Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Friday, July 16, 2010
INDRANI MANTRIPRAGADA
Journalism is the quest for truth, and a journalist the seeker of facts. It may not be so all the time though. Over these years journalism has evolved to become a profession rather than an industry. The intimacy between a job and its doer is the highest in this field. It is my ardor to play a small but integral part in this quest.
“Don’t do something you become to like, do something that becomes of you” – it’s a revelation that brought me to where I am. As a child I did well at drama, elocution and arts. I had a distinct interest in reading and storytelling. Also, I was not particularly interested in the subjects of math and sciences. Ten years after my schooling I chose math and science as my specialization. It may sound uncanny, but I never faced any pressure whatsoever from my parents or my peers. It was entirely me that too the decision of science and later engineering as my subjects. I became to like engineering over the period of time, and also my job as a software engineer. But deep down in my heart, I knew I could never make the job become of me. Hence, I tried to escape desperately. But the question was – Which field? I wrote every possible management exam to get to the nearest exit – MBA. At the end of these efforts I still had an uneasy feeling about myself. I searched for a better understanding of my yearning. It was the year before this that it dawned to me. As an eight year old girl, I remember pestering my mother to be a newsreader after watching the DD news on TV. An eight year old may understand only the poise and the eloquence with which the newsreader spoke, but a twenty five year old understands much more than that. At twenty five, I finally decided to become a journalist. Deep down, I knew I never had to write anymore MBA entrances to run away to the United States. I was at home with the thought.
But obviously after working for four years, I could not take a decision of this kind just because news reading fascinated me when I was a child. It took a lot more than that. Firstly, it’s my love for the camera, I like being on both sides of it, though the prior excites me more. The adrenaline rush that comes with a camera in front of me can never be compensated in any other job. More so, because it comes with a responsibility of telling people what’s going on around them. Secondly, I love people. To my limited knowledge, the best way to reach out to a vast crowd was through journalism. I like candid talk, this being the third reason. Though I realize that today’s journalism may not be always be about candidness. But I still hope to find a light at the end of the tunnel that even today one can reach out by being frank. Lastly, I love travel, and I have not had a chance to travel much yet. I hope that someday journalism would take me places. Literally and figuratively!
Every person in this world may not have a movie inspiring reason to choose a vocation. But every person definitely would have a passion towards a field, which makes him choose it. Sometimes instinct works in such matters at least to a certain extent. There is nothing in life without risks and our choice of work is no exception. My conviction is that we enter this world to give something back to it. There are abundant ways to achieve this. As Henry Luce says “I became a journalist to come as close to the heart of the world”. This is what I desire.
“Don’t do something you become to like, do something that becomes of you” – it’s a revelation that brought me to where I am. As a child I did well at drama, elocution and arts. I had a distinct interest in reading and storytelling. Also, I was not particularly interested in the subjects of math and sciences. Ten years after my schooling I chose math and science as my specialization. It may sound uncanny, but I never faced any pressure whatsoever from my parents or my peers. It was entirely me that too the decision of science and later engineering as my subjects. I became to like engineering over the period of time, and also my job as a software engineer. But deep down in my heart, I knew I could never make the job become of me. Hence, I tried to escape desperately. But the question was – Which field? I wrote every possible management exam to get to the nearest exit – MBA. At the end of these efforts I still had an uneasy feeling about myself. I searched for a better understanding of my yearning. It was the year before this that it dawned to me. As an eight year old girl, I remember pestering my mother to be a newsreader after watching the DD news on TV. An eight year old may understand only the poise and the eloquence with which the newsreader spoke, but a twenty five year old understands much more than that. At twenty five, I finally decided to become a journalist. Deep down, I knew I never had to write anymore MBA entrances to run away to the United States. I was at home with the thought.
But obviously after working for four years, I could not take a decision of this kind just because news reading fascinated me when I was a child. It took a lot more than that. Firstly, it’s my love for the camera, I like being on both sides of it, though the prior excites me more. The adrenaline rush that comes with a camera in front of me can never be compensated in any other job. More so, because it comes with a responsibility of telling people what’s going on around them. Secondly, I love people. To my limited knowledge, the best way to reach out to a vast crowd was through journalism. I like candid talk, this being the third reason. Though I realize that today’s journalism may not be always be about candidness. But I still hope to find a light at the end of the tunnel that even today one can reach out by being frank. Lastly, I love travel, and I have not had a chance to travel much yet. I hope that someday journalism would take me places. Literally and figuratively!
Every person in this world may not have a movie inspiring reason to choose a vocation. But every person definitely would have a passion towards a field, which makes him choose it. Sometimes instinct works in such matters at least to a certain extent. There is nothing in life without risks and our choice of work is no exception. My conviction is that we enter this world to give something back to it. There are abundant ways to achieve this. As Henry Luce says “I became a journalist to come as close to the heart of the world”. This is what I desire.
MAHIMA SIKAND
It was so much easier in our parents’ time. They didn’t have too many options and hence their career paths were almost laid out in front of them. It’s an altogether different story for us. We have a plethora of very “cool” and “exciting” jobs to choose from and it can be a real nightmare to decide what we really want to do. I had always wanted to be a doctor, a neurosurgeon to be specific, and was sure that my future lay in medicine. Surprisingly, my parents always dissuaded me from taking this route. They were worried I might spend my whole life studying. My mother always wanted me to be a journalist. Her own dream of being a newsreader was unfulfilled and she hoped that I would give meaning to her vision. It’s a little strange as I trace my journey from then to now. The tables have turned and I sit here reflecting on the how’s and why’s for my very first journalism assignment.
I grew up having changed more schools than I can remember. My father is in the army and we were always on the move. I took great pride in my being an “army brat” as we are rightly called. However, life in a cantonment isolates you from the real world. I might have travelled more than any of my peers, even stayed in some of the remotest areas in the country but life in one cantonment is no different from the other. Having led a very sheltered life, my father’s transfer to the Indian Embassy in Washington D.C. when I was in the 12th was a turning point of sorts.
I took up Neurobiology in college with the hope of fulfilling my dream of becoming a neurosurgeon. My three years in the University of Maryland were deeply enriching. I stepped out of my comfort zone for the very first time and was amazed at how little I knew, about India and the world. I began to understand how other people view India and how they perceive our democracy. I remember this big argument I had with one of my American classmates about the caste-system in India. Having grown up in a very secular, non-segregated Army culture I was convinced that caste was a thing of the past, prevalent only in a section of the illiterate. My friend begged to differ. It was only later when I interacted with people of Indian origin that I started understanding how vital religion and caste was to them. It was their identity in an alien land. My notions of utopian-ism were gradually being shattered. It was such incidents that drove me to learning more about my own country and the world. I started following politics back home very closely and often drew parallels with happenings around the globe. I lapped up books on contemporary Indian history and was amazed at my ignorance about my own past.
I was extremely fortunate to study at an institute which encouraged inter-disciplinary studies. Besides my core subjects, I took up classes on the media and society, gender, minority studies and a host of other topics. I was beginning to get drawn to the media. I was enjoying my liberal arts classes more than my science ones. I knew by that time that I wanted to enter a profession that would allow me to work closely with people and get to know my country better. Journalism was taking up a huge deal of my mental space and I was unsure of how to de-clutter my mind and decide on a career once and for all. Ironically by then, it was my parents who were advising me to stick to my path and pursue medicine since I had already invested so much time and energy in it.
It was NDTV’s Election Bus that finally sealed the deal for me. I loved the concept of travelling to small towns and villages through the length and breadth of India. It was a platform for ordinary people to voice their aspirations before the elections. I was convinced that that was the kind of work I would love to do.
It took some time to get my parents on board. They didn’t want me to make an impulsive decision and fritter away the hard work I had put in for Neurobiology. But once I was able to put their fears to rest, I had their complete backing. I finished with my graduation in January this year, getting a degree in Neurobiology and Physiology and came back to India. I was fortunate enough to get an opportunity to intern with CNN-IBN at the health and medical desk. My three months at IBN reinforced my belief that journalism is the job for me. I was warned that TV is a stressful medium with little time to focus on one’s personal life. The 24*7 nature of TV ensured that there was constant excitement. I worked on several stories and it gave me a new respect for journalists who work under such tight time constraints. Stories have to be shot, transcribed and edited all within hours. I had excellent mentors who patiently guided me and watched with pride as my understanding of the medium grew.
This is a crucial time for Indian society where the media is not only a means of dissemination of news but also an instrument for generating accountability amongst the power holders. As an involved young citizen of India and the world, I consider the fourth estate to be the strongest pillar on which society rests. I have plunged into this world hoping to lead an interesting, exciting and involved professional life.
I grew up having changed more schools than I can remember. My father is in the army and we were always on the move. I took great pride in my being an “army brat” as we are rightly called. However, life in a cantonment isolates you from the real world. I might have travelled more than any of my peers, even stayed in some of the remotest areas in the country but life in one cantonment is no different from the other. Having led a very sheltered life, my father’s transfer to the Indian Embassy in Washington D.C. when I was in the 12th was a turning point of sorts.
I took up Neurobiology in college with the hope of fulfilling my dream of becoming a neurosurgeon. My three years in the University of Maryland were deeply enriching. I stepped out of my comfort zone for the very first time and was amazed at how little I knew, about India and the world. I began to understand how other people view India and how they perceive our democracy. I remember this big argument I had with one of my American classmates about the caste-system in India. Having grown up in a very secular, non-segregated Army culture I was convinced that caste was a thing of the past, prevalent only in a section of the illiterate. My friend begged to differ. It was only later when I interacted with people of Indian origin that I started understanding how vital religion and caste was to them. It was their identity in an alien land. My notions of utopian-ism were gradually being shattered. It was such incidents that drove me to learning more about my own country and the world. I started following politics back home very closely and often drew parallels with happenings around the globe. I lapped up books on contemporary Indian history and was amazed at my ignorance about my own past.
I was extremely fortunate to study at an institute which encouraged inter-disciplinary studies. Besides my core subjects, I took up classes on the media and society, gender, minority studies and a host of other topics. I was beginning to get drawn to the media. I was enjoying my liberal arts classes more than my science ones. I knew by that time that I wanted to enter a profession that would allow me to work closely with people and get to know my country better. Journalism was taking up a huge deal of my mental space and I was unsure of how to de-clutter my mind and decide on a career once and for all. Ironically by then, it was my parents who were advising me to stick to my path and pursue medicine since I had already invested so much time and energy in it.
It was NDTV’s Election Bus that finally sealed the deal for me. I loved the concept of travelling to small towns and villages through the length and breadth of India. It was a platform for ordinary people to voice their aspirations before the elections. I was convinced that that was the kind of work I would love to do.
It took some time to get my parents on board. They didn’t want me to make an impulsive decision and fritter away the hard work I had put in for Neurobiology. But once I was able to put their fears to rest, I had their complete backing. I finished with my graduation in January this year, getting a degree in Neurobiology and Physiology and came back to India. I was fortunate enough to get an opportunity to intern with CNN-IBN at the health and medical desk. My three months at IBN reinforced my belief that journalism is the job for me. I was warned that TV is a stressful medium with little time to focus on one’s personal life. The 24*7 nature of TV ensured that there was constant excitement. I worked on several stories and it gave me a new respect for journalists who work under such tight time constraints. Stories have to be shot, transcribed and edited all within hours. I had excellent mentors who patiently guided me and watched with pride as my understanding of the medium grew.
This is a crucial time for Indian society where the media is not only a means of dissemination of news but also an instrument for generating accountability amongst the power holders. As an involved young citizen of India and the world, I consider the fourth estate to be the strongest pillar on which society rests. I have plunged into this world hoping to lead an interesting, exciting and involved professional life.
ADITI RAMAN
I clearly remember my first attempt at penning down a short story for our middle school magazine. Eager to produce the best, I racked my brains all night to come up with a very humourous piece. Most kids were working diligently at it while others submitted their parents’ compositions. I wanted to do it all by myself and not take cues even from my then favourites Enid Blyton’s fairytales and Aesop’s fables. It was early in the morning when my maidservant came to my room to sweep out the dust and heaps of crumpled sheets strewn around my bed, (a consequence of my inability to get the ingenious storyline right in the first shot), that I lit up with a splendid plot. The maid had seven children and each of them was just a year older to the next one. Despite their poverty, they were the most cheerful lot of people I had ever seen. Contrary to my stuck up convent colleagues, protecting themselves from the tanning under the sun and their skirts from the slightest of crease, these street kings partied with the old rubber tires, rolling them away with glee. This was going to be my break: the life of seven children, a stark contrast to the award winning film on seven Von Trapp kids of Vienna. Completely oblivious to a sea of grammatical and semantic errors in my first literary venture, I happily submitted it, swelling with pride that I did it. The teachers loved the story and also admitted having racked their brains to edit my article, thereby teaching me the basic tools of writing.
On reaching high school, I was made the editor in chief of our school magazine and the head of the debate club. The pressure of composing the entire magazine within a set time period, with good articles, poems and editorials along with photographs of sports day, 15th august, and other school ceremonies, thrilled me. Getting to edit and scrap bogus writings (decided by me), and the autonomy to set parameters with some help from our teacher, gave birth to the creative writer within me. I loved being able to boss around and get the best from my writer’s guild, just like a daily newspaper editor in chief. As the head of the debating club, I learnt the art of researching on different topics and critically examining them. However, I did get confused while choosing a desired line of profession later in college. Totally baffled about what I should do right after a rigorous history specialization, I tried listing my strengths, weaknesses and aptitude for numerous professions that came to my mind, including gardening.
Out of nowhere, this old stack of very sacred literary writings came out from a suitcase I recently required to pack my things in for a short family trip. It triggered my mind and in the split of a second I decided that journalism was everything I ever wanted to do. A further push was initiated by the several documentaries screened that particular month on history and discovery channels, regarding the life of journalists in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Israel and other disturbed parts of the world. The enthusiasm that these journalists exhibit to investigate all that they possibly can, and their grit to face the resulting perils inspired me. Travel and Living, showcasing city mapping, BBC producing shows as Hard talk, and the magazines world over, coming up with brilliant news items and articles every single day only drew me closer to journalism. Besides the appeal for the work, I was also rather concerned with the money the journalists make, as journalism is not seen as a money minting profession. Honestly, the money factor, especially in case of Print media for which I was most keen, did give rise to a tiny speck of apprehension, but then its all about a calling too, and money is no measure of a profession.
Therefore, it was then when I realized that covering stories, addressing important issues that affect people, and also those that would entertain them, infused with powerful writing and editing are all that I want to do for the rest of my life. Journalism will not only place me in my desired area of work but also equip me with knowledge and the skill to use that knowledge in everything that I choose to compose.
The most attractive thing about journalism is that you are never restricted by a paucity of options. We have a plethora of topics to choose from; arts and culture, sports, business, environment, celebrity profile writing, movie reviewing, fashion, science, international issues, politics, lifestyles and anything under the sun. I got greatly moved by a piece I had once read by Journalism is wide and adventurous and I am eagerly awaiting the experiences likely to come my way as a journalist. Only after so many years did I realize that those like the children of my maidservant are in a desperate need of a voice. The legal right to investigate and report and the professional training given to the journalists to do that, make me fall in love with the profession all over again. I want to be that journalist.
On reaching high school, I was made the editor in chief of our school magazine and the head of the debate club. The pressure of composing the entire magazine within a set time period, with good articles, poems and editorials along with photographs of sports day, 15th august, and other school ceremonies, thrilled me. Getting to edit and scrap bogus writings (decided by me), and the autonomy to set parameters with some help from our teacher, gave birth to the creative writer within me. I loved being able to boss around and get the best from my writer’s guild, just like a daily newspaper editor in chief. As the head of the debating club, I learnt the art of researching on different topics and critically examining them. However, I did get confused while choosing a desired line of profession later in college. Totally baffled about what I should do right after a rigorous history specialization, I tried listing my strengths, weaknesses and aptitude for numerous professions that came to my mind, including gardening.
Out of nowhere, this old stack of very sacred literary writings came out from a suitcase I recently required to pack my things in for a short family trip. It triggered my mind and in the split of a second I decided that journalism was everything I ever wanted to do. A further push was initiated by the several documentaries screened that particular month on history and discovery channels, regarding the life of journalists in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Israel and other disturbed parts of the world. The enthusiasm that these journalists exhibit to investigate all that they possibly can, and their grit to face the resulting perils inspired me. Travel and Living, showcasing city mapping, BBC producing shows as Hard talk, and the magazines world over, coming up with brilliant news items and articles every single day only drew me closer to journalism. Besides the appeal for the work, I was also rather concerned with the money the journalists make, as journalism is not seen as a money minting profession. Honestly, the money factor, especially in case of Print media for which I was most keen, did give rise to a tiny speck of apprehension, but then its all about a calling too, and money is no measure of a profession.
Therefore, it was then when I realized that covering stories, addressing important issues that affect people, and also those that would entertain them, infused with powerful writing and editing are all that I want to do for the rest of my life. Journalism will not only place me in my desired area of work but also equip me with knowledge and the skill to use that knowledge in everything that I choose to compose.
The most attractive thing about journalism is that you are never restricted by a paucity of options. We have a plethora of topics to choose from; arts and culture, sports, business, environment, celebrity profile writing, movie reviewing, fashion, science, international issues, politics, lifestyles and anything under the sun. I got greatly moved by a piece I had once read by Journalism is wide and adventurous and I am eagerly awaiting the experiences likely to come my way as a journalist. Only after so many years did I realize that those like the children of my maidservant are in a desperate need of a voice. The legal right to investigate and report and the professional training given to the journalists to do that, make me fall in love with the profession all over again. I want to be that journalist.
NANYA SRIVASTAVA
As a child, one of the things I enjoyed most was reading. I found writing to be an effective medium of communication, at times better than speaking. Having thus discovered the power and joy of writing at the age of ten, I immediately sought an audience with my parents to inform them of my decision to make my future in writing. “Oh! So you want to be a journalist?” they asked. I nodded. To me author and journalist were not very different. One wrote books, the other wrote newspapers. Ever since, my answer to the question regarding what I wanted to do in future, alternated between an author and a journalist.
Strangely, the only thing that interested me in newspaper was the crossword column and at times a random editorial or feature. For the next seven years, I wrote whenever I had an inspiration (usually a dream or a competition). They were usually features or short stories. I took science in plus two for various reasons which I don’t wish to site, but mainly because arts was not offered in my school and since the school was one of the best in the country, I did not want to relinquish the benefits of a quality education. There was a brief time when I deviated from my original plan and fancied being an engineer. This plan was dropped as soon as we started doing complex numbers in maths. Over the two years I realized that literature was my real interest whereas becoming an engineer was the imaginary part.
I did my graduation in arts. Having Political Science and Economics as my discipline subjects and Human Rights, Environment and Gender (HREG) as my foundation course helped me in my understanding of the society. However, it was not the academics but theatre that brought home the notion of importance of communication. Being part of the Hindi theatre society at my college meant three productions per year, out which most performances were that of the street play. The most memorable moment of my dramatic venture was the street play performance at IIT-Kanpur. The play was about child trafficking and the audience was moved to tears. The audience comprised of people from milieu of social strata- from professors to sweepers, students to shopkeepers. I realised the most essential thing for success of any communication was the connection with the people. Writing of course was central to it. I began to see journalism as a way to reach out to larger viewer base and sensitize them on various issues.
For a short while, I also worked for an NGO that went by the name of Sanskaari and taught children from a slum area. Despite having an access to school, education remained but a distant dream. Their only motivation to study was the stick in teacher’s hand. Coupled with this were various social constraints of the class and societal dogmas. There was need for their needs to be voiced out. Journalism was my answer, for it was a medium of two-way communication.
They say, be the change you want to see in others. Journalism is the medium and writing is my tool, to be the change I want to see in others.
Strangely, the only thing that interested me in newspaper was the crossword column and at times a random editorial or feature. For the next seven years, I wrote whenever I had an inspiration (usually a dream or a competition). They were usually features or short stories. I took science in plus two for various reasons which I don’t wish to site, but mainly because arts was not offered in my school and since the school was one of the best in the country, I did not want to relinquish the benefits of a quality education. There was a brief time when I deviated from my original plan and fancied being an engineer. This plan was dropped as soon as we started doing complex numbers in maths. Over the two years I realized that literature was my real interest whereas becoming an engineer was the imaginary part.
I did my graduation in arts. Having Political Science and Economics as my discipline subjects and Human Rights, Environment and Gender (HREG) as my foundation course helped me in my understanding of the society. However, it was not the academics but theatre that brought home the notion of importance of communication. Being part of the Hindi theatre society at my college meant three productions per year, out which most performances were that of the street play. The most memorable moment of my dramatic venture was the street play performance at IIT-Kanpur. The play was about child trafficking and the audience was moved to tears. The audience comprised of people from milieu of social strata- from professors to sweepers, students to shopkeepers. I realised the most essential thing for success of any communication was the connection with the people. Writing of course was central to it. I began to see journalism as a way to reach out to larger viewer base and sensitize them on various issues.
For a short while, I also worked for an NGO that went by the name of Sanskaari and taught children from a slum area. Despite having an access to school, education remained but a distant dream. Their only motivation to study was the stick in teacher’s hand. Coupled with this were various social constraints of the class and societal dogmas. There was need for their needs to be voiced out. Journalism was my answer, for it was a medium of two-way communication.
They say, be the change you want to see in others. Journalism is the medium and writing is my tool, to be the change I want to see in others.
INDU NANDAKUMAR
I dreamt of becoming a news writer as early as in 2002, thanks to my
grandfather who taught me the art of newspaper reading. Even when I
couldn’t understand all the news, I was so captivated by its depth and
admired the way it had been written. Grandfather passed away when I
was thirteen and he was seventy, but that however didn’t put an end to
my growing fascination for news! In high school, I took pride in
calling myself a ‘news-junkie’. My grandmother was kind enough to buy
me 2 newspapers and I also browsed through the online versions of the
Washington Post and Times. A day seemed incomplete without doing this.
Last month however, few weeks prior to the graduation ceremony, I was
thinking about the things I wanted to do the most and how I would
prioritize them. I wanted to do theater, travel across the country,
meet some long lost friends, vote in an election and finish reading
some of the books on my cupboard. After some amount of ranting, I was
surprised and delighted to find that perhaps the best thing that I
could do this year was enroll for a news writing course. Of course,
writing news stories sound less wonderful than say, trying to find a
medicine for aids. But there is something intensely satisfying about
doing it. It inspires you to be artistic, to be shrewd and sometimes
drives you mad. And that’s what it is all about. Therefore here I am,
trying to learn something lusciously new and be good at it.
grandfather who taught me the art of newspaper reading. Even when I
couldn’t understand all the news, I was so captivated by its depth and
admired the way it had been written. Grandfather passed away when I
was thirteen and he was seventy, but that however didn’t put an end to
my growing fascination for news! In high school, I took pride in
calling myself a ‘news-junkie’. My grandmother was kind enough to buy
me 2 newspapers and I also browsed through the online versions of the
Washington Post and Times. A day seemed incomplete without doing this.
Last month however, few weeks prior to the graduation ceremony, I was
thinking about the things I wanted to do the most and how I would
prioritize them. I wanted to do theater, travel across the country,
meet some long lost friends, vote in an election and finish reading
some of the books on my cupboard. After some amount of ranting, I was
surprised and delighted to find that perhaps the best thing that I
could do this year was enroll for a news writing course. Of course,
writing news stories sound less wonderful than say, trying to find a
medicine for aids. But there is something intensely satisfying about
doing it. It inspires you to be artistic, to be shrewd and sometimes
drives you mad. And that’s what it is all about. Therefore here I am,
trying to learn something lusciously new and be good at it.
A S GANESH
As human beings, we react to incentives. Every action that we perform has a motive behind it. Be it the most altruistic of actions, or violent crimes, it is performed only when you draw some sort of personal satisfaction from it. I want to be a journalist because I feel it will cater to all those motives that I believe are close to my heart.
According to me, there are four aspects around which life revolves. We yearn to live, we learn to live, we earn to live, and we return or give back while we are still alive. While the yearning to live remains intact in everyone, the learning and earning curves of every individual are unique and fluctuating, depending on the path one endeavours to take in life. Although least sought after, returning while living is the only selfless way as a person draws joy and happiness not just by doing for themselves, but by doing it for others as well. I want to work on the educational inequity, lack of cleanliness and poverty that is prevalent in India. I realised that journalism is one of the most influential ways of reaching every household. Once one builds a reputation, it is one of the easiest means to reach out to the masses and touch their lives. I want the common man to be able to present his views and understanding of the world with a freedom that is by right bestowed upon him. If everyone is aware of what it is that they are entitled to, it is only a matter of time before these conditions change.
I want to be happy and content with the work that I do everyday. Journalism would quench my thirst for writing, allowing me to organise my thoughts and ideas and express them through powerful words. I will be able to meet people, talk to them, learn their ways and lay out their opinions. I might get to travel across the world, visit different countries and understand its similarities and diversities.
I cannot say for certain whether I will live to do all that is that I want to do. But I am positive that journalism would at least open up paths to reach some of these destinations and it is for this reason that I want to be a journalist.
According to me, there are four aspects around which life revolves. We yearn to live, we learn to live, we earn to live, and we return or give back while we are still alive. While the yearning to live remains intact in everyone, the learning and earning curves of every individual are unique and fluctuating, depending on the path one endeavours to take in life. Although least sought after, returning while living is the only selfless way as a person draws joy and happiness not just by doing for themselves, but by doing it for others as well. I want to work on the educational inequity, lack of cleanliness and poverty that is prevalent in India. I realised that journalism is one of the most influential ways of reaching every household. Once one builds a reputation, it is one of the easiest means to reach out to the masses and touch their lives. I want the common man to be able to present his views and understanding of the world with a freedom that is by right bestowed upon him. If everyone is aware of what it is that they are entitled to, it is only a matter of time before these conditions change.
I want to be happy and content with the work that I do everyday. Journalism would quench my thirst for writing, allowing me to organise my thoughts and ideas and express them through powerful words. I will be able to meet people, talk to them, learn their ways and lay out their opinions. I might get to travel across the world, visit different countries and understand its similarities and diversities.
I cannot say for certain whether I will live to do all that is that I want to do. But I am positive that journalism would at least open up paths to reach some of these destinations and it is for this reason that I want to be a journalist.
MEGHA KUCHU
Every child has a dream job they want to pursue once they grow up. Some kids want to follow their parents’ footsteps, some know exactly what they want to be and then there are those who pick careers with fancy names. But as age catches on, the bubbles burst and reality hits us hard. Some of us regret our career moves and some are just lucky to have found their calling. Hopefully, I have found my calling too and journalism is meant for me. Pursuing journalism was a passion driven choice for me. What made it easier for me was my love for sports and everything to do with it.
Watching and following sports could happen even without the profession. But being a journalist would make me part of the sporting world in a way I have always dreamt of. Watching the games and reporting would all be part of the package. But for me personally, I look forward to the part where I’d be on the sidelines watching the game unravel, interviewing players and seeing another side of their lives. It helps that I am curious to know more about the players, what inspires them and what truly goes on behind the scenes. I would cherish the opportunity to look at life through their eyes. I have already come to respect the players of various sports through their game and dedication. But a peek into their character would throw light on what drives these individuals.
Other than following sports, I have always wanted to travel. I’d love to explore places, experience cultures and socialize with the locals. And also, covering world sporting events would require travelling to various places and interact with media personalities from across the globe. I long for such a lifestyle and such intelligent discussions and company. I am pretty sure I want this for myself. Nothing would make me happier.
Watching and following sports could happen even without the profession. But being a journalist would make me part of the sporting world in a way I have always dreamt of. Watching the games and reporting would all be part of the package. But for me personally, I look forward to the part where I’d be on the sidelines watching the game unravel, interviewing players and seeing another side of their lives. It helps that I am curious to know more about the players, what inspires them and what truly goes on behind the scenes. I would cherish the opportunity to look at life through their eyes. I have already come to respect the players of various sports through their game and dedication. But a peek into their character would throw light on what drives these individuals.
Other than following sports, I have always wanted to travel. I’d love to explore places, experience cultures and socialize with the locals. And also, covering world sporting events would require travelling to various places and interact with media personalities from across the globe. I long for such a lifestyle and such intelligent discussions and company. I am pretty sure I want this for myself. Nothing would make me happier.
DEEKSHA J SHETTY
DEEKSHA J SHETTY
Right from the time I can remember, I have had an inquisitive attitude towards what I am exposed to. Everything I learnt was not just what was taught to me but also included my personal contemplations and critical views. I have always wanted to discuss every vital topic and probe into the core of the matter and in my view Journalism is the only field that would give such exposure. I have been passionate towards public speaking and debates. I have always tried to see things from different perspectives before analysing them. There are certain aspects of a story that I bring out after an analysis which I would like to put across to the world. I am attentive, prepared and can handle pressure well.
I love to converse and I also believe that I can contribute many things to my chosen field. In turn receive a lot out of them as well. Today’s youth having more exposure than ever to sources like television and internet can bring back the sparkle and shine to the media that seems to have had some damage and gone off track. Speaking skills and boldness have naturally come to me and journalism is the field to expose it. During my entire course of education I have seen how the media works in the ever growing world and hence I want to significantly contribute to this field. The background I have had always encouraged me to do something I have wanted to and hence I enhanced my interest in this field.
“People may expect too much of journalism. Not only do they expect it to be entertaining, they expect it to be true” says Lewis H Lapham. It’s the latter that I am interested in and only journalism is the field that has it in abundance.
Right from the time I can remember, I have had an inquisitive attitude towards what I am exposed to. Everything I learnt was not just what was taught to me but also included my personal contemplations and critical views. I have always wanted to discuss every vital topic and probe into the core of the matter and in my view Journalism is the only field that would give such exposure. I have been passionate towards public speaking and debates. I have always tried to see things from different perspectives before analysing them. There are certain aspects of a story that I bring out after an analysis which I would like to put across to the world. I am attentive, prepared and can handle pressure well.
I love to converse and I also believe that I can contribute many things to my chosen field. In turn receive a lot out of them as well. Today’s youth having more exposure than ever to sources like television and internet can bring back the sparkle and shine to the media that seems to have had some damage and gone off track. Speaking skills and boldness have naturally come to me and journalism is the field to expose it. During my entire course of education I have seen how the media works in the ever growing world and hence I want to significantly contribute to this field. The background I have had always encouraged me to do something I have wanted to and hence I enhanced my interest in this field.
“People may expect too much of journalism. Not only do they expect it to be entertaining, they expect it to be true” says Lewis H Lapham. It’s the latter that I am interested in and only journalism is the field that has it in abundance.
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