Anchor of Truth

All writers don’t follow journalism, all journalists don’t follow writing. But she emerged as the Jill of all writing trades. An award-winning anchor, a fiction writer and a columnist, she writes for a cause and stands for one thing – the truth!

Sagarika Ghose is currently the consultant editor of TOI; Image Source: Jaipur Lit. Fest.

It was 2013 when Arvind Kejriwal was bracing for elections and was new in politics. His public appeal was a result of the social media networking of Aam Aadmi Party. A Twitter interview by Sagarika Ghose was a historic moment in Indian politics as a politician had never before given social media interview prior the polls.

Sagarika Ghose is an eminent name in Indian journalism who was awarded the Excellence in Journalism Award from FICCI Ladies Organisation. Named as the Best Anchor by the Indian Television Academy (ITA) Ghose was amongst the 13 famous Rhodes Scholars according to the Rhodes Project. A recipient of C H Mohammed Koya National Award for Journalism for her fearless spirit she gave voice to the questions of the masses which was unheard by the entities in power.

Her coverage of Bengal election and successful conduct of the audience based chat show, Question Time Didi with the West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was widely watched and analysed by the political analysts which led to its acclaim. The show was a recipient of NT Award for Best Public Debate Show in 2013. Which incidentally also had a major fiasco in the middle of a telecast when Mamata Banerjee stormed out of the show without making any clarifications, reportedly she was miffed by the students and activists who questioned the arrests of Jadavpur University students.

The political debacles which the country faces, the fears and the risks of certain decisions, are some of areas which often finds itself in the platter of delusion when the citizens are unaware of the conditions and their impact. This is where the developments and their outcomes through the lens of the journalists give a direction in opinion making. Their observations, comparisons and even the roadmap of the future of a country in a domain sets them apart as the fourth pillar of democracy.

In the age of loud and unbearable debates partnered the fights of cats and dogs on national television, opinion development in a calm and conducive atmosphere got lost. Sagarika Ghose had time and often pronounced her support for a true journalistic spirit which supports aggressive questioning under the dimensions of modesty.

Sagarika’s fictional novels, The Gin Drinkers and Blind Faith bring forth the inevitable contemporary situations brilliantly. Her other non-fictional works which received wide flak and appreciation are Why I Am A Liberal: A Manifesto For Indians Who Believe In Individual Freedom and Indira: India’s Most Powerful Prime Minister. She has announced she will soon be writing about another great Prime Minister India has witnessed but kept the name a secret yet to be unlocked.

A consulting editor of Times of India, she has worked with The Indian Express, Outlook and has been Anchor in BBC World and CNN IBN. Not many are aware that the renowned journalist Rajdeep Sardesai is her husband. Sagarika and Rajdeep together have aspired and worked towards making a safe space for journalists to voice their opinions and free press activism. On many occasions both of them faced the backlash from right wing activists who have questioned their political leaning. Sagarika has always opined that she will never be the watchdog of any political party and will work on making news accessible and reliable. Her zeal is commendable and we hope to see more such free thinkers.