Sonal Mehrotra Kapoor talks about her journey of becoming a Journalist & we took notes
Sonal Mehrotra Kapoor is an Associate Editor and Principal Anchor at NDTV and an inspiration to many aspirant journalists out there. She is a renowned NDTV anchor and has been associated with the brand since 2010. She is known for her trailblazing reporting on several issues in the country. Notably, she was the top Nominee for the Asian Television Awards in Singapore for her rigorous coverage of the Nirbhaya case.
Sonal hails from Kanpur and is married to Ankit Kapoor. I follow Sonal on social media and recently I stumbled upon a TED video where she talked about what all goes into the making of a Journalist. I decided to watch the video and the 18-minute video has a lot to offer.
Indeed Sonal inspires many women like me. In her 11 years old career, she has achieved many milestones and she tried to sum it up all in a video. If you are an aspiring journalist or someone who is trying to make a mark for yourself in this industry, then you should definitely watch this video. At a time when everything is gloomy in the media industry, People like Sonal Mehrotra Kapoor send out hope that media will bounce back.
Watch: The Making of a Journalist | Sonal Mehrotra Kapoor
A call that changed Sonal’s Life
She talked about her moment of epiphany while covering the Nirbhaya case. It was December 2012 when she was a city reporter and was asked to cover the case. Sonal Mehrotra Kapoor explained that she planning to quit and go back home, but that one call changed her life. After Nirbhaya coverage, she never looked back. The way she explained the chronology of the events and how emotionally draining the incident was quite relatable.
I guess Nirbhaya case was an epiphany moment for many of us. A lot of us actually got the direction in life and it changed our perspective towards life. That rape case has transformed many lives. I remember in 2012, I was in the first year of my college. Just out of school and an aspiring Journalist. A lot of my friends from the college were a part of protests taking place across Delhi. One of my professors Sunanda Dixit told us – Aaj Nhi toh kabhi nhi. It is not just about one girl, it is about many like her who dream big and want to do something in life.
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Everything changes when the camera is on
There are moments when we break down, there could be panic or anxiety attacks. But a journalist has to stay committed to his or her work. Once the camera is on they have to report things for the larger good. She narrated the brutal rape of two sisters in Budaun, who went to the fields to release themselves and she covered that. I literally got goosebumps after listening to it. But in the end your Voice matters! If you have a voice, it should be used to make a difference.
Be the agent of Change
She summed up the video by saying that when the moment of epiphany hits you –Live it, Embrace it and enjoy it! Because your life is about to change and with you, many other lives will also change. If you have a voice that many people still don’t have, don’t be a silent spectator of change, be the agent of change just like Sonal.
Currently, she is handling the FYI section of NDTV where she tries to debunk the COVID-19 myths. I agree Journalism in India is facing a tough time. Be it credibility, formatting or even authenticity, everything is under question. But still, this field attracts thousands of students every year. In that case, it is important to set your role model right. Journalist like Sonal Mehrotra Kapoor restores our faith in this profession. The video is a sneak peek into the world behind the camera.
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