I started working with an enthusiasm that cannot be put in words. I was pure adrenalin rush, I was all pumped up and raring to go. I wanted to make a change, to make Hyderabad Hans really good. I knew I could do it.
For starters, I looked at reporters and their stories. After all that is where it all starts. I talked to them about their work, their issues, tried to figure out their strengths and their weaknesses. In a matter of days I knew who was good at what. I knew what to expect from every single reporter.
With all due respect to my reporter colleagues (most of them are in their early 20s), I found their writing to be lacking. Well, that’s nothing to worry about. I started like this, probably I was even worse. Everyone starts like this. What one needs to do is to watch, observe, learn and improve. Whenever I could, I gave them tips on writing. I told them how to find interesting stories, how to improve their stories by looking at different angles etc.
To improve their language I suggested a simple way. I told them: Read the stories you filed, the next day. Compare it with what you had actually written. See the changes the editors have made, and see how you can improve your language. I don’t know if they did it regularly, but I saw a lot of improvement in their writing.
I told reporters to call me every morning and discuss their stories with me. The intention was simple—I would have an idea about the day’s stories well in advance. Once I get an idea, I keep toying with it in my mind, even as I go about doing other stuff. By the time I reach office, I would have a skeleton in my mind…as to how the day’s edition would be like. That’s my way of working. Well, it’s nothing that I invented…I learned it from one of my seniors.
None of reporters called me regularly to discuss stories with me. Wonder why? I told them I could give you a few inputs too which may help them. After all, I’ve been around for some time. And in any case, discussing stories always brings benefits, ask any journo. But no, they never called.
Oh yeah! Sometimes they did. That was when they had a dearth of ideas. I had some of them calling up with a frantic “Sooraj, give me story ideas”. I have no issues… Always willing to help. I’ve done similar things too. At times while working, I’ve fallen short of stories and I rush to these guys with the same frantic tone…”Guys, find me some stories…I gotta fill up pages.” And they have always obliged and I am grateful for that.
And after a hard day’s work on the field, they have often stayed back late into the night, helping me at the desk because we were short of people. After filing their stories, they could have gone home, but they didn’t. Navin, Augustin, Varsha and Venu. Thanks guys. Not just for the help, but for making my life at The Hans India worth it!
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