I was extremely fortunate to begin my journalistic career with an organisation that was unique in many ways. It had an affectionate, homely atmosphere where we all worked together as a family. This is the first thing which I recall whenever I look back at my years of work in that news agency where I not only began my career but in a way, my life.
It was an informal place and there were no strict rules. Yet the work went smoothly due to the self-discipline that was encouraged. The ease with which we could complete our tasks resulted from the trust and faith our seniors had in us. They would assign us our duties and explain in detail so that we had no doubts about anything. Our great regard for them stemmed from the way they went about their work, with a quite dignity and commitment. We were all in awe of them. However, they never evoked any fear in us.That was the beauty of that work culture.
The “bosses” we had during those years were exceptional people. They were like our “Gurus” whom we revered and looked up to. Whenever I remember them, it is with the same emotion with which I remember my father or my grandfather.
They loved us and did not just look at us as trainees or employees. They knew each of us well and knew our strengths and weaknesses, just like our parents do. They counselled us and showed us the right way to go about our work and also, our lives. I went to my editor many a time for personal advice. Such was the faith I had in the people who headed the agency.
I had just left college and when I found such a place of work, I was extremely happy. It encouraged us to do more than was expected from us. I used to reach the office at 7.30 am for my 8 am duty. It was a pleasure to go to the central editing desk and gear oneself up for the six-hour shift which seemed to get over too soon.
The bosses were very punctual and believed in leading us by example. If one reached even five minutes late, one would feel a bit upset on seeing the bosses’ cars already in the parking lot. It is not just journalism we learnt at that institution. We learnt how to work as a team, how to respect our colleagues, how to guide our juniors and also how to treat our place of work as a temple and our work as worship.
Among our bosses during those wonderful years were KPK Kutty, UR Kalkur and V Ganapathy. From these journalists of high calibre, we learnt the finer points of journalism and also the way in which to conduct oneself. Their humility was what struck us greatly. Their unassuming ways and their soft-spoken manner won all of us over forever! That is why I used the word “fatherly” to describe them.
They were kind, compassionate, considerate and concerned about the welfare of each one of us. Anytime, without any appointment, we could walk into their offices and have a cup of coffee with them, the famous South Indian “kaapi” for which the canteen of our office was extremely popular with everyone in the city.
We could discuss anything related to our work and even take an informal class in politics , history or sports! Their offices were like lighthouses for us as well as sources of comfort, help and enlightenment. The warmth that their words gave us can only be given by our parents and other elders in the family. This was the first place where I worked and this made me believe that all offices would be like this. However, this was not true as layer I found out.
I vividly recall that once, faced with a very difficult personal situation, I went to one of my bosses and asked for advice . The way that he showed me was one which I could have never thought of. And so gently, so easily. Not once did I feel that I should not have troubled him by seeking advice in a personal matter which was affecting my work.
It seemed just the right thing to do. With the greatest regard and reverence for these stalwarts of the profession, I have written this –just to remember fondly a world which seems to have vanished, never to be seen or felt again. Sadly.