Committee
Meet the dedicated volunteers who lead and support BJAI's activities throughout the year.
Leadership
Office Bearers
The team guiding BJAI's strategy, operations, culture, youth, charity and events.
Dr. Deepak Kumar
President
My name is Deepak. I was born in Bihar and grew up in Munger and Deoghar. I moved to Ireland in 2004 and now live in Naas, County Kildare, with my wife, Mona Sood, who is a pharmacist, and our two children. Professionally, I specialise in audio-vestibular care. I am delighted to be part of the BJAI family and look forward to celebrating our regional festivals and cultural traditions together with the wider community.
Abhishek Thakur
General Secretary
I am from Patna, Bihar, and moved to Ireland in 2008. I currently work as a Software Development Team Lead and live in Naas, County Kildare, with my wife and two children. I hold a Master’s degree in Computing from South East Technological University, Waterford, formerly known as Waterford Institute of Technology, as well as a B.Tech. degree from SASTRA University, Tamil Nadu. I speak Maithili, Hindi, and English. In my free time, I enjoy meeting new people, travelling, and cooking. I am delighted to see the growing community of people from Bihar and Jharkhand in Ireland and look forward to connecting with them through events organised by BJAI. I am always happy to contribute my time and support towards strengthening BJAI and promoting the continued growth of our community in Ireland.
Prabhat Ravi
Treasurer
My name is Prabhat Ravi. I am originally from Hajipur, Bihar, and have been based in Ireland since 2012. Professionally, I work in the financial technology sector, while also staying deeply committed to community service and cultural engagement. As an active member of BJAI – Bihar Jharkhand Association of Ireland, I am passionate about bringing our community together, celebrating our heritage, and passing our cultural values on to the next generation. Over the past four years, I have been actively involved in organising Chhath Puja in Ireland, which has been a proud and meaningful milestone for our community. Being part of BJAI is important to me because it helps keep our traditions alive, especially festivals like Chhath Puja, which represent devotion, purity, family, and community spirit. I also believe BJAI plays a vital role in helping the next generation growing up in Ireland stay connected to their Bihari and Jharkhandi roots with pride. Beyond cultural celebrations, BJAI provides a strong support system and an extended family for people living away from home. I am always happy to contribute my time and effort towards strengthening this community and helping BJAI continue to grow in Ireland.
Committee
Executive Committee Members
Durgesh Tiwari
Durgesh Tiwari is from Gopalganj, Bihar, and moved to Ireland in 2011. He currently lives in Dundalk with his family and works as a Senior Software Engineer at Prometic. In his free time, Durgesh enjoys playing chess, cricket, and badminton.
Ajay Kumar Singh
I am an experienced Test Management and quality assurance professional and have been living in Ireland with my family for the past 14 years. I have been associated with BJAI since 2022 and, since joining the association, I have taken an active interest in community activities and regularly participated in BJAI-organised cultural and social events. My involvement includes celebrations such as Chhath Puja, the Ganesh Festival, and Holi, where I have contributed through my participation and support. Through my professional experience and community involvement, I have developed a strong sense of responsibility, collaboration, and commitment. I value cultural traditions, community engagement, and the opportunity to connect with and support fellow members of the Indian community in Ireland.
Saket Kumar
I am from Madhubani, Bihar, and was born and raised in Ranchi, Jharkhand. I moved to Ireland in 2019 to pursue a Master’s degree in Business Analytics and have since established my professional career here. I currently work as a Senior Business Analyst with AXA Insurance Ireland and live in Newbridge, County Kildare. I speak Hindi, Maithili, and English. I am pleased to be part of the Bihar and Jharkhand community in Ireland and look forward to connecting with fellow members through BJAI’s cultural and community events.
Bikash Mandal
Hi, I'm Bikash, originally from Dhanbad, Jharkhand, the coal capital of India. I made Ireland my home in 2017, moving here to pursue my Master's in Business Analytics at UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School. Currently I am working as a Lead Data Scientist in an Irish firm, and I'm deeply passionate about the ever-evolving world of AI, always eager to explore new ideas and technologies in the field. Community is close to my heart. As a member of BJAI's cultural committee, I've been actively involved in organizing our celebrations, from Chhath Puja to Holi and various other events, bringing people together and keeping our traditions alive here in Ireland. Outside of work and community life, you'll usually find me travelling and soaking up new cultures. I believe every place, and every person, has a story worth discovering.
Kanchan Lata
I was born in Bhilai, Chhattisgarh, and spent most of my life in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, while my native roots are in Bihar. I moved to Ireland in 2024 and currently work as a Database Developer with a banking firm. Outside of work, I enjoy playing badminton and travelling. I have been actively involved with BJAI since 2024, and I truly enjoy contributing to the community by helping organise events such as Chhath Puja, Holi celebrations, picnics, and other community activities.
Rajeev Ranjan
I am from Bokaro, Jharkhand. I have been living in Ireland since 2016 and currently live in Kildare Town with my family, including my 8-year-old son. I have been associated with BJAI since 2022, beginning with the Chhath Puja celebration, which was the first of its kind in Ireland and a truly memorable moment for all of us. Being part of BJAI means a great deal to me, as it keeps me connected to my roots while helping build a strong support system for our people away from home. Professionally, I have experience across consulting, digital and data transformation, and programme delivery. I currently work with one of Ireland's pillar banks, delivering large-scale technology and transformation programmes. I speak Hindi and English. Outside of work, I care deeply about community involvement and staying connected to our shared cultural roots here in Ireland. I am always happy to contribute my time and support towards strengthening BJAI and promoting the continued growth of our community in Ireland.
Kisalay Prasad
My name is Kisalay. I was born and brought up in Rourkela, Odisha, with my native roots in Darbhanga, Bihar. I moved to Ireland in August 2022 for work and currently work as a Technical Architect with Hewlett Packard Enterprise. I have been associated with BJAI – Bihar Jharkhand Association of Ireland since August 2022, and I have thoroughly enjoyed the journey so far. One of the things I value most is the opportunity to meet new people, build meaningful connections, and be part of a vibrant and welcoming community. BJAI provides me with a wonderful platform to stay connected with my roots and feel at home, even while living away from India. As part of my involvement with BJAI, I take responsibility for coordinating food vendors and managing food-related activities during events. Being a passionate foodie and an enthusiastic home cook myself, I find immense joy in contributing to the community through something I genuinely love — food. It is particularly rewarding to see people come together, enjoy good food, and create lasting memories as one extended community.
Alok Kumar
My name is Alok Kumar, and I have been living in Ireland since 2019. I am originally from Lakhisarai, Bihar, India, where my roots are deeply connected. I hold a Master's degree in Management and a Bachelor's degree in Information Technology. Professionally, I work as an Analytics Manager at Bank of Ireland. I enjoy supporting the community and helping people whenever I can. In my free time, I love travelling, playing sports, and staying active at the gym. I look forward to connecting with and contributing to our community.
Shambhu Kumar
My name is Shambhu Kumar. I was born and raised in Patna, and my roots go back to Darbhanga, Bihar. I now call Dublin, Ireland, my home. I began my academic journey at Magadh University and later pursued further studies through IGNOU, the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, and the International Business Management Institute, Germany. Professionally, I currently serve as EMEA Engineering Leader / Director of Engineering at eBay. Before this, I had the privilege of working with Microsoft and Amazon Web Services. My work focuses on AI, machine learning, databases, data science, cloud architecture, and enterprise engineering. I am also passionate about mentoring and enjoy helping others navigate and grow in their careers. Being part of the Bihari community here in Ireland means a lot to me, as it keeps me connected to home while building a life abroad. I look forward to getting to know everyone and staying connected with our shared culture and roots. Patna se Dublin tak — Bihar hamesha dil mein hai!
Amit Jaiswal
My name is Amit Jaiswal, and I am originally from Manihari, a small town in the Katihar district of Bihar. I completed my secondary and higher secondary education in Jamshedpur, followed by a BSc in Visakhapatnam and an MSc in Gwalior. After working for a few years at the National Chemical Laboratory in Pune, I received a scholarship to pursue a PhD and moved to Ireland in 2008. I later completed my PhD and MBA at TU Dublin, where I currently work as a Senior Lecturer. I live in Ashtown, Dublin, with my wife, Swarna Jaiswal, and our two children, Viaan and Aavya. Swarna and I work in the same profession at TU Dublin and even share the same office, which makes our professional journey quite unique. I joined the Bihar Jharkhand Association of Ireland (BJAI) in 2022 and am currently part of the Executive Committee Team. Being part of BJAI gives me a strong sense of home and belonging, even while living far from Bihar. It helps me stay connected to our culture, traditions, and shared identity, while also giving me the opportunity to help the next generation understand and take pride in their roots. I look forward to building lasting friendships and contributing my time and support towards strengthening our community in Ireland.
Bibha Sharma
My name is Bibha Sharma, and I am from Deoghar, Jharkhand, with roots in Bhabhua, Bihar. I moved to Ireland in 2012 and currently live in Naas, County Kildare, with my family. Professionally, I work as a Global Fermentation Scientist at Kerry Group. I hold a PhD in Food Biosciences from University College Dublin and a master's degree in food technology from CFTRI, Mysore. I speak Bhojpuri, Hindi, and English. Outside of work, I enjoy meeting people, travelling, and cooking. Being part of the Bihar Jharkhand community in Ireland keeps me connected to home. As a BJAI Committee member, I actively support the organisation of community events and BJAI's outreach activities. I am passionate about helping instil Bihariyat in the next generation while contributing to the wider Irish-Indian community. I remain committed to strengthening BJAI and building deeper connections within our growing community in Ireland.
Want to Get Involved?
BJAI is always looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help with events, culture, charity, and youth programmes. Join us and be part of the team.