Friday, January 06, 2006

Statement of Purpose

This is my 100th post, yeah! I guess I ought to celebrate in some way, maybe with a special post. But the truth is, I cant think of a special topic. Still didn't get the time to scan the pics, or could have written a travelogue.

I am going to write why I chose to be a journalist here, that somehow seems appropriate. Before I decided to come to this uni, I had thought of applying for journalism schools that were highly specialized, were difficult to get in, had good standards but just gave a diploma instead of a post grad degree, which I wanted. These schools all demanded that the applicant write a few words about why we wanted to be a journalist and I had come up with a few ideas. This post will be one of such ideas.

As far back as I can remember, I have loved writing. I grew up with books all around me. My granny, an excellent story teller and ma told me dozens of stories. I had tried reading Tolstoy at the age of 12!

Anyways, I loved the idea of playing with words. Throughout my growing years, I had desired to be a doctor, a hotelier, do my MBA, become a globetrotter, the first and longest ambition was to be an astronaut! Writing was always in the background. After my PUC, I wasn't sure what I wanted to do. MBA was the happening course then and I thought I might as well go with the flow.

I remember vividly that it was when I was in my second year of BCom that I decided that I could not survive in a commerce field, I didnt want to. One thing lead to another and to cut the story short, I ended up where I am today. In the course of getting here, I have fought with my dad, incured the wrath of the majority of my family who thought I was destined for "better" (read jobs that paid better) things. One of my aunts doesnt talk to me properly even today. I couldnt be happier!!!

It was just after the Afghanistan war had ended. I was reading this article about the life of the people there. The reporter saw this woman kneeling beside a drain and to see she was picking up weeds growing inside so that her family could eat! Reading that jolted me like nothing has ever done since, though I have read sadder stories. Now the reason I want to be journalist is this. I want to tell what people are like, how they live, how they die. I want to live a thousand lives through the lives of these people. I want to be the voice of those whose cries are muffled by the rest of the world. Through their lives, I want to live.

I dont know how far I can say I have done my work. Like someone famous said, and I paraphrase, 'you just want some things in life, there is no special reason for that'. In the end I just want to be a journalist and tell stories of human beings, not of politics, not of events or institutions, just people and their lives.

4 comments:

Dinesh said...

You are first journalist I have ever seen, who is actually concerned about the real life of people rather than just *news*

Proud of you, my friend.

thewailer said...

Hello Deepa,
I am particularly intrigued by your passion for words and your linguistic mastery. I share the same sentiment. Lovely blog you've got here. You're welcome to visit mine themellowjunction.blogspot.com

Deepa Bhasthi said...

thanks Dinesh. I hope I stay this way after I get into the field too.

Thanks to the wailer too. i love words, i used to love literature too but the more "worldly" profession of journalism doesnt let me use such language. there was a time when I used to write well. journo language took over and this is all that is left. :-(

San Nakji said...

The Afghanistan war has ended???

Congrats on the 100 posts, I love reading your blog so make sure you keep it up!