Dr. Dinesh
Journalism, at its best, is a disciplined pursuit of truth grounded in public interest and ethical responsibility. Looking back, my own association with the profession has been both formative and deeply instructive.
Though my first love was Dentistry, from my early years, I had the opportunity to contribute write-ups, public awareness articles, feature stories, and ground reports on social and public-interest issues as a freelance journalist to a range of respected publications. These included The Hindu (National Newspaper); Andaman Wave (Chief Editor: Late Priten Roy); The Light of Andaman (Chief Editors: Late Paras Ram, Late Govind Raju, known by the pen name “Raj Andamani,” and Late Zubair Ahmed); The Daily Telegrams (Chief Editor: Asheem Poddar); The Phoenix Post, then an independent publication, (Chief Editors during my association, Asheem Poddar, Retd., The Daily Telegrams, and O. N. Jaiswal, Retd., Press Information Bureau); Echo of India (Chief Editor: Ashish Laha); Andaman Sheekha (Chief Editor: Sanjib Kumar Roy); and Andaman Chronicle (Chief Editor: Denis Giles).
In addition, I contributed to government school magazines and private publications, including Andaman Legacy, a special supplement of Andaman Sheekha. Collectively, these engagements strengthened my understanding of journalism as a public trust and reinforced the importance of balance, accuracy, and accountability.
My engagement with journalism began in 1992, during a period when reporting relied primarily on fieldwork, persistence, and professional credibility rather than immediacy or spectacle. To build a stronger academic foundation, I completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Mass Communication from Symbiosis University, Pune, in 2004. The programme provided valuable exposure to media ethics, newsroom practices, and the responsibilities inherent in public communication.
The editors under whom I was associated were not merely supervisors but mentors whose guidance continues to influence my professional outlook. I also benefited from the collegial support of fellow freelance journalists Bassudev Das and Ms. Tanaz Nobel, who shared social issues of A & N Islands & experiences added depth to my learning.
Equally significant was my association with All India Radio, Port Blair. The encouragement extended by Shuklaji (Retd.), who conducted my first interview on Dental awareness, as well as by Durgvijay Singhji (Retd.) and Rakesh Chander Lal (Retd.), who facilitated the broadcast of press notes in Pradeshik Samachar(Local News), contributed meaningfully to my understanding of broadcast journalism. I also remain grateful to Ms. Meena Prakash, (made history as the first woman to be head of programmes for Doordarshan Kendra & AIR Srivijayapuram taking on the DD role as an additional charge), and programme executives Ms. Jaisheela, Ms. Sanam, and P. S. Saigal for their cooperation during public health and Dental awareness programmes aired on AIR.
My first interview on Doordarshan, Port Blair, conducted by Ms. Bincy Kuruvilla on Dental awareness, around three decades ago, after that multiple times on DD Port Blair marked another important milestone in communicating public health issues through mass media.
***This article is written in fond remembrance of my mentors, with the intention of inviting readers to reflect upon and relive the joyful moments of the past.
E-mail: dineshdentalclinic@gmail.com