she moved to [[Nottingham]], UK, where she has lived since.


== Career ==
== Career ==
Verma contributed to the translation and adaptation of over thirty [[book]]s into Hindi during her career as a Hindi teacher in [[Nottingham]]. In the Eighties, she worked as the Language Coordinator at the Nottingham Language Centre. She taught Hindi professionally from 1976 to 1991 at Nottingham's Kala Niketan School.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nottinghamcvs.co.uk/news/article/spotlight-kala-niketan-hindi-school|title=Spotlight on... Kala Niketan Hindi School {{!}} Nottingham Community and Voluntary Service|website=www.nottinghamcvs.co.uk|access-date=2016-03-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160412120416/http://www.nottinghamcvs.co.uk/news/article/spotlight-kala-niketan-hindi-school|archive-date=2016-04-12|url-status=dead}}</ref> After settling in Nottingham in 1976, she began to become more involved in Hindi arts and culture, particularly in the field of [[poetry]].


Jai Verma contributed to the translation and adaptation of over thirty [[book]]s into Hindi during her career as a Hindi teacher in [[Nottingham]]. In the Eighties, she worked as the Language Coordinator at the Nottingham Language Centre. She taught Hindi professionally from 1976 to 1991 at Nottingham's Kala Niketan School.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nottinghamcvs.co.uk/news/article/spotlight-kala-niketan-hindi-school|title=Spotlight on...  Kala Niketan Hindi School {{!}} Nottingham Community and Voluntary Service|website=www.nottinghamcvs.co.uk|access-date=2016-03-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160412120416/http://www.nottinghamcvs.co.uk/news/article/spotlight-kala-niketan-hindi-school|archive-date=2016-04-12|url-status=dead}}</ref> After settling in Nottingham in 1976, she began to become more involved in Hindi arts and culture, particularly in the field of [[poetry]].
Throughout this period, her poetry and articles were published in a variety of magazines and newspapers worldwide (predominantly the UK, USA, India, and Canada). This in turn led to her poetry being accepted into several anthologies. She was featured in an article in the [[Indian Council for Cultural Relations|Indian Council of Cultural Relations]] special publication गगनान्चल 1857 के 150 वर्ष पर विशेषांक अप्रैल-सितम्बर 2006 (''Gagnanchal, 1857: 150 Year Special Edition, April–September 2006'') as one of the important people outside of India for promoting Hindi culture.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Hindi Journals {{!}} Indian Council for Cultural Relations|url = http://iccr.gov.in/journals/hindi-journals?combine=&page=1|website = iccr.gov.in|accessdate = 2016-01-07}}</ref> A member of the Nottingham Asian Arts Council since 1995, she was a founder members of a poetry group for multi-lingual poets and fans of multilingual, [[South Asia]]n poetry in 2003 named Gitanjali Multilingual Literary Circle Trent (inspired by the Gitanjali group in the [[West Midlands (region)|West Midlands]].  to promote and develop multilingual poetry outside of India. She remains the chairperson of the group to this day. The group changed its name in 2011 to Kavya Rang (''Colours of Poetry)''. She has given talks and recitals at World [[World Hindi Conference|Hindi Conferences]] / ICOSOL conferences across the world, including [[Johannesburg]], [[Moscow]], [[Aligarh Muslim University|Alighar]], [[Budapest]], [[New York City|New York]]; [[Toronto]]; [[Washington, D.C.|Washington DC]], [[Ujjain district|Ujjain]], [[Delhi]], [[Meerut]], [[Lucknow]], [[Kurukshetra]]; and many other places.
 
Throughout this period, her poetry and articles were published in a variety of magazines and newspapers worldwide (predominantly the UK, USA, India, and Canada). This in turn led to her poetry being accepted into several anthologies. She was featured in an article in the [[Indian Council for Cultural Relations|Indian Council of Cultural Relations]] special publication गगनान्चल 1857 के 150 वर्ष पर विशेषांक अप्रैल-सितम्बर 2006 (''Gagnanchal, 1857: 150 Year Special Edition, April–September 2006'') as one of the important people outside of India for promoting Hindi culture.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Hindi Journals {{!}} Indian Council for Cultural Relations|url = http://iccr.gov.in/journals/hindi-journals?combine=&page=1|website = iccr.gov.in|accessdate = 2016-01-07}}</ref> A member of the Nottingham Asian Arts Council since 1995, she was a founder members of a poetry group for multi-lingual poets and fans of multilingual, [[South Asia]]n poetry in 2003 named Gitanjali Multilingual Literary Circle Trent (inspired by the Gitanjali group in the [[West Midlands (region)|West Midlands]].  to promote and develop multilingual poetry outside of India. She remains the Chairperson of the group to this day. The group changed its name in 2011 to Kavya Rang (''Colours of Poetry)''. She has given talks and recitals at World [[World Hindi Conference|Hindi Conferences]] / ICOSOL conferences across the world, including [[Johannesburg]], [[Moscow]], [[Aligarh Muslim University|Alighar]], [[Budapest]], [[New York City|New York]]; [[Toronto]]; [[Washington, D.C.|Washington DC]], [[Ujjain district|Ujjain]], [[Delhi]], [[Meerut]], [[Lucknow]], [[Kurukshetra]]; and many other places.


She presented a weekly [[BBC Radio Nottingham]] programme 'Navrang'  for several months during the 1980s. This was a dedicated programme for the local South Asian [[diaspora]].
She presented a weekly [[BBC Radio Nottingham]] programme 'Navrang'  for several months during the 1980s. This was a dedicated programme for the local South Asian [[diaspora]].
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As a mature student, she studied for an advanced diploma in Practice Management; and a post-graduate in Service Management at [[Nottingham Trent University]], graduating in 1994.
As a mature student, she studied for an advanced diploma in Practice Management; and a post-graduate in Service Management at [[Nottingham Trent University]], graduating in 1994.


From 1989 to 2014 she was a practice manager at a Nottingham [[National Health Service (England)|NHS]] surgery.
From 1989 to 2014, she was a practice manager at a Nottingham [[National Health Service (England)|NHS]] surgery.
[[File:Jai Verma.jpg|thumb|''Jai at Nottingham Festival of Words, 2014'']]
[[File:Jai Verma.jpg|thumb|''Jai at Nottingham Festival of Words, 2014'']]
She has promoted and organised the Indian poetic performance art of [[Kavi sammelan|Kavi Sammelan]], setting up regular events as since 2004. This has developed into the International Kavi Sammelan events, set up under the banner of Kavya Rang,  held in her home city of Nottingham, UK, and attracting internationally renowned guests.
She has promoted and organised the Indian poetic performance art of [[Kavi sammelan|Kavi Sammelan]], setting up regular events as since 2004. This has developed into the International Kavi Sammelan events, set up under the banner of Kavya Rang,  held in her home city of Nottingham, UK, and attracting internationally renowned guests.


Her story, ''Gulmohar'',<ref>Gulmohar</ref> originally published in the magazine ''Pravasi Duniya'', was selected to be part of the [[Non-resident Indian and person of Indian origin|Pravasi]] (diaspora) Hindi Sait BA curriculum reading list in 2015 by the [[University Grants Commission (India)|University Grants Commission (UGC)]].<ref>http://www.ugc.ac.in/pdfnews/9041153_B.A.-Revised-Honours.pdf</ref>  Her poem क्यों चाहूँ नया जन्म क्यों चाहहँ मोक्ष (''Why Should I Seek New Birth or [[Nirvana]]?'') was included in the [[Maharashtra]] secondary Medium / High Education Committee (महाराष्ट्र राज्य माद्यमिक व उच्च माद्यमिक शिक्षण मंडल) curriculum for 2015.<ref>https://mahahsscboard.maharashtra.gov.in/ssc_syllabus_pdf/s02.pdf</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = https://mahahsscboard.maharashtra.gov.in/ssc_syllabus_pdf/s02.pdf|title = Mahastra Syllabus Board|date = |accessdate = |website = |publisher = |last = |first = }}</ref> She is included in the MA Hindi syllabus as a परिचय  (introduction) to Pravasi writers, at [[Chaudhary Charan Singh University|CCS University]], [[Meerut]].
Her story, ''Gulmohar'',<ref>Gulmohar</ref> originally published in the magazine ''Pravasi Duniya'', was selected to be part of the [[Non-resident Indian and person of Indian origin|Pravasi]] (diaspora) Hindi Sait BA curriculum reading list in 2015 by the [[University Grants Commission (India)|University Grants Commission (UGC)]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ugc.ac.in/pdfnews/9041153_B.A.-Revised-Honours.pdf |title=Revised Syllabus of CBCS (Hindi) |access-date=2015-10-25 |archive-date=2017-02-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170201181720/http://www.ugc.ac.in/pdfnews/9041153_B.A.-Revised-Honours.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>  Her poem क्यों चाहूँ नया जन्म क्यों चाहहँ मोक्ष (''Why Should I Seek New Birth or [[Nirvana]]?'') was included in the [[Maharashtra]] secondary Medium / High Education Committee (महाराष्ट्र राज्य माद्यमिक व उच्च माद्यमिक शिक्षण मंडल) curriculum for 2015.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://mahahsscboard.maharashtra.gov.in/ssc_syllabus_pdf/s02.pdf | title=भूमिका | language=hi | trans-title=Role | access-date=2024-07-03 | website=mahahsscboard.maharashtra.gov.in | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009131119/https://mahahsscboard.maharashtra.gov.in/ssc_syllabus_pdf/s02.pdf | archive-date=2020-10-09}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = https://mahahsscboard.maharashtra.gov.in/ssc_syllabus_pdf/s02.pdf|title = Mahastra Syllabus Board|date = |accessdate = |website = |publisher = |last = |first = |archive-date = 2020-10-09|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201009131119/https://mahahsscboard.maharashtra.gov.in/ssc_syllabus_pdf/s02.pdf|url-status = dead}}</ref> She is included in the MA Hindi syllabus as a परिचय  (introduction) to Pravasi writers, at [[Chaudhary Charan Singh University|CCS University]], [[Meerut]].


In June 2016, Jai Verma was presented with the Adharshila Magazine Award,  for "prominence in the field of literature" ; her writing helping Hindi become a world language. This Mahadevi Verma Samman was awarded alongside an invite to chair the meeting in [[Paris]].
In June 2016, Jai Verma was presented with the Adharshila Magazine Award,  for "prominence in the field of literature" ; her writing helping Hindi become a world language. This Mahadevi Verma Samman was awarded alongside an invite to chair the meeting in [[Paris]].


She is an active member of Nottingham Asian Arts Council, joining the committee in 1990, and a full board member since 2013. She is on the board of the Nottingham Festival of Words 2016, developing the festival's theme of discovering and strengthening links between Nottingham and India.  
Verma was an active member of Nottingham Asian Arts Council, joining the committee in 1990, and a full board member from 2013. She was on the board of the Nottingham Festival of Words 2016, developing the festival's theme of discovering and strengthening links between Nottingham and India.


She has been active in arranging Indian poets visit Nottingham for annual events, and facilitating cultural exchange.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nottinghampost.com/Indian-poets-including-Governor-West-Bengal-visit/story-28228695-detail/story.html#2|title=Indian poets, including Governor of West Bengal, visit Nottingham to celebrate City of Literature|website=Nottingham Post|language=en-GB|access-date=2016-03-31}}</ref>
She was active in arranging Indian poets visit Nottingham for annual events, and facilitating cultural exchange.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nottinghampost.com/Indian-poets-including-Governor-West-Bengal-visit/story-28228695-detail/story.html#2|title=Indian poets, including Governor of West Bengal, visit Nottingham to celebrate City of Literature|website=Nottingham Post|language=en-GB|access-date=2016-03-31|archive-date=2015-11-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151125162823/http://www.nottinghampost.com/Indian-poets-including-Governor-West-Bengal-visit/story-28228695-detail/story.html#2|url-status=dead}}</ref>


Jai was an active member of the working group that saw Nottingham designated a [[UNESCO]] City of Literature on 11 December 2015,<ref>{{Cite web|title = Nottingham named UNESCO City of Literature|url = http://www.nottinghampost.com/Nottingham-named-UNESCO-City-Literature/story-28347373-detail/story.html|website = Nottingham Post|accessdate = 2016-01-07|language = en-GB|url-status = dead|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20151222112901/http://www.nottinghampost.com/Nottingham-named-UNESCO-City-Literature/story-28347373-detail/story.html|archivedate = 2015-12-22}}</ref> and continues to support and work with the City of Literature<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nottinghamcityofliterature.com/|title=Nottingham City of Literature {{!}} UNESCO bid|website=www.nottinghamcityofliterature.com|accessdate=2016-01-07}}</ref> on projects following the award.
Verma was an active member of the working group that saw Nottingham designated a [[UNESCO]] City of Literature on 11 December 2015,<ref>{{Cite web|title = Nottingham named UNESCO City of Literature|url = http://www.nottinghampost.com/Nottingham-named-UNESCO-City-Literature/story-28347373-detail/story.html|website = Nottingham Post|accessdate = 2016-01-07|language = en-GB|url-status = dead|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20151222112901/http://www.nottinghampost.com/Nottingham-named-UNESCO-City-Literature/story-28347373-detail/story.html|archivedate = 2015-12-22}}</ref> and continued to support and work with the City of Literature<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nottinghamcityofliterature.com/|title=Nottingham City of Literature {{!}} UNESCO bid|website=www.nottinghamcityofliterature.com|accessdate=2016-01-07}}</ref> on projects following the award.


She was awarded the Lord Mayor's Award in March 2017 from the [[Lord Mayor of Nottingham]], for her services in promoting Nottingham internationally.
She was awarded the Lord Mayor's Award in March 2017 from the [[Lord Mayor of Nottingham]], for her services in promoting Nottingham internationally.


Since 2018 she has been spending winters speaking in India, delivering lectures at, amongst others, [[Gujarat University|Gandhi Nagar Ahmedabad]]; [[Meerut University]]; [[Vigyan Bhavan|Vigyan Bhaven]];<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bing.com/videos/search?view=detail&mid=7C3DF345E61FAE8DF6307C3DF345E61FAE8DF630&shtp=GetUrl&shid=c0e0ebdd-9a0a-4c9c-9a21-c63ae3874d51&shtk=SmF5IFZlcm1hIHwg4KSF4KSC4KSk4KSw4KSw4KS+4KS34KWN4KSf4KWN4KSw4KWA4KSvIOCkueCkv+CkguCkpuClgCDgpLjgpK7gpY3gpK7gpLLgpYfgpKggSGluZGkgU2FoaXR5YSB8IEhhbnNyYWogQ29sbGVnZSB8IFRydWUgTWVkaWE=&shdk=U3Vic2NyaWJlIHVyIENoYW5uZWwgdG8gbW9yZSBWaWRlbyBodHRwczovL3d3dy55b3V0dWJlLmNvbS9jaGFubmVsL1VDYkU0Li4uIOCkleCkteCkvyDgpLjgpK7gpY3gpK7gpYfgpLLgpKgsIOCkruClgeCktuCkvuCkr+CksOCkviwg4KSn4KS+4KSw4KWN4KSu4KS/4KSVLCDgpIXgpKfgpY3gpK/gpL7gpKTgpY3gpK7gpL/gpJUsIOCkuOCkvuCkguCkuOCljeCkleClg+CkpOCkv+CklSDgpJXgpL7gpLDgpY3gpK/gpJXgpY3gpLDgpK4sIOCksOCkvuCkt+CljeCkn+CljeCksOClgOCkrywg4KSF4KSC4KSk4KSw4KSw4KS+4KS34KWN4KSf4KWN4KSw4KWA4KSvIOCkmuCksOCljeCkmuCkviAuLi4=&shhk=lY/nee6nNEMkyqxseLJSj/enXYXKVfiwXWZ1pxt4L0E=&form=VDSHOT&shth=OSH.oB06EwFJBK8FG5%252FypAYSzA|title=Bing video|website=www.bing.com|access-date=2020-02-14}}</ref> Jaipur University
From 2018 she spent winters speaking in India, delivering lectures at, amongst others, [[Gujarat University|Gandhi Nagar Ahmedabad]]; [[Meerut University]]; [[Vigyan Bhavan|Vigyan Bhaven]];<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bing.com/videos/search?view=detail&mid=7C3DF345E61FAE8DF6307C3DF345E61FAE8DF630&shtp=GetUrl&shid=c0e0ebdd-9a0a-4c9c-9a21-c63ae3874d51&shtk=SmF5IFZlcm1hIHwg4KSF4KSC4KSk4KSw4KSw4KS+4KS34KWN4KSf4KWN4KSw4KWA4KSvIOCkueCkv+CkguCkpuClgCDgpLjgpK7gpY3gpK7gpLLgpYfgpKggSGluZGkgU2FoaXR5YSB8IEhhbnNyYWogQ29sbGVnZSB8IFRydWUgTWVkaWE=&shdk=U3Vic2NyaWJlIHVyIENoYW5uZWwgdG8gbW9yZSBWaWRlbyBodHRwczovL3d3dy55b3V0dWJlLmNvbS9jaGFubmVsL1VDYkU0Li4uIOCkleCkteCkvyDgpLjgpK7gpY3gpK7gpYfgpLLgpKgsIOCkruClgeCktuCkvuCkr+CksOCkviwg4KSn4KS+4KSw4KWN4KSu4KS/4KSVLCDgpIXgpKfgpY3gpK/gpL7gpKTgpY3gpK7gpL/gpJUsIOCkuOCkvuCkguCkuOCljeCkleClg+CkpOCkv+CklSDgpJXgpL7gpLDgpY3gpK/gpJXgpY3gpLDgpK4sIOCksOCkvuCkt+CljeCkn+CljeCksOClgOCkrywg4KSF4KSC4KSk4KSw4KSw4KS+4KS34KWN4KSf4KWN4KSw4KWA4KSvIOCkmuCksOCljeCkmuCkviAuLi4=&shhk=lY/nee6nNEMkyqxseLJSj/enXYXKVfiwXWZ1pxt4L0E=&form=VDSHOT&shth=OSH.oB06EwFJBK8FG5%252FypAYSzA|title=Bing video|website=www.bing.com|access-date=2020-02-14}}</ref> Jaipur University.


== Charitable work ==
== Charitable work ==
Verma was involved in several voluntary organisations and charitable campaigns over the years. She was instrumental in setting up a primary school library in India. She actively supported a project for the [[Triputi Eye Hospital]] and worked with the India League, Nottingham to provide funds for local and overseas charities. She raised emergency relief funds for the Asian tsunami and other natural disasters.


Jai has been involved in several voluntary organisations and charitable campaigns over the years. She has been instrumental in setting up a primary school library in India. She actively supports an ongoing project for the [[Triputi Eye Hospital]] and worked with the India League, Nottingham to provide funds for local and overseas charities. She has raised emergency relief funds for the Asian tsunami and other natural disasters.
== Personal life and death ==
Verma was for many years an accomplished [[Badminton]] teacher, tutoring the sport in [[adult education]]. She was married with two children and three grandchildren. Verma enjoyed Indian [[Vegetarianism|vegetarian]] cooking, golf, [[Contract bridge|bridge]], and spending time with family and friends.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jaiverma.co.uk/ |title=Home |website=jaiverma.co.uk}}</ref> She died after a short illness on 23 April 2025, at the age of 75.<ref>{{cite web |title=It is with deep sorrow to announce that Mrs Jai Verma died this morning after a short illness. She was 75.|date=23 April 2025 |url=https://www.facebook.com/theblackachieversawards/posts/687804573940610/ |website=The Black Achievers Awards on Facebook |access-date=22 June 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Turpin |first1=Matt |title=Jai Verma obituary |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/may/27/jai-verma-obituary |access-date=22 June 2025 |publisher=The Guardian |date=27 May 2025}}</ref>


== Publications ==
== Publications ==
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* Nasera Sharma Collection (Anthology, short story) 2015
* Nasera Sharma Collection (Anthology, short story) 2015
* Saat Kadam / Seven Steps (Short Stories) 2017
* Saat Kadam / Seven Steps (Short Stories) 2017
== Personal life ==
Jai was for many years an accomplished [[Badminton]] teacher, tutoring the sport in [[adult education]]. She is married with two children and three grandchildren. She enjoys Indian [[Vegetarianism|vegetarian]] cooking, [[golf]], [[Contract bridge|bridge]], and spending time with family and friends<ref>http://www.jaiverma.co.uk/</ref>


== References ==
== References ==
Line 78: Line 79:


{{DEFAULTSORT:Verma, Jai}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Verma, Jai}}
[[Category:1950 births]]
[[Category:2025 deaths]]
[[Category:Hindi-language writers]]
[[Category:Hindi-language writers]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1950 births]]

Latest revision as of 13:26, 25 March 2026


This article is about a writer. For the politician, see Jai Prakash Verma.
Jai Verma
Verma, c. 2012
BornMarch 1950
Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India
Died (aged 75)
AwardsAdharshila Magazine Award 2016, Lord Mayor's Award 2017
Academic background
Alma materMeerut University
Academic work
Notable worksOasis Poems 2003, Kavya Tarang 2006, Saat Qadam

Jai Verma (March 1950 – 23 April 2025) was an Indian-born Hindi writer, educationalist, poet and advocate of Hindi language and culture.

Early life[edit | edit source]

Jai Verma was born in Jiwana, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India in March 1950, the eldest of five children. After her primary education in Rudrapur, Nainital; she received a BA in English Literature, Economics, and Drawing and Painting from Meerut University.

Jai Verma (far right) meets with Indian Prime Minister N Modi

She moved to Gateshead, Tyneside, England on Gandhi's birthday: 2 October, in 1971. In 1976, she moved to Nottingham, UK, where she lived until her death.

Career[edit | edit source]

Verma contributed to the translation and adaptation of over thirty books into Hindi during her career as a Hindi teacher in Nottingham. In the Eighties, she worked as the Language Coordinator at the Nottingham Language Centre. She taught Hindi professionally from 1976 to 1991 at Nottingham's Kala Niketan School.[1] After settling in Nottingham in 1976, she began to become more involved in Hindi arts and culture, particularly in the field of poetry.

Throughout this period, her poetry and articles were published in a variety of magazines and newspapers worldwide (predominantly the UK, USA, India, and Canada). This in turn led to her poetry being accepted into several anthologies. She was featured in an article in the Indian Council of Cultural Relations special publication गगनान्चल 1857 के 150 वर्ष पर विशेषांक अप्रैल-सितम्बर 2006 (Gagnanchal, 1857: 150 Year Special Edition, April–September 2006) as one of the important people outside of India for promoting Hindi culture.[2] A member of the Nottingham Asian Arts Council since 1995, she was a founder members of a poetry group for multi-lingual poets and fans of multilingual, South Asian poetry in 2003 named Gitanjali Multilingual Literary Circle Trent (inspired by the Gitanjali group in the West Midlands. to promote and develop multilingual poetry outside of India. She remains the chairperson of the group to this day. The group changed its name in 2011 to Kavya Rang (Colours of Poetry). She has given talks and recitals at World Hindi Conferences / ICOSOL conferences across the world, including Johannesburg, Moscow, Alighar, Budapest, New York; Toronto; Washington DC, Ujjain, Delhi, Meerut, Lucknow, Kurukshetra; and many other places.

She presented a weekly BBC Radio Nottingham programme 'Navrang' for several months during the 1980s. This was a dedicated programme for the local South Asian diaspora.

As a mature student, she studied for an advanced diploma in Practice Management; and a post-graduate in Service Management at Nottingham Trent University, graduating in 1994.

From 1989 to 2014, she was a practice manager at a Nottingham NHS surgery.

Jai at Nottingham Festival of Words, 2014

She has promoted and organised the Indian poetic performance art of Kavi Sammelan, setting up regular events as since 2004. This has developed into the International Kavi Sammelan events, set up under the banner of Kavya Rang, held in her home city of Nottingham, UK, and attracting internationally renowned guests.

Her story, Gulmohar,[3] originally published in the magazine Pravasi Duniya, was selected to be part of the Pravasi (diaspora) Hindi Sait BA curriculum reading list in 2015 by the University Grants Commission (UGC).[4] Her poem क्यों चाहूँ नया जन्म क्यों चाहहँ मोक्ष (Why Should I Seek New Birth or Nirvana?) was included in the Maharashtra secondary Medium / High Education Committee (महाराष्ट्र राज्य माद्यमिक व उच्च माद्यमिक शिक्षण मंडल) curriculum for 2015.[5][6] She is included in the MA Hindi syllabus as a परिचय (introduction) to Pravasi writers, at CCS University, Meerut.

In June 2016, Jai Verma was presented with the Adharshila Magazine Award, for "prominence in the field of literature" ; her writing helping Hindi become a world language. This Mahadevi Verma Samman was awarded alongside an invite to chair the meeting in Paris.

Verma was an active member of Nottingham Asian Arts Council, joining the committee in 1990, and a full board member from 2013. She was on the board of the Nottingham Festival of Words 2016, developing the festival's theme of discovering and strengthening links between Nottingham and India.

She was active in arranging Indian poets visit Nottingham for annual events, and facilitating cultural exchange.[7]

Verma was an active member of the working group that saw Nottingham designated a UNESCO City of Literature on 11 December 2015,[8] and continued to support and work with the City of Literature[9] on projects following the award.

She was awarded the Lord Mayor's Award in March 2017 from the Lord Mayor of Nottingham, for her services in promoting Nottingham internationally.

From 2018 she spent winters speaking in India, delivering lectures at, amongst others, Gandhi Nagar Ahmedabad; Meerut University; Vigyan Bhaven;[10] Jaipur University.

Charitable work[edit | edit source]

Verma was involved in several voluntary organisations and charitable campaigns over the years. She was instrumental in setting up a primary school library in India. She actively supported a project for the Triputi Eye Hospital and worked with the India League, Nottingham to provide funds for local and overseas charities. She raised emergency relief funds for the Asian tsunami and other natural disasters.

Personal life and death[edit | edit source]

Verma was for many years an accomplished Badminton teacher, tutoring the sport in adult education. She was married with two children and three grandchildren. Verma enjoyed Indian vegetarian cooking, golf, bridge, and spending time with family and friends.[11] She died after a short illness on 23 April 2025, at the age of 75.[12][13]

Publications[edit | edit source]

  • Oasis Poems 2003 (anthology)
  • Gitanjali poems From East & West 2003 (anthology)
  • Kavya Tarang 2006, Gitanjali Multilingual Literary Circle (anthology)
  • Srijangatha online publication ‘Yanha Se Wanha Tak’ (anthology)
  • Anjali Women Poèmes (anthology)
  • Suraj Ki Solah Kirne (anthology)
  • Poetry book ‘Sahyatri Hain Hum’ published in December 2008 (editor)
  • Poems /stories/articles in magazines in UK. India, USA and Canada
  • Colours of Poetry (anthology, editor) 2014
  • Ramnika Gupta Foundation Pravasi Hindi Women Writers (anthology, short story) 2015
  • Nasera Sharma Collection (Anthology, short story) 2015
  • Saat Kadam / Seven Steps (Short Stories) 2017

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "Spotlight on... Kala Niketan Hindi School | Nottingham Community and Voluntary Service". www.nottinghamcvs.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2016-04-12. Retrieved 2016-03-31.
  2. ↑ "Hindi Journals | Indian Council for Cultural Relations". iccr.gov.in. Retrieved 2016-01-07.
  3. ↑ Gulmohar
  4. ↑ "Revised Syllabus of CBCS (Hindi)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-02-01. Retrieved 2015-10-25.
  5. ↑ "भूमिका" [Role] (PDF). mahahsscboard.maharashtra.gov.in (in हिन्दी). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2020-10-09. Retrieved 2024-07-03.
  6. ↑ "Mahastra Syllabus Board" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2020-10-09.
  7. ↑ "Indian poets, including Governor of West Bengal, visit Nottingham to celebrate City of Literature". Nottingham Post. Archived from the original on 2015-11-25. Retrieved 2016-03-31.
  8. ↑ "Nottingham named UNESCO City of Literature". Nottingham Post. Archived from the original on 2015-12-22. Retrieved 2016-01-07.
  9. ↑ "Nottingham City of Literature | UNESCO bid". www.nottinghamcityofliterature.com. Retrieved 2016-01-07.
  10. ↑ "Bing video". www.bing.com. Retrieved 2020-02-14.
  11. ↑ "Home". jaiverma.co.uk.
  12. ↑ "It is with deep sorrow to announce that Mrs Jai Verma died this morning after a short illness. She was 75". The Black Achievers Awards on Facebook. 23 April 2025. Retrieved 22 June 2025.
  13. ↑ Turpin, Matt (27 May 2025). "Jai Verma obituary". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 June 2025.

External links[edit | edit source]

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