“My PTI Diary – 4 Parliament Street” — BOOK COVER UNVEILED

It was on December 1, 2009 that I decided to write my online ‘PTI Diary…… First hand accounts were vivid. I also had plenty of related documents and photographs that helped me join the dots. Simultaneously, such views in the form of feedback, comments and support poured in that … that … that certainly were mightier than mine. But resource crunch prevented me to continue with my diary which still remains The World’s First Online Diary. However, undeterred I kept on jotting my notes on paper and screen. The process is still on. Meanwhile, I have designed the book cover which has the illustration by my friend Owain Thomas. The same being unveiled, today. I am open to modifications which I am sure many would be coming forward with.

EXCERPTS

“… Joining PTI at its head office in New Delhi on August 1, 1997 was a good break, despite a meager stipend. We were a lot of 40 odd journalists inducted into the news agency after a difficult written test and screwing interviews. To begin with, we were quite out-placed. The PTI Building, situated at 4, Parliament Street, New Delhi, was then under renovation. Inside, there were no chairs for the new recruits. Either we could afford to stand whole day or prefer sitting on the hands of the old chairs pre-occupied by friendly seniors.

We needed to be accommodated and supported. Instead, we were put under strenuous postures while discovering the new job relationship. We were never comfortable. But it was our choice. My friends in the Hindi wing (Bhasha) were having no less complicated time. Their whole Hindi service was headless. English service Editor Mr.  S. D. Narayan used to double up as Bhasha Editor as well which exertion he would never be fascinated about. I know the miserable computation he would get for the double duty. But he had no choice, too.

During on-the-job training, I found a very disturbing trend. People were quitting in large numbers. The latest House Journal which was provided to us – June 1997 – itself mentioned 42 resignations. I was shaky. Further, I found the office atmosphere choking. There wasn’t clean air around. Safe drinking water was another problem. But, no one in the office premises would dare talk, confidently. Someone may be always listening. Every conversation was being overheard…”