Aug.9,2002

Why Do I want to Pursue Journalism?

Dreams do get realized sometime in life. Perhaps, this is what happened in my case too. To name any single reason ,as “main”,would be lessening others importance.But this dilemma ,in no way, affect the shape of my real objective for joining journalism.

The psyche, instead of mere reason, is the deep urge;to know and to understand things, happening everywhere.To witness them for expressing ,later on, with the intensity of hard core truth. Yes,this is the briefest possible answer to state my real purpose of pursuing journalism.
Personally,it would be an answer those questioning eyes that underestimate the potential of a middle class lad who wants to learn. I want to give a befitting reply to those who laugh it aside whenever the eagerness of a government school kid is “argued/discussed”.

But, professionally want to utilize my talent by becoming a voice of those who generally stay unheard by anyone. My wish is to raise the suppressed and sidelined issues that affect the common men.

Innumerable complaining voices turn mute but the people in “authority”, take a sound sleep.Why ? Isn’t it something absurd. May be these intentionally ignored voices inspire me to work for them. The forgetful “minds” need to be convincingly remembered that they are always accountable to the common man, not to forget them.

To me, Journalism is the appropriate platform to awake “our”Politicians to take notice of what pains the distressed souls.It is a medium to speak about, how it feels when the powerless is overpowered/crushed by the powerful? And, for me, similar things like these, remain unexpressed ,adequately, till date.So, I want to touch them,realistically.

I believe, only a journalist can deliver the real message of sufferers. For,if a journalist didn’t , then who would?

Innocent people can not be let betrayed by a few rogue minds. There has to be a check. Let there be no puppet show allowed to continue uninterrupted? If a journalist didn’t help, then perhaps,no one in this world would.

If the “official liberty” to buzz the danger alarm is not utilized even by a journalist ,then, whom to look forward to? Let there be a feel of being protected among the feeble souls, this is what I what I want to give.

I feel, it’s a responsibility of the “educated ones” to point out the social concerns. If it ‘s not their task ,then, I don’t expect it from any destitute or uneducated, too.Without thinking about others’ willingness, at least, am eager to do this important job.

The corrupt must be realized the might of an unbiased pen. At least some professions have to take care of the public concerns and see they remain unaffected by anyone.If this would not be a purpose of a journalist then whose? What this entire “knowledge”meant for?, if it doesn’t scare the dishonest that his conduct is being scrutinized by someone. Therefore, to make a purposeful use of my existence I wish to contribute a bit by pursuing no other profession but Journalism.


Personal Background
Attitude is all that matters in one’s life. This is what the life has taught me .And, without any doubt , I followed it like a lesson learnt by heart. Born in a middle class Brahmin family. I went through all that what others feel uncomfortable in.

The shortest boy of every queue and the thinnest one among all the sportsmen of the school. Inexplicable is all that what one suffers when even family proves ignorant to appreciate the child for encouragement.

The youngest one of the five ,one brother and three sisters and the last one,me. ,I learnt what outside world taught me through inflicting injuries.

But, thanks to the sports that taught me the most important lesson of life, “It’s one’s attitude that determines one’s success but not others opinion”.

While winning many events, mentioned like Badminton, Kabbaddi, Kho,Martial Arts at johnal
and state levels I developed the killer attitude of ‘making things possible’.But, despite getting admitted in a prestigious college(Ramjas College) by defeating 29 state and national level players I had to quit. The compelling reason, parents’ disliking for sports.

My first failure, in twelfth grade of school, transformed me completely. Making me too much serious about studies instead of sports.Surely, this was the U turn of my life.
.But,voices were raised to the extent of depriving me of further studies. Fortunately, by the next year, I proved them wrong ,securing first division. Anyhow, the enraged family had to cool down a bit..

During graduation, despite trying hard I didn’t make any fascinating impression. Therefore, by restricting my unimpressive studies, it was suggested, to put me in our small family business. But, despite bowing in front of family’s order I continued studying along with it through public library books.Three long years I cherished the fifty paise membership and studied a lot on human behavior.This is the study which actually inspired me to join journalism.

At last, I was allowed studying but on my own expense. Friends kept lending me money for my fees. And, I managed to afford because of their timely helps. But,for almost half a dozen diplomas that I did, I had to pay back by my little pocket money.

But,very hard is to mention the reasons for which I was not financed by my own family for pursuing studies. May be their ignorance, towards the professional training’s importance or the envy of my own elder brother, is the reason. I can’t say ,or perhaps, don’t want to. That’s why, despite making top thrice in notable insititutes , I never revealed it to my family,till date.The reason I can’t explain.

Unfortunately, I lost my father because of heart-attack this year, in the month of June,but my passion remained intact. Making my circumstances worst, my friends too have been transferred now and the life has become difficult.

Things have been going a bit tough for me but my strong attitude have answered fittingly to each of the challenge in my struggle to study.

Let see how my first scholarship exam favours me to continue!

My Meal....

As I have forced my mother not to move in early morning or in the evening from the bed as a precaution against the chill outside, I have to arrange for my meals from the market. Every morning, I have to first brood over for long to decide what should I eat. As, I have to think in terms of time consumption in buying from the market, bringing home and should also not affect the stomach.

The options being quite limited to Kachori or Chola Kulcha or Bhatura or the bread-butter has made me to have a cup of tea and Ras or biscuit in the morning. The reason being that either I can have my breakfast or read newspapers, a must to work in office as an informed person.

I start off for the office at 12.30 p.m and often the hurry is to just reach and gobble up anything available in the canteen. Unfortunately, it is 3.00 or 4.00 p.m. by the time I am free to search for lunch. The lunch items are over by 2.00 p.m. in the office canteen. Hence, I move out in search of something or rather anything to eat. Often, the choices is Chowmein, Momos, or Chole Kulche. Believe me, they are too spicey to be had everday.

The evening option is Chai, Bread Pakora and Samosa or Matthi.

The dinner is something that disturbs in fact disappoints me the most. I leave office by 10.00 or 10.15 and reach around 11 or later at home. By that time the little Dhabas or shops are closed or about to close. I have to manage with bacha-khucha. So it depends purely on my Kismat.

Yesterday was Sunday. It's a day I always waited to have Rajma Chawal, my favourite dish of the week and the Pudina Chattani prepared by my Mumma. But I couldn't have it yesterday. My Mumma noticed the following morning that I slept after having just Maggie at night. She said: Mainu Sharam Aayi Ki Tenu o sab Chowmein jaya kha ke sona paya raati (It felt shameful to notice that you had to eat that Chowmein type food at night). I said it wasn't exactly like that. It was just I had too much in lunch in office so to balance it, I took light food by 'choice'. I couldn't successfully befool her. After all she knows me more than myself...being my mother.

But....I accept this situation with a smile......for her sake. No regrets. Just smile.

Just Smile

With the competitive life ovewhelming everyone's mind everyday, people are increasingly tending to forget to smile. It sounds interesting to see even if people, at least in cities, are willing to attend laughing groups on morning walks, they don't bother to smile in everyday life.

A smile doesn't cost anything but it pays handsome returns. I tried it many a times, after passing my days without even bothering to smile even when just a smile could have made a lot of difference to my vibes for others.

Interacting with junior colleagues or children playing in ground adjoining my house, or even while just passing by a group of neighbours or youngsters junior to my age. I believe a smile could have made others to smile and joyfully return a heartiest smile in brotherliness or just with respect. But I failed to do so. It was disappointment, perhaps much more than that after I realised recently what a smile could have done to my days I spent without it and looked 'serious' or cruel.

Be it family, workplace or public place,