True Story of Success in Media Science – Journey of Rajat Sharma
Success in the media industry is led by examples and one such great example is Rajat Sharma, the chairman and editor-in chief of an Indian Hindi News Channel, India TV.Ranked 33rd in India’s 50 Most Powerful People of 2017 list and conferred with TarunKranti Award, he is best known for his show, Aap Ki Adalat with his role as the Editor-in-Chief of India TV. Sharma has been a familiar face on TV for last 22 years and also been awarded with Padma Bhushan by Government Of India in the field of Literature and Education. Before joining television, he was the Editor of Onlooker, Sunday Observer and The Daily. Currently, he is the President of The News Broadcasters Association of India (NBA) and Vice President, Strategic Affairs of The Indian Broadcasting Foundation. But all this impact and position he got in the industry did not come in day and for you readers it won’t be easy either. Those who are pursuing Media Science should be geared to overcome failure.
Just days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the momentous decision to demonetize all Rs500 and Rs1, 000 notes overnight, Sharma’s interviewee on Aap Ki Adalat was the finance minister, ArunJaitley. This goes on to show the heights of importance the show has got on a national level over the decades.
During his childhood days Rajat Sharma lived in a single room in a single room in a poor Delhi neighborhood with his parents, seven brothers and one sister. Sometimes for days there would be nothing to eat. “In those days, powdered milk packets donated by America were distributed to the poor. We used to stand in long queues for those packets.” http://www.caravanmagazine.in/reportage/man-studio-rajat-sharma-india-tv
“The media critic SevantiNinan, in an essay published in the late 1990s, describes how Doordarshan, the state broadcaster that held a monopoly over Indian television prior to deregulation, twice tried and failed to produce interview shows because of a lack of cooperation from politicians. Sharma’s connections proved useful in overcoming that hurdle, and he managed to draw celebrities into his studio too. He also became the first journalist to have his own news-bulletin show with a private broadcaster.” http://www.caravanmagazine.in/reportage/man-studio-rajat-sharma-india-tv
Connections and networking is important from the start of career. It takes you leagues ahead of competitors. Rajat Sharma is a living example of that.
He was also instrumental in introducing the DTH in India against the massive oppositions from the powers that be as Indian television back then (circa 1996) was heavily relying on cable distribution.
Rather than following the norms to be in your comfort zone take the risk and sometimes use your power to bend the rules if you want to introduce something new for the benefit of the people. Media Science hails people like Rajat Sharma in its pages of history for such attributes.
The 21st anniversary of anniversary of Aap Ki Adalat was celebrated in Delhi with guest list that included – Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Pranab Mukherjee, Finance Minister ArunJaitley, Amit Shah, SmritiIrani, corporate giant – Anil Ambani, popular news anchor Arnab Goswami, spiritual icon Baba Ramdev and host of Bollywood stars like Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan.
Do not expect overnight success, follow the paths of the gurus and learn from them. Rajat Sharma’s journey is only an example that shines bright. Obstacles are meant to be conquered and risks are meant to be taken.