Rakesh Khanduri: From Aspiring Teacher to State Bureau Chief at Amar Ujala
Rakesh Khanduri, who grew up in Doiwala, is currently the Uttarakhand State Bureau Chief for Amar Ujala. Initially aspiring to become a teacher, he prepared for it but was steered toward journalism due to life’s circumstances. The allure of journalism during a time when internet access was limited captivated him. Back then, news of events would sometimes take days to surface and get published. Khanduri shares insights about his journey in journalism and the challenges that aspiring journalists should be aware of.
In the “Hum Bharat Ke Log” forum, Khanduri narrates an incident that reflects the power of journalism during that era.
He recounts:
“At that time, Doiwala was not a densely populated area but was politically significant. I got an opportunity to report for Amar Ujala from Doiwala. Our reporting focused on the issues and solutions in rural areas. We visited villages, spoke to people, and wrote stories.”
He recalls one of his initial assignments in 1997, reporting from Kaudsi village. He and his friend Ashwani Gupta visited the village, which was notable for its 100% literacy rate. Despite this, the village lacked in developmental activities. His report, titled ‘100% Literate Kaudsi Lags in Development’, was published prominently in eight columns, his first major breakthrough.
The story caused an immediate reaction. The Block Development Officer (BDO) called him, noting the possibility of the District Magistrate (DM) visiting the village. When the DM visited, he confirmed the report’s findings, praised Khanduri’s on-ground reporting, and sanctioned ₹30 lakh for village development.
Khanduri believes impactful stories still hold influence today, provided they are robust and well-presented.
Journey from Teaching Aspirations to Journalism
Speaking about his early career, Khanduri says:
“I wanted to be a teacher and prepared for it. Unfortunately, I missed the merit list for a B.Ed. entrance exam by just two marks. However, I did teach English to high school students as a tutor.”
Khanduri was drawn to journalism by listening to his cousin Nand Kishore Khanduri, who was already in the field. Inspired, he pursued a journalism degree from Garhwal University. After gaining initial experience with Doon Darpan, he joined Amar Ujala and eventually became the State Bureau Chief for Uttarakhand.
Desk and Reporting Synergy
Having spent nearly three decades in journalism, Khanduri emphasizes the importance of coordination between the desk and reporters.
“The desk team enhances stories, corrects errors, and adds value. Reporters and desk staff must work as complementary forces to strengthen a publication,” he says.
Creative Interests
Khanduri has always been a creative individual. An avid cricket enthusiast during his school days, he was known for his fast bowling. He is also a skilled artist and enjoys playing the harmonica. His passion for music led him to master the mouth organ during college, entertaining friends with his melodies.
He also led initiatives under the Nehru Yuva Mandal in Doiwala, organizing awareness programs on sanitation, cultural events, and campaigns like promoting iodized salt.
Reporting Challenges in the Pre-Digital Era
Reflecting on the challenges of early journalism, Khanduri recalls visiting remote villages on foot for stories, often without modern equipment like cameras. Despite such limitations, their reports managed to capture critical rural issues and gain attention, paving the way for solutions.
