Barkha Dutt is an inspiration for all those who aspire to be a journalist. She is feisty and courageous in her quest for news. In a male dominated society, Barkha has established her position as a top journalist. Without caring about dangerous situations, Barkha Dutt reported from places where other journalists would have thought twice about going. She is an inspiration to all aspiring reporters and for those who are looking for a career in journalism or a career in mass communication.
So if you aspire to be a reporter someday, here are a few points on this inspiring and feisty lady who has taken the media world by storm:
1. Family
Barkha Dutt was born in New Delhi. Her father SP Dutt was an official in Air India and her mother Prabha Dutt was a journalist with the Hindustan Times. Barkha has a sister, Bahar Dutt, who is a wildlife conservationist by training and is currently working for CNN-IBN. Barkha owes her journalistic skills to her mother Prabha Dutt who was a well known journalist of her time. Prabha Dutt died of brain haemorrhage in 1984.
2. Education
Barkha graduated with a degree in English Literature from the St. Stephen’s College in New Delhi. She then pursued a Master’s degree in Mass Communication from the reputed Jamia Millia Islamia Mass Communication Research Centre in New Delhi. A few years later, she won the Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation scholarship through which she acquired a Master’s degree in Journalism from the Graduate School of Journalism affiliated to Columbia University in New York.
3. Achievements
Barkha started as a reporter at NDTV and soon rose to the rank of leader of NDTV’s English news wing. Barkha came into limelight with her reporting of the Kargil war and Tsunami disaster. Barkha is known for her fearless journalism. However, she had to face some flak for her reportage of the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai. Nevertheless, Barkha is admired throughout the country and continues to inspire young journalists and journalism students.
4. Controversy
Barkha was accused of partaking in the lobbying for Cabinet seats with Nira Radia. In a report by the OPEN magazine, excerpts from the transcript of a conversation between Nira Radia and Barkha Dutt were carried. When the scam came to light, a number of important people were accused of being involved with Nira Radia. Barkha and most of the accused have denied these allegations.
5. Awards
In 2007, Barkha was awarded the ‘Journalist of the Year’ by the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association. Barkha’s reportage of the Tsunami in 2004 earned her the coveted Padma Shri award in 2008. The same year, she also won the Indian News Broadcasting award for the ‘Most Intelligent News Show Host’. She has also won the ‘Young Achievers Award’ by Society Magazine. Recently, in 2012, she won the ‘TV personality of the year’ award given by the Association for International Broadcasting.
6. Inspired Characters
Barkha has also inspired many on-screen characters in Indian movies. Movies such as Lakshya, No One Killed Jessica have characters that have been based on her.
Barkha Dutt continues to be an inspiration no matter what. She has been praised and criticized, but that has not affected the fire-brand journalism that is typical of her. She continues to lead the news industry of our country and we love her for that.
