Few independent journalists in Bihar have generated as much conversation — or controversy — as Manish Kashyap. Born Tripurari Kumar Tiwary, he built his public identity around a single YouTube channel, SachTak, and a reporting style that made him equally popular with viewers and uncomfortable for the officials he covered.
From Civil Engineering to Investigative Reporting
Kashyap was born on March 9, 1991, in Damaria, Mahanwa village, in Bihar’s West Champaran district. His father served in the Indian Army, and Kashyap initially trained as a civil engineer, graduating from Savitribai Phule Pune University before a career in journalism pulled him in a completely different direction.
That shift happened in 2018, when he launched SachTak as a YouTube-first news channel focused on ground-level investigative stories — corruption in local governance, infrastructure failures, and issues that larger news outlets often skipped over. It was blunt, unpolished reporting shot mostly on the ground rather than from a studio, and it resonated with a Bihari audience that felt underserved by mainstream coverage. The nickname that stuck with him, “Son of Bihar,” reflects how closely his brand became tied to speaking for the state’s ordinary residents.
Stepping Into Politics
Journalism eventually pulled Kashyap toward electoral politics. He first tested that path in the 2020 Bihar Assembly elections, running as an independent candidate from Chanpatia and finishing third — a respectable showing for someone with no party machinery behind him. By 2024, he had joined the Bharatiya Janata Party ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, choosing to pursue change from within the political system rather than purely through reporting.
That move drew mixed reactions from longtime followers — some saw it as a natural extension of his activism, others felt it complicated his image as an independent watchdog journalist. Either way, it marked a clear turning point in how he positioned himself publicly.
Beyond the Camera
Kashyap’s public profile isn’t built entirely on reporting and politics. He’s also known in Bihar for organising mass wedding ceremonies for daughters who’ve lost their fathers — a form of community support that carries real cultural weight in the region, where wedding expenses can be a significant financial burden for families without a primary earner. It’s this side of his work that’s earned him goodwill well outside his usual news audience.
Quick Facts
- Full Name: Tripurari Kumar Tiwary
- Known As: Manish Kashyap
- Born: March 9, 1991, Damaria, Mahanwa village, West Champaran, Bihar
- Profession: Journalist, YouTuber, Social Worker
- Known For: Founding SachTak, investigative reporting, community welfare initiatives
- Political Affiliation: Bharatiya Janata Party (since 2024)
Where to Follow Him
- Instagram: @ermanishkasyap
- X (Twitter): @iammanishkashyp
- YouTube: Manish Kashyap SOB, Sach Talks Official
- Facebook: Sach Tak News
- Website: sachtaknews.com
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Manish Kashyap best known for? Founding SachTak, a YouTube news channel built around investigative, ground-level reporting on corruption and governance issues in Bihar.
Did Manish Kashyap study journalism? No — he trained as a civil engineer at Savitribai Phule Pune University before moving into journalism.
Has he run for political office? Yes. He contested the 2020 Bihar Assembly elections as an independent candidate from Chanpatia, placing third, and later joined the BJP in 2024.
What social work is he known for? Organising mass wedding ceremonies for daughters who have lost their fathers, an initiative that has drawn wide appreciation across Bihar.