Journalism: The Turning Point

The title might sound too dramatic, n a bit cliched, but it is very much true. The turning point of my life was indeed Journalism. I had never thought that i would ever work for a leading English newspaper of India and write articles on, well, everything right from sports to crime... But my life had started taking a sharp turn long back, when i decided to opt for Masters of Communication Studies instead of huh, MBA. It was a tough but instant decision for a guy like me who always dreamt of an exciting job with decent pay.

Wanted to join Navy - just like any other young patriot yearning to serve country - but soon changed my mind to hotel management by the time I passed 12th std. Got admission forms for hotel management, but didn't opt for it too ! One fine day, I just came across a piece of article in TOI that had a mention of Mass Communication Studies and its scope. I found it interesting and decided to appear for entrance exams.

It all happened too fast and before i could realise, I had passed the entrance exams at journalism faculty in M S University. Couldn't make it that year. But, it only pushed me to appear again the next year, and here i was. On the first floor of an old and rickety building located on north-end of the university campus. Though the rooms within weren't exactly that i had thought of, the lush green trees and chirping sound of birds soothed my nerves on the first day.

Being packed with a bundle of 19 youngsters - all from distinctive fields - in the faculty, I moved around like a bamboozled character for first few days. But, gradually things got better as we all jelled well with each other and became a group of 20 pals.

The next two years were a mixed bag of fun, excitement, studies, lot of writing and some flirting. What I enjoyed most in the faculty was the continous flow of new ideas and curriculum that demands creativity. Our batch was, though i wouldn't say the best, very enthusiastic and full of curiousity. There were a couple of intelligent characters, few confused and others like me - average guys with a bit of creative touch.

We even used to fight with our faculties, who more often discouraged creativity. I personally faced some bias behaviour that continues till date. But, in the end, it was all about self determination. And, we all passed out. Armed with a masters degree and high ambitions, we walked out of the faculty with a dream of changing the World... :-)

Well, that was the end of my academic mis-adventure. Or may be begining of a new life, full of doubts as well as excitement! When i took up my first job under a rash and rude Boss, only God knows how insecured and afraid I was.......