Journalism is a mirror of our society as it reflects the real conditions, including the worst and best events. The responsibility to showcase the reality is on the shoulders of journalists for which they need to be unbiased, true to their work, and honest. Now, when we look around, it's hard to believe anyone as media houses are partial and focus on Television Rating Points (TRP). Moreover, these newsmen and channels are divided according to their favourite political parties and topics. In this business of press, few people focus on delivering genuine content, among them is a well-known media personality, Ravish Kumar. Today we will take a ride through the ups and downs of the life of this inspiring reporter.
Early Life
“Do not lower your goals to the level of your abilities. Instead, raise your abilities to the height of your goals.”- Swami Vivekananda
Ravish Kumar was born on 5 December 1974 at Jitwarpur village in Motihari, Bihar. in a humble brahmin family of Baliram Yadav. The new-born baby was the youngest member of the family and was loved and pampered by all. He did the schooling from Loyal High School, Patna, and gave a complete dedication to the studies, as at a very young age understood the importance of education. While growing up, his parents taught their son to live in simplicity, take up responsibility, and to work hard for fulfilling the dreams. The self-motivated child desired to clear the civil service exam for serving the nation. So, after completing high school, the ambitious student decided to pursue graduation in History from Deshbandhu College, Delhi.
Overcoming the Fear
“Difficulties in your life do not come to destroy you, but to help you realise your hidden potential and power, let difficulties know that you too are difficult.”- Abdul Kalam
Before coming to Delhi, Ravish had visited only three big cities which were Lucknow, Jamshedpur, and Ranikhet, so this metropolitan was going to be a new adventure. For this newcomer, this city was a land full of strangers, and he thought it would have been impossible to survive here for a long time. The newcomer was shy and afraid to be around the people talking in English, due to which the young lad decided to stay in a rented house all alone. Understanding the hesitation of the tenant, the house owner asked Ravish to learn the language and made him realise the importance of knowing English and, so, he decided to learn it by reading the English newspaper. Some of the college professors helped their beloved pupil to master the speech, interact with people, improve his personality, and meet all the goals.
After completing the college, he began the preparation for the civil service examination and for which the aspirant studied day and night. Alas, he could not succeed as destiny had different plans for him. The result broke his heart, but the dream to serve the nation did not shatter. Subsequently, the high spirited man took admission to Delhi University for pursuing M.A in History, where he was influenced by Professor Parthsarthi Gupta, who taught history and gave brief knowledge about urbanization. These lectures changed Ravish’s perspective of the city and its life.
Taking New Path
“Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life - think of it, dream of it, live on that idea. Let the brain, muscles, nerves, every part of your body, be full of that idea, and just leave every other idea alone. This is the way to success.” - Swami Vivekananda
During the college days, his professors encouraged him to take up writing and helped to improve the skill. Professor Anil Sethi advised him to take up journalism, and this struck Ravish's mind as he was interested in observing, discovering, and describing things. So, the collegian started spending most of the time at Teen, Murti, ICHR (Indian Council of Historical Research) and would research various topics that questioned the eager mind. Even though the anxious researcher was confident about the path, he had several doubts about getting a job in academics as the only language mastered by him was Hindi. Moreover, the thought of not getting admission to a good university due to the language barrier discouraged the budding writer.
Ravish Kumar went to IIMC (Indian Institute of Mass Communication) for a short time but then left it midway as it was difficult for the boy to understand the archaic journalism course, which was different from the historical education. His life went upside down as he was not able to decide any career or next to take that made the disappointed man restless. Succeeding the hard days, finally, poet Manglesh Dabral gave some freelance work to the struggler. He used to work hard to bring regular newsletters during the book fairs. It was the time when the diligent came to know about the discrimination to the Hindi language as people in the same profession were paid more only because they brought newsletters in English. At last, with the help of a colleague Urvashi Butalia, he got equal pay and also understood his capability of fighting for justice. So, the truth seeker began searching for an opportunity in the press.
Strong determination and constant hunting for the niche showed the courageous man the vacancy for a daily job at NDTV. The work of Ravish was to sort the letters received by the Good morning India show of DD. From here, finally, the hard worker got the chance to be a part of the newsroom and, it also gave him the idea of people’s expectations and reactions about a show. In addition to the occupation, the explorer entered the college to take up M.Phil. However, this could not go for a long time and, he had to choose one and dropped the post-graduation midway. Recognising his fluency in Hindi, the devoted guy got the job of a translator and, then when NDTV India launched, he started exchanging ideas with coworkers and friends. The intellectual was irritated when people around him saw news only through a perspective and, so he tried to show both sides of the facts. The youth’s consistency of finding the truth finally paid off and, he got an offer to work as a reporter in the same firm. The news delighted him and, he never stopped from becoming a better person in his career after this opportunity.
Journey as a Journalist
“The only people who see the whole picture are the ones who step out of the frame.” – Salman Rushdie
By working as a reporter, the responsibility of Ravish increased because now, it was essential for him to find that are relevant for the audience. Consequently, the pressmen made up his mind to travel through every street looking for ideas and would write them down in a diary. The new reporter would even read the newspaper to pick up a concept and then follow the story, but this made him feel guilty, as others were real finders of the information. Subsequently, the news-gatherer began using his experience and stories he heard to interact with the audience. Fortunately, it worked and, he became a reputed person in his workplace
Slowly but steadily, the viewers recognised him, and soon Ravish became a well-known name of every household. From the street till entering the newsroom as an anchor, he understood the need of everyone and became a fearless voice of commoners. The shows of this spokesperson like Prime Time, Hum Log, and Ravish Ki Report have positively connected the masses as here people get answers to their questions and, their problems are brought to the attention of the government. Moreover, Ravish tries to show the true face of the country and aims to get quick solutions for the needy.
Ravish Kumar has always stayed on the radar of criticism, but the fearless man stood like a strong pillar before the opposer. In the battleground of TRP and favouritism, the newsman fights bravely to find the pros and cons of every situation. Even after being promoted as Senior executive editor, the man has never lived his root, and his dream to reach genuineness has not changed. All the effort made by him has been the reason to get the Ramon Magsaysay awards and other appreciations.
Conclusion
“Be active! Take on responsibility! Work for the things you believe in. If you do not, you are surrendering your fate to others.” - A.P.J Kalam
People like Ravish Kumar are the ones who strive to enlighten the truth in the world of fake news. His life has an important lesson to learn, which is to believe in yourself and never halt before taking steps against injustice. Moreover, the news anchor is an inspiration for newcomers who want to pursue their career in any regional language. Many of us may criticize this pressman but cannot deny his hard work and determination for presenting the real facts instead of a one-sided lie. It’s time for us to appreciate the effort of this sincere journalist for helping the citizens to view all the possibilities of a new change before making a decision.
