“Right from school, I was one of those students clear about not wanting a nine to five job. Being a bright child with a flair for writing, I was very interested in journalism. So right after tenth grade, I went ahead and gave up the coveted science steam to pursue arts, even though many tried persuading me otherwise.

Despite that, a few years later, when I seriously ventured into the field, I witnessed a lot of naysayers. The dynamism, odd hours involved, and the fact that it’s male-dominated, made people deem the profession unfit for me. But that’s the part I loved most. No two days would ever be the same at work. So I trusted my gut and went ahead with full zeal. I must mention here how big a support my family was. We’ve never had any predefined gender roles and biases at home and my parents have always given the same level of freedom and encouragement as my male sibling.

And on the industry side, there has been a steady rise in opportunities for women. Our representation has increased in other departments too, other than just reporting. And now, with the advent of digitalization, there’s an evolution of a new media arena with citizen journalism taking the forefront. This ensures all-the-more that as journalists, we are constantly on our toes, to provide first hand information.

Besides that, I feel fortunate today, to work with an inspiring bunch of colleagues, who keep motivating me to exceed expectations. They are the people I look up to and are my idols in the industry. On the personal front too, people have become much more receptive and understanding of the occupational hazards after seeing my journey. My family is as proud as they could ever be, especially my grandfather who is a writer himself. He is so happy seeing me continue the legacy! As for me, I look forward to breaking the glass ceiling and fulfilling his dream with all my work!”

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