This is a cross-post from LinkedIn.
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On April 30, I stepped into a new phase of life after my superannuation from The Hindu.
Interestingly, The Hindu was also the first newspaper I worked with — as an intern in Thiruvananthapuram, during July and August of 1987, while pursuing my post-graduation in Mass Communication and Journalism (MCJ) at the University of Kerala.
After completing my BSc in Chemistry, it was a tough call: should I go for a master’s in Chemistry, which would have been the obvious next step, or take a completely different route with MCJ?
After a lot of contemplation, I chose the latter.
That was back in 1985. What tipped the scale was my deep interest in current affairs (General Knowledge was a favourite subject in school) and my growing love for news.
Three years later, I got my first job — and since then, it has been an exciting journey of learning and discovery.
Journalism gave me the opportunity to understand so many aspects of the world around me — its social fabric, historical complexities, traditional routines, cultural nuances, political compulsions, business dynamics, personal stories, and technological transformations.
I couldn’t have asked for more.
In this new phase, I know I’ll miss the newsroom. But the compensation is a slower, more relaxed pace of life — one where I hope to do many of the things I had to put off all these years.
Though I may no longer be part of a media organisation, my passion for current affairs remains as strong as ever. I’m sure the many exciting developments around the world — especially in technology, which continues to fascinate me — will keep me engaged.
Journalism, after all, is not just about events. It's also about language — the vehicle that carries the message. So I know I’ll continue to be obsessed with adjectives and adverbs, clauses and conjunctions, punctuations and prepositions!
I’m deeply grateful to the six news organisations I worked for in six cities, and to everyone I’ve had the privilege of meeting and/or working with. I’ve learned so much from them all.
Looking forward to staying connected.
Thank you once again!
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Congratulations on your retirement. The best is yet to come!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteHari Om
ReplyDeleteAnd now you'll wonder where you ever found the time for work! Congrats on joining the retirement ranks and may you find much joy and interest to fill the gap. YAM xx
Hi Yamini - I am sure I'll realise that! Thank you so much!
DeleteCongratulations
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ashok.
DeleteCongratulations and all the best for ur future activities. Have fun :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rajesh.
DeleteYou did the right thing after graduation to go by your aptitude to earn a Masters in mass communication and journalism.Your entire professional work became a source of joy. Please continue with greater vigour what you like best and see whether it an be converted to cash!
ReplyDeleteThank you, KP, for the suggestion. I will get going with something that I love in due course.
DeleteCongratulations on your retirement. Enjoy.
ReplyDeleteThank you, so much, Liz.
DeleteAfter working for so many years, I hope you enjoy your retirement
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!
DeleteYou have had a remarkable career!
ReplyDeleteHi Tomi, thank you so much.
DeleteGood for you! I'm sorry to have been absent so long. Blessings to you and yours, my dear.
ReplyDeleteHi Darla, thank you so much.
DeleteCongratulations on such a wonderful career! And I find it touching that you are so grateful for everything. You have a very nice blog. Warm greetings from Montreal, Canada.
ReplyDeleteHi Linda, thank you so much for your kind words and warm good wishes.
DeleteHow very nice and a pleasure to hear from you again. Thank you for visiting Katie and me today. Congratulations on your retirement. It will seem strange, and even faintly disquieting for a brief time, perhaps. It was for me. But, as you said, there is nothing but time to do things you have wanted to do.
ReplyDeleteI have read some of your writings regarding news happenings and for the last one I read, I believe I wrote you telling you how balanced I saw it, and I was able to read it without "arguing" about it all the way through, to myself. What a relief and pleasure. Enjoy your retirement. May you and your wife have the opportunity to travel again as you did not long ago...and I was so glad that you took we readers along. Loved the series.
Hi Katie, thank you so much for your kind words and warm good wishes.
DeleteCongratulations and I hope like me you'll find Retirement is the best job ever!
ReplyDeleteHi Chris, thank you so much. I will try to make the best of the new phase of life.
DeleteCongratulations on your retirement and what a long time in your field of work but it seems you enjoyed it which is good.
ReplyDeleteNow time to do those things you never had time to do before - well, maybe.
Hi Margaret, thank you so much. Yes, I really enjoyed the job I had.
DeleteI can recommend retirement. You do great things when you retire, or you don't. It is your time and it matters not. I guess The Hindu is not The Hindu Times.
ReplyDeleteYes, I can do things according to my convenience.
DeleteHave a wonderful retirement. I highly recommend it. You will find much to occupy your inquiring mind.
ReplyDeleteHi David, Thank you very much. I am sure I will find plenty of stuff to keep me busy.
DeleteCongratulations Pradeep. Wish you an active and happy retired life.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much.
DeleteI never heard class or subject called General Knowledge. It could be called something else.
ReplyDelete