How I got to be a Writer

For a long time now I’ve been meaning to write a post that, had I titled it, would read- “how I began writing” or some such autobiographical title. I want to write about my love for writing, my experiences so far, the good, the bad and the downright ugly.

But believe it or not, this is my fifth attempt at writing this post. Everyday I sit to write, I type a couple of lame, half hearted sentences and I stop. If I want to sound all writer-ish, I could label it as ‘writer’s block’. But I’m not sure if that’s what it is. It’s funny though- the fact that I can write my way out of anything, but I simply can’t write even one paragraph about how much I love writing.

I want to go back in time and figure out when I discovered my ‘talent’ (as some call it) to write. And even though I can’t remember the beginning of this journey, I do remember that I loved writing even before I realized that I’m pretty good at it.

It began, I guess, when I was in school. English had always been my favourite subject. I would read my English text book even before school term began. And I always dreamt that one day I would write one of those stories in that book. And not to say that I didn’t try. I’d tried my hand at writing a book when I was somewhere in the 6th or 7th grade. A couple of my friends and me were writing a combined book that resembled some of our favourite books at that time- the Sweet Valley Series, the Baby Sitters Club Series and the likes. I’m sure you could imagine what it was like at that time. Three girls huddled together on the school playground, talking in hushed tones discussing how to introduce ‘Lisa’s’ boyfriend in the next chapter, or whose parents should get divorced to add to the plot.



That book never got further than chapter 3, and that too only because all three of us were assigned to write one chapter each.

But even though the dream to become a writer didn’t materialize back then, I didn’t cease to dream. I told myself that I just had to wait until I got better and the urge to write was so overpowering that words would flow out of my head and onto the paper with absolute ease.

After that childhood attempt at being a great writer, I moved on to writing more serious things for the school magazine or for the endless public speaking competitions. I still remember the thrill and the pride I felt when my article first appeared in the school mag. And that feeling I got on seeing my name in print made me decide that I want to become a writer.

I initially confused my want to write with becoming a journalist. Somehow I thought that only journalists could write and be recognized for the same.

So I went on to be trained as a journalistic writer. In graduation I began writing news reports, news scripts and the likes. I wasn’t that great at it, but it always read like a report. And somehow it didn’t make me happy.

But then there were classes where we could write about a given topic in just about any way we chose to. We could write in any style. No rules, no formats and no defined structure. I wrote to my heart’s content in those classes and that’s when it hit me that I was so in love with writing and that I wanted to do just that all my life long. And it was during that time that I wrote one of my best pieces about the sea. Something that amazed people and showed them that I was good. And from that day onwards, there was no stopping me.

Even though I’d always kept a diary when I was younger and would scribble notes to myself anywhere I went, I now kept a book and a pen with me to put my thoughts into words. And I realized that I loved the feeling of a new thought taking shape in my book.

I don’t know how good I am at this, but I know that I’m not bad. I write to express and not to judge my self or my writing skills. When people tell me that I write well, I often wonder if it’s true. Because I never know whether it’s a good piece or not. For me, if my words feel good, if they take me to a different world, if they flow in a rhythm, like music, if I’m happy at the end of the piece, if my thoughts and my personality and my life reflects in what I’ve written, then that’s all I want.

I’m not always inspired to write. There are times when I have to try over and over to get something written (like this post) and still not get to the end. The writer in me doesn’t always take over. And that’s when I really struggle. I remember writing for the college journal. I had to do a piece on our trip to the Dangs. And I sat at my desk for so many days to write something that gave justice to the people of the place. But it just didn’t come. And then one night, out of no where, it hit me like a tidal wave and I sat for two hours straight in the night and wrote an 8 page long article that got great reviews.






Another time that I wrote solely on inspiration was my piece on Mumbai. I was sitting at a cross in some place in Mumbai in the early hours of the morning, listening to Iktara (a song from the Bollywood movie ‘Wake Up Sid’) and watching a bunch of guys playing volleyball and another man training his dog on the football grounds. And it just came to me. Word after word, emotions at their peak, feelings so over powering that they just didn’t stop coming. I had no paper or pen with me at that point of time. And so I kept my words running in my head all through the day, adding more thoughts, new ideas, and more people into what had begun as a simple travel piece. I spent the entire day in Mumbai with my head bursting. And when I finally got back home to Baroda, I sat down and poured everything into my book. I wrote like a maniac, like there was no tomorrow. And the result was fabulous, if I say so myself. It was an incredible piece of writing and so was the feeling when I finished.



And the most recent thing that I wrote was about a friend and his work, during a media law lecture, sitting in the last bench. One hour and 10 pages later (I can’t write short stuff) I looked at my work and I couldn’t wait to show him.

So this is what I’m talking about. I can only write when I want to, only when my heart wants to (I know it sounds cheesy, but it’s true). Like right now. After several attempts to write this, I finally did so today.

I can’t see myself not writing ever. You know how a man feels lost if his sight is taken away from him? That’s how I would feel if my writing was taken away from me. (I know that this wasn’t a very good example, but I’m hoping you get the point.)

In the months of May, June and July 2010, I had my articles printed in the Times of India, some with my by-line. And I absolutely loved it.

But last month, I got my first magazine by-line in India Today’s supplementary Simply Gujarati, and I just can’t describe the feeling of seeing my name in ink. I want to do that everyday and feel that way every day of my life.

I’ve realized that I’ve written 3 full pages in MS Word and now I need to stop. I’m glad that I got my writing streak back, and I hope to write something good really soon.

A Day to Remember

11th September 2010 will be a day to remember for the Faculty of Journalism and Communication, MSU. 28 senior and junior students made history as they featured in the Divya Bhaskar Anniversary edition dated 12th September 2010. While many might not cherish this day, I for one, will never forget it.

Having heard of the printing process of newspapers for years, I had never actually been witness to one. And frankly I wasn't quite thrilled about the idea.

On 11th Sep, we were invited to Divya Bhaskar Press to be a part of their 6th year anniversary celebrations. Seated at the conference table, we heard the Dy Editor Mr. Vishwajit Parekh declare that the anniversary edition of the paper would be brought out with the combined efforts of the students of FJC as well as the Divya Bhaskar team. We were the guest editors of the day and we were thrilled.

Leaving aside the fact that we weren't as involved in the process as we had thought, the printing process was the highlight of the trip.

As we were taken into the printing area, the massive machinery that covered almost the entire floor took us by surprise. Expensive and highly advanced technology was being used for an 'item' that we don't even think twice about. We pick up the papers in the morning, read it and keep it aside. And that's where the journey of the newspaper ends and no one even thinks about how it got to their doorstep in the first place.


As we watched the numerous plates being made and inserted into the printing press, we saw countless rolls of newsprint all around.

Finally the moment that most of us had been waiting for arrived.

We heard the machines roll into action..the newsprint sliding from one corner of the room to the other like a conveyor belt..the clicking of some buttons..the groan of machines..the chatter of the men in the room..all of this slowly at first..but as moments passed, the action multiplied 10 folds..the noise got louder..the orders became more hurried and frantic..we watched in rapt attention as the first newspaper fell onto the conveyor belt with a soft thud..and then, before our eyes, it began to happen..it was nothing short of a miracle...we held our breath as newspapers began to fall onto the belt with increasing speed...we watched the colours change..watched as paper after paper was being produced in a fashion that is unlike anything I had ever seen..Our hearts beat in unison..like the machines around us..

It was unbelievable..like a baby being born..having seen what the day's paper would look like on the computer screen just a few hours ago, seeing it in 'flesh' was a completely different feeling. I held the warm paper between my fingers and couldn't shake off that feeling of awe and amazement..

We walked out of the press at 1:30 am, still unsteady yet overcome by the entire experience. As we stood talking, a man came along on his bicycle, carrying the last tea container of the day.He stopped near us and poured us all a cup of tea each. And I couldn't help smiling..

With my latest cup of tea and my earliest copy of the newspaper, I walked out of the Divya Bhaskar premises.

Folk Media

"All the world's a stage,
And all the men and women merely players:
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts,"
-Shakespeare

As i look back to the those few weeks of pure bliss and torture, its hard to ascertain whether i hated or loved this particular assignment of ours at college..a folk media(read contemporary)theatre presentation.. day after day of absolute nerves..of handling tantrums of the highest order..of gulping down self-pride to give way to others..of being faced with opportunities of tackling massive impatience with a tight-lipped smile..of clutching a pen as though ur life depended on it-demanding it to write the most beautiful lyrics that ever shook the earth..of dropping your head in ur hands in pure agony everytime a word of much expected criticism came ur way...of wanting to scream bloody murder as some over-stepped their boundaries while some refused to budge from the starting point..

'was it that bad?', i ask myself..

the joy of being there with your friends all day-with permission from home..the chance of doing something you love..the idea of learning new things from people..the thought of trying ur hand at something you never thought u could do..the satisfaction of having an idea approved..the pleasure of knowing that you're needed..the fun of making mistakes that could be laughed at..the knowledge that you have the ability to be patient with all sorts of people..the realization that nothing is possible without teamwork.. the thrill of being on stage..the feeling of seeing pure delight on the faces of the children..the contentment of accomplishing a task..the pride of hearing words of praise for your effort..the sight of watching families and friends smile..

nothing beats this moment..

so i guess...this experience is truly one of a kind.. one ill never forget and always cherish..

Purity at a Price

Festivals: what rules them? Individual attitude? Religion? Or money? Is discussing the essence of festivals today a vain attempt, because it’s beyond restoration? Or is a debate valid, because people now realize that there is still hope to revive the sanctity of these festivals? This contrast in belief regarding religious festivals has been a topic of discussion over centuries and even today, people have a mixed opinion.


On one hand, people think that the spirit of festivals today is lost and the real meaning has remained confined in history books. While on the other hand, some are of the belief that a festival is still and will always be a sacred occasion and a symbol of their devotion to God.


If you take a look at the former part of the debate, and see it in context with a few religions like Christianity, Islam and Hinduism, you will realize that in a sense it is partially true. Festivals have become a business and many companies have now realized their commercial potential. It has become a time of spending money on worthless needs and the idea behind giving gifts to one another is not love but only to show the measure of their love in the amount and value of the presents they give.



If you talk about Christmas, for instance, there are people who are under the impression that it is merely an occasion for merry-making combined with cake, drinks and gifts. The true spirit of Christmas is lost amidst the special offers of the season by various companies, loudspeakers at D.J. parties echoing rock and pop music not even close to Christmas carols and drunken youth roaming the streets yelling “Merry Christmas!”


Fr. William Carvalho, the parish priest of Rosary Cathedral states, “The scenario today is very different from what it used to be, say about 15 years ago. Christmas is celebrated on a more grand scale, with elaborate decorations, serving liquor at homes and going for parties. The influence of western culture has had a negative effect on the spirit of the occasion outside church. People from different economic strata, whether the owner of a super market selling non- Christmassy things or the common man selling homemade cakes and delicacies, all have found a way to make money during the festival. Even in some schools it has become a day of entertainment with Santa Claus the main highlight, thus completely misunderstanding the true meaning of the birth of Christ.”


Festivals like Diwali, Holi, Ganesh Chaturti and Navratri have also taken a commercial turn. Newspapers, television and even street stores are flooded with advertisements and everyone is out to make the most of the festivals by earning a quick buck. It has become a time of celebrations that may or may not have anything to do with the religious aspect.





“Even though I don’t think festivals here in Vadodara are as commercial as some of the big cities and people have still maintained the devoutness of these occasions, I do think that the government and private sector alike make huge money during this time”, claims Aadhya Shah, a resident of Akota area and a student of Economics. “All the publicity and hype done by the government during Navratri is a mere means of attracting tourists to the city. The separate seating stalls for the VIPs during Navratri, charging money even from spectators, stalls of restaurants and mobile companies put up at the venue, etc are all money making tactics. Diwali time is a battle between those selling crackers, trying to earn more money than the others and also between those bursting them, and the exchange of gifts between people have nothing to do with the sentiments of the season but a way to show their status and wealth depending on the kind of presents they give.”


Even though the festival of Eid might not be as commercialized as some others, it has nevertheless become an occasion for shopkeepers to earn huge bucks at the time of the breaking of the fast. Market places are flooded with traders trying to lure the people with mutton, poultry, ready-made garments, bangles, toys etc and making money out of it.



Commercialization and consumerism have merged with the festivals and cast a negative impression on age-old beliefs.


Now, if you consider the other half of the debate, that religious festivals have not been completely commercialized, you will find considerable proof in this regard as well.


Fr. Roy Miranda, from the Shrine of the Mother of the Forsaken, states, “The sanctity of Christmas is still maintained today, as far as the Eucharistic Celebration goes. People come to church with true faith and devotion to witness the birth of Christ. It is still a festival of love, hope and miracles. What goes on outside on the streets is beyond our control; that is not what Christmas is about. ”


People even today celebrate festivals not as a mere tradition but with pride and reverence, keeping in mind their sacredness.


Maulana Ismail, the Imam of Taif Nagar Masjid in Tandalja area, claims, “The festivals of Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha are celebrated not because it is mandatory, but because people have supreme faith in Allah and his Will. Nothing can be more holy than the fervor with which Eid is celebrated. ”


Dr. Shariq who is basically from Mumbai and now based in Vadodara rightly supports this view. With utter conviction he states, “Eid has nothing to do with commercialization whatsoever. The devoutness that people possess for Allah can never be tainted by the evil of money. It is not a festival of receiving but one of giving; giving to those who are not as blessed as us; not because Allah has commanded us to do so but because the virtue of sacrifice is deep rooted in every Muslim. Zakkat(charity) is part of our faith and without this, there is no meaning to our religion. As it is stated in the Quran, ‘what you choose for yourself, choose for your brethren’.”


Every religion teaches you to spread peace, joy and hope around you, which is what people are now trying to focus on. Religious festivals are occasions to reach out to those people who are not as fortunate as many of you but nevertheless deserve to experience the feeling of the festivities. It is a time to put to practice what religion truly preaches.




This year, Saharsh India organized a morning Education Awareness rally in the city appealing to citizens to spare whatever they can voluntarily from their Diwali spending on firecrackers and sweets, and use the charity money to support education of the underprivileged.


Fr. William Carvalho agrees that festivals are a chance to give the oppressed a reason to smile. “During Christmas, we request the people to help the poor in any way, be it cash or kind. Food grains, food packets, clothes etc. are given not only to Catholics living below the poverty line but even the helpers of the church like sweepers. We find a way to enable even the poor to enjoy Christmas with laughter and love.”


So who’s right and who’s wrong? Which side do you choose to support?
This is not a matter to be weighed on a scale to see which side is of more value. Nor is it a battle of two parties to decide who wins over the other. It is a freedom of opinion, a preference of a particular point of view. It is an endless debate; the two sides of a coin. As George J Carroll once said, “For what do I lose if I lose this world and in doing so I find my god?”

Itivrutt Review

AFTER REST COMES THE BEST:
The wait is over

Nishita Pereira reviews a brand new version of the lab journal of the Faculty of Journalism and Communication.




Itivrutt is out again with a whole different look. It’s in colour, it’s bold and it’s ambitious. An assortment of about 21 features, a cartoon column and a poem; it is a literary treat that can be enjoyed in small doses. With the students working on the paper since October 2009, the effort put in is evident and truly commendable.
Firstly, the stories. Each story is written in a different style, yet follows a pattern that runs throughout the paper. The technique of writing reflects the personality of the writers and their approach to the topic is varied. The issues are contemporary yet carry universal appeal. They’re both solemn and blithe. They range from religion, politics, education and economics to rock music, fashion and advertising. There are also a few humanity stories that add a certain level of maturity to the paper. Every story is backed with sufficient facts, case studies and illustrations, and has multiplicity of opinion that may or may not be a good thing.
Having worked with the software QuarkXPress 5- the world’s most widely used professional page-layout software, this has been the first batch to have done so. This has enabled the students to deliver an accurate, relevant and attractive journal. Moreover, for the first time, Itivrutt was printed in the industrial manner as opposed to the previous issues which were printed at the University Press. It gives it a vibrant and crisp look. All of this asserts the seriousness and dedication of the students.
Another change from the earlier issues is that the paper is now a 12 paged journal compared to the usual 10 pages.
The language is simple and plain that may also come across as amateurish. Whether it is deliberate or whether the writers need to improve their language skills is a decision left to the readers.
Editorially, the paper has its flaws. There are many areas that have been overlooked. Grammatical errors are unmistakable and careless. The placement of stories and photographs as well as non-uniformity of font and design gives it an unprofessional look. The variety or choice of colours is a hindrance to the eyes.
The faculty pages seem to act as an excellent aid to the senior students, in terms of placements in the media industry. However, it fails to do much for the current juniors. With the look and read of a school magazine, it does not support the rest of the paper.
By and large, over looking some of the imperfections, the paper is above satisfactory and worth the effort. It makes for an enjoyable read and will attract readers of all ages. Congratulations to the writers on the successful completion and release of the faculty journal.



Writers- Students of the Faculty of Journalism and Communication, Batch 2009-11
Printer- Jay Printers
Number of pages- 12