Do what you do the best with all your heart
photo credit: prophecysixgogam.files.wordpress.com
Abhilasha Rayamajhi
Kathmandu
Writing used to be my hobby. When I was 10, I wrote short
stories and essays. At 16, I scribbled poems on life, love and passion. I have
always contributed as a writer/editor for my college magazines. Age 19, I had
already conceptualised radio shows, wrote my own scripts and presented it as
well.
I am 22 now, and I work with the nation’s leading English National
daily. In a span of one year I have written on significant issues such as
reconstruction, economy, tourism and entrepreneurship in Nepal. I entered the
world of journalism with full zeal and enthusiasm. The moment I was given the
freedom to choose what I could write about I felt empowered.
My first article was published on May 24, 2015. I wrote about
sustainable and disaster resistant households. When I first saw my name on the
newspaper, I was in cloud nine! Moreover, the impact the story created was
something that instilled a purpose in my work. Writing was no longer just a
hobby since then. It became my life’s true calling. It is a medium through
which I could express my thoughts and feelings.
However, the world of journalism is not as attractive as it
looks from the outside. I am a positive person, but the negativity that I
observed in the industry cannot be ignored. Most reporters I meet are unhappy
regarding pay issues. It seems like it is quite difficult for a person to
sustain in Nepal solely as a journalist. So, most of the reporters are also
entrepreneurs, teachers or involved in other professions or have enough
parental property to live a luxurious life and their job is just another time
pass.
Another frequently discussed topic is ‘by line’. Most of the
writers crave to see their name in newspapers, which is normal. Despite the low
salary there is an attraction in this industry because you are well recognised.
But it is said that by line is not a birth right of a journalist because the company
pays you for your service. Ok, fair enough. But once I was shocked when a
senior journalist complained about me for I got two by lines on the same page! As
if I got credit for the work she did!
It is truth in the fact that the overall work environment for young people is not quite encouraging in
Nepal. But dwelling on the problems or complaining is not a solution. So what
is??
The solution is doing what you do the best with all your
heart. For me it is, writing and I will keep writing!
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