FIFTH COLUMN

The addiction

By Sushma

The urge to write, to see your views on burning or simmering issues printed on a paper; has its roots imbedded in your blood stream. There is no other explanation. The novelty of seeing your byline wears off after some time. It is something more, much deeper that defies logic. For it takes a large amount of illogicality to devote so much of your time and energy to do something that pays so little.

You want to make a difference and it gets to be frustrating when you see so little or nothing happening. But if one were to go backwards, it is easy to see that no matter what, a word written is words spread. Even if only one per cent of the population reads it, the seed has been sown. It will sprout and grow over a period of time. It may not even happen in one's lifetime but there has to be someone to sow the first seed.

It gets mighty frustrating at times when practicality overshadows idealism, commercialism takes over philanthropy and so called common sense threatens a dream. Though these may be enough to deter a whole lot of mushrooming characters who blow the way the stronger wind is blowing; a true addict remains true to the calling in his/her blood.

Journalists come in all colours. Some remain low profile, dedicated and are humble about their work and these are also the kinds who become victims of much allegations; since it seems people cannot figure them out and so think by attacking them, they would see the mystery ripped apart.

Another brand is the voluble brand who has access to all juicy tit bits doing its rounds. This character appears to be an encyclopaedia of who is who and what is what in the country. This type rises up the ladder very fast and soon has no qualms about calling oneself one of the senior journalists in town. Politically conscious and well versed in developing contacts, this brand makes it good while the sun shines.

There is the type 'dismiss it all but me' kind. This variety thinks he/she is the best and the rest are all crap. Well connected, this brand forms an aura around oneself and has no hesitation in selling the hype. The world being the competitive market place that it is, the hype sells and this brand glows with the help of the heavy helping hands.

The pathetic brand is the one that goes around literally begging for sustenance, using its press card as an intimidating tool. After all, making a living out of yellow journalism is not an easy job!

Slandering others and catering to the whims of the politicians is not respectable either. Like weeds, this type proliferates, giving the profession a bad name. Another stock is the stocky lot who cannot write an intelligible line but are somehow in the trade.

This type keeps regular hours, works diligently and is devoted to the trade. It takes all kinds to make the world of journalism go around, as it does the earth. It is the few who are in it for the love of it that gives it credence, that makes it worthwhile. Money cannot buy this rare breed. Once addicted, always addicted.