By Ashok Karn, senior Photo-journalist
Another new book presented by Dr. Brajesh Verma ji showing some dark side of journalism, regarding the work, dedication, threat of life, thriving on very meager payment and maintaining their life and family in spite of severe exploitation by their bosses or seniors sitting in the state capital or the country, highlighted the pangs of local journalists of non descript and remote area of Bihar and Jharkhand. As per book, Instead of no time frame of working hours these poor journalists are sent to work in very in hospitable conditions in remote areas where they don’t get any proper food and shelter and the irony is that sometimes credits of their works are also taken by their seniors who are sitting in cozy atmospheres in the state capital or Metro cities.
In this book Sarkar Babu the main character, unravel the mysterious death of a poor but qualified and unmarried young tribal girl Deepa Murmu, who died while delivering a child at small hamlet called Bamda in Batia Ghati about 67 Kms from Jamui, where he had gone to cover press conference of Railway I G, but luckily he got this news and while he was about to return to Bhagalpur, he decided to cover this story and took the help of one of his friend and went there in dead of night and In that heavy surcharged atmosphere he collected the details met with the locale people, Mukhiya as well as the family members of the deceased and rushed to Patna his head office Times of India where his editor was anxiously waiting for him. Next day his labor paid dividend and his news was a flair, which was applauded by all but also caused heart burn to some and at the same time he also invited wrath of political people and faced barrage of bullets but luckily escaped.
In this way Sarkar Babu did different projects and assignments for his newspaper and lately he shifted to The Telegraph and came to Dumka where he also did some beautiful and eyes opening stories like elephant menace, nepotism in politics, volatile political situations, neglected ancient site of Vikramshila, which has not came into the radar of Bihar Tourism of Bodhi circuit, with his fellow friends and journalists.
It is highly appreciable that Brajesh ji has given credits to everybody from Chaiwala to internet café wala and whosoever came in contact and concern with him even me and my friend Shaji Joseph too.
This book consists of 217 pages, 16 chapters and cost Rs 299, published by Namya Press, New Delhi and is available on Amazon and Flipkart.
Ashok Karan.
