After going through a horrendous experience during my first job in a newspaper, I was very sceptical about taking up another job in journalism. Several thoughts crossed my mind including the one to change my field. Corporate Communications was on the top of my mind after journalism and I started thinking strongly on that line.
But, may be there was something within me which stopped me from joining the corporate world. An unseen force pushed me again towards journalism and I applied for an English newspaper that was yet to be launched. The newspaper was to be launched by a leading Gujarati newspaper and I was offered the post of news correspondent in Ahmedabad.
I was glad, but bit hesitant as the memories of my first job were still fresh in my mind. But, I shored up all the courage and went ahead, only to face yet another disappointment. A senior media person informed me that the newspaper I was supposed to join wouldn’t get launched as the plans have been shelved! Yet another setback and more confusion.
Why is God doing this to me? What have I done wrong? Shall I quit journalism and pick up a nice, cushy job in some company? And, if this was not enough, some faculty people hurled taunts at me instead of being helpful. They always thought that I wasn’t talented enough and couldn’t make a good career in journalism. And why? Just because I couldn’t score well in the stupid subjects with the most outdated curriculum they taught. As if I cared to score!
But, I never paid attention to them. I took up a part-time job in an NGO that used to work for differently-able children. I used to write for their magazines and brochures. Though the job wasn’t exciting, I continued with it as I learnt a lot about how NGOs work. How they manage funds and what is the real face of those urbane middle-aged ladies who run such NGOs!
Despite two setbacks, I continued looking for some opening in journalism which finally came my way in the winter of 2004. I joined a business newspaper in Ahmedabad with a decent salary. Phew! It was a topsy-turvy ride for a rookie like me. And, here I faced another fiery boss who loved to shout at me and my colleague every other evening.
God! What is this? Have you decided to make me work under such hot-headed journos for whom ‘humanity’ is an alien word, I questioned the Almighty. Me and my colleague used to face her blazing eyes and furious words everyday. Whenever we asked for some help, our boss used to say ‘You should create your own contacts as you are journos.’
Wow! I was in an alien city with hardly any friends around. Didn’t know where to look for stories until, one fine day I drove to Gandhinagar, our state’s capital. It proved to be heaven for me. Having number of government and ministers’ offices including the state assembly, the small and sleepy town was loaded with stories.
I started driving down the clean and green road from Ahmedabad to Gandhinagar dotted with few high-rises and shopping malls. It was a 30-kilometre drive, but very pleasant and refreshing. I also made few friends at the Udhyog Bhavan including a special one at Gujarat Industrial Development Board (GIDB). Also, I attended few sessions in the assembly wherein I saw how our elected representatives actually function.
The centrally air-conditioned assembly hall had a separate section for journalists. And, the best facility that this government building provided was of tea and nashta. If you don’t find a journo in press box during assembly, then he surely must be sipping tea in the canteen.
I never returned disappointed from Gandhinagar, which was a special place for me for some other reason too. It was exciting work but the ‘boss factor’ was dancing like devil on my mind. I wasn’t learning anything from my workplace. I spent few months at the newspaper before getting break in another national newspaper The Asian Age. Finally, I had latched on to the tag of a JOURNALIST!
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Monday, October 20, 2008
My First Tryst with Journalism
It was my first job and I was full of apprehensions. Will I be able to deliver? What if my boss doesn’t like my work? Can I write a good copy or would I turn out to be a lousy writer? An army of questions surrounded me and I surrendered just like an inexperienced and unarmed soldier. The day finally came…
I was afraid, but bit confident. And my first assignment was to look for some good story! I didn’t know what to do and whom to ask. I was working in Baroda as a stringer for a newspaper. I was expecting that my boss would give me some ideas and ask me to work on them. But, all he said was ‘give me some good ideas’.
I was baffled. But, later decided to ask some friends for some ideas. They did suggest few things but not impressive enough. I was praying profusely and, then there was a divine intervention. A telecom company had organised a press conference and I got invitation for it. Here is my story… I attended the conference and gave two stories on the second day of work. I moved around with my head held high and collars bit upped as if I had conquered Everest. That day I was reassured that GOD does exist.
But, who knew that what was lying ahead for me. Within few days, my boss started shouting, yelling and what not at me. He wouldn’t explain me anything about digging stories or writing them. Instead, he expected me to deliver good stories everyday. As if, I was some experienced journo. I was bit depressed and bewildered. A senior media person (not a journo) helped me a lot during those days.
A day came when I wasn’t able to contact mayor for story. My boss needed a quote of him, but the mayor was in Delhi for some official work. I couldn’t contact him and explained it to boss. But, he simply shouted at me and said that I am useless. That was a shock for me. I always thought that media world is friendly and enough time is given to a green horse like me.
But, he never understood it and kept yelling at me everyday. Gradually, I started growing nervy and the morning sun literally gave me jitters! What story would I give today? What if my boss doesn’t like it? Would he shout at me or suggest some story? But, the soothing words never came from his side.
Finally, two months within joining the newspaper, I decided to quit. I was confused as I didn’t have any offer on hand. So I took few days to decide and wrote a mail to him. It was my resignation letter. I never thought that I would face all this in my first job. But, as luck would have it, I walked out. That was my first tryst with Journalism – the field I was so excited to join…
I was afraid, but bit confident. And my first assignment was to look for some good story! I didn’t know what to do and whom to ask. I was working in Baroda as a stringer for a newspaper. I was expecting that my boss would give me some ideas and ask me to work on them. But, all he said was ‘give me some good ideas’.
I was baffled. But, later decided to ask some friends for some ideas. They did suggest few things but not impressive enough. I was praying profusely and, then there was a divine intervention. A telecom company had organised a press conference and I got invitation for it. Here is my story… I attended the conference and gave two stories on the second day of work. I moved around with my head held high and collars bit upped as if I had conquered Everest. That day I was reassured that GOD does exist.
But, who knew that what was lying ahead for me. Within few days, my boss started shouting, yelling and what not at me. He wouldn’t explain me anything about digging stories or writing them. Instead, he expected me to deliver good stories everyday. As if, I was some experienced journo. I was bit depressed and bewildered. A senior media person (not a journo) helped me a lot during those days.
A day came when I wasn’t able to contact mayor for story. My boss needed a quote of him, but the mayor was in Delhi for some official work. I couldn’t contact him and explained it to boss. But, he simply shouted at me and said that I am useless. That was a shock for me. I always thought that media world is friendly and enough time is given to a green horse like me.
But, he never understood it and kept yelling at me everyday. Gradually, I started growing nervy and the morning sun literally gave me jitters! What story would I give today? What if my boss doesn’t like it? Would he shout at me or suggest some story? But, the soothing words never came from his side.
Finally, two months within joining the newspaper, I decided to quit. I was confused as I didn’t have any offer on hand. So I took few days to decide and wrote a mail to him. It was my resignation letter. I never thought that I would face all this in my first job. But, as luck would have it, I walked out. That was my first tryst with Journalism – the field I was so excited to join…
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
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.
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.......
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